Cover Design by:
121Creative Lower Ground Floor, Ethos House, 28-36 Ainslie Pl, Canberra ACT 2601 phone. (02) 6243 6012 email. [email protected] www.121creative.com.au
Printed by:
Kwik Kopy Canberra Lower Ground Floor, Ethos House, 28-36 Ainslie Pl, Canberra ACT 2601 phone. (02) 6243 6066 email. [email protected] www.canberra.kwikkopy.com.au
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.
455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
FROM JUNE 1941 TO APRIL 1942, 455 SQN OPERATED
WITHIN RAF BOMBER COMMAND AS A MEDIUM BOMBER
SQUADRON EQUIPPED WITH HAMPDEN AIRCRAFT.
THE SQUADRON FATALITIES DURING THIS PERIOD WERE :
RAAF 25
RAF 39
RNZAF 3
TOTAL 67 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 30 August 1941
Source: AWM 64 1/243 Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 132, Volume 1941.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AD 839 Radio call sign: VN - Unit: 50 Sqn RAF
Summary: Hampden AD839 took off from RAF Swinderby at 2145 hours on the night of 29/30th August 1941 to bomb Frankfurt, Germany. The aircraft and crew belonged to 50 Sqn RAF with the exception that Flt Sgt R V Urpeth (RAF) who was the Air Gunner in the crew belonged to 455 Sqn RAAF. During the mission the aircraft had been heard in contact with Sealand D/F Station, but it failed to return from the mission.
Crew: RAF Flt Sgt L C Turner, Captain (Pilot) RAF Flt Sgt J G Proctor, (Observer) RAF Flt Sgt T H Willis, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Flt Sgt R V Urpeth, (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed in the vicinity of Abbeville (Somme), France and all the crew were killed. They are buried in the Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension. Abbeville is on the main (N1) Paris to Boulogne road, about 80kms south of Boulogne. Locality Somme, France..
1 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 15 September 1941.
Source: AWM 64 1/243 Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 147, Volume 1941.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AE 249 Radio call sign: UB – Y Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden AE249 took off from RAF Swinderby at 1924 hours on the night of 15/16th September 1941 to bomb Hamburg, Germany. Three aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission and of these AE249 failed to return.
Crew: RAF PO Hibell, A J Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt W N Pratt, (Navigator) RAF Sgt H Hobbs, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt R H Clayden (Air Gunner)
.Post war it was established that the aircraft was shot down by a night fighter and crashed at 2354 hours on the 15 September near Winkeldorf which is 12kms SSW of Zeven, Germany. PO Hibell and Sgt Clayden were POW’s, and the other two members of the crew were listed as missing. Their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
2 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 7 November 1941
Source: AWM 64 1/243 Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AE 243 Radio call sign: UB – B Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden AE243 took off from RAF Swinderby at 1830 hours on the night of 7/8th November 1941 to carry out a Rover patrol towards Cologne, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Four aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission and two of these including AE243 failed to return.
Crew: RAF Sgt M A Jenkins, Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt D R Rawlings, (Navigator) RAF Flt Sgt K Morris, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt G A McGarvey, (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that all the crew were killed and they are buried in the Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium. Heverlee is located 30kms from Brussels and 3kms south of Leuven. Locality Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium.
3
455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Crash : 7 November 1941
Source: AWM 64 1/243 AWM 54 779/3/129 Part 6
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: P 1201 Radio call sign: UB – P Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden P1201 took off from RAF Swinderby at 1840 hours on the night of 7/8th November 1941 to carry out a Rover patrol towards Cologne, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft and it failed to return to base. Four of the Squadron aircraft took part in the raid and two of these including P1201 did not return.
Crew: RAAF 400367 PO Gordon, J A C Captain (Pilot) RAF PO Cordwell, J D (Navigator) RAF Sgt M N Stokes, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt E Holt, (Air Gunner)
All the crew became POW’s and there were no fatalities. In a 1945 report the then Flt Lt Gordon reported “ Having carried out low level attacks with bombs and machine guns on the searchlight belt at Aachen-Marstrich, I was returning to base at low level. As was later discovered the Met wind was wrong due to freak weather conditions and our position was some miles south of that estimate. This brought me into the foothills of the Ardennes, where at 350 feet I collided with a chimney stack, tearing off the lower portion of the fuselage and breaking the fuel supply. The motors cut and I had to crash land. The Observer and WOP escaped with me from the front of the wrecked aircraft. The Air Gunner was torn off in his compartment by the effect of the collision but was later reported in hospital, and later as recovered and in one of the NCO’s camp by another prisoner. I with the Obs and WOP were taken prisoner by the Feldpolize. The aircraft crashed near Hamur, Belgium. I was a POW for 3years 5 months. Released near Lubeck by 2nd Army Units on 2/5/45.”
4 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 30 November 1941
Source: AWM 64 1/243 Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AE 430 Radio call sign: UB – M Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden AE430 took off from RAF Swinderby at 1652 hours on the night of 30 November 1941 to bomb the Blohm & Voss Shipbuilding Yards at Hamburg, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Five aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including AE430 failed to return.
Crew: RAF Sgt C J H Blunt, Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt L G Manning, (Navigator) RAF Sgt A H Gee, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt E Waller, (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that all the crew were killed and they are buried in the Kiel War Cemetery. Kiel lies 83kms north of Hamburg. Locality Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
5 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 30 November 1941
Source: AWM 64 1/243 AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705 163/161/145 Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: P 1272 Radio call sign: UB – R Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden P1272 took off from RAF Swinderby at 1654 hours on the night of 30 Nov/1st December 1941 to bomb the Blohm & Voss Shipbuilding Yards at Hamburg, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Five aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including P1272 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 404264 Sgt J Shannon, Captain (Pilot) RAAF 402578 PO Sands, A G (Navigator) RAF Sgt A C Shorey, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt V E Towers, (Air Gunner)
It was later established from German documents that the aircraft was shot down on 30/11/41 and that Sgt Shannon’s body was recovered from the sea. All the crew were killed and they are buried in the Hamburg Cemetery, Ohlsdorf, Germany. The Hamburg cemetery is known locally as Ohlsdorf Cemetery, Hamburg, which is a large civil cemetery with a war cemetery located within.
Sgt Shannon and PO Sands were the first RAAF WW2 operational casualties of the Squadron.
6 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 3 January 1942
Source: AWM 64 1/243 AWM 237 (64) NAA : A705 163/64/126 Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: P 5328 Radio call sign: UB – Q Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden P5328 took off from RAF Swinderby at 1716 hours on the night of 2/3rd January 1942 to bomb La Rochelle, France. The aircraft completed the mission and on return to base it crashed at 0100 hours on 3 January at Folly Farm, Haddenharm, 6 miles south west of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, bursting into flames on impact. All the crew were killed. The other three aircraft from the Squadron that took part in the mission returned safe.
Crew: RAF PO Ludwig, C Captain (Pilot) RAAF 400110 PO Willox, J L S (Navigator) RAF Sgt J R Stansfield, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 404579 FO Christie, A MacN (Air Gunner)
PO Ludwig is buried in the Aberdeen (Allenvale) Cemetery, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. PO Willox and FO Christie are buried in the St Michaels (All Angels) Church Yard, Halton, Buckinghamshire, UK. Sgt Stansfield is buried in the Calverley (St Wilfrid) Churchyard, Yorks, Yorkshire, UK.
7 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 21 January 1942
Source: AWM 64 1/243 AWM 237 (63) AWM 54 779/3/129 Part 8 Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AT 119 Radio call sign: UB – Y Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden AT119 took off from RAF Swinderby at 1719 hours on the night of 21/22nd January 1942 to bomb harbour installations at Emden, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Four aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including AT119 did not return.
Crew: RAAF 404261 Sgt F G Poulton, Captain (Pilot) RAAF 400028 Sgt I MacP Ince, (Navigator) RAF Sgt S Williams, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt G E Wilkinson, (Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft was shot down by a night fighter at 2110 hours on 21 January near Schloshteren, 15kms east of Groningen, Holland. Sgt Poulton became a POW and the other three crew members were killed. They are buried in the Holten Canadian War Cemetery. Locality : Overijssel, Netherlands. Holten is a village 20kms east of the town of Deventer on the main A1 motorway from Amsterdam to Bremen, Germany.
In a 1945 report the then WO Poulton recorded : “We were shot down by a night fighter at 12,000 feet. Bale out orders were given to all members over the Inter/Com at once as the aircraft was well on fire after being attacked. No reply received from any member from the moment the fighter attacked. I was able to fly the aircraft on both engines down to 10,000 feet when fire forced me to bale out. Owing to my position in the cockpit (Pilot’s cockpit – Hampden) I was unable to see any member of my crew and whether anyone had baled out. I also tried to attract the crew through the warning light on the panel. The aircraft was straight and level when I baled out. The aircraft crashed near Groningen, Holland. I was later informed by British Red Cross that the others had died. Captured a few hours after baling out. Released by Russians 22/4/45.”
8 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 21 January 1942
Source: AWM 64 1/243 AWM 237 (63) (64) NAA : A705, 163/166 167
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AE 352 Radio call sign: UB – R Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden AE352 took off from RAF Swinderby at 1720 hours on the night of 21/22nd January 1942 to bomb harbour installations at Emden, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base. Four of the Squadron aircraft took part in the raid and two of these including AE352 did not return.
Crew: RAAF 404367 Sgt E H Thompson, Captain (Pilot) RAAF 404275 FO Stanfield, J E F (Navigator) RAF Sgt W Giles, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt W E Mabbett, (Air Gunner)
No trace of the missing aircraft or crew could be found following post war searches and enquiries and the crew are listed as missing. Their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
9 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 6 February 1942
Source: AWM 64 1/243 Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AE 308 Radio call sign: UB – L Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden AE308 took off from RAF Swinderby at 1205 hours on 6 February 1942 to carry out a daytime operation gardening off the Frisian Islands. This was the first daytime operation of the Squadron. 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 mission. Four did not proceed with the mission because of insufficient cloud cover, and one AE308 failed to return.
Crew: RAF Sgt B E Brown, Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt R A Billington, (Navigator) RAF Sgt D M Pickersgill, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt E Bland (Air Gunner)
It was later reported that the aircraft was shot down and crashed into the sea some 70kms west of Terschelling Island in the Frisian group of islands off the coast of Holland. All the crew are listed as missing and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
10 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 12 February 1942
Source: AWM 64 1/243 Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: P1156 Radio call sign: UB – F Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden P1156 took off from RAF Wigsley at 1522 hours on 12 February 1942 to carry out a daytime attack on the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau at sea. Nine aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission and one of these P1156 failed to return.
