Saunders, Philip James
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Philip James |
Surname | Saunders |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 24-08-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Samuel James Saunders and Eliza Saunders, of Kenton, Middlesex. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling III |
Serial Number | BK801 |
Markings | QS-X |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 164. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 237 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1809920 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 620 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Green, Chedburgh, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brick Monument with Inscribed Marble Tablets |
Memorial Text | In memory and honour of the Royal Air Force and Polish Air Force Squadrons who were based at RAF Chedburgh 1942 - 1946 |
Location | Village Green, Chedburgh, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brick Pillar, inscribed concrete slab and metal plaque |
Memorial Text | A memorial to the men and women who served at RAF Chedburgh between 1942 and 1946, including 620 Sqn |
Location | All Saints Church, Chedburgh |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | RoH & Sqn Badge |
Memorial Text | 620 Sqn Roll of Honour and 620 Sqn Badge |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2138/3 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2134/5 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 23-08-1943 |
End Date | 24-08-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Chedburgh |
Day/Night Raid | Night (37% moon) |
Operation | Berlin. 727 aircraft, 56 losses (7.9%)- the greatest loss in a single raid so far in the war. Sequential marking was used to keep the main force on course. A Master Bomber approach was also used (W/C J E [Johnny] Fauquier). PFF were unable to locate the centre of Berlin using H2S and instead marked the southern suburbs. The main force arrived late and many cut a corner, making their arrival point incorrect. As might be expected for Berlin, the flak and fighter defences were formidable. Nevertheless, this was the most serious raid on Berlin so far in the war. Much of the government district was badly damaged and 20 ships were also sunk. 854 people were killed, many of whom had failed to take refuge in air raid shelters. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed SE of Bernau, Germany |