78 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (British Air Force)
Died:
26/03/1943 (Killed in Action)
Age:
21
Summary
John McCalla Tait was the son of John James and Jane Tait. He was born about 1922. John Tait served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in World War Two. By March 1943, Flight Sergeant John McCalla Tait was serving with 78 Squadron. On the night of 26th March 1943, Flight Sergeant (Pilot) Tait was part of a three man crew of a Handley Page Halifax bomber (Serial Number W7931) when it took off from RAF Linton-on-Ouse on a night raid, bound for Duisburg just north of Dusseldorf. The aircraft was hit by flak on outbound leg, and crashed at 22:00 five kilometres south west of crashing 2200 at Doetinchem in Holland. All three crew died.
Further Information
John McCalla Tait was the son of John James and Jane Tait. John Tait and Jane Brown were married on 5th January 1921 in the district of North Down.
John McCalla Tait was born about 1922.
John Tait served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in World War Two.
By March 1943, Flight Sergeant John McCalla Tait was serving with 78 Squadron.
On the night of 26th March 1943, Flight Sergeant (Pilot) Tait was part of a three man crew of a Handley Page Halifax bomber (Serial Number W7931) when it took off from RAF Linton-on-Ouse on a night raid, bound for Duisburg just north of Dusseldorf.
455 aircraft took part in the raid, with only six planes lost. Flight Sergeant Tait’s aircraft was hit by flak on outbound leg, and crashed at 22:00 five kilometres south west of crashing 2200 at Doetinchem in Holland. All three crew died. They were:
Flight Sergeant John McCalla TAIT (1063628) Pilot
Sergeant Andrew WILSON (532057) Air Gunner
Sergeant James Archibald WILSON (413923) Pilot
Flight Sergeant John McCalla Tait is buried in Doetinchem (Loolaan) General Cemetery in Holland.
Flight Sergeant John Tait is commemorated in the Dungannon region on Clogher War Memorial.
Flight Sergeant John Tait is commemorated in the Holywood region on Holywood War Memorial.
Flight Sergeant John McCalla Tait is also listed on the Memorial Plaque in First Holywood Presbyterian Church.
The CWGC record Flight Sergeant John McCalla Tait as the son of John James Taut and Jane C Tait, of Holywood, Co. Down, Northern Ireland.
Flight Sergeant John McCalla TAIT (1063628) Pilot