Crew: RAF Flt Lt Perrin, W E Captain (Pilot) RNZAF PO Abbott, A R (Navigator) RAF FO Symons, E G (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt R E Tomlinson, (Air Gunner)
Post war searches could find no trace of the missing aircraft or crew. Their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK. Flt Lt Perrin was an Australian serving in the RAF.
11 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 13 February 1942
Source: AWM 64 1.243 Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AD 783 Radio call sign: UB – U Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden AD783 took off from RAF Wigsley at 2345 hours on the night of 12/13th February 1942 to lay mines in the Wangerooge area off Emden, Germany. Three aircraft from the Squadron were on the mission but AD783 returned to base early when it experienced engine trouble. On its last circuit of the aerodrome while preparing to land AD783 crashed and caught fire at 0155 hours at Eagle village some 7 miles south west of Lincoln. The mine was thrown clear but all the crew were killed.
Crew: RNZAF Flt Sgt J B Kennedy, Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt V J Hopwood, (Navigator) RAF Sgt W L Kelly, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt G A Metcalfe, (Air Gunner)
Flt Sgt Kennedy is buried in the Newark-upon-Trent Cemetery, Nottinghamshire, UK Sgt Hopwood : Thurlby (St Germain) Church Yard, Lincolnshire, UK Sgt Kelly : Ashton-in-Makerfield (St Thomas) Churchyard, Lancashire, UK Sgt Metcalfe : Edmonton Cemetery, Middlesex, UK.
12 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 21 February 1942
Source: AWM 64 1/243 AWM 237 (63)
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AT 181 Radio call sign: UB – V Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden AT181 took off from RAF Wigsley at 1845 hours on the night of 21/22nd February 1942 to carry out night nuisance raids in the Rhine valley, Coblenz, Germany. Eight aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and AT181 failed to return.
Crew: RAF Sgt J R Moody, Captain (Pilot) RAF PO Daly A T, (Navigator Bomb Aimer) RAAF 400751 Sgt J J Davey, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 407990 Sgt C R Scott, (Wireless Operat6or Air Gunner)
Three aircraft from the Squadron carried out a dinghy search on 22 February following a report of an aircraft in the sea believed to be AT181. No trace of the missing aircraft or crew was found, and the names of the missing crew are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey. UK.
13 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 10 March 1942
Source: AWM 64 1/243 AWM 237 (63)
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AT 192 Radio call sign: UB – R Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden AT192 took off from RAF Wigsley at 1917 hours on the night of 10/11th March 1942 to bomb Essen, Germany. Eight aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and AT192 failed to return.
Crew: RAF PO Gandy, O Captain (Pilot) RNZAF PO Wright, L A (Navigator Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt E M Jennings, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 407461 Sgt G L Skinner, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed and all the crew were killed. They are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Cleves, which is 40 miles north west of Duisberg, Germany.
14 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 12 March 1942
Source: AWM 64 1/243 AWM 237 (63) Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: P 5326 Radio call sign: UB – V Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden P5326 took off from RAF Wigsley at 1300 hours on 12 March 1943 on an air test. It crashed on take off due to engine failure, which caused the aircraft to bank steeply to port before diving into the ground.
Crew: RAAF 404823 Sgt K A Andrew, Captain (Pilot) RAF Sgt Miflin (Navigator)
Sgt Andrew was killed in the crash and he is buried in the Thurley (St Germani) Churchyard, Lincolnshire, UK. Sgt Miflin was injured but survived.
15 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 25 March 1942
Source: AWM 64 1/243 AWM 237 (63) (64) W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 49, Volume 1942.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: P 5329 Radio call sign: UB – J Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden P5329 took off from St Eval on 25 March 1942 to return to base at RAF Wigsley. It had completed a gardening mission off Lorient, France and had been diverted to St Eval after the raid along with other aircraft from the Squadron because of bad weather at base. While returning to Wigsley, the starboard propeller came off and the aircraft crashed at 1743 hours on 25 March and burst into flames at Sparks Farm, Watchfield, 2 miles east of Highbridge, Somerset, UK. All the crew were killed.
Crew: RAF Flt Lt Metcalfe, DFC Captain (Pilot) RAAF 404547 FO Sayer, J A (Navigator Bomb Aimer) RAF Flt Sgt Wilson, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 402591 Sgt F M Donohoe, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
FO Sayer and Sgt Donohoe are buried in the Burnham-on-Sea General Cemetery, Somerset, UK. Flt Lt Metcalfe is buried in the Camberwell New Cemetery, London, UK Flt Sgt Wilson is buried in the Edinburgh (Piershill) Cemetery, Scotland.
Flt Lt Metcalfe was awarded the DFC on 16 March 1942. This was the first award made to the Squadron.
