LEST WE FORGET
Flight Lieutenant Philip Henry STRONG DFC
Service No: 420405
Born: London, England, 9 February 1919
Enlisted in the RAAF: 7 November 1941 (at Sydney NSW)
Unit: No. 182 Squadron (RAF)
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), 24 November 1944
Died: Air Operations: (No. 182 Squadron Typhoon aircraft MN699), Netherlands, 2 November 1944, Aged 25 Years
Buried: Mook War Cemetery, Limburg, Netherlands
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Stanley William and Maud Louisa Strong, of Edgware, Middlesex
Roll of Honour: London, England
Remembered: Panel 131, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
DFC Citation: “Flight Lieutenant Strong has completed many sorties against the enemy with great success. In August 1944, as flight commander, this officer led his squadron against a tank formation in the Vasse-Conde area. In spite of intense heavy and light anti-aircraft fire, Flight Lieutenant Strong repeatedly led the squadron in to attack until six tanks were destroyed and he had exhausted all his ammunition. His great courage, skill and accurate shooting were a magnificent example to his squadron. (London Gazette 24 November 1944, page 5390)”
On 2 November 1944 Typhoon MN699 flown by Flight Lieutenant Strong took off leading a formation of aircraft from the Squadron to attack to two bridges near Dock. Flight Lieutenant Strong led Red Section down to attack the target, during which light anti-aircraft fire was encountered. On pulling out from the target MN699 was seen to be on fire. The aircraft rolled onto its back then was seen to right itself momentarily, before it crashed to the ground in flames killing Flight Lieutenant Strong.
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, 166/36/553