Wynford Vaughan-Thomas recorded for the BBC live from a Lancaster Bomber during a bombing raid over Berlin.

Just found this on the BBC archive………

“Stephen Evans, the BBC’s Berlin correspondent, tells the story of Wynford Vaughan-Thomas’s report recorded aboard a Lancaster Bomber during a raid on Berlin.

In 1943 the RAF contacted the BBC with a dramatic offer: they were willing to send a two-man radio crew on a bombing raid over Berlin. The BBC chose Wynford Vaughan-Thomas for the mission. He accepted, knowing he might never return.

So on the night of 3rd September 1943, Vaughan-Thomas recorded for the BBC live from a Lancaster Bomber during a bombing raid over Berlin.

Wynford Vaughan-Thomas’s experiences as a wartime reporter were remarkable; he was at Belsen and at the Normandy landings, reporting as it happened. The recording over Berlin shows his remarkable courage, literally under fire, and his description of the bombing and the views from the plane are rich indeed.

Vaughan-Thomas went on to become one of post-war Britain’s most prominent media-intellectuals, a regular commentator and journalist, but those hours aboard the plane clearly remained a defining time in his life. Forty years later, interviewed by Parkinson, he called it “the most terrifying eight hours of my life. Berlin burning was like watching somebody throwing jewellery on black velvet – winking rubies, sparkling diamonds all coming up at you.”

Stephen Evans puts Wynford Vaughan-Thomas’s recordings in context. He looks at the experience on the ground in Berlin that night, reflects on the place of the broadcast in journalistic history, and dips into a lifetime of reflections from Vaughan-Thomas on a night which changed his life for ever.

Featuring Karin Finell, Max Hastings, Roger Moorhouse, Harold Panton, Jean Seaton, Dietmar Seuss and David Vaughan-Thomas.”

Listen to the recording here.

Lancaster – a short film

I heard about this through Twitter (so perhaps it does have its uses……)

“125,000 men volunteered to fight for RAF Bomber Command during World War II. 55,573 never returned.

From the dusky English coast to the flak filled night skies of war-torn Europe, ‘Lancaster’ tells the story of a young bomber crew as they fly one final daring night raid over occupied France in the face of insurmountable odds.

The 7 men onboard are jovial and confident as they begin their journey, their fears unchecked, as they near the target the pressure mounts. Enemy spotlights begin searching them out and machine gun fire and shells explode all around them. For Wireless Operator Alfie Barnes the memories of his sweetheart and the vast difference of a world filled with tenderness, love and passion, and one filled with tension, fear and loss make the risk of being shot down all the greater.

‘Lancaster’ explores the human, personal experience of the war that raged in the skies during WWII, the reality of the bravery and fear, the indiscriminate nature of combat and the impact on the individual.

From award-winning director Philip Stevens and award-winning producer Tom Walsh, ‘Lancaster’ is a powerful and moving portrayal of the courage and sacrifices of the men who took to the air in the name of duty during the bombing campaigns of the Second World War.”

Watch ‘Lancaster’ here

Maori aircrew serving with 75 (NZ) Squadron, 1939-45

Many thanks once again to Chris for his contribution of this post. Whilst the blog has presented information about the Maori airmen that flew with 75(NZ) Squadron, specifically to certain crews, I think it’s fitting tribute to them as a group that we should recognise these individuals and their contribution to the Squadron and Bomber Command – as Chris observes, It’s fascinating, and quite ironic that these young boys, often from isolated rural backgrounds, travelled to the other side of the world in Britain’s defence, when it’s quite feasible that their great-grandfathers could have fought against the British in defence of their own lands and political independence………

Photo from The Weekly News,17 March 1943, with caption, “A Maori team at a British air station – R. W. Raharuhi (Takara), M. T. Parata (Waikanae), M. T. T. Manawaiti and E. H. Gray (Otaki).” Thought to have been taken at Mildenhall.
– Photo: The Weekly News, from Air Force Museum of New Zealand.

One of the surprises in my research into my uncle’s time at Mepal, was a number of Maori surnames amongst the crew lists. The WWII exploits of the 28th Maori Battalion (NZ Army) are legendary in New Zealand, but little or nothing has been written about Maori serving in the Air Force. The short film “Maximum Effort”, featured in a recent post here, includes reference to the (Witting) crew’s Wireless Operator, Glen, “a Maori from the North Island”, and Harry Yates’ wonderful book “Luck And A Lancaster” refers to the Yates crew’s Maori Bomb Aimer, ‘Mac’ Maaka. A recent thread on the Wings Over New Zealand forum made for a fascinating discussion on the subject, with several family members joining in to add further detail. The daughter of 75 (NZ) Sqdn Wellington Pilot Roy Raharuhi mentioned the wonderful photo above, and I decided to try and compile a list of names. In the process I have made contact with a couple of these airman’s families, which is a real privilege, and the alphabetical list below might hopefully help encourage others to share more information about these brave individuals. This list is probably incomplete, and any additions would be great to see.

The Amohanga crew pose in front of Lancaster HK593, JN-X.
Left to right rear: Alf Woolcock, A/B; Ken Dalzell, Navigator; Kiwi Amohanga, Pilot; Jack Richardson, M/U/Gnr.
Front: Steven Fletcher, F/E;, Sandy Strachan, R/Gnr; Max Spooner, W/Op.
New Zealand Bomber Command Assn. archive / Ken Dalzell.

P/O Kiwi Ernest  Amohanga(NZ425492)
Pilot (Lancasters)
c/w Wi Rangiuaia as 2nd Pilot, then captain of own crew.
C Flight.
10 Mar 45 to 5 Jun 45.

Sgt Raymond Cyril Going (NZ414278)
Pilot (Stirlings)
No record of a prior op’ as 2nd Pilot.
13 Feb 43 to KIA 3 Mar 43, age 21. Panel 199, Runnymede Memorial

Ngapuhi.
Appears to have been shot down with all crew lost on their very first Op – Stirling N6123, AA-Q, lost on Operations March 3rd, 1943, shot down by Ofw. Karl Haisch 33 miles North West of Heligoland on mine laying op at 22:26 hours, headed to Dutch Frisian Islands (Nectarines Region):

Sgt. R.C. Going, R.N.Z.A.F. (+)
Sgt E.H. Weaver R.A.F.V.R. (+)
P/O A.M. Bridgman, R.N.Z.A.F. (+)
F/S F.A.W. Willis R.A.F.V.R. (+)
Sgt K.C. Eyre R.A.F.V.R. (+)
Sgt F.B. Stewart, R.A.F.V.R. (+)
Sgt C.S. Burton R.N.Z.A.F. (+)

Photo above from Auckland War Memorial Museum – Cenotaph: http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/24587.detail
Photo of some of the Going crew: http://ww2talk.com/forums/index.php?app=core&module=attach§ion=attach&attach_id=45563

F/Sgt Edward Henry Gray (NZ412878)
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (Wellingtons, Stirlings),
c/w Ray Broady, Ray Bennett, Jim Way, and Jack Joll.
6 Oct 42 to 25 Oct 43

Gray’s original pilot, Sgt Raymond Herbert John Broady, was killed a month after the crew arrived on Squadron, but before they had flown any op’s, on 28 Nov 42 in a training flight accident at Oakington, during conversion to Stirlings. Short Stirling Mk 1, BF399 , c/s AA-O, of 75 (New Zealand) Squadron (piloted by Sgt RHJ Broady ) took off from RAF Newmarket and crashed at Trinity Hall Farm, Oakington. It is not known why Gray was missing from the crew that day, but his place may have been taken by an OTU staff member who is listed as killed in the crash.
More info on the crash here

Gray went on to fill in with other crews, and then joined up with Ray Bennett’s crew, up until late Feb 43.

In early March 43 he appears to have been posted off to 1651 OTU with Jim Way’s crew, who had arrived on Squadron on 17 Feb, but lost their original Pilot (Sgt Alex Scott) on his 2nd Pilot op’. Gray was promoted from Sgt to F/Sgt 1 March 43. His new Pilot, W/O2 Jim Way died 17 Apr 43, age 26, during a raid on Ludwigshafen, flying as 2nd Pilot with the Debenham crew. Buried Choloy War Cemetery France. The ‘headless’ crew, who by now had each twice experienced losing a Pilot before the crew had flown an op’ together, was “picked up” by S/L Jack Joll  DFC, DFM, the Flight Commander of “A” Flight. Gray went on to complete his tour, flying his last op’ with the Joll crew on 5 Sep 43. Gray was posted to 11 OTU, presumably to a training role, on 25 Oct 43.

See photo at top of post

W/O Tapua ‘Tap’  Heperi(NZ426199)
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (Lancasters)
c/w Doug St.Claire Clement.
27 Nov 44 to 4 Jun 45

Photo and more about Tapua and the Clement crew here

F/O William Laurence Kereama (NZ425585)
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (Lancasters)
c/w Alan Baxter
1 Sep 44 to 24 Jan 45.

F/O William Laurence Kereama (NZ425585). Picture supplied by Jacqui Barwell

P/O Inia Whangataua ‘Mac’ Maaka (NZ421741)
Air Bomber (Lancasters)
c/w Harry Yates.
31 Jul 44 to 16 Feb 45.

Ngati Kahungunu and Ngai Tahu
Mac featured in Harry Yates’ book, “Luck And A Lancaster”:

“As he talked, my impressions of him became ever more favourable. No Englishman I’d met was so sincere and guileless about himself. Mac was simply a stranger to the inner tensions and vanities that make liars of the rest of us. He was mightily proud of his people who, I thought, must be formidable opponents in war if they were all like this chap. I began to see in him a military paragon. He had the heart of a lion. I don’t think he was afraid of anything or any man. He had no need to be because he was built like a bunker. I felt that his loyalty would be a rich prize, if one deserved it. He was just the sort of chap one imagines walking steadfastly into the enemy’s fire for the sake of his comrades. Well, the skies over Germany were fiery enough. Mac would be an example to us all.”

Photo: Yates crew, Mac Maaka top right. From “Luck And A Lancaster”.

P/O Mikaere Tutahunga Tomika Manawaiti, DFM, (NZ412895)
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (Wellingtons, Stirlings)
c/w Leo Trott
12 Aug 42 to 6 May 43.

Citation DFM (13 May 1943): ‘Sergeant Manawaiti is a keen and reliable wireless operator air gunner who has taken part in many daring operational missions. His skill as a wireless operator has assisted in securing the success on many sorties, while his cheerfulness and courage have done much to maintain the high standard of morale and efficiency which prevails in the squadron.’

See photo at top of post

P/O Glen Osmond Marshall (NZ416011)
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (Stirlings, Lancasters)
c/w Eric Witting.
8 Sep 43 to 10 Jul 44.

Glen was the Wireless Operator in the Eric Witting crew, the crew featured in the May 1944 short film about 75 (NZ) Sqdn, “Maximum Effort”:

More here:

W/O Te Rahu Calvin Mataira (NZ43492)
Rear Gunner (Lancasters)
c/w Charlie Wagstaff.
20 Mar 45 to 28 Sep 45.

F/O, Hoturoa Arnel Dean Meyer, DFC, (NZ416968)
Pilot (Lancasters)
12 Jun 44 to 20 Sep 44.

Tai Nicholas (front right) with the Layton crew.
Courtesy New Zealand Bomber Command Association/ © Clive Estcourt.

