On 1943-07-07, Pilot A C McMillan (Flying Officer, RAF) with an unknown servicenumber, flew a Mustang I with serial AG422 for this duty: Rhubarb. His mission was not completed. Circumstances of the aircraft loss are unknown. This aircraft was a part of squadron no. 4. The location for the map is the English Channel. Circumstances at the end of this mission for McMillan: prisoner of war (PoW). There is no commemoration location known.
There are several possibilities in investigating the flight records on WW2 History Europe. All the flights are plotted on maps, sorted day by day, by squadron, by type aircraft, by year or month, by location and much more! Don't miss this!!!
If you have any information that you want to share, please add your comment at the bottom of this record. Or send your information to www.history.fredvogels.com/support.html Your photos and your information are very welcome! The young do care and with your help we keep up the good work.
Hello Fred,
My name is Alex Macmillan and I am the son of Alexander Charles Macmillan (known as Alec or "Mac") who flew the RAF Mustang (AG422) from RAF Bottisham on 7th July 1943.As part of a 4-ship, led by Flt Stephenson, they were on a "Rhubarb" to attack Bergen Altmark airfield in German occupied Holland. Due to a navigation error, the formation overflew the target before setting up for the attack and Yellow Leader (Stephenson) decided to abandon the mission and continued to coast out at Den Helder. Red section, my father & Fg Off CJ Scrivener broke off, turned back and attacked the airfield on which were based FW 190s. After the attack, during which they were hit by flak, they were both attacked by FW190s. My father safely belly landed near a farm at Abbestede at 0608. Scrivener crashed, and was killed, just south of Den Helder at 0611 It would appear from records that my father was later captured as confirmation of his POW status was received on 10/08/1943. I don’t know where he was for that month though. His POW No was 1723 and he eventually was sent to Stalag Luft III via Oberousel. On repatriation, 08/07/1945, he remained in the RAF as, by now, a Flt Lt until he retired on 08/04/1960. He died in October 1986.
AG 422 is a very significant airframe as it was used by test pilot Ronnie Ward Harker on 30th April 1942 to prove to the Air ministry that the Mustang's Alison engine should be replaced by the Merlin for high altitude work. This was the birth of the iconic P51D that features on your website. I am going to try to attach a photo of AG422.
Please contact me by email if you require further info. Please be aware that the Bottisham Airfield Museum will be benefitting from the loan of my father's medals and log books in the near future.
Best regards
Sqn Ldr CA Macmillan (Alex) RAF rtd.
