Laxman Shripad Ajrekar and crew of HD239

This story and photos are shared by the Trust with kind permission from Ali Chaudhry, Second World War Historian based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Just before midnight the 18th August 1944 crews of 98 Squadron took off on a Flare Dropping mission over the Falaise area, to support Mosquito bombing operations. The Falaise “Pocket” was getting smaller and smaller and the battle of Normandy would be over by the 30th of August.

Amongst them was Mitchell MK II, HN329, flown by Flight Lieutenant Alick Mewa. His fellow crew members were F/Lt Lt Laxman Shripad Ajrekar, WO Albert Ernest Nicholls and WO Frank Fenn Pitt. But the Squadron's Operation Record Book (ORB) for the day records the fact that “F/Lt Mewa and Crew failed to return”. There were reports of heavy Flak, although inaccurate, over Trouville and Mezidon which are en-route to the Falaise area. The entry on the ORB further stated “F/L Mewa was considered to be a first class Pilot, and his crew were also considered to be very efficient”.

This is the story of one of the crew.

Laxman Shripad Ajrekar, Navigator

Laxman Shripad Ajrekar was born in 1917 in Pune, Maharashtra, India, to Shripad Laxman and Venubai Ajrekar. Although little is known about his early life or family background, it is possible that his father may have been a well-known botanist.

Laxman arrived in England in October 1939 and by July 1942, he had enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, later serving as a Flight Lieutenant with No. 98 Squadron.

He was a Navigator aboard the Mitchell II aircraft HD329, which was lost without a trace on 19 August 1944 during active service. Laxman Shripad Ajrekar is commemorated on Panel 201 of the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey, England, which honours airmen with no known grave.

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

You can read the stories about the other crew members here:

Flt Lt Alick 'Vivian' Mewa

WO Albert Ernest Nicholls

WO Frank Fenn Pitt

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of Laxman Shripad Ajrekar. If you are aware of one or you are related to Laxman we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story: