Are there any relatives out there…..? – The Meharry crew

Another picture of the Meharry crew.
L to R: Reuben Birch, Tom Robinson, Eric Meharry, Joseph Spiers, R. Dale, Lawrence Wilson and Gordon Gunter.
Martyn/ Ernest Birch ©

Martyn has asked me to just ‘stoke the fire’ a bit regarding an updated request for any information regarding the Meharry crew. Since the original posts relating to the crew, Martyn has made contact with relatives of Eric Meharry.

Martyn knows that his Uncle, Ron Birch was in contact with Gordon Gunter after leaving the Squadron and is hope there might be an opportunity to reconnect with Gordon’s surviving relatives, or in fact any of the relatives of the boys that flew with Eric and Ron.

Fingers crossed………..

50,000 Views – Thank you everybody

I make a point of always acknowledging the point where the blog clocks up another significant increase in traffic – but I think this one is quite an achievement – an utterly incredible figure, given how long the blog has been running and perhaps the more remarkable that the last 1,000 views were logged only in the last 3 days.

I have to, once again, thank everybody who has been so generous in contributing material to the blog and also to those of you that have come here regularly, or perhaps for the first time since we clocked up 40,000

Many Thanks to you all….

Simon

Request for Information – Angers, 28th May 1944

I have been contacted by Yves, regarding the raid on Angers on the 28th May 1944. Yves is currently researching the raid with an eye to documenting the history and subsequent liberation of his town. I have supplied him with the ORB extract for the OP, but frustratingly the ORB does not list bomb loads………

Yves own research shows that 514 Squadron at Angers carried: 5 x 1000 MC, 1 x 1000 USA, 4 x 500 MC, for all aircraft. He is keen to understand if this bomb load was standard across the participating Squadrons, or whether perhaps they varied.

28.5.44.
Attack Against Angers
Twenty two aircraft were detailed to attack the Marshalling Yards at Angers, of these six were withdrawn and two returned early with engine trouble. The remaining fourteen aircraft successfully bombed the target in good weather. A good concentrated attack was reported, and opposition was only slight.

Anything anybody is able to add to the information on this raid from the perspective of 75(NZ), I am sure Yves will most gratefully receive.

Richard Melville Curtis RAF 42200 – Pilot. 1939

Many thanks to Kerry for donating the logbook of Richard Melville Curtis to the blog, from his collection. By Kerry’s own observation, this represents the earliest logbook in the collection for the Squadron. There is also a connection from a previous post about Leonard Gould and his Pilot Frederick John ‘Popeye’ Lucas – Richard flew as 2nd Pilot with their crew before taking his  own crew into combat.

Richard was a Pilot with 75(NZ) between 9th December 1939 and 10th October 1940. The citation for his D.F.C., which was awarded on the 11th February 1941 reads as follows;

“Flying Officer Curtis has been continuously employed on operational work since May 1940, during which time he has completed 34 major operations over enemy and enemy occupied territory. On one occasion he was captain of an aircraft detailed to bomb shipping in Ostende harbour and to cooperate with certain naval forces operating off the port. Although weather conditions were extremely difficult, Flying Officer Curtis performed the allotted task with complete success and received congratulations and thanks from the Admiralty the next day.”

Fascinatingly, the event described in the citation is also recorded in the logbook, with a copy of the note of thanks sent to the Squadron from the Admiralty.

Read through Richard’s logbook here.

Leonard Roy Gould, Wireless Operator – Lucas crew, 1940

Wellington AA-H X3468, with one assumes, Leonard Gould and others stood in front of it.
© Kerry Foster

Wellington X3597 AA-C (Charlie)
© Kerry Foster

Many thanks to Kerry for contacting me, initially regarding some additional information for the Wellington database, which included the above 2 images as proof of the serial no. information.

Kerry is a keen collector of 75(NZ) memorabilia and I hope to be able to share further items from Kerry on the blog in the near future. These 2 pictures came from what Kerry described as ‘a small photo & document grouping from the estate of 552462 Sgt Leonard Roy GOULD DFM’

Leonard Gould was the Wireless Operator with Frederick John ‘Popeye’ Lucas and I think from the little I can find on him, flew on 2 occasions with the Squadron and with ‘Popeye’, between April and November 1940 and then between July 1941 and July 1942.

Unfortunately, as with my previous post regarding Cliff Page, my lack of a complete set of ORB’s from the earlier years of the war prevents me from adding my normal crew Op history to a posting like this – which perhaps means a trip to the National Archive Website when I get paid next month……….

P/O Clifford Frederick Page, Observer – Nola crew

P/O Clifford Frederick Page, Navigator with David Nola’s crew.
courtesy of Kelvin Youngs, Aircrew Remembrance Society.

Many thanks to Kelvin for passing on a wonderful collection of images of Clifford Page, Observer with the David Nola’s crew, were all killed apart from the Rear Gunner on their return from an Op to Hamburg on the 8th May 1941 , when their Wellington struck a barrage balloon cable in the Humber Estuary. This crew has been of special interest to me since I first came across the graves of David Nola and the 2nd Pilot Alex Mee, in Grimsby cemetery, not longer after I began to research 75(NZ) Squadron.

Kelvin has passed them on with the sole desire that they should be seen by the wider 75(NZ) community and that by doing so, a little more might be learnt about some of the photographs – I think a laudable and sensible wish. I am sure that we have all benefited from the generous donation by individuals to the blog so far and it has always been my intention to present all of the material I have been sent – it’s only by doing this that everyone can see it and then perhaps contribute more to our knowledge of the squadron – and long may this continue.

View this remarkable collection here. If you are able to add  information to any of the images in the collection, please quote the photograph number so I can add to the caption.

Perhaps annoyingly and also ironically given so little is known of the photographs, I am currently not able to tell you much about the crew – my ORB collection for 1941 is sadly fragmented.

I present what I have in the hope that somebody else might be able to fill the gaps…….

