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Birkland, Henry J.

    Date of birth:
    August 16th, 1917 (Caldwell/Manitoba, Canada)
    Date of death:
    March 31st, 1944 (Sagan, Germany)
    Buried on:
    Commonwealth War Cemetery Poznan
    Plot: 7. Row: C. Grave: 3.
    Service number:
    J/5233
    Nationality:
    Canadian (1931-present, Constitutional Monarchy)

    Biography

    Flight lieutenant Henry Birkland was taken prisoner of war in 1941. He was executed by the Gestapo on 31 March 1944 after a failed escape attempt during the 'Great Escape' from Stalag Luft III.

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Flight Lieutenant
    Unit:
    No. 72 (Basutoland) Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    June 8th, 1944
    Awarded for:
    Operation Escape 200

    Posthumously awarded
    Mentioned in Dispatches
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)

    With clasp
    Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (1939-1947)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)

    Posthumously awarded
    Air Crew Europe Star
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)

    Posthumously awarded
    1939-1945 Star
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)

    Posthumously awarded
    War Medal 1939-1945

    Sources