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Doyle, Owen John (O J)

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Identity
Person No.
30114
Service No.
73455123PE
Last Name
Doyle 18
First Name
Owen John
Initials
O J
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
1958 (±1 yr) 429
Age at Death
21
Military Service
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Regiment
South African Air Force 3,509
Unit
12 Sqdn. 179
Secondary Unit
Army
Death Record
Date of Death
14 March 1979 98
Cause of Death
Killed in action 9,874
Killed in action, in Angola, shot down, in English Electric Canberra #452. On a bombing mission and left 12 Squadron on the evening of 14th 1979 at about 16H00. Four Canberras flew in formation and while doing a low level tree top flight and dropping bombs something from the ground fired and hit the Canberra on the side, killing the pilot instantly. Nav. Doyle flew the plane from the navigator's position for about 12 minutes with bomb bay doors open. Eventually the plane climbed steeply, turned, and crashed into the ground half inverted, exploding on impact, at about 17H00
Grave Reference
Body not recovered - Memorial plaque at Somerset West Town Hall 1
Location
Country
South Africa 17,413
Locality
Gauteng 9,426
Cemetery
SADF WALL OF REMEMBRANCE, VOORTREKKER MONUMENT, PRETORIA 1,912
Additional Information
Notes

Son of Mr. N. J. Doyle, of Cape Town.

Citation

LG Sup 31 July 1945 pg. 3926 - "This officer has displayed the highest standard of efficiency and courage. He has completed a very large number of sorties including many reconnaissances. In April 1945, Lieutenant de Jongh was leading a formation of a strafing reconnaissance. A convoy of motor transport was observed in the Montebelluno area. Despite adverse weather and heavy enemy opposition, this officer led the formation into attack. Twelve of the enemy vehicles were subsequently destroyed and a further three damaged. In air fighting Lieutenant de Jongh has been responsible for the destruction of at least one enemy fighter and has damaged others."

External Source
Unknown
South African War Graves Project

southafricawargraves.org — record #30114