February 1941 From 541
From 18.40 HRs. 10/2/41 to 04.30 HRS 11/2/41
Bombing Attacks Against Targets at Hanover and Rotterdam
Wellington T.2503
P/O Falconer Captain
Sgt. Nola 2^nd Pilot
P/O Muir Navigator
Sgt. Morrison W/Operator
Sgt. Hellier Front Gunner
Sgt. Brodie Rear Gunner

From 18.30 HRS. 14/2/41 to 01.15 HRS. 15/2/41
Bombing Attacks Against Targets at Gelsenkirchen
Wellington T.2503
P/O Falconer Captain
Sgt. Nola 2^nd Pilot
P/O Muir Navigator
Sgt. Morrison W/Operator
Sgt. Hellier Front Gunner
Sgt. Brodie Rear Gunner

From 18.55HRS, 21/2/41 to 00.30 HRS, 22/2/41
Bombing Attacks on Willemshaven
Wellington MK.Ic R.1161
P/O Burton Captain
Sgt. Nola 2^nd Pilot
Sgt. Revitt Navigator
Sgt. Milborne W/Operator
Sgt. Brown Front Gunner
Sgt. George Rear Gunner

From 18.50 HRS, 23/2/41 to 23.05 HRS. 23/2/41
Bombing Attacks Against Boulogne
Wellington Mk.Ic R.7818
P/O Kimberley Captain
Sgt. Nola 2^nd Pilot
Sgt. Williams Navigator
Sgt. Fairlam W/Operator
Sgt. McCracken Front Gunner
Sgt. Watts Rear Gunner

From 18.50 HRS, 26/2/41 to 00.40 HRS. 27/2/41
Bombing Attacks Against Cologne
Wellington Mk.Ic L.7818
P/O Kimberley Captain
Sgt. Nola 2^nd Pilot
Sgt. Williams Navigator
Sgt. Fairlam W/Operator
Sgt. McCracken Front Gunner
Sgt. Watts Rear Gunner

March Records not present

April 1941 Form 541
From 21.35 Hours 14.4.41 to 04.30 Hours 15.4.41
Bombing Attacks on Brest
Wellington Mk.Ic (no serial code listed)
Sgt. Nola Captain
Sgt. Mee 2^nd Pilot
P/O Page Navigator
Sgt. Russell W/Operator
Sgt. Hall Front Gunner
Sgt. Craven rear Gunner

From 20.25 Hours 16.4.41 to 03.50 Hours 17.4.41
Bombing Attacks on Bremen
Wellington Mk.Ic R.3166
Sgt. Nola Captain
Sgt. Mee 2^nd Pilot
P/O Page Navigator
Sgt. Russell W/Operator
Sgt. Hall Front Gunner
Sgt. Craven rear Gunner

From 20.35 Hours 17.4.41 to 05.35 Hours 18.4.41
Bombing Attacks on Berlin
Wellington Mk.Ic R.3166
Sgt. Nola Captain
Sgt. Mee 2^nd Pilot
P/O Page Navigator
Sgt. Russell W/Operator
Sgt. Hall Front Gunner
Sgt. Craven rear Gunner

From 20.35 Hours 20.4.41 to 04.25 Hours 30.4.41
Bombing Attacks Against Targets at Mannheim and Rotterdam
Wellington Mk.Ic R.3169
Sgt. Nola Captain
Sgt. Mee 2^nd Pilot
P/O Page Navigator
Sgt. Russell W/Operator
Sgt. Hall Front Gunner
Sgt. Craven rear Gunner

Form 540 for May
May 8
Operations
Bombing Attacks Against Targets at Hamburg
Twelve Wellington aircraft were detailed to carry out individual bombing attacks against the above targets. One of these aircraft, TBO.404, returned to base with bombs on account rear turret and guns being out of order. The remaining aircraft all dropped their bombs and bursts were seen in target areas, as a result of which many fires were started. A.A. fire was intense and fairly accurate, and searchlights were active. Enemy aircraft were numerous but no attacks were made. The weather was good, but a little too clear. Navigation was by D/R, astro, W/T, map reading.

Similarly to the loss of James Ward, his crew and the Hawkins crew  on the night of 15th September 1941, the loss of the crew is not even recorded in this summary of the raid.

Sgt David Leo Nola RNZAF NZ39930. Pilot. Died age 25.
Buried Grimsby (Scartho Road) Cemetery Lincolnshire England.

P/O Clifford Frederick Page RAFVR 60780. Navigator.Died age 22.
Buried Great Yarmouth (Caister) Cemetery England.

Sgt Alexander Coutts Mee RNZAF NZ40656. 2^nd Pilot. Died age.
Buried Grimsby (Scartho Road) Cemetery Lincolnshire England.

Sgt Walter Russell RAFVR 949560 Wireless Operator. Died age 23.
Buried West Bromwich Churchyard Staffordshire England.

Sgt John Hall RAFVR 988980. Front Gunner. Died age 20. Buried Hull Northern Cemetery, England.

Sgt Craven RAFVR. Rear Gunner. AG x Mar to 7 May 1941. c/w D A Nola as R/Gnr.

Another new section to the menu – ‘Collections’

As the blog has grown, I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of relatives regarding the astonishing things they have donated for presentation on this site. Initially perhaps, a logbook donation would also sometimes include additional photographs of airmen, or documents etc. When this occurred, it made sense in my mind at least, to nest these additional documents with the logbook in the logbook section of the blog. As time has progressed and items have continued to come in, this rather simplistic grouping system is looking a little shaky and is perhaps not good enough to provide a (new) visitor with a clear indication and route to documents, photographs etc.

I have therefore decided to add another section to the top menu bar – ‘Collections’.

This section will contain multiple, or grouped items that have been donated, or that I have. I hope in this way that some of these amazing things will be easier to find on a wander through the blog. I will begin to move items that now fall under this new category from where they currently reside in the blog – I hope this will allow the logbook section to contain just logbooks and all associated documents from these logbooks will now be placed in the ‘Collections’ section.

I apologise in advance if any links from posts now do not work regarding the original location of a document – I will try to update them as I move documents…….

Letters home – Jim Haworth, Navigator with the Mallon crew

Thanks to Vic for letting me know of an update to his blog, about his Father’s tour with 75(NZ) Squadron. The latest addition is based on letters written by Bob’s Navigator, Jim Haworth to his wife Sally, back in New Zealand. Much like the addition of the notes written by John Bell that I was able to add to a previous post on the Gordon crew, Jim’s letters provide not only a fascinating insight into the day to day events of operational airmen, but also add interesting detail to the historical record of the Squadron.

On meeting Bob and the being so far from home……..
“Did I mention we have a flight engineer now, so have completed our crew. He is a married chap, the only other one in our lot. Think he’s about 25 and comes from Grimsby up on the Humber and seems quite a good chap. I’m quite convinced this war is a single chap’s one. Perhaps the Pommie ones who are married are not so badly off as they do get home leave. If I had known what I know now I would have plonked for NZ training and the Pacific. They do get back now and then.”

On his Pilot’s notification of the loss of his second brother and a chance to go home………
“Bill Mallon …… was asked today if he wanted a compassionate posting back to NZ. owing to the death of his second brother. After talking it over, he has cabled to his people and is leaving the decision to them. Looks to me we may lose him, worse luck, as he is a good steady type. Still, my own opinion was that he should accept for his people’s sake. Got any doctor’s certificate for me, eh?”