P/O Ta Tio Tuaine “Tai” NICHOLAS (NZ425658)
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (Lancasters)
Did two tours with the Layton crew.
27 Jul 44 to 15 Sep 44, & 10 Feb 45 to 16 Apr 45, c/w J R Layton

F/Sgt Hoani Paraone (NZ422204)
Air Bomber (Stirlings, Lancasters)
c/w Francis Lundon & Tom Buckley.
7 Aug 43 to 19 Sep 43 & 9 Oct 43 to 10 Jun 44

Paraone’s original Pilot, F/Sgt Francis Patrick Lundon, was lost before the crew even got to fly an op’ together – he was listed ‘Missing’ on his second op’ as 2nd Pilot with the Sedunary crew on 24 Aug 43. Paraone was posted back to 1651 Conversion Unit on 19 September, presumably to re-crew. He was posted back in to 75 (NZ) Sqdn on 9 Oct 43 and flew a tour of op’s as A/B with the Buckley crew.

Sgt Marama Tahu O’Tangi Potiki Te Whaiti Parata (NZ391069)
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (Wellingtons)
c/w Roy Raharuhi.
18 Aug 42 to 10 Nov 42.

See photo at top of post
More about the Raharuhi crew here: http://cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Robert%20Carter.htm

Sgt Roy William Raharuhi (NZ412737)
Pilot (Wellingtons)
c/w Jack Wright as 2nd Pilot, then captain of own crew.
19 Aug 42 to 10 Nov 42

See photo at top of post
More about the Raharuhi crew here: http://cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Robert%20Carter.htm

F/O Wi Rangiuaia (NZ427319)
Pilot (Lancasters).
c/w Ernest Abraham, Mac Baigent as 2nd Pilot, then captain of own crew.
C Flight
15 Jan 45 to 15 Jun 45.
More about the Rangiuaia crew here.

F/O Edward Simon (Haimoana) Snowden  (NZ427817)
Air Bomber (Lancasters)
c/w Hoturoa Meyer.
12 Jun 44 to 20 Sep 44.

Later DFC (27 Mar 45) with 7(PFF) Sqn, Polish Cross, CBE, QSM.

F/S Edward Maxwell “Max” Spooner (NZ428162)
Wireless operator (Lancasters)
c/w Kiwi Amohanga, then later with EF Butler, E L K Meharry, then A G Daly for Tiger Force.
C Flight
10 Mar 45 to 30 Sep 45.

P/O Iwikau Te Matauira Te Aika, DFC (NZ425860)
Rear Gunner (Stirlings, Lancasters)
c/w Des Horgan
18 Sep 43 to 17 Jun 44.

Citation DFC (18 Sep 1944): ‘This officer has completed numerous operations against the enemy, in the course of which he has invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty.’

F/O Richard John Urlich (NZ426229)
Pilot (Lancasters)
c/w Charlie Stevens as 2nd Pilot then captain of own crew.
20 Mar 45 to 15 Jun 45.

P/O Tame Hawaikirangi ‘Tom’ Waerea (NZ421300)
Rear Gunner (Stirlings)
c/w Richard Whitmore
C Flight
20 Aug 43 to KIA 27 Sep 43, age 29, during the crew’s eighth op’, a raid on Hanover. Buried Hanover War Cemetery, Germany.

From the ORB’s, 05/06 September 43:
‘The aircraft (EH877) captained by F/S Whitmore sighted an enemy aircraft 100 yards astern. Both Mid-Upper and Rear air gunners, Sgt’s Chesson and Waerea, opened fire and the enemy aircraft was seen to roll on its back and spin into the ground afire. It was claimed as destroyed. This was followed by another enemy aircraft approaching in an arc from starboard to port astern. Both M/U and Rear gunners again fired and the enemy aircraft broke away. A minute later, a burning Lancaster was seen under attack from an unidentified enemy aircraft. F/S Whitmore’s two gunners opened fire on the German fighter, which then disappeared. The Lancaster was then seen to break up.’

Promoted from F/Sgt to P/O 24 Sep 43.
27/29 September 1943: Stirling Mk III EH877, JN-C, failed to return, all crew except one were killed:

P/O Richard Charles Whitmore, RNZAF. (NZ421123) Pilot (+)
Sgt. John Bosworth Beresford, RAF (1583723), Flight Engineer (+)
F/O David Maurice Adamson, RNZAF. (NZ415052), Navigator (+).
Sgt. Hugh Munn, RAF (1349759), Air Bomber (+).
Sgt. F.C. Cowan, RAF (1387682), Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (PoW No. 250701. PoW camps Dulag Luft, Stalags IVB, Luft III. Promoted to F/Sgt while a PoW. Safe UK.)
Sgt. Frederick John Charles Chesson, RAF (1336122), Mid Upper Gunner (+)
P/O Tame Hawaikirangi, Waerea, RNZAF. (NZ421300), Rear Gunner (+)

Photos and more information:  http://75nzsquadronremembered.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/waerea-tame-hawaikirangi-thomas.jpg

F/Sgt Tamaterangi Wehi (NZ4213962)
Pilot/Flight Engineer (Lancasters)
c/w Laurence McKenna.
16 Jul 45 to 23 Sep 45. Tiger Force.

F/O Vernon John Zinzan (NZ425314)
Pilot (Lancasters).
c/w Wylie Wakelin as 2nd Pilot then captain of own crew.
3 Dec 44 to 10 May 45.

Thought to be All Black Zinzan Brooke’s namesake.
More here and here
Photo (standing at left) here

AKE AKE KIA KAHA

Sources:
Wings Over New Zealand forum (http://rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/17780/maori-aircrew-ww2), Auckland War Memorial Museum – Cenotaph, 75 (NZ) Squadron nominal roll and ORB’s, 28 Maori Battalion (http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/photo/messerschmitt-109-shot-maori-rnzaf-pilots), Luck and a Lancaster: Chance and Survival in World War II, by Harry Yates, DFC, 2005, Airlife Classics / The Crowood Press, private correspondence with the Rangiuaia and Waerea families.

Munster Viaduct 21st March, 1945 – The final operational losses for 75(NZ) Squadron

The route for the Munster Viaduct Op
courtesy Steve Smith

My previous post about Robert William ‘Boby’ West, Wireless Operator with the Barr crew, one of 3 Lancasters to be lost from 75(NZ) Squadron, on the Munster Viaduct Op of the 21st March 1945, started a bit of a research activity, to try to understand what happened that afternoon.

I must confess, when normally doing a post, I will assemble a starting crew list and then trawl through Form 541 of the Squadron Operational Record Books to assemble a raid history for the crew. Sadly, in many cases, the terminating Op of this list results in the loss of that crew – the word ‘missing‘, instead of a down time is enough of an epitaph for the boys as far as Form 541 is concerned.

In email correspondence with Malcolm, Margaret’s husband, he alluded to a question over the reason for the loss of Boby and his crew mates and it perhaps slightly shames to me to admit that it was only at this point that I actually began to read the notes for this Op – expanding my attention beyond the word ‘missing’

In advance of the rest of this post, I’d like to thank Margaret and Malcolm, Kevin and especially Steve for helping me piece together information that sheds a few more perhaps fractured beams of light on the events of that March afternoon.

I would also like to stress that in no way does the following post look to apportion responsibility for what happened that day – there are too many gaps to be definitive, I have simply tried to gather information and present it in a logical order. Having said this, this is perhaps the most difficult post I have put together, including those dealing with the loss of my father.

Form 541 of 75(NZ) Squadron contains a consistent series of observations regarding the events of that afternoon………

P/O John O’Malley RA510 AA-E – ‘Bombing was upset when bombs from another formation fell through – it appeared as though the leader overshot the tracking pulse.’

S/L Jack Wright EF190 AA-F – ‘Converging aircraft dropped bombs from above us. Attempted to swing off in effort to avoid bombs.’

F/O Trevor Cox PB418 AA-C – ‘Should have followed JN-Z but as he was weaving considerably it was found better to go ahead and bomb on AA-F, following was very difficult owing to the fact that another squadron was bombing from height up.’

W/O Fred Bader LM276 AA-S – ‘Impossible to assess owing to bombs falling from above and need for evasive action.’

F/S Tom Good HK561 AA-Y – ‘Bombed in steep turn when cookie fell 10 feet to port.’

F/L Russ Banks RF129 AA-M – ‘Leader overshot target and bought Squadron over other Aiming Point where bombs were falling all around aircraft and had to S turn to come over Aiming Point.’

F/O Duncan Stevenson PP663 JN-Z – ‘G.H. went u/s just before the final run to target. Attempted a visual run on the railway lines east of the viaduct, but bomb aimer had not time to reset the time interval after swerving to avoid bombs from aircraft from another Squadron at about 20,000 ft. ‘

F/O Les Sinclair NG322 JN-F – ‘Leader lost when formation was broken by bombs falling from above.’

F/O Wi Rangiuaia HK563 JN-W – ‘Formation broken by falling aircraft and bombs from aircraft above.’

F/L Bill Alexander HK593 JN-X – ‘Found difficulty in following original leader JN-F as he was constantly weaving and forced out of formation by slip -stream and on final run up so connected with nearest available aircraft JN-D.’

Loss of G-H tracking
G-H was the final development of transmitter based navigation systems used by Bomber Command and it would appear, particularly 3 Group, to guide aircraft to a target and also to set and synchronise the release of bombs over the target. A ‘G-H Leader’ would bomb on a transmitted signal from the UK, with usually another 2 aircraft following in close formation would then release their bomb load at the same time. This process would then be repeated a number of times with the following aircraft and their respective G-H leaders.

RAF Waterbeach Station ORB Records – “GH run was short by aircraft off track” 

No.3 Group ORB (Air25/54) – Weather Clear Good Vis. – ‘Although some good results were achieved this attack was a bit of a shambles. GH co-ordinates for the two aiming points were reversed and the main weight of the attack fell on the smaller of the two. Two aircraft were destroyed by flak and one by falling bombs.’

The G-H leaders, so far identified, for 75(NZ) on that Op were;
F/O Sinclair JN-F
F/O Eggleston AA-U
S/Ldr Wright  AA-F (G-H u/s)

Twenty one aircraft took off from Mepal – this would suggest based on 3 G-H leaders, that the aircraft were split into 3 groups of seven – the ‘uneven’ 7th, or 1st, being the G-H leader at the front of each group, the others in the group either flying in line or in a ‘v’, 3 aircraft on either side of the Leader. As noted in the comments by Chris, smaller figures would normally format behind a G-H Leader, so it strongly suggest that within the 21 aircraft, there were other, as yet unidentifed G-H Leaders

Sinclair’s and Egglestone’s comments are perhaps relevant based on this possible ordering;
F/O Les Sinclair NG322 JN-F – ‘Leader lost when formation was broken by bombs falling from above.’
F/O Val Egglestone PB427 AA-U – ‘Poor lead in and bombs appeared to fall south of Aiming Point.’

These comments seem to feel like a comment regarding another leading aircraft and by simple elimination, this suggests S/Ldr Wright (simply because at this point he is the only other identified G-H leader), may have been the LEAD, lead aircraft for the Squadron that day. The note that the G-H was u/s (unserviceable) adds a terrifying immanency to the events that were to unfold as the Squadron approached the target……

The note from No.3 Group ORB (Air25/54) –
‘GH co-ordinates for the two aiming points were reversed and the main weight of the attack fell on the smaller of the two.‘
perhaps suggests that the overshoot was a result of the G-H coordinates ‘swapping around’, thus causing the overshoot as a result. Though perhaps what is not clear is whether this affected all aircraft in the Op or just those of 75(NZ). Clearly, at the point the error was realised, action had to be taken to try to get the Squadron back on course, relative to the primary aiming point.

F/L Russ Banks RF129 AA-M – ‘Leader overshot target and bought Squadron over other Aiming Point where bombs were falling all around aircraft and had to S turn to come over Aiming Point.’

No.218 Squadron ORB (No.31 Base) F/Lt. Les Harlow DFC who flew a number of Base Leader operations makes an interesting comment – ‘Formation was fairly compact but stream ahead was well off track and the Base ahead was scattered.’

