Flt.Sgt. Morris James "Rastus" Daly
Royal Australian Air Force pilot 86 Squadron
from:Dalby, Queensland, Australia
(d.27th May 1942)
Flt Sgt M J Daly, pilots course graduation photograph
I am looking for further information about a tragic accident at Wick Aerodrome in May 1942. My Uncle, Flt Sgt (Pilot) Morris James Daly, Pilot of Beaufort AW345 BX-A with 86 Sqn, was returning home from a patrol I believe near Norway. In his pilots log, the mission was listed as 'Rover Opps' which I still would like to know the meaning of.
On the 27th of May 1942, the weather apparently bad and on approach to Wick Aerodrome, AW345 struck the unlit Tannach Chain Home Radar Station tower south west of the aerodrome. All on board were killed.
- F/Sgt M J Daly RAAF
- F/Sgt R Dunn
- Sgt H J Stone
- Sgt F G White
The Chain Home Radar Station I believe was part of the coastal radar defence system linking up many towers for a full coastal observation and early warning system. I understand they were 225 feet in height.
RAF 86 Sqn was based at Wick and Skitten, Caithness from 9th Mar 1942 to 31st July 1942 mainly patroling the Norwegian Coast. Flt Sgt Daly's log reports only 10 days earlier on 17th May 1942 he and his crew flew on 'Strike Opps' Beaufort AW341 from their base in Wick to Skitten, then on to Norway. A strike (I presume torpedo) on the "Eugen" (I presume the 'Prinz Eugen', sister ship to the 'Bismark' breaking out of a Norwegian Fjiord making for the Atlantic). Me 109 attack, Lost 4, Got 6 Me, Badly shot up. A short passage, however, a chilling read.
Scan of original Pilots Log as photographs of )
On the news of his younger brothers death, my Father, William Daly enlisted and flew as a F/Lt (Navigator) on Avro Lancasters with Bomber Command.
