Monthly Archives: July 2014

Bill Jordan’s visits to 75 (NZ) Squadron – 1942

– NZBCA archives, Morri Parker collection.

Another fantastic photo from the archives of the NZ Bomber Command Assn., and as a result, several more questions …!!

As a bit of background on Bill Jordan, the following from Wikipedia
Jordan served as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to London from September 1936 to 1951. For much of this time, London was New Zealand’s only diplomatic posting, and Jordan became prominent as New Zealand’s official representative overseas.

Jordan was highly regarded during the War for his loyalty to New Zealand servicemen and women, and his care for soldiers.

Jordan’s reputation among officials and Cabinet colleagues was much less warm. He frequently refused instructions from Wellington on the basis that remote officials at home could not accurately assess New Zealand’s position. Jordan was loathed by his deputies, Major General W. G. Stevens and Dick Campbell. Secretary of External Affairs Alister McIntosh had frequent difficulties with Jordan. Deputy Prime Minister Walter Nash had feuds with Jordan, stemming from Nash’s position representing the Prime Minister at international gatherings that Jordan felt was his own right to represent.

Despite this, Jordan remained a popular figure among the public in New Zealand. In 1949, with the Labour Party defeated from office, the incoming National Government decided to retain Jordan in his post, until 1951. He was knighted in 1952. He was a Christian Socialist and Methodist home missionary. He died in Auckland on 8 April 1959.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Joseph_Jordan

now over to Chris………..

This appears to be a poster or fold-out taken from a book or magazine, from the collection of Maurice Parker, Bomb Aimer for the Whitehead crew (March – September 1943).

Not only is it a nice record of the camaraderie and spirit of the time (Jordan was apparently very popular with the men), but individual faces can be clearly recognised (click the photo to see a larger version).

Two names are hand-written at the top, with arrows pointing to “Maurice C”, and “Rex”.

“Maurice C” is probably Maurice “Nick” Carter, DFC, Wireless Operator with Jack Wright’s crew. Nick is alive and well and featured in a recent news item about the remarking of the MoTaT Lancaster in Auckland:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11270114

Does anyone have any idea who “Rex” could be?

After finishing a tour of 30 op’s with 75 (NZ) Sqdn, Nick Carter went with Jack Wright to 156 (PFF) Sqdn, as did two other crew members, Raymond “Podge” Reynolds, DFC, and Charles “Charlie” Kelly, DFC. They became the famous “Thomas Frederick Duck” crew (https://75nzsquadron.wordpress.com/2014/01/19/new-zealanders-in-the-air-war-john-jack-leonard-wright-the-crew-of-thomas-frederick-duck/).

You can see Charlie Kelly in the photo above (directly above Jordan’s head, three of four back), as well as members of the Raharuhi crew, Marama Parata and Mikaere Manawaiti (far right).

The photo is credited to Sport & General, and is captioned:

“Visit by NZ High Commissioner, W.J. “Bill” Jordan, 7 August 1942. The CO, Wing Commander V. Mitchell DFC, leads the cheers. Behind Mr Jordan is Mildenhall’s Station Commander, Group Captain Wasse.”

However there is a problem with the date in the caption, as the Squadron didn’t move to Mildenhall until the 15th August 1942.

The Operational Record Book (Form 540) for 7 August does record a visit that day, but doesn’t mention Jordan:

“Visit of Air Commodore Isitt, Wing Commander Freeman DSO, DFC and bar, and the New Zealand Minister in Washington, the Hon. Mr Walter Nash. A group photograph of visitors and Squadron aircrew was taken”.
That’s definitely Jordan in the photo, not Nash, and not Isitt (the RNZAF’s head man in the UK at that time) or Freeman, so most likely the date given to the photo is incorrect, and this was a different occasion.

A Mildenhall Squadron Visit is recorded in the ORB on 9 October 1942, more likely the occasion recorded in the photograph above: “The Right Hon Mr W.J. Jordan High Commissioner for New Zealand visited the Squadron. Photographs of aircrew personnel were taken.”

A visit, more or less around this time, is mentioned by Jack Moller in his memoirs, some time after the disastrous Hamburg raid of 28 July 1942:

“This was a balls up as we expected a saturation raid with about 600 aircraft, but for some reason all Groups except 3 Group were given a BBA (Return to Base) early on in the raid and we went in like sitting ducks. When we found out what had happened the mood on the Sqdn was quite mutinous and Bill Jordan the NZ High Commissioner was sent down from London to pacify the NZ airmen.”

Jordan visited the Squadron on several occasions – several photos survive, but in each case, dates and details are missing.

One of Jordan’s earliest visits was to Feltwell in late 1940, to “confer, on behalf of His Majesty, the Distinguished Flying Medal upon Corporal C.B.G.Knight New Zealand Squadron and to meet Wing Commander M.W. Buckley, M.B.E., with the Officers, N.C.O’s and men of his Squadron”.

Sgt Colin Beresford Graham Knight, DFM, a Wireless Operator, was the first member of the RNZAF to be decorated in the the Second World War. His DFM was gazetted in January 1940 for an incident that took place in December 1939, when he was with 99 Squadron, so it seems strange that his presentation took place only after he joined 75 (NZ) Squadron, which wasn’t until September 1940.
Was this photo taken during that visit?:

– NZBCA archives.

Jordan later arranged for a supply of boxing gloves and rugby boots to be sent to the Squadron.

On another occasion, according to Alec Rowe, Rear Gunner with the Parker crew, Jordan came down to sort out a dispute where the NZ’ers were extremely upset over an order to relinquish their RNZAF uniforms for standard RAF issue.

This photo is said to have been taken on that occasion, some time between March and September 1941:

– Photo from Dion Rowe, via Wings Over New Zealand forum.

Two of Jordan’s visits were said to have involved ‘mutinous’ situations, and we would love to know more about them. If anyone has more details, please let us know.

Thanks again to Peter Wheeler and the NZ Bomber Command Assn., for permission to reproduce the photos above.

Group portrait of the 75th New Zealand Bomber Squadron, 1942

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Group portrait of the 75th New Zealand Bomber Squadron, Royal Air Force, alongside a Vickers bomber aeroplane, England Date: 20 Jun 1942 Credit: National Library of New Zealand. Ref: 1/2-123840-G http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22753875 Description: 75th New Zealand Bomber Squadron, Royal Air Force, alongside a Vickers bomber aeroplane, 30 June, 1942, in England. Photographer unidentified. Evening Post (Wellington, NZ).

Many thanks to Chris for this post regarding a Squadron group photographs from 1942.

This photo comes from the National Library of New Zealand, a relatively casual portrait, and probably too small a number (56?) to be the full Squadron. Still, its a great photo.

The date credited, 20 June 1942, seems more likely to be the date published in Wellington’s Evening Post, than the date that the photo was taken.

Slightly to the right of centre, front row standing, hands clasped in front, is P/O Eric George Delancey Jarman, DFC RAAF (AUS.404507), Pilot, Nov 1941 to 3 Aug 1942.

Immediately to the left of him, I believe, is a member of his first crew, 2nd Pilot P/O Trafford McRae Nicol RNZAF, NZ411929, who died on 23 April 1942.

The crew’s Rear Gunner was also killed in the same incident, and three other crew members injured, two of whom did not continue flying with Jarman. I can see two other members from Jarman’s first crew as well who don’t appear in 2nd crew photos, so I think this photo was probably taken before the 22 April incident, the same one in which Jarman earned his DFC.

The chap with cigarette behind and just over Jarman’s shoulder is, I think, Sgt R. S. (Ron) Davey, RAF, Front Gunner in both of Jarman’s crews.

Jarman flew 41 op’s to complete his tour with 75 (NZ) Squadron, and then went on to a second tour with 460 Squadron. He was promoted to Squadron Leader, but on their 9th op’, he and 5 of his crew were lost over Germany on 28 April 1944. The crew is immortalised in a famous painting, “Bomber Crew” (http://www.awm.gov.au/exhibitions/stella/detail-p5-i58.asp), which was still in progress when they were shot down.

Four to the left of Jarman, the imposing figure with folded arms, is W/C Edward George “Ted” Olson, DSO, RNZAF (NZ1006). Olson was OC of 75 (NZ) Squadron from 6 April to 30 July 1942.

The presence of both Olson and Nicol suggests a date for this photo of around mid April 1942.

Olson later rose to Group Captain, Air Commodore, and Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of RNZAF HQ, London, before being forced to return to NZ due to ill health in 1945. He died on 15 May 1945, in New Plymouth.

The photo below appeared in the Evening Post in 1942, apparently taken at the same time, and probably by the same photographer:

Personnel of the No. 75 (New Zealand) Bomber Squadron in front of one of their machines. Evening Post, 1942. – NZBCA archives, Maurice (Nick) Carter collection.

Olson, Jarman, Nicol and others are clearly visible in the same positions.
Thanks again to Peter Wheeler and the NZ Bomber Command Assn., for permission to reproduce the second photo.

Read more about the painting that Chris mentioned in the post here.
Read more about the events of the night of 23rd April, within a post about Feltwell Cemetery here.(about half way down the post)

Doetinchem (Loolaan) General Cemetery – Netherlands

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Many thanks to Phillip for supplying these gravestone images of the Nunn crew.

A force of just 54 aircraft, including 13 Wellington bombers from 75(NZ) Squadron RAF took off to bomb the German city of Essen, on the 8th of November 1941. 3 Wellingtons were lost on this raid – all from 75(NZ) Squadron RAF.

Wellington IC, X9977, captained by Sgt. Geoffrey Nunn is believed to have been shot down at approximately 21.36hrs by a German night-fighter, piloted by Lt Werner Rowlin, III./NJG1. The aircraft crashed to the ground at Ijzevoorde (Gelderland), East of Doetinchen, Holland. All crew members were killed.