F/O Arthur ‘Tiny’ Humphries (Navigator NG449 AA-T – Jack Plummer crew)
“On this daylight raid to Munster things went reasonably well until we were almost coming up to the target, flying in formation. But something went wrong with the leading aircraft and we overshot the turning point and flew on for quite some distance. Then we turned onto the target but now on the wrong heading and in fact, under-flew another squadron bombing from above. At that stage the flak was very, very heavy. We didn’t get hit by falling bombs, although there were bombs falling all around us. We were hit by flak, in one engine which went on fire and another engine got hit on the other side.”
(page 156 ‘Forever Strong, The story of 75 Squadron RNZAF 1916-1990. Norman Franks, Random Century)

It would seem that 75(NZ) were due to bomb first – with this final error and desperate need for correction, the delay and advancing Squadrons meant the outcome was almost enevitable………

Bombed from above
No.195 Squadron ORB (No.31 Base) – ‘Some aircraft bombed from below our height at 18,000ft.’

Arthur Robson, Wireless Operator with Alfred Brown’s crew :-
“A bomb or bombs hit the front of the aircraft. One knocked the nose right off, taking (James) Wood with it as he huddled over his bomb sight. ‘The was a massive explosion and the Window the Flight Engineer was throwing out was whirling through the aircraft’. Robson had already seen what he thinks was the third 75 Lancaster going down – ‘the one in which they were all killed – It was all buckled up, hit right in the bloody middle’………..”
(page 494 ‘Night after Night – New Zealanders in Bomber Command, Max Lambert, Harper Collins)

Arthur’s description ‘hit in the bloody middle’ is ambiguous – though if applied to a hit by flak, the likelihood of seeing the aircraft ‘all buckled up’ is dubious – it would have almost certainly exploded if the strike was prior to the dropping of its payload. His description of the subsequent events in his own aircraft make it clear that a bomb strike from above in the center of a Lancaster- even without detonation –  would certainly have resulted in a catastrophic structural failiure.

The ensuing loads on the remaining airframe and the effects on the aircrew tend to suggest little chance of survival. Interestingly, the only body recovered was that of Alwyn Amos, the Rear Gunner. I do not know if he was found within wreckage or clear of wreckage, but it would suggest a pattern evidenced before regarding survivors in the Squadron, where the rear portion became detached and the occupant was able to exit the broken end (Jack Hayden, Roberts crew, Berlin Op – was sent to rear of a/c to check rear gunner after fighter attack. The aircraft then exploded and he fell out of the open end of the fuselage. John Gray, rear gunner with the McCartin crew, Homberg Op. The aircraft exploded and he came round in the detached rear portion of the fuselage).

I will observe before anybody else does that these 2 examples are both the result of explosions not falling bombs, however, I think I am trying to identify a structural failure (probably at the incomplete cross section at the mid upper turret) which might at least allow the back of a bomber, Stirling or Lancaster a separation from a much heavier mass within the rest of the aircraft.

The ensuing forces on the occupants of an aircraft in rapid decent would have made escape impossible. The final impact, if still with a full bomb load would have been utter.

The only losses on the Munster Op were the 3 Lancasters from Mepal.

They were the Squadron’s last operational losses of the war.

Ake Ake Kia Kaha

Robert William ‘Boby’ West, Wireless Operator – Barr crew

Robert Willian ‘Boby’ West, Wireless Operator with the Barr crew. Killed 21st March 1945 on the Munster Viaduct Op.
© Margaret Fox

I had the pleasure of spending time with Margaret and Malcolm Fox at this last Winters 75(NZ) Squadron Reunion. Margaret’s brother was ‘Bobby’ West, Wireless Operator with Derek Barr’s crew, who were all lost n the 21st March 1945 on the Op to the Munster Viaduct.

No.8 AGS RAF Evanton, Rosshire
Bobby during his RAF training, front row far right.
© Margaret Fox

Dear Mam and Dad
Well I have arrived here at last after a twenty two hour train journey. The first thing they did to us on arriving here was to make each one of us a leading aircraftsman as you will see by the address. We will pass out here on the 23rd of December so I am afraid I shall not be home for Christmas but I should be home for New Year. The pay we get now is 7 shillings per day of course us unmarried men have to pay income tax off that but still I think I will be able to save something from now on. It seems to be a good camp this, the food is great and there is plenty of entertainment to go to every night inside the camp, but still I will let you know as much as I can. Later I will have to be more careful now because all letters coming from North of Inverness are liable to be censored. Well I am very tired after the journey so think I’ll close now and go to bed so for now cherrio.
Love to all
Boby
p.s. There is snow on all the hills around here and oh boy is it chilly. Not arf.
Boby
© Margaret Fox

Bobby’s citation for his Mention in Dispatches. The date shows that he would still have been in training, however the act that resulted in the MiD is not known….
© Margaret Fox

17.1.45. Administration
176130 F/O M. Watson and 1394583 F/S Barr. D.S. and crews arrived on posting from No.31 Base

22.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Osterfeld
Lancaster Mk.I NG322 JN-F
F/S  Derek Singleton Barr RAFVR 1394583/190947 – Pilot
F/S  Arthur Leslie Archibald Oakey RNZAF NZ4213810 – Navigator
Sgt.  Dryden Stewart RAFVR 1673061 – Air Bomber
W/O  Robert William West, MiD, RAFVR 1077746 /195545 – Wireless Operator
Sgt.  Clifford Isaac Stocker RAFVR 1587275 – Flight Engineer
Sgt.  Bruce Henry Nichol RAFVR 746205 – Mid Upper Gunner
W/O  Alwyn Amos RAFVR 1578224 – Rear Gunner

23.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Gelsenkirchen
Lancaster Mk.I NG322 JN-F
same crew

26.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Dortmund
Lancaster Mk.I NG322 JN-F
Same crew

27.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Gelsenkirchen
Lancaster Mk.I NG322 JN-F
Same crew

1.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Kamen
Lancaster Mk.I PB418 AA-C
Same crew

2.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Cologne (Aborted)
Lancaster Mk.I HK593 JN-X
Same crew

4.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wanne-Eickel
Lancaster Mk.I NG448 JN-P
Same crew
F/O Barr & crew, suffered a failure of their starboard-outer engine following take-off. The aircraft was flown to the Wash where the bomb load was jettisoned and then returned to base, landing at 10.58hrs.

5.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Gelsenkirchen
Lancaster Mk.I NG322 JN-F
Same crew
On the way homeward, crews encountered slight, heavy flak. NG322, F/O Barr and crew, received minor shrapnel damage to the mainplane.

6.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wesel
Lancaster Mk.I PB820 JN-V
Same crew

9.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Dattelen
Lancaster Mk.I NG322 JN-F
Same crew

10.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Gelsenkirchen-Buer
Lancaster Mk.I LM266 AA-F ‘The Seven Sinners’
Same crew

12.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Dortmund
Lancaster Mk.I HK554 JN-Z
Same crew

14.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against  Heinrich Hutte
Lancaster Mk.I NG448 JN-P
Same crew

17.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Auguste Viktoria
Lancaster unknown
Same crew
Of the original crew list, F/O Barr’s aircraft became unserviceable before T/O and was withdrawn, leaving 19 aircraft and crews for the mission.

Bobby’s last letter home.
Dear Mam and Dad
Just a few lines to let you know that I’m still OK and getting along fine and that I’m looking forward to the 29th when I come on leave again. A bit of fresh news is that I have only one more bloke to see and pass and I shall get a commission which will be a nice thing to have won’t it, the only snag is seeing myself in one of those big hats I will look a mess. I have only twelve more trips to do now so I should be nearly finished by the time I come on leave. The weather is still fine down here and it has been like summer for quite a while. Tell Margaret that I am still saving those sweets and chocolate up for her and if I don’t send it I’ll bring it for her when I come. I think this is all for the time so I’ll say cheers for now, Love to all
Boby xxxxxx
© Margaret Fox

18.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Bruchstrasse
Lancaster Mk.I RA564 JN-P
Same crew

21.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Munster Viaduct
Lancaster Mk.I Lancaster Mk.I RA564 JN-P
Same crew
AIRCRAFT FAILED TO RETURN
RA564 was bombing the target at Munster when it was struck by a bomb falling from another aircraft flying above, which exploded. There were no survivors. Only the body of the rear gunner was found and buried at Margraten, Holland. The other crew members have no known graves.

The ORB describes the fate of the Barr crew ‘believed shot down by flak in target area’. this clearly conflicts the previous description.

It is clear from the Ops notes recorded from the participating crews that there was an error regarding formations – with another Squadron (at this point unknown) bombing from  20,000ft – it is difficult to know if this Squadron was ‘high’ or if the 75(NZ) aircraft were below the main force……..

F/O  Derek Singleton Barr RAFVR 1394583/190947.  Pilot
Died age 29.
No known grave. Commemorated on Panel 266, Runnymede Memorial.
F/S  Arthur Leslie Archibald Oakey RNZAF NZ4213810. Navigator
Died age 33.
No known grave. Commemorated on Panel 285 Runnymede Memorial.
Sgt.  Dryden Stewart RAFVR 1673061. Air Bomber
Died age 22.
No known grave. Commemorated on Panel 273 Runnymede Memorial.
P/O  Robert William West, MiD, RAFVR 1077746 /195545. Wireless Operator
Died age 22.
No known grave. Commemorated on Panel 269 Runnymede Memorial.
F/S  Clifford Isaac Stocker RAFVR 1587275. Flight Engineer
Died age 30.
No known grave. Commemorated on Panel 273 Runnymede Memorial.
Sgt.  Bruce Henry Nichol RAFVR 746205. Mid Upper Gunner
Died age 26.
No known grave. Commemorated on Panel 276 Runnymede Memorial.
W/O  Alwyn Amos RAFVR 1578224. Rear Gunner
Died age 24.
Buried Venray War Cemetery, Netherlands.

Excruciatingly, Bobby’s Father replied to his last letter on the day he and his crew mates were killed.
Dear Boby
Just a few lines hoping you are still keeping A1 as it leaves us the same here. We have Denis at home for 10 days and he goes back on Friday 30th so if you get home on the 29th you will see him. Well Boby, your Mam would like to see you come home with that big hat on.
We have got your coupons put away and you will get your coat all right and stick in and get the hat to go with it. Mam had a letter from Stan this morning and he seems to be going all right they had a test on Saturday morning and he got 62%.
Stan says he met a nice girl where he’s at and he even went to see her Father and Mother they’re not to bad he says, he is coming home at Easter. Well I think this is all this time. So will close now
With best love
Dad and Mam and All xxxxxxxx
From Margaret xxxxxxx
© Margaret Fox

75(NZ) lost 3 aircraft in this raid the other 2 were as follows;

Plummer crew
Lancaster Mk.I NG449 AA-T
‘Aircraft failed to return, seen to be shot down by flak over target.’

F/Lt. Jack Plummer, DFC, RNZAF NZ42451. Pilot
Died age 29.
Buried Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.
F/O Arthur Leonard Humphries, DFM, RNZAF NZ428244. Navigator
Shot down
PoW No. 65026. PoW camps – Stalag VIF and XIB. Safe UK 11 May 1945.
F/O Edgar John Holloway RNZAF NZ429923. Air Bomber.
Died age 29.
Buried Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Germany.
F/O Joseph James ‘Joe’ Wakerley RAFVR 1325219/169159. Wireless Operator.
Shot down
PoW No. not known. PoW camps, Oflag 79 ?. Safe UK – NK.
Sgt Maurice Fell RAFVR. Flight Engineer
Shot down, wounded, baled out.
PoW No. not known. PoW camps – Stalag XIB.
F/O Russell James Scott RNZAF NZ42898. Mid Upper Gunner.
Died age 23.
Buried Reichswald Forest War Cemetery Germany.
F/Sgt Alexander Malcolm MacDonald RNZAF NZ426070. Rear Gunner
Shot down in flames, baled out.
Successfully evaded capture. Safe UK 7 Apr 1945.

Brown crew
Lancaster Mk.III LM733  AA-E
‘Aircraft failed to return and was seen to break in two over target, possibly due to bombing from above but may have been flak.’

F/O Alfred Errol Brown RNZAF NZ429139. Pilot.
Died age 25.
Buried Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.
F/S Arthur Donald Baker RNZAF NZ4214043. Navigator
Shot down, baled out
PoW No. and PoW camps not known. Safe UK 21 Apr 1945.
F/S James Haswell Wood RNZAF NZ425811. Air Bomber
Died age 29.
Buried Reichswald Forest War Cemetery Germany.
F/S Arthur Elliott Robson RNZAF NZ4210853. Wireless Operator
Shot down.
PoW No. not known, PoW camps – Stalag XIB. Escaped on the march, recaptured and again escaped. Safe UK 21 Apr 1945.
F/S R. H. Lawrence RAFVR 1607264. Flight Engineer.
Shot down.
PoW No. and PoW camps and Safe UK not known.
Sgt.  J. Grierson RAFVR 1593931. Mid Upper Gunner.
Shot down.
PoW No. and PoW camps and Safe UK not known.
Sgt. H. Barraclough RAFVR 1590144. Rear Gunner.
Shot down.
PoW No. and PoW camps and Safe UK not known.

Having researched this post, I must confess I realised it was only Malcolm’s remark in an email, regarding a question over the exact reason for the loss of Bobby and his crew mates, that made me look further. I was struck by the repeated references in the crew remarks for this raid in Form 541 of falling bombs and the need to constantly avoid them and also that the G-H guidance had appeared to fail. Of course I felt I needed to do some digging and contact a few people for their opinions.

What I have pieced together is certainly interesting and will be posted next when I have drawn it all together………..

‘A’ Flight group photograph, March 1944 in front of ‘P’

Many thanks indeed to Arthur Williams, via David for this great scan of ‘A’ Flight, taken on the arrival of Lancasters to the Squadron.

I believe the photograph was taken in March 1944 (though I am happy to be corrected) – likewise I would be keen to establish the identity of the aircraft in the picture – the designator ‘P’ is clearly visible, but I can’t find a ‘P’, as it were that arrived with the first 19 Lancasters to the Squadron in March.

To view the larger version with identification numbers added, please go here to the photograph in the ‘Group Photographs’ section. Click on the photograph on that page to zoom in.

New Zealanders in the Air War – John ‘Jack’ Leonard Wright & the crew of ‘Thomas Frederick Duck’

Squadron Leader John ‘Jack’ Leonard Wright, DSO, DFC.
© Leslie Hill

I really must apologise for the very belated posting of this chapter from ‘New Zealanders in the Air War’ by Alan W. Mitchell. The contents of the chapter was actually bought to my attention by Jack’s daughter, Leslie and her sister.

So, as I say, very belatedly;

NEW  ZEALANDERS IN THE AIR WAR
CHAPTER 20 – Squadron Leader J. L. Wright
(and the crew of “ Thomas Frederick Duck ”)
On a wintry night in October 1943 the staff in the control-room of a Bomber Station watched solemnly as the word ‘ missing ’ was chalked on a large blackboard opposite the flight record of T Tommy, which was then nearly two hours overdue, and from which no signals had been received for several hours. All the other aircraft in that particular Lancaster squadron had been accounted for, but hope for this remaining one had been abandoned. The main lights in the control-room were switched-off, and tired men and women left for a well-eamed rest. More than one went rather glumly, knowing that the crew of T Tommy was on the final operation of its second tour. It was indeed wretched luck that it should now be posted missing.

Actually, however, although T Tommy was posted as missing on the blackboard, it was still airborne and each of its crew of seven was firmly determined they would make base again that night. There were six New Zealanders and one Cockney in T Tommy, which bore as its mascot a painting on the fuselage of an irate Donald Duck with the caption “ Thomas Frederick Duck.” All the New Zealanders were on their sixtieth operation, and the Londoner was on his thirtieth; and, while the chalk was yet scratching the fateful word on the board, two of the four engines of the Lancaster were still rumbling several thousand feet above the English Channel.

It had been an unpleasant flight. They had been to Leipzig. On the way out, over the Channel, one of the Lancaster’s four motors had spluttered, but the captain had flown on without hesitation. It was the starboard inner motor, and after helping to lift the aircraft over a high, cold front, it finally cut-out when Hanover lay below. The aircraft began to lose height, the needle on the oil temperature gauge flickered towards the higher figures, the altitude ‘ blower ’ stopped working, and the two outer motors also beat unevenly. Yet the Lancaster maintained course.

Instead of flying at 20,000 feet it was now at 11,000 feet, which made it a much easier mark for the German defences; but eventually the target was reached, and the bomb-aimer automatically called his directions to the captain and pressed the bomb switch. The bombs, however, remained in their racks, and stuck there until one of the navigators and the wireless operator removed a part of the flooring and hacked at the bomb releases with an axe and set them free. Its mission accomplished, the Lancaster then headed for England.

The captain consulted his navigators, for he knew that the aircraft could not climb above the cold front, which reached to 23,000 feet, on three motors. There were three alternatives open: one, to fly below the front and risk the deadly flak and fighters; the second, to fly at almost tree-top height and still risk the defences; the third, to veer southwards and fly on a semicircular course to England. The navigators advised the third alternative. They were confident they could keep a good course, and every one in T Tommy agreed that it was the safest method.

When the crew stumped into the control-room nearly two and a half hours overdue they smiled at the chalked word ‘ Missing ’ still standing against T Tommy, and agreed it was an excellent joke. They were weary but elated at the normal ending to an abnormal flight.

The crew of ‘Thomas Frederick Duck’ at 156 PFF Squadron May – November 1943.
Standing, L to R: Nick Carter, Jack Wright, Podge Reynolds, Charlie Kelly
Front, L to R: Alf Drew, Ken Cranshaw, Wally Hamond
© Leslie Hill

Read the rest of this chapter in the ‘Collections’ section of the blog here.

Mülheim 23rd June 1943 – some more information

Many thanks indeed to Adrian for passing on some more information about the Mülheim Op that I posted about a few days ago. Adrian’s Uncle, Edgar Reader, who was the Wireless Operator with Ben Wood’s crew, one of 4 aircraft lost by 75(NZ) Squadron on the Mülheim raid on the 23rd of June 1943.

Adrian passes on the loss cards for EF408 AA-P, the aircraft his Uncle was flying that night (all crew lost) and also, for EH889 AA-Z that had Tom McCrorie’s crew on board (all crew lost).

Based off the target coordinates included on these documents Adrian has plotted out the route the aircraft would have taken to and from Mülheim. In Adrian’s own words;

“I’ve attached some bits that may be of interest. Firstly the loss cards for EF408 and EH889 which although gives little new information, do at least give the recorded route to and from the target.
I have plotted this on the other attachment and noted the location of the 4  Stirlings lost from 75(NZ) Sqdn. If all this is correct then it seems a little odd that EH889 and EF399 were so off route. I also question the time of crash of EH889 as being 00:20. With a take-off time of 23:48, I can’t see, even if flown directly, it would have been there 200 miles later within 25 mins. I have in my notes the time as being 02:20 which would seem a bit more realistic especially if the aircraft sustained damage on route to the target and crashed whilst attempting to  get back home.
As ever these things raise more questions than they do answer!”

I share Adrian’s surprise regarding the apparently errant locations of the 2 aircraft (EH889 and EF399) – the only thing that springs to mind is a documentary i saw a while ago about ‘Operation Chastise’ which suggested that the a number of the aircraft from 617 Squadron were victim to the then unknown jet stream – blowing a number off course when approaching the Dutch coast and ultimately over flak positions. On one level, I am confused with this basic premise as my understanding is that the aircraft came in and maintained a low approach to the Dam targets, however, I would imagine that the 75(NZ) Squadron aircraft were flying considerably higher at this point and thus might have been more susceptible to strong winds – as Adrian notes, of course, we probably will never know……

Adrian also has provided another reference to the ditching of the Rothschild aircraft on their return from Frankfurt on the 11th of April 1943.

NEW ZEALANDERS SAVED
(Special Correspondent.)
LONDON, April 12.
“The air search and rescue organisation sent out a Walrus which picked up the crew of a New Zealand Stirling bomber almost immediately after they had crashed in the Channel while returning from bombing Frankfurt.

The crew included Flight Sergeant G. K. Samson, Wellington. Sergeants J. Richards, Methven, W. Hardy, Wanganui, and three Canadians. Flight Sergeant Samson said: “We bombed Frankfurt all right, but were shot up badly while returning, the petrol tanks being holed and the rear turret badly damaged. Our Canadian skipper tried to hang on and reach England, but just as dawn was breaking and the coast was four miles away, he had to make up his mind to ditch the kite.

“We had sent out a message and we were no sooner in the dinghy than an escort of Spitfires appeared over us to keep off any Huns who might look in. Then in a remarkably short time the Walrus appeared and landed so near us that the dinghy was capsized by the wash, but that did not worry, us.

“We were soon aboard and flying home. It was certainly an excellent organisation.””

The final twist of this story was that George Samson, quoted in this report, was drafted into the crew of Adrian’s uncle for that fateful Mülheim Op……….

75nzsquadron.com – now on Twitter

Exciting news everybody! – 75nzsquadron is now on Twitter!………….

@75nzsquadron

I’ll be honest, having set this up, I don’t have a bloody clue what to do next……..

Watch this space – or the Twitterspace or whatever it is…….

Peter Eric Tuthill, Flight Engineer – Galletly crew

Sgt. Peter Eric Tuthill, Flight Engineer with the Galletly crew
© Geoff Hurst

Many thanks to Geoff for passing on a picture of his Uncle, Peter Eric Tuthill, Flight Engineer with Alan Galletly’s crew.

Geoff was only one month old when he was killed. Peter was the ‘baby’ of the family and had three older brothers and three older sisters one of which was Geoff’s mother. Geoff says his mother said it was a terrible shock for the family as Peter never told anybody he was operational, presumably because he new they would worry. His loss was never spoken about and whenever a program about the war or a film such a Dam Busters was shown the television would be turned off or the channel changed.

All the crew were lost on the 5th October 1944 Op to Saarbrücken, when they collided with another Lancaster from 115 Squadron – all the more poignant , given that despite the collision taking place over Wolsfeld, Kries Bitburg, north west of Trier, 115 Squadron were based at Witchford, some 3 miles from Mepal were 75(NZ) flew from. Fascinatingly, this information is noted in pencil handwriting at the bottom of page 268 of the 1944 Operational Record Book.

The annotation also notes that the crew were initially buried in Wulsfield churchyard, before being moved to the British military cemetery at Rheinberg on the 25th November 1946.

This crew has featured in a number posts;
Read about Roy Wells, Air Bomber with the crew here
Read about Alan Galletly, Skipper of the crew here
Read about Alan at Roy’s wedding here

The first post, about Roy was when I first started the blog and since then I have tried to standardise a crew post with a crew list and Op history, so to keep thinks honest, here is the Op history for the Galletly crew.

29.8.44 Administration
Galletly crew arrive at Mepal from No.31 Base

5.9.44. War Ops –  Attack Against Le Havre
Lancaster Mk.III ND904 Mk.III AA-B
F/S Alan Russell Galletly. Pilot
F/S S. Stuart Edwin. Navigator
Sgt. Roy Albert Wells. Air Bomber
Sgt. Reginald Samuel Hond. Wireless Operator
Sgt. Peter Eric Tuthill. Flight Engineer
Sgt. Arthur Kitchener Sutton. Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. John Peter Cooke. Rear Gunner

6.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Harquebec  near le Havre
Lancaster Mk.I HK595
Same crew

8.9.44. War Ops – Attack against Doudeneville
Lancaster Mk.I HK576 AA-G
Same crew

14.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Wassenar
Lancaster Mk.I LM266 Mk I  AA-A ‘The Seven Sinners’
Same crew

17.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Boulogne
Lancaster Mk.I LM266 Mk I  AA-A ‘The Seven Sinners’
Same crew

20.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Calais
Lancaster Mk.I PB421 AA-K
Same crew

23.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Neuss
Lancaster Mk.III ND904 Mk.III AA-B
Same crew

26.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Cap Gris Nez
Lancaster Mk.I PB418 AA-C
Same crew

5.10.44. War Ops – Attack Against Saarbrücken (31 a/c took part in raid – a record for the time).
Lancaster Mk.III ND904 Mk.III AA-B
Same crew

Lancaster Mk III ND904 failed to return.
P/O Alan Russell Galletly RNZAF (NZ427481) Pilot.
Died age 33.
Buried Rheinberg War Cemetery,
F/Sgt Stuart Edwin Mosely RNZAF (NZ426106) Navigator.
Died age 29.
Buried Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany.
Sgt Roy Albert Wells RAFVR (1802473) Air Bomber.
Died age 21.
Buried Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany.
Sgt Reginald Samuel Hond RAFVR Wireless Operator.
Died age 23.
Buried Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.
Sgt Peter Eric Tuthill, RAFVR (2211929) Flight Engineer.
Died age 21.
Buried Rheinberg Cemetery Germany.
Sgt Arthur Kitchener Sutton, RAFVR (1816276) Mid Upper Gunner.
Died age 29.
Buried Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany.
Sgt John Peter Cooke RAFVR (1816385) Rear Gunner.
Died age 22.
Buried Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany.

McKenzie crew and BK810 – an amazing contact

Top left, the grave of F/O Francis Max McKenzie, Jonkerbos Cemetery and recovered parts from Stirling Mk.III BK810 AA-G

I was really surprised to be contacted by Benny a few days ago regarding information on the McKenzie crew and BK810. Benny is the Founder and Chairman of ‘Planehunters‘, an aircraft recovery team in Belgium, who have found the crash site of BK810.

BK810 crashed in Holland on the 23rd of June 1943 on the Mulheim Op, with the loss of the Pilot, Francis Max McKenzie and John Blank the Air Bomber – the remaining crew members surviving, but ending up as prisoners of war.

Given the sensitivities of such discoveries and rather sadly the problem of relic hunters, Benny does not disclose the location of discovered crash sites, however, if we are able to locate any relatives of the crew, he is of course prepared to pass on additional information regarding the crash site to them. Obviously, Benny is keen to find out as much information as is available about the crew and the aircraft and the local historical society is keen to place a memorial for the crew once the investigation is complete.

Information is a little scant regarding this story, so as a tribute to Francis, John and the rest of the boys and also to help Benny, we really need to try to find out as much as we can about them.

The McKenzie crew arrived at Newmarket between the 3rd and 5th of June 1943.
NZ41344 W/O. Pilot. McKenzie F. Posted from 1657 Con. Unit w.e.f. 5.6.43, (Authy.P/N. 3G/164/43 dated 4.6.43)
NZ421947 Sgt. Nav. (B) West A. Posted from 1657 Con. Unit w.e.f. 5.6.43, (Authy.P/N. 3G/164/43 dated 4.6.43)
NZ415986 Sgt. W/AG. Broadhead B. Posted from 1657 Con. Unit w.e.f. 5.6.43, (Authy.P/N. 3G/164/43 dated 4.6.43)
NZ422175 Sgt. A/B. Blank J. Posted from 1657 Con. Unit w.e.f. 5.6.43, (Authy.P/N. 3G/164/43 dated 4.6.43)
NZ421329 Sgt. A/G. McGonigal E. Posted from 1657 Con. Unit w.e.f. 5.6.43, (Authy.P/N. 3G/164/43 dated 4.6.43)
520340 Sgt. A/G. Crystal J. Posted from 1657  Con. Unit. w.e.f. 3.6.43 (Authy. P/N.3G/164/43 dated 4.6.43)
1323983 F/E. Triptree R. Posted from 1657  Con. Unit. w.e.f. 3.6.43 (Authy. P/N.3G/164/43 dated 4.6.43)

19.6.43. War Ops –  Attack Against Targets at Krefeld
Stirling Mk.I EH880
W/O Mckenzie joins the Joll crew for his 2^nd Pilot Op.

22.6.43. War Ops – Attack Against Targets at Mulheim
The target tonight for Bomber Command was Mulheim, almost in the centre of the Ruhr Valley. A force of 557 aircraft took part, comprising 242 Lancasters, 155 Halifaxes, 93 Stirlings (15 from 75(NZ) Sqn), 55 Wellingtons and 13 Mosquito’s.
35 aircraft –

12 Halifaxes, 11 Stirlings (4 from 75(NZ) Sqn), 8 Lancasters and 4 Wellingtons, lost – 6.3 percent of the force.

Although the Pathfinders had to mark the target through a thin cloud layer, their accuracy over this medium sized town, and ferocity of the ensuing bombing, earned praise in local records. In later stages of the raid, the Pathfinder markers and the bombing moved slightly, into the northern part of the town, This had the effect of cutting all road and telephone communications with the neighboring town, Oberhausen. Not even cyclists or motor-cyclists could get out of Mülheim .
The centre and northern parts of the city and the eastern areas of Oberhausen were severely damaged. A large proportion of industrial buildings were severely affected.
It was estimated by the British Bombing Survey Unit that this raid destroyed 64 percent of the town of Mülheim

15 crews were detailed to attack targets at Mulheim. 
Bomb loads carried were 30lb and 4lb incendiaries.
 All aircraft were airborne between 23.34hrs and 23.55hrs.
 Flying diversionary tracks, 75(NZ) aircraft took approximately 1hr 45mins to reach the target area. They successfully bombed their targets, noting the whole area was by now a mass of concentrated fires, with some intermittent explosions. The whole of the Ruhr area was under a pall of smoke from the bombing.

A very heavy AA barrage co-operating with searchlights was encountered and five aircraft received minor shrapnel damage.
Some enemy aircraft were seen, three of which attempted attacks on unit aircraft. None received gunfire damage from these fighter attacks.

Weather conditions in the target area were relatively clear with only 3/10ths cloud, and visibility was quite good except for dense smoke haze.
Navigation was very good.

All aircraft returned to base safely, landing between 03.27hrs and 04.06hrs., except:

Stirling Mk.III EF399 AA-O
Take off 23:37 Newmarket. Last heard on W/T at 02:25 indicating the Stirling had been badly damaged by flak. Soon after making this call, the bomber was intercepted by a night-fighter (Hptm Egmont Prinz zur Lippe Weissenfeld, III./NJG1) and shot down at 02:47 near Markelo (Overijssel) 23km SW of Hengelo, Holland.
(from RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War: 1943, W R Chorley, Midland Publishing, page 198)

F/Sgt Kenneth Alfred Burbidge RNZAF NZ412200. Pilot
Died age 22.
Buried Markelo General Cemetery, Netherlands.
F/Sgt Walter Frederick Wilcockson RNZAF NZ42314. Navigator
Died age 34.
Buried Markelo General Cemetery Netherlands.
F/Sgt Andrew James McEwen RNZAF NZ417077. Air Bomber
Died age 25.
Buried Markelo General Cemetery Netherlands.
F/Sgt Donald Ernest Martin RNZAF NZ413872. Wireless Operator
Died age 26.
Buried Markelo General Cemetery Netherlands.
Sgt George Lockey RAFVR 1142645. Flight Engineer
Died age 21.
Buried Markelo General Cemetery Netherlands.
Sgt Gibson Cameron RAFVR 1304742. Mid Upper Gunner
Died age 23.
Buried Markelo General Cemetery, Netherlands.
Sgt Kenneth Fazackerley Shaw RAFVR 1132866. Rear Gunner
Died age 22.
Buried Markelo General Cemetery Netherlands.

Stirling Mk.III EF408 AA-P
Take off 23:40 Newmarket. Hit by flak and crashed near Gelsenkirchen, where all are buried in the Bismark Friedhof. Their graves are now in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
(from RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War: 1943, W R Chorley, Midland Publishing, page 199)

F/Sgt Benjamin Brimley Wood RAFVR 656588. Pilot
Died age 24.
Buried Reichswald Forest War Cemetery Germany.
(more information here)
F/Sgt George King Samson RNZAF NZ402563. Navigator
Died age 27.
Buried Reichswald Forest War Cemetery Germany.
F/Sgt Stuart Richard Bisset RNZAF NZ415738. Air Bomber
Died age 20.
Buried Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Kleve, Germany.
Sgt Edgar Henry Reader RAFVR 1331432. Wireless Operator
Died age 21.
Buried Reichswald Forest War Cemetery Germany.
(more information here)
Sgt Stanley Lawrence Webb RAFVR 1266998. Flight Engineer
Died age 33.
Buried Reichswald Forest War Cemetery Germany.
Sgt Frederick Johns Hobbs RAFVR 1609558. Mid Upper Gunner
Died age 19.
Buried Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.
Sgt Cyril Benjamin Hemmings RAFVR 1235070. Rear Gunner
Died age 21.
Buried Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.

Stirling Mk.III EH889 AA-Z
Take off 23:48 Newmarket. Shot down by a night-fighter (Obit Lothar Linke, IV./NJG1) and fell 00:26 into the  Ijsselmeer. F/L McCrorie lies in Hemelumeroldeferd (Molkwerum) Protestant Curchyard; P/O Stuckey rests in Wonseradeel (Makkum) Protestant Churchyard and the Tod twins lie in Medemblik General Cemetery. Sgt. Kennedy is buried at Wieringermeer (Middenmeer) General Cemetery, while the others are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
(from RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War: 1943, W R Chorley, Midland Publishing, page 199)

Lothar Linke (23 October 1909 – 14 May 1943) was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Lothar Linke claimed 27 aerial victories, 24 of them at night.^{[Notes 1]} On 14 May 1943 Linke and his crew were forced to bail out after their Bf-110 was hit by British fighters. He struck the tail end of the plane and was killed. On 19 September 1943, he was posthumously awarded the Knight’s Cross. (Wikipedia) – Linke’s identification as the Pilot responsible for shooting down the McCrorie crew seems to be contradicted slightly by Linke apparently being killed some five weeks previously……

F/L Thomas Fraser McCrorie, DFC , RAFVR 1365093/ 68770. Pilot
Died age 27.
Buried Hemelumer-Oldeferd (Molkwerum) Protestent Churchyard Netherlands.
F/Sgt James Leonard Richards RNZAF NZ404946. Air Bomber
Died age 25.
No known grave. Commemorated on Panel 199 Runnymede Memorial.
P/O William Stuckey MiD, RAFVR 51042. Navigator
Died age 29.
Buried Wonsuradeel (Makkum) Protestant Churchyard Netherlands.
Sgt Eric Grainger RAFVR 625045. Flight Engineer
Died age 21.
No known grave. Commemorated on Panel 151 Runnymede Memorial.
WO2 Richard Douglas Tod RCAF R.91741. Wireless Operator
Died age 23.
Buried Mebemblik General Cemetery Netherlands.
WO2 Robert Ernest Tod, DFM, RCAF R.91742. Mid Upper Gunner
Died age 23.
Buried Mebemblik General Cemetery Netherlands.

The Tod twins flew in the same crew from 12th May 1943 onwards.

