Identity
Person No.
32731
Service No.
P1/33453
Last Name
First Name
Michael Hope
Initials
M H
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
27
Military Service
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause of Death
Killed in action, in North American F-51 Mustang #330. Lt M.H. Rorke was one of three pilots preparing to take off from K-16 on their third mission of the day, their target being a well camouflaged supply dump near Singye. During his take of run, Lt Rorke's aircraft became airborne three quarters down the runway, but failed to climb higher than approximately 10 feet, and swung slowly towards a stranded B29 bomber at the end of the runway. As the Mustang's left wing began to drop, Lt Rorke jettisoned his napalm tanks, possibly in a last attempt to avoid disaster, but crashed into the B29 and the exploding napalm engulfed both aircraft
Grave Reference
Location
Additional Information
Notes
ref. 85 years of SAAF
Citation
Unknown
External Source
https://www.izkor.gov.il (Israeli Fallen Soldiers & Victims of Terrorism database — search by name)
South African War Graves Project