On the Hallendorf Op………..
“On Thursday we were in a show which was the deepest penetration in daylight the RAF heavies have made so far, to a place near Brunswick. There was a whistle when the target went up but during the whole trip we did not have very much trouble with flak and none with fighters. Over the target was pretty dicey, in thin cloud & quite a bit of flak but nothing hit us. Full cloud over the target, thank goodness. These days with the ‘special instruments’ as the papers call them, everyone hopes it won’t be clear over the target on daylights. Coming back we had some more stuff chucked up at us near the Ruhr but they should be out of business nearly by now.”

This is only a very small example of the extracts from Jim’s letters – read the rest on Vic’s blog here

8/9/43 Attack Against Targets at Boulogne and the take-off crash of BK809 JN-T

Many thanks to Dave for supplying an aerial photograph of Mepal airfield as a result of a query on the ‘Ask a ?’ section I set up yesterday. The map shows the crash site (bottom right) of BK809 JN-T, which crashed on take-off on the night of 8th September 1943, prior to an Op to Boulogne.

75 (NZ) Sqn RAF Operations Record Book (ORB)
8/9/43
Operations. 
Seventeen aircraft were detailed to attack the above targets. The carried their maximum bomb load in bombs of 1,000lb., and 500lb.. One aircraft crashed whilst taking off and two returned early. The remainder successfully dropped their bombs in the target area. Not many fires were seen but numerous huge explosions were observed. Some heavy and light predicted A.A.Fire and a few searchlights were encountered but caused no trouble. A few enemy aircraft were seen, but no combats took place. The weather was good and visibility was clear  except for slight ground haze. Navigation was excellent.

The aircraft that crashed during take-off was captained by F/O. I.R.MENZIES. Whilst taking off it swung off the runway and crashed into two houses on the far side adjoining the perimeter track. It caught fire almost simultaneously, and in the fire, various bombs exploded, causing the aircraft to be a total wreck. Three members of the crew, a W.A.A.F. Officer of R.A.F. Station MEPAL and an aircrew Sergeant, and 2 civilians were killed and other civilians were injured. The W.A.A.F. Officer and the aircrew sergeant lost their lives whilst trying to render assistance.
Page 587, 1943. Form 540/ 541 AIR27/ 646  75(NZ) Squadron RAF, Mepal. National Archives.

Stirling Mk.III BK809 JN-T
F/O. Ian Robert Menzies RNZAF NZ415002. Pilot.
Died Wednesday 8th September after crashing on take-off. Buried Cambridge City Cemetery, England.

P/O. Derek Albert Arthur Cordery RAFVR 136360. Navigator.

P/O. Norman Hathway Gale RAFVR 849986. Air Bomber.
Died Wednesday 8th September after crashing on take-off. Buried Bristol (Canford) Cemetery, England.

Sgt. Ralph Herbert Barker RNZAF NZ417189. Wireless Operator.

Sgt. Albert Leslie Mellor RAFVR 943914. Flight Engineer.
Seriously injured Wednesday 8th September after crashing on take-off. Died Wednesday 8th September Buried Buxton Cemetery, England.

Sgt. Bullivant G RAFVR 1395379. Mid Upper Gunner.

Sgt. Stewart Donald Muir RNZAF NZ416967. Rear Gunner.
Died 16th June 1944 with 7(PFF) Squadron.

The Flight Sergeant and W.A.A.F Officer that were killed when attempting to offer assistance were;

F/Sgt Peter Gerald Dobson MiD RNZAF NZ439022. Navigator. 16th Mar to 8th Sep 1943. Died Wednesday 8th September 1943, age 28. A 75 Sqn Stirling, (BK809), fully laden with fuel and bombs for an attack on a long-range gun battery nr Boulogne, France, swung on take-off and crashed between two houses off the end of the runway. F/Sgt Dobson was killed by exploding bombs as he went to the assistance of the aircrew crew and the occupants of the houses. Buried Cambridge City Cemetery, England.
Mention in Despatches (14 Jan 1944):
“For bravery in action and meritorious fulfilment of duty”.

Section Officer Joan Majorie Easton WAAF/RAF 2986. 24th July 1943 to 8th Sep 1943. Died Wednesday 8th September 1943, age 26, when a 75 Sqn Stirling (BK809) fully laden with bombs and fuel, swung on take-off for an attack on a long-range gun battery nr Boulogne and crashed between two houses off the end of the runway. S/O Easton was killed when the bomb load exploded as she went to the assistance of the aircraft crew and the occupants of the houses. Buried Greenwich (Charlton and Kidbrook) Cemetery. London, England.

Additionally, another member of the Squadron came to the aid of the crash victims. Unlike Peter and Joan, Terence survived the incident and was awarded the British Empire Medal for his bravery that night.

Cpl Terence Henry King BEM RAF 610334. ELECT 1, Electrical Sect. Citation BEM (24 Dec 1943) “In September 1943, an aircraft which was taking off with a load of bombs crashed into two houses on the edge of an airfield and burst into flames. Corporal King hurried to the scene and, although fully aware that high explosive bombs were likely to explode at any moment, he went to the cottages a few yards from the burning aircraft to warn the occupants of their imminent danger and render assistance. An injured man was found and while Corporal King, with the help of a civilian, was taking him to safety a bomb exploded. The bravery shown by Corporal King was instrumental in saving a life and many more lives might have been lost had it not been for his prompt action in helping to warn occupants of the nearby houses. “

The exact circumstances of that night will probably never be known – ironically, as I mention in a reply to Dave, based on the crew order that night my Father might have taken off just before the crash occurred.

I have read of the rear double tail wheel having a habit of running out of line on takeoff – even to the point that anecdotal evidence suggests the Rear Gunner would sometimes rotate his turret to the side and hang out to check it was running straight – sometimes hanging out to give it a kick if it wasn’t!

Perhaps another question mark hangs over the undercarriage – absurdly tall and only modified to the final 2 story height to meet the Air Ministry performance specifications, the original design failed to meet regarding maximum take-off distance – the addition of the taller undercarriage was essentially used to increase the angle of attack of the aircraft’s wings, thus increasing lift and thus shortening it’s take off distance. A Stirling at almost takeoff speed, suffering a collapse, or partial collapse to its starboard undercarriage would probably have been impossible to control – its forward momentum taking it where ever it planned to go, irrespective of any attempts by the Pilot or Flight Engineer to rest control.

I would be fascinated to hear anything else about this event……….

Gordon Ford RAFVR 1523080 – Wireless Operator. 1944

I am pleased to present the Logbook of Gordon Ford, the content of which has provided such interesting content for the previous post on Gordon and his crew. Many thanks to Ian for the generous donation.

Read Gordon’s logbook here

Request for Information – Gordon Ford, Wireless Operator. Farr & Watson crew.

Many thanks to Ian,  via Nevin, for contacting me regarding his Father Gordon.