The citation DFM (7 May 1943) for Robert Tod reads as follows:
“This airman was the wireless operator of an aircraft which was damaged by anti-aircraft fire during an operational flight over enemy territory. The aircraft gradually lost height and the pilot was eventually compelled to bring it down on the sea. Meanwhile Sergeant Tod coolly worked his apparatus, maintaining contact with base. His excellent work enabled the aircraft to be continuously plotted from the ground and plans for rescue to be made. The entire crew of the aircraft were picked up within 15 minutes of coming down on the sea. This airman displayed great coolness and unswerving devotion to duty throughout“.
(A little more about this incident here)

Sgt Raymond Anthony Kennedy RAFVR 1003148. Rear Gunner
Died Wednesday age 28.
Buried Wieringermeer (Middenmeer) General Cemetery, Netherlands.

Stirling Mk.III BK810 AA-G
Take off 23:47 Newmarket. Shot down by a combination of flak and night-fighter, the latter believed to have been flown by Hptm Wilhelm Herget of I.NJG1, crashing at 02:10 at Oostrum (Limburg) 3km East of Venray, Holland. P/O McKenzie RNZAF is buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetery, but the grave for F/S Blank RNZAF is located in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, thus suggesting he may have left the aircraft prior to the night-fighter making its attack. All five crew except P/O McKenzie and F/S Blank parachuted to safety and were captured as POW’s.
(from RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War: 1943, W R Chorley, Midland Publishing, page 199)

Wilhelm Herget (30 June 1910 – 27 March 1974) was a night fighter flying acein the German Luftwaffe during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Herget is credited with 72 aerial victories (57 at night and 16 during daylight missions) in 700 combat sorties. This included 8 RAF bombers claimed in just 50 minutes during a raid against Frankfurt on the night of 20 December 1943. (Wikipedia)

Pilot F/O Francis Max Mckenzie and Air Bomber F/S John Frederick Blank.
http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/19078.detail
http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/18495.detail

P/O Francis Max McKenzie RNZAF NZ41244. Pilot
Died age 26.
Buried Jonkerbos War Cemetery Netherlands.
Sgt Albert Edgar West RNZAF NZ421947. Navigator
Baled out and survived.
PoW No. 6475. PoW camps – Dulag Luft, Stalag Luft VI, and 357. Promoted to W/O while a PoW. Safe UK – 27 Apr 1945.
F/Sgt John Frederick Blank RNZAF NZ422175. Air Bomber
Died age 20.
Buried Reichswald Forest War Cemetery Germany.
Sgt Basil Henry Broadhead RNZAF NZ415986 Wireless Operator
Baled out and survived.
PoW No. 222488. PoW camps – Dulag Luft, Stalag IVB. Promoted to W/O while a PoW. Safe UK 26 May 1945.
Sgt R A W Triptree RAFVR 1323983. Flight Engineer
Baled out and survived.
PoW No. 358. PoW camps Dulag Luft, Stalags Luft VI and 357. Safe UK not known.
Sgt J R G Crystal RAFVR 520340. Mid Upper Gunner
Baled out and survived.
PoW No. 95. PoW camps – Dulag Luft, Stalag Luft VI/357. Promoted to F/Sgt while a PoW. Safe UK, NK.
Sgt Eric William McGonigal RNZAF NZ421329. Rear Gunner
Baled out and survived.
PoW No. 334, PoW Camps – Dulag Luft, Stalags Luft VI and 357. Promoted to W/O while a PoW. Safe U.K. 8 May 1945.

BK810 was only on its 11th Op when it was lost – arriving at Newmarket on the 2nd of May 1943.

02/05/1943	Stirling III BK810 Received from Austin Motor Co., Birmingham. (Authy.41G/1183)
Date	Target	Pilot
04/05/1943	Dortmund	Herbert James Dalzell
12/05/1943	Duisburg	Herbert James Dalzell
13/05/1943	Bochum	Herbert James Dalzell
17/05/1943	Mining off the West Coast of France	Cyril Philip Bailie
21/05/1943	Mining off the Frisian Islands	Thomas William Darton
23/05/1943	Dortmund	Herbert James Dalzell
01/06/1943	Mining off the Frisian Islands	Charles ‘Charlie’ Eddy
05/06/1943	Mining off the Frisian Islands	Charles ‘Charlie’ Eddy
11/06/1943	Dusseldorf	Michael Wyatt
21/06/1943	Krefeld	Jack Joll
22/06/1943	Mannheim	Francis Max McKenzie
*13/07/1943	Aachen	John Milward Mee
*The Op above is clearly a mistake in the ORB, given the loss of the A/C on the previous raid

Ronald Albert Flynn, Flight Engineer – Smith crew

Sgt. Ronald Albert Flynn RAFVR 1811716, Flight Engineer with Murray Smith’s crew
© Ron Flynn

Many thanks to Sue for contacting me and passing on a set of images of her Father Ron Flynn, who was the Flight Engineer with Murray Smith’s crew in 1944. I’m pleased to report thaat Ron is still with us and that whilst the years are taking a little bit of a toll on his memory, he still remembers his time at Mepal with 75(NZ) Squadron.

Ron, early in his training Back row far right. Date and location unknown.
© Ron Flynn

The Smith crew (minus, ironically Ron Flynn)
Back row left to right – Keith Walter Lynch – Navigator, the 2 Gunner,s (order not known) K. Jones, B. Johnson.
Front row left to right – Stanley Gordon Cocks – Wireless Operator, Murray Smith – Pilot and Owen Charles Willets – Air Bomber
© Ron Flynn

The Smith crew. Location and date unknown
© Ron Flynn

24.7.44. War Ops – Attack Against Stuttgart
Lancaster Mk.I  LM544 AA-J
F/S Murray Smith RNZAF NZ425948. Pilot
F/S Keith Walter Lynch RNZAF, NZ421735. Navigator
F/S Owen Charles Willets RNZAF NZ425964. Air Bomber
W/O Stanley Gordon Cocks RNZAF NZ404624. Wireless Operator
Sgt Ronald Albert Flynn RAFVR 1811716. Flight Engineer
Sgt. K. Jones RAFVR. Mid Upper Gunner
Sgt B. Johnson RAFVR. Rear Gunner

25.7.44. War Ops – Attack Against Stuttgart
Lancaster Mk.III HK554 JN-F
Same crew
Enemy fighters were again active. Two unit aircraft became engaged in combat, one of which, HK554 F/S Smith & crew, claimed a FW 190 destroyed by Sgt Johnson, the rear gunner. Another crew, ND917 P/O Stott & crew, claimed a JU 88 damaged by the nose gunner, F/O Archer.

30.7.44. War Ops – Attack Near Amaye Sur Seulles (Normandy Battle area)
Lancaster Mk.III ND917 JN-O
Same crew

4.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Bec de Ambes (Oil Refinery sites)
Lancaster Mk.I HK554 JN-F
Same crew

9.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Lucheux (Oil Fuel Targets)
Lancaster Mk.I HK554 JN-F
Same crew

16.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Stettin
Lancaster Mk.I HK597 JN-P
Same crew

18.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Bremen
Lancaster Mk.I HK597 JN-P
Same crew

25.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Russelheim
Lancaster Mk.I LM104 JN-Z
Same crew

26.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Kiel
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
Same crew

29.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Stettin
Lancaster Mk.I HK597 JN-P
Same crew

31.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Pont Reny (V2 Rocket Sites)
Lancaster Mk.I HK574 AA-R
Same crew

5.9.44. War Ops – Attack against Le Havre
Lancaster Mk.III ND917 JN-O
Same crew

8.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Doudenville
Lancaster Mk.I LM104 JN-Z
Same crew

11.9.44. Gardening Ops – Mining in the Baltic Sea
Lancaster Mk.III NF981 JN-D
Same crew

23.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Neuss Marshalling Yards
Lancaster Mk.III NF980 JN-F
Same crew

25.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Calais
Lancaster Mk.I NF980 JN-F
Same crew

3.10.44. War Ops – Attack Against Westkappelle Dyke
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same crew

6.10.44. War Ops –  Attack Against Dortmund
Lancaster Mk.I NF920 ?
Sgt. A. Shepard replaces Sgt. Johnson as Rear Gunner

14.10.44. War Ops – Attack Against Duisburg
Lancaster Mk.I NF980 JN-F
Sgt. Johnson returns to crew as Rear Gunner

18.10.44. War Ops – Attack Against Bonn
Lancaster Mk.I NF981 JN-D
Same crew

19.10.44. War Ops – Attack Against Stuttgart
Lancaster Mk.I HK600 JN-V
Same crew

Jim Saunders, Air Bomber – Stevens crew

P/O James Harold Saunders RAFVR 1392219/196874 Air Bomber with Charlie Stevens crew.
© Nigel Saunders

Many thanks to Nigel for contacting me and passing on these 2 fantastic photographs of his Father, Jim Saunders, Air Bomber and member of Charlie Stevens crew. Having put together a starting crew list for the boys, the Op history shows a remarkable turn over of individuals – the positions of Wireless Operator, Mid Upper Gunner and Rear Gunner, at points in the tour changing on a raid by raid basis.

A fantastic picture of the Stevens crew. Charlie Stevens, Pilot in the middle of the picture. Far right Jim Saunders, Air Bomber and the the extreme left, Les Hoffert. The 2 chaps in the middle of the back row are thought to be Les Hall and George Giles, Navigator and Rear Gunner respectively.
© Nigel Saunders

F/S Stevens and crew arrive on base on 2nd January 1945 from No.31 Base.

6.1.45 War Ops – Attack Against Neuss
Lancaster Mk.I ME751 AA-M
F/S Charles Mackenzie Stevens RNZAF NZ4210535. Pilot
Sgt. Leslie Robert Hall RNZAF NZ429331. Navigator
F/S James Harold Saunders RAFVR 1392219/196874. Air Bomber
Sgt. W. Pugh RAFVR. Wireless Operator
Sgt.Les Hofert RAFVR. Flight Engineer
Sgt. William Jones RAFVR. Mid Upper Gunner
Sgt. George Giles RAFVR. Rear Gunner

11.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Krefeld
Lancaster Mk.III PB132 AA-X
Same crew

13.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Saarbrucken
Lancaster Mk.III PB132 AA-X
Same crew

15.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Langrendeer (Recklinghausen)
Lancaster Mk.III PB132 AA-X
Same Crew

16.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wanne Eickel
Lancaster Mk.III PB132 AA-X
Same Crew

28.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Cologne
Lancaster Mk.I HK597 JN-N ‘Bad Penny IV’
F/L Alan Rhodes  replaces Sgt. Pugh as Wireless Operator
F/S Jim Murphy replaces Bill Jones as Mid Upper Gunner
F/S R. Muir replaces George Giles as Rear Gunner

14.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Chemnitz
Lancaster Mk.III PB421 JN-P
Sgt.Pugh returns as Wireless Operator
Bill Jones returns as Mid Upper Gunner
W/O Roderick Powell replaces Sgt. Muir as Rear Gunner

16.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wesel
Lancaster Mk.I HK653 ‘W’
F/S William Campin replaces Alan Rhodes as Wireless Operator
F/S T. Dewsbury joins crew as a Mid Under Gunner

18.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wesel
Lancaster Mk.I HK554 JN-Z
Bill Jones returns as Mid Upper Gunner
George Giles returns as Rear Gunner

19.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wesel
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
Same crew

22.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Osterfeld
Lancaster Mk.I HK597 JN-N
Alan Rhodes replaces F/S Campin as Wireless Operator
Jim Murphy replaces George Giles as Rear Gunner
P/O Gwyn Duglan joins crew as a Mid Under Gunner

23.2.45. War Ops – Gelsenkirchen
Lancaster Mk.I HK563 JN-W
Sgt. W. Campin returns to replace Alan Rhodes as Wireless Operator
Sgt. Frank Watts replaces Jim Murphy as Rear Gunner
F/S T. Dewsbury returns to crew as Mid Under Gunner.

