Coleman, Alan Joseph
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Alan Joseph |
Surname | Coleman |
Gender | M |
Age | 25 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 04-12-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Samuel and Eva May Coleman, of Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
Serial Number | JB232 |
Markings | OF-U |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 190. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 146 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 409665 |
Service | Royal Australian Air Force |
Group | 8 |
Squadron | 97 (Straits Settlements) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Australia |
Other Memorials
Location | Church of the Holy Spirit, RAF Coningsby, Coningsby, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window |
Memorial Text | A stained glass window remembering 97 Sqn in the Church of the Holy Spirit, RAF Coningsby |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/767/24 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/767/23 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 03-12-1943 |
End Date | 04-12-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Bourn |
Day/Night Raid | Night (45% moon) |
Operation | Leipzig. 527 aircraft. By way of a diversion, the main force took a direct route toward Berlin and then turned off for Leipzig, by which time German fighters were already amongst them and scoring successes. Fortunately many were called back to Berlin once the Mosquito diversionary raid began. as a result only three bombers were thought to have been Lost in the target area. Some aircraft flew off course and ended up in the heavily defended Frankfurt area and most of the losses sustained this night were amongst them. PFF marking was accurate and the resultant bombing was effective. The former World Fair exhibition buildings were hit, some of which had been converted into a Junkers aircraft factory. |
Reason for Loss | Lost without trace |