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Compilation Alan Storr 2006 The information appearing in this compilation is derived from the collections of the Australian War Memorial and the National Archives of Australia.
Author : Alan Storr Alan was born in Melbourne Australia in 1921. He joined the RAAF in October 1941 and served in the Pacific theatre of war. He was an Observer and did a tour of operations with No 7 Squadron RAAF (Beauforts), and later was Flight Navigation Officer of No 201 Flight RAAF (Liberators). He was discharged Flight Lieutenant in February 1946.
He has spent most of his Public Service working life in Canberra – first arriving in the National Capital in 1938. He held senior positions in the Department of Air (First Assistant Secretary) and the Department of Defence (Senior Assistant Secretary), and retired from the public service in 1975.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Melbourne University) and was a graduate of the Australian Staff College, ‘Manyung’, Mt Eliza, Victoria.
He has been a volunteer at the Australian War Memorial for 21 years doing research into aircraft relics held at the AWM, and more recently research work into RAAF World War 2 fatalities.
He has written and published eight books on RAAF fatalities in the eight RAAF Squadrons serving in RAF Bomber Command in WW2.
He is a member of Canberra Legacy.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Author acknowledges and thanks Kerrie Leech, currently Curator, Private Records, at the Australian War Memorial, for the great contribution she has made ensuring compatibility between my laptop and an AWM computer, so that research material on my laptop can be downloaded, and for her expertise in solving any computer problem that has arisen during the project. Without her contribution, the project would not have got off the ground.
Alan Storr. A WW2 photo of the Author
REFERENCE SOURCES :
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour Print Outs.
AWM 237 (65) RAAF WW2 Fatalities by Squadrons
AWM 237 (63) Airmen and (64) Officers : Register of Deaths and Burials of RAAF Personnel who died on service 1939-1947
AWM 65 ( ) Citations held by Australian War Memorial
(NAA) National Australian Archives at East Block, Canberra :: Series A705 RAAF WW2 Casualty files. Series A9300 and A9301 RAAF Members WW2 Service records files.
Micro Film No 463 OAFH ) Office of RAAF Air Force History.
Veteran Affairs Nominal Roll 1939-1947 RAAF members .
Commonwealth War Graves records.
RAAF WW2 POW Files held at the Australian War Memorial : File Ref Series A54 File 779/3/129, Parts 1 to 30.
W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Volumes 1939 to 1947.
Michael Maton : DFC’s for Australians in World War 2
Ian Tavender : DFM Registers for WW2 Volumes 1 and 2.
SECOND WORLD WAR OVERVIEW : ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE
The Royal Australian Air Force was expanding when war broke put, having 12 Squadrons formed, or in the process of forming. Most were located in Australia, but Australian airmen would end up serving in every theatres of war.
At the outbreak of war, 10 Squadron RAAF was in Britain collecting Sunderland flying boats purchased by the RAAF. The squadron was offered to Britain to serve as part of the Royal Air Force Coastal Command, flying anti-submarine patrols over the Atlantic Ocean for the duration of the war. 11 Squadron was stationed at Port Moresby with Catalina flying boats, flying long-range reconnaissance patrols over northern Australia and north of Papua New Guinea. In 1940, 3 Squadron was posted to the Middle East as an army co-operation squadron with the Australian Imperial Force, but became a fighter squadron.
Plans had been made to raise and send more squadrons overseas but the Australian Government then signed up to the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS), under which the Royal Australian, New Zealand and Canadian Air Forces would train aircrews to be loaned to the Royal Air Force. Most would serve in British squadrons, though some would be posted to ‘Article XV’, or ‘400-series’squadrons. These squadrons were raised by the RAF but with their nationality officially recognised – for instance 460 Squadron RAAF, to which the famous Lancaster G for George at the Australian War Memorial belonged. Many aircrews who survived their tours of duty returned to Australia to serve in RAAF Squadrons as instructors.
Training of EATS recruits took place in Australia, Canada, Rhodesia and Britain. By war’s end almost 40,000 Australians had been sent overseas under this scheme., serving in Europe, the Middle East, Burma and other places. Many men in Australia and overseas died in training accidents. Many who graduated from courses flew with Bomber Command, which had the highest operational loss rate of any British Commonwealth force in the war. The RAAF also sent ground crews to serve in most of the Article XV squadrons (as well as 3 and 10 Squadrons), most serving up to four years service overseas. Hundreds of RAAF members became prisoners of war in Germany and Italy, as well as a smaller number in the Far East.
The majority of RAAF personnel remained in Australia. The massive expansion of the forces required extensive administration, training, supply and maintenance services, and there was also a strong commitment to ‘home defence’, so many men and most women who volunteered for the RAAF never got a chance to serve overseas. To assist in meeting the demand for manpower within Australia, the RAAF formed the Women’s Australian Auxiliary Air Force in 1941, recruiting women to serve in administrative roles and to perform routine maintenance on aircraft, serving alongside men, in non-operational units (mostly training establishments) in Australia.
In 1940, the RAAF sent three squadrons to Malaya; in 1941 these were joined by an Article XV squadron, 453, raised at Bankstown, New South Wales, along with some EATS graduates posted to British squadrons. They were the first to see action against Japanese forces.About 200 RAAF men, mostly ground staff, were taken prisoner by the Japanese. By the end of 1942, RAAF squadrons also had seen extensive operational service in northern Australia, the Netherlands East Indies and Papua New 2.
Guinea. Other squadrons flew anti-submarine patrols over the shipping lanes around Australia. .
The majority of RAAF personnel who saw active service served in these campaigns against Japan. A few had previously served in Europe or the Middle East. Along with flying squadrons, RAAF members served in various supporting units including headquarters, supply depots, communications flights, medical aerial evacuation units, radar stations and airfield construction squadrons – some of the latter two types of units serving in the Philippines in 1945 with American forces. The RAAF also played a part in the repatriation of prisoners of war at the end of the war. The only RAAF servicewomen to see active service were members of the RAAF Nursing Service.
Source : Veteran’s Affairs World War 2 Nominal Roll
Note : There were 11,061 RAAF fatalities in World War 2.. (Australian War Memorial Fact Sheet No 19 refers).*
comprising 5,117 fatalities in RAAF members attached to RAF (primarily) or in some instances other Air Forces (Source : Count of fatalities in AWM 237 (62) Register of Deaths. and 5,944 fatalities in RAAF Squadrons and support units..
* Source AWM 148 Roll of Honour cards, RAAF, Second World War.
467 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 21 December 1942
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (64) W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 285, Volume 1942.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: W 4191 Radio call sign: EM – Q Unit: 207 Sqn RAF
Summary: Lancaster W 4191 of 207 Sqn RAF took off from RAF Langar at 1715 hours on the night of 21/22nd December 1942 to bomb Munich, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base.
Crew: RAF Sgt J R Walker, Captain (Pilot) RNZAF FO Bannerman, D R (2nd Pilot) * RAF Sgt H Bates (Navigator Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt P C Hind (Navigator Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt G J Bentley, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt C A Davey, (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt G J Dean (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft was shot down by a night fighter and crashed at 0002 hours on 22 December at Elst (Ultrecht), 20kms south east of Amersfoort, Holland). All the crew were killed and they are buried in the Ould Leusden General Cemetery, Holland.
* FO Bannerman (RNZAF) was a member of 467 Sqn RAAF who had been selected for operations that evening with 207 Sqn. Bannerman was the first WW2 casualty of 467Sqn. Two others from FO Bannerman’s crew in 467 Sqn were also selected to fly that evening with other 207 Sqn crews. Sgt Lee (Flight Engineer) completed a successful operation and returned from the mission, whilst Sgt Gibson (Navigator) did not take off on the mission the plane being U/S Sgt P C Hind (RAF) was an Australian serving in the RAF.
1 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 8 January 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) Commonwealth War Grave records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 16 Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 367 Radio call sign: PO – H Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED 367 took off from RAF Bottesford at 1726 hours on the night of 7/8th January 1943 to bomb Duisberg. Two aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and ED 367 failed to return. Crew: RCAF PO A M Wark, Captain (Pilot) RCAF Flt Sgt D H B Powell, (Navigator) RCAF Flt Sgt R B Hanbridge, (Bomb Aimer) RCAF Flt Sgt S V Woyce, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt E J C Florey (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt J W Humphries (Mid Upper Gunner) RCAF Flt Sgt H A Horton (Rear Gunner)
Post war searches and enquiries failed to find any trace of the missing aircraft or crew. The names of the crew are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing at Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
PO Wark and crew were the first crew of the Squadron reported missing in WW2.
2 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 16 January 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 360 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED360 took off from RAf Bottesford at 1629 hours on the night of 16/17th January , one of nine aircraft from the Squadron detailed to bomb Berlin. ED360 successfully completed the mission and landed at 2354 hours.In his mission report the Captain Flt Lt Thiele stated “ Sortie completed. Numerous fires seen. Owing to the Rear Gunner being unconscious we were unable to identify the target but dropped the load on to a built up area. Opposition moderate but not as hot as expected.
Crew: RNZAF Flt Lt Thiele, DFC Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt Bovis, (Navigator) RAF Sgt Metaclfe, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt Sheekey, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt Gillman, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt Everard, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt Broemeling, (Rear Gunner)
In was further reported in the Squadron ORB“ Broemeling evidently had trouble with his oxygen mask and had to use the spare one which didn’t apparently function properly. As a result nothing was heard from him and on investigation he was found to be unconscious. Flt Lt Thiele with great courage dived the aircraft down to a low height in the hope of reviving Sgt Broemeling and as this did not succeed he put George into action and personally carried him from the rear turret to the pilots seat, no mean feat in a Lancaster, and all the crew continuously applied artificial respiration but to no avail. On arrival at Base the aircraft was met by an ambulance and Medical Officer. The M.O pronounced Broemeling’s life was extinct.”
3 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 18 January 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) Commonwealth War Grave Records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses in the Second World War : Page 23, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: W 4378 Radio call sign: PO – N Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster W4378 took off from RAF Bottesford, Leicestershire, UK at 1705 hours on the night of 17/18th January 1943 to bomb Berlin. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base. Eight aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission, and one of these W4378 failed to return.
Crew: RNZAF Sgt K R Aicken, Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt W J Carter, (Flight Engineer) RAF PO Truscott, T O (Navigator) RAF Sgt C S H Morley, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt F Hanson, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt A P Smith, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt F Logie, (Rear Gunner)
Post war enquiries found no trace of the missing aircraft or crew and the names of the seven crew members are recorded on the Memorial to the Missing at Runnymede, Surrey, UK. Sgt Aicken and crew were the second crew of the Squadron reported missing in WW2.
4 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 19 February 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) Commonwealth War Grave records W R Chorley ; RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 47, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LD 529 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LD529 took off from RAF Bottesford at 1755 hours on the night of 19/20th February, 1943 to bomb Wilhelmshaven, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take and it failed to return to base. Five aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission and two failed to return.
Crew: RAF Sgt H B Vine, Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt R Sinden, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt K Westhorpe, (Navigator) RAF Sgt J McKee, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt D A Booth, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt R Haslam, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt C Wignall (Rear Gunner)
Post war enquiries found no trace of the missing aircraft or crew, and the names of the seven crew members are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
5 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 19 February 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) Commonwealth War Grave Records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses in the Second World War : Page 47, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 525 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED525 took off from RAF Bottesford at 1757 hours on the night of 19/20th February 1943 to bomb Wilhelmshaven, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base. Five aircraft from the squadron took part in the raid and two of these failed to return.
Crew: RAF Flt Lt Mitchie, J B Captain (Pilot) RCAF FO Komaiko, W K (Navigator) RAF Sgt J S Turner, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt G McLoughlin, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt R Bailey, (Flight Engineer) RCAF Sgt H L Brown, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt R A J King, (Rear Gunner)
Post war enquiries found no trace of the missing aircraft or crew, and the names of the seven crew members are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
6 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 25 February 1943.
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (63) (64) Commonwealth War Graves Records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 50 Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 526 Radio call sign: PO – J Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED526 took off from RAF Bottesford at 1946 hours on the night of 25/26th February 1943 to bomb Nurnberg, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base. Eight aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these ED526 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 405189 WO M P Stewart, Captain (Pilot) RAAF 401196 Flt Lt Rowcroft, O G (Navigator) RAF Sgt E O’Kane, (Bomb Aimer) RCAF WO R S Woolley, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt R. McK Wylie (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt R Wiggins, (Mid Upper Gunner) RCAF WO J B L Larin, (Rear Gunner)
Following post war enquiries and investigations, it was established that the aircraft crashed near Wisendorf on the 25 February 1943, presumably as a result of enemy action. Wisendorf is approx. 20 miles north west of Nurnberg.
Flt Lt Rowcroft who was the Squadron Navigation Officer, took on the task of Navigator at the last minute when the regular navigator of the crew became unavailable.
The crew of seven were all killed and they are buried in the Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany. Durnbach is a village 16kms east of Bad Tolz, a town 48kms south of Munich.
7 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 11 March 1943.
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 64 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/27/63. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 73, Volume 1943. Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 523 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancster ED523 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2011 hours on the night of 11/12th March 1943 to bomb Stuttgart, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 1060 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base. Eight aircraft from the squadron took part in the raid and one of these ED523 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 405131 PO Mant, G S Captain (Pilot) RAAF 403058 FO Lietke, J (Navigator) RAF Flt Lt Davis, V G T (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 404884 Flt Sgt G H Millett, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt J J Rider, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 420441 Sgt G R Castle, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Flt Sgt A E Spencer, (Rear Gunner)
It was subsequently established that PO Mant and Flt Sgt Millett (RAAF) had been killed in the crash, and that the other five crew members were POW’s. In a report by Sgt Castle (a POW) he stated “The aircraft was hit by flak on completion of the bombing run The main fuel tank caught fire and the crew were ordered by the Captain to abandon the aircraft. All acknowledged the order. The Pilot and the WAG were killed. I baled out at approx 10,000 feet. The aircraft crashed near Stuttgart.”
The two RAAF members killed in the crash are interred in the Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany. Durnbach is a village 16kms east of Bad Tolz, a town 48kms south of Munich.
8 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 3 April 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 92, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 524 Radio call sign: PO – T Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED524 took off from RAF Bottesford at 1934 hours on the night of 3/4th April 1943 to bomb Essen, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 22 x 30lb and 830 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base. Fourteen aircraft from the squadron took part in the raid and one of these ED524 failed to return.
Crew: RAF Sqn Ldr Paape, A M DFC and Bar Captain (Pilot) RAF FO North, H (Navigator) RAF Sgt D J Robinson, (BombAimer) RAF FO Dring, T DFC (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RCAF Sgt L T Fulcher, (Flight Engineer) RAF FO Stewart, J M AFM (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt W Johnson, (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed in the target area and that all the crew were killed. They are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. Sqn Ldr Paape was at the time OC ‘B’ Flight of the Squadron.
9 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 10 April 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 64 (1/433) AWM 237 (64) Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Serial number: Radio call sign: Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: No 403811 FO R R Hely, RAAF of 467 Sqn, who was detached to RAF Sutton Bridge was reported killed in a flying accident on 10 April 1943. He had been taking a Gunnery Leaders Course. Before being detached for the course, he had flown as a member of Sqn Ldr Paapes crew.
FO Hely is buried in the Wyton & Houghton Cemetery, UK. The cemetery is 2.5kms east of Huntingdon and 1.5kms west of St Ives, Huntingdonshire.
10 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 17 April1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (63) NAA : A705, 166/38/98 Commonwealth War Graves records W R Chorley, RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 117, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 780 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED780 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2133 hours on the night of 16/17 April 1943 to bomb the Skoda Works at Pilsen, Czechoslavia. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Sixteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission and two of these including ED780 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 406702 Flt Sgt R C Stuart, Captain (Pilot) RAF FO McNair, B R DFC (Navigator) RAF Sgt A F McDonald, (Bomb Aimer) RNZAF Sgt R C Anderson (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Flt Sgt T Martin, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 405819 Flt Sgt P L Boase, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Flt Sgt R J Johnson, (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that all the crew were killed and they are interred in the Poix (Somme) Churchyard, France. Poix is a small town 28kms south west of Ameins.
11 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 17 April 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) NAA : A9301 Barcode 5541053 Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 117, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 651 Radio call sign: PO – Y Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED651 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2125 hours on the night of 16/17th April 1943 to bomb the Skoda Works at Pilsen, Czechoslavia. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base. Sixteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission and two of these including ED651 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 408545 Sgt B C Wilson, Captain (Pilot) RAF PO Stitt, R (Navigator) RAF PO Boswell, J F (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt H F Goode, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt R H Pallender, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt R Dunne, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt W W Bannatyne (Rear Gunner)
It was subsequently established that three of the crew had been killed in the crash viz : Sgt Pallender Sgt Dunne and Sgt Bannatyne and they are interred in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany. The remaining four crew members became POW’s, but Sgt Goode who was injured in the crash died of his injuries on 23 April 1943. He also is buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany. In a statement by Sgt Wilson (POW) he reported “The aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter after being coned. The left inner port wing on fire and central section. Partly damaged controls. Ordered crew to crash positions and carried out a crash landing. I believe the two gunners Sgts Dunne and Bannatyne were killed by the fighter attack. The Engineer Sgt Pallender was apparently killed in the landing. Sgt Goode died of burns in the hospital. PO Stitt, Boswell and self were injured. The aircraft crashed near Cologne.”
12 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 1 May 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losse of the Second World War : Page 130, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 771 Radio call sign: PO – E Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED771 took off from RAF Bottesford at 0022 hours on the night of 30th April / 1st May 1943 to bomb Essen, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 1080 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Sixteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these ED771 failed to return.
Crew: RAF Flt Lt Craigie, R A Captain (Pilot) RAF FO Capron, R H (Navigator) RAF PO Phillips, J G (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt G H Edwards, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt W T Fair, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt J A Proctor, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt T D Peat, (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft was hit by flak and crashed at 0315 hours on 1st May at Harderwijk, Holland (Gelderland). Three of the crew became POW’s viz : Flt Lt Craigie, PO Phillips, and Sgt Fair, and the remaining four crew members were killed. They are buried in the Harderwijk (Gelderland) General Cemetery, Holland. Harderwijk is on the shore of the Zuidersee, and is 42kms north east of Utrecht and 45kms north west of Appeldoom, Holland.
13 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 14 May 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (64) NAA : A705, 166/27/125 Commonwealth War Graves records. WR Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of thye Second World War, Page 150, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 543 Radio call sign: PO – H Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED543 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2137 hours on the night of 13/14th May 1943 to bomb the Skoda Works at Pilsen, Czechoslavakia. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 10 x 500lb MC bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these ED543 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 416223 PO Mahoney, K E Captain (Pilot) RAF PO Heard, E F H (Navigator) RAF Sgt W G Berry, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt M B Squires, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt B G Hickling, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt H W Cox, (Mid Upper Gunner) RCAF Sgt B L Haley, (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed as a result of enemy action near the village of Damme during the early hours of 14th May. The aircraft exploded on impact when it hit the ground. All the crew were killed and they are interred in the Hanover War Cemetery, Germany.