16 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 2 April 1942
Source: AWM 64 1/243 AWM 237 (63) (64) W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War : Page 60, Volume 1942.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: P 5325 Radio call sign: UB – B Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden P5325 took off from RAF Wigsley at 1907 hours on the night of 2/3rd April 1942 to carry out a gardening mission in the Quiberon Bay area off the coast of France. The aircraft was last heard from at 2338 hours in position 48.53N 05.57W, but it did not return to base. Ten aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission and of these P5325 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 402376 PO Maloney, J E Captain (Pilot) RAAF 400301 Sgt C F Woodburn, (Navigator Bomb Aimer) RAAF 402629 FO Young, H N (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 402611 Sgt H E Rowley, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Post war searches and enquiries found no trace of the missing aircraft or crew. The names of the missing crew are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK. W R Chorley records : “It is believed that this was the first all RAAF crew to lose their lives flying under Bomber Command authority.”
17 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 7 April 1942
Source: AWM 64 1/243 AWM 237 (63) (64) Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: P 1203 Radio call sign: UB – T Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden P1203 took off from RAF Wigsley at 2355 hours on the night of 6/7th April 1942 to bomb the main square of Essen, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Three aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and P1203 failed to return.
Crew: RAF Sgt A H Wincott, Captain (Pilot) RAAF 400105 FO Roberts, T E (Navigator Bomb Aimer) RAAF 402829 Sgt C Gammie, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 400282 Sgt K W McIlrath, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Following post war enquiries it was established that the aircraft was shot down by a night fighter and believed crashed at 0413 hours on 7 April to the south of Zwolle (Overijssel), Holland. All the crew were killed and they are buried in the Oud Leusden General Cemetery, Amersfoort in the Utrecht Province, south west of Zwolle. Amersfoort is a town 50kms south east of Amsterdam.
18 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 11 April 1942
Source: AWM 64 1/243 AWM 237 (63) (64) Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AT 221 Radio call sign: UB – D Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden AT221 took off from RAF Wigsley at 2146 hours on the night of 10/11th April 1942 to bomb the main square of Essen, Germany. AT221 carried “G13” 6 Bundles of Nickels, 1 x 2000lb and 2 x 250lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Seven aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including AT221 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 3200 FO Roberts, R C Captain (Pilot) RAAF 400623 FO Keck, F A (Navigator Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt J R Wright, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 408045 Sgt F H Canning, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed at Sturzelberg on the west bank of the Rhine, 11kms south east of Neuss and all the crew were killed. They are buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany. Rheinberg is located 24kms north of Krefeld and 13kms south west of Wesel, Germany.
19 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 11 April 1942
Source: AWM 64 1/243 AWM 237 (64) Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AE 291 Radio call sign: UB – K Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden AE291 took off from RAF Wigsley at 2145 hours on the night of 10/11th April 1942 to bomb the main square at Essen, Germany. The aircraft carried “G13” 6 Bundles of Nickels, 1 x 2000lb and 2 x 250lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Seven aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including AE291 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 403142 FO Manners, S T Captain (Pilot) RAAF 404790 FO Harland, C A (Navigator Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt J A Larkin, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt C K Ormston, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Post war it was established that all the crew were killed. They are buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany. Rheinbgerg is located 24kms north of Krefeld and 13kms south west of Wesel, Germany.
The above were the final losses suffered by 455 Sqn as a Bomber Command Squadron. By 28/4/42 the Squadron had moved to RAF Leuchars, Scotland, to continue Hampden operations under Coastal Command authority.
20 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
ON 17TH APRIL 1942 INSTRUCTIONS WERE GIVEN BY
No 5 GROUP THAT 455 SQUADRON WAS TO CEASE
TO OPERATE AS A BOMBER SQUADRON.
20 CREWS WERE TO PROCEED TO RAF LEUCHARS,
SCOTLAND, WITH APPROPRIATE ESTABLISHMENT
FOR A TWO FLIGHT HAMPDEN SQUADRON FOR
TORPEDO/BOMBING DUTIES AS A UNIT OF RAF COASTAL COMMAND.
THE MOVE TO LEUCHARS WAS COMPLETED BY 28 APRIL 1942.
DURING DEC 43-FEB 44 THE SQUADRON CONVERTED TO BEAUFIGHTERS
THE SQUADRON CONDUCTED OPERATIONS ON THE AUTHORITY OF
RAF COASTAL COMMAND FROM APRIL 1942 TO MAY 1945.
455 SQUADRON FATALITIES DURING THIS PERIOD WERE :
RAAF RAF RCAF TOTAL
HAMPDENS 24 11 2 37
BEAUFIGHTERS 42 5 - 47
SQN TOTAL 66 16 2 84 (COASTAL COMMAND)
21 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 16 July 1942
Source: AWM 64 1/244 AWM 237 (63) NAA : A705, 166/177/303
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: P 2145 Radio call sign: UB – N Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden P2145 took off from RAF Crail at 1030 hours on the 16 July 1942 in formation with other aircraft to carry out dummy torpedo runs on a target ship. During these exercises the port engine of P2145 gave indications of failing and the aircraft broke formation with the intention of returning to base. On the way back the engine picked up and appeared to function normally but approaching the landing strip the engine failed again. The pilot lowered the flaps and wheels hydraulically to avoid damaging the aircraft by belly landing, but was unable to maintain height, and the aircraft stalled and spun in.
