Date: 7th November 1941
Unit: No. 72 Squadron (Swift)
Type: Spitfire Vb
Serial: W3667
Base: Acklington, Northumberland.
Location: Not yet identified
Pilot: Fl/Lt. Henry Birkland M.i.D. J/5233 R.C.A.F. Age 25. P.O.W. (See below)
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking part in a "RODEO" (A fighter sweep - without bombers - see abbreviation list) during the afternoon of the 7th November 1941 and shot down by JG26. He was subsequently made a P.O.W. and spent some time in Stalag Luft III.
On the 31st March 1944 he was one of 76 P.O.W.'s that took part in the famous "Great Escape". 50 of these were killed, 15 recaptured and 11 escaped.
6 of those killed from the 50 were Canadians (Fl/Lt G.E. McGill, Fl/Lt. H. Birkland M.i.D., Fl/Lt. Wiley, Fl/Lt. G.A. Kidder, Fl/Lt. P.W. Langford, Fl/Lt. J.C. Wernham M.i.D) and were executed by the Gestapo on the personal orders from Adolph Hitler.
Fl/Lt. Henry Birkland M.i.D.
The Birkland Memorial at the renamed "Birkland Lake" at Alberta, Canada. 
We are working very closely with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Manitoba geographical names project and the Saskatchewan Tourism Parks, culture and sports department to show with the aid of Google maps where many of the WW2 Aviators are being remembered. If you are also able to assist by sending other information please "Contact Us". To see the Google map locations for others "Click Here"
Burial details:
Fl/Lt. Henry Birkland M.I.D. Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery, Poland. Grave. 7C.3
Son of Kristian M. Birkland and Botilda Birkland, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Research by David King (A.R.S) With thanks to the following: The superb work of the C.W.G.C. "Fighter Command Losses" - Norman Franks.