14 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 26 May 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (63) NAA : A705, 166/32/115 Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 164, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 768 Radio call sign: PO – N Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED768 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2341 hours on the night of 25/26th May 1943 to bomb Dusseldorf, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 16 x 30lb, 835 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Twenty aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid, and two of these including ED768 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 409274 Flt Sgt J M Parsons, Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt J P Egan (Navigator) RAF Sgt N J Vaulkhard, (Bomb Aimer) RCAF Sgt J F Selman, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt B S Spencer (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt E A Hunt, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt T Chalmers, (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed at Gravenwezel (Antwerpen), 11kms east north east of the centre of Antwerp, Belgium. Three of the crew, Flt Sgt Parsons, Sgt Spencer and Sgt Chalmers were killed and the other four crew members became POW’s. Those killed are buried in the Schoonselhof Cemetery, Antwerp, Belgium. Antwerp lies 57kms north of Brussels, and the cemetery is located at Wiljirk a suburb of Antwerp.
15 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 26 May 1943 Source: AWM 64 (1/426) NAA : A705, 166/22/69. Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : page 164, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 695 Radio call sign: PO – J Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: LancasterED695 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2336 hours on the night of 25/26th May 1943 to bomb Dusseldorf, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 16 x 30lb, 835 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Twenty aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including ED695 failed to return. Crew: RAAF 6157 FO Giddey, R S Captain (Pilot) RAF PO Collins, P R (Navigator) RAF Sgt W V Morris (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt R J Avann, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 9430 Sgt S G Keirs, (Flight Engineer) RCAF Sgt A F Birbeck, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF PO Langhorne, K R (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that two of the crew Sgt Birbeck and PO Langhorne were killed in the crash, and the remaining five crew members were POW’s. In a statement by the then WO Keirs (POW) he reported “We were shot down by a fighter. Extensive damage to all motors and tanks. The Captain ordered ditching drill – drill carried out. All the crew acknowledged orders as far as I can remember. The aircraft was out of control for a few minutes only. Aircraft crashed in flames – it had burst into flames when hit. When I emerged from the aircraft I found only four others of the crew out. The mid upper gunner Sgt Birbeck (RCAF) and the rear gunner whose name I have forgotten must have still been in the aircraft which was burning fiercely – we attempted to approach but could not get near aircraft because of heat – ammunition began to explode and became dangerous – we had to leave. As near as I can say the aircraft crashed about 10 miles south of Dan Holder in Holland. We crash landed on a beach. Captured 3 days later by a flak unit. Sgt Avann and PO Collins captured nearby.” The two crew members killed are buried in the Bergen General Cemetery. Bergen is on the coast 6kms north west of Alkmaar and 43kms NNW of Amsterdam, Holland.
16 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 28 May 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/9/64. Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 168, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 504 Radio call sign: PO – K Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED504 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2159 hours on the night of 27/28th May 1943 to bomb Essen, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 40 x 30lb, 560 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return. Twenty-one aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid, and one of these ED504 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 406641 Flt Lt Desmond, J M Captain (Pilot) RAF PO Cribbin, G (Navigator) RAF PO Lockwood, J N (Bomb Aimer) RAF Flt Sgt G F Paddon, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt E S Davis, (Flight Engineer) RAF PO Cazaly, C K (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 405217 PO Ryalls, J R (Rear Gunner)
Following post war enquiries it was established that the aircraft crashed during the early hours of 28 May 1943 near Barlo approx 8 miles north of Rocholt. The aircraft exploded on impact and all the crew were killed. The crash followed a fierce combat with an enemy night fighter which according to reports was so badly damaged that it crashed in Holland. All the crew are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.
17 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 11 June 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (63) NAA : A705, 163/178/364. Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 180, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 304 Radio call sign: PO - C Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED304 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2316 hours on the night of 11/12 June 1943 to bomb Dussledorf, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission and two including ED304 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 401083 Flt Sgt B F Wilmot, Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt T W Hill, (Navigator) RAF Sgt K T White, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 412114 Sgt W N Cross, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt A Macdonald, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt W J Fraser, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt W Calvert (Rear Gunner)
Following post war enquiries and investigations no trace of the missing aircraft or crew was found. The names of the missing crew members are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
18 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 12 June 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/3/201 Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 180, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: W 4983 Radio call sign: PO – Z Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster W 4983 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2225 hours on the night of 11/12th June 1943 to bomb Dusseldorf, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and the aircraft failed to return to base. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission and two of these including W4983 failed to return.
Crew: RAF Sqn Ldr McKenzie, D C DFC Captain (Pilot) RAAF 40040 Sqn Ldr Ambrose, B S (2nd Pilot) RAF PO Bovis, D C (Navigator) RAF Sgt A D Moore (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 408779 FO Pietsch, L (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt J F McLuskey, (Flight Engineer) RAF Flt Lt Betts, L R (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 420614 Flt Sgt J B Donohoe, (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed near the railway station at Rosenthal, situated 2 miles north of Burgelin presumably as a result of enemy action. All the crew were killed and they are buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany. Rheinberg is 24kms north of Krefeld and 13kms south west of Wesel. The cemetery is 3kms from the centre of the town of Rheinberg. Note : The date of death of Flt Sgt Donohoe is recorded in AWM 237 (63) as 11 June 1943.
19 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 17 June 1943 Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (64) NAA : A705 : A705,166/21/41. Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 190, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 737 Radio call sign: PO – F Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster ED737 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2215 hours on the night of 16/17th June 1943 to bomb Cologne, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Eleven aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission and one of these ED737 failed to return. Crew: RAAF 414290 Flt Sgt J F Binnie, DFM Captain (Pilot) RNZAF FO Smith, J M (2nd Pilot) RAF Sgt R L Godden, (Navigator) RAF Sgt K M Taylor (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 400415 F O Joseph, G H (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt N M Turnbull, (Flight Engineer) RCAF Sgt E V Doan (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt E Lancake, (Rear Gunner)
There were three who survived the crash and became POW’s, Flt Sgt Binnie, Sgt Doan and Sgt Lancake. In a report Flt Sgt Binnie stated “ The aircraft was attacked at 12.53am on 17 June 1943 from below by a night fighter. The first burst set certain of the engines on fire and killed the Bomb Aimer. After the second burst the aircraft began to get out of control and the intercom was U/S. I gave the abandon order but that was not acknowledged. Two members of the crew had baled out at 20,000 feet and then the hatch jammed and the remainder of the crew were unable to bale out. Finally the aircraft blew up and I was blown clear.” A post war report by a Missing Research and Enquiry Team stated that an aircraft between 1am and 2am was on fire in mid air and exploded crashing on houses in the village of Oberkruechten, and that several civilians had been killed. The aircraft carried no bombs and the wreck had been removed by the Germans. The five crew members who were killed in the crash are buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany. Rheinberg is 24kms north of Krefeld and 13kms south west of Wesel. The cemetery is 3kms from the centre of the town of Rheinberg.
20 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 29 June 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (63) NAA : A705, 166/15/68 Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 216, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 363 Radio call sign: PO – E Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED363 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2251 hours on the night of 28/29th June 1943 to bomb Cologne, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Twenty aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid, and one ED363 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 415132 Flt Sgt R I Gates, Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt H H Mooney, (Navigator) RAF Sgt E Pike, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt B H Dolby, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt G R S Gayless, (Flight Engineer) RCAF Sgt T W J Copeland, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt J G Hole (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft was shot down by a night fighter and crashed at 0130 hours at the hamlet of Hatenboer (Limburg), 3kms south west of Roermond, Holland. Two of the crew survived the crash and became POW’s – Sgt Pike and Sgt Dolby. Sgt Pike reported that “When I left the aircraft Sgt Gates was unhurt and preparing to leave the aircraft. I have no further news.” Sgt Dolby reported “I regret to say I have no further news concerning Gates except that he was still at the controls when I left at about 17,000 feet”. Sgt Gates is recorded as having no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing at Runnymede, Surrey, UK. The other four crew members who were killed are buried in the Jonkerbos War Cemetery. The cemetery is in the south west part of the town of Nijmegen, Holland.
21 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 12 July 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/27/169. Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 531 Radio call sign: PO – T Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED531 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2249 hours on the night of 12/13th July 1943 to bomb Turin, Italy. Nothing further was heard from the aircraft and it failed to return to base. Eighteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and of these three including ED531 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 416693 FO Mitchell, G D Captain (Pilot) RAAF 414737 FO St George, H R (Navigator) RAF FO Morgan, W H (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 409844 Flt Sgt J M Maher, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt B K H Evans, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 414193 Flt Sgt H B Bolger, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 19117 Flt Sgt A D Terry, (Rear Gunner)
Advice was later received from the British Consul General at Baale in Switzerland that the aircraft had crashed at Sion on the night of 12/13th July 1943, and that crew of seven had been killed and were buried at the British War Cemetery, Vevey, Switzerland. Vevey is located on the northern shore of Lake Geneva (also known as Lake Lehman) close to the eastern end of the lake.
22 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 13 July 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (64) NAA : A9300, Barcode 5380531. Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 311 Radio call sign: PO – L Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LM311 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2248 hours on the night of 12/13th July 1943 to bomb Turin, Italy. Eighteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and three of these including LM311 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 415117 PO Chapman, C A Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt A E Michaels, (Navigator) RAF Sgt N C Smith (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt P Donlevy (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt J Greenwood (Flight Engineer) RAF Flt Sgt W Bruce (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt W S Buchanan (Rear Gunner)
During the mission the aircraft had been severely damaged forward of the tail section and when on return to base the flaps were lowered in readiness for landing a structural failure occurred and the aircraft broke into two sections. It crashed a short distance from the drome and all on board were killed. PO Chapman is buried in the Oxford (RAF Cemetery) North Hinksey, Berkshire.UK and the other six crew members buried in their home towns throughout England and Scotland. Sgt Greenwood : Mankinholes Methodist Chapel Yard, Yorkshire. Sgt Michaels : Glasgow (St Kentigerns) Roman Catholic Cemetery, Glasgow. Sgt Smith : Edinburgh (Newington or Echo Bank) Cemetery, Edinburgh. Sgt Donlevy : Dalkeith New Cemetery, Midlothian, Scotland. Flt Sgt Bruce : Falkirk Cemetery, Stirlingshire, Scotland. Sgt Buchanan : Glasgow (Cardonald) Cemetery, Glasgow.
23 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 13 July 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses in the Second World War, Page 229, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: JA 676 Radio call sign: PO – B Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster JA676 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2242 hours on the night of 12/13th July 1943 to bomb Turin, Italy. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bombs, 80 x 30lb and 900 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base. Eighteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and three of these including JA676 failed to return.
Crew: RAF Flt Lt Gibbs, R W A Captain (Pilot) RAF FO Norris, S C (Navigator) RAF FO Pearce, J E (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt J Banks, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt E A Roper, (Flight Engineer) RAF PO Tate, S (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt D A Chisholm (Rear Gunner)
Past war searches found no trace of the missing aircraft or crew. The names of the seven crew members are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
24 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Crash : 17 July 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 234, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 538 Radio call sign: PO – O Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED538 took off from RAF Bottesford on the night of 16/17th July 1943 to bomb Cislago, Italy and land at a forward base in North Africa. Five aircraft of the Squadron were selected to carry out this mission.
Crew: RAAF 401980 FO Blocke, H Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt H Hassall, (Navigator) RAF Sgt F F Townsend, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt L Butler (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt W G Holt (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt A C F Brown (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt T Munro, (Rear Gunner)
ED538 made a crash landing at the forward air base. The aircraft was a write off but no injuries were reported. In a subsequent report the Captain said “Bombed Cisago. Sortie completed. R/T u/s. Bombed Spezia (docks and sub building yards) – north east end of harbour from 14,000 feet at 0443 hours. 13 x 500lb 180 x 4lb. Started two large fires. Predicted flak fairly large amounts at 14,000. Landed at Mouzanaville, North Africa. Crashed through petrol shortage”.
25 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 17 July 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) NAA : A705, 166/7/183 Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 194 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED194 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2236 hours on the night of 16/17 July 1943 to bomb Cislago, Italy and then land at a forward base in North Africa. Five aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission.
Crew: RAAF 412391 Flt Lt Carmichael, R Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt A E Murray, (Navigator) RAF Sgt N E Burgess (Bomb Aimer) RAF FO Bilney, R T J (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 14472 Sgt L Saunders, (Flight Engineer) RCAF Sgt C M Niven, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt C H Hodges, (Rear Gunner)
The aircraft landed at 0916 hours on the 17 July at the forward base in North Africa. The Captain report on the mission was as follows : “Sortie completed. Clear no cloud. Bombed target from 2600 feet at 0400 hours, 13 x 500lb bombs and 180 x 4lb incendiaries. Our bombs straddled transformer house and two bombs seen to explode thereon. Trip would have been uneventful but for delay in finding target. Good trip over but while waiting for rest to bomb we were attacked by a JU88. It made five attacks and was eventually evaded by flying at tree level down moon. The navigator (Sgt Murray RAF) was killed on the fifth attack. Aircraft badly shot up but managed to make Blida in straight line. Crew behaved well under fire.”
26 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 28 July 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (64) NAA : A705, 166/7/156. Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: W 5003 Radio call sign: PO – H Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster W5003 took of from RAF Bottesford at 2234 hours on the night of 27/28th July 1943 to bomb Hamburg, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb, 2 x 500lb bombs, 48 x 30lb and 900 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Eighteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including W5003 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 413167 PO Carrington, J L Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt M W R King, (Navigator) RAF Sgt H V Hawkins, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt W Green (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt E C Brookes (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt H Bradley, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt S. Drake, (Rear Gunner)
In a 1946 report by the Missing Research & Enquiry Service it was stated “ The aircraft was attacked by a night fighter near Heide, Germany, when heading north west from Hamburg, height about 15,000 feet. Sgt Brookes who managed to escape by chute came down near Neuenkirchen where he was captured. Sgt Drake another member was also captured. The aircraft exploded in mid air and the other occupants being killed instantly.” The five crew members killed are buried at Hamburg Cemetery, Ohlsdorf, Germany.
27 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 28 July 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/6/214. Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War , Page 247 Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: W 4946 Radio call sign: PO – U Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster W4946 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2300 hours on the night of 27/28th July 1943 to bomb Hamburg, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb, 2 x 500lb bombs, 48 x 30lb and 900 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Eighteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including W4946 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 405998 PO Buchanan, J T Captain (Pilot) RAAF 415245 PO Gibbons, A L (Navigator) RAAF 414351 Flt Sgt R P Holmes, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 414798 PO Hoffman, K H (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt G C Peggs, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 408307 Flt Sgt D E E Dean, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 417416 Flt Sgt R G Reu, (Rear Gunner)
Following post war enquiries it was believed that the aircraft was shot down by a night fighter and crashed in the sea off Terschelling, and all the crew were killed.
PO Buchanan, PO Gibbons and PO Hoffman are buried in the Terschelling (West Terschelling) General Cemetery. Terschelling is one of the Frisian Islands and lies off the north coast of Holland. West Terschelling is the main village on the island.
Flt Sgt Reu is buried in the Vlieland General Cemetery. Vlieland is also one of the Frisian Islands off the north coast of Holland. The cemetery is on the north-west outskirts of Oost-Vlieland about half a mile from the Quay.
The remaining three crew members are missing and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
28 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 30 July 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (63) (64) A705, 166/32/152. Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 251, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 534 Radio call sign: PO – R Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED534 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2306 hours on the night of 29/30th July 1943 to bomb Hamburg, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Sixteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one ED534 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 414118 Flt Sgt R W Park, Captain (Pilot) RAAF 414992 Flt Sgt J R Chapman, (Navigator) RAAF 422243 Flt Sgt M J McMahon (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 409478 Flt Sgt R C McBean, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt G Hopkins, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 420566 Flt Sgt H O Hillier, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 414080 Flt Sgt D A Reid, (Rear Gunner)
Following post war enquiries it was established that the aircraft crashed at Ahrensfelde with a full bomb load on board and exploded on impact. All the crew were killed and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
29 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Accident : 3 August 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) WW2 Nominal Roll. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 259, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 500 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED 500 took off from RAF Bottesford on a cross country training exercise on the night of 2/3rd August 1943. The aircraft lost power on three of its engines and crash landed at 0030 hours on 3 August at Park Farm, three miles south of Audlem, some 8kms SSW of Crewe, Cheshire, UK
Flt Sgt J W Nancarrow Captain (Pilot) was slightly injured but not seriously, while the rest of the crew parachuted to safety.
Crew: RAAF 408867 Flt Sgt J W Nancarrow, Captain (Pilot) RAF FO Fry, H L (Navigator) RAF Sgt W Cullen, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt W S Millar (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt T F Preston, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt G C Barradine (Air Gunner) Note : the seventh member of the crew is not available from the records. The above names were recorded in the Squadron ORB when they were posted into the squadron as Flt Sgt Nancarrow’s crew on 28 July 1943, and it is presumed they were the crew when the accident occurred.
30 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 3 August 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: JA 906 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster JA906 took off from RAF Bottesford at 0013 hours on the night of 2/3rd August 1943 to bomb Hamburg, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 72 x 30lb and 1380 x 4lb incendiaries. Fifteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and all returned from the mission.
Crew: RAAF 409611 PO Symonds, D Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt R G Silson, (Navigator) RAF Sgt Twitchett, H E (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt G Noble, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt E Sykes, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt E A B Sandford, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt B N Pratt, (Rear Gunner)
JA 906 completed the mission and landed at 0558 hours on the 3 August. In his report the Pilot stated “Sortie completed. Visibility nil. Tops 18,000 feet. Intense lightning. Weather extremely bad. Jettisoned two containers of incendiaries in two stages in an attempt to climb over 10/10ths cloud and intense electrical storm but failed. Finally jettisoned remainder when port inner failed six minutes from target. Came out same route. Raid a complete failure. Met forecast utter failure. One enemy aircraft attacked on leaving the Danish coast killing the Rear Gunner (Sgt Pratt, RAF) and causing structural damage.”
31 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 15 August 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/35/128. Commonwealth War Graves records . Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 998 Radio call sign: PO – Y Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED 998 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2034 hours on the night of 15/16th August 1943 to bomb Milan, Italy. Bomb load 4 x 1000lb bombs, 32 x 30lb 450 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Ten aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these failed to return.
Crew: RAF Wg Cdr Gomm, C L DSO DFC Captain (Pilot) RAF PO Gibson, K (Navigator) RAF FO Phillips, T J (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 411520 FO Reardon, A H (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Flt Sgt J E Lee (Flight Engineer) RAF FO Pritchard, H N (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 416270 WO L L McKenny, (Rear Gunner)
Post war enquiries established that the aircraft crashed at Chuisnes, France, and all the crew were killed with the exception of Sgt Lee who became a POW. In a subsequent report Sgt Lee stated : “To the best of his knowledge FO Reardon was killed plus two other members of the crew (believed to be the pilot and navigator) and they were to be buried on 18th August 1943 in Paris.” All the six crew members killed are buried in the St Desir War Cemetery, a village 4kms west of Lisieux on the N13 to Caen, France. Wg Cdr Gomm was CO of the Squadron and the above mission was his 24th mission of his second tour.
32 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 15 August 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (64) Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 269, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: JA 675 Radio call sign: PO – F Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster JA675 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2038 hours on the night of 15/16th August 1943 to bomb Milan, Italy. Bomb load 4 x 1000lb bombs, 32 x 30lb, 450 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base. Ten aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 404909 Flt Lt Sullivan, J McD Captain (Pilot) RCAF WO2 E A McD Grange, (Navigator) RAF FO Entract, T H F (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt K Harvey, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt J A E Newland, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt L Spurr, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt A P Power (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft was shot down by a night fighter in the vicinity of Chartres (Eure-et-Loir).France. Two of the crew FO Entract and Sgt Harvey became POW’s and the other five crew members were killed in the crash and are buried in the Dreux Communal Cemetery, France. Dreux is a town and sub-Prefecture in the Department of the Eure et Loire about 35kms north of Chartres. The cemetery is on the north west side of the town on the eastern side of the Rue de Billy.