Crew: RAAF 403388 Sgt R D Wells, Captain (Pilot) RAAF 401205 Sgt Dawborn, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Sgt Dawborn was slightly injured in the crash, but Sgt Wells died shortly after and he is buried in the Leuchars Cemetery, Fifeshire, Scotland. In AWM 64 1/244 there is a number of photos of Sgt Wells funeral..
22 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Crash : 5 September 1942 Source: AWM 64 1/244 AWM 237 (63) (64) AWM 54 779/3/129 Parts 1, 8 and 3. NAA : A705. 166/9/455.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AT 109 Radio call sign: UB – C Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden AT109 took off from RAF Sumburg at 2040 hours on the night of 4/5th September 1942 for Vaenja, Northern Russia, via Afrikanda. The aircraft was one of 16 aircraft of the Squadron to take off for Vaenja. AT 109 failed to arrive at its destination.
Crew: RAAF 400364 Sqn Ldr Catanach, J DFC MID Captain (Pilot) RAAF 400316 FO Anderson, G R (Navigator BombAimer) RAAF 404632 Flt Sgt C W Cameron, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 404462 Sgt J R Hayes, (2nd Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 5372 Flt Sgt J D Davidson (Fitter 11A)
All the crew became POW’s. In a 1945 report the then Flt Lt Anderson stated : “The aircraft when proceeding to Russia was holed in the petrol tanks by ground fire. The Captain force landed without damage to aircraft or crew. Approx position of the crash Kirkness (Northern Norway) Sqn Ldr Catanach was one of 50 Officers massacred at Gorlitz in March/April 1944 after his escape from a tunnel at the North Compound, Sagan. I was in the East Compound at the time. Flt Sgt Davidson died as a result of the rigours of a march in early 1945. I have been told this since my return from Germany. Released by the Russians on 21/4/45.”
Flt Lt Anderson escaped from prison but was recaptured at Holzensalzer (Poland) after walking 26 miles over 3 days. He survived the war as did Sgt Hayes and Flt Sgt Cameron. Sqn Ldr Catanach died on 29/03/1944 and is buried in the Posen Old Garrison Cemetery, Poland. Flt Sgt Davidson died on 17/03/1945.He died in Stalag POW Camp Bad Sulza after marching from Silesia. It was reported that he was buried by a Chaplain the Rev McIntyre at Bad Sulza Cemetery on 20/3/45. It was recorded in 1950 that since it was not possible to visit Bad Sulza which was in the Russian Zone of Occupation, his name had been commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
23 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 5 September 1942 Source: AWM 64 1/244 AWM 237 (63) Commonwealth War Graves records NAA : A705, 163/162/472, 163/147/304, 163/120,593.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: P 5304 Radio call sign: UB – H Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden P5304 took off from RAF Sumburg at 2050 hours on the night of 4/5th September 1942 for Vaenja, Northern Russia via Afrikanda. The aircraft was one of 16 aircraft from the Squadron to take off for Vaenja. P5304 failed to arrive at its destination.
Crew: RAAF 400842 Sgt E J Smart, Captain (Pilot) RAAF 400331 Flt Sgt T G Nicholls, (Navigator Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt L A Biggin, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 408129 Sgt J M O Harris, (2nd Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 6707 Cpl D H Nelson, (Fitter 11A)
It was later established that the aircraft crashed on the Swedish coast on the night of 4/5th September 1942. The Air Attache in Sweden reported at the time that “the accident occurred in mountainous country in the far north of Sweden. Search parties found the wrecked aircraft largely destroyed by fire. All the crew killed and they were buried in Boden Cemetery, Sweden.”
AWM 237 (63) records that all the RAAF members are buried in the Overlulea New Churchyard, Sweden. The above RAAF Casualty files record in 1950 that the name of the Boden Cemetery had been changed to Overlulea New Churchyard, Sweden.
Commonwealth War Graves record the RAAF and RAF members of the crew are buried in the Kviberg Cemetery, Sweden. The directions to locate this Cemetery are recorded as “From the north east section of the city of Gothenberg, pick up the signpost for Gamelstaden then subsequently Kortedala. Follow this direction until a large roundabout is reached with a petrol station on the right. The Cemetery is opposite this.”
The CWG record also states “ Although Sweden remained neutral throughout both World wars, a number of Commonwealth servicemen lie buried in her cemeteries and churchyards in isolated and inaccessible locations. In 1961 the Gothenburg Church made land available for a war graves plot in Kviberg Cemetery, which allowed these graves to be relocated “
24 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES Date of Death: 11 December 1942 Source: AWM 64 1/244 AWM 237 963) (64) AWM 54 779/1/129 Parts 6 and 7 Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: P 2078 Radio call sign: UB – P Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF Summary: Hampden P2078 took off from RAF Leuchars at 1050 hours on 11 December 1942 to carry out a shipping strike (Rover patrol) off the Norwegian coast. Four aircraft took part in the mission and P2078 failed to return. P2078 set course for Egero in formation with ‘S’ and ‘D’. It was last seen at 1309hrs by ‘S’ disappearing in fog towards the Norwegian coast. Crew: RAAF 403583 PO Gunton, G I Captain (Pilot) RAAF 404814 FO Edgoose T A (Navigator Bomb Aimer) RAAF 402779 Sgt D F Thomas, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 404633 Sgt A E Crossley (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) It was later established that PO Gunton and Sgt Thomas became POW’s and the other two crew members were missing. The names of FO Edgoose and Sgt Crossley are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK. In a 1945 statement the then Fl Lt Gunton reported “I was detailed to do a shipping sweep between Egersund and Stavanger on morning of 11/12/42/ I was flying as No 2 to another Hampden. The weather was fairly thick and ideal for torpedo work. Visibility around 1000 to 1200 yards. The leading a/c turned on ETA and flew north for the allotted 20 minutes then flew home. This was not as ordered as ships were certain to be in the leads around coast. We only sighted land once in form of several small island. After flying some 5 minutes homeward I broke away and returned to the coast, turned south and almost immediately got a perfect run on a large convoy. However the torpedo failed to come off (the A/c had electrical trouble before). On pressing home the second attack the torpedo again failed to come off. The flak was pretty good and the A/c was hit quite a few times. The port wing caught fire just outboard of motor. This engine I cut and used extinguisher. We were flying on one motor and maintaining height but fire was getting worse and I was about to ditch when fire broke through the wing and it broke off just beyond motor. As we were only at 50 feet the A/c turned immediately on back and hit water. I was knocked unconscious and remember nothing beyond that.”
