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Coghlan, John Hunter "Slim"

    Date of birth:
    September 7th, 1914 (Shanghai, China)
    Date of death:
    August 17th, 1940
    Buried on:
    War Cemetery Boulogne-sur-Mer
    Plot: 13. Row: B. Grave: 2.
    Service number:
    37719
    Nationality:
    British

    Biography

    On July 13th, 1940, the Hawker Hurricane that John Coghlan piloted was damaged by Josef Fözö.
    In the night of 17/18th. August 1940 took off in Lysander "C" of PPU to perform "Special Duties Flight" carrying an unidentified passenger. During the mission he was reported missing in action. John's body was reported to have washed ashore on the French coast 23rd. September. John is reported to be the first pilot to attempt to fly an agent into Occupied France.

    Promotions:
    February 3rd, 1937: Pilot Officer;
    September 3rd, 1938: Flying Officer.

    Career:
    ?: No. 56 (Punjab) Squadron;
    August 7th, 1940: Parachute Practice Unit, Ringway.

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Flight Lieutenant
    Unit:
    No. 56 (Punjab) Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    July 30th, 1940
    Citation:
    "This officer has been a flight commanderhis squadron on most of the recent patrols and has led the squadron on some occasions.
    At all times he has shown the greatest initiative and courage and has personally destroyed at least six enemy aircraft."
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

    Sources

    Photo