Gordon and his crew certainly seemed to have an interesting stay with the Squadron – spending 2 periods at Mepal with 2 different Pilots. A first tour was apparently cut short after their  Pilot, Bill Farr was injured by flak. A return to 1651 H.C.U and No.3 L.F.S. saw them come back to the Squadron in February of 1945 with a new skipper – Matt Watson.

Ian is keen to find out what ever he can about his Father – so as always, lets hope someone sees this post and is able to tell him more…….

Form 540 (September 1944)
Administration
NZ427798 F/S Farr, W. and crew arrived on posting from No.31 Base.

6.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Harqueboc Near Le Havre
Lancaster Mk.I HK574 AA-R
F/S William John Farr RNZAF NZ427798 – Pilot
F/S Kenneth Raffill Wood RNZAF NZ4212783 – Navigator
F/S Richard Godfrey Dawson RNZAF NZ421686 – Air Bomber
F/S Gordon Ford RAFVR 1523080 – Wireless Operator
Sgt. L. Cook RAFVR – Flight Engineer
Sgt. W. Mentiply RAFVR – Mid Upper Gunner
Sgt. A. Bolland RAFVR – Rear Gunner

8.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Doudenville
Lancaster Mk. I HK574 AA-R

10.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Montvilliers
Lancaster Mk.I HK574 AA-R

12.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Frankfurt
Lancaster Mk.I ME753  AA-N
Gordon flies this Op with Jack Plummer’s crew – recorded in his logbook, but not listed in Form 541 – Wireless Operator is recorded as F. Chambers

20.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Calais
Lancaster Mk.I LM276 AA-S

4.10.44. Gardening – Mining in the Kattegat
Lancaster Mk.I ME751 AA-M (note in Logbook says ‘101 Ops’ – though it is not clear what this refers to)
Sgt D. McNeil replaces Sgt. Cook as Flight Engineer

6.10.44. War Ops – Attack Against Dortmund
Lancaster Mk.I NF935 AA-P
Sgt. K. Futter replaces Sgt. McNeil as Flight Engineer
Logbook notes – ‘ German Fighter destroyed – also ‘skipper injured’ – destruction of enemy a/c corroborated in 541 Ops diary notes.

It would therefore suggest that the injury sustained by Jack Farr was serous enough to end his flying career – certainly with 75(NZ) Squadron…..

My only relative knowledge of a similar situation, relative to the loss of a Pilot on a 2nd Dickie Op for example is that the remaining ‘headless’ crew are dispersed in the Squadron – this is certainly was how Bill Lake and Tom Darbyshire ended up in my Father’s crew in 1943 after their skipper, Jack Thomson  was killed on his second ‘second dickie’ operation with the Bailie crew on the 3rd August to Hamburg. I can envisage in a similar situation that the remaining airmen might be simply dispersed back to OTU’s or HCU’s – but its a surprise to me that they were sent back on mass – though of course, in all these matters, I stand to be corrected…….

Gordon then finds himself at 1651 Conversion Unit and No.3 L.F.S. with the rest of his crew……

Subsequent digging in the ORB would   suggest that essentially the whole ‘ex’ Farr crew went with Gordon – the Flight Engineer’s position just before the time of Jack Farr’s injury, began to rotate, so one must assume the original FE,  Sgt. Cook left for some reason and the FE on the Dortmund Op, was a regular member of Jim Elmslie’s crew. I’m not aware of this happening before, essentially a whole crew essentially sent back into training to pick up a pilot – in this case, Matthew Watson.

Form 540 (January 1945)
17.1.45 Administration
176130 F/O M. Watson and crew arrived on posting from No.31 Base.

2.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wiesbaden
Lancaster Mk.III LM733  AA-R
F/O Matthew Watson RAFVR 1495959/ 176130 – Pilot
F/S Kenneth Raffill Wood RNZAF NZ4212783 – Navigator
F/S Richard Godfrey Dawson RNZAF NZ421686 – Air Bomber
F/S Gordon Ford RAFVR 1523080 – Wireless Operator
Sgt. R. Pare RAFVR – Flight Engineer
Sgt. W. Mentiply RAFVR – Mid Upper Gunner
Sgt. A. Bolland RAFVR – Rear Gunner

3.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Dortmund
Lancaster Mk.I ME450  AA-W

13.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Dreseden
Lancaster Mk.I HK561 (orb shows HL)  AA-Y

14.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Chemnitz
Lancaster Mk.I HK561  AA-Y
F/S Patrick Reedy  replaces Sgt. Pare as Flight Engineer

22.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Osterfeld
Lancaster Mk.III  LM733 AA-R
Sgt. Pare returns as Flight Engineer

25.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Kamen
Lancaster Mk.I LM276  AA-S
Logbook notes –   ‘Skipper hit – wounded in chest’ – Form 541 Op notes say ‘Pilot hit by flak’.

4.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wanne Eickel
Lancaster Mk.I PB132  AA-X

5.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Gelsenkirchen
Lancaster Mk.I RF157 AA-X

7.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wesel
Lancaster Mk.I RF157 AA-X

9.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Datteln
Lancaster Mk.I PB132  AA-X

10.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Gelsenkirchen Buer
Lancaster Mk.I  RF157 AA-X
Logbook notes –  ‘1,085 Lancs on’

12.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Dortmund
Lancaster Mk.I RF157  AA-X

14.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Heinrich Hutte
Lancaster Mk.I RF157  AA-X
Logbook notes –  ‘a/c hit’

18.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Bruchstrasse
Lancaster Mk.I RF157  AA-X

21.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Munster Viaduct
Lancaster Mk.I RF127  AA-W

27.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Hamm
Lancaster Mk.I RF157  AA-X

14.4.45. War Ops – Attack Against Potsdam
Lancaster Mk.I RF157  AA-X

1.5.45. Supply Dropping at Delft
Lancaster Mk.III PB427  AA-U (Logbook notes ‘W’)
Logbook notes –  ‘Grocery Boys’

11.5.45. Repatriation of Prisoners of War at Juvincourt
Lancaster Mk.I RF157  AA-X

12.5.45. Repatriation of Prisoners of War at Juvincourt
Lancaster Mk.I  AA-X
Logbook notes – ‘weather U/S – recalled’

14.5.45. Repatriation of Prisoners of War at Juvincourt
Lancaster Mk.I HK576  AA-L
Logbook notes – ‘Junincourt to Ford Very Dicey – overshot on 3 engines port inner u/s’.

29.5.45. Viewing the effects of Bombing
Lancaster Mk.HK576  AA-L  – a/c details assumed from previous Op and Logbook details –
3 passengers in addition to normal crew W/O Murphy, F/S Waterman, Cpl Rivers
Logbook notes – ‘Cooks tour over Ruhr’

The back page of Gordon’s Logbook lists Mepal as ‘to 6^th June 1945′. After this No. 11F/U Talbenny, July 1945 to August 1945, then No. 16 F/U Dunkswell, August 1945 to May 1946 – this seems to coincide with the hand-back of this station from the U.S. Navy to the RAF.