In 1945 the then Fl Lt Thomas reported “ A/c hit in port tank by shell from merchant ship Tank fired and wing fell off.Crashed into water in Stavenger Bay Norway. Pilot tried to slip fire out but it was hopeless. All happened too quickly for orders of any kind. The Pilot and I floated out but did not see Edgoose or Crossley again. They were either killed or drowned. Picked up by Norwegian fishermen who tried to put us ashore, but merchant vessel fired on us and we were handed over. Released by Russians May 1945.”
25 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 11 January 1943
Source: AWM 64 1/244 AWM 237 (63)
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AN 166 Radio call sign: UB – R Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden AN166 was one of 12 aircraft from the Squadron detailed to strike enemy naval vessels off the coast of Norway on the night of 11 January 1943. AN166 crashed just after take off from RAF Leuchars and one of the crew Sgt D T Martin was killed.
Crew: RAAF 403612 Sgt S A Vincent, Captain (Pilot) RCAF Flt Sgt A L W Watt, (Navigator Bomb Aimer) RAAF 407634 Sgt K C Applekemp, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 407681 Sgt D T Martin (2nd Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Sgt Martin is buried in the Leuchars Cemetery, Fifeshire, Scotland.
26 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 18 January 1943
Source: AWM 64 1/244 AWM 237 (63) Commonwealth War Graves records NAA : A705, 166/38/22 and 166/38/15
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AD 792 Radio call sign: UB – P Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden AD792 took off from RAF Leuchars at 1556 hours on the night of 11 January 1943 to carry out a strike on enemy naval forces off the coast of Norway. The aircraft was one of 12 aircraft from the Squadron to take part in the strike and of these AD792 failed to return. At 2213 hours the aircraft was given a QDM of 218 degrees and at 2215 an unfinished W/T message was received from the aircraft but after that nothing.
Crew: RAF FO Hill P J Captain (Pilot) RAF PO Rees, (Navigator Bomb Aimer) RAAF 411656 Sgt R A Smithers (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 412208 Sgt R K Spohn, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
The aircraft crashed on 11 January 1943.
FO Hill was killed in the crash and is buried in the Fettercairn Cemetery, Kincardneshire, Scotland. Sgt Smithers survived the crash but died of his injuries in hospital on 18 January 1943. Sgt Spohn who was slightly injured survived the crash. From the records available it has not been possible to establish the fate of FO Rees (RAF). His initials are not recorded in the ORB and as a result the War Graves records cannot be accessed.
27 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 26 January 1943
Source: AWM 64 1/244 AWM 237 (63) (64)
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: X 3140 Radio call sign: UB – T Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden X3140 took off from RAF Leuchars at 1330 hours on 26 January 1943 to carry out an armed recce off the Norwegian coast. Eleven aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission and of these X3140 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 404707 PO Gleeson, E J Captain (Pilot) RAAF 404766 FO Murphy, K J (Navigator Bomb Aimer) RAAF 404149 Sgt H Witte, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 404395 Sgt R J Booth, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
X3140 was airborne Leuchars in formation with AE228 ‘S’ flown by Flt Lt O’Connor. Flt Lt O’Connors flight report reads as follows “Set course for Naze. 1610 Lista and followed coast at 213 miles distance to Mandal. 1622 set course for Christiansund closing to one mile from coast. 1633 Oksoy Island off Christiansund thence GSAA000. Visibility fair. Set course for base at 1645 hours. Landed at 2025 hours.”
The Squadron ORB also records “ X3140 carried out the same flight as ‘S’ flown by Flt Lt O’Connor, but at 1912 hours X3140 asked for a QDM which was given as 269 degrees and acknowledged. No further messages were received from X3140 and it did not return to base. Air sea rescue searches were carried out but no trace of the missing aircraft or crew was found.”
The names of the four missing crew members are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
28 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 16 May 1943
Source: AWM 64 1/244 AWM 237 (63) Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AN 148 Radio call sign: UB – K Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary : The Squadron crews detached at RAF Sumburg an advance RAF base carried out on 16th May 1943 an Air Launch Torpedo exercise with units of the Fleet together with Beaufighters of 235 Sqn RAF. Shortly after the ‘attack’ Hampden AN148 experienced a starboard engine failure and spun into the sea. Hampden ‘S’ circled the scene of the crash but all that was seen was a rubber tyre and petrol tank. All the crew were missing.
