Captain CH Campbell

The Dreaded Telegram

Captain ’s Colin Campbell and Victor Jury, part of the “Rangitata” group, joined No 48 Squadron in July flying Douglas Dakota’s out of RAF Down Ampney. Jury was eligible for the “Atlantic Star with France and Germany Clasp”, Campbell served during the eligibility period but is not on the list of airmen entitled to the “France Germany Star” 31. Educated at Observatory Boys High in Cape Town, 25-year-old Colin Herbert Campbell, lost his life “… flying Dakota III, KG346 of No 48 Sqn which crashed whilst attempting a force landing on Dorsey Flats in Essex after being damaged by flak over the DZ during a re-supply sortie to Arnhem” 32. Campbell and his crew had participated in consecutive “Operation Market Garden” 33 sorties in un- armed No 48 Squadron Dakota’s involving over five hours of flying and had just crossed the Channel when they lost their lives in the early evening of September 21st, 1944. 34.John and Hilda Campbell in Claremont Cape Town were unaware of his bravery during the Arnhem supply drops or that four South Africans were killed during a supply sortie in a No 267 Dakota a few days earlier 35.