Could anyone tell me what mission 420 Sqn was engaged in on 4 May 1944. I am researching our war memorial for the local branch of the British Legion. The man following is listed on it:-
"Pilot Officer 178145 Gordon William Beer RAFVR of 420 Sqn. died on 4th May 1944 and is commemorated on Panel 210 of the Runnymede Memorial. Sgt.1338354 G. W. Beer had been promoted to Pilot Officer on probation on the 2nd, two days before his death. He is remembered on the War Memorial in the Church of St. John the Baptist in Buckhurst Hill."

Bill Oliver

I'd try the message board at www.rafcommands.com

Sgt G.W. Beer (w/op) went missing without a trace in Halifax III MZ-596 with P/O P. La Pointe at the controls on a training excercise on May 3/4,1944.

Sgt GW Beer was a member of an eight man crew which included a mid-under gunner .

full crew list is on p211 of Chorley's 1944 'Bomber Command Losses' .

no survivors .

The crew were all lost during the night while on a night cross country flight while over the North Sea. Some cross country flights were called Bullseye flights , for crew training and competency. In my copy of the "Halifax File" there is a notation "night cross country-possibly shot down?" There was one other Brit on the flight, P.O. W. Stobbart.

Cheers, Karl Kj.