Danish WW2 Pilots

Flt Lt Ole Gert Grønning

(1916 - 1980)

Ole Gert Grønning volunteers for the Royal Air Force during the Second World War and is involved in the combat in Italy and the Balkans.

Ole Gert Grønning is born on 19 August 1916 in Copenhagen Denmark. [1]

In the late 1930s Ole Gert Grønning is engaged on the SS ERRIA of the Danish East Asiatic Company. On 9 April 1940, the day of the German occupation of Denmark, the ship is in Los Angeles. The ship is taken over by the British authorities and arrives under British flag in Sam Francisco on 10 June 1940. Ole Gert Grønning's position is then purser. [2]

A part of the crew has then been discharged and returned to Denmark, but it seems likely that Ole Gert Grønning is on-board until he volunteers for the Royal Air Force.

In 1942 Ole Gert Grønning volunteers for the Royal Air Force. He is trained in South Africa and is among other places based in Italy carrying out missions in the Balkans, on oil fields in Romania (Ploesti) and supply droppings for the resistance in Yugoslavia. Apart from these information, I have very few information on his service, that I am able to publish at this point, though. [3]

According to London Gazette, Ole Gert Grønning (162031) resigns his commission as Flight Lieutenant on 12 June 1946. [4]

Sources:

  1. Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators’ Certificates, 1910-1950
  2. New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, Oregon Passenger and Crew Lists, 1888-1957, California Passenger and Crew Lists, 1893-1957, Seattle Passenger and Crew Lists, 1882-1957, www.faergejournalen.dk
  3. Frederiksborg Amts Avis, 30.11.47, New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957
  4. London Gazette, issue 37634