died
on 01-Jan-1945. He was based in Holland and was killed when, upon
returning from an armed recce, when his flight encountered 15 German
aircraft. F/O Sam Angelini had completed 14 operational sorties by
this time.
The
following entry is from 439's War Operations Record Book (Form 540): One
was lost on the morning recce when F/O Angelini went missing after a
dogfight with the Jerries. This pilot has done 14 sorties totaling
16:50 operational hours and giving him a total of 457:00 flying
hours. This was his first operation since the 5th of December and
during most of the interval he was in England waiting for the
weather to clear up so that he could ferry a Typhie back.
The
following entry is from 439's War Operations Record Book (Form
541):...At this point,
FW-190's were reported heading east from Eindhoven, the section of
four Typhoons immediately endeavered to intercept them, which they
did just east of Helmond, Holland. There were approximately 15
FW-190's engaged by the four 439 Sqn Typhoons and one or two
friendly Spitfires. The dog-fight lasting four or five minutes
resulted in F/O Laurence and F/O Fraser each destroying two
aircraft. When the action broke off the aircraft returned to base to
find it unserviceable due to enemy action and had to go to Vokel
where they landed and were refueled. However, Yellow 4 (F/O Angelini)
is missing and was last heard of in the circuit telling Pitchdark he
had 10 gallons of fuel left. It was assumed that he was attacked by
unknown enemy aircraft and was not able to outrun or outmaneuver
them. He was subsequently found still in his burned out bullet
ridden cockpit near Rips, Holland.
Webmasters
Note: 09 Dec 99
Since
posting this entry, I had the distinct pleasure of hearing from the
nephew of F/O Angelini, who graciously provided me with the
following information and picture which was missing from 439
Squadron archives:
Born:
Hamilton, Ontario Canada May
12, 1922
Enlisted:
Hamilton, Ontario August 15, 1942
Awarded
Pilot's Flying Badge: October 15, 1943
Commissioned
(Pilot Officer): October 15, 1943
Appointed
Flying Officer: April 15, 1944
Embarked
For Overseas: May 25, 1944
Taken
on Strength, 439 Squadron: November 17, 1944
Father:
Alexander Angelini
Mother:
Carmela Angelini (nee Seno)
Wife:
Gertrude
Daughter:
Mary Elizabeth
Brothers
& Sisters: 5 Brothers (Larry, Lou, John, Jim, Joseph), 3
Sisters (Phyllis, Caroline, Vera)
What
is especially poignant in this particular posting is the fact that,
at the time of his death, at the age of 22, F/O Angelini was an
expectant father-to-be- and would never meet his daughter Mary, nor
she ever know him.
Following
entry is from The
Canadian Virtual War Memorial website courtesy of
the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Cemetery:
GROESBEEK CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY Netherlands
[CLICK
HERE FOR CEMETERY PLAN]
Grave Reference: XV. D. 7.
Location:
Groesbeek is located 10 km south east of the town of Nijmegen and
close to the German frontier. GROESBEEK CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY is 3
km north of the village and 1500 metres east of the main road to
Nijmegen.
On leaving the A73 motorway at the junction Overasselt Mook
Groesbeek follow directions to Mook. Follow direction signs towards
Mook War cemetery. After passing Mook War cemetery continue to the
village of Groesbeek to a set of traffic lights. Turn left at the
lights onto Dorpstraat passing through Groesbeek. The road name then
changes to Molenweg. A Commission direction sign indicates the right
hand turning from Molenweg onto the Zeven Heuvelenweg. 1 km after
entering this road lies the GROESBEEK CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY on the
right hand side of the road.
Book
of Remembrance - Volume I