33 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 18 August 1943. Source: AWM 64 (1/426) NAA : A705, 166/9/150 AWM54 779/3/129 Part 15. Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 276, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 764 Radio call sign: PO – N Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster ED764 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2146 hours on the night of 17/18th August 1943 to bomb Peenemunde, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Ten aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including ED764 failed to return. Crew: RAAF 412923 PO Dixon, F W DFM Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt E W Dickson, (Navigator) RAF Sgt C A Bicknell, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt P Lowe, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt L C Hayward, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt R D Hughes (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt R Garnett, (Rear Gunner) Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed in the vicinity of Greifswald, Germany. Two of the crew Sgt Hayward and Sgt Lowe (RAF) were killed and the other five crew members were POW’s. Those killed are buried in the Berlin 1939/1945 War Cemetery. The cemetery is located in the district of Charlottenburg, 8kms from the Berlin city centre and on the south side of the Heerstrasse.
In a later report by PO Dixon he stated “ Aircraft was hit by flak and the whole of the starboard wing and centre fuselage caught fire immediately. I still had control of the aircraft but could not see the instruments due to smoke in the fuselage. I gave the abandon order. All aboard baled out successfully & unhurt. Aircraft was in control until I left the pilot’s seat after which it dived steeply. Pulled cord immediately and hit ground almost as soon as chute opened and less than 100 yards from where the aircraft crashed. Position somewhere a few miles south of Stralsund on the Baltic coast north west of Peenemunde. Contacted all crew except Lowe and Hayward who were drowned and buried in vicinity. Walked south west in darkness after being in woods all day. Blundered into built up area. Challenged by night watchman and handed over to local Burgomaster. Taken to Griefswald on 19/8/1943. Liberated by Russians on 22nd April 1945.
34 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 18 August 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses in the Second World War : Page 276 Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 342 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LM342 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2145 hours on the night of 17/18th August 1943 to bomb Peenemunde, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Ten aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including LM342 failed to return.
Crew: RAF Sqn Ldr Raphael, A S DFC Captain (Pilot) RCAF FO Carter, R G (Navigator) RAF Sgt F Gray, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Flt Lt Parry, M H (2nd Bomb Aimer) RAF Flt Sgt Fielden, D (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt V Smith, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt A C Brand, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Flt Sgt F B Garrett, (Rear Gunner)
From post war enquiries it was believed that the aircraft crashed in the Baltic while approaching the target. Sgt Brand is buried in the Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery, while the other seven crew members are missing and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK. Poznan is in the west of Poland and the cemetery is in the north of the town in the district of Winogrady.
35 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 24 August 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) NAA : A705, 166/42/33. Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: JB 124 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster JB124 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2048 hours on the night of 23/24th August 1943 to bomb Berlin. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 1230 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Fourteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these JB124 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 416635 PO Vincent, H R Captain (Pilot) RAAF 409411 PO Hurle, W G (Navigator) RAAF 420703 PO McIntyre, F G (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 414667 Flt Sgt Fitzner, L C (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt M Jones, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt R A Holdaway, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 414602 Flt Sgt D P R Schubert, (Rear Gunner)
Post war enquiries and searches found no trace of the missing aircraft or crew. The names of the missing crew members are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
36 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 28 August 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (63) (64) Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 293, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: EE 194 Radio call sign: PO – E Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster EE194 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2128 hours on the night of 27/28th August 1943 to bomb Nurnberg, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 88 x 30lb, 600 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Fourteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these EE194 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 285324 FO Good, M R Captain (Pilot) RAAF 413610 Flt Sgt B Kerlin, (Navigator) RAAF 414348 Flt Sgt R H Hallam, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 414710 Flt Sgt A F Loxton, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt J A Beck, (Flight Engineer) RCAF Sgt W E Hogarth (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 417348 Flt Sgt A S Dodson, (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed at Mausdorf, 6kms north of Langenzenn, All the crew were killed and they are buried in the Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany. Durnbach is a village 16kms east of Bad Tolz and 48kms south of Munich.
37 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 4 September 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/7/183. Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 310, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 541 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED541 took off from RAF Bottesford at 1948 hours on the night of 3/4th September 1943 to bomb Berlin. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 64 x 30lb, 600 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Fifteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including ED541 failed to return. Crew: RAAF 412391 Flt Lt Carmichael, R Captain (Pilot) RAF FO Henley, P E (Navigator) RAF Flt Sgt N E Burgess, (Bomb Aimer) RCAF Sgt R Lesser, (2nd Bomb Aimer) (a member of 1654 Conversion Unit) RAF PO Bilney, R T J (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 14472 Sgt L A Saunders, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt C H Hodges, (Mid Upper Gunner) RCAF Sgt C M Niven, (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed near Doberitz, Germany. All of the crew were killed. Four of the crew Sgt Burgess, PO Bilney, Sgt Hodges and Sgt Lesser are buried in the 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Berlin. The remaining four crew members are listed as missing and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
38 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 4 September 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 310, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: DV 237 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster DV237 took off from RAF Bottesford at 1957 hours on the night of 3/4th September 1943 to bomb Berlin. Bomb load 1 x 4000-lb bomb, 64 x 30lb, 600 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Fifteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including DV237 failed to return.
Crew: RAF PO Turner, R V Captain (Pilot) RCAF Sgt D Jennings, (Navigator) RAF Sgt E Robson, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt D B Richardson, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt J A Stewart, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt A L Price, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt McCartney, (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed near Doberitz, Germany and that all the crew were killed. Four of the crew PO Turner, Sgt Jennings, Sgt Price and Sgt McCartney are buried in the 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Berlin. The other three crew members are listed as missing and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing at Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
39 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 23 September 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (63) (64) W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 333, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: DV 233 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster DV233 took off from RAF Bottesford at 1904 hours on the night of 23/24th September 1943 to bomb Mannheim, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including DV233 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 416843 PO Farmer, W T Captain (Pilot) RAF FO Puttick, A (Navigator) RAF Sgt J Knowles, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt T W Darvill, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt R V Chinnery, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt P Cansfield, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 11615 Flt Sgt C E Adair, (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft was shot down by an ME110 whose opening burst killed Flt Sgt Adair. The aircraft caught fire and crashed near the bahnhof at Goddelau, approx. 24 miles north of Mannheim, Germany. Both PO Farmer and Flt Sgt Adair were killed and the other five members of the crew became POW’s. In later statements Sgt Knowles and Sgt Chinnery (POW’s) said “It was highly improbable that PO Farmer had sufficient time to enable him to effectively abandon the aircraft.” Sgt Darvill and Sgt Knowles (POW’s) reported “ Sgt Adair was unable to exit from the rear turret after receiving instructions to abandon the aircraft. Sgt Cansfield made two attempts to save him but due to the fire could not reach the turret and he was forced to abandon the aircraft.”
PO Farmer is listed as missing and his name is commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK. Flt Sgt Adair is buried at Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany. Durnbach is a village, 16kms east of Bad Tolz, a town 48kms south of Munich.
40 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 23 September 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (63) (64) W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 333, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: EE 135 Radio call sign: PO – Y Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster EE135 took off from RAF Bottesford at 1901 hours on the night of 23/24th September 1943 to bomb Mannheim, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including EE135 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 413396 PO Long, A Captain (Pilot) RAAF 413779 Flt Sgt O J Lumsden, (Navigator) RCAF Flt Sgt M C Craik, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt J B Harrison, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt C Weddell, (Flight Engineer) RCAF Sgt H A Green, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt T Francis, (Rear Gunner)
Following post war enquiries it was believed that the aircraft crashed at Altertheim and all the crew were killed. They are buried at Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany. Durnbach is a village 16kms from Bad Tolz, a town 48kms south of Munich.
41 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 3 October 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/463) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/15/126 Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 344, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 621 Radio call sign: PO – V Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED621 took off from RAF Bottesford at 1830 hours on the night of 2/3rd October 1943 to bomb Munich, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 84 x 30lb, 600 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including ED621 failed to return.
Crew: RNZAF PO Harder, R Captain (Pilot) RAAF 413976 FO Garbutt, M E (Navigator) RAAF 418609 Flt Sgt A W Wright, (2nd Navigator) RAAF 410088 Flt Sgt G E Potter (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt W J Baker, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt G K Barnes, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt S N Siddaway, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 414161 Flt Sgt F Pullom, (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that all the crew were killed. Sgt Baker is listed as missing and his name is commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing at Runnymede, Surrey, UK. The other seven crew members are interred in the Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany. Durnbach is a village 16kms east of Bade Tolz, a town 48kms south of Munich.
42 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 3 October 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/463) AWM 237 (64) NAA : A705, 166/2/259. Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 344, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 530 Radio call sign: PO – O Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED530 took off from RAF Bottesford at 1844 hours on the night of 2/3rd October 1943 to bomb Munich, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 84 x 30lb 600 x 4lb incendiaries. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including ED530 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 412636 PO McIver, K A DFC Captain (Pilot) RAF Flt Sgt J K Gale (Navigator) RAF Flt Sgt M E McGrath, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt C MacLean, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt A B McLelland, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt R Short, (Air Gunner) RAF Flt Sgt F W Shaw, (Air Gunner)
There was one survivor from the crash Flt Sgt McGrath, and he reported “Slight broken cloud. Bombs released on ETA from 20,000 feet at approx 2235 hours. Concentration of incendiaries and bombs exploding seemed fairly good. No trouble encountered until petrol ran short (cause unknown). We ditched approx 25 miles south of Beachy Head at approx 0130 hours.” Flt Sgt McGrath was picked up from the sea by an ASR Walrus.
The body of PO McIver was recovered from the sea and he is buried in the North Walsham New Cemetery, Norfolk UK. The body of Sgt McLelland was found on the 30 November 1943 and he is buried in the Bergen Op Zoom Canadian War Cemetery in the Dutch Province of Noord-Brabant, 40kms north west of Antwerp, Belgium.
The remaining four crew members are listed as missing in the Commonwealth War Graves records and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing in Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
43 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES Date of Death: 4 October 1943 Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 237 (63) NAA : A705, 166/38/297 W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 348, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: JA 906 Radio call sign: PO – K Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster JA906 took off from RAF Bottesford at 1830 hours on the night of 3/4th October 1943 to bomb Kassel, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 24 x 30lb, 1344 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Fourteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these JA906 failed to return. Crew: RAAF 414365 PO Smith, G J Captain (Pilot) RAAF 409669 Flt Sgt R E Dallwitz, (Navigator) RAAF 409579 Flt Sgt J E Francis, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 414460 Flt Sgt R E Brook, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt A T McB Proudfoot, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 421483 Flt Sgt R G Wellington, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 416679 Flt Sgt S E Jackson, (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed while taking evasive action from flak off the Dutch coast and the aircraft crashed into the sea 4kms north of Vlissengen. PO Smith, Sgt Proudfoot and Flt Sgt Wellington survived the crash and became POW’s. The remaining four crew members were killed. Flt Sgt Dallwitz and Flt Sgt Jackson are buried In the Vlissengen Cemetery, Flushing, Holland, and Flt Sgt Francis and Flt Sgt Brook are listed a missing and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
In a statement PO Smith reported “Aircraft hotly engaged by A/A fire off the Frisian Islands night 3/4th October 1943. While taking avoiding action at low height the aircraft went into the sea. Dallwitz/Francis/Brook/Jackson not seen after hit water. Presumed drowned.” In his statement Flt Sgt Wellington reported “Loss of aircraft caused firstly by flak. Being attacked constantly by fighters we flew at low level. We hit the sea. I have no knowledge of anything else as I was knocked unconscious. To my belief four members of the crew were trapped when we struck the water – Dallwitz/Francis/Brook/Jackson. I was released by the Russians on 22 April 1945.”
44 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Accident : 8 October 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) (1/431) AWM 54 779/3/1129 Part 22. NAA : A705, 166/37/227.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: JA 902 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster JA902 took off from RAF Bottesford at 2246 hours on the night of 8/9th October 1943 to bomb Hanover, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 104 x 30lb, 1260 x 4lb incendiaries. The aircraft was one of four Squadron aircraft detailed for the mission. JA902 completed the mission and landed at Grimsby at 0427 hours.
Crew: RAAF 408881 FO Simpson, A B Captain (Pilot) RAAF 401842 WO R C Watts, (Navigator) RAAF 408375 Flt Sgt K W Manson, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 420990 Flt Sgt J W O’Connor, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt C P Curl, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 426305 Flt Sgt C A Campbell, (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt W L Thomas, (Air Gunner)
On his return the Pilot reported “Sortie completed. Bombs dropped. North of target following collision with FW190 front turret knocked off in collision and Mid Upper holed by flak. WOP baled out – chute seen to open. After collision Nav moved to WOP’s desk and later carried on from M/U turret keeping aircraft on track. At position about 15 miles south from Grimsby, pilot dazzled by searchlight and lost height to 50 feet and believed to have collided with something unknown. Landed at Grimsby with 25 minutes petrol. Captain, Flt Engineer and Nav taken SSQ with frost bite.”
In a later statement Flt Sgt O’Connor who became a POW reported “Aircraft collided with presumably an enemy fighter over target. Captain ordered ‘get out’. Parachute opened in aircraft forcing me to abandon through escape hatch above rest position. Rest of crew still in aircraft. Baled out about 15,000 feet. Aircraft out of control in dive. Heard later that aircraft reached England with rest of crew. Released by Russian Armed Forces on 22 April 1945.”
45 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 18 October 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) (1/431) NAA : A705, 166/9/194. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses in the Second World War : Page 361, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: W 4240 Radio call sign: PO – A Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster W4240 took off from RAF Bottesford at 1708 hours on the night of 18/19th October 1943 to bomb Hanover, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 104 x 30lb, 1260 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Sixteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these W4240 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 18071 FO Davenport, F S Captain (Pilot) RAF FO Fisher, J R (Navigator) RAF FO Hollerin, S H (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt F G Beardwell, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt F G Newton, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt T J Clark, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt J L Killan, (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed some 3kms north west of Rixforde, approx 18 miles north east of Hanover. Six of the crew were killed and FO Hollerin (RAF) became a POW. The six crew killed are buried in the Hanover War Cemetery, Germany. In a later statement FO Hollerin reported “Being the Bomb Aimer in the aircraft I was the first to leave. When I left the Flight Engineer was behind me with his chute on, and he was waiting to follow me out. I thought he would have been able to follow me immediately. I know no more as regards the fate of the crew until told later by the Germans that they had all been killed. I was also shown a photo of Sgt Killan. The only conclusion I could draw was that the aircraft exploded after I left, and I don’t remember pulling my rip cord.”
46 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 23 October 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) (1/431) AWM 237 (64) NAA : A705, 166/16/203
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: DV 226 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster DV226 took off from RAF Bottesford at 1752 hours on the night of 22/23rd October 1943 to bomb Kassel, Germany. Bomb Load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 92 x 30lb, 1200 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Fifteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these DV226 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 401845 FO Godwin, G P DFC Captain (Pilot) RAF PO Cox, J E (Navigator) RAF Flt Sgt H Telford, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt F H Bloomfield, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt W H Thornhill, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt G Blake-Hales, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt A A King, (Rear Gunner)
Post war searches and enquiries failed to find any trace of the missing aircraft or crew. The names of the missing crew are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing at Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
47 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 3 November 1943 Source: AWM 64 (1/426) NAA : A705, 166/12/57. Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses in the Second World War ; Page 375, Volume 1943 Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: JB 121 Radio call sign: PO – U Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster JB121 took off from RAF Bottesford at 1703 hours on the night of 3/4th November 1943 to bomb Dusseldorf, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Eighteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and JB121 failed to return. Crew: RAF Sqn Ldr Lewis, J DFC, Captain (Pilot) RAAF 410152 PO Evans, J W (2nd Pilot) RAF Flt Sgt K Garvey, (Navigator) RAF Sgt A J Scott, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt R C Morley, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt C E Stead, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt G P Baylis, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Flt Sgt J H Mallin, DFM (Rear Gunner) Post war it was established that the aircraft had been shot down and four of the crew Sqn Ldr Lewis, Sgt Scott, Sgt Baylis and Flt Sgt Mallin had been killed They are buried in the Schoonslehof Cemetery located in Wilrijk a suburb of Antwerp, Belgium. PO Evans and Sgt Stead became POW’s, and Flt Sgt Garvey and Sgt Morley evaded capture and returned safe to UK. In his report Sgt Morley stated : “In the area of Cheel, North Belgium, there was a violent explosion and a blinding flash, and the aircraft was violently lifted and rocked. A great many shell splinters came through the floor of the fuselage close to the Navigator’s position. Pieces of red hot metal lodged on the Navigators desk, and he was badly burned on the neck and hands. I heard the Captain give the order to prepare to abandon. The Nav. reached for an extinguisher to put out a fire among his maps and charts. The Captain called out ‘we are on fire get the extinguishers here.’ A few seconds later he gave the order to bale out. The aircraft was losing height slowly and listing slightly as if the controls were not functioning properly. I had to wait for a short while until the Nav donned his chute. I then followed the Nav. forward. and saw the Pilot was still flying the aircraft which appeared under control but losing height. The Bomb aimer, 2nd Pilot and Flt Engineer had baled out of the front hatch. The Navigator then I followed. The guns were still firing at the aircraft and I could hear shells bursting round me. I was told that two Lancasters were found burnt in the district that night.” On 5 Jan 1944 the Squadron received news that Sgt Morley was safe after a long walk to Gibraltar.
48 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Accident: 22 November 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426)
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: DV 338 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster DV 338 was one of 16 Squadron aircraft detailed to bomb Berlin on the night of 22/23rd November 1943. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 48 x 30lb 900 x 4lb incendiaries. The ORB entry then records “On take off from RAF Waddington one engine cut out and DV338 had too much speed to stop. The Pilot (Sgt Schomberg) tried to take off but missed and crashed through a nearly completed brick building into a field about 50 yards from the drome. Four of the crew escaped any bad damage and the other three moderate injuries only, all being lucky and the aircraft was scattered everywhere. Incendiaries caught alight but were soon put out. FO Fishburn the Armament Officer then did a good job and defused the cookie. A dangerous job well done.” Details of Sgt Schomberg‘s crew that night are not recorded in the above ORB, but his crew on an earlier raid on Berlin on the 18/19th November were as listed below, and it is presumed that the same crew were on board in the above accident.
Crew: RAAF 413798 Sgt C C Schomberg, Captain (Pilot) RAAF 412712 Flt Sgt L R Seton, (Navigator) RAF Sgt C J Gifford, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Flt Sgt B W Fitzgerald, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt H Steels, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt H A Brown, (Air Gunner) RAAF 426531 PO Calderwood,, L J (Air Gunner)
49 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 4 December 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 64 (1/433) AWM 237 (63) W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 417, Volume 1943. Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: JB 140 Radio call sign: PO – Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster JB140 was one of eleven Squadron aircraft detailed to bomb Leipzig on the night of 3/4th December 1943. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 56 x 30lb and 1080 x 4lb incendiaries. JB140 took off from RAF Waddington at 0016 hours on the 4th December, but the aircraft crashed on take off when its two port engines cut out. Most of the crew were OK except for minor injuries, but the Rear Gunner (Flt Sgt Frizzell) suffered bad injuries and was rushed to the Rauceby Hospital.