Sgt Geoffrey Sidney Nunn RAF 1252728 – Pilot. Age 20
Sgt Thomas Young Wylie RNZAF NZ40401 – 2nd Pilot. Age 25
Sgt Richard Dundas RAF 986084 – Observer. Age 23
F/S Thomas Edison Elliot RCAF R.52050 – Front GUnner. Age 20
Sgt Alfred Hubert Harrison RNZAF NZ403000 – Wireless Operator. Age 25
Sgt William Massey RAF 1365268 – Rear Gunner. Age 33

Beesel Roman Catholic Cemetery – Netherlands

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On the 21st of July 1944, 147 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitos took off to attack the Fischer Tropsch oil refinery/aviation fuel producer in Homberg. Although the raid was considered a relative success, this success came at a massive price – whilst the ground anti aircraft defenses were as expected, the German Nachtjagd fighters were merciless in their assault when they came across the approaching bombers. 20 aircraft failed to return – 7 of which were from 75(NZ) Squadron RAF – the Squadrons highest single loss figure for any raid during the War.

Lancaster Mk I HK56, AA-Q, Piloted by F/S Neil Douglas Davidson was intercepted by a German night-fighter on the outbound leg of their flight, at approximately 01.25 hrs at Heibloem, Limburg, 5 miles South, South West of Venlo Holland.

In a desperate attempt to control the now blazing and badly damaged aircraft, F/S Davidson flew over the River Maas, but then turned and tried to land it in the river, he succeeded but the aircraft hit the river bank and with its full bomb load on board, HK569 exploded.

Prior to impact, the Air Bomber, Sgt. T. G. Little had baled out, but was seriously injured on landing, after his parachute failed to open properly. Sgt. Little was captured and spent the remainder of the War as a Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft IXC.

Prior to impact with the river bank, the tail section of the aircraft broke away and landed in a nearby field. The Rear Gunner, F/S Henry is thought to have perhaps survived in this wreckage for up to 2 days after the crash, but his body was not found until 2 weeks later by a farm labourer, working with the Dutch Resistance. Henry’s body was buried in Beesel Roman Catholic Cemetery.

F/S Henry John Hiscox RAFVR 928092 – Rear Gunner. Age 35

The ferocity of the impact and subsequent explosion meant that no remains of the rest of the crew were found. The are commemorated at the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, England

F/S Neil Douglas Davidson RNZAF NZ422057 – Pilot. Age 21
Sgt Arthur Ernest John Goddard RAFVR 1323147 – Navigator. Age 22
Sgt Douglas Corris RAFVR 1501099 Wireless Operator. Age 21
Sgt Robert Gerald Sloman RAFVR 914220 – Flight Engineer. Age 24
Sgt Raymond Stanley Lang RAFVR 1896528 – Mid Upper Gunner. Age 32

To read a more detailed account of the loss of the Davidson crew and to see the list of all 75(NZ) Squadron RAF crew lost on the 21st July 1944 Homberg Op, click here.

Colin Woonton, Navigator – Waugh crew and ND801’Astra’

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The Waugh crew posing in front of ND801 JN-V ‘Get Sum Inn’ prior to their final Op to Mersburg on the 6th December 1944. Far right back row is Collin Woontan, Navigator and front row right is Thomas Waugh, Pilot. Based on the picture at the bottom of the post, I am guessing that back row second from left is the crew’s Flight Engineer Sgt. N. Southgate. The precise positions of the other members of the Waugh crew are know at this time. What is also very interesting about this photograph is the apparently extra nose art ‘Astra’ and a white star.© Robert McAdam

A massive thanks to Robert for sending these new photographs of ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’, this time related to Tom Waugh’s crew. Rob’s Father-in-Law was Colin Woonton, Navigator.

Very interestingly, after the war Colin was instrumental in getting the MoTaT Lancaster MK VII NX665/WU13 under cover, he was the CEO of Asmuss Steel at the time. Perhaps fitting as this Lancaster is now painted to replicate NE181 JN-M ‘The Captains Fancy’ – an aircraft the Waugh crew flew twice during their tour.

Fascinatingly, this crew photograph clearly shows more nose art on ND801 – the word ‘Astra’ and a white star. When I first saw this photograph, I wondered if perhaps this was an addition to ‘Get Sum Inn’, maybe by the Waugh crew themselves. However on consideration, I am not so sure – agonisingly, the original picture of ND801 that was posted a few weeks ago – I now realise – actually shows that the portion of the nose that this ‘discovered’ artwork sits on has been destroyed in the impact of the 3rd of February 1945 crash. So perhaps this new artwork was either original, or perhaps added after ‘Get Sum Inn’ – either way, its fascinating to realise that what we initially thought to be the nose art for ND801 has now with Robert’s photograph actually become more.

Robert contacted me a few days ago and based on the work I had done to present ND801’s Op history using the database, I went back and added the relevant information for the Waugh crew. What follows therefore is an example of the concatenated data held, relative to an aircraft and a crew. Already I realise there is a bit to do with the database – I have no arrival information for a crew or individuals, or an automatic way to identify a ‘2nd’ Dickie’ Op(s) initially flown by a Pilot – but I’ll sort this at a later point.

Administration
27th July, 1944
159574 P/O T. Waugh and crew arrived on posting from No.31 Base.

04/08/44 Attack Against Bec D’Ambes
Lancaster Mk.III NE181 JN-V ‘The Captains Fancy’ (30)
F/S John Lethbridge and crew
F/O Thomas Christie Waugh 2nd Pilot

And so, the Waugh crew began their Operational career at 75(NZ) Squadron RAF, Mepal.

05/08/1944 Attack Against Bassens
Lancaster Mk.III ND911 JN-V (40)

F/O Thomas Christie Waugh, RAFVR 159174 – Pilot
F/S William Hannam Woonton, RNZAF NZ429055 – Navigator
Sgt. Robert Irwin Swetland, RAFVR 1098818/ 186577 – Air Bomber
Sgt. P. Kidd, RAFVR – Wireless Operator
Sgt. N. Southgate, RAFVR – Flight Engineer
F/S James Baird Nickels, RNZAF NZ425852 – Mid Upper Gunner
F/S David Frank Sage, RNZAF NZ424824 – Rear Gunner

Take Off 14:27 – Landed 22:23
Flight Time 07:56

08/08/1944 Attack Against Lucheux
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ (40)
ORB Form 541
‘There was only slight opposition from A.A. fire, but enemy fighters were active and three of our aircraft had inconclusive combats, two suffering damage but no casualties’.

In collision with a German nightfighter which damaged the STB, fin and rudder. They managed to return to base and land safely although it was touch and go – from Robert McAdam, son in law of Colin Wooton

F/O Thomas Christie Waugh – Pilot
F/S William Hannam Woonton – Navigator
Sgt. Robert Irwin Swetland – Air Bomber
Sgt. P. Kidd – Wireless Operator
Sgt. N. Southgate – Flight Engineer
F/S James Baird Nickels – Mid Upper Gunner
F/S David Frank Sage – Rear Gunner

Take Off 22:02 – Landed 01:24
Flight Time 03:22″

The starboard rudder of ND801 after colliding with a German night fighter on the 8th August 1944, Lucheux Op. © Robert McAdam

An other view of the starboard rudder of ND801. © Robert McAdam

09/08/1944 Attack Against Fort D’Anglos
Lancaster Mk.I HK563 JN-W ‘The Paper Doll’ (21)

Take Off 22:07 – Landed 00:22
Flight Time 02:15

11/08/1944 Attack Against Lens
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ (41)

Take Off 14:27 – Landed 17:52
Flight Time 03:25

12/08/1944 Attack Against Russelsheim
Lancaster Mk.I HK597 JN-P ‘Bad Penny IV’ (3)

Take Off 21:46 – Landed 02:37
Flight Time 04:51

14/08/1944 Attack Against Hamel
Lancaster Mk.I HK563 JN-W ‘The Paper Doll’ (23)

Take Off 13:57 – Landed 17:40
Flight Time 03:43

16/08/1944 Attack Against Stettin
Lancaster Mk.I HK601 JN-D (5)

Take Off 21:05 – Landed 05:02
Flight Time 07:57

18/08/1944 Attack Against Bremen
Lancaster Mk.I HK601 JN-D (6)

Take Off 21:34 – Landed 03:33
Flight Time 05:59

25/08/1944 Attack Against Russelsheim
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ (45)

Take Off 20:33 – Landed 05:04
Flight Time 08:31

26/08/1944 Attack Against Kiel
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ (46)

Take Off 20:04 – Landed 01:29
Flight Time 05:25

05/09/1944 Attack Against Le Havre
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ (49)

F/O Thomas Christie Waugh – Pilot
F/S William Hannam Woonton – Navigator
F/S Robert Irwin Swetland – Air Bomber
Sgt. P. Kidd – Wireless Operator
Sgt. N. Southgate – Flight Engineer
F/S James Baird Nickels – Mid Upper Gunner
F/S David Frank Sage – Rear Gunner

Take Off 17:36 – Landed 20:58
Flight Time 03:22

06/09/1944 Attack Against Harqueboc Le Havre
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ (50)

F/O Thomas Christie Waugh – Pilot
F/S William Hannam Woonton – Navigator
F/S Robert Irwin Swetland – Air Bomber
F/S P. Kidd – Wireless Operator
Sgt. N. Southgate – Flight Engineer
F/S James Baird Nickels – Mid Upper Gunner
F/S David Frank Sage – Rear Gunner

Take Off 15:39 – Landed 19:43
Flight Time 04:04

10/09/1944 Attack Against Montivilliers
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ (51)

F/L Thomas Christie Waugh – Pilot
F/S William Hannam Woonton – Navigator
F/S Robert Irwin Swetland – Air Bomber
F/S P. Kidd – Wireless Operator
Sgt. N. Southgate – Flight Engineer
F/S James Baird Nickels – Mid Upper Gunner
F/S David Frank Sage – Rear Gunner

Take Off 15:36 – Landed 19:21
Flight Time 03:45

11/09/1944 Mining in the Baltic Sea
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ (52)

Take Off 19:34 – Landed 02:52
Flight Time 07:18

12/09/1944 Attack Against Frankfurt
Lancaster Mk.III ND197 JN-O (1)

