F+H+Ridley

Ridley, Frederick Heward, Pilot Office, Pilot, 41208, 105th Squadron, Royal Air Force Died on 14th May 1940 Buried in Donchery Communal Cemetery, Ardennes, France, Grave 9

For full details of the history of 105 Squadron RAF and the action in which Frederick was killed, please click on the link below to the Traces of World War 2 website:

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Traces of World War 2

RAF - No. 105 Squadron

10/05/1940 - 30/06/1940

We wish to thank Bart FM Droog for granting us permission to use this information.

Here is an extract of information specifically relevant to Frederick Heward Ridley:

In the early months of the Second World War it served with the Advanced Air Striking Force in France, and in May 1940, was one of the squadrons which attacked the Meuse bridges at Sedan in an attempt to stem the German advance. In July 1940, following its return to England, the squadron was re-armed with Blenheims and subsequently played a prominent part in No. 2 Group's bombing offensive against fringe targets in Germany, France and the Low Countries, and against shipping in the North Sea.


 * 14/05/1940: Sedan**

The events of 14th May determined both of the A.A.S.F. and of the campaign. The French High Command called for a supreme effort at Sedan, where the ground forces massing for counter-attack had been rudely scattered. Arrangements were accordingly made for the whole strength of the Allied bombers in France to be hurled against the Sedan bridgehead in a series of waves, and soon after noon the few French aircraft available went into action. Attacking bridges and columns of troops, they suffered losses so severe that their remaining operations for the day were cancelled.

Then came the turn of the A.A.S.F. Between 1500 and 1600 hours the entire force of available Battles and Blenheims was flung against the same objectives. But the Me.109's absent in the morning, were now on guard. No. 12 Squadron lost four aircraft out of five; No. 105 Squadron, seven out of eleven; No. 150 Squadron, four out of four; No. 139 Squadron, four out of six; No. 218 Squadron, ten out of eleven. In all, from the seventy-one bombers which took off, forty did not return. No higher rate of loss in an operation of comparable size has even been experienced by the Royal Air Force.


 * type:** Fairey Battle 1


 * serial number:**** K9189, GB-?


 * operation:** Sedan


 * lost:** 14/05/1940

Pilot Officer (Pilot) Frederick H. Ridley, RAF 41208, 105 Sqdn., age unknown, 14/05/1940, Donchery Communal Cemetery, F

Sergeant (Obs.) Gordon Atkinson, RAF 580557, 105 Sqdn., age 19, 14/05/1940 Donchery Communal Cemetery, F

Aircraftman 1st Class (W. Op.) James S. Thomson, RAF 613420, 105 Sqdn., age unknown, 14/05/1940 (Donchery Communal Cemetery, F)

Airborne 1540 from Villeneuve-les-Vertus to attack bridges and roads in the area around Sedan. Shot down at Donchery (Ardennes), 4 km WSW of Sedan, France.

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