LEST WE FORGET

Pilot Officer Ronald Joseph MIROW

Service No: 434731
Born: Gunnedah NSW, 5 November 1919
Enlisted in the RAAF: 19 January 1943
Unit: No. 571 Squadron (RAF), RAF Station Oakington
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 571 Squadron Mosquito aircraft RV357), Cambridgeshire, 13 April 1945, Aged 25 Years
Buried: Cambridge City Cemetery, Cambridgeshire
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Richard Oscar Albert and Martha Ann Mirow, of Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia
Roll of Honour: Gunnedah NSW
Remembered: Panel 127, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Gunnedah Cenotaph, Gunnedah NSW

On 13 April 1945, the pilot of Mosquito RV357 had been authorised to carry out a night flying test. The aircraft crashed at Oakington at 1540 hours and the crew of two was killed.

The crew members of RV357 were:

Flight Lieutenant Maurice John Thomas Cane DFM (50217) (RAF) (Pilot)
Pilot Officer Ronald Joseph Mirow (434731) (Navigator Bomb Aimer)

A report into the flying accident stated: “The aircraft was seen to be flying low, and also in a shallow dive and apparently under complete control, towards a dispersal hut on the aerodrome. It passed directly over the top of the hut at a very low height (under 200 feet), and was travelling very fast also. After passing over the hut, the aircraft pulled up to avoid some trees close to the hut, but it struck the trees with its port wing. The aircraft then executed two complete rolls to port before diving into the ground completely out of control. The Commanding Officer of No. 571 Squadron in his remarks on the accident stated: “The Pilot was authorised to do a night flying test, but apparently disobeyed instructions and carried out unauthorised low flying. It was a gross breach of discipline.” The Group Commander stated: “The greatest breach of flying discipline I have ever seen. I am at a loss to explain why such an experienced and reliable Captain should make such a fatal error.”

References:

Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/27/886
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line

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