Peter Ernest Chilman, Rear gunner with the Herron crew, lost 28th April 1944 on the Friedrichshafen Op. The photo was taken in 1940.
Many thanks to Peter for contributing this photograph of his Uncle – Peter Ernest Chilman, Rear Gunner with Robert Herron’s crew, who were all lost on the Friedrichshafen OP of 28th April 1944. Peter is keen to learn anything about his Uncle and his crew, including the Ops they flew on and especially the final fateful Op to Friedrichshafen.
4.1.45.
Administration
P/O R.W . Herron and crew posted from No.31 Base
Before flying operationally as a crew, Bob flew 2 ops as ‘2nd DIckie’ with more experienced crews.
14.1.44. Attack Against a special Target – V1 site, Ailly
Stirling Mk.III EF454
Flew with Tom Buckley’s crew
20.1.44. Gardening – Mining off the Frisian Islands
Stirling Mk.III EF236
Flew with Ray Watson’s crew
The Herron crew started their Operational tour with 75(NZ) Squadron on the 21st of January with an attack on a ‘Special target’ this was the euphemism given to the German V development and launching sites. On this day 111 aircraft, including 20 from Mepal bombed V1 launch sites in France.
21.1.44. Attack Against a Special Target – V1 launch sites
Stirling Mk.III EF514
F/O Robert Weir Herron RNZAF NZ422282 – Pilot
F/Sgt Matthew Roland Henderson RNZAF NZ427204 – Navigator
Sgt Walter Reginald Percival RAFVR 553063 – Air Bomber
F/O Euan Wilfred Mclachlan RNZAF NZ415266 – Wireless Operator.
Sgt John William Germing RAFVR 1803074 – Flight Engineer.
W/O Keith Alfred Smith RNZAF NZ416022 – Mid Upper Gunner.
P/O Peter Ernest Chilman RAFVR 155992 – Rear Gunner
25.1.44. Attack Against a Special Target – V1 launch sites, Pas de Calais near Cherbourg
Stirling Mk.III EF236
Same crew
28.1.44. Gardening – Mining in the Kiel Bay
Stirling Mk.III EF230
Same crew
10.2.44. Gardening – Mining off La Rochelle
Stirling Mk.III EE958
Same crew
3.3.44. Gardening – Mining off Morlaix
Stirling Mk.III BF473
Sgt. J. Edwards replaces Keith Smith as Mid Upper Gunner
Special Operations
75(NZ) Squadron was yet to be re-equipped with Lancasters and as such their operational effectiveness flying the now aged Stirling was being severely compromised. Taken off main force Ops the Squadron had to content itself with Gardening and ‘Special Operations’ Ops. Within the ORB for 1944, there is a distinct air of mystery surround what these Special Operations in fact were – to the point where there are hand written notes from the W/C at the end of March Form 540 saying the ‘particulars’ of these Special Operations had been forwarded seperately to the Air Ministry Intelligence section – These special Operations were flown to support Special Operations Executive (SOE) and Resistance Fighters – the details of these Ops , their destinations and payloads were obviously at the time desperately secret.
5.3.44. Special Operations – March Moon Period TRAINER 153 (SUCCESSFUL)
Stirling Mk.III JN-U
Sgt. G. Tedman replaces Sgt. Edwards as Mid Upper Gunner.
10.3.44. Special Operations – March Moon Period MONGREL 18 (SUCCESSFUL)
Stirling Mk.III ‘U’
Keith Smith returns as Mid Upper Gunner.
13.3. 44. Gardening – Mining off La Rochelle
Stirling Mk.III EF181 JN-?
Same crew
15.3.44. Special Operations – March Moon Period BOB 118 (SUCCESSFUL)
Stirling Mk.III ‘K’
Same crew
18.3. 44. Gardening – Mining in the Heligoland Bight
Stirling MK.III EE958 ??-V
Same crew
19.3.44. Gardening – Mining of River Adour
Stirling Mk.III EE958 ??-V
W/O C. Skripsy replaces Peter Chilman as Rear Gunner
21.3. 44. Gardening – Mining off St Malo
Stirling Mk.III EE958 ??-V
W/O Skripsy continues as Rear Gunner
Outstanding Events
Administration.
Conversation to Lancaster Aircraft. It was decided by a higher authority to convert the Squadron from Stirling to Lancaster aircraft, and our first Lancaster was received on 13th March, 1944, since that date we a have received a further 19. All crews are being converted to Lancaster aircraft and at present 13 have passed through No.3 Lancaster Finishing School at R.A.F. Station Feltwell.
26.3.44.
Administration
Herron crew were posted to No.3 L.F.S. Feltwell for conversion to Lancaster.
1.4.44.
Administration
The Herron crew returned from Feltwell having completed their Lancaster conversion training.
27.4. 44. War Ops – Attack Against Friedrichshafen
Lancaster Mk.III ND796 AA-J
FAILED TO RETURN
Lancaster Mk III ND796 was shot down by a night-fighter just north west of the target, crashing 500 metres south east of Langenhart, about a mile north of Messkirch. There were no survivors. All seven crew were buried in a collective grave at Lagenhart. They were later re-interred at Durnbach War Cemetery.
The Air Ministry specially requested this raid because this small town was known to contain several important factories making engines and gearboxes for German tanks. The raid was planned to take place on a moonlit night, even though a similar raid on Nuremberg four weeks ago in these conditions had disastrous results. But this town was further south, at the extremity of German fighter defences and so, the risks were thought to be less. As well, several diversionary attacks were made causing confusion among German air controllers. All aircraft in this raid therefore reached the target without being intercepted. This notwithstanding, the German fighters arrived at the target as the raid was taking place, resulting in 18 of the participating 322 Lancasters being shot down – 5.6% of the force.
There was no report of Anti Aircraft fire or searchlights. It was apparent, however, that German night-fighters had arrived in numbers, as witnessed by other aircraft coming under attack. One such aircraft was ND796, the Lancaster of F/O Bob Herron and his crew. The remaining fifteen unit aircraft returned to base safely, landing between 03.50 – 06.20hrs.
F/O Robert Weir Herron RNZAF NZ422282. Pilot.
Died, age 23.
Buried Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany.
F/S Matthew Roland Henderson RNZAF NZ427204. Navigator.
Died, age 25.
Buried Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany.
Sgt. Walter Reginald Percival RAFVR 553063. Air Bomber.
Died, age 22.
Buried Durnbach War Cemetery Germany.
F/O Euan Wilfred McLachlan RNZAF NZ415266Wireless Operator.
Died, age 22.
Buried Durnbach War Cemetery Bad Tolz Germany.
Sgt. John William Germing RAFVR 1803074. Flight Engineer.
Died, age 22.
Buried Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany.
W/O Keith Alfred Smith RNZAF NZ416022. Mid Upper Gunner.
Died, age 23.
Buried Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany.
F/O Peter Ernest Chilman RAFVR 155992. Rear Gunner.
Died, age 25.
Buried Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany.
This aircraft was the first 75(NZ) Squadron Lancaster reported missing…….
75(nz)squadron 