Take Off 18:40 – Landed 01:47
Flight Time 07:07

17/09/1944 Attack Against Boulogne
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ (54)

Take Off 10:06 – Landed 13:01
Flight Time 02:55

20/09/1944 Attack Against Calais
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ (55)

Take Off 14:35 – Landed 18:14
Flight Time 03:39

27/09/1944 Attack Against Calais
Lancaster Mk.I NF980 JN-F (7)

Take Off 07:21 – Landed 10:28
Flight Time 03:07

14/10/1944 Attack Against Duisburg
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 AA-X (60)

F/L Thomas Christie Waugh – Pilot
– 2nd Pilot
W/O Richard Hilary Woodhouse – Navigator
Sgt John Hemmingway – Air Bomber
Sgt A Dibbs – Wireless Operator
Sgt. John Johnstone – Flight Engineer
Sgt. Esmond Pareta Montgomery Thomas – Mid Upper Gunner
Sgt. C. Chippendale – Rear Gunner

This entry in the ORB is quite perplexing as it clearly shows Tom Waugh Skippering a completely different crew. The crew appear to be that of what would become Alex Simpson’s crew – it would appear, certainly from information related to Woodhouse and Johnstone that they had only arrived at Mepal 2 days before. What further confuses this is that the Battle Orders for this first morning Op to Duisburg shows Tom Waugh with a completely different crew from that listed in Form 541 (what appears to be Jim McIntosh’s crew) – the final icing on this cake of confusion is that as you can see from the Duisburg Battle Orders below, Alex Simpson is listed as a 2nd Pilot – Form 541 shows him flying this Op with Terry May’s crew. Additionally (as Chris notes in a comment below and I forgot to mention), ND801 is listed as ‘AA’, representing either ‘A’ or ‘B’ Flight, as opposed to its ‘C’ Flight designator of ‘JN’ – there appears to be no other corroborating evidence to suggest that ND801 ever carried a designator other than ‘JN’.

Take Off 06:47 – Landed 11:09
Flight Time 04:22

Battle Order for 14th October 1944, showing the 31 aircraft, morning Op to Duisburg – another trip to the same target would occur that night as well. Supplied by Tom Rae

14/10/1944 Attack Against Duisburg
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ (61)

F/L Thomas Christie Waugh – Pilot
P/O William Hannam Woonton – Navigator
F/S Robert Irwin Swetland – Air Bomber
F/S P. Kidd – Wireless Operator
Sgt. N. Southgate – Flight Engineer
F/S James Baird Nickels – Mid Upper Gunner
F/S David Frank Sage – Rear Gunner

Take Off 22:38 – Landed 03:30
Flight Time 04:52

19/10/1944 Attack Against Stuttgart
Lancaster Mk.I NF980 JN-F (14)

Take Off 17:35 – Landed 23:20
Flight Time 05:45

21/10/1944 Attack Against Flushing
Lancaster Mk.III NE181 JN-M ‘The Captains Fancy’ (63)

Take Off 11:17 – Landed 14:10
Flight Time 02:53

22/10/1944 Attack Against Neuss
Lancaster Mk.III NE181 JN-M ‘The Captains Fancy’ (64)

Take Off 13:27 – Landed 17:33
Flight Time 04:06

23/10/1944 Attack Against Essen
Lancaster Mk.I HK561 JN-Y (15)

F/L Thomas Christie Waugh – Pilot
F/O John Murray watts? – Navigator
F/S Robert Irwin Swetland – Air Bomber
F/S P. Kidd – Wireless Operator
Sgt. N. Southgate – Flight Engineer
F/S James Baird Nickels – Mid Upper Gunner
F/S David Frank Sage – Rear Gunner

Take Off 16:51 – Landed 21:27
Flight Time 04:36

25/10/1944 Attack Against Essen
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ (62)

Take Off 13:20 – Landed 17:19
Flight Time 03:59

29/10/1944 Attack Against West Kapelle
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ (64)

Take Off 10:00 – Landed 12:32
Flight Time 02:32

31/10/1944 Attack Against Bottrop
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ (66)

Take Off 11:49 – Landed 16:35
Flight Time 04:46

02/11/1944 Attack Against Homberg
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ (68)

Take Off 11:38 – Landed 15:46
Flight Time 04:08

04/11/1944 Attack Against Solingen
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ (69)

Take Off 11:31 – Landed 16:24
Flight Time 04:53

06/12/1944 Attack Against Mersburg Leuna Oil Refinery
Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ (82)
Crew photo of Waugh crew shows an additional piece of nose art on a/c – the word ‘Astra’ and a white star.

F/L Thomas Christie Waugh – Pilot
F/S John Henry Thomas Wood – 2nd Pilot
P/O William Hannam Woonton – Navigator
Robert Irwin Swetland – Air Bomber
F/S P. Kidd – Wireless Operator
Sgt. N. Southgate – Flight Engineer
F/S James Baird Nickels – Mid Upper Gunner
F/S David Frank Sage – Rear Gunner

Take Off 17:04 – Landed 00:36
Flight Time 07:32

Based on the Op count of ND801, this photograph of Tom Waugh and Flight Engineer Sgt. N. Southgate was probably taken prior to the Mersburg Op of 6th December 1944. This would be the 81st Op for ND801 and the last for the Waugh crew. © Robert McAdam

Ben Wood, Pilot – a little more information

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F/S Benjamin Brinley ‘Benny’ Wood, Pilot – lost with all of his crew on 23rd June 1943, Mülheim. © Liz and Dave Wood

Many thanks to Liz for passing on this wonderful picture of Ben Wood, her husbands Uncle.

Benjamin ‘Benny’ Wood was lost with all of his crew on the 23rd of June 1943 on the Mülheim Op – their aircraft, Stirling Mk.III EF408 AA-P was hit by flak.

The Wood crew on the Mulheim Op were;
F/Sgt Benjamin Brinley Wood RAFVR 656588 – Pilot. Age 24
F/Sgt. George King Samson RNZAF NZ402563 – Navigator. Age 27
F/Sgt Stuart Richard Bisset RNZAF NZ415738 – Air Bomber. Age 20
Sgt Edgar Henry Reader RAFVR 1331432 – Wireless Operator. Age 21
Sgt. Stanley Lawrence Webb RAFVR 1266998 – Flight Engineer. Age 33
Sgt. Frederick Johns Hobbs RAFVR 1609558 – Mid Upper Gunner. Age 19
Sgt. Cyril Benjamin Hemmings RAFVR 1235070 – Rear Gunner. Age 21

Liz has passed on the following biographical information on Ben:
Ben was born in 1919 in New Tredegar, Wales, the family went to Jersey in about 1928. He finished his education at St Clements School Jersey. His first job was as a bus conductor. He was then an apprentice Motor Engineer at La Motte St Garage, Jersey. As he was of military age, had he stayed in Jersey he would have been interned. He left the Island in June 1940, and joined the RAF. Trained as a Cadet Pilot at the Dart School of Aeronautics, Albany, Georgia, USA. He married Sadie on 13th April 1943 and tragically died only two months later.

See the gravestones of the Wood crew, now resting in Reichswald War Cemetery here.
See a photograph of Ben as a young man, tending vegetables in his parents garden in Jersey here.
Read about the Wood crew and their Wreless Operator Edgar Reader here.

Borculo General Cemetery, Netherlands

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Many thanks to Philip for supplying these gravestone images.

On the 6th September 1941 86 airfract, including 13 Wellingtons from 75(NZ) Squadron RAF, took off from various airfields to bomb a chemical pant in Hüls. The Squadron lost 2 of the Wellingtons on this Op, one was X9767.

Wellington Mk IC, X9767, Captained by P/O James Edward Johnson, was shot down by a German night fighter (flown by Oblt Emil Woltersdorft, Unit 111, NJG1) over Holland. The Wellington crashed into the sea at approximately 00.11hrs near Borculo (Gelderland) South East of Lochem, Holland. None of the crew survived.

P/O James Edward Johnson RAF 66519 – Pilot. Age 21
Sgt Peter Simpson Dickson Johnston RAF 776002 – 2nd Pilot. Age 28
Sgt William John Barker RAF 1378561 – Rear Gunner. Age 33
Sgt Wilfred Bearne RAF 976174 – Wireless Operator. Age 22
Sgt Ronald Davies RAF 751130 – Front Gunner. Age 23
Sgt Robert Michael Minchin RAF 751355 – Observer. Age 22

Peter Carrie, Flight Engineer, Lukins crew – a new, wonderful story

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Peter Carrie, Flight Engineer with the Lukin’s crew, now wearing his Flight Engineers Brevet, recently presented to him by Air Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, Deputy Chief of Defence for Military Capability. All rights recognised for original owner of the photograph.

Through being a member of a few RAF related Facebook pages, I came across a new and wonderful story regarding Peter Carrie, Flight Engineer with Bernard Lukin’s crew. If you recall, I was contacted a couple of months ago by Peter’s Grandson, Kerry, with news that Peter had just been award his Bomber Command Clasp – a very notable event as it meant that Peter was the only Chelsea Pensioner to hold the Clasp. I’m really pleased to pass on another award, this time of a Flight Engineers brevet.

I think the original post of this story (difficult to track sometimes on Facebook) come from the British Army Facebook page – I hope the original author doesn’t mind me reproducing the picture above, or a small extract from the full piece that can be read here.Chelsea Pensioner Sergeant Peter Carrie, a WWII Army and RAF Bomber Command veteran, has finally added a flight engineer brevet to his distinctive scarlet uniform.

Sergeant Carrie, born in Dundee in 1915, has the unique distinction of being the only Chelsea Pensioner eligible to have a Bomber Command Clasp because as well as his army service he served in the Royal Air Force in World War II as a flight engineer on Lancaster bombers.

It was only when he received his Clasp in April this year from General Sir Redmond Watt, the Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, that staff realised Sergeant Carrie was ‘improperly dressed’ without his flight engineer brevet, which he was eligible to wear on his uniform along with his medals.