.Crew: RAAF 411290 Flt Sgt G V Courtney, Captain (Pilot) RAF FO Smith, A C (Navigator Bomb Aimer) RAF Sgt J A King, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAAF 411627 Flt Sgt C H A Smith, (Air Gunner)
The names of the missing crew are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
29 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 24 May 1943
Source: AWM 64 1/244 AWM 237 (63) (64) Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AE 132 Radio call sign: UB – K Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden AE132 took off from RAF Leuchars on an Air Launch Torpedo exercise carried out in the afternoon on 24 May 1943 with an escort of one Beaufighter of 235 Sqn RAF. AE132 collided in flight with the Beaufighter during the exercise and both aircraft disintegrated and crashed into the sea. The accident happened approx 5 miles off Frazenburgh and all the crew were killed
Crew: RAAF 411768 Flt Sgt J S Freeth, Captain (Pilot) RAF Flt Sgt A Wheatcroft, (Navigator Bomb Aimer) RAAF 404593 FO Whitson, I H (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RCAF Flt Sgt H R J Downing, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
The bodies of Flt Sgt Wheatcroft and Flt Sgt Downing were recovered by the Peterborough Life Guard. No trace of the other two crew members could be found.
Flt Sgt Wheatcroft is buried in the Leuchars Cemetary, Fifeshire, Scotland. Flt Sgt Downing is buried in the Vernon (Pleasant Valley) Cemetery, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The names of the two missing crew members are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
30 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 4 June 1943
Source: AWM 64 1/245 AWM 237 (63) NAA : A705, 166/10/72.
Aircraft Type: Serial number: Radio call sign: Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: 5022 LAC M G Duggan, Fitter E, a member of 455 Sqn RAAF, died of illness on 4 June 1943.
He was repatriated to Australia from overseas and admitted to 6 RAAF Hospital Heidelberg. When on leave in Tasmania he again took ill and died at 41st Camp Hospital, Hobart. He is buried in the Cornelian Bay War Cemetery, Tasmania, which is located some 3.5 miles from the GPO Hobart.
31 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 8 August 1943
Source: AWM 64 1/245 AWM 237 (64) NAA : A705, 166/37/168.
Aircraft Type: Anson Serial number: N 5105 Radio call sign: Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: 415373 FO Shapcott A F (Pilot) was killed in a flying accident in the afternoon of 8 August 1943. He was on an air test and dual instruction non operational flight in an Anson from 1510 Flight and collided in flight with a Mosquito from No 333 Norwegian Sqn piloted by Lt Cmd Ofendor, OC of Sqn.
Crew : RAF FO Rodgers, T G (Pilot) RAAF 415373 FO Shapcott, A F (Pilot)
Both the crew were killed. FO Shapcott is buried in the Leuchars Cemetery, Fifeshire, Scotland. FO Rodgers is buried in Knockbreda Church of Ireland Churchyard, County Down, UK.
32 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 15 August 1943
Source: AWM 64 1/245 AWM 237 (63) (64)
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AE 378 Radio call sign: UB – G Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden AE378 took off from RAF Leuchars at 0059 hours on the night of 14/15th August 1943 to carry out a shipping recce in the Leads, Fjords and Anchorages on the Norwegian coast between 2100 and 0400 hours. AE378 was one of three aircraft from the Squadron that took part in the recce and AE378 failed to return to base. One of the aircraft Hampden ‘S’ saw what appeared to be the wreckage of a burning aircraft in the Rommel Fiord, Norway.
Crew: RAAF 411763 PO Finn, V B J Captain (Pilot) RAF FO Latham, R T E (Navigator Bomb Aimer) RAAF 406431 WO C B Campbell, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Flt Sgt K E Marriott, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
No trace of the missing aircraft or crew was found. The names of the missing crew are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
33 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 14 September 1943
Source: AWM 64 1/245 AWM 237 (64) Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Hampden Serial number: AN 157 Radio call sign: UB – N Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Hampden AN157 took off from RAF Leuchars at 1353 hours on 14 September 1943 to carry out a Rover patrol of the Norwegian coast. Six aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission and of these AN157 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 402841 FO Austin, W Captain (Pilot) RAF Flt Sgt J Mellor, (Navigator Bomb Aimer) RCAF Flt Sgt R S Esmay, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) RAF Sgt E W Smith, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Three of the aircraft ‘Y’ ‘S’ and ‘N’ on making landfall near Lister, ran into heavy flak whilst inspecting a foundered ship. Continuing on the patrol coastwise they sighted four flak ships of approx 800 tons. The three aircraft turned into attack and were immediately subject to intense and very accurate flak from the ships followed by heavy flak from shore batteries. ‘Y’ and ‘S’ immediately turned away to starboard violently avoiding the flak. At the same time ‘N’ was seen to be commencing to turn away between the ships and the shore. ‘S’ and ‘Y’ set course for base and a few seconds later crews of both aircraft observed a red orange flash from the vicinity of the flak ships, which shot upwards and then died to a glow, which was almost immediately lost in the fog. This was believed to be ‘N’ which was not seen again.
