23/01/1943 – Attack Against Targets at Lorient
Nine aircraft were detailed to attack the above target with bombs of 1,000 lb. 500 lb. and 4 lb. incendiaries. This was a very successful and concentrated attack. All aircraft reported that their bombs were seen to fall in the target area. Large fires were seen to be lighting up the whole area. A fair amount of heavy, medium and light flak was encountered, only a few searchlights were seen. A few enemy aircraft were seen, but no combats took place. The weather was very clear at the target and good visibility. Navigation was by D.R., T.R., pinpoints and visual. Stirling I R9248 captained by Sergt. R.M.Kidd failed to return.
Stirling Mk.I R9248 AA-H
Sgt. Robert Miln Kidd, RNZAF NZ412700 – Pilot.
Sgt. James William Schofield, RAFVR 1088089 – Navigator.
Sgt. Bernard Torrance, RAFVR 1319178 – Air Bomber.
Sgt. Eric Berry, RAFVR 1380078 – Wireless Operator.
Sgt. Gilbert Frank Mitchell, RAFVR 1479975 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. James Edward Brewster, RAFVR 1035972 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. Peter Douglas Fowler, RAFVR 1320278 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off – – Landed –
Flight Time – Missing
Stirling Mk.I R9248 AA-H was hit by AA fire shortly after bombing, causing catastrophic damage. The captain attempted a crash landing at St Thégonnec (Finistère), about 8 miles South East of Morlaix, France. All but one of the crew died in the crash and were laid to rest in St Thegonnec Communal Cemetery. Sgt Kidd escaped slightly injured from the wreck and managed to evade capture.
F/S Robert Miln Kidd, RNZAF NZ412700 – Pilot.
Evader
After releasing the mines his Stirling was hit by flak and crashed at St. Thegonnec, Finistere, France. He successfully evaded capture and returned to the UK on 8th May 1943. He had baled out of his burning aircraft and landed unconscious in a ploughed field. He was successively missed by the German search parties. Local French people helped him with food, clothing and shelter and eventually arranged his journey through France and over the Pyrenees into Spain.
Date of return to United Kingdom: 8th of May 1943
Sgt. James William Schofield, RAFVR 1088089 – Navigator.
Killed age 33.
Husband of Ethel Dorothy Schofield, of Rock Ferry, Cheshire.
Buried St.Thegonnec Communal Cemetery, France..
Grave location – Plot 2. Row 1. Joint grave 5-6.
‘Darling husband of Ethel
“At rest, duty done”‘
Sgt. Bernard Torrance, RAFVR 1319178 – Air Bomber.
Killed age 19.
Son of Joseph and Pearl Tragonsky.
Buried St.Thegonnec Communal Cemetery, France..
Grave location – Plot 2. Row 1. Joint grave 5-6.
‘For I have kept
The ways of the Lord’
Sgt. Eric Berry, RAFVR 1380078 – Wireless Operator.
Killed age 20.
Son of William Berry and of Evelyn Berry, of Lowestoft, Suffolk.
Buried St.Thegonnec Communal Cemetery, France..
Grave location – Plot 2. Row 1. Grave 3.
‘Greater love
Hath no man than this,
That a man lay down
His life for his friends’
Sgt. Gilbert Frank Mitchell, RAFVR 1479975 – Flight Engineer.
Killed age 36.
Son of William and Adela Mitchell; Husband of Sybil Christine Mitchell, of Leicester.
Buried St.Thegonnec Communal Cemetery, France..
Grave location – Plot 2. Row 1. Grave 1.
‘In loving remembrance
Of my dear husband’
Sgt. James Edward Brewster, RAFVR 1035972 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Killed age 21.
Son of Russell and Lilian Brewster, of West Cornforth, Co. Durham.
Buried St.Thegonnec Communal Cemetery, France..
Grave location – Plot 2. Row 1. Grave 2.
‘His memory
Is our greatest treasure,
Always in our thoughts.
Pop and Lil’
Sgt. Peter Douglas Fowler, RAFVR 1320278 – Rear Gunner.
Killed age 19.
Son of George Alfred and Kathleen Ann Fowler, of Tolworth, Surbiton, Surrey.
Buried St.Thegonnec Communal Cemetery, France..
Grave location – Plot 2. Row 1. Grave 4.
‘At rest’
75(nz)squadron 