Sergeant Carrie served with 75(New Zealand) Squadron and survived many dangerous bombing missions against Nazi Germany including those on Hamburg and Wesel. Asked why he was in a New Zealand Squadron Sergeant Carrie said: “The Kiwis came over but were short of men on some squadrons so I joined them. They used to have drink sent over from home and after every mission we’d have a wee shot.”

Air Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, Deputy Chief of Defence for Military Capability, presented Sergeant Carrie with his missing brevet. He said: “Sergeant Carrie is extraordinary. The valour, the courage and commitment men like Sergeant Carrie showed during WWII was just exceptional, in Bomber Command, in the mission that they did, and sustained throughout that war.”

Beesd General Cemetery – Netherlands

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Many thanks to Philip for generously donating these gravestone images of the Tietjens crew.

On the 23rd of May 1943 826 aircraft took off to bomb Dortmund. This raid was the largest of the ‘non’ 1,000 bomber raids at this point in the War and the largest in the ‘Battle of the Ruhr’. In total, 38 aircraft were lost. Of the 6 Stirlings lost, one was from 75(NZ) Squadron RAF.

Stirling Mk III BK783, AA-Q was shot down by an enemy night-fighter over the Netherlands on the return flight home. The aircraft crashed in a ditch at Beesd, (Gelderland), 5 miles South South West of Culemborg, All but the Rear Gunner, Sgt Leslie Vale, died in the crash.

The crew were buried in a collective grave at Beesd General Cemetery.

Sgt Stephen Muir Tietjens, RNZAF NZ415640 – Pilot. Age 26
Sgt George Watson Turnbull, RNZAF NZ421342 – Navigator. Age 24
Sgt Frederick John Leigh Joblin RNZAF NZ417063 – Air Bomber. Age 25
Sgt Ronald Bell , RAFVR 1077692 – Wireless Operator. Age 22
Sgt Stanley John Wayman, RAFVR 1391814 – Flight Engineer. Age 21
Sgt Derrick George Amos Storey, RAFVR 1809725 – Mid Upper Gunner. Age 19

Incredibly, Sgt Leslie Vale RAFVR 1235008, the Rear Gunner, survived the crash with only an injured leg and temporary memory loss. He was later taken captive by German soldiers and spent the rest of the war between Dulag Luft, Stalags Luft VI and 357.

ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’, 86 Ops – QED

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From Form 541 75(NZ) Squadron RAF 03.2.45. Attack Against Dortmund “Aircraft crashed on landing. Pilot, Nav, W/Operator, Engineer and A/Bomber injured and in hospital. Prt. Outr. Failed prior to reaching target and overshot on landing. Camera completely wrecked”. © Pauline Whittall

There was perhaps inevitably, a high level of interest in the post I made a few weeks back regarding the final fate of ND801 JN-X. If not for the astonishing pictures supplied by Pauline showing the aircraft’s final resting place in a chicken shed on the edge of the airfield, then for not only the identification of another 75(NZ) Squadron RAF Lancaster with nose art (unicorn rarity springs to mind), but also a clear OP count – 85 painted, sadly the 86th shown in this picture.

ND801 is (frustratingly) notable for being one of the few Lancasters from the Squadron with identifiable nose art and a name of ‘Get Sum Inn’, perhaps the style of the artwork and the name suggests a reference to a pub, or having a pint generally. The origin of this artwork will probably never be know, though looking at the operational history, it would appear that relatively early in ND801’s flying career, she became the relatively regular mount of Colin Megson’s crew (21 Ops). Latterly, a similar level of frequency can be seen after the Megson crews departure from flying ‘801 ( though they were to be on base longer) by Tom Waugh’s crew, who flew 16 Ops in her.

A high count Lancaster from this period in the war, such as ND 801of course poses the tantalising question of whether she would have ever reached her ton, or even overtaken NE181, JN-M, ‘The Captains Fancy. Well, obviously she didn’t, but statistic fans might be interested to know that at the point ND801 and Bruce Crawford’s crew crashed on the 3rd of February 1945, ‘Mike’ had clocked up her 98th the day before to Weisbaden. Perhaps more interestingly, at this same point, there were some other Lancasters that were also accumulating high totals – LM544 was on 86 also ME751 AA-M had reached 75 and HK562 AA-L was on 74 (all figures subject to final checking and revisions to database).

Readers will have, no doubt, got bored with my now regular wittering about the ‘Form 541 database’ that I have slowly been chipping away at over now the last 14 or so months. This morning I realised I had just added the a/c and pilot details for the 3rd of February 1945. Deciding to test the contents of the database I filtered in the serial number no. column and low and behold got 86 Ops for ND801, which, to be honest I am astonished by.

I suppose I am saying all of this to make a number of observations. Firstly, the full Op list for ND801 was generated, as opposed to found. I make this observation and differentiation because I think its significant. Up until now (and in real terms I will have to continue for a while), when someone requests information on a relative, I have to essentially trawl through the ORB’s, looking for a crew. Now this activity in itself is wrought with problems. Firstly, you are ‘looking’ for, normally a Pilots name, at the top of the crew list – looking for things assumes you find all that you are looking for. More problematically, whilst you might note a change in a member of a crew, its very difficult to find if a member of the ‘subject’ crew might have flown a ‘fill in’ for another crew – this level of analysis, is simply beyond my time, unless I am aware that this is the case. From my experience, I know the ORB’s are littered with errors, ranging from incorrect initials to the completely chaotic, non consecutive ordering of pages – from recent typing I have discovered that Tim Blewett, Pilot, is consistently listed in the Form 541 with a first initial of ‘J’. these typographical errors become more acute when you deal with the aircraft serial codes – a case in point relating to ND801 – in place she is listed as ‘NF801’ – only by cross referencing Ian’s amazing database on the blog was I able to satisfy myself that in the absence of another ‘NF’ aircraft with a similar number, that these entries were in fact ND801. Sad to say that these errors and others are repeated in other documents, so the process of categorically confirming the identity of a certain aircraft within the ORB’s is at best time consuming and I fear perhaps on occasions to come, even maybe impossible.

The data base is still a long way off being complete in terms of even basic information. My creative left sided brain decided to begin the whole activity at the beginning of 1943 – I guess because Dad joined the Squadron for his first tour in that year, so eagle eyed readers that noted my reference to completing the Dortmund raid of 3rd February 1945 shouldn’t get too excited – when 1945 is complete, I have to go back and do 1940, 1941 and 1942…….

Whilst portions of the database contain full information – target a/c serial, Pilot, Nav, AB, W/Op, FE, MuG and R/Gnr, a significant portion does not yet. Quickly I realised in terms of raw usable and extractable information it was better to focus on Target, a/c and Pilot. In addition to this, the ‘up’, ‘down’ times have to be added.

I estimate that based on work and sleep, there is probably another 2 years of work to complete the basic database – obviously once this is complete, a full history for aircraft, crews and individuals will be able to generated. How this is done I am not sure – it might provide the tipping point regarding the much muttered about website to replace the blog. My gut feeling is that a searchable database is not the way forward – whilst I am and always will be keen to share anything I have, there is a difference between information and time – this database will represent too significant an investment in time to simply allow people to hoover it all up – and I will not let that happen.

Ian Chris and I have been in some discussions over the last few months regarding expanding the A/C datbase to include images – it strikes me, with the creation of the Op history for ND 801, an individual page for each aircraft of the Squadron might be the way forward. Based on my magnificent presentation of ONE aircraft to this point, I have added a shell section below the 3 aircraft types and under it an ‘ND series’ page that links then directly to at this moment just ND801 – but hopefully this will grow.

I’m interested in your feedback and thoughts

View the Operational history of ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ here

cheers

Simon

Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey – United Kingdom

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Many thanks to Sandra, my sister for taking time to go to Brookwood Military Cemetery to record the gravestones of LAC Horace Simonsen and S/L Garth Gunn.

Leading Aircraftsman Horace Dean Simonsen RNZAF NZ438024 – Wireless Operator, was killed at the age of 32, whilst on an Air Gunners course, during an air raid on the capital.

LAC Simonsen had arrived at Feltwell on the 5th of February and was and does not appear to be recorded in the ORB documents I have, so we must summise that his presence on the Air Gunner course was leading to operational flying.

The night of the 16th/ 17th of April 1941 saw one of the heaviest attacks made on London since the war began. Bombing commenced shortly after 9.00pm and lasted until nearly dawn.

Approximately 66 boroughs were affected, the main bombing being on Central and Southern London. In addition to high explosive and incendiary bombs, a large number of 1,000kg parachute mines were also dropped dropped causing massive damage through blast and fire.

Among the public buildings damaged were St. Pauls Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, the Admiralty, the Law Courts and the National Gallery. Many roads were blocked and the railway systems were hit in nineteen places. There were a large number of fires, the most serious being at L.N.E.R Goods Yard in Lisson Grove. Other serious fires were caused at Selfridges, Bessborough Gardens, Westminster, and the Kidbrooke R.A.F. Stores Depot. Although many fires were still burning at daybreak, the situation was considered to be under control.

On the 17th of September 1944, 14 Lancasters from Mepal joined a combined bomber force of 762 aircraft to bomb targets around Boulogne in preparation for an attack by Allied troops.

Whilst the anti-aircraft fire was light, it was accurate. Lancaster Mk.III PB430 AA-P, Captained by ‘B’ Flight Commander S/L Garth Gunn, received a direct hit, which severely damaged the aircraft necessitating both starboard engines being shut down. The Captain and Flight Engineer struggled to maintain control of the aircraft whilst returning across the Channel.

A decision was made to carry out an emergency landing at RAF Hawkinge, an airfield with a short runway. The Lancaster overshot the runway and crashed. The impact killed the Flight Engineer Sgt John Henry Bruce, RAFVR 1566967 and seriously injured the Pilot, S/L Gunn and Air Bomber, F/O Angus Moorcroft Millar RNZAF NZ428249.

Squadron Leader Garth Reginald Gunn, MiD, RNZAF NZ411397 died, 3 days later of his injuries

Flight Engineer, Sgt John Henry Bruce RAFVR 1566967, was laid to rest in Jarrow Cemetery, County Durham.