Flt Sgt L M Parker, RAAF Service No 9359, a Fitter 11E and Sgt Hoffa (RAF) were both killed when struck by the aircraft as they watched the take off. Flt Sgt Parker who was killed by the aircraft that he serviced, was a Foundation member of the Squadron and very popular with his fellow men. He is buried in the RAF Cemetery, Cambridge, UK.
Flt Sgt C R Frizzell (RAAF) died the next day 5/12/1943 in the Raunceby hospital. He also is buried in the RAF Cemetery, Cambridge, UK.
Crew: RAAF 415276 FO Reynolds, C I Captain (Pilot) RAAF 410496 Flt Sgt E A Joyce, (Navigator) RAAF 411293 Flt Sgt K N B Davies, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 410494 Flt Sgt H M Vellenoweth, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt W King, (Flight Engineer) RAAF Flt Sgt R H Keating, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 426572 Flt Sgt C R Frizzell, (Rear Gunner)
50 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 29 December 1943
Source: AWM 64 (1/426) AWM 64 (1/431) AWM 237 (64) Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAB Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 442, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 547 Radio call sign: PO – M Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED547 took off from RAF Waddington at 1639 hours on the night of 29/30th December 1943 to bomb Berlin. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 56 x 30lb, 900 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Thirteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and ED547 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 409252 PO Tait, B A Captain (Pilot) RAF PO Allen, F McI (Navigator) RCAF Sgt F A Spencer, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt S Allom, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt R A Yale, (Flight Engineer) RAF Flt Sgt L E Lambert, (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt D Wetherell, (Air Gunner)
Following post war enquiries it was established that the aircraft crashed at Grossziehten, some 14kms SSE of Berlin and all the crew were killed. Sgt Allom (RAF) is recorded as missing and his name is commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK. The remaining six crew members are buried in the 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Berlin, Germany.
51 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 2 January 1944
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/433) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/28/217
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 372 Radio call sign: PO – K Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LM372 took off from RAF Waddington at 2324 hours on the night 1/2nd January 1944. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 48 x 30lb, 900 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Ten aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and of these LM372 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 401146 Flt Lt Patkin, L B Captain (Pilot) RAAF 29886 Flt Sgt J Mudie, (2nd Pilot) RAF FO Maidstone, R J A (Navigator) RAF Flt Sgt G A Litchfield, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 415497 Flt Sgt W D Blackwell, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt R Chambers (Flight Engineer) RAAF 410611 Flt Sgt H D Scott, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 414305 Flt Sgt A H Boettcher, (Rear Gunner)
Past war enquiries and interrogation of local residents established that the aircraft crashed and exploded on impact in a field near Altmeringsen on 2 January 1944 presumably shot down by enemy aircraft. Altmeringsen is 18 miles north east of Hanover, Germany. All the eight crew members were killed. Seven of the crew are buried in the Hanover War Cemetery, Germany, and Sgt Chambers (RAF) is listed as missing. His name is commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing at Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
52 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 6 January 1944
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/433) AWM 237 (64) NAA : A705, 166/8/340
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 547 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED547 took off from RAF Waddington at 0005 hours on the night of 6 January 1944 to bomb Stettin, Poland. Bomb load 3 x 1000lb, 1 x 500lb bombs, 44 x 30lb, 940 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Eleven aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid, and two of these including ED547 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 409666 PO Connolly, F A Captain (Pilot) RAF Flt Sgt L A Jeffries, (Navigator) RAF Sgt M Turner, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt R W J Evans (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt D A Briggs, (Flight Engineer) RCAF WO Class 2 L M Jackson, (Mid Upper Gunner) RCAF Flt Sgt H S Reid, (Rear Gunner)
Post war investigations and enquiries failed to find any trace of the missing aircraft or crew. The names of the missing crew are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing at Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
53 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 6 January 1944
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/433) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/35/204. Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 28, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 994 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED994 took off from RAF Waddington at 2359 hours on the night of 5/6th January 1944 to bomb Stettin, Poland. Bomb load 3 x 1000lb, 1 x 500lb bombs, 44 x 30lb, 940 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Eleven aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including ED994 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 415276 FO Reynolds, C I Captain (Pilot) RAAF 410496 Flt Sgt E A Joyce, (Navigator) RAAF 411293 Flt Sgt K N B Davies, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 410494 Flt Sgt H M Vellenoweth, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt W King, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 429461 Flt Sgt R H Keating (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt J W Neeve, (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed north of Stettin and that all the crew were killed with the exception of Sgt King (RAF) who became a POW. In a later statement Sgt King reported “ Reynolds was killed at his post and went down with the aircraft. Flt Sgt’s Keating and Vellenoweth killed and went down with the aircraft, which crashed about 15 minutes north of Stettin.” The six crew members killed are buried in the Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery, Poland. The city of Poznan is located in the west of Poland, and the cemetery is located in the north of the town which is located in the district of Winogrady.
54 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 22 January 1944
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/433) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/27/336. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 50, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 803 Radio call sign: PO – B Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED803 took off from RAF Waddington at 2020 hours on the night of 21/22nd January 1944 to bomb Magdeburg, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 56 x 30lb, 1200 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Fifteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these ED803 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 408312 PO Mitchell, J Captain (Pilot) RAAF 422482 FO Francis, K W P (Navigator) RAAF 423648 Flt Sgt R R Corcoran, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt W Summers (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt J A Atkinson, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 406550 FO Pearse, L W (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 427459 Flt Sgt R D Gallagher, (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed at Eickendorf on 22 January 1944 presumably the result of enemy action. Eickendorf is 12 miles south of Magdeburg, Germany. All the crew were killed and they are buried in the 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Berlin.
55 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 27 January 1944
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/433) AWM 237 (64) Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 56, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ME 575 Radio call sign: PO – G Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ME575 took off from RAF Waddington at 1742 hours on the night of 27/28th January 1944, to bomb Berlin. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 48 x 30lb, 900 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Fifteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including ME575 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 413855 PO Grugeon, S C Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt W A Taylor, (Navigator) RAF Flt Sgt A Bryce, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt K Molyneux, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt D McKechnie, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt D A Taylor, (Air Gunner) RCAF Flt Sgt K E Schiedel (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed at Ziegenhagen, 5kms north west of Witzenhausen, a large town astride the River Werra and 24kms ENE of Kassel, Germany. All the crew were killed and they are buried in the Hanover War Cemetery, Germany.
56 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 28 January 1944
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/433) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/31/143. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 56, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 539 Radio call sign: PO – P Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED539 took off from RAF Waddington at 1740 hours on the night of 27/28th January 1944 to bomb Berlin. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 48 x 30lb, 900 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Fifteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including ED539 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 420250 PO O’Brien, C Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt H Boardley, (Navigator) RAF FO Sudds, G H (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 421693 Flt Sgt W J Simpson, (Wireless Operator air Gunner) RAF Sgt D J Coombe, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt J J Melling, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt F H Doncaster, (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed on a house in Wendenschloss Strasse, Kopenwick. Kopenwick is a suburb of Berlin approx 8kms south east of the city. All the crew were killed and Sgt Coombe and FO Sudds (RAF) are buried in the 1939- 1945 War Cemetery, Berlin. The remaining five crew members are listed as missing and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing at Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
57 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 29 January 1944
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/433) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/10/177. Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 867 Radio call sign: PO - L Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED867 took off from RAF Waddington at 0049 hours on the night of 28/29th January 1944 to bomb Berlin. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 48 x 30lb, 900 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Thirteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these ED867 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 414343 Flt Lt Durston, I G DFC Captain (Pilot) RAF Flt Lt Fry, H L (Navigator) RAF Flt Sgt S J Griffiths, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 414711 PO Ludlow, R L (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt F A Aver (Flight Engineer) RAAF 425153 Flt Sgt P R Gill, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 417008 Flt Sgt J W A Sutherland, (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that all the crew were killed when the aircraft crashed. AWM 237 lists all the four RAAF members of the crew as missing and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing at Runnymede, Surrey, UK. The above RAAF Casualty file (166/10/177) states that as a result of enquiries by the Missing Research and Missing Service Flt Sgt Griffiths is buried in the 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Berlin, and that the names of the other six crew members are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing at Runnymede, Surrey, UK. Commonwealth War Graves records that all the crew of seven are interred in the 1939- 1945 War Cemetery, Berlin. Flt Lt Durston was on his 27th mission.
58 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 30 January 1944
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/433) AWM 237 (64) NAA : A705, 166/35/212 Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses in the Second World War : Page 69, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: DV 378 Radio call sign: PO – C Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster DV378 took off from RAF Waddington at 1712 hours on the night of 30/31st January 1944 to bomb Berlin. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb, 64 x 30lb, 1200 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from DV378 after take off and the aircraft did not return to base. Ten aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these DV378 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 3717 FO Riley, A D Captain (Pilot) RAF Flt Sgt N W Allen, (Navigator) RCAF WO J Valastin (Bomb Aimer) RAF PO Nixon, J (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt S W Tupper (Flight Engineer) RCAF WO2 C S Baker, (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt F Barrett, (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft exploded following a direct hit from flak and crashed in the target area. WO Valastin became a POW and the remaining six crew members were killed. They are buried in the 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Berlin.
In a later statement WO Valastin said “ I was beside FO Riley in part of the aircraft which received direct fire from the enemy. I myself was hit but have no definite knowledge as to whether he was hit. A few seconds later the aircraft went into a spin. He was still in his position when I was preparing to bale out and when the aircraft exploded. I was informed two weeks later by an unknown German officer at Dulag Luft that FO Riley had been killed.”
59 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 25 February 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/433) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/38/442. Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 105, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LL 756 Radio call sign: PO – M Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LL756 took off from RAF Waddington at 1828 hours on the night of 25/26th February 1944 to bomb Augsberg, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 92 x 30lb, 900 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Twelve aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these LL756 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 415488 PO Stuchbury, H R H Captain (Pilot) RAAF 422467 FO Edginton, W T C (Navigator) RAAF 410280 Flt Sgt J W Wood, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 415595 Flt Sgt E D Turpie, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt E E Olive (Flight Engineer) RAF Flt Sgt A J Barnett, (Air Gunner) RAAF 415672 Flt Sgt J McLeod, (Air Gunner)
From post war enquiries the aircraft was believed to have come down at Deufringen, 10kms WSW Of Sundelfingen, Germany. All the crew were killed and they are interred in the Durnbach War Cemetery. Durnbach is a village 16kms east of Bad Tolz, a town 48kms south of Munich, Germany.
60 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 31 March 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/31/171. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 155, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: DV 240 Radio call sign: PO – D Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster DV240 took off from RAF Waddington at 2203 hours on the night of 30/31st March 1944 to bomb Nurnberg, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 84 x 30lb, 940 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including DV240 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 410423 PO Llewelyn, R E Captain (Pilot) RCAF Sgt W Prest, (Navigator) RCAF FO Venables, G W (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 421450 Flt Sgt K Overy, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt L H Dixon, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt F W Hammond, (Air Gunner) RAAF 409780 Flt Sgt K W Ward, (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft was shot down by a night fighter when outbound to the target and crashed at Westum in the southern outskirts of Sinzig. Four of the crew were killed and three became POW’s viz : Flt Sgt Overy (RAAF), FO Venables (RCAF) and Sgt Hammond (RAF). The four crew members killed are buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany. Rheinberg is located 24kms north of Krefreld, and 13kms south west of Weesel.
In a later statement FO Venables said : “On the night of 30/31st March 1944 our aircraft was attacked and set of fire. It exploded and I was thrown clear. At Dulag Luft Germans told me that PO Llewelyn was killed. I believe Sgt Ward was also killed in the attack. None of the bodies were identified by me or Flt Sgt Overy.”
61 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Crash : 31 March 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) NAA : A705, 166/37/227. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 156, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 376 Radio call sign: PO – O Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LM376 took off from RAF Waddington at 2148 hours on the night of 30/31st March 1944 to bomb Nurnberg, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 84 x 30lb, 900 x 4lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including LM376 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 408881 Flt Lt Simpson, A B Captain (Pilot) RAAF 401842 PO Watts, R C (Navigator) RAAF 408375 Flt Sgt K W Manson, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 414801 PO Johnson, G G (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt C P Curl, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 426306 Flt Sgt C A Campbell, (Air Gunner) RAF PO Weeden, R A (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft when outbound to the target area was shot down by an ME110 at Creppe (Belgium), 4kms SSW of Spa. Flt Sgt Manson and PO Watts became POW’s, and the other five members of the crew evaded capture and were returned safe to the UK. In a statement Flt Lt Simpson reported :”The aircraft was attacked by a night fighter south of Aachen when approaching target at 20,000 feet. The aircraft suffered extensive damage and was set on fire. I attempted to extinguish the flames but was unsuccessful. Aircraft was still under control. I instructed crew to abandon and all crew acknowledged. I waited until all the crew had left and then abandoned at 12,000 feet.”
62 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 21 April 1944
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/13/223. Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 176, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ND 732 Radio call sign: PO – Y Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ND 732 took off from RAF Waddington at 2305 hours on the night of 20/21st April 1944 to bomb marshalling yards at La Chappelle, France. Bomb load 14 x 1000lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Nineteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these ND732 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 411690 PO Feeney, K G Captain (Pilot) RAAF 422423 FO Cameron, J W K (Navigator) RAAF 418366 Flt Sgt S G Emery, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 405677 Flt Sgt M H Cutmore, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt R Lundy, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 417356 Flt Sgt M G Francis, (Air Gunner) RAAF 417809 Flt Sgt J E Brown, (Air Gunner)
Post war enquiries established that the aircraft was hit by flak and crashed at Le Blanc Mesnil on the south east side of Paris-le-Bourget airport. All the crew were killed and they are interred in the Clichy Communal cemetery, France. Clichy is a town adjoining the northern boundary of Paris in the locality of Haute-de-Seine.
63 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES Date of Death: 4 May 1944 Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/21/147, 166/9/302 Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 209, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: JA 901 Radio call sign: PO – N Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster JA901 took off from RAF Waddington at 2149 hours on the night of 3/4th May 1944 to bomb military camps at Mailly-le-Camp, France. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb and 16 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Ten aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these JA901 failed to return. Crew: RAAF 422038 PO Dickson, C Captain (Pilot) RAAF 423700 Flt Sgt O S Furniss, (Navigator) RAAF 426606 Flt Sgt S D Jolly, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 426882 Flt Sgt R I Hunter, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt P J Weaver, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt H Skellorn, (Air Gunner) RAAF 424403 Flt Sgt H H Forden (Air Gunner) Captured German documents recorded that the aircraft was shot down early on the morning of 4 May 1944 at Merz on Seine, 14kms south of Rommilly, France. Both Flt Sgt Jolly and Flt Sgt Hunter survived the crash and evaded capture. The remaining five crew members were killed. PO Dickson and Flt Sgt Furniss are buried in the Droupt- Sainte-Marie Churchyard Cemetery, while Flt Sgt Forden and Sgt Skellhorn are buried in the St Remy-Sous-Barbuise Churchyard. St Remy is a village some 22kms north of Troyes, Aube, France. Sgt Weaver (RAF) is buried in the Terlingthun British Cemetery on the northern outskirts of Boulogne, locality Pas-de-Calais.
In his statement Flt Sgt Jolly reported “Returning from the target the aircraft was on fire presumably as a result of enemy aircraft. The Captain instructed the crew to abandon. I heard no one acknowledge. The aircraft was under control but on fire when I abandoned at approx 5000 feet. I saw one chute in the air possibly the Flt Engineer. No contact was made with any of the crew after landing.” Flt Sgt Hunter reported “The aircraft was on fire when I baled out at approx 5/6000 feet. I had extensive burns. I was in the hands of the Resistance movement and in hospital until liberated by the Americans on 28 August 1944. Do not think the Navigator and two gunners left the aircraft.”
64 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 10 May 1944
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 219, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: EE 143 Radio call sign: PO – J Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster EE143 took off from RAF Waddington at 2208 hours on the night of 10/11th May 1944 to bomb Lille, France. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb and 16 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and three of these including EE143 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 414797 PO Hislop, D Captain (Pilot) RAAF 424239 Flt Sgt K C Waight, (Navigator) RAAF 419298 FO Crout, H R (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 25243 FO Tucker, J F (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt B S Longhurst, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 427870 Flt Sgt B F Cody, (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt G Bennett, (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed at Lezennes, Ronchin, in the south east suburbs of Lille, France. All the crew were killed and six of the crew are interred in the Hellemmes-Lille Communal Cemetery. Hellemes-Lille is a town and commune to the east of Lille a major town in the north of France. Flt Sgt Cody is buried in the Annappes Churchyard, France. Annappes is a suburb of Villeneuve d’Asq, a town 7kms east of Lille.
65 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 10 May 1944
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 219, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LL 788 Radio call sign: PO – G Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LL788 took off from RAF Waddington at 2204 hours on the night of 10/11th May 1944 to bomb railway yards at Lille, France. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb and 16 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and three of these including LL788 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 420870 FO Felstead, W E Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt J Mellor, (Navigator) RAAF 422506 Flt Sgt W S Hancock, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 417176 Flt Sgt B G Grasby, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt C Duthoit, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt C A Nash, (Air Gunner) RAAF 424914 Flt Sgt H W R Ferguson, (Air Gunner)
It was established post war that the aircraft crashed in the south eastern suburbs of Lille and all the crew were killed. FO Felstead, Sgt Mellor and Sgt Duthoit are buried in the Community Cemetery Lezennes, Lille. Lezennes is a village some 5kms south east of Lille, while Lille is a major town in the north of France. Flt Sgt Hancock, Flt Sgt Grasby and Flt Sgt Ferguson are buried in the Hellemmes-Lille Communal cemetery. Hellemmes-Lille is a town and commune to the east of Lille. Sgt Nash is buried in the Forest-Sur-Marque Communal Cemetery, in a village about 9kms east of Lille.
66 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 10 May 1944
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) NAA : A705, 166/38/524. Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 219, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 475 Radio call sign: PO – B Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LM475 took off from RAF Waddington at 2157 hours on the night of 10/11th May 1944 to bomb rail facilities at Lille, France. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb and 16 x 500lb bombs. A signal was received from LM475 on W/T at 2330 hours and a further signal at 2345 hours. Nothing further was received. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and three of these including LM475 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 400495 Sqn Ldr Smith, D P DFC Captain (Pilot) RAAF 412686 WO R W Purcell, (Navigator) RAF Flt Sgt J Parker, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 425413 Flt Sgt A D Johnston, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt K H Tabor, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt E R Hill, (Air Gunner) RAAF 423311 Flt Sgt G F Pate, (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed at Lezannes, Rochin in the south eastern suburbs of Lille, France. Six of the crew were killed and Sqn Ldr Smith who was on the last trip of his second tour, survived the crash and returned safe to the UK. In his report Sqn Ldr Smith stated “While the bombs were falling from the aircraft, it was hit either by flak or enemy aircraft and exploded in mid air. I was wearing my seat type parachute. I was thrown clear of the plane and landed safely. I do not know the fate of the crew.” The six crew members are buried in the Lezennes Community cemetery located in the village of Lezennes, some 2.5 miles south east of Lille, Department of Nord, France.
