LEST WE FORGET
Flying Officer Vincent Maxwell THOMAS
Service No: 400944
Born: Echuca VIC, 9 November 1920
Enlisted in the RAAF: 11 November 1940
Unit: No. 3 Squadron
Died: Air Operations: (No. 3 Squadron Mustang aircraft JSF615), Italy, 9 January 1945, Aged 24 Years
Buried: Argenta Gap War Cemetery, Italy
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Frederick Victor and Isabel May Thomas, of East Malvern, Victoria, Australia
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 98, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 9 January 1945, Mustang JSF615 was Blue Leader in a formation of 12 aircraft detailed to bomb a road bridge south east of Alfonsin and north-west of Ravenna, Italy. The target was well defended by anti-aircraft fire. Shortly after commencing its bombing dive JSF615 was seen spinning down to approximately 2000 feet and an object which could have been a parachute was seen to leave the aircraft at 500 feet but was not seen to open. JSF615 failed to return to base.
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, 166/39/437