An interesting additional note is;
‘Flew with Jack Farr 74 times, Flew with Matt Watson 86 times’ – clearly this represents the entire times of training both pre operational and non operational training flights whilst with 75(NZ) Squadron, but nevertheless is an impressive total.

A good cause, so maybe think about giving a quid or 2……

I was contacted by an ex-student of mine who since graduatiing has joined the RAF Regiment. Chris is going to run the BUPA Great South Run on the 27th October in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund.

‘The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is the RAF’s leading welfare charity, providing financial, practical and emotional support to all members of the RAF family. We are here to help serving and former members of the RAF, as well as their partners and dependants, whenever they need us.’

The link for Chris’s’ Just Giving’ page is here

Thanks in advance…..

Simon

Request for Information – Edward Cecil Ball, Pilot.

Many thanks to Adam for contacting me looking for more information on F/Lt. Edward Cecil Ball.

Adam has just recently started a ‘real time’ blog of his Grandfather’s time with 488(NZ) Squadron RAF, called Broody’s War, which you can get to here.

In Adam’s own words;
This blog is a tribute to my Grandfather, Andrew John Broodbank. During the Second World War, he was a Radar Operator (Navigator) with 488 (NZ) Squadron, RAF. His Operational Tour lasted from 3/ix/43 until 9/ix/44. I am lucky enough to have a significant collection of material from this period including flight logs, photos, personal journals and notes. This blog will follow, 70 years later, his time with the squadron. I hope you enjoy reading this blog, which I hope will serve as a lasting tribute to my grandfather and all those he served with.

Adam came across a reference to Edward Ball, who was killed on the 9th October 1943 whilst with 488(NZ) and was aware that he had flown previously in 75(NZ) Squadron. He asked me if I could supply any information on Eric, prior to his arrival at 488(NZ).

What follows is as much to hopefully make a contact for more information as it is to assist Adam in his initial request.

‘A’ Postings (Form 540 April 1942)
F/O E.C. Ball. GD. Posted from No.11 O.T.U. w.e.f. 26.3.42. Auth Pending.

F/O E.C. Ball (NZ40947) Appointed to rank of Acting flight Lietenant (unpaid( w.e.f. 26.3.42. and Acting Flight Lieutenant (paid) w.e.f. 26.3.42 on 15.4.42. Authy. 3 Grp Pgrm 3G/8937/5/5/P.2 d/d 13.4.42.

Form 541 April 1942 Onwards
9.4.2.42. Operations – Daylight Attack on Essen
Wellington III X3667
F/O Edward Cecil Ball RNZAF NZ40749.                                Captain
P/O Graham Edward Murdoch RNZAF. (NZ411927.           2^nd Pilot
P/O William Leslie Bridget RNZAF NZ40731.                      Navigator
F/S Summers   RAFVR.                                                              W/Optr
P/O Cyril Ingleby RAFVR 937625/ 118898.                           Fr. Gnr.
P/O Reginald Leonard Clark RNZAF NZ40734.                  Rr. Gnr.

12.4.42. Operations – Attack on Targets at Le Havre and Essen
Wellington III Z1570
Same crew including 2^nd Pilot.

14.4.42. Operations – Attack Against Targets at Dortmund and Le Havre
Wellington III X3482
P/O Murdoch remains 2^nd Pilot. P/O Clark replaced by Sgt. Smith as Rr. Gnr.

15.4.42. Operations – Attack Against Targets at Le Havre and Dortmund.
Wellington III X3482
Same crew as above

17.4.42. Operations – Attack Against Targets at Hamburg
Wellington III X1570
P/O Clark returns as Rr. Gnr. P/O Murdoch still 2^nd Pilot.

22.4.42. Operations – Attack Against Targets at Cologne
Wellington III X1570
Same crew as above.

23.4.42. Operations – Attack Against targets at Rostock
Wellington III X1570
Same crew as above.

25.4.42. Operations – Attack Against targets at Rostock and Dunkirk
Wellington III X1570
F/S P/O Douglas Howard Semmence RNZAF NZ40731 replaces F/S Summers as W/Optr.

27.4.42. Operations – Attack Against targets at Cologne and Mine Laying off Heligoland
Wellington III X1570
Same crew as above

29.4.42. Operations – Attack Against targets at Gennevilliers
Wellington III X1570
Same crew as above

6.5.42. Bombing Attacks Against Targets at Stuttgart.
Wellington III X.3646
P/O Murdoch ceases to fly as 2^nd Pilot, otherwise crew remains same as previous Op.

7.5.42. Gardening Kiel Bay.
Wellington III X.3646
Same crew as above

15.5.42. Gardening – Kiel Bay
Wellington III Z.1570
Same crew as above

19.5.42. Attacks Against Manheim and St. Nazaire
Wellington III Z.1570
Same crew as above.

30.5.42. Bombing Attacks Against Cologne.
Wellington III Z.1570
Same crew as above. Additionally Sgt. Arthur Grahame Johns RNZAF NZ41907 joins crew as 2^nd Pilot.

1.6.42. Attack Against Targets at Essen
Wellington III Z1570
Same crew as above

2.6.42. Attack Against Targets at Essen
Wellington III Z1570
Same crew as above.

5.6.42. Attack against Targets at Essen.
Wellington III Z1570
Sgt. Johns is replaced by Sgt. John ‘Jack’ Leonard Wright (later to become Squadron Leader) as 2^nd Pilot.

6.6.42. Attack Against Emden
Wellington III Z1570
Sgt. Johns returns as 2^nd Pilot.

8.6.42. Attack Against Targets at Essen
Wellington III Z1570
Same crew as above

16.6.42. Attack Against Targets at Essen
Wellington III ‘A’ –
note of ‘DNCO’. From Op notes suggests it stands for ‘Did Not Complete’ – perhaps ‘Did Not Carry Out’ ??
Sgt. Johns as 2^nd Pilot absent. Remaining crew as above.

17.6.42. Mine-Laying off Frisian Islands
Wellington III X3452
Same crew as above

19.6.42. Attack Against Targets at Emden.
Wellington III X3586
P/O William Guy Horne RNZAF NZ411983 as 2^nd Pilot.

20.6.42. Attack Against Targets at Emden.
Wellington III X3586
Same crew as above

23.6.42. Attack Against Targets at St. Nazaire and(Gardening)
Wellington III Z1570
P/O Horne is not present. Same crew otherwise as above

29.6.42. Attack Against Targets at Bremen
Wellington III Z1570
Same crew as above

Form 540 (July 1942)
‘A’ Postings
P/O Semmence, D.H. 49002 GD. Posted to No. 57 Sqdn w.e.f. 19.7.42.Auth:3 Grp Sig.P951 d/d 18.7.42.
P/O Ingleby, T.R. 103037. GD. Posted to No.11 OUT w.e.f. 25.7.42. Authy:3 Grp Sig.P.976 dated 22.7.42.
‘B’ Postings
P/O Clarke, R.L. NZ40734. GD. Attached to P.D.C. West Kirby w.e.f. 10.7.42.Auth;3 Grp.Sig.P854 d/d 4.7.42.
P/O Bridget, W.L. NZ40731 GD. Attached to P.D.C. West Kirby w.e.f. 10.7.42.Auth;3 Grp.Sig.P854 d/d 4.7.42.