67 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 11 May 1944
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (64) Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 221, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LL 792 Radio call sign: PO – E Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LL792 took off from RAF Waddington at 2225 hours on the night of 11/12th May 1944 to bomb military camps at Bourg Leopold, Belgium. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 1000lb and 8 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Fourteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these LL792 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 68 Grp Cpt Balmer, J R OBE, DFC, Captain (Pilot) RAAF 414400 FO Hammond, P J (Navigator) RAF PO Ward, J (Bomb Aimer) RAF PO Watson, L T (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Flt Sgt A R Barber (Flight Engineer) RAF Flt Lt Norden-Hare, W R (Air Gunner) RAF Flt Sgt J J Connelly, (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt T A Stevens (Air Gunner L T )
Post war it was established that the aircraft was set on fire by a night fighter on its bombing run, and crashed 3kms south east of Herenthout (Antwerpen), which is 7kms south west of Herentals. All the crew were killed. Grp Cpt Balmer and FO Hammond together with four other members of the crew are buried in the Heverlee War Cemetery, which is located 30kms from Brussels, and 3kms south of Leuven, Belgium. PO Watson and Flt Sgt Barber are buried in the Leopoldburg War Cemetery, Limburg, Belgium, which is 58kms north east of Leuven.
Group Captain Balmer was the Commanding Officer of the Squadron and on his last trip before taking up a new appointment. FO Hammond was the new Flight Commanders 2nd tour navigator, whilst Flt Lt Norden-Hare was the Squadrons Gunnery Leader and on his final trip of his first tour.
68 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 22 May 1944
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 231, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 657 Radio call sign: PO – T Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED657 took off from RAF Bomber Command at 2245 hours on the night of 21/22nd May 1944 to bomb Duisberg, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 80 x 30lb and 1500 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Sixteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these ED657 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 401690 FO Harris, R M Captain (Pilot) RAAF 426079 Flt Sgt D G Garde, (Navigator) RAAF 423918 FO Spring, T L (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 419467 FO Hailey, K I (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Flt Sgt A R Potts, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt C Wallbank, (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt P J O’Callaghan, (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed at Nunhem in the Dutch province of Limburg, west of the Maas and about 6kms north west from the centre of Roermond. All the crew were killed and they are buried in the Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Nijmegen. The cemetery is located in the south west part of Nimegen which is in the locality of Gelderland, Netherlands, and located south of Arnhem,
69 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 9 June 1944
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 268, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 440 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LM440 took off from RAF Waddington at 2301 hours on the night of 8/9th June 1944 to bomb railway facilities at Rennes France. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb and 14 x 500lb bombs. Fifteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission and all returned. On their return all the Squadron aircraft were diverted to land at Catfoss. While circuiting at Catfoss in extremely bad weather, LM440 hit a tree outside the drome and crashed at 0357 hours on the 9th June. The aircraft crashed at Arnold Carr, 6kms ENE of Beverley, Yorkshire.
Crew: RAAF 422259 PO Parkinson, H A W Captain (Pilot) RAAF 426132 Flt Sgt S W Merrin, (Navigator) RAAF 426547 Flt Sgt R G Cottew, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 427532 Flt Sgt N Mossenson, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt T Collins, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt M Vance, (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt S R Ward, (Air Gunner)
Four of the crew were killed in the crash and the Pilot and Flight Engineer who were seriously injured died later in the day. Flt Sgt Mossenson although injured survived the crash. PO Parkinson, Flt Sgt Merrin, Flt Sgt Cottew, and Sgt Ward are buried in the RAF Cemetery, Harrogate, Yorkshire. Sgt Collins and Sgt Vance are buried in their home towns in Scotland.
70 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 11 June 1944
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) W C Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 274, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 552 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LM552 took off from RAF Waddington on the night of 11/12th June 1944 and failed to return from a night cross country training flight. No trace of the missing aircraft or crew was found. Part of the exercise involved flying over the Irish Sea. The crew had only arrived at the Squadron midday yesterday, and LM552 was a fairly new operational aircraft.
Crew: RAF PO Horton, P K Captain (Pilot) RAAF 410299 FO Black, D V (Navigator) RAAF 423017 FO Ledsam, D G (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 421721 Flt Sgt J I Gamble, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt J Hodgson, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt A A Marrow, (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt R H Towns, (Air Gunner)
The names of the missing crew are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey6, UK.
71 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 22 June 1944
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 290, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ED 532 Radio call sign: PO – H Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ED532 took off from RAF Waddington at 2302 hours on the night of 21/22nd June 1944 to bomb Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb and 14 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including ED532 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 414341 PO Dearnaley, E V DFC Captain (Pilot) RAAF 60895 PO Mitchell, J (2nd Pilot) RAAF 418496 PO A’Court, G A (Navigator) RAAF 409919 Flt Sgt R McP Hill, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt J E Emmett, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Flt Sgt D Breedon, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt R Trevethan, (Air Gunner) RAAF 429176 Flt Sgt R J Carlill, (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft was shot down by a night fighter and crashed at Sundern and all the crew were killed. The crew of eight are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Cleves, Germany. Cleves is 40 miles north west of Duisberg, Germany.
72 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES Date of Death: 22 June 1944 Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) AWM 65 (4925) NAA : A705, 166/38/572.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LL 971 Radio call sign: PO – N Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster LL971 took off from RAF Waddington at 2304 hours on the night of 21/22nd June 1944 to bomb Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb and 14 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including LL971 failed to return. Crew: RAAF 406636 Flt Lt Brine, L R Captain (Pilot) RAAF 426778 Flt Sgt V D Luton, (Navigator) RAAF 424893 Flt Sgt B J Sutton, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 428371 Flt Sgt J G Stewart, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt F N Smith, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 434842 Flt Sgt S J Saligari, (Air Gunner) RAAF 428098 Flt Sgt D G Cranston, (Air Gunner) Poat war it was established that the aircraft crashed at Zwillbrock, a village practically on the Dutch/German border and some 8kms WNW of Vreden, Germany.All of the crew were killed except Flt Sgt Sutton who survived the crash, evaded capture and returned safe to UK. In a later report Flt Sgt Sutton recorded : “The aircraft was shot down by a night fighter after leaving the target at about 0135 hours on the 22 June when approaching the Dutch border. The Pilot ordered put on your chutes. I had clipped on the right side of the pack when the plane seemed to blow up, and I found myself falling, so pulled my parachute and landed in a swamp. I buried my chute etc., and checked the contents of my pockets. I could see the plane burning fiercely half a mile from where I landed. I hid in the woods. The next day I walked west at dusk. I was approached by a Dutch farmer and taken to his farm where I spent the night and the following day. He then took me by bicycle to the house of a printer in Eibergen, where I spent 6 days. I then stayed in the house of a printer for 10 days. I then travelled by train to Eindhoven, and by bicycle to farm in Walkensiward.Thence to a lonely farm about 10 miles east of Llerna. Then Nuth for 10 days in the house of a school master. Then by train to Roermond for thirteen days in a wood shed in the forest. I was brought food every day by several men.On 11 August I crossed the Dutch-Belgian border near Ruglo and got to Maestricht. Finally by train to Liege and then on foot to Seraing where I spent 4 weeks in the house of a patriot until the town was liberated. (Report was dated 11 Sept 1944)
73 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES Date of Death: 24 June 1944 Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) NAA : A705, 166/13/225 A705, 166/9/337.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: PO - Radio call sign: LL 846 Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster LL846 took off from RAF Waddington at 2237 hours on the night of 24/25th June 1944 to bomb flying bomb sites at Prouville. Bomb load 2 x 1000lb and 14 x 500lb bombs. The aircraft completed the mission and landed at base at 0245 hours. AWM 64 (1/427) records the following “During the mission the crew lost the two gunners when the rear turret was practically detached from the aircraft by cannon fire from an enemy aircraft. The rear gunner was thought to have been blown out of his turret as his chute was still in the aircraft. A fire had started in the rear of the aircraft and the Mid Upper gunner must have baled out when he saw this. The Navigator and the Flight Engineer were sent back to put the fire out and PO Johns (Pilot) showed great courage and airmanship to complete the mission. The crew reported seeing the Mid Upper Gunner’s chute go down, but the Germans coned him and were shooting at him.” Crew: RAAF 405021 PO Johns, S Captain (Pilot) RAF FO Langston, C E (Navigator) RAAF 426379 Flt Sgt M J O’Leary, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 419422 Flt Sgt B P Molloy, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt L Smith, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 419958 Flt Sgt E D Dale, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 414546 Flt Sgt J J Fallon, (Rear Gunner) In his report the Pilot recorded “ On leaving the target the aircraft was picked up by searchlight, but managed to get away. On approaching the coast on the way out, I was descending at an IAS of 240 knots and weaving when cannon shells hit the aircraft and went past the port side of the fuselage. I thought a fighter was making an attack from astern. On going back the Engineer reported a fire in the rear turret also the Rear Gunner and Mid Upper gunner missing. The aircraft was holed in the main plane, fuselage and tail plane, hydraulics were damaged, the Intercom was U/S and elevator trim tab useless as result of damage, otherwise no effect on handling.” Flt Sgt Dale (later WO) became a POW and he later reported “ The aircraft was hit in the rear turret and the rear of the fuselage. The I/C and Call light were U/S. The Rear Gunner had left the aircraft when I got to the rear. The remainder of the crew stayed in the aircraft and got back to base. The aircraft lost several thousand feet in a dive but it was unknown to me that at the time the pilot had control of the aircraft. The rear turret was on fire. I landed near the coast and was surrounded after landing.”
74 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES Date of Death: 25 June 1944 Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (64) NAA : A705, 166/10/264 166/18/391. Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 302, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 450 Radio call sign: PO – K Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster LM450 took off from RAF Waddington at 2232 hours on the night of 24/25th June 1944 to bomb flying bomb launch sites at Prouville, France. Bomb load 2 x 1000lb and 14 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Sixteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including LM450 failed to return. Crew: RAAF 415495 PO Berryman A A W Captain (Pilot) RAAF 418086 PO Down, J B W (Navigator) RAAF 418418 WO M Hughes, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 427323 Flt Sgt P P Hardwick, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt J W P Carey, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 424978 Flt Sgt W J Conway (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt F H Pagett, (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed at Neuilly-l’Hopital (Somme). PO Berryman was killed and is buried in the Neuilly-l’Hopital Chuchyard, which is located in a village and commune 8kms NNE from Abbeville, France. All the other crew members survived the crash. WO Hughes, Flt Sgt Hardwick, Flt Sgt Conway and Sgt Pagett became POW’s, whilst PO Down and Sgt Carey evaded capture and were returned safe to UK. PO Down in a statement reported “Just after dropping the bombs in target area, aircraft was caught in searchlights and fire broke out in rear of aircraft caused by enemy aircraft or flak. A small fire also in front of the cockpit. I/C U/S. Pilot by visual signs signalled abandon aircraft as controls ineffective. Bomb Aimer, Flight Engineer baled out and I then followed. Height about 8000 feet. Pilot had prepared to abandon and the WOP had gone to the rear exit to warn the two gunners to abandon. Aircraft on fire and in steep dive. Do not know fate of others.” WO Hughes reported “ Hit by flak. I/C U/S. Pilot hand signals abandon. WOP hit by flak. I was first out at approx 7000 feet. Controls U/S. Aircraft burning in various places between WOP and tail of aircraft. WOP, two Gunners and self POW’s.” Flt Sgt Hardwick reported “Aircraft hit by flak. Pilot ordered abandon and baled out.”
75 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 25 June 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 303, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ND 729 Radio call sign: PO – L Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ND729 took off from RAF Waddington at 2233 hours on the night of 24/25th June 1944 to bomb flying bomb launch sites at Prouville, France. Bomb load 2 x 1000lb and 14 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Sixteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including ND729 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 425278 Flt Lt Cowan, R R DFC Captain (Pilot) RAAF 422779 Flt Sgt A L West, (Navigator) RAAF 426377 Flt Sgt P F O’Connell, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 423639 Flt Sgt H K Brown, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt H K Feltham, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt J Sheffield, (Air Gunner) RAAF 429503 Flt Sgt A A Summers, (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft while orbiting the target area was coned by a searchlight and on being hit by flak ND729 broke up over Mareuil-Caubert (Somme). Mareuil-Caubert is a village 6kms south from Abbeville, France. Five of the crew were killed and two of the crew died very soon after from injuries received. Flt Lt Cowan is listed a missing and his name is commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing at Runnymede, Surrey, UK. Flt Sgt O’Connell is buried in the Poix (Somme) Churchyard, while the remaining five crew members are buried in the Mareuil-Caubert Communal Cemetery.
76 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES Date of Death: 29 June 1944. Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (64) AWM 54 779/3/129, Part 24. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 309, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 205 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster LM205 took off from RAF Waddington at 1159am on 29th June 1944, to bomb a flying bomb supply site at Beauvoir, France. This was the first daylight mission of the Squadron. Bomb load 11 x 1000lb and 4 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Fourteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these LM205 failed to return. Crew: RAAF 424830 FO Edwards, G B Captain (Pilot) RAAF 422976 FO Nunn, H K (Navigator) RAAF 424073 Flt Sgt K E S Wallace, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt H Hamilton, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF PO H J F Pridgett (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt T H Leason (Air Gunner) RAAF 429213 Flt Sgt T E Brummell, (Air Gunner) Post war it was established that the aircraft was hit by flak at 18000 feet in the vicinity of Lille and set on fire. The aircraft was partially abandoned before it crashed between Boffles (Pas-de-Calais) and Aux-le-Chateau, 2 villages 17kms SW and 24kms SSW respectively from St Pol, France. FO Edwards, Sgt Pridgett and Sgt Hamilton were killed and the remainder became POW’s. FO Edwards is buried in the Boffles Churchyard Cemetery and PO Pridgett is buried in the Aux-le-Chateau New Communal Cemetery.. Records do not reveal where Sgt Hamilton is buried. In a later report FO Nunn (POW) stated :”The aircraft was hit by flak in the fuselage and wing. WOP attempt to put out fire unsuccessful. Order given to put on chutes. I took out I/C to put chute on skipper. Given Signal by Skipper to bale out. Wallace and Pridgett went ahead of me. Edwards and Hamilton still in aircraft which was in and out of control all the time.Ht approx 8-10000 feet. I saw one chute caught up in aircraft. Brummel, Wallace, Leason and self captured same night.” Flt Sgt Brummel (POW) reported “A/c hit by flak and on fire. Put on chutes ordered and acknowledged. Later order cancelled by Skipper. A/c went out of control. Abandon order given. Nav and Bomb Aimer left aircraft. Engineer’s chute caught on aircraft. I baled out at 1500 feet. Mid Upper Leason crashed in plane. Hamilton jumped too late and hit ground before chute opened. Plane crashed close to village of Fortel, France. No idea what happened to Skipper. POW for 10 months from 29 June. Released by Russians when Stammlager 11A camp liberated.”
77 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 8 July 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427 (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War: Page 325, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 338 Radio call sign: PO – U Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LM 338 took off from RAF Waddington at 2222 hours on the night of 7/8th July 1944 to bomb flying bomb storage sites at St Leu d’Esserent, France. Bomb load 11 x 1000lb, 4 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Eighteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including LM338 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 418012 FO Ryan, P W Captain (Pilot) RAAF 415032 WO C C Jones, (Navigator) RAAF 425605 Flt Sgt V E Cockroft, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 419481 Flt Sgt L H Porritt, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt G H Hays, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 408443 Flt Sgt W D D Killworth, (Air Gunner) RAAF 429643 Flt Sgt J P Steffan, (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed at Courgent (Yvelnes), 12kms SSW from Mantes La-Jolie. All the crew were killed and they are buried in the Courgent Communal Cemetery in a village and commune 12kms from Nantes and 40kms NW of Versailles. Locality Yvelnes, France.
78 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES Date of Death: 8 July 1944. Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/3/247, Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 219 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LM219 took off from RAF Waddington at 2221 hours on the night of 7/8th July 1944 to bomb flying bomb storage sites at St Leu d’Esserent, France. Bomb load 11 x 1000lb, 4 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Eighteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including LM219 failed to return. Crew: RAF Flt LT R W Reynolds, Captain (Pilot) RNZAF PO O’Driscoll, J D (2nd Pilot) RAAF 8955 Flt Sgt J G Walsh, (Navigator) RAAF 426290 Flt Sgt S Adams, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 423661 Flt Sgt H A Cummins, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt R J Taylor, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt G T Tipping, (Air Gunner) RAAF 429482 Flt Sgt G G Podosky, (Air Gunner)
Six of the crew were killed when the aircraft crashed whilst Flt Sgts Adams and Walsh survived the crash evaded capture and returned safe to UK. In a report Flt Sgt Walsh stated “ After leaving the target an explosion occurred when at 15,000 feet and the aircraft filled with smoke and burst into flames at the rear. I endeavoured to reach Cummins but was forced back by smoke. I baled out at 10000 feet and did not see any others but assumed the Bomb aimer, 2nd Pilot and Engineer had left before me. Aircraft appeared under control when I abandoned but on fire. Resistance movement showed him wreckage which he assumed was part of the aircraft fuselage. I was informed by them that 3 bodies were in the wreckage and 3 bodies with chutes found near the wreck. Adams in the hands of Resistance movement near target at place now in liberated territory. “ Flt Sgt Adams reported “ Safe in UK. As result of fire Captain instructed crew to prepare to abandon. Adams removed escape hatch after putting on parachute and was moving back to normal position when as a result of terrific shudder through the aircraft I was thrown out of hatch at 12,000 feet. Met navigator four days later.” The six crew members killed are buried in the Marissel French National Cemetery. Marissel is an eastern suburb of Beauvais, a cathedral town between Rouen and Compiegne, locality Oise, France.
79 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 16 July 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 331, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ME 851 Radio call sign: PO – B Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ME851 took off from RAF Waddington at 2219 hours on the night of 15/16th July 1944 to bomb marshalling yards at Nevers, France. Bomb load 10 x 1000lb and 3 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Nine aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these ME851 failed to return.
Crew: RCAF Flt Lt Murphy, W J B Captain (Pilot) RAAF 422342 PO Wright, W H E (Navigator) RAAF 423689 FO Ewen, J A (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 423870 Flt Sgt W Paul, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt E C W Goode, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 427726 Flt Sgt D A Paterson, (Air Gunner) RAAF 424764 Flt Sgt A H Jenkins, (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed at Lignieres-de-Touraine, a small village south of the Loire and some 22kms WSW of Tours and 3kms south of the village of Langeais, France. Locality Indre-et-Loire. All the crew were killed and they are buried in the Lignieres-de-Touraine Communal Cemetery.
80 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 19 July 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427 (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/5/620, 166/37/474. Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 337, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: PB 234 Radio call sign: PO – C Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster PB234 took off from RAF Waddington at 2301 hours on the night of 18/19th July 1944 to destroy a railway junction at Revigny, France. Bomb load 11 x 1000lb, 3 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Eight aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two including PB234 failed to return. Crew: RAAF` 418334 FO Beharrie, D Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt E E Brownhall, (Navigator) RAF Sgt T T Brown (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 419594 Flt Sgt K J Schott, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt W G Johnson, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 430298 Flt Sgt F R Rogers, (Air Gunner) RAAF 437607 Flt Sgt F K White, (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft was shot down by a night fighter on its bombing run. The aircraft crashed in a field near Brabant-le-Roi (Meuse), 2kms north of Revigny-Sur-Ornain. Three of the crew FO Beharrie, Flt Sgt Schott and Flt Sgt Rogers were killed and they are buried in the Brabant-le-Roi Churchyard Cemetery, Revigny, France. Sgt Brownhall became a POW lived for two days after the crash and died in a German hospital. The other three survived, evaded capture and were returned safe to UK.