Rotterdam (Crooswijk) General Cemetery – Netherlands.

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Many thanks to Maaike for supplying these photographs of the gravestones of the Wilson crew.

At approximately 17.00hrs on the 8th of November 1941, 13 Wellington Bombers of 75(NZ) Squadron RAF took off from Feltwell to join another 41 bombers from other Squadrons to bomb Essen. At approximately 22.15 hrs Wellington Ic, 78942, Captained by John Wilson, crashed at Zuidland, 13 miles South West of Rotterdam. All of the crew were killed apart from the Rear Gunner, Sgt Lawrence Hope.

Sgt John Stephen Wilson, RNZAF NZ402530 – Pilot. Age 27
P/O Ralph Owen Foster RNZAF NZ402443 – (2nd) Pilot. Age 29
P/O Robert Leslie Owen Ryder RAAF AUS.404626 – . Age 25
Sgt James Henry Reid RAF 997006 – Wireless Operator. Age 21
Sgt Sir Charles Thomas Hewitt Mappin 4^th Baronet of Thornbury, RAF 1380356 – Front Gunner. Age 32

Sgt Hope was taken Prisoner of War and imprisoned initially in Dulag Luft, Stalags VIIIB, Luft III, Luft VI and finally Stalag Luft 357. After remaining captive for the rest of the war, Lawrence Hope was tragically killed, with 30 other Allied Prisoners of War, when, while undertaking a forced march away from the prison camp to Lubeck, they were mistaken for German soldiers and straffed by RAF Typhoons.

Sgt Lawrence Beresford Hamilton Hope, RNZAF NZ40940 – Rear Gunner
Whilst initially buried at Gresse, with the rest of the dead from the attack, he was later re-interred at the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery.

Letters from behind the wire – John McFarland, part I

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John McFarland, second row, 4th in from the left. This photograph is of a group of RAF PoW’s, though the date and location is unknown. © John Edward Lithgow McFarland

A really nice surprise this morning – David sent me 2 letters, written by his Father, John McFarland, Navigator with Henry Murray’s crew, after he was captured and interred in Stalag Luft III

By John’s own observation the decision to volunteer for the Gardening Op to Kiel on the 18th April 1943, in a Stirling was seen as a soft and easy extra trip to their tour…..Perhaps this decision can be understood – the crew had suffered 3 aborted Ops in a month and it probably felt to them as if their time at Mepal was never going to end – add to this a 10 day hiatus for conversion to Lancasters at Feltwell and the soles of their feet may well have been getting itchy…….

Based on the events of that night, it would appear that their aircraft was fired on from underneath by a ‘Schräge Musik‘ equipped aircraft. Typically, the aircrew would get no warning of the attack until it was too late – John recalls his navigators desk exploding as the cannon shells hit.

Of the 7 crew, John, Gordon Irwin the Wireless Operator and Doug Hill, the Air Bomber survived. The rest of the crew, Pilot, Henry James Murray, Flight Engineer, Hyman Chaim Mordecai Kahler, Mid Upper Gunner John Mulligan and Peter Woolam, the Rear Gunner all perished and now lay together in Gram Churchyard in Denmark.

David along with the letters supplied a brief explanation as to some aspects of the content and also, interestingly, notes that it would appear that the positions of the gunners may well have been reversed that night.

“Understandably the content is rather mundane, but they are fascinating records which may be of interest to you as unofficial archivist! (Lithgow was my father’s third christian name and the one that was used by his family, although he would have used John – and ‘Paddy’ of course would be used by his crew.) The reference to Margt is my aunt Margaret – I think the 11th May was her birthday, and Gordon, is the New Zealander – Gordon Irwin the wireless operator, who was also in Stalag Luft III. His father came from Northern Ireland, hence the reference to a letter from Ireland. Peter Woollam, rear gunner, died on the 19th when his parachute failed to open, although strangely Jack Mulligan’s body was found in the tail section so he may well have been the Rear Gunner that op, with Peter Woollam Mid Upper Gunner. Dad’s birthday is 22nd September. I smiled at the April Fool joke!

To put the 11th May letter in context, Dad was shot down in the early hours of the 19th April, captured on the 21st, in solitary confinement in Dulag Luft 23rd – 29th, arriving in Sagan on 1st May.”

A first letter written by John and sent home to his family in May 1944. © John Edward Lithgow McFarland

“Dear Mother & Dad. This finishes my quota of letters for this month but I wanted to get as many as I could write as soon as possible as some may go astray. The weather is really lovely now and we are settling down quite well. We find that this life is really what one makes it. When I make up my mind I may start studying of some kind or another. You may remember me mentioning some photos we had taken. Well I had ordered some and paid for them and if you write to the C.O. I am sure that he will send them on. I hope you get all my belongings safely including my watch. If you ever want any gen about what & how to send parcels just ask the Red Cross folks and I think you can send cigarettes through any tobaccanist duty free which makes them 3d or 4d per packet. I suppose Margt is having quite a spree today and I do hope that you will have heard the news that I am OK. I have made many new friends and so far I can’t say I’ve felt homesick, but I suppose that will come in due course. Well this is all like April 1st. Remind my friends that mail is more welcome than ever in a P.O.W. camp.

Love to all. Lithgow”

A second letter sent in September 1944. © John Edward Lithgow McFarland

The second is dated 17th September 1944 –
“Dear Mother & Dad. As usual no news but at least I can tell you that I am in the best of health except for an annoying head cold but that doesn’t cause much trouble except for washing of hankies. I’ve had no mail yet but my hopes are rising as Gordon had 3 a couple of days ago, one from NZ, England & Ireland. He had one from Pete our rear gunner’s girlfriend and it’s really sad to read her letter as they are under the impression that he is still alive since they have heard that G and I are prisoners. Well I am afraid that I am doomed to spend at least this birthday in Deutschland but the boys are baking me a cake so we can celebrate in a small way. (CENSORED) the issue of Red Cross parcels is now half per week. However my weight is still around 11st so the food must be good enough. Well I do hope that my mail is reaching you OK and I shall get at least one letter soon. Once again hoping you are all well and that I’ll see you very soon.

Your loving son. Lithgow”

Tomorrow, 2 letters written at home………….

To read an earlier post about the Murray crew, click here.
To read John’s logbook, click here.
To read about John and his families trip to Gram (including an article by Danish TV), click here.

City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, Manor Park, London – United Kingdom

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Again thanks to Marc and Matt for the supply of a second image to add to the RoH pages, this time of Sgt. Brian Arthur Rogers, RAFVR 1384352, who was killed on the 27th April 1943, whilst flying as Rear Gunner with Peter Buck’s crew on an Op to Duisburg. Brian’s name is recorded on the Screen Wall, at the back of the War Graves plot in the Cemetery.

P/O Peter John Oswald Buck , DFC, RNZAF NZ413377 was awarded an Immediate Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions that night and the citation for his award on the 26th of the same month, tells in simple, but tragic terms what happened that night.

“One night in April 1943 Pilot Officers Buck and Symons (RCAF) were Pilot and Navigator repectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Duisburg. Whilst over the target area, the aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter and sustained much damage. The Rear Gunner was mortally wounded, while Pilot Officer Symons was wounded in the hand. Pilot Officer Buck succeeded in evading the attacker and set course for base. On the return flight the damaged bomber became difficult to control and when one of the engines failed, the aircraft began to lose height. All moveable equipment was jettisoned and, height being maintained, Pilot Officer Buck flew the aircraft back to base where he effected a perfect crash-landing. During the return flight, Pilot Officer Symons, in spite of his injury, did all within his power to help his pilot, obtaining a number of fixes which proved of great assistance. In a most difficult situation these officers displayed courage. skill and determination of a high order”.

P/O John Henry Symons, RCAF R.77568/ J.16507 was also awarded the D.F.C. for his actions that night.

Greenwich Cemetery (Charlton and Kidbrook), London – S/O Joan Marjorie Easton WAAF

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Many thanks to Marc and Matt, 2 ex students of mine, for taking the trouble and time to collect this photograph of Section Officer Joan Easton’s gravestone in Greenwich Cemetery, London. Joan was tragically killed on the night of 8th September 1943 when she went to assist rescuers after the takeoff crash of Stirling Mk.III BK809 JN-T, Piloted by Ian Menzies and his crew.

On the night of 8th September 1943, whilst accelerating to take off, the Stirling bomber piloted by F/O. Ian Robert Menzies (RNZAF NZ415002) suddenly veered to the right of the runway and crashed firstly through a petrol bowser and then 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.

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.

Read a previous post about this crash here.

See the gravestones of F/O Ian Menzies, Pilot and F/S Peter Gerald Dobson MiD, who also went to the rescue of the crew and villagers and was killed that night, who now rest in Cambridge Cemetery here.

See the gravestone of Sgt. Albert Leslie Mellor, Flight Engineer with the Menzies crew, who now rests in Buxton Cemetery here.

120,000+ visits

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As always, a massive thanks to everybody who is continuing to support the blog and provide new material for it.

My ‘return’ to the blog a few weeks ago, to be honest feels like a bit of a false start – my anticipation that things were going to quieten down wasn’t really proved correct and a trip down to London for a week and then last week in Greece on business for the University provided another series of interruptions. I hope this week to build a reservoir of posts – perhaps enough to time release one a day at a set time. How long this will last, or indeed, how long it will take to do, I am not sure to be honest – but I’ll give it ago…….

There are some logbooks, some uniform information and as always information and requests for information on crews that flew with the Squadron – I am STILL working through the backlog of emails that have built up, so as I said 10,000 visits ago, please bare with me – I’ll get back in contact as soon as I can.

I also hope to begin to post the gravestone images people have sent me – when Adrian sent me the first sets from the UK, I felt it was only appropriate to say a bit about each set and what the fates of the boys were – as these images have kept coming in, this in itself represents a bit of a job!

I am still catching a bit of time also on the Form 541 database – I have almost now completed 1944 – (1 month and 2 weeks to go) the database, having randomly been started at the beginning of 1943, stands at almost 4,000 rows of information, each row at the moment contains basic aircraft and crew information, but this means there is already some 20 cells per row that contains this information. I have absolutely no idea when this will be completed – already I can see umpteen other cells that can be added – but I hope that ultimately, this will provide a searchable database and enable me to put up an Op history for every single crew that flew with the Squadron during the War – just don’t hold your breath!

So perhaps I’ll end it here – probably better to get on with some posts, rather than spend time telling you I will be doing some posts!

Many thanks as always to all of you

Simon

THE LANCASTER: Britains Flying Past – Sunday, 9.30pm, BBC2.

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Just a quick heads up to everybody that the third of John Sergeant’s ‘Britain’s Flying Past’ series tonight features the Lancaster Bomber.

If this wasn’t enough reason to watch it, the photograph above shows John stood in front of a crew of 7 veterans, each representing a position in a crew – and I am VERY pleased to say that the 2nd in from the left looks like our very own John de Hoop, Wireless Operator with Wylie Wakelin’s crew, who flew with 75(NZ) Squadron RAF between October 1944 and March 1945.

THE LANCASTER: Britains Flying Past – Sunday, 9.30pm, BBC2.

For those of you outside of the UK, who might not be able to view BBC iPlayer, its worth trying a VPN (virtual private network) application like Astrill (no vested interest in this app particularly, but I have used it) – basically it hides your location and thus you are able to access geographically dependent websites – don’t worry readers – nothing dodgey, you can even get them on Apples App Store – but it might just let you watch this and similar programmes

Peter Walker

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It is with great sadness that I must report the recent passing of Peter Walker, Treasurer of the Friends of 75 (NZ) Squadron Association, UK.

Peter and his wife Rita have been coming to the Association reunions for the past 30 years, being introduced by the late Mick Strickland. Both couples lived in Brandon and attended all Association functions. Sadly Ted died a couple of years ago, but his wife Pam still attends the reunions.

Peter took on the roll of treasurer at a very difficult time. The Association had to raise money for the Memorial Garden and Peter was at the forefront in the effort to do so. Although he had no direct connection with the Squadron he and his wife immersed themselves wholeheartedly into the association.

Although in ill health, he and his wife accompanied Margaret and Roly Still to Belgium earlier this year to lay a wreath, and unveil a plaque for the association.

Peter will be greatly missed for his unstinting service and selfless dedication to the association.

Ake Ake Kia Kaha

(many thanks to Kevin for the information in this post)

Request for information – Ronald Wynn Russell and crew, 1945

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Flying Officer Wynn Russell (Pilot) RNZAF left and Flying Officer Neville Selwood (Nav) RNZAF with PB418 AA-C. New Zealand Bomber Command archive/ Neville Selwood

I was contacted a few weeks ago by John, Nephew of Wynn Russell who flew with 75(NZ) Squadron through the majority of 1945. John knows very little about Wynn’s wartime career and only contacted me based on his assumption that Wynn flew with the Squadron, because of 2 photographs that he found of him in ‘Kiwis Do Fly’.

Obviously in these circumstances, the best thing to do it to first do an Op history and thenget it up here as a post to see if anybody knows anything more – so……..

From Form 540 75(NZ) Squadron December 1944
Administration
NZ37220 F/S Russell. W.R. and crew arrived on posting from 1651 C.U.

3.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Dortmund
Lancaster Mk.I LM276 AA-S
F/O Douglas Sadgrove and crew
F/S R.W. Russell as 2nd Pilot

Russell crew begin their Operational Tour.

5.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Ludwigshaven
Lancaster Mk.I HK576 AA-G
F/O Ronald Wynn Russell RNZAF NZ37220 – Pilot
F/O Francis Neville Selwood RNZAF NZ4215756 – Navigator
F/O Victor Digger Hendry RNZAF NZ425570 – Air Bomber
Sgt. F. Jillians RAFVR – Wireless Operator
Sgt. J Hunt RAFVR – Flight Engineer
Sgt Ivor Polley RAFVR – Mid Upper Gunner
Sgt G Robson RAFVR 1596125 – Rear Gunner

6.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Neuss
Lancaster Mk.III LM740 AA-B
Same crew

7.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Munich
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
Same crew

11.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Krefeld
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
Same crew

13.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Saarbrücken
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
Same crew

2.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wiesbaden
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
Same crew

9.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Hohenbudberg
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
Sgt. E. Bates replaces Sgt. Robson as Rear Gunner

13.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Dresden (Operation Thunderclap)
Lancaster Mk.I NG113 AA-D
Sgt. E. Bates continues as Rear Gunner

14.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Chemnitz (Operation Thunderclap)
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
Sgt. Robson returns to crew as Rear Gunner

16.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wesel
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
Sgt. Frank Watts replaces Sgt. Robson as Rear Gunner

22.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Gelsenkirchen/Osterfeld
Lancaster Mk.I HK576 AA-G
Sgt. Robson returns as Rear Gunner, but Frank Watts now replaces Sgt, Polley as Mid Upper Gunner

25.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Kamen
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
Sgt. Robson takes over as Mid Upper Gunner.Ivor Polley returns to take up Rear Gunners position

26.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Dortmund
Lancaster Mk.I HK576 AA-G
Robson back as Rear Gunner and Frank Watts back in as Mid Upper Gunner

28.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Gelsenkirchen
Lancaster Mk.I LM544 AA-O
Sgt. Robson goes back to Mid Upper Gunner, F/S J. Murphy arrives as Rear Gunner

9.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Dattelen oil plant
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
Sgt. A. Smith flies as Rear Gunner (possibly Arthur Smith from the injured Crawford crew)

10.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Gelsenkirchen
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
F/S Bill Grout joins as Rear Gunner

14.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Heinrich Hutte – oil plants
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
P/O H. Howells in as Rear Gunner

18.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Bruchstrasse
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
P/O H. Howells in as Rear Gunner

20.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Hamm M/Y
Lancaster Mk.I NF981 AA-K
Sgt. A. Smith in as Rear Gunner

23.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wesel
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
P/O H. Howells in as Rear Gunner

29.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Salzgitter
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
Same crew

4.4.45. War Ops – Attack Against Merseburg
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
Same crew

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

30.3.45. Operation ‘Manna’ – Supply drop, Rotterdam
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
Same crew

7.5.45. Operaton ‘Manna’ Supply dropping –Delft
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
Sgt, Robson as Rear Gunner – no Mid Upper Gunner as was the case with these Ops. LAC Fry as passenger

10.5.45. Operation ‘Exodus’ – Prisoner of War Repatriation from Juvincourt, France
Lancaster Mk.I HK573 AA/JN-H
Sgt. Howells rejoins crew as Mid Upper Gunner

14.5.45. Operation ‘Exodus’ – Prisoner of War Repatriation from Juvincourt, France
Lancaster Mk.I HK573 AA/JN-H
Same crew

16.5.45. Operation ‘Exodus’ – Prisoner of War Repatriation from Juvincourt, France
Lancaster Mk.I HK562 AA-C
Same crew

26.5.45 Operation ‘Exodus’ – Prisoner of War Repatriation fron Juvincourt, France
Lancaster Mk.I HK562 AA-C
Same crew

10.6.45. Viewing the effects of the Bombing
Lancaster Mk.III ME531 AA-K
Same crew

17.6.45 Viewing the effects of the Bombing
Lancaster Mk.I NN747 AA-D
As above

So, as always in these cases, if you have any extra information on Wynn, or any of the boys who flew in his crew, lease get in contact with I know John is very keen to find out all he can on his uncle.

James ‘Jimmy Shaw – Pilot, 1945

1 Reply

Many thanks to Malcolm for passing on some wonderful pictures of his Grandfather, James Shaw who flew with his crew from Mepal between February and June 1945. Despite having information about Jimmy’s crew, Malcolm and the family had no idea of their Operational history. In Malcolm’s first email to me, he remarked “My grandfather passed in the mid 90’es when I was young. He would never talk about his service saying that he only ever dropped aid to the Dutch”.

Malcolm was also lucky enough to get the chance to talk to Bert Donald, Jimmy’s Wireless Operator “It was a very humbling experience with Bert telling me he owed his life to my grandfather”.

Later Malcolm also came upon the following on the wonderful interweb – a smal piece by Bert, about the crew he flew with:
“Served on Lancasters with 75 New Zealand Bomber Squadron at Mepal, near Ely, Cambs., under the command of Wing Comm. Baigent. Our Squ. Ldr. was an Australian, Hill who had lost the sight of one eye earlier in the War. My radio officer was Fl.Lt. Rhodes, a New Zealander. Our crew was all-British (New Zealand did not have the manpower to keep replacing the losses sustained by a Bomber Squadron during WWII). Our Pilot was Jimmy Shaw of Edinburgh, Scotland – our Navigator was Andy Weir of Edinburgh, Scotland too, and now of Edmonton, Canada – Radio Operator was Bert Donald of Motherwell, Scotland, now of California – Flight Engineer was Ron Webster of Bearpark, a village near Darlington, England – Mid-Upper Gunner was Tom Beall of Kirkcaldy, Scotland – Rear-Gunner was John Craig of Rutherglen, Scotland – our Bomb-Aimer was Chris Dunn of Wimbledon, England. Only two of us are left in 2002. Andy Weir in Canada and myself in the U.S. I do keep in touch with two other members of 75 New Zealand Squadron. Duncan Ross of Denver, Colo. an Irish member of F.Lt. Lukins’ crew and Bill Reid of Newton Mearns, Scotland, Radio Operator on Lukins’ crew“.

The next 3 photographs are from Jimmy’s early training. The first photograph below was taken whilst he was at No.1 ACRC on the 6th May 1942

This third photograph has nothing on its back to provide date or location, but one might deduce from the gentleman stood to the right in an American flying jacket that it was taken whilst training at No.1 BFTS.