26.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Dortmund
Lancaster Mk.I NF935 AA-P
George Giles returns as rear Gunner

27.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Gelsenkirchen
Lancaster Mk.I HK591 ‘N’? (A/C does not appear in database?)
Same crew

2.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Cologne (ABORTED)
Lancaster Mk.I NG448 JN-P
Same crew

5.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Gelsenkirchen
Lancaster Mk.I NG449 JN-T
Same crew

6.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wesel
Lancaster Mk.I HK554 JN-Z
Same crew

17.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Auguste Viktoria
Lancaster Mk.I ME751 AA-M
Same crew

20.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Hamm Marshalling Yards
Lancaster Mk.I RF157 AA-X
Sgt. J. Tutty replaces George Giles as Rear Gunner

27.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Hamm
Lancaster Mk.I  RF127 ‘W’
Richard Urlich joins crew as 2^nd Pilot

4.4.45. War Ops – Attack Against Mereseburg
Lancaster Mk.III LM728 AA-R
Bill Reay joins crew as 2^nd Pilot

9.4.45. War Ops – Attack Against Kiel
Lancaster Mk.I RA127 AA-W
Same crew

14.4.45. War Ops – Attack Against Potsdam
Lancaster Mk.I RF127 AA-W
Same crew

22.4.45. War Ops – Attack Against Bremen
Lancaster Mk.I RF127 AA-W
Edward Plowman joins crew as 2^nd Pilot

7.5.45. Operation Manna –  Supply Dropping Delft
Lancaster Mk.I RF127 AA-W
LAC Barnes replaces Jones as Passenger instead of Mid Upper Gunner

10.5.45. Operation Exodus
Lancaster MK.I HK561 AA-Y
Same crew

12.5.45. Operation Exodus
Lancaster Mk.I RF127 AA-W
F/S A. Griffiths replaces Jim Saunders as Air Bomber

14.5.45. Operation Exodus
Lancaster Mk.I RF127 AA-W
J. Crawford replaces F/S Griffiths as A/B

Norman McRitchie – Pilot. A bit of a mystery……

Katherine contacted the blog at the beginning of November regarding her Great Uncle Norman McRitchie;
‘At about 0900, 20,000 feet above Duisburg, in Happy Valley (the Ruhr), he was hit by an anti-aircraft shell leaving him temporarily blinded. His bomb-aimer directed them out of the danger area, where he handed over controls, since the bomb-aimer had flown with him on previous operations on Stirlings and had often sat in the second dickey seat handling the controls when things were quiet. About an hour and a half later he told the bomb-aimer he was going to take over the controls again and try and land the Lancaster, blind or not. The bomb-aimer guided him on the runway, the flight-engineer lowered the undercart and the bomb-aimer recited the heights as they glided down, judging that the height was about right to land the bomb-aimer said “Put her down skipper” He eased back the wheel, the Lancaster hit, bounded, hit, bounded, then she was rumbling along the runway as he killed speed with the footbrakes.
The sad part of my Uncle’s story that isn’t in the newspaper article; was that while he was grounded his crew went out with another pilot and never returned, right up until his death in 2004 he still maintained & visited the widows of his crew members’.

Based on this fascinationg tale, I did some digging to put together a crew list and Op history for Norman and the boys that flew with him……..

Norman and crew arrive on base 13^th September 1944 from No.31 Base

16.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Moredijk
Lancaster Mk.I HK953 AA-H/ JN-X?
Norman McRitchies completes 2^nd Pilot Op with Gerald Moore’s crew.

20.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Calais
Lancaster Mk.III PB520 AA-G
F/S Norman McLeod McRitchie RNZAF NZ421484. Pilot
Sgt. P. Purdy RAFVR. Navigator
Sgt. F. Jolliffe RAFVR. Air Bomber
Sgt. John Calverley Crabtree RAFVR 1492180. Wireless Operator
Sgt. Charles Ronald Starkey RAFVR 1863956. Flight Engineer
Sgt. R. Creasey RAFVR. Mid Upper Gunner
Sgt. M. Whitehead RCAF R.201795. Rear Gunner

23.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Neuss Marshalling Yards
Lancaster Mk.I LM266 AA-A ‘The Seven Sinners’
Sgt. H. White replaces Sgt. Creasey as Mid Upper Gunner.

25.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Calais
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
Henry Abrahams replaces John Crabtree as Wireless Operator.
Sgt. Cyril Brewer replaces Sgt. H. White as Mid upper Gunner.
Sgt. Edward Cooper replaces Sgt. M. Whitehead as Rear gunner

26.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Calais/ Cap Gris Nez
Lancaster Mk.I NG113 AA-D
John Crabtree returns as Wireless Operator.
Sgt. R. Alderson replaces Cyril Brewer as Mid upper Gunner.
Sgt. M. Whitehead returns as Rear gunner

14.10.44. War Ops – Attack Against Duisburg – ‘Operation Hurricane’ (raid 1 of 2)
Lancaster Mk.I HK554 JN-F
Sgt. G. Bolland replaces Sgt. Alderson as Mid upper Gunner.

These two significant day and day/night special operations against Duisburg received little mention in historical records.
On 13 October, Sir Arthur Harris received this directive for Operation ‘Hurricane’:

‘To demonstrate to the enemy in Germany the overwhelming superiority of the Allied Air Forces in this theatre, it is the intention to apply within the shortest practical period, a maximum effort of RAF Bomber Command and the US VIIIth Air Force, against objectives in the densely populated Ruhr’.

After a period of 48hrs with all RAF bomber operations suspended, 1,013 aircraft – 519 Lancasters (31 from Mepal), 474 Halifaxes and 20 Mosquito’s – were dispatched after first light to Duisburg, along with an RAF fighter escort. 3.574 tons of high explosive bombs and 820 tons of incendiaries were dropped, for the loss of 14 aircraft.

A moderately heavy AA barrage was encountered which caused crews some concern. Moderate flak damage was reported and one aircraft, ME753, flown by F/O Plummer, lost its Perspex nose-dome entirely, allowing freezing slipstream to rush through the aircraft. Plumber took most of the blast for the rest of the flight home and his hands became literally frozen to the control column. After landing, the ground crew had to dismantle the stick with his hands still attached, so he could be taken to the medical section for appropriate treatment after removal of the flying controls.

See an earlier post about this incident here.

Another aircraft received serious damage in the bomb bay, which necessitated a diversion to RAF Woodridge for an emergency landing.

There appears to be no further reference to the McRitchie crew past this Op – there also appears to be no reference to the events related by his Great Niece – that relate specifically to the crew.

One must wonder if the story related to Katherine is actually based on the experiences of the Plummer crew on the Duisburg Op of the 14th October. Having said this, the disappearance of the crew, or at least Norman after only 6 Ops (including his 2nd Dickie flight) is quite a mystery – and the detail she included in her original message suggests knowledge of a specific event that appears to have been lost in the ORB’s……..

Records show that at least 2 of the McRitchie crew did remain with the Squadron after the Duisburg Op. Wireless Operator John Crabtree and Flight Engineer Charles Starkey flew a number of Ops with Leslie Martyn’s crew;

11.11.44. War Ops – Attack Against Casrop Rauxel
Charles Starkey joins crew as Flight Engineer

15.11.44. War Ops – Attack Against Dortmund
Charles Starkey continues with crew as Flight Engineer

16.11.44. War Ops – Attack Against Heinsberg
Charles Starkey continues with crew as Flight Engineer

20.11.44. War Ops – Attack Against Homberg
Charles Starkey continues with crew as Flight Engineer
John Crabtree joins crew as Wireless Operator

21.11.44. Gardening Ops – Mining in Oslo Fjord
Lancaster Mk I NN745 AA-A
FAILED TO RETURN
F/L Leslie Arthur Martyn RNZAF NZ417082. Pilot
Died age 35.
Lost without trace, commemorated on Panel 262 Runnymede Memorial.

F/O Thomas Isaac Elliot RNZAF NZ421364. Navigator
Died age 24.
Lost without trace, commemorated on Panel 262 Runnymede Memorial.

P/O Allan Roy Frank Dunkerley RAAF AUS.423083. Air Bomber.
Died age 33.
Lost without trace, commemorated on Panel 258 Runnymede Memorial.

F/Sgt John Calverley Crabtree RAFVR1492180. Wireless Operator
Died age 35.
Lost without trace, commemorated on Panel 216 Runnymede Memorial.

Sgt Charles Ronald Starkey RAFVR 1863956. Flight Engineer.
Died age 20.
Lost without trace, commemorated on Panel 238 Runnymede Memorial.

Sgt George Lindsay RAFVR 1624589. Mid Upper Gunner
Died age 21.
Lost without trace, commemorated on Panel 233 Runnymede Memorial.

P/O Andrew Roy Wright RCAF J.88789. Rear Gunner
Died age 21.
Lost without trace, commemorated on Panel 253 Runnymede Memorial.

Adam Scott, Flight Engineer – Moriarty, Kennedy & Bateman crew

Many thanks to Nick for contacting me regarding his Grandfather, Adam Scott who was Flight Engineer with the Moriarty crew during 1944. Nick contacted me after doing some digging, based on a reference in Adam’s log book to his first Pilot, Dave Moriarty receiving a Conspicuous Gallantry Medal after a raid.

Adam found  Dave Moriarty’s obituary online and within it he discovered more details of the events of that night that resulted in the Skipper getting this rare award………

‘World War II Royal New Zealand Air Force pilot Dave Moriarty, awarded the rare Conspicuous Gallantry Medal for an act of bravery over the Normandy battlefield in 1944, has died in Wanganui. He was 88.

Mr Moriarty was just one of four New Zealand aircrew, all in Bomber Command, who won the medal during the war, and the last survivor of the select group. The others were Bruce Wallace, Invercargill (died 2001), Ted de Joux, Timaru (1983) and Bill White, Christchurch (1982).

The CGM, instituted in 1943 for airmen of non-commissioned rank for conspicuous gallantry in air operations against the enemy, was awarded to only 111 aircrew between then and the end of the war.

Mr Moriarty, on the 11th operation of his tour, was the captain of a 75 (NZ) Squadron Lancaster dropping bombs on German positions near Caen, on July 18, 1944, during a daylight raid when he won the medal. His aircraft was at 7500 feet when a German shell fired from the ground burst.

He recalled years later: “We’d just closed the bomb doors when a big puff of black smoke erupted in front of the cockpit, perhaps 100 yards away … it punched a hole about the size of a cabbage in the perspex cockpit hood.”

Mr Moriarty never knew what smashed into his face – a piece of perspex or a shell sliver. Whatever it was, it drove through his left eye and exited behind his left ear. Blood poured down his uniform and when he put his hand across his uninjured eye he couldn’t see. Fellow crew slapped on a field dressing but Mr Moriarty wouldn’t have morphine – “I wanted my wits about me”.

Mr Moriarty called for a course to his base rather than an emergency field because he was familiar with his own airfield and the others aboard couldn’t fly the bomber. The flight home was the worst 90 minutes of Mr Moriarty’s life because of pain from the wound, nausea and the stream of cold air screaming in from the shattered windscreen. The bomb aimer called off key instrument readings and the flight engineer worked the flaps. But the big aircraft got down safely and as it eased to a halt medics clambered aboard.

“They climbed in over the spar and lifted me out. I didn’t smoke but I asked for a cigarette. I must have seen too many westerns.”

Mr Moriarty was in hospital for three months as surgeons tried desperately and vainly to save his eye. The New Zealander was commissioned after the raid and ended the war a Flying Officer.