In an Oct 1944 report Flt Sgt White stated “From July 19th until Revigny liberated I had little news re fellow crew members but presumed they were killed apart from the Bomb - aimer and Engineer. We were attacked by an enemy aircraft after leaving the target. Captain ordered abandon. Before I could reach the escape hatch an explosion occurred and I was thrown into the air at approx 9000 feet. Landed safely. Brown and Johnson were the only two others to abandon the aircraft which was out of control. All are now safe in the UK.”
81 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 19 July 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) AWM 65 (1170) NAA : A705, 166/11/161, 166/9/357. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 337, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: R 5845 Radio call sign: PO – F Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster R5845 took off from RAF Waddington at 2256 hours on the night of 18/19th July 1944 to destroy a railway junction at Revigny, France. Bomb load 11 x 1000lb, 3 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Eight aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including R5845 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 420173 FO Davis, T E W Captain (Pilot) RAAF 417466 PO Edgerley, M W (Navigator) RAAF 424274 Flt Sgt L W McGowan, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 418751 Sgt D V Kelly (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt W F Marshall, (Flight Engineer) RCAF FO Haddlesey, E F DFC (Air Gunner) RAAF 434218 Flt Sgt C F Allen (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft when homebound was intercepted by a night fighter whose engagement fire killed the Rear Gunner Flt Sgt Allen. The rest baled out but the body of FO Davis was found near the crash site between Heilitz-le-Maurupt (Marne) where he lies in the local churchyard, and Pargny-Sur-Saulk where Flt Sgt Allen is buried in the French National Cemetery. These two villages are 20kms ENE of Vitry- le-Francois. FO Haddlesey became a POW and the other four crew members survived, evaded capture and were returned safe to the UK. In a Feb 1945 report PO Edgerley said “I baled out at 0240 hours on 19 July and landed near Heilitz-le Maurupt. I buried my chute and mae west in the undergrowth and set out walking west along a river. Next day I met a Frenchman who said he could help me. He took me to a house in Juissecourt-Minecourt where I stayed four weeks. On 19 August taken to a farmhouse outside Cheminon where I remained until 1st Sept 1944 when Allied troops entered town. On 2 Sept sent to Paris and interrogated by IS9. Arrived UK Sept 44.”
82 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 21 July 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/5/623. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 345, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 119 Radio call sign: PO – E Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LM119 took off from RAF Waddington at 2318 hours on the night of 20/21 July 1944 to bomb railway yards at Courtrai, Belgium. Bomb load 11 x 1000lb and 4 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Fourteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 417781 FO Barlow, D A Captain (Pilot) RAAF 422851 Flt Sgt E J Freame, (Navigator) RAAF 426482 Flt Sgt J H Abraham, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 429487 Flt Sgt R K Scott, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt L D Arcus, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 421754 Flt Sgt J O Ohlson (Air Gunner) RAAF 430035 Flt Sgt M R Jones (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft when homebound after the raid on Coutrai crashed at approx 0200 hours on 21 July at Kaaskerke (West-Vlaanderen). All the crew were killed and they are buried in the Kaaskerke Communal Cemetery. The village of Kaaskerke is 2kms west of Diksmuide on the N35 between Diksmuide and Nieuwpoort, Belgium.
83 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 21 July 1944
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A9301, Barcode 5526306. Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 345, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 101 Radio call sign: PO – J Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LM101 took off from RAF Waddington at 2329 hours on the night of 20/21st July 1944 to bomb railway yards at Coutrai, Belgium. Bomb load 11 x 1000lb and 4 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Fourteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including LM101 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 427420 FO Jeffery, D B Captain (Pilot) RAAF 424949 Flt Sgt P W Benson, (Navigator) RAAF 414916 Flt Sgt A J Downie, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 426838 Flt Sgt A B Hartley, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Flt Sgt J E R Ede, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 423922 Flt Sgt T L Roberts, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 437162 Flt Sgt M K G Roy, (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed near Marke (West Vlaanderen) in the south west outskirts of Coutrai, and all the crew were killed. FO Jeffery is buried in the Kortrijk (Coutrai) (St Jan) Communal Cemetery, Belgium, while the other six crew members are buried in the Parish Cemetery Wevelgham, Belgium, which is located 22kms east of the Ieper (Ypres) town centre.
84 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 29 July 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (64) NAA : A705, 166/14/244. Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ME 856 Radio call sign: PO – T Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ME856 took off from RAF Waddington at 2215 hours on the night of 28/29th July 1944 to bomb Stuttgart, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 2000lb bomb and 12 x “J” clusters. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Fifteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including ME856 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 418378 FO Fotheringham, I Captain (Pilot) RAF FO Beaton, J M (Navigator) RAF Flt Sgt G R S Miller, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 424457 PO Pottinger F J (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt P A Scratchley, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt C R Knapman (Air Gunner) RAAF 429855 FO Phillips, C A (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established from German documents that the aircraft crashed near Pforzheim at approx 2,20am on 29 July 1944. Pforzheim is located approx 25miles north of Stuttgart. Flames were seen coming from the engines as a result of ack-ack fire over Karlsruhe. All the crew were killed and they are buried in the Durnbach War Cemetery. Durnbach is a village 16kms east of Bad Tolz, a town 48kms south of Munich, Germany.
85 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES Date of Death: 29 July 1944. Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432). AWM 65 (4015) AWM 54 779/3/129 Part 21. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 362, Volume 1944. Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LL 846 Radio call sign: PO – V Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster LL846 took off from RAF Waddington at 2211 hours on the night of 28/29th July 1944 to bomb Stuttgart, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 2000lb bomb, 12 x “J”clusters. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Fifteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid, and two of these including LL846 failed to return. Crew: RAAF 425021 FO Johns, S DFC Captain (Pilot) RCAF FO Langston, C E (Navigator) RAAF 426379 Flt Sgt M J O’Leary (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 419472 Flt Sgt B P Molloy, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt D K J Phillips, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt B R J Pring, (Air Gunner) RAF PO Birch, S G (Air Gunner) It was later established that the aircraft ditched and that Sgt Phillips (RAF sustained severe head injuries and was unable to get into the dinghy despite valiant efforts by FO Johns to get his colleague on board. By morning the Flt Engineer could no longer be seen and he is presumed to have drowned. The other six members of the crew became POW’s.
In a later report by the then WO O’Leary he stated “was being marched westwards by the Germans ahead of advancing Russian troops. With two other RAAF companions they fell out in a village pleading exhaustion and waited there fourteen days for the advancing Russians. They were then marched back 45 miles to a reception centre and later taken by motor lorry and train to Poland, and subsequently Odessa.”
In his report WO Molloy stated “The aircraft was hit by flak about 6000 feet at Le Havre as we were first heading for UK. Flames were coming from the port wing which would have broken off but for the Skippers presence of mind who immediately put the aircraft down and made a perfect ditching 5 miles off Le Havre. All got out but the Engineer was badly smashed up during the ditching and disappeared from us and was not seen again. Six of us spent three days in the dinghy. POW all the time until released by the Russians from German POW Camp.” Sgt Phillips who was listed as missing is commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing at Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
86 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 2 August 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ME 853 Radio call sign: PO – Q Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ME853 took off from RAF Waddington at 1447 hours on 2 August 1944 in a daylight raid on flying bomb facilities at Bois de Cassan, France. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including ME853 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 423050 FO Bradley, A R Captain (Pilot) RAAF 419458 FO Delahunty, J R (Navigator) RAAF 422942 Flt Sgt K MacD Finney, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 427615 Flt Sgt W G B Dial, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt J Wilkins, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt A H Dawkins (Air Gunner) RAAF 437213 Flt Sgt G K Scheadel, (Air Gunner)
AWM 64 (1/427) records that “according to reports the two aircraft that failed to return from the above mission (ie. ME853 and ND346) collided and went straight down.” It was later established that the two aircraft crashed at Boran-Sur-Oise 9kms WSW of Chantilly, France.
All the crew were killed. FO Bradley, FO Delahunty and Flt Sgt Dial are buried in the Viroflay New Communal Cemetery which is located in a small town 4kms east of Versailles, France. The other four crew members are buried in the Boran-Sur-Oise Communal Cemetery which is in a village 36kms from Beauvais and 7kms ENE of Persan Beaumont, France.
87 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 2 August 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ND 346 Radio call sign: PO – E Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ND346 took off from RAF Waddington at 1434 hours on 2 August 1944 on a daylight raid on flying bomb facilities at Bois de Cassan, France. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including ND346 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 420648 FO Dyer, A R captain (Pilot) RAAF 410070 WO J S Le Maire, (Navigator) RAAF 426601 Flt Sgt R Howard, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 426343 Flt Sgt A E Heap, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt A G Shayler (Flight Engineer) RAAF 434619 Flt Sgt E G Challis, (Air Gunner) RAAF 425881 Flt Sgt J A W McKinnon, (Air Gunner)
AWM 64 (1/427) records that “according to reports the two aircraft that failed to return from the above mission (ie. ME853 and ND346) collided and went straight down.” It was later established that the two aircraft crashed at Boran-Sur-Oise 9kms WSW of Chantilly, France.
All the crew were killed. FO Dyer, Sgt Shayler and Flt Sgt Howard are buried in the Viroflay New Communal Cemetery which is located in a small town 4kms east of Versailles, France. The other four crew members are buried in the Boran-Sur-Oise Communal Cemetery which is in a village 36kms from Beauvais and 7kms ENE of Persan Beaumont, France.
88 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 13 August 1944. Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/43/804. Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: PD 230 Radio call sign: PO – X Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster PD230 took off from RAF Waddington at 2130 hours on the night of 12/13th August 1944 to bomb Russelsheim. Bomb load 1 x 2000lb bomb and 12 “J” clusters. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these PD230 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 417870 FO Mellowship, R J Captain (Pilot) RAAF 425252 WO F White, (Navigator) RAF Sgt A H Baldwin, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 419509 Flt Sgt R W Hore, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt T C Berry, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 437402 Flt Sgt C E Currie, (Air Gunner) RAAF 428124 Flt Sgt T I Ramsay, (Air Gunner)
Both WO White and Flt Sgt Ramsay survived the crash, evaded capture and arrived back safe in UK. The other five crew members\ were killed and they are buried in the Hotton War Cemetery, Luxembourg, Belgium. Hotton is located south of Liege on the N86 highway.
In a later report WO White stated “About 45 minutes after leaving the target an explosion occurred. The aircraft went into a dive from 15000 to 13000 feet when the Pilot managed to temporarily steady. After further difficulty the Rear Gunner reported a fire in the fuselage. The Pilot ordered abandon which was acknowledged by the crew. At 12000 feet the Engineer and Bomb Aimer attempted to open the escape hatch and were having considerable difficulty. I struggled through an opening in the side of the fuselage and abandoned at 10000 feet. I was hit by the propeller or some other part of the aircraft and rendered unconscious. I do not know how the chute opened but landed safely. The Resistance Movement advised the pilot was killed while still at the controls. Also that four others were killed. Also that one was being sheltered in French territory. I consider this likely to be the Rear Gunner, but have no definite information. No other details re crew members.”
89 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 30 August 1944. Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) AWM 54 779/3/129, Parts 25 and 27.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 267 Radio call sign: PO – J Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster LM267 took off from RAF Waddington at 2038 hours on the night of 29/30th August 1944 to bomb Konigsberg, Russia. Bomb load 1 x 2000lb bomb and 12 :J” clusters. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Nineteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and three of these including LM267 failed to return. Crew: RAAF 427149 FO Richards, J A Captain (Pilot) RAAF 427136 Flt Sgt M J Muirhead, (Navigator) RAAF 424997 FO Dinsdale, T N (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 427560 Flt Sgt G A Shoesmith, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt D J Andrews, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 417590 Flt Sgt M J Mahar, (Air Gunner) RAAF 427957 Flt Sgt R G Stockdill, (Air Gunner)
Two of the crew Flt Sgt Shoesmith and Flt Sgt Mahar are listed as missing and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK. The remaining five crew members were POW’s. In a later report FO Richards stated “ The aircraft was coned at 8000 feet and hit several time by flak with the port inner engine on fire. Ordered crew ‘jump, jump’ but not acknowledged. Bomb Aimer, Navigator, Engineer and Rear Gunner baled out before me at approx 3500 feet. Aircraft very difficult to control and on fire. Aircraft crashed approx 30 miles WSW of Konigsberg. Captured on 2/9/44 with Muirhead. We were looking for water around an apparently disused house – an old man spoke to us and we pretended to be Italians. He gave us water. Luftwaffe guard stopped us 2 miles further on. He apparently had been warned by the old man. Released in May 1st 1945 when Germans left camp ahead of advancing Russian units.” FO Dinsdale reported “Aircraft hit by several bursts of Flak on way out of target. Capt ordered ‘jump jump’ but did not hear any acknowledgements. First out were Nav and Engineer behind me. Rear Gunner went out about the same time Aircraft out of control and on fire. Crashed on Baltic coast north of Konigsberg. Five baled out. Unsure about WOP and Mid Upper gunner. They were unable to open the rear escape hatch . Captured by Germans on 30/8/44. Released by Russians 1st May 1945.”
90 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 30 August 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 963) (64)
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 583 Radio call sign: PO – O Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LM583 took off from RAF Waddington at 2031 hours on the night of 29/30th August 1944 to bomb Konigsberg, Russia. Bomb load 1 x 2000lb bomb, 12 “J” clusters. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Nineteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and three of these including LM583 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 423334 FO Sandell, D J Captain (Pilot) RAAF 18098 FO Brady, A J (Navigator) RAAF 422871 Flt Sgt J McWhinney, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 437033 Flt Sgt J B Ware, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt T D Smith, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 435225 Flt Sgt J W Perrie, (Air Gunner) RAAF 434148 Flt Sgt R H C Peut, (Air Gunner)
The aircraft and crew were lost without trace. The crew are listed as missing and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
91 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 30 August 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 237 Radio call sign: PO – N Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LM237 took off from RAF Waddington at 2032 hours on the night of 29/30th August 1944 to bomb Konigsberg, Russia. Bomb load 1 x 2000lb, 12 “J” clusters. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Nineteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and three of these including LM237 failed to return.
Crew: RAF Flt Lt Tattersall, D B Captain (Pilot) RCAF FO Sutcliffe, J (Navigator) RCAF Flt Sgt P W O’Leary, (Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt C Pearson, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt E Hatzfeld, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt C Alexander, (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt E C Reid, (Air Gunner)
The aircraft was presumed to have crashed into the sea, and six of the crew were killed with one FO Sutcliffe becoming a POW. The names of the six crew members killed are recorded on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
92 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES Date of Death: 12 September 1944. Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/9/401 AWM 54 779/3/129, Part25.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 226 Radio call sign: PO – H Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LM226 took off from RAF Waddington at 1903 hours on the night of 12/13th September 1944 to bomb Stuttgart, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb and 14 x 4lb clusters. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Twenty aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including LM226 failed to return. Crew: RAAF 418804 Flt Lt Browne, D D Captain (Pilot) RAAF 405513 PO Adams, E K (Navigator) RAAF 424860 Flt Sgt H B Dixon, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 419196 PO Maughan, P C (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt P S G Apperley, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 425168 Flt Sgt E J L Klemm, (Air Gunner) RAAF 40974 Flt Sgt H W Rennick, (Air Gunner) Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed at Muhlhausen, a small town 6kms SE of Wiesloch. Five of the crew were killed and two Flt Sgt Dixon and Flt Sgt Rennick were POW’s. Flt Sgt Klemm is listed as missing and his name is commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runmnymede, Surrey, UK. The other four crew members killed are buried in the Durnbach War Cemetery. Durnbach is a village 16kms east of Bad Tolz, a town 48kms south of Munich, Germany.
In a later statement Flt Sgt Dixon reported “Within 10 minutes of target a fighter attacked. Pilot ordered put on chutes and said aircraft OK. Took evasive action. A second burst exploded port tanks. At 12000 feet I baled out. Aircraft on fire and stove in above my position. Seemed going down in a steep dive. Aircraft crashed approx 20 miles north of Stuttgart. Saw no others bale out. Saw Rear Gunner Rennick two days later. He had been told four in aircraft Browne, Adams, Maughan and one not identified. Not know what happened to the other member of the crew. Liberated by the Russians on 2/5/45 when the German guards cleared out.”
Flt Sgt Rennick stated “A/c shot down by enemy fighter. A/c on fire and in steep dive. I baled out at 14,000 feet. I was captured by German civilians shortly after landing. A/c crashed south of Karlsruhe. Liberated by Russians April 23rd, 1945.”
93 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES Date of Death: 12 September 1944. Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/6/701. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 421, Volume 1944. Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LL 789 Radio call sign: PO – P Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster LL789 took off from RAF Waddington at 1913 hours on the night of 12/13th September 1944 to bomb Stuttgart, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb and 14 x 4lb clusters. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Twenty aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including LL789 failed to return. Crew: RAAF 420856 FO Bright, A L Captain (Pilot) RAAF 437322 Flt Sgt R G Symonds, (Navigator) RAF Sgt E K Bulloch,(Bomb Aimer) RAAF 423445 Flt Sgt P Callow, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt T Ballantyne, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 434682 Flt Sgt G T Kirby, (Air Gunner) RAAF 437530 FO Manchester, V C (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed at 2330 hours at Pfahlbronn about 2kms WSW of Alfdorf, a small town 7kms NW of Schwabisch-Gmund. Five of the crew were killed and FO Bright and FO Manchester were POW’s. Those killed are buried in the Durnbach War Cemetery. Durnbach is a village 16kms east of Bad Tolz, a town 48kms south of Munich. In a later statement FO Bright said “Aircraft hit. Starboard rudder useless. Hard to weave. DR compass U/S. When straightening up to adjust compass received direct hit under starboard wing and mid upper turret. Fire broke out and could not control it. Ordered bale out. Aircraft now out of control and in vicious spiral dive. Controls useless apart from elevators. Bomb aimer baled out then Engineer ht 5000 ft. I jettisoned Pilots escape hatch and tried to get out. Suddenly was thrown out about 1000 feet. Landed practically on aircraft . Picked up by Germans next day. Released May 1945.” FO Manchester stated “ Aircraft hit by flak. Starboard tail fin badly damaged. Abandon ordered. As far as I know no crew injured. Rear turret doors hit and unable to open them. BA and Eng. baled out, when hit again. Both starboard motors on fire before I could chop my way out of rear turret. Pilot escaped thru top hatch. Ht when hit 13,000 feet. Crashed within 10 minutes of target. Met pilot two days after crash. Fate of rest hearsay but believe others killed. Captured by Germans 13/9/44. Released by Russians from Stalag Luft 1 on 2/5/45.”
94 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 19 September 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432). AWM 237 (63) (64) AWM 54 779/3/129, Part 27.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: PB 299 Radio call sign: PO – O Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster PB299 took off from RAF Waddington at on the night of 19/20th September 1944 to bomb Rheydt near Munchen-Gladbach. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Nineteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these PB299 failed to return
Crew: RAAF 415937 FO Findlay, A G Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt H Hemingway, (Navigator) RAAF 427387 Flt Sgt C F Larkin (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 427592 Flt Sgt R K Emrose (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt D H F Burton, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 415002 FO Woods, W J (Air Gunner) RAAF 436767 Flt Sgt N Willington (Air Gunner)
Four of the crew were killed, Flt Sgt Larkin and Flt Sgt Willington were POW’s and FO Findlay survived the crash evaded capture and returned safe to UK. The four killed are buried in the Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery. Bergen-op-Zoom is a town in the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant, Netherlands, 40kms NNW of Antwerp (Belgium).
