• Short Stirling

Nationality:

British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Service number: 149126 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Roderick McKitrick flew also with No. 44 and No. 138 Squadron. With No. 138 Squadron he was involved in dropping of Secret Agents in SOE operations. During Operation Draughts & Backgammon with Short Stirling Mk IV NF-J, LK200 in the night of 8th/9th September 1944, the plane hit the cable of a barrage balloon at 02.50hours over Texel, the Netherlands and crashed. Of the crew Flying Officer Thomas Roger Court, Flying Officer John Hulme and Flying Officer George Evans Fletcher Walton died in the crash. They later were buried at the cemetery at Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands. Squadron Leader G.M. Rothwell, Flying Officer McKitrick, Pilot Officer Shaw and Flight Sergeant R.W. Wilmott were taken prisoner. Roderick Alexander McKitrick was imprisoned at POW camp L1 (Staluft 4B/L1) at Barth together with Rothwell and Shaw.

Promotions:
14th May 1943: Pilot Officer (on probation);
14th November 1943: Flying Officer (on probation);
14th May 1945: Squadron Leader.

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• - Third Supplement to The london Gazette of Friday 3rd September 1943, Issue 36161, dated 7th September 1943
  - Third Supplement to The london Gazette of Tuesday 7th December 1943, Issue 36280, dated 10th December 1943
  - Third Supplement to The london Gazette of Friday 19th May 1944, Issue 36525, dated 23rd May 1944
  - Second Supplement to The london Gazette of Tuesday 15th May 1945, Issue 37083, dated 18th May 1945
  - Roll of Honour
  - Lost Bombers