AMONG THE MISSING

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 17, 20 January 1940, Page 7

AMONG THE MISSING

AIR PILOT FROM AUCKLAND

(By Telegraph— I'ress Association.)

AUCKLAND, January 19,

Advice that her 'youngest soli,' Ser-geant-Pilot Charles Denis Caldwell,. R.A.F., is missing and believed to have been killed in operations on December 15 has been received by Mrs. F. Caldwell, of St. Heliers Bay, from the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, on behalf of the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones.

Serseant-Pilot Caidwell, who was born ana educated in Auckland, joined the Royal Air Force in 1930 and was 26 years of age. He was one of the New Zeaianders serving with the Royal Air Force who was selected to fly to the Dominion late last year with 30 Vickers-Wellingtons ordered by the New Zealand Government. These plans were changed, however, on the outbreak of war.

Mrs. Caldwell, who visited England last year and made an extensive tour with Sergeant-Pilot Caldwell, believes that her son was flying one of the three Vickers-Wellingtons which were lost in a fierce battle with Messerschmitt fighters over Heligoland Bight in December. The official report of the action stated that one formation of Royal Air Force machines engaged strong enemy fighter forces over Heligoland Bight and an intense fight developed. Four Messerschmitts and three British aircraft were sent down.