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Broadley, John Alan

    Date of birth:
    1921 (Richmond/Yorkshire, Great Britain)
    Date of death:
    February 18th, 1944 (Amiens, Département Picardie, France)
    Buried on:
    Commonwealth War Graves Amiens
    Plot: 3. Row: A. Grave: 11.
    Service number:
    47690
    Nationality:
    British (1801-present, Kingdom)

    Biography

    John Broadley was born in Richmond, Yorkshire in 1921. Joining the RAF on leaving school, he trained as a Sergeant Observer, and flew many operations over Germany during the first two years of war. He joined No.9 Squadron May 1941, and became 'Pick' Pickard's
    regular navigator. During June-August he flew with Pickard against major German targets such as Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Cologne. In August 1941 he was posted to No.138 Squadron, a special duties unit, supplying the resistance and dropping / recovering of agents. November 18th 1941 he was commissioned as Pilot Officer and moved to No.51 squadron. During the night of February 27th/28th 1942, he flew with Pickard on Operation Biting, which involved dropping paratroops to recover parts of the German Wurzburg radar from Bruneval, near Le Havre. July 1942 he was posted to No.296 Squadron a glider towing unit. During November, Broadley moved to No.161 Squadron followed by other special duties. On 1st December 1943 he made his final move to No.21 Squadron part of 140 Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force. Appointed Wing Navigational Officer during January 1944. He flew many low level raids with Pickard, culminating with Operation Jericho on which he and Pickard were shot down and killed.

    Promotions:
    November 18th, 1941: Pilot Officer (temp)
    October 1st, 1942: Flying Officer (probation/ War sub)
    November 18th, 1943: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Sergeant
    Unit:
    No. 9 Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    September 23rd, 1941
    Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Flight Lieutenant
    Unit:
    No. 161 (Special Duties) Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    April 20th, 1943
    Citation:
    "Flt. Lt. Broadley has flown as navigator sincee April, 1940. He has fulfilled the duties of Squadron Navigational Officer with great success
    in two operational squadrons. On one occasion the aircraft in which he was flying came down at sea and it was entirely owing to Fit. Lt. Broadley that the crew were rescued. On two other occasions he has been involved in air accidents, but this officer continues to show an unabated enthusiasm for operational duties."
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Flight Lieutenant
    Unit:
    No. 161 (Special Duties) Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    October 19th, 1943
    Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
    Citation:
    "Flight Lieutenant Broadley is a navigator of exceptional merit. He has completed a large number of sorties, rendering most valuable service, And his efforts have contributed materially to the successes achieved."

    Sources

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