Form 540 (August 1942)
‘A’ Postings, Movements
A/F/L. Ball, E.C. (NZ40749) GD. Posted to 54 OTU wef. 9.8.42. Auth.3 Gp.Sig.P510 d/d 28.7.42.

Request for Information – John Matthew Biggar, Rear Gunner. Hadley crew

Many thanks to Nola for contacting me about John. Usually, relatives contact me with either information, or a request for information based on the long held knowledge that the individual had at least flown in Bomber Command, if not 75(NZ) RAF Squadron.

Through research into her family tree, Nola has in fact ‘discovered’ John and obviously to this end is fascinated to learning anything extra about John or the Hadley crew. As always, lets hope someone out there sees this and is able to contribute to Nola’s family records.

Administration.
10 July. 1944.
P/O W. Hadley (NZ26041) and crew arrive on posting from No. 31 Base.

12.7.44. War Ops – Attack against Chalon Sur Marne
Lancaster Mk.III ND915 AA-A
Wilson Hadley flies as 2^nd Pilot with Hugh Glimour’s crew.

30.7.44. War Ops – Attack Near Amaye sur Seulles
Lancaster Mk.I ME751 AA-M
P/O Wilson Orchard Hadley  – Pilot.
F/S John Bernard Gudgeon – Navigator.
F/S David John Robert Wilcox – Air Bomber.
F/S John Patrick Arthur Giles – Wireless Operator.
Sgt. Colin Fowler – Flight Engineer.
F/S William James Victor Boyd – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S John Matthew Biggar – Rear Gunner.

3.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against L’Isle Adan
Lancaster Mk.I  LM268 AA-D

4.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Bec D’Ambes
Lancaster Mk.I LM268 AA-D

5.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Targets at Bassens
Lancaster Mk.I LM268 AA-D

7/8.8.44. War Ops  – Attack Against Mare de Magne
Lancaster Mk.I LM268 AA-D

8/9.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Lucheux
Lancaster Mk.I LM266 AA-A
(This a/c appears to have replaced the previous AA-A, ND915, shot down on the 20^th July 1944 with the Gilmour crew on board – the same a/c and crew that Wilson Hadley had completed his 2^nd Pilot Op with barely a month before).

16/17.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Stettin
Lancaster Mk.I LM268 AA-D

18/19.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Bremen
Lancaster Mk.I LM268 AA-D

25/26.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Russelheims
Lancaster Mk.I LM268 AA-D

26/27.8.44 War Ops – Attack Against Kiel
Lancaster Mk.I  LM268 AA-D

29/30.8.44. Gardening – Mining in the Gulf of Danzig
Lancaster Mk. I LM268 AA-D

3.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against the Airfield at Eindhoven
Lancaster Mk.I LM268 AA-D

5.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Le Havre
Lancaster Mk.I LM268 AA-D      

6.9. 44. War Ops – Attack Against Harqueboc Near Le Havre
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C

10.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Montvilliers
Lancaster Mk.I LM268 AA-D

11/12/.9.44. Gardening – Mining in the Baltic Sea
Lancaster Mk.I LM268 AA-D
Aircraft Missing.
F/O Wilson Orchard Hadley RNZAF NZ426041. Pilot. Died age 30.
Buried Orslev Churchyard, Denmark.

P/O John Bernard Gudgeon RNZAF NZ428786. Navigator. Died age 23.
Buried Svino Churchyard, Denmark.

F/Sgt. David John Robert Wilcox RNZAF NZ421244. Air Bomber.
Shot down, baled out on the night of 12-13 Sep 1944 on the return flight from mining the approaches to Stettin harbour. PoW no. 966, PoW camps – Dulag Luft, Stalag Luft VII. Safe UK – 26 May 1945.

F/Sgt. John Patrick Arthur Giles RNZAF NZ425836. Wireless Operator. Died age 21.
Buried Svino Churchyard, Denmark.

Sgt. Colin R. Fowler RAFVR. Flight Engineer.
Shot down, baled out on the night of 12-13 Sep 1944 on the return flight from mining the approaches to Stettin harbour. Successfully evaded capture and safe in the UK 27 Sep 1944.

F/Sgt. William James Victor Boyd RNZAFNZ428303. Mid Upper Gunner. Died age 20.
Buried Svino Churchyard, Denmark

F/Sgt. John Matthew Biggar RNZAF NZ427945. Rear Gunner. Died age 22.
Buried Orslev Churchyard, Denmark.

Ask a ?

I’m not sure whether this will work, or even help…….

It’s occurred to me over the last few months that a lot of interesting comments and ‘arrivals’ of new visitors to the blog occur and these comments usually relate to a particular post. In some cases, in the absence of perhaps knowing where else to introduce themselves, new visitors tend to post on the ‘About’ page. I am also aware that nobody as a poster of a comment has the level of notification that I do regarding the ‘global’ comments on the blog.

First of all, this is fine. However, it does occur to me that probably on a lot of occasions a post is missed by the wider visiting community, just because of where it has been posted.

As an experiment to see if we can perhaps get a clearer opportunity, certainly regarding new contacts, to all see the posts, I have created a new section in the menu bar called ‘Ask a ?’

I wonder if this might allow a more interactive opportunity for people to see new or non post specific comments and in turn allow response or comment – we shall see I suppose.

The way that WordPress builds pages and nested menu items means that if you click on the ‘Ask a ?’ link on the menu, you’ll go to a discreet page. If you hold on this menu item, you will see, as with other pages in the menu a series of nested pages. I propose the following starting structure and lets see if it works – or indeed if anybody reads this!

Ask a ?
General questions or pieces of information related to 75(NZ) Squadron RAF.

Ask a ? – Individuals
Information, questions etc. related to either Aircrew or Ground Crew.

Ask a ? – Aircraft
Information, questions etc. related to the aircraft that were flown in the Squadron.