No trace of the missing aircraft or crew was found and the names of the missing crew are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
34 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 1 May 1944
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (64)
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: NE 353 Radio call sign: UB – W Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: On 1 May 1944 aircrews of the Squadron carried out an intensive training programme of day navigation exercises and night bombing practice on Wooton range.
Beaufighter NE353 experienced port engine failure after taking off and crash landed near Little Snoring drome, Norfolk at 2350 hours. The Navigator made three attempts to drag the Pilot from the wreck, but failed owing to the heat and trees which had fallen on the aircraft. The Pilot was killed and the Navigator suffered burns to the face and was admitted to Ely hospital
Crew: RAAF 420310 PO Wilson, N A Captain (Pilot) RAF Flt Sgt T E Holmes (Navigator W)
PO Wilson was buried in the RAF Cemetery, Cambridge, UK.
35 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 6 May 1944
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (63) NAA : A705, 166/43/657
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: NE 206 Radio call sign: UB – M Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter NE 206 took off from RAF Langham at 1730 hours on the night of 5/6th May 1944 to carry out a shipping strike north of Borkum on the Dutch coast. The mission was to fly up the shipping lanes from north of Terschelling eastwards to attack a convoy sighted on a previous recce. 12 Beaufighters from the Squadron took part in the mission and of these NE206 failed to return.
Crew: RAF Flt Lt Atkinson, B Captain (Pilot) RAAF 424809 Flt Sgt J A J Whitburn, (Navigator Wireless)
The 455 Sqn Beaufighters were accompanied by 6 Torbneaus and 5 anti-flak Beaufighters of 489 Sqn (RAF)
At 1815 hours the formation sighted an enemy convoy of 7 MV’s in 2 columns, 10 Armed trawlers and two ‘R’ boats as escort. The formation turned to attack in the sun and the convoy appeared to be taken by surprise. The aircraft experienced intense flak at first but meagre flak towards the end of the encounter. All aircraft obtained many hits. The Torbeaus released all their torpedoes 3 escort vessels, 2 ‘R’ boats and 3 MV’s were claimed as damaged. NE206 was lagging behind the formation prior to the attack and not until the other aircraft had returned to base was it realised that the aircraft was missing.
No trace of the missing aircraft or crew was found and the names of the missing crew are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey. UK.
36 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 8 June 1944
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (63) (64)
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: NE 200 Radio call sign: UB – A Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter NE200 took off from RAF Langham at 1310 hours on 8 June 1944 to carry out a ship recce off the Dutch coast north of Terschelling eastwards to Heligoland. It accompanied Aircraft ‘L’ on the mission.
After take off NE200 flew on the port side of ‘L’. At 1357 in the vicinity of the Frisian Islands, ‘L’ received a VHF message from ‘A’ “engine trouble Smithy”. FO N R Smith (RAAF) in ‘L’ called up to ask how serious the trouble was but received no reply. At 1400 hours NE200 was seen to make a diving turn into the sea from a height of 50 feet. The aircraft sank immediately. ‘L’ circled the spot for 10 minutes but no survivors were seen.
Crew: RAAF 422749 FO Williams, F O Captain (Pilot) RAAF 415828 Flt Sgt W A Roach, (Navigator Wireless)
No trace of the missing aircraft or crew was found. The names of the missing crew are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
37 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 29 June 1944
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (64)
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: LZ 192 Radio call sign: UB – H Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter LZ192 took off from RAF Langham at 0340 hours on 29 June 1944 to carry out a ‘E’ boat patrol from Dunkirk to the Hook. Six aircraft of the Squadron took part in the patrol and LZ192 failed to return
Crew: RAAF 402944 FO Collaery, E F Captain (Pilot) RAAF 425547 PO Pearson, H W (Navigator Wireless)
The 455 Sqn aircraft were accompanied by 5 Beaufighters of 489 Sqn RAF.
The patrol sighted 2 Mine Sweepers and 2 trawlers near the Hook and nine other small ships entering the mouth of the Hook. The formation made a wide turn to port and climbed, making a diving attack from 800 feet to the deck. LZ192 had the starboard engine damaged in the attack and maintained height on one engine for a while but was soon compelled to ditch. The Nav got out of the aircraft and the dinghy inflated. The Pilot was apparently knocked unconscious and the Nav tried to get him out but was unable to do so, and the aircraft sank before he recovered consciousness.
The Nav got into the dinghy and the other aircraft circled and sent a position report. ASR aircraft escorted by Thunderbolts were sent out and circled the dinghy continuously. An airborne lifeboat was dropped but was too far away for the Nav to reach. Eventually an HS Launch reached him and took him to Yarmouth suffering from slight bruises.
The name of the missing Pilot is commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
38 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 1 July 1944
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (64)
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: NE 773 Radio call sign: UB – C Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter NE773 took off from RAF Langham at 1600 hours on 1 July 1944 for formation practice and local flying. Three new crews took part in the exercise. At 1700 hours NE773 crashed some five miles from base and the aircraft was destroyed with both crew killed.
Crew: RAAF 2114 FO Billing, J U Captain (Pilot) RAAF 426574 FO Edwards, T O (Navigator Wireless)
The crew are buried in the RