On the night of the 4th-5th October 1944 an RAF bomber based in Italy was tasked with laying mines in the Danube river near Bratislava in order to impede shipping.  As the plane made its approach over the Danube, it was shot down by a flak ship and crashed into the river Danube some three miles south of Bratislava. There were no survivors. Of the five man crew only one body was recovered, that of Flight Sergeant Gunby. His body was buried subsequently in the British military cemerery in Prague.

 

Ambassador Michael Roberts together with Slovak Air Force Commander Juraj Baranek, Defence Attache Adam Jowett and other guests paid their tribute to these soldiers at a memorial outside of Bratislava on 5th October 2009.  „These brave man served their country and fought for the freedom and democracy that we enjoy in Europe today. It is important that today’s generation does not forget the sacrifices of previous generations“ said Roberts.

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