After the war, Mr Moriarty returned to the Wanganui company with which he worked before enlisting in February 1942, eventually becoming manager. He worked until the early 1980s and for all those years suffered from his war wound – shocking headaches that laid him flat on his back. His right eye gradually failed, too, and by 2000 he couldn’t read a newspaper.

Mr Moriarty, born in Wanganui on August 13, 1921, died, fittingly, on Anzac Day. He is survived by his wife, Delia, to whom he was married for 60 years, and a son, Brian.’

see the original obituary post here

The Moriarty crew arrived at Mepal on 12^th June 1944 from No. 31 Base

14.6.44. War Ops –  Attack Against Le Havre
Lancaster Mk. I ME754 AA-A
F/S David John Moriarty CGM, RNZAF NZ421549. Pilot
F/S Thomas Patrick ‘Blue’ Monaghan RNZAF NZ428976. Navigator
F/O Ian Douglas Ward RNZAF NZ429226. Air Bomber
Sgt. Alan ‘Tex’ Teverson RAFVR. Wireless Operator
Sgt. Adam ‘Scotty’ Scott RAFVR. Flight Engineer
Sgt. Alfred ‘Alfie’ Williams RAFVR. Mid Upper Gunner
Sgt. David Rayner ‘Foxy’ Fox RNZAF NZ426065. Rear Gunner

15.6.44. War Ops – Attack Agaisnt Valenciennes – Rail Marshalling yards
Lancaster Mk.I ME754 AA-A
Same crew

17.6.44. War Ops – Attack Against Montdidier – Railway Targets
Lancaster Mk.I ME754 AA-A
Same crew

21.6.44. War Ops –  Attack Against Domeger – Flying bomb sites – Aborted
Lancaster Mk.III ND753 AA(?)-G
Same crew

24.6.44. War Ops –  Attack against Rimeux – V1 Flying Bomb Sites
Lancaster Mk.I ME754 AA-A
Same crew

27.6.44. War Ops –  Attack Against Biennais – V1 Flying Bomb Sites
Lancaster Mk.I ME754 AA-A
Same crew

30.6.44. War Ops –  Attack Against Villers Bocage – Army Air Support
Lancaster Mk.III ND915 AA-A
Same crew

12.7.44. War Ops –  Vaires Marshalling Yard
Lancaster Mk.I HK567 AA-C
Same crew

15.7.44. War Ops –  Chalons sur Marne rail yards
Lancaster Mk.I ME752 AA-E
Same crew

18.7.44. War Ops – Attack Against Cagny – Army Air Support ‘Operation Goodwood’.
Lancaster Mk.I  HK568 AA-E/K(?)
942 aircraft – 667 Lancasters (28 ex 75 Sqn), 260 Halifaxes and 15 Mosquito’s – were dispatched to carry out bombing attacks against 5 fortified villages east of Caen through which British Second Army troops were about to conduct an armoured attack against the enemy – code-named ‘Operation Goodwood’.

This air raid took place at daybreak in clear conditions. Four of the targets were marked satisfactorily by Oboe, but the fifth target had to be marked visually by the Master Bomber and other Pathfinder crews, using visual methods. USAF bombers also attacked these targets and a total of 6,800 tons of bombs were dropped, of which Bomber Command dropped more than 5,000tons. Elements of two German divisions were severely handicapped by the bombing, particularly the 16^th Luftwaffe Field Division and 21st Panzer Division. The raid was considered one of the most useful of all Bomber Command Operations in direct support of Allied armies.

All 28 Squadron aircraft were airborne at dawn – about 04.45hrs, and proceeded to North West France to locate their briefed target at Cagny, which had been well marked by the Pathfinders. Crews succeeded in dropping their bombs accurately in a very concentrated raid, with aircraft from other squadrons.

Moderate to heavy AA fire was encountered in this target area and one unit aircraft, HK568, took a direct hit which peppered the cockpit area, seriously injuring the captain, F/S Dave Moriarty in the head and eyes, one of which had been totally lost. After being bandaged up around the head and face by the flight engineer, Moriarty decided he would attempt to continue flying the aircraft back, as none of the other crew had any piloting experience. With a sizeable hole in the windscreen letting cold air in, his ‘good’ eye began watering-up during the hour and a half flight back to Mepal and he was unable to see the instruments clearly. He gave the crew the choice of baling out but they all elected not to. With the help of his engineer to call out instrument readings and directions to line up with the runway, he succeeded in making a heavy landing without damaging the aircraft.

Dave Moriarty’s citation for his CGM read as follows:”: One morning in July 1944, this airman was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack and objective in Northern France. Whilst over the target area the aircraft was hit by an anti-aircraft shell which exploded in the cockpit. Flight Sergeant Moriarty was severely injured about the face, being completely blinded in one eye which was badly lacerated by flying glass or shell fragments. He also sustained nasty scalp wounds. After receiving first aid he insisted on remaining at the controls. In spite of his distress he succeeded in flying the aircraft home. He displayed courage, fortitude and determination of a high order”.

As described in these reports, it was perhaps inevitable that the injury to Dave’s eye was to serious to save it and this meant the end to his Operational flying career. The remaining crew were now ‘Headless’ and unfortunate turn of phrase given what had happened to their Skipper, but one used within the ORB’s, so I’ll treat it as a correct ‘technical’ term for the purposes f this post.

The original crew took on F/O Gordon Kennedy, who arrived at Mepal on the 30th June) as a new skipper.

5.8.44 War Ops – Attack against Bassens
Lancaster Mk.III ND904 AA-B
Same crew

7.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Mare De Magne
Lancaster Mk.III ND904 AA-B
Same crew

9.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Fort D’Angelos, Fuel Depot
Lancaster Mk.III ND904 AA-B
F/S D. King joins crew as 2^nd Pilot.

12.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Brunswick
Lancaster Mk.III ND904 AA-B
Same crew

25.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Russelheims
Lancaster Mk.III ND904 AA-B
Same crew

31.8.44. War Ops – Attack Against Pont Reny
Lancaster Mk.III ND904 AA-B
Same crew

6.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Harqueboc near le Havre
Lancaster Mk.III ND904 AA-B
Same crew

8.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Doudenville
Lancaster Mk.III ND904 AA-B
Same crew

10.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Montvilliers
Lancaster Mk.III  ND904 AA-B
Same crew

12.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Frankfurt
Lancaster Mk.III ND904 AA-B
Same crew

17.9.44. War Ops – Attack Against Boulogne
Lancaster Mk.III ND904 AA-B
Same crew

29.9.44. Gardening Ops – Mining in the Kattegat Area
Lancaster Mk.III ND904 AA-B
John Carter Bateman RAAF replaces Gordon Kennedy as pilot – original crew still remains the same.

3.10.44. War Ops – Attack Against West Kapelle Dyke
Lanaster Mk.I LM266 AA-A/F – ‘The Seven Sinners‘
Same crew

5.10.44. War Ops – Attack Against Saarbrucken
Lancaster Mk.I LM266 AA-A/F – ‘The Seven Sinners‘
J. Elmslie 2^nd Pilot (later to also fly LM266)
Same crew

31 A/C took part in this raid – a record for the Squadron on a single raid at this point in the war.

14.10.44. War Ops – Attack Against Duisburg. ‘Operation Hurricane’
Lancaster Mk.I  LM266 AA-A/F – ‘The Seven Sinners‘
Same crew

As with all my posts, I’d love to hear from anybody who knows anything more about this crew – Dave Moriarty’s son Brian is mentioned in the obituary for his Father, so fingers crossed, he or someone who knows him, might see this post…….

Frank Ball, Rear and Mid Upper Gunner – Megson crew

I was put in contact with David , by Kevin, before Christmas after his Father, Frank Ball sadly passed away. After putting together a crew list and Op history, I thought I would post it, partly to put some  information out into the blogosphere regarding the Megson crew and as a tribute to Frank, but also because Bill Lake, Wireless Operator with my Father’s first tour (Mayfield) crew also flew with Frank and the boys on their 2nd Op to Coutrai on the 26th March 1944.

The Megson crew arrived on base on the 23rd March 1944 from No.31 Base.

25.3.44. War Ops – Attack against Targets at Aulneye
Stirling Mk.III LK396
F/S Colin Arthur Megson RNZAF NZ416519. Pilot
F/O  Stanley Pawson Walton, DFC, RAFVR 152400. Navigator
F/S Albert William Fagg RNZAF NZ428235. Air Bomber
Sgt. T. Hamilton RAFVR. Wireless Operator
Sgt. J. Overfield–Collins RAFVR. Flight Engineer
F/S  Thomas Edward Rowe RNZAF NZ40437. Mid Upper Gunner
Sgt. Frank Ball RAFVR. Rear Gunner

26.3.44. War Ops – Attack against Targets at Courtrai
Stirling Mk.III LK396
T. Hamilton replaced by Bill Lake as Wireless Operator.( Bill had arrived in my fathers crew after his and Tom Darbyshire’s Pilot was killed on a 2^nd Dickie op. When the Mayfield crew were screened early, Bill and Tom had to continue flying with the Squadron)

30.3.44. Gardening Ops – Mining off Le Havre
Stirling Mk.III LK378
Ralph Barker replaces Bill Lake as Wireless Operator.

27.4.44. War Ops – Attack Against Friedrichshafen
Lancaster Mk.III ND917 JN-O
T. Hamilton returns to crew as Wireless Operator.
Mid Upper Gunner Tom Rowe and rear Gunner Frank Ball swap positions.

1.5.44. War Ops – Attack Against Chambly
Lancaster Mk.III ND908 JN_M
Same crew

7.5.44. War Ops – Attack Against Chateau Bolgon Aerodrome
Lancaster Mk.III ND804 AA-K
Same crew

9.5.44. War Ops – Attack Against Cap Gris Nez
Lancaster Mk.I LL942 JN-C
Same crew

10.5.44. War Ops – Attack Against Courtrai
Lancater Mk.III ND802 JN-D
Same crew

19.5.44. War Ops – Attack Against Le Mans
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same crew

21.5.44. War Ops – Attack Against Duisberg
Lancaster Mk.III  ND801 JN-X
Same crew

24.5.44. War Ops – Attack Against Boulogne
Lancaster Mk.III HK554 JN-F(?)
Same crew

27.5.44. War Ops – Attack Against Aachen
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same crew

28.5.44.War Ops – Attack Against Angers
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same crew

5.6.44. War Ops – Attack Against Ouistreham
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same crew

6.6.44. War Ops – Attack Against Lisieux
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same crew

8.6.44. War Ops – Attack Against Fougeres
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same crew

10.6.44. War Ops – Attack Against Dreux
Lancaster Mk.III  ND911 JN-V
Eldrid O’Callaghan joins crew as 2^nd Pilot
Same crew

12.6.44. War Ops – Attack Against Gelsenkirchen
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same crew

14.6.44. War Ops – Attack against Le Havre
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same Crew

15.6.44. War Ops – Attack Against Valenciennes
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same crew

21.6.44. War Ops – Domleger
Lancaster Mk.III ME148
Same crew

24.6.44. War Ops –  Attack Against Rimeux
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same crew

7.7.44. War Ops – Attack Against Vaires
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same crew

9.7.44. War Ops – Attack Against Linzeux
Lancaster Mk.III  ND801 JN-X
Same crew

10.7.44. War Ops – Attack Against Nucourt
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same crew

15.7.44. War Ops – Attack Against Bois Des Jardine
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same crew

18.7.44. War Ops –  Attack Against Aulnoye
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same crew

20.7.44. War Ops – Attack Against Homberg
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same crew

22.7.44. Gardening Ops – Minelayng in the Kattegat Area
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same crew

23.7.44. War Ops – Attack Against Kiel
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same crew

25.7.44. War Ops –  Attack against Stuttgart
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X
Same crew