RAF PATHFINDERS ARCHIVE

Pathfinder Aircrew, their Friends, their Families, and the World they Knew

Category: European Allied Air Forces

Jespersen Condolence Letter

Posted by on in 97 Squadron Aircrew, Bomber Command, European Allied Air Forces, RAF Missing Research, War Graves, & Remembrance, RAF Station Coningsby

From an unknown official to Jespersen’s father: The Air Force refers to your visit some time back and it is with sorrow that we have to confirm that your son, Lt. Finn Varde Jespersen, was shot down during the night of 5th and 6th June 1944. When the accident occurred, your son was serving as leader and captain (Pilot) of a Lancaster four-engined night-bomber that belonged to No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron. See the rest of the letter …

See also the memorials to the Jespersen crew on our sister site: War Graves and Remembrance

Update: Finn Varde Jespersen, D-Day

Posted by on in 97 Squadron Aircrew, Archive News, European Allied Air Forces, RAF Station Coningsby, The Air War - background

To add to the previous information on Finn Varde Jespersen, the Royal Norwegian Air Force pilot who was lost with all his crew on D-Day when flying with 97 Squadron, we have a very interesting photograph of him and fellow Norwegians when they were in training in Canada in 1941. For more details: Jespersen Crew, D-Day

We would still like to find information about where Jespersen and the Norwegian members of his crew are buried in Norway.

Jespersen Crew, D-Day Commemorations

Posted by on in 97 Squadron Aircrew, Aircrew Losses, European Allied Air Forces

We have been sent this lovely photograph of the D-Day commemorations for the Jespersen crew, who were shot down and all killed on 6 June 1944. The memorial is north-west of Osmanville in the churchyard of St Clements. With thanks to David Wold, who accompanied the 97 year old Norwegian veteran Trygve Hanse from Canada to the ceremony. Hanse was a sailor on the destroyer Stord on the morning of 6 June 1944.

We are beginning to collect a little information about Finn Varde Jerspersen, who was at ‘Little Norway’ in Canada for some time and there taught other pilots how to fly.

97 Squadron Losses on D-Day

Posted by on in 97 Squadron Aircrew, Aircrew Losses, Archive News, European Allied Air Forces

97 Squadron lost its charismatic Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Carter, on D-Day.

It also lost the Jespersen crew, most of whom were Norwegians.

Whilst there were other Pathfinder casualties on that day, for me these two crews are amongst the most memorable, especially on this 75th Anniversary of D-Day.

JENNIE MACK GRAY