Identity
Person No.
5425
Service No.
47832V
Last Name
First Name
Johan Phillip
Initials
J P
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
32
Military Service
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause of Death
Killed in action, in Martin Baltimore Mk III. CIRCUMSTANTIAL REPORT: 21 Squadron SAAF Baltimore Mk IV, Serial Number FA469, took off from Biferno Landing Ground, Italy, at 05h33 on a daylight raid together with ten other aircraft in formation to attack enemy Light Anti-Aircraft positions. The box in which Major De Villiers DFC and his crew were flying, could not locate their target owing to mist and cloud so they carried on with the mission, searching for transport on roads. They eventually bombed the Railway Yards and Station at Velletri. Immediately after bombing the target, the aircraft flown by Major de Villiers was seen to be on fire, losing height before breaking up in the air. No parachutes were seen to open. Moderate heavy-calibre but largely inaccurate anti-aircraft fire was encountered over the target area before, during and after bombing. Major de Villiers DFC flying on his 100th raid, together with his gallant crew were subsequently reported missing
Grave Reference
Location
Additional Information
Notes
Son of Izak and Caroline de Villiers; husband of Audrey A. de Villiers, of Hatfield, Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa.
Citation
LG Sup 23 July 1943 pg. 3327
External Source
Unknown
South African War Graves Project