Byers, Robert William
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Robert William |
Surname | Byers |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 27-08-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of Robert George and Lillian Alice Byers, of Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington III |
Serial Number | Z1613 |
Markings | GT- |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
Burial/Memorial Place | Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Plot JJ. Grave 112. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 139 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 412201 |
Service | Royal New Zealand Air Force |
Group | 8 |
Squadron | 156 |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | New Zealand |
Other Memorials
Location | St. Mary Magdalene Church, Warboys, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window & Inscribed Slate Tablet |
Memorial Text | We light the way" This tablet is placed in memory of Flight Lieutenant JL Sloper DFC and Bar, RAFVR. And in tribute to all who served with 156 Squadron Path Finders Force at RAF Warboys, 1942-1945, In gratitude. |
Location | Tithe Farm, Warboys, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brick Pillars and inscribed Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | From this RAF Station Warboys 156 squadrons No 8 (PFF) group, marked targets for Bomber Command 1942-1944 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1041/14 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1041/13 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 27-08-1942 |
End Date | 28-08-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Warboys |
Day/Night Raid | Night (96% moon) |
Operation | Kassel- 306 aircraft sustained 31 losses (10.1%). PFF found little cloud cover and were able to mark the target without difficulty. Widespread damage throughout the city, including damage to all three of the Henchel aircraft factory. At this extraordinary loss rate, an airman stood less than 0.5% chance of surviving his two tours. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed near Elsendorp, Helmond, Holland |