In a later statement Flt Sgt Larkin reported “ Hit by night fighter at about 11000 feet. Emergency jump order given by Captain. I baled out about 5000 feet. Aircraft out of control and on fire at rear. Controls gone. Crashed about 15 miles south west of Eindhoven. At time did not know who baled out. Think one member of crew came down near me. Found his chute and heard him moving about but did not contact him. Think he may have been the WOP. Thought he was a German so kept quiet. Tried to get to our lines but picked up by Germans about 4 o’clock on 20/9. Released by Russians on 22/4/45.”
95 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES Date of Death: 24 September 1944. Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA: A705, 166/27/580. Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 636 Radio call sign: PO – U Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster LM636 took off from RAF Waddington at 1723 hours on 24 September 1944 to attack enemy strong points at Calais. Bomb load 6 x 1000lb and 2 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Eight aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including LM636 failed to return. Crew: RAAF 408452 FO Brown G A Captain (Pilot) RAAF 433183 Flt Sgt J O Millar, (Navigator) RAAF 418242 Flt Sgt D C Ardis, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 419365 Flt Sgt L V Giddings, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt R Oxborrow, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt N Hainsworth, (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt W J Turnbull, (Air Gunner)
The ORB records “The aircraft took off in shocking weather. Cloud base 200 feet. Before most of the aircraft reached the target a recall to base was issued. A number of aircraft failed to receive the message and they went in and bombed from 2000 feet. Flak was accurate and this evidently accounted for the losses.”
Both Flt Sgt Millar and Sgt Turnbull survived the crash, and returned safe to UK. The other five crew members were killed. FO Brown, Flt Sgts Giddings and Ardis and Sgt Hainsworth are buried in the Calais Canadian War Cemetery, Leubringhen, which is a village half way between Calais and Boulogne. Sgt Oxborrow is buried in the Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery. Longuenesse is a commune on the southern outskirts of St Omer, a large town 45kms south east of Calais.
Flt Sgt Turnbull later reported “ The aircraft crash landed at 2100 hours on 24 September. The Flt Engineer died in a Canadian hospital. The Pilot and rest of crew in Canadian Army hospital suffering from burns.” On 27/9 the Canadian Hospital Padre advised that Brown, Giddings and Ardis were all deceased. Flt Sgt Millar reported “ Both Sgt Turnbull and I were admitted to RAF hospital on return to UK. I can provide no information on rest of Crew.”
96 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES Date of Death: 25 September 1944. Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) AWM 65 (3612) and (522) NAA : A705, 166/6/717. Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: DV 171 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster DV171 took off from RAF Waddington at 1731 hours on 24 September 1944 to bomb enemy strong points at Calais. Bomb load 5 x 1000lb and 2 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Eight aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including DV171 failed to return. Crew: RAAF 419511 FO Jones, R A Captain (Pilot) RAAF 423809 Flt Sgt D Michelmore, (Navigator) RAAF 429919 Flt Sgt S G Burns (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 422656 Flt Sgt A J Smith, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt I B Fletcher, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt C E Whitfield, (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt J Johnston, (Air Gunner) The ORB records “The aircraft took off in shocking weather. Cloud base 200 feet. Before most of the aircraft reached the target a recall to base was issued. A number of aircraft failed to receive the message and they went in and bombed from 2000 feet. Flak was accurate and this evidently accounted for the losses.” Flt Sgts Michelmore, Burns and Fletcher survived the crash evaded capture and returned safe to UK. The other four members of the crew were killed. FO Jones, Flt Sgt Smith and Sgt Whitfield are listed as missing and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK. Sgt Johnston is buried in the Calais Canadian War Cemetery at Leubringhen, a village half way between Calais and Boulogne.
In a later report Flt Sgt Fletcher said “The aircraft was hit by light flak several times. Port inner caught fire. Pilot ordered prepare to bale out. I baled out no 2 and landed in flooded part of Calais at 1930 hours. Hid chute, mae west and came across an empty house where I spent the night. Next morning headed south east walked 200 yards and arrested by Germans. Taken to three different places and then local jail where I met Burns and Michelmore who were captured on 24/9. Then taken to two different places but were bombed and shelled out of them. Food bad. French woman slipped in some food to us. Liberated on 30/9 by the Canadian infantry which we had contacted.”
Flt Sgt Burns reported “Aircraft crashed south of Calais. I baled out first then Nav and Flt Engineer when a/c at approx 1000 feet. Plane too low for Jones and Smith to get out.”
97 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 27 September 1944. Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) AWM 54, 779/3/129, Part 18.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 239 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster LM239 took off from RAF Waddington at 0044 hours on 27 September 1944 to bomb Karlsruhe, Germany. Bomb load 2700 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these LM239 failed to return. Crew: RAAF 415948 FO Millar, K V Captain (Pilot) RAAF 408709 WO K A McKay, (Navigator) RAAF 417845 Flt Sgt A M Hughes, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 419412 Flt Sgt A M Meggs, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt J H Barnes, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 432256 PO Perkins, A J (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 400870 Flt Lt Cleary, F J (Rear Gunner) and Sqn Gunnery Leader
Six of the crew were POW’s and PO Perkins who was killed is buried in the Durnbach War Cemetery. Durnbach is a village 16kms east of Bad Tolz, a town 48kms south of Munich. In a later report FO Millar said “ The aircraft was hit by flak and damaged. The port wing was hit and the port outer on fire. Could not feather port outer as still windmilling. The fire from this engine was spreading rapidly along the whole port wing the petrol tanks apparently being holed. Ordered put on chutes but not jump. Immediately the fire enveloped the whole wing and abandon order given and acknowledge. No crew injured. It is possible that Perkins the mid upper gunner could have been in the aircraft at time of abandoning as the I/C was still working but I could not get any more response from the two gunners who were the only two I had not personally seen abandon. I presumed they had left and as my position was getting intensively hot I abandoned about 10000 feet. Aircraft was under control but port wing burning fiercely. The aircraft crashed about 6kms south of Karlsruhe. All the crew were safe except Perkins. The last person to see him was the WOP when he was standing at the rear door as if in readiness to jump after the WOP. He had definitely left the mid upper turret and was standing by the rear door. Nothing else is known re. Perkins. I was liberated from Stalag Luft 1 by the Allied armies on 19/5/45.” FO Millar had completed 32 sorties, and Flt Lt Cleary had completed 13 trips on his second tour.
98 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES Date of Crash : 5 October 1944. Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: DV 373 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster DV 373 took off from RAF Waddington at 0802 hours on 5 October 1944 on a daylight mission to bomb Wilhelmshaven, Germany. Bomb load 10 x 1000lb bombs. Seventeen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission and one of these DV373 failed to return when it ditched into the sea. All the crew survived and there were no fatalities. Crew: RAAF 419989 FO Feddersen, M J Captain (Pilot) RAAF 418833 WO I H Gray, (Navigator) RAAF 434038 Flt Sgt M R Stedman, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 423535 Flt Sgt W L Houston, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt E F Vevers (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt G E Carrington (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt R W C Heath, (Air Gunner)
The Pilot’s report in the ORB is as follows “Sortie completed. At 5430N 0450E at 0945 hours, Ht 1500 feet, boost on port outer fell right off. Engineer tried every drill but best that he got was –2 boost. At 0950 hours port outer feathered. Down to 1000 feet but held height on 2650=6. At this time being about two miles behind the Squadron I turned for base. During the turn the Engineer reported fuel warning light on port inner. Simultaneously I noticed port inner boost dropped off to zero. Ht now 800 feet and losing ht steadily despite full power on stbd engines. Port inner engine not feathered. Realised ditching was imminent and instructed crew accordingly. Made quick examination of possibility jettisoning bombs but owing to height and available trim decided impractical. Ordered Bomb Aimer to defuse bombs which was done. Opened fuel jettison cock. Gave orders to take up ditching stations and WOP fired two Vereys and sent out three SOS’s. Made good ditching across swell. Crew out in approx 20 seconds. A/c sank in approx 1.5 minutes. “J” type lifeboat inflated and released OK. No trouble getting into it. Formations of British and US aircraft seen passing over us that day and night. At 1600 hours on 6/10 an airborne lifeboat dropped by Warwick ASR. We boarded this and it greatly increased our comfort. Warwick patrolled until 2200 hours. Another Warwick came at 0900 hours on the 7th followed by Fortresses and Mustangs of American ASR. Finally picked up by two ASR motor launches at 1700 hours on 7 October which took us to Yarmouth, after picking up the crew of a Fortress on the way which had ditched in front of the launch.”
99 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 15 October 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (64)
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: NG 196 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster NG 196 took off from RAF Waddington at 2237 hours on the night of 14/15th October 1944 to bomb Brunswick, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 1000lb bomb, 16 x 150 x 4lb incendiaries. Nineteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission and all returned safely to base.
The Pilot’s report is as follows “ Sortie completed. No cloud good visibility. Big concentration of fire believed oil fire visible for 150 miles. Aircraft showered by incendiaries. Tailplane, fuselage, port wing, 2 starboard engines, bomb door, rear turret damaged by incendiaries. One penetrated Perspex and fuselage over Navigators table damaging Z and Gee.No effect on aircraft handling. None of incendiaries burnt. Navigator suffered serious head injury. Landed at Woodbridge. Navigator died of injuries in the afternoon.
Crew: RAAF 421582 FO Edwards, W A Captain (Pilot) RAAF 411968 FO J C Turner (Navigator) RAAF 22406 FO Watkins, B C (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 410553 FO Lilley, D (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt A Blenkinsop, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 418916 WO D S Brockman, (Air Gunner) RAAF 418618 WO F R Armstrong, (Air Gunner)
FO Turner is buried in the RAF Cemetery, Cambridge, UK.
100 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 23 October 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64)
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: NF 989 Radio call sign: PO – P Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster took off from RAF Waddington at 1442 hours on 23 October 1944 to bomb batteries near port of Flushing (Vlissingen) Netherlands. Bomb load 14 x 1000lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Twenty- one aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these NF989 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 422714 FO Rowell, E B Captain (Pilot) RAAF 422652 WO R L Morris, (Navigator) RAAF 424894 Flt Sgt D J Taylor, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 425905 Flt Sgt A S Smith, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt A J F Halls, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt A Thomson, (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt J Hodge, (Air Gunner)
No trace of the missing aircraft or crew were found and the names of the missing crew are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
101 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 2 November 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 472, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: DV 396 Radio call sign: PO – B Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster DV396 took off from RAF Waddington at 1631 hours on 2 November 1944 to bomb Dusseldorf, Germany. Bomb load 14 x 1000lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Fifteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these DV396 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 429972 FO Langridge, L K Captain (Pilot) RAAF 4299913 Flt Sgt R G Beverley, (Navigator) RAAF 434111 Flt Sgt K C Woollam (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 425572 Flt Sgt W G Denny, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt J Halstead, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt D J Allen (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 427203 Flt Sgt W J Lemin, (Rear Gunner)
It was later established that the aircraft came down in Allied held territory. Both FO Langridge and Flt Sgt Lemin were killed and the other five crew members were reported safe in American lines. The two members killed are buried in the Hotton War Cemetery, Luxembourg, Belgium which is located south of Liege, Belgium on the N86 highway.
102 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 11 November 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 484, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: NN 714 Radio call sign: PO – W Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster NN714 took off from RAF Waddington at 1618 hours on 11th November 1944 to bomb Harburg, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 1000lb bomb, 14 x 4lb clusters. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and the aircraft did not return to base. Nineteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including NN714 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 419989 FO Feddersen, M J Captain (Pilot) RAAF 418833 WO I H Gray, (Navigator) RAAF 434038 Flt Sgt M R Stedman, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 423535 Flt Sgt W L Houston, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt E F Vevers, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt G E Carrington, (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt R W C Heath, (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed on fire at Bremerhaven, Germany, and that all the crew were killed. They are buried in the Becklingen War Cemetery, which is located 13kms south east of Soltau on the west side of the road from Hamburg to Hanover.
On 5 October 1944 the above crew survived and were rescued after ditching during a raid on Wilhelshaven.
103 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 11 November 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) AWM 54 779/3/129, Part 30.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: NF 917 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster NF917 took off from RAF Waddington at 1630 hours on 11th November 1944 to bomb Harburg, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 1000lb bomb, 14 x 4lb clusters. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Nineteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including NF917 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 427077 FO Eyre, T F Captain (Pilot) RAAF 424753 Flt Sgt G Goodfellow, (Navigator) RAAF 429084 Flt Sgt E J Leake, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 427184 Flt Sgt E G Charman, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt H Boardman, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 434380 Flt Sgt G French, (Air Gunner) RAAF 436772 Flt Sgt T A Nilen, (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed near Ramelsloh, about 16kms south of Hamburg. Flt Sgt Nilen became a POW and the other six members of the crew were killed. They are buried in the Kiel War Cemetery, Germany. In a later report Flt Sgt Nilen said “At 20,250 feet on course to target, visibility bad with misty cloud all above and below. We were all on lookout for target but must have overshot. I suddenly picked up TI’s behind, so Skipper decided to orbit and come on to target on current heading. Just as we dropped the starboard wing we were hit. I surmise it was in the bomb load. The ship must have disintegrated. When I came to I was travelling down, so I pulled the ripcord and landed breaking my leg in so doing. Only for having my seat type chute I would not have had a chance. Believe all the crew were killed. Picked up by Germans. Prisoner on 13/11/44 until 29/5/45 when liberated by American Army. I was in various German hospitals with broken leg for approx 3 months.”
104 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Crash: 27 November 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427 (1/432)
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: PD 398 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster PD398 took off from RAF Waddington at 2353 hours on the night of 26/27th November 1944 to bomb Munich, Germany. Nineteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these PD398 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 415937 FO Findlay, A Captain (Pilot) RAF Flt Sgt S W G Kenward ( Navigator) RAAF 427661 Flt Sgt K J Quealy, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 427556 Flt Sgt G E Seeber, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt S C Fawcett, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 431387 Flt Sgt C J Lovell, (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt J W Whitmore, (Air Gunner)
The pilots report in the ORB records the following “Sortie completed at 0515 hours. Leaving the target the Navigator was sick and he removed the oxygen mask. Fifteen minutes later he was found at his seat by the WOP who replaced the mask. The Flt Engineer turned up the oxygen and the Nav made a fair recovery. By 0600 hours Nav had worked out a nav position by DR and MTA’s but position uncertain as not fully recovered. Attempted to fix position by GEE, Loran, W/T and VHF loops until 0855 but without success. Decided base could not be reached and landing would be better at Juvincourt. GEE lined up on supposed position of airfield but no reply obtained. Fuel down to 80 gallons. Obvious forced landing necessary. Selected open space where US trucks could be identified. Fired red cartridge and attempted wheels down landing. On first run ground appeared very wet. Pulled wheels up and landed in field ahead with all crew in crash positions. Good landing made at Brieulles at 1030am. No one injured. When ground examined it was seen that wheels down landing was almost impossible.”
Brieulles-Sur-Bar is located in the French Department of Ardennes, some 12kms north- east of Vouziers.
105 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 4 December 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432)
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 100 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LM100 took off from RAF Waddington at 1625 hours on 4 December 1944 to bomb Heilbronn, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 14 x 106 x 4lb incendiaries. Twenty aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these PB 740 failed to return. LM100 completed the mission and landed at 2230 hours. The Rear Gunner Sgt R W Steele was however killed during the mission.
Crew: RAAF 419657 FO Kynoch, W M Captain (Pilot) RAAF 422885 FO Robinson, A N (2nd Pilot) RAF Flt Sgt J G Scammell, (Navigator) RAAF 419946 FO Chalk, J A (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 415481 Flt Sgt K R Morris, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt W T J George, (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF Sgt R W Steele, (Rear Gunner)
The Pilots report in the ORB records the following “ Sortie completed. Fighter attack on aircraft at 1936 hours, height 13,200 feet. R/T, starboard flap and main plane trailing edge, under carriage, hydraulic line severed, stbd wheel punctured, fuselage forward of rear turret and stbd outer prop damaged. Rear Gunner killed in fighter attack. Landed at Manston.”
This was the first trip by the Rear Gunner since leaving hospital after being shot up by a fighter on a previous mission.
106 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 4 December 1944.
Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) AWM 54 779/3/129, Part 28.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: PB 740 Radio call sign: PO – O Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster PB740 took off from RAF Waddington at 1642 on 4 December 1944 to bomb Heilbronn, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 14 x 106 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Twenty aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these PB740 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 428353 FO Plumridge, J B Captain (Pilot) RAAF 432361 FO Sinden, G F (Navigator) RAAF 428930 Flt Sgt J E Penman, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 424797 FO Rawson, G D (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt J L Wood, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 430654 Flt Sgt C L George, (Air Gunner) RAAF 433207 Flt Sgt G Hayman, (Air Gunner)
It was later established that Flt Sgt Penman survived the crash and became a POW, and that the other six crew members had been killed. They are buried in the Durnbach War Cemetery. Durnbach is a village 16kms east of Bad Tolz, a town 48kms south of Munich.
In a later report Flt Sgt Penman said “ After repeated attacks by enemy fighters, the aircraft was on fire and out of control. Emergency ‘jump’ order given for which no acknowledgement needed. Tail gunner not heard after first attack and suspect he was a casualty. I was out first. All members of crew in aircraft after I left at 9000 feet. Aircraft on fire and in a spin. Saw no chutes on landing. After landing attempted to walk 50 miles west towards allied lines. Challenged by Volkstun, searched and escape kit gave me away. Released from Luft 111A in April 45 by Russians. Escaped from Russians on 7 May 45.”
107 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Crash : 17 December 1944. Source: AWM 64 (1/427) (1/432) W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 514, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: PD 215 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary Lancaster PD215 took off from RAF Waddington at 1638 hours on 17 December 1944 to bomb Munich, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Twenty-two aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these PD215 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 429229 FO Evans, T E Captain (Pilot) RAAF 432422 FO Robson, D K (Navigator) RAAF 434772 Flt Sgt R T R Boyd, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 436175 Flt Sgt A D D Beer, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Flt Sgt W R Brownjohn, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 430681 Flt Sgt R J Toomey, (Air Gunner) RAAF 428173 Flt Sgt A J Mainwaring, (Air Gunner)
A report in the ORB records the following “Sortie completed. At 2159 hours preparing to turn into bombing run when Mid Upper gunner reported a Manchester parallel on port beam at 600 yards. TI’s seen going down on target. The Captain apparently sighted another aircraft coming up below port wing and suddenly hauled stick back with full revs. Immediately the starboard outer which had been giving trouble on trip out, cut and port wing dropped. The next moment the aircraft ploughed the lower part of the starboard fin and rudder then on to starboard main plane of an aircraft, taking off approx 12 feet including aileron and part of flaps. Starboard outer now picked up again. Aircraft went into a spin and we completed an orbit in the bomber stream. The other aircraft was seen to go down with port engine on fire.”
All the crew of PD215 baled out over France in the vicinity of Chalons-Sur-Marne and no fatalities or injuries were reported. However the Captain baled out at 1500 feet from the front escape hatch apparently without harm but landed heavily and spent some time in hospital. Later on 27/2/45 the then Flt Lt Evans received an immediate award of a DFC.
It was later established that PD215 was involved in a collision with a 50 Sqn RAF Lancaster which made a safe return to the UK..
108 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Crash : 1 January 1945.