The Gordon crew – a little more

Caption from ARS website “Crew of Lancaster PB689 (courtesy of Jean Mitchell and Techie Serivces) Left – Right: P/O. Louis Sampson, ? ground crew, F/O. Ronald Gordon, ? ground crew, ? crew, ? crew, ? ground crew, ? Sgt. Carl ‘Bob’ Freeman. Front L – R: Sgt. Sidney Hone, F/O. John Robson Bell, taken incredibly before that final fateful Op to Homberg”.
© Aircrew Remembrance Society/ Kelvin Youngs

Whilst initially unsure, I am told that Kevin is sure that Louis Sampson is in this picture. Given the changes to crew prior to the Homberg Op – the apparent chance of this picture being taken before the boys were lost is quite incredible….

Many thanks to Kelvin, from the Aircrew Remembrance Society for passing on this albeit battered, but nevertheless precious picture of the Gordon crew, with some of their ground crew. I simply think than in cases of photographs like this, the state and quality doesn’t matter, its what it contains, the memories and the people that’s what important.

Request for information – Smith crew, 9th July 1942 – Wilhelmshaven

Many thanks to Reg for contacting me from Holland regarding the Smith crew, who were all killed on the 9th July 1942 on a trip to Willemshaven. Reg is investigating all crashes that are related to the  island of Rottumeroog, where P/O Trevor Smith was found and buried, before being re-interred in Oldebroek cemetery.

Reg is also interested in the mention of a logbook of a ‘G. Young’ that is held at Wigram – though he is not sure that it is the same airman that died with the rest of the Smith crew – perhaps somebody in New Zealand might be able to shed some light on this question ?

I have put together an Op history for the crew. I must confess, I am not that familiar with flight practice in the Squadron pre 1943, however, from the information I have gathered on Trevor and his crew, I deduce a far more prolonged role as 2nd Pilot, a final Op with the Squadron Leader and his crew and then an aircraft of his own with a new crew.

P/O. Smith, T.H. NZ41959 Posted to this Unit from No. 11 O.T.U. w.e.f. 18.5.42. Auth’y: 91 Gp. Pgram. 91G/1706/26/11/P.4. dated 11.5.42.

30.5.42 Bombing Attacks Against Cologne
Wellington Mk.III X3751 AA-P
P/O Jarman
P/O Smith 2^nd Pilot
P/O Taylor
Sgt. Fernie
Sgt. Davey
P/O Chunn

1.6.42. Attack Against targets at Essen
Wellington Mk.III X3751 AA-P
P/O Jarman
P/O Smith 2^nd Pilot
P/O Taylor
Sgt. Fernie
Sgt. Davey
P/O Chunn

2.6.42. Attack Against Targets at Essen
Wellington Mk.III X3751 AA-P
P/O Jarman
P/O Smith 2^nd Pilot
P/O Taylor
Sgt. Fernie
Sgt. Davey
P/O Chunn

5.6.42. Attack Against Targets at Essen
Wellington Mk.III X3714
P/O Smith T.H.   
S/L Denton 2^nd Pilot
F/O Hodson
Sgt. Chambers
F/S Green
Sgt. Crankshaw

Up to this point, I am reasoning the individual listed in the previous Ops is Treveor Smith – the case is slightly confused by the fact there is another Pilot who is also Smith – I believe Rupert Smith – I assume to differentiate, Trevor’s initials are used, the only individual in the records at this point to be treated in this way. I assume, and through checking back that essentially Trevor was flying S/L Dentons a/c with his crew, prior to taking on a crew of his own

17.6.42. Mine Laying off the Frisian Islands (Cancelled)
Wellington Mk.III  X3760
P/O Smith
P/O Broun
P/O McKenzie
Sgt. Young
Sgt. Stewart
(crew has cancelled instead of up/ down time – hand written against them.)

19.6.42. Attack Against Targets at Emden
Wellington Mk.III Z1592?
P/O Smith
P/O Broun
P/O McKenzie
Sgt. Young
P/O Gavegan*
*replaces Stewart as rear gunner

20.6.42. Attack Against Targets at Emden
Wellington Mk.III X3540
Same Crew

22.6.42. Attack Against Targets at Emden
Wellington Mk.III X3540
Same crew

23.6.42. Attack Against Targets at St. Nazaire (Gardening)
Wellington Mk.III X3714
Same crew

25.6.42. Attack on Targets at Bremen
Wellington Mk.III X3557
Same crew

29.6.42. Attack on Targets at Bremen
Wellington Mk.III X3557 AA-W
Same crew

2.7.42. Attack Against Targets at Bremen
Wellington Mk.III X3714
Same crew
P/O Donald Potts 2^nd Pilot

7.7.42. Attack Against Targets at Frisian Islands (Gardening)
Wellington Mk.III X3714
Same crew

8.7.42. Attack Against Targets at Wilhelmshaven
Wellington Mk.III X3557 AA-W
Aircraft Missing – All Crew Lost
P/O P/O Trevor Harry Smith RNZAF NZ41953. Pilot. Died age 24.
Buried Oldebrock General Cemetery Netherlands.

P/O Donald Norman Potts RNZAF NZ412267. 2^nd Pilot. Died age 25.
Commemorated on Panel 116 Runnymede Memorial.

P/O Alan Stuart Broun RNZAF NZ405367. Navigator. Died age 32.
Commemorated on Panel 115 Runnymede Memorial.

Sgt. Frank Edwin McKenzie RNZAF NZ391085. Wireless Operator. Died age 22.
Commemorated on Panel 117 Runnymede Memorial.

Sgt. George Anthony Young RNZAF NZ405771. Front Gunner. Died age 21.
Buried Schiermonnikoog (Vredenhof) Cemetery Netherlands.

P/O Jack Ralph Gavegan RNZAF NZ402128. Rear Gunner. Died age 30.
Commemorated on Panel 116 Runnymede Memorial.

HK593 JN-X and the Flamank crew

Many thanks as always to Chris for doing an extra bit of detective work after a post I put up a while ago regarding Owen Cook and his crew. My initial assumption was that, included within the images that Campbell sent me, there was another picture of JN-X, an aircraft well known in a number of already widely known photographs from Mepal in 1945………..

I’ll let Chris continue the story…………..

After seeing the recent posting about Owen Cook I was intrigued to see the three photos of HK593, JN-X refuelling and being bombed up.

The first I recognise from the IWM, clearly marked as JN-X with the 40 op’s markings and single swastika (one enemy aircraft destroyed I presume). The op’s markings would support the date in the IWM description:

However I think the other two photos are actually two different Lanc’s, taken on two different occasions, looking at the respective markings, presence/absence of radar antenna just behind the nose turret, different prop’ types and different backgrounds.

These are three photos below of HK593 JN-X that I have come across on the web (credits to Mark Postlethwaite, ww2 images archive), which can also be found in “Lancaster Squadrons In Focus” by Mark Postlethwaite, published by Air Research Publications.

