The Airmen's Stories - P/O J H Bachmann

Jack Henry Bachmann, from Norbury, Surrey was born in September 1917, the son of Henry Michael Bachmann (1883-1960), a tailor and Elizabeth Bachmann (nee Park 1890-1974).

JH Bachmann joined the RAFVR in July 1937. Called up on 1st September 1939, he joined 98 Squadron, equipped with Fairey Battles. The squadron was based at Nantes, France from April to June 1940 but flew no operational sorties. It is not known if Bachmann went with them but on 12th May he moved to 88 Squadron, also with Battles.

88 Squadron was heavily engaged in the fighting and suffered considerable losses but again Bachmann's involvement is unrecorded.

Back in the UK, Bachmann volunteered for Fighter Command and was posted to 145 Squadron at Drem on 18th August 1940.

The next known posting is in June 1942 when he was appointed CO of 67 Squadron, which reformed with Hurricane IIc's at Alipore, India. In February 1943 the squadron moved to the Akyab front, then in early April set up a base at Chittagong airfield.

On 9th April 1943 Bachmann was killed when his Hurricane IIc BN476 was bounced by Oscars of the 64th Sentai over Chittagong and shot down.

He is buried in Chittagong War Cemetery.

Above cemetery images courtesy of The War Graves Photographic Project
www.twgpp.org