LEST WE FORGET
Flight Sergeant Ian Arthur NURSEY
Service No: 402389
Born: Drummoyne NSW, 19 February 1922
Enlisted in the RAAF: 19 August 1940
Unit: No. 450 Squadron
Died: Air Operations: (No. 450 Squadron Kittyhawk aircraft AL200), Libya, 30 May 1942, Aged 20 Years
Buried: Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Capt. Ernest Walter James Nursey, and Massie Mary Nursey, of Gordon, New South Wales, Australia.
Roll of Honour: Rose Bay NSW
Remembered: Panel 105, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
During the whole of 29th and 30th May targets were ideal for both fighters and bombers, which carried out a shuttle service devoted entirely to ground attacks. On two occasions the army reported that more than fifty enemy vehicles had been left burning after attacks by fighter bombers, which were enjoying outstanding success. By 31st May, when the enemy was apparently attempting to withdraw completely, fighter bombers were ordered to revert to their normal duties to prevent high wastage of Kittyhawks, for which there were few replacements. During this five-day period of intensive effort the RAF appeared to have won the first round of the battle, and morale rose high, especially in No. 239 Wing which had more than fulfilled its planned role as an attacking spearhead. No. 3 lost only two pilots through the hazards of low-level attack against static defences, while No. 450 lost one pilot killed (another pilot died in an aircraft accident) and four missing during fairly even battles with enemy aircraft, five of which were claimed as destroyed.
Extract from Herington, J. (John) Air War Against Germany and Italy 1939-1943, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1954 – Page 234
On 30 May 1942, Kittyhawk AL200 was one of a three aircraft formation which was detailed top provide cover for fighter bombers of No. 112 Squadron RAF. Two of the three aircraft engaged in battle with two ME 10p9Fs, which had attacked the bomber formation over the target area. The fighter bombers jettisoned their bombs and turned with part of the cover for home. AL200 failed to return to base.
No. 450 Squadron lost:
Sergeant John Nicholson Dean (402936) Killed 29 May 1942
Sergeant Henry William Devlin (401108) Killed (Crashed on takeoff): 29 May 1942
Flight Sergeant Thomas Edwin Packer (407453) Killed 29 May 1942
Pilot Officer Raymond Shaw (402139) Killed 29 May 1942
Flight Sergeant Ian Arthur Nursey (402389) Killed 30 May 1942
Flight Lieutenant Eric Teulon Thompson (404069) Killed: 31 May 1942
No. 3 Squadron lost:
Sergeant Colin Shaw MacDiarmid (404345) Killed 30 May 1942
Sergeant (later Squadron Leader) Andrew William Barr MC DFC & Bar (250774) Shot down 30 May 1942, evaded capture, Discharged from the RAAF: 8 October 1945
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 163/147/232
Bibliography:
Brown, R. (Russell) Desert Warriors Australian P-40 Pilots at War in the Middle East and North Africa 1941-1943, Banner Books Maryborough QLD 4652, 2000