The first one shows the same 40 op’s and swastika markings as the IWM photo, so this one at least must have been taken on or about the same date. “Lancaster Squadrons In Focus” also dates these two photos (and the third one below) at around 9 February 45, based on the number of op’s markings.

Another view of the 40 Ops markings and the single swastika.
© Mark Postlethwaite, ‘Lancaster Squadrons in Focus – Special Edition’,Red Kite, Walton-on-Thames, 2012.

I believe the guy in the cockpit is the Pilot, F/O (later F/L) Ronald Christie Flamank, RNZAF, as you can see his ‘wings’ badge in the photos below:

Photo: The full crew – Ron Flamank second from right, with dog.
© WW2ImagesArchive/ Mark Postlethwaite.

This pic is quite interesting in that it clearly shows a ‘Window’ chute in the mid-cockpit location (as well as the more usual chute located further forward, adjacent to the bomb aimer’s position) – the bundles of reflective paper strips were ripped open by the Flight Engineer on the way to the target, and “posted” out through this chute to create a cloud of radar reflections designed to confuse the German radar.

HK593 came onto Squadron strength in July 1944, and appears to have been originally coded “AA-H”. She first appears in the ORB’s on 4 August 1944 as “HK953” and seems to have been mis-recorded as HK953 on many occasions. The previous a/c to carry the JN-X code was ND801, which overshot Mepal airfield and crashed into Sutton village on 3 Feb 45, only 6 days before this photo was taken.

So HK593 must have only just been been re-coded JN-X, and in fact, she didn’t fly on 9 Feb., her next op’ being when F/O R. Flamank RNZAF and crew flew her on the night of 13/14 Feb, the infamous Dresden raid.  And they flew her again on 16 Feb 45, a daylight op’ to Wesel.

The Flamank crew, presumably with members of JN-X’s groundcrew.
© Mark Postlethwaite, ‘Lancaster Squadrons in Focus – Special Edition’,Red Kite, Walton-on-Thames, 2012.

6.12.44. Administration.
F/S Flamank and crew arrived on posting from No.31 Base

11.12.44. War Ops – Attack Against Targets at Osterfeld
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Ron flies 2nd Pilot with Alex Simpson’s crew

12.12. 44. War Ops – Attack Against Targets at Witten
Lancaster Mk.I HK554 JN-Z
F/S Ronald Christie Flamank RNZAF NZ427270 – Pilot.
Sgt. A. Westbury RAFVR – Navigator.
Sgt. E. Carver RAFVR – Air Bomber.
F/S Douglas Haig Rapson RNZAF NZ428323 – Wireless Operator.
Sgt. V. Saunders RAFVR – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. K. Moore RAFVR – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. D. Hills RAFVR – Rear Gunner.

16.12.44. War Ops – Attack Against Targets at Siegen
Lancaster Mk.I HK554 JN-Z

21.12.44. War Ops – Attack Against Trier
Lancaster Mk.I HK554 JN-Z

23.12.44. War Ops – Attack Against Trier
Lancaster Mk.I HK554 JN-Z

27.12.44. War Ops – Attack Against Rheydt
Lancaster Mk.I HK554 JN-Z

28.12.44. War Ops – Attack Against Greenberg Marshalling yards Cologne
Lancaster Mk.I HK554 JN-Z

31.12.44. War Ops – Attack Against Vohwinkel
Lancaster Mk.I ND322 JN-F

1.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Vohwinkel
Lancaster Mk.I NG322 JN-F

3.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Dortmund
Lancaster Mk.I NG322 JN-F

7/8.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Munich
Lancaster Mk.I HK597 JN-P
Bombs jettisoned as navigational aids u/s. Rear Gunner’s electrically heated suit was u/s, but changed bomb aimer to rear turret and went on Tried to get a Gee fix 20 mins but without any joy

13/14.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Dresden
Lancaster Mk.I HK593 JN-X

16.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wessel
Lancaster Mk.I HK593 JN-X

18.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wessel
Lancaster Mk.I HK593 JN-X

20/21.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Dortmund
Lancaster Mk.I NE747 JN-D

23.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Gelsenkirchen
Lancaster Mk.I PB820  JN-V

28.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Nordstern
Lancaster Mk.I PB820  JN-V

9.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Datteln
Lancaster Mk.I HK601 JN-D

10.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Gelsenkirchen Buer
Lancaster Mk.I NG322 JN-F

12.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Dortmund
Lancaster Mk.I NE747 JN-D

27.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Hamm
Lancaster Mk.I HK806? AA-B
F/S Eric Meharry as 2nd Pilot

4/5.4.45. War Ops – Attack Against Merseburg
Lancaster Mk.I PB424 JN-O

13/14.4.45. Gardening – Mine Laying off Kiel
Lancaster Mk.I RA564 JN-P

18.4.45. War Ops – Attack on Heligoland
Lancaster Mk.I PB424 JN-O

29.4.45. Supply Dropping – Delft
Lancaster Mk.I PB820 JN-V

2.5.45. Supply Dropping – Delft
Lancaster Mk.III PB424 JN-O
Crew flies with out Sgt. Moore.

7.5.45. Supply Dropping – Delft
Lancaster Mk.III PB424 JN-O
Without Sgt. Moore again
Sgt. Gault as passenger

9.5.45. Repatriation of Prisoners of War
Lancaster Mk.III PB424 JN-O
Sgt. Moore returns as Mid Upper Gunner

12.5.45. Repatriation of Prisoners of War from Juvincourt
Lancaster Mk.I HK600 JN-K

14.5.45. Repatriation of Prisoners of War from Juvincourt
Lancaster Mk.I HK600 JN-K

26.5.45. Viewing the effects of the Bombing Offensive

25.6.45. Checking German Radar Equipment
Lancaster Mk.III PB424 JN-O

Letters of Loss – Carl ‘Bob’ Freeman, 20th November 1944, Homberg.

The telegram no relative wanted to receive. Bob’s wife received it after the Homberg raid, 20th November 1944. It would be another 5 years until she knew of her husbands final resting place.
© Anthony Freeman

Expanding the information on my last post regarding the loss of the Gordon crew, I present a set of letters that Anthony has also generously contributed.

They begin with the telegram that every family feared to receive during the War, the telegram that said their loved one was ‘Missing’.

Similarly to the set of correspondence between the McCartin family and the Australian Air Ministry regarding the loss of their son, Leo McCartin (also lost on the 20th November 1944 to Homberg), the letters show simply by their dates, the heartbreaking period of time that elapsed between loss and rest. In this case 2 years before the details of the loss and deaths of the crew are confirmed and another 3 years before Bob’s final resting place is provided.

Additional to these letters are also a letter from Buckingham Palace and a picture of a London Metropolitan Police Memorial board, from ‘A’ Division. Before he enlisted, Bob was a Police Sergeant, his duties including security for Buckingham Palace.

You can view the collection here