Source: AWM 64 (1/428) (1/432) Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: PA 169 Radio call sign: PO – S Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster PA169 took off from RAF Waddington at 0734 hours to bomb the Dortmund- Ems Canal near Ladbergen. Bomb load 11 x 1000lb and 4 x 500lb bombs.10 aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these PA169 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 434095 FO Bache, M G Captain (Pilot) RAAF 433646 FO Patison, L E (Navigator) RAAF 20254 Flt Sgt S H Nelson, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 434978 Flt Sgt C J Dreger, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt E Wilson (Flight Engineer) RAAF 418634 Flt Sgt L G Court, (Air Gunner) RAAF 432810 Flt Sgt J M Jay, (Air Gunner)
The Pilots report in the ORB records the following “Took off at 0734 hours.Waddington to bomb Dortmund-Ems Canal near Ladbergen. Aircraft hit by flak nearing the AP but continued with attack and bombed at 1117 hours from 11,700 feet. Turning away the aircraft hit for a second time this time in No1 port petrol tank. Despite his skills in cross feeding fuel supplies Sgt Wilson unable to prevent both port engines failing. A valiant effort by all the crew ensured that the aircraft regained the allied lines where it was abandoned and crashed near the hamlet of Hasenberg (Limburg), 3kms north west of Venray. Both the Flt Engineer and WOP spent time in hospital at Eindhoven but all the others OK.”
On 17/2/1945 the then Flt Lt Bache received an immediate award of the DSO.
109 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 3 January 1945.
Source : AWM 237 (63) (64) W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 29, Volume 1945.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: NF 908 Radio call sign: PO – C Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster NF908 took off from RAF Waddington at 1430 hours on 3 January 1945 on a fighter affiliation training exercise. At approx 1600 hours the aircraft flew into high ground that was shrouded in cloud some 4kms NNE of Leek, Staffordshire. All the crew of seven were killed and they are buried in the RAF Cemetery, Chester, UK.
Crew: RAAF 428516 FO Allamby, W V W Captain (Pilot) RAAF 424391 Flt Sgt G J Dunbar, (Navigator) RAAF 421047 Flt Lt Pritchard, J I (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 430484 Flt Sgt R Emonson, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt N Lees, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 430728 Flt Sgt T E H Wright, (Air Gunner) RAAF 434547 Flt Sgt C C Watson, (Air Gunner)
110 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 8 January 1945.
Source: AWM 64 (1/428) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64)
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: JB 286 Radio call sign: PO – L Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster JB286 took off from RAF Waddington at 1707 hours on the night of 7/8th January 1945 to bomb war industries at Munich, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 14 x No14 x 4lb Clusters. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Eleven aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these JB286 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 426422 FO McNamee, W A Captain (Pilot) RAAF 427218 Flt Sgt H J Williams, (Navigator) RAAF 430372 Flt Sgt J D Gloury, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 434029 Flt Sgt S Servos, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt H W Kirsh, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 431186 Flt Sgt L J Saulwick, (Air Gunner) RAAF 431195 Flt Sgt M B Bruckner, (Air Gunner)
The aircraft crashed at 5238N 0010W on the Eye-Grewland road, 5 miles north of Peterborough, UK. All the chutes were missing and it was considered that all the crew had baled out over the sea They are listed as missing and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK..
111 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES Date of Death: 1 February 1945. Source: AWM 64 (1/428) (1/432) AWM 54 779/3/129 Parts 29,16 and 20. Commonwealth War Graves records. Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: NG 197 Radio call sign: PO – G Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster NG197 took off from RAF Waddington at 1557 hours on 1st February 1945 to bomb marshalling yards and town of Siegen, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Twenty two aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and of these only NG197 failed to return. Crew: RAF Flt Lt Livingstone, J K DFC Captain (Pilot) RAAF 432138 FO Eagle, R W G (2nd Pilot) RAF Sqn Ldr Sands, D O (Navigator) RAAF 412818 FO McMahon, W D (Bomb Aimer) RAF PO Prendergast, J (Wireless Operator Air) RAF FO Parsons, E G (Flight Engineer) RAF FO Bronne, R N (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 418931 Flt Lt Ellis, E C (Rear Gunner) It was later established that all the crew were POW’s with the exception of Flt Lt Livingstone who was killed. He is buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery in the town of Rheinberg, Germany, 24kms north of Krefeld and 13kms SW of Wesel. In a later report FO Eagle said “Just after leaving target stbd wing peppered by small explosions and larger one in the SI engine which immediately burst into flames. Order put on chutes acknowledged by all. Fire drill carried out but unsuccessful. Nav gave us distance from the front and we were told to jump. Before I left the B/A, Engineer, Rear Gunner, WOP had left. Pilot, Nav and Mid Upper in plane when I left. Seen Nav and Mid Upper in POW camp since. We were approx 6/7000 feet and A/c in control. Nobody was injured. A/s crashed near Moscheim. Whole crew landed safely and in POW camps except Pilot.” FO McMahon reported “Hit by cannon shells in stbd wing and set gas on fire. All signals from Captain to abandon recd and acknowledged. Baled out at 8000 feet. A/c flying straight and level but burning fiercely. Crashed about 20 miles from Bonn near River Rhine. All OK except Pilot. Captured and interned 3.5 months.” Flt Lt Ellis the Squadron Gunnery Leader reported “After bombing returning at 8000 feet. 1 x 1000lb bomb hung up which attempted to jettison. Hit by fighter starting fire in stbd inner motor and wing. Abandon order given. I followed WOP and Mid Upper out escape door. Aircraft under control flying straight and level but dived and turned to starboard. Crashed in flames east of Bonn and Koblenz. Hid in railway truck but found by footprints in snow. Released on 29 April by US Army.”
112 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 2 February 1945. Source: AWM (1/428) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 100 Radio call sign: PO – D Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster LM100 took off from RAF Waddington at 2006 hours on the night of 2/3rd February 1945 to bomb Karlsruhe, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Nineteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including LM100 failed to return. Crew: RAAF 422885 FO Robinson, A N G Captain (Pilot) RAAF 427234 Flt Sgt B H Elliott, (Navigator) RAAF 433551 Flt Sgt J C Jarrett, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 436330 Flt Sgt K J King, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Flt Sgt L Ginno, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 437401 Flt Sgt R F Cross (Air Gunner) RAAF 424676 Flt Sgt W T Paine, (Air Gunner)
It was later established that six of the crew were killed and Flt Sgt Jarrett survived. Those killed are buried in the Clichy Northern Cemetery. Clichy is a town on the northern boundary of Paris. Location Haute-de-Seine, France. In the Squadron ORB Flt Sgt Jarrett reported “Target not reached. A/c crashed in France. Position 4940N 0430E at 2245 hours on outward journey. I was only survivor. Until the neighbourhood of the crash there was nothing unusual about the A/c performance. At approx 2230 hours the starboard inner was gone. Captain to Flt Engineer ‘feather it’. Engineer acknowledged and I could see him come forward to the Navs table to carry out the instruction. I presume the Engineer pushed the button of the starboard inner then I heard him say ‘the four engines are feathering’. Pilot ordered prepare to abandon. Pilot called the WOP and instructed him to switch over the cross balance cocks. Acknowledged and reported he had switched over. At same time Engineer back at his instrument panel and change over tanks. Pilot then said ‘its no good don’t waste any time, abandon A/c’ No guidance from instruments re. Height. At time of engine failure we were below the base of cloud. I put on chute and removed forward escape hatch on order abandon. Heard Rear Gunner say going. I then reported going, removed helmet and baled out. Did not hear anything further or observe anything behind me. Chute opened landed in ploughed field. I saw a flash and heard noise of aircraft blowing up about quarter of a mile away on other side of rising ground. It crashed near the spot where other members of the crew had landed. I presume it was the explosion that killed them but need confirmation.”
113 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 2 February 1945
Source: AWM 64 (1/428) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/19/81.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: PB 306 Radio call sign: PO - J Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster PB306 took off from RAF Waddington at 1951 hours on the night of 2/3rd February 1945 to bomb Karlsruhe, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Nineteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including PB306 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 432191 FO Inkster, J M Captain (Pilot) RAAF 434068 WO B F Weber, (Navigator) RAAF 428480 PO Pearce, A H (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 427311 Flt Sgt F E Everatt, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt D G Howdle, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 430920 Flt Sgt F J Bean, (Air Gunner) RAAF 435334 Flt Sgt P J Carter, (Air Gunner)
In a report by the Missing, Research and Enquiry Service operating in Germany post war it reported that an inspection of German documents and other investigations established that the aircraft was shot down and crashed near Karlsdoff on 2 February 1945. Karlsdoff is a village approx 12 miles north east of Karlsruhe. All the crew were killed and they are buried in the Durnbach War Cemetery. Durnbach is a village 16kms east of Bad Tolz, a town 48kms south of Munich. Note : AWM 237 (63) records Flt Sgt Carter’s date of death as 12 February 1945.
114 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES Date of Bale Out : 2 February 1945. Source: AWM 64 (1/428) (1/432) AWM 54 779/3/129 Part 30. Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: PD 231 Radio call sign: PO - Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster PD231 took off from RAF Waddington at 2012 hours on the night of 2/3rd February 1945 to bomb Karlsruhe, Germany. PD231 landed back at base at 0349 hours on 3rd February. Nineteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and 2 of these failed to return. Crew: RAAF 427485 FO Swain, K R Captain (Pilot) RAAF 432534 FO Moses, G (Navigator) RAAF 428257 FO Muir, J M (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 436081 Flt Sgt I A N Howell, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt H L Carter, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 435417 Flt Sgt J P W Phillips (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 436678 Flt Sgt L A Davies (Rear Gunner) The following is an extract from the ORB “ Sortie completed. Target area reached but target not attacked owing to message from Controller ‘stop bombing and return to base’. On way into target at 4930N 0805E at 2320 hours, height 15,500 feet port outer engine on fire (CEU oil pipe line fractured) and unable to feather. We lost 5000 feet going towards target still intending to bomb until Controllers message received. Ordered crew stand by to abandon. At approx 4857N 0757E at 2332 hours height 10,000 feet Captain gave order to jump owing to port outer fire breaking out again, A/c out of control. WOP, Mid Upper gunner and Rear Gunner jumped. After that the fire reduced and went out to a glow. Airscrew still windmilling. Came home via Juvincourt, Manston, Woodbridge in case of further trouble, but managed to make base. Large hole in H2S blister – supposed flak but not known when caused. Full load jettisoned. Whole crew behaved splendidly. All kept cool in emergency.” Flt Sgt’s Howell, Phillips and Davies baled out successfully and became POW’s. In a later statement Flt Sgt Howell (WOP) said “Port outer packed up, and unable to feather. Lost height rapidly. Pilot ordered parachute on and back to jumping stations. At approx 9000 feet bomb jettisoned. A/c shuddering from stem to stern and engine on fire. Bale out order at approx 8,000 feet. Mid Upper and I went out of rear door. Rear Gunner out of turret. Understand that afterwards pilot regained control of aircraft, countermanded order and aircraft and rest of crew returned back to base. Liberated by US Army on 29/4/45.”
115 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES Date of Death: 8 February 1945. Source: AWM 64 (1/428) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) AWM 65 (4888) Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: NG 455 Radio call sign: PO – H Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster NG455 took off from RAF Waddington at 2102 hours on the night of 7/8th February 1945 to bomb the Dortmund-Ems Canal at Ladbergen. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Thirteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these NG455 failed to return. Crew: RAAF 403564 Wg Cdr Douglas, J K DFC AFC Captain (Pilot) RAAF 410113 PO Stuart, H M S (Navigator) RAAF 419332 PO Nanscawen, J B (Bomb Aimer) RCAF FO Baines, L W E (2nd Bomb Aimer) RAAF 419231 PO Strickland, J A (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt B H Parker (Flight Engineer) RAAF 429444 Flt Sgt B O Bean (Mid Upper Gunner) RAAF 426783 Flt Sgt M G Thompson, (Rear Gunner) Wg Cdr Douglas, PO Nanscawen and PO Stuart were killed. They are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Cleves, which is 40 miles north west of Duisberg, Germany. Wg Cdr Douglas was CO of the Squadron and on 13th trip of his second tour. PO Strickland evaded capture and returned safe to the UK, while the other four crew members were POW’s. PO Strickland later reported “On 7 February we took off from Waddington to carry out a bombing raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal. Fifteen minutes after we had bombed the target I felt the aircraft give a terrific lurch and then the pilot gave the order ‘bale out’ ‘bale out’. I baled out about 10,000 feet and landed in a ploughed field some 30 miles south of Munster. I got rid of the chute, harness and mae west which I hid in a ditch. With the aid of a compass I made off in a westerly direction. This was around 0020 hours on 8th February.” Thereafter PO Strickland walked until 12th February reaching Winterswijk where he received assistance from a Dutch family, and was directed to a safe house in Varsseveld where he found shelter until 30th March. He was then brought back to the allied lines by an advanced British recce unit. Flt Sgt Bean later reported “ About ten minutes on return from target and flying straight and level, the aircraft shook. Port wing burst into flames. The Rear Gunner and I saw nothing. Presume an upward firing fighter which came out of the cloud below. Skipper ordered ‘jump jump’. Not acknowledged. Think Bomb Aimer hit as he looked dazed and made no attempt to get out. I was first out the rear door and saw WOP right behind me. Pt wing ablaze from main petrol tank. A/c under control but crashed 12 miles NW Munster. Germans said three killed. Think Nav tried to help Bomb Aimer and waited too long. As I descended saw A/c on ground to west of me. Half hour after landing heard explosion from direction of aircraft Caught by German farmer after dawn broke.”
116 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 3 March 1945. Source: AWM 64 (1/428) (1/432) AWM 237 (64) AWM 54 779/3/129 Parts 2 and 22
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: PB 806 Radio call sign: PO – W Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF Summary: Lancaster PB806 took off from RAF Waddington at 1845 hours on the night of 3/4th March 1945 to bomb the Dortmund-Ems Canal at Ladbergen. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Crew: RAAF 416685 Wg Cdr Langlois, E LeP DFC Captain (Pilot) CO of the Squadron. RAAF 421050 FO Reid, A F DFC (Navigator) RAAF 420418 FO Willmot, J H (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 409437 FO Patten, E C DFC (Wireless Operator Air ) RAF Flt Sgt J Scott, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 434868 FO Cameron, C J (Air Gunner) RAAF 25299 FO Taylor, R E (Air Gunner)
Five of the crew were killed and FO Willmot and FO Taylor were POW’s. Those killed are listed as missing and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing at Runnymede, Surrey, UK. In a later statement the then Flt Lt Taylor (Rear Gunner)said “A/c on fire in bomb bay. Captain orders bale out & all acknowledge. No one seemed injured and A/c in perfect control. Fighters set us on fire. Destroyed the enemy aircraft ME110. Saw it burning on the ground when we landed. Crashed about two minutes from the target on German side of canal. Bomb Aimer and I know that one other member of the crew (believed to be Engineer) landed between B/A and I, as I saw him walking away from his chute but not heard of since. Fate unknown rest of crew. They should all have got out as had plenty of time to do so. Baled out from Rear Turret and only the Captain left when I went out. Was told by French worker that four Australians and 1 Englishman were shot by German SS near Dortmund. Now this seems to be the fate of my missing crew. Flt Eng. known to have baled out and got to earth safely but unknown of since. Captured at 8am on 4/3/45 by two German Home guards and put in Rhine Airfield Jail. Finished in Stalag V11A and released by American Army on 11/5/45.” FO Willmot reported “Hit by cannon shell from enemy aircraft. Ordered put on chutes. Find mine very large. Baled out at 9000 feet. A/c under control but diving slightly. Uncertain re fate of crew as probably first clear. Met Rear Gunner in Rhine Airport Jail Could only walk with difficulty. Went to farm house for assistance and handed over to civil police. Released from Mooseburg by British army on 29/4/45.”
117 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 3 March 1945.
Source: AWM 64 (1/428) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/43/1806.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: ME 453 Radio call sign: PO – L Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster ME 453 took off from RAF Waddington at 1854 hours on the night of 3/4th March 1945 to bomb the Dortmund-Ems Canal at Ladbergen. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Three aircraft from the Squadron including ME453 failed to return from the raid out of fifteen aircraft participating.
Crew: RAAF 428814 FO Ward, R T Captain (Pilot) RAF Flt Sgt H Callaghan, (Navigator) RAF Flt Sgt R V Smith, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 432286 WO C H Terras, (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Flt Sgt M Venton, (Flight Engineer) RAF Sgt W A A Chatters, (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt T E Drennan, (Air Gunner)
A post war report by the Missing, Research and Enquiry Service operating in Germany reported that the aircraft crashed near Greven, Germany. Greven is situated approx 23 miles south west of Osnabruch. The farmer on whose land the plane fell stated that the aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire and that it exploded prior to striking the ground.
All the crew were killed in the crash and they are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery at Cleves, Germany, which is 40 miles north west of Duisberg.
118 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 4 March 1945.
Source: AWM 64 (1./428) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) AWM 54 779/3/129, Part 29.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: LM 677 Radio call sign: PO – V Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster LM677 took off from RAF Waddington at 1854 hours on the night of 3/4th March 1945 to bomb the Dortmund-Ems Canal at Ladbergen. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off, it being one of three Squadron aircraft that failed to return from the raid out of fifteen Squadron aircraft taking part.
Crew: RAAF 424717 FO Eggins, R B Captain (Pilot) RAAF 428103 Flt Sgt C McC Cahill, (Navigator) RAAF 433554 Flt Sgt J J B Grady, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 426633 Flt Sgt P J Madden (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Flt Sgt G A R Pritchard, (Flight Engineer) RAAF 436305 Flt Sgt A B Walker, (Air Gunner) RAAF 428189 Flt Sgt R V Richardson, (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed at Havixbech, 16kms WNW from the centre of Munster. Germany. Six of the crew were killed and Flt Sgt Grady was a POW. The six killed are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery at Cleves, Germany, which is about 40 miles north west of Duisberg. In a report Flt Sgt Grady stated “ About 5 minutes from target, skipper decided to do a banking search. During this bank to starboard there was a terrific vibration through the aircraft and she spiralled to port. Captain gave order to put on chutes and standby. Captain regained control for about 30 seconds. After which ‘jump, jump’. I baled out about 8,000 feet and believe I was the first. The three to follow me Pilot, Engineer and Nav were definitely in the aircraft. I walked in a westerly direction for about 4 hours then hid up for the day. At night started off again and came upon a railway with goods train when picked up by two German soldiers. The Germans informed me there were six bodies in the aircraft and they had been buried at Munster. Released by the US Army at Mooseberg on 29 April 1945.”
119 467 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 16 March 1945.
Source: AWM 64 (1/428) (1/432) AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 166/28/559.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster Serial number: PD 231 Radio call sign: PO – T Unit: 467 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Lancaster PD231 took off from RAF Waddington at 1746 hours on the night of 16/17th March 1945 to bomb Wurzburg, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Sixteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these PD231 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 410180 FO Thomas, E W Captain (Pilot) RAAF 432534 FO Moses, G (Navigator) RAAF 424866 Flt Sgt J L Isles, (Bomb Aimer) RAAF 423801 WO Margules, M E (Wireless Operator Air) RAF Sgt T Halstrip, (Flight Engineer) RAF Flt Sgt R W H Smith (Air Gunner) RAF Sgt B A Davies (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed in a wood near the village of Aufstettin, which is approx 18 miles south of Wurzburg, Germany.
Six of the crew were killed and Sgt Davies was a POW. Those killed are buried in the Durnbach War Cemetery. Durnbach is a village 16kms east of Bad Tolz, a town 48kms south of Munich.
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