LEST WE FORGET
Flying Officer Edward Joseph GREENWOOD
Service No: 412131
Born: Arncliffe NSW, 7 October 1916
Enlisted in the RAAF: 22 June 1941
Unit: No. 126 Squadron (RAF)
Died: Air Operations: (No. 126 Squadron Spitfire aircraft JK756), Greece, 10 February 1944, Aged 27 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of William Edward and Mary Theresa Greenwood
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 16, Column 1, Malta Memorial, Malta
Remembered: Panel 123, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Wentworthville Park Memorial, Wentworthville NSW
At 0945 hours on 10 February 1944 Spitfire JK756 was airborne from Grottaglie on an operational reconnaissance together with five other Squadron aircraft. When at deck level off the west coast of Corfu, enemy aircraft were reported flying north west to south east at 500 feet. Spitfire JK756 engaged the enemy as it turned eastward to Corfu, and was hit by fire from the enemy rear gunner, and broke away, climbed slightly, and then lost height rapidly, white vapour coming from the engine. The aircraft hit the sea and burst into flames and sank immediately just off the west coast of Corfu due east of Korakcana. Other aircraft circled the spot, with burning oil on the surface, but no sign of pilot. In a letter dated 13 February 1944 from another pilot of 126 Squadron, he wrote “intercepted a German bomber, and Ted was first to attack with his usual keenness and enthusiasm. He damaged the aircraft but the rear gunner hit him at the same time. We were very low and
Ted went into the sea. A few seconds later the enemy aircraft was shot down by two or more of our boys.”
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/16/273
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line