DIEHM, William George
Service Numbers: | 412049, 412049 |
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Enlisted: | 21 June 1941 |
Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
Last Unit: | No. 3 Squadron (RAAF) |
Born: | Paddington, New South Wales, Australia, 15 December 1920 |
Home Town: | Lithgow, Lithgow, New South Wales |
Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
Occupation: | Clerk |
Died: | Flying Battle, Libya, Middle East, 14 January 1943, aged 22 years |
Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Local Roll of Honour - Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia |
Memorials: | Alamein Memorial (El Alamein), Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Brisbane No 3 Squadron Roll of Honour, Lithgow War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flying Officer, 412049 | |
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21 Jun 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 412049 , No. 1 Initial Training School Somers | |
21 Jun 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 412049, No. 3 Squadron (RAAF) | |
9 Mar 1942: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer | |
19 May 1942: | Embarked Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 412049, Emb. Melbourne for Egypt | |
9 Sep 1942: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer | |
5 Dec 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 412049, No. 3 Squadron (RAAF), Middle East / Mediterranean Theatre |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Flying Officer Diehm 412049 in Kittyhawk FL346 of 3SQN was killed when his aircraft was shot down during an attack on the Bir Dufan airfields - his body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, Egypt
He was in a group of twelve Kittyhawk fighters from 3SQN along with twelve Kittyhawk fighters from each of 250, 260, and 450 Squadrons that escorted eighteen Boston bombers to attack the Bir Dufan airfields. The RAF attacking force was met with fierce opposition from the Luftwaffe continuously during the mission