| Accession Number | P05102.001 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Negative |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Date made | c 1943 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait 427182 Flying Officer (FO) Alfred Desmond John Ball, 462 Squadron, RAAF, of ...
Description
Studio portrait 427182 Flying Officer (FO) Alfred Desmond John Ball, 462 Squadron, RAAF, of Perth, WA. FO Ball enlisted in Perth, WA, on 25 May 1942. Halifax coded 'Z5-V' and serial number NA240 was one of ten aircraft which took off from RAF Foulsham at 1910 hours on the night of 10/11th April 1945, detailed to carry out a protective patrol with the Main Force to Leipzig, Germany. Known as 'V-Victor' it was fitted with specialist Radio Counter Measures (RCM) equipment and had an extra crew member specially trained to operate the secret equipment. 'V-Victor' failed to return from the mission; FO Ball, the pilot, was killed during that flight along with six other members of the crew. The sole survivor was the rear turret gunner, Flight Sergeant Maxwell James Hibberd who bailed out of the stricken aircraft and was taken Prisoner of War.