Helvard, Arne Rhoar
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Arne Rhoar |
Surname | Helvard |
Gender | M |
Age | 28 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 22-06-1943 |
Next of Kin | Of Denmark. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling III |
Serial Number | BK712 |
Markings | HA-D |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Belgium |
Burial/Memorial Place | Langdorp Churchyard |
Grave Reference | Grave 3. |
Epitaph | KAEMP FOR ALT, HVAD DU HAR KAERT, DO, OM SAA DET GAELDER! (from a Danish hymn often used at funerals- Live and die for what you love! Cherish and defend it!). All three verses: 1. On your way! Be brave and true! Should the road seem endless, walk where God is near and you never can be friendless. 2. Stars above the clouds still shine through your darkest hour! In the Lord’s own prayer you find courage, peace and power. 3. Live and die for what you love! Cherish and defend it! Then you lift your life above things that waste and end it. |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 180 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 128521 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 218 (Gold Coast) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Denmark |
Other Memorials
Location | ter hoogte van Grote Meur, Aarschot, Vlaams-Brabant Province |
Country | Belgium |
Memorial Type | Memorial stone & inscribed stone tablet |
Memorial Text | Ter herdenking aan de 8 RAF vliegeniers die op 22 juni 1943 in hun Short Stirling BK 712 boven langdorps grondgebied werden neergeschoten en hier begraven liggen |
Location | Donkweg (Cemetery), Langdorp (Aarscot), Vlaams-Brabant Province |
Country | Belgium |
Memorial Type | Inscribed metal tablet |
Memorial Text | Op deze plaats stortte op 22 juni 1943 een Short Stirling van 218 RAF (gold Coast) Squadron neer |
Location | St. Mary's Church, Bexwell, Norfolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Tablet |
Memorial Text | In memory of the squadrons based at R.A.F. Downham Market and those who have their lives during the 1939 - 1945 war |
Location | All Saints Church, Chedburgh, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | RoH and Sqn Crest |
Memorial Text | Roll of Honour and scroll remembering the members of the Royal and Polish Air Forces who served at RAF Chedburgh 1942 - 1946 |
Miscellaneous Information
He was a Danish pilot on attachment from 1651 HCU |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1351/12 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1351/11 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 21-06-1943 |
End Date | 22-06-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Downham Market |
Day/Night Raid | Night (80% moon) |
Operation | Krefeld. 705 aircraft, 44 losses (6.2%) with night-fighters counting for most of the losses (the night was moonlit). PFF marking was near-perfect (using Oboe). A large fire in the centre of Krefeld raged unchecked for many hours. Over 5500 houses destroyed, 1056 people killed and 72000 bombed out of their homes. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed at Langdorp, Belgium |