Form 540 75(NZ) Squadron RAF February 1945.
14.2.45. Administration
189682 P/O Shaw, J. and crew arrived on posting from No.72 Base

18.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wesel
Lancaster Mk.I NN7474 JN-O ‘Dogsbody Again’
F/L Keith Jones and crew
P/O J. Shaw as 2^nd Pilot

The Shaw crew1945. Back row left to right: John Craig (Rear Gunner) Andrew Wier (Navigator) James “Jimmy” Shaw (Pilot) Chris Dunn (Air Bomber) Front row left to right: Bert Donald (Wireless Operator) Tom Beall (Mid Upper Gunner) Ron Webster (Flight Engineer) Ron Webster did not begin flying with the crew until their 6th Op – given this, its difficult to know whether Ron was part of the crew that arrived at Mepal, or was perhaps a replacement. © Malcolm Laing

19.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wesel
HK593 Mk I X
P/O James ‘Jimmy Shaw RAFVR 1549541/189682 – Pilot
Sgt. Andrew Weir RAFVR – Navigator
F/S Christopher Dunn RAFVR – Air Bomber
F/S Bert Donald RAFVR – Wireless Operator
Sgt. L. Player RAFVR – Flight Engineer
Sgt. Thomas Beall RAFVR – Mid Upper Gunner
Sgt. John Craig RAFVR – Rear Gunner

28.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Gelsenkirchen/ Nodstern synthetic oil refinery
Lancaster Mk.I HK601 JN-D
Sgt. J. Aldridge replaces Sgt. Player as Flight Engineer

1.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Kamen
Lancaster Mk.I HK601 JN-D
F/Lt. S.E. Cowen joins the crew as Flight Engineer

4.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wanne-Eickel
Lancaster Mk.I NG322 JN-F
Sgt. Aldridge returns to the crew as Flight Engineer

7.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Dessau
Lancaster Mk.I PB820 JN-V
F/S Ron Webster joins the Shaw crew as Flight Engineer

17.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Auguste Viktoria
Lancaster Mk.I HK593 Mk JN-X
Same crew

20.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Hamm/Arnsberg – rail targets
Lancaster Mk.I HK563 JN-W
F/S T. Dewsbury joins crew in Mid Under Gun position.

27.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Hamm (Sachsen)
Lancaster Mk.I PB820 JN-V
Same crew (minus F/S Dewsbury)

29.3.45. War Ops – Attack Against Salzgitter
Lancaster Mk.I HK563 JN-W
Same crew

13.4.45. Gardening – Kiel Bay
Lancaster Mk.I HK601 JN-D
Same crew

18.4.45. War Ops – Attack Against Heligoland Naval Base
Lancaster Mk.I PB820 JN-V
Same crew

20.4.45. War Ops – Attack Against Regensburg
Lancaster Mk.III PB424 JN-O
Same crew

24.4.45. War Ops – Attack Against Bad Oldesloe
Lancaster Mk.I PB820 JN-V
Same crew

3.5.45. Operation ‘Manna’ – Supply drop at The Hague
Lancaster Mk.III PB424 JN-O
Same crew but minus Mid Upper Gunner Tom Beall, as was usual with these fights

7.5.45. Operation ‘Manna’ – Supply drop Delft
Lancaster Mk.I RF129 JN-M
Same crew, But Tom Beale back as Rear Gunner and no John Craig. A/C Lowe as passenger

11.5.45. Operation Exodus – Repatriation Of Prisoners of War from Juvincourt, France
Lancaster Mk.I HK554 JN-T
Full previous crew

12.5.45. Operation Exodus – Repatriation Of Prisoners of War from Juvincourt, France
Lancaster Mk III PB421 AA-E?
Same crew

16.5.45 Operation Exodus – Repatriation of Prisoners of War from Juvincourt, France
Lancaster Mk II NE181 I JN-M ‘The Captains Fancy’
Same crew

23.5.45. Operation Exodus – Repatriation of Prisoners of War from Juvincourt, France
Lancaster Mk.I NG448 A
Same crew

26.5.45. Operation Exodus – Repatriation of Belgian Refugees to Brussels and Prisoners of War to England
Lancaster Mk.I PB820 JN-V
Same crew
“24 Prisoners of War were brought back to Ford. Own Aircraft was u/s at Waterbeach and transferred to JN.B and completed operation. Changed Aircraft at Waterbeach and returned in JN.V”

3.6.45. Viewing the Effects of the Bombing Offensive
Lancaster Mk.I PP663 JN-Z
Same crew plus Cpl. Richardson as passenger

There are no further recorded flights by the Shaw crew, though this is only because after June, the Form 541 ‘Diary of work Carried out’ ceases to be kept. The picture below is a little bit of a puzzle to Malcolm. In itial email discussion, I took reference to ‘Italy’ as perhaps referring to ‘Operation Dodge’. Whilst 75(NZ) Squadron did not fly any ‘Dodge’ flights to Italy, I am aware that my Fathers 1st tour Mid Upper Gunner Thom Darbyshire did at the end of his second tour with 195 Squadron. My initial conjecture to Malcolm was, given the Squadrons divestment of all non RNZAF aircrew and ground crew in anticipation of Tiger Force, Jimmy might have perhaps taken part in ‘Dodge’ flights a month later with another Squadron.

Now, all this is fine to the point I actually look at the scan of the back of this image and see ‘1946’ -duh.

‘Pamigliano 1946’ – I type this into Google and nothing, but a recommendation that perhaps I want ‘Pomigliano’ delivers more results. It would appear that RAF Pomigliano, near Naples, was the home of 293 Squadron, until their disbandment in June of 1943. Funnily enough it seems I was close with my initial ‘Dodge’ guess – Bari and Pomigliano were both ‘Dodge’ bases for the repatriation of Allied soldiers – I was just out by about a year……

The ‘Fitters’ Lament

1 Reply

Many thanks to Dave for posting the following poem on the Bomber Command Research Facebook page today – I thought I would share it as a poignant thought to the boys in ground crew – as vital as the boys that flew, but I think in honest truth usually overlooked, in terms of their contribution to the success of the Bomber Squadrons.

On querying the origin of the piece Dave said that in truth he had found it a few years online under the title ‘The Riggers lament’, but felt it worked better for a fitter – if anybody out there knows anything more about this piece, I’d and I am sure Dave would like to know.

The ‘Fitters’ Lament
He wears a suit of faded blue, no brevet on his chest,
And you’ll find more streaks of grease and oil than medals on his breast,
He doesn’t sit behind the guns of a multi-engined ‘plane,
Or steer a graceful fighter above the cloud and rain.

He wields a hefty spanner and a bit of oily rag,
While the other fellow shoots the Hun and boasts about his bag,
He works in sleet and mud and rain and curses this senseless war,
And wonders ninety times a day what he joined the Air Force for.

He’s just an Engine Fitter,
Nothing more and nothing less,
With a suit of dirty blue instead of battle dress,
He strikes a blow at the filthy Boche with his honest British skill,
As sure as the man who aims the bomb or the gunner who makes the kill.

And now a brief musical interlude…….

2 Replies

I seem to recall about 9 months or so ago I was contacted by Margaret, Secretary of the UK Association with a request as to whether we could find the lyrics to a song the boys in 75(NZ) Squadron sang to the tune of ‘Lili Marlene‘. At the time there seemed to be no suggestions as to what these lyrics might have been. I am pleased to now say that thanks to Keith and his eagle eyes regarding the latest newsletter from the New Zealand Bomber Command Association, we now have an answer. Perhaps, mercifully for anybody in earshot, I am not familiar enough with said tune to even give this a go, but perhaps somewhere, someone might be able to put these words to music……….

“The Lancs of Mepal”
(sung to the tune of Lili Marlene)

The Lancs of Mepal, they’re on their way,
Off to bomb the Jerries, they bomb them every day,
And when they wish to show their might,
They bomb the sods by day and night,
The Lancasters of Mepal, the Lancs of 75.

Off we go from briefing and leap into our kite,
Open up the throttles and roar into the night,
We’ve left the flare path far behind,
It’s bloody dark but we don’t mind,
The Lancasters of Mepal, the Lancs of 75.

There’s the bloody searchlights waving round the sky,
Not much ruddy power and not too bloody high,
I hope they don’t start shooting till we’re through,
They may get me and they may get you,
The Lancasters of Mepal, the Lancs of 75.

Now we’re through the target setting course for home,
Soon we’ll see the Sandra’s waving o’er the ‘drome,
That’s if we don’t go off the track,
And stop a crafty burst of flak,
The Lancasters of Mepal, the Lancs of 75.

Junkers off to starboard, Focke-Wulf off to port,
Gunners calls to skipper, range is getting short,
Prepare to corkscrew starboard, go,
We know our stuff and we’re not slow,
The Lancasters of Mepal, the Lancs of 75.

Now we’re in the circuit with a turn to land,
No intruders round us, ain’t it bloody grand,
We fooled the Hun once more tonight,
Dropped a load right on the Reich,
The Lancasters of Mepal, the Lancs of 75.

When the war is over and there’s no more ops to do,
We’ll think of all our pals,
The one’s who did not get through,
The pals who were with us through thick and thin,
That we one day the War would win,
The Lancasters of Mepal, the Lancs of 75

To continue the agony, here is a YouTube movie of images of Marlene Dietrich to the song ‘lili Marlene’ – I’ll admit it, I gave it a go and it didn’t seem to quite work………

I thank you…………….

Sywell Airshow 17th August – 2 Lancasters and hopefully some crews….

1 Reply

Pauline has contacted me regarding an upcoming event that might be of interest to readers and also perhaps, of interest to anybody who has the privilege of having a relative who flew in a Lancaster still with them.

“We have a biannual airshow at a local aerodrome and it’s on this year in aid of the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance. It is called the Sywell Great War Air Show. Along with the Red Arrows and other planes, display stands etc. the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be there, plus The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Lancaster so there will be 2 Lancasters flying on the day (which is August 17th)

My husband was talking to the Air Show Secretary earlier this week and she told him that they were hoping to get as many people as possible who flew in Lancasters to the show this year.

If anybody knows anyone who flew in Lancasters and is interested in attending they should contact the secretary, Kathy Putman at Sywell Aerodrome on 01604 491112″

Their address is:
Sywell Aerodrome,
Sywell,
Northamptonshire,
NN6 0BN

The website is http://www.sywellairshow.co.uk

Aircraft Database update 9th July 2014

1 Reply

Many thanks to Ian as always for his diligent work with the Squadron aircraft database, of which, a new update has just been uploaded!

View the Wellington records here.
View the Stirling records here.
View the Lancaster records here.

Arthur George Smith, Mid Upper Gunner – Crawford crew, 1944 – 1945

11 Replies

Many thanks to Pauline for contacting me regarding her Father, Arthur George ‘Mike’ Smith, Mid Upper Gunner with Bruce Crawford’s crew. As is often the case when a relative contacts me about a member of aircrew who served with the RAF, its an opportunity to add a christian and usually a middle name to the usual initials that exist within the RAF records for the Squadron. In addition to this small but nevertheless important extra piece of information that Pauline has supplied, she has also provided an additional and I believe, a significant new piece of information relating to the Lancasters that flew with the Squadron.

It has always been a considerable frustration, relative to other blogs and websites on other bomber squadrons, that the record of names and nose art for 75(NZ) Squadron aircraft seems to be so scant. Well, it would appear that we have a new one to add to our list – Lancaster Mk.III ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’ – the nose art seems to be a flag, the vertical pole clearly visible, but on closer inspection there also seems to be a horizontal bar with ties to the top of the flag. In the bottom left hand corner, its difficult to see if there is a small additional detail or perhaps just damage to the nose art owing to the crash. Additionally, its interesting to note 2 other things, firstly ND801 had racked up 85 Ops (perhaps this was number 86) and also that the bomb tallies clearly are made up of darker and lighter bomb silhouettes – I will stick my neck out at this point and hazard a guess that these possibly distinguish daylight and night Ops…..

The Crawford crew arrived at Mepal on the 21st of December 1944, from No.31 Base. 6 days later Roderick Crawford, the skipper, flew a familiarisation Op with Wylie Wakelin’s crew.

27.12.44 War Ops – Attack Against Rheydt.
F/L Wylie Wakelin and crew
Lancaster Mk.I ME751 AA-M
P/O Roderick Crawford as 2^nd Pilot.

The following day, the Crawford crew undertook their first Op.

28.12.44. War Ops – Attack Against Gremburg Marshalling Yards/ Cologne
Lancaster Mk III PB132 AA-X
F/O Roderick Bruce Crawford RNZAF NZ427551. Pilot
Sgt. Francis Geoffrey Boulton RAFVR. Navigator
Sgt. C. Bullock RAFVR. Air Bomber
Sgt. D. Scott RAFVR. Wireless Operator
Sgt. R. Allred RAFVR. Flight Engineer
Sgt. Arthur George Smith RAFVR. Mid Upper Gunner
Sgt. J. Tutty RAFVR. Rear Gunner

29.12.44. War Ops – Attack Against Koblenz
Lancaster Mk.I LM733 AA-R
Same crew

31.12.44. War Ops – Attack Against Vohwinkel
Lancaster Mk.III PB427 AA-U
Same crew

3.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Dortmynd Oil Refinery
Lancaster Mk.I HK562 AA-L
Same crew

5.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Ludwigshafen
Lancaster Mk.I HK601 JN-D
Same crew

6.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Neuss
Lancaster Mk.I PB761 AA-Y
Same crew

7.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Munich
Lancaster Mk.I ME751 AA-M
Same crew

11.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Krefeld
Lancaster Mk.I NG447 AA-T
Sgt. Scott is replaced by an airman, whose name is indecipherable from the Form541 records

13.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Saarbrucken.
Sgt. Bullock flies with Zinzan crew as A/B
Lancaster Mk.I HK562 AA-L

15.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Langendreer
Lancaster Mk.I NG447 AA-T
F/S C. Pratt Replaces flies with the crew as Wireless Operator – perhaps this is the same individual who flew the 11th of January Op to Krefeld with the crew.

16.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wanne Eickel
Lancaster Mk.I NG449 AA-T
Sgt. Scott returns to crew as Wireless Operator

28.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Cologne/Gremberg
Lancaster Mk.I NG449 AA-T
Same crew

29.1.45. War Ops – Attack Against Krefeld marshalling yards
Lancaster Mk.I ME450 AA-W
Same crew

1.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against München Gladbach
Lancaster Mk.I NG449 AA-T
Same crew

2.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Wiesbaden
Lancaster Mk.I NG449 AA-T
Same crew

3.2.45. War Ops – Attack Against Dortmund
Lancaster Mk III ND801 JN-X
Same crew

From ORB Form 541
‘No report. Aircraft crashed on landing. Pilot, Nav, W/Operator, Engineer and A/Bomber injured and in hospital. Prt. Outr. Failed prior to reaching target and overshot on landing. Camera completely wrecked.’

The inevitable destruction caused by a Lancaster when crash landing. Pauline, Arthur’s daughter comments ‘Apparently it ran into the garden of the houses at the end of the runway and killed the chickens in the hen house’. © Pauline Whittall

Additionally:
‘F/O Crawford & crew lost power in their port-outer engine just prior to reaching the target but completed their attack before returning home on three engines. However, on landing back at base at 21.47hrs, the aircraft undershot the approach and crashed heavily on the airfield. The Pilot, Nav, W/op, Engineer and Air Bomber all received injuries and were hospitalised‘.

It is difficult from the above description to understand the exact injuries listed to all of the crew except the gunners. One must assume all were relatively serious. Going through the Form 541 for the rest of 1945, there appears to have been the odd fill in for Sgt. Tutty and Arthur – however, particularly in Arthur’s case, with a name as common as Smith, in places his apparent presence on a crew list might be a typo. The Ops that might have included the 2 Crawford crew gunners are as follows and includes a commentary where appropriate. Their absence from regular Ops or even their arrival in new crews is perhaps not unusual, given by this point in the War, the Squadron was essentially ‘double crewed’ in each flight – as such, even if an airman wanted an Op it might have been difficult to find a space to fill………

8.3.45. War Ops – Attack on Dattlen
Lancaster Mk.I RF127 AA-W
Vernon Zinzan crew
Sgt. J. Tutty Rear Gunner.

9.3.45. War Ops – Attack on Dattlen
Lancaster Mk.III PB418 AA-C
Ronald Russell crew
Sgt. A. Smith Rear Gunner.

20.3.45. War Ops – Attack on Hamm Marshalling Yards
Lancaster Mk.I NF981 JN-K
Ronald Russell crew
Sgt. A. Smith Rear Gunner.

20.3.45. War Ops – Attack on Hamm Marshalling Yards
Lancaster Mk.I RF157 AA-X
Charlie Stevens crew
Sgt. J. Tutty Rear Gunner.

14.4.45. War Ops – Attack on Potsdam
Lancaster MK.X RF190 AA-F
Bob Milsom crew
A. Smith Rear Gunner*

11.5.45. War Ops – Repatriation of Prisoners of War at Juvincourt
Lancaster MK.X RF190 AA-F
Bob Milsom crew
A. Smith Rear Gunner*
*I suspect these 2 possible Ops are actually typos in the records, especially as the regular Rear Gunner for the Milsom crew was John ‘Ted’ Smith – and that on a subsequent Op Ted is listed as ‘D Smith’.

Perhaps the fitting end to Arthur’s and the Crawford crews story is that it does seem that they finally got to fly again as a crew, albeit without the original Navigator Sgt. Boulton, who we must therefore assume had injuries perhaps too severe to allow him to fly again.

26.5.45 – Viewing the effects of the Bombing Offensive
F/O Crawford, R.
P/O McGarry, J.
F/S Bullock, C.
F/S Scott, D.
Sgt. Allred, R.
Sgt. Smith, T.
Sgt. Tutty, J.
S/L Godfrey passenger
LAC Jones Passenger
LAC Baxter Passenger

Form 541 ends after this month, so it is impossible to know if Sgt. Boulton did finally get back to the crew, or if in fact, the Crawford crew ever flew again with 75(NZ) Squadron RAF.

Given the content of these images, and the discovery of, I believe, a new name and noseart, I would politely request anybody wishing to re-post or re-present these images on the web, please read the copyright section of this blog before doing so.

75(nz)squadron

About my father and the aircrews of 75(NZ) Squadron RAF – the largest online resource for 75(NZ) Squadron RAF in the world

Monthly Archives: July 2014

Bill Jordan’s visits to 75 (NZ) Squadron – 1942

Group portrait of the 75th New Zealand Bomber Squadron, 1942

Doetinchem (Loolaan) General Cemetery – Netherlands

Beesel Roman Catholic Cemetery – Netherlands

Colin Woonton, Navigator – Waugh crew and ND801’Astra’

Ben Wood, Pilot – a little more information

Borculo General Cemetery, Netherlands

Peter Carrie, Flight Engineer, Lukins crew – a new, wonderful story

Beesd General Cemetery – Netherlands

ND801 JN-X ‘Get Sum Inn’, 86 Ops – QED

Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey – United Kingdom

Rotterdam (Crooswijk) General Cemetery – Netherlands.

Letters from behind the wire – John McFarland, part I

City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, Manor Park, London – United Kingdom

Greenwich Cemetery (Charlton and Kidbrook), London – S/O Joan Marjorie Easton WAAF

120,000+ visits

THE LANCASTER: Britains Flying Past – Sunday, 9.30pm, BBC2.

Peter Walker

Ake Ake Kia Kaha

Request for information – Ronald Wynn Russell and crew, 1945

James ‘Jimmy Shaw – Pilot, 1945

The ‘Fitters’ Lament

And now a brief musical interlude…….

“The Lancs of Mepal”
(sung to the tune of Lili Marlene)

Sywell Airshow 17th August – 2 Lancasters and hopefully some crews….

Aircraft Database update 9th July 2014

Arthur George Smith, Mid Upper Gunner – Crawford crew, 1944 – 1945

Ake Ake Kia Kaha

“The Lancs of Mepal” (sung to the tune of Lili Marlene)

“The Lancs of Mepal”
(sung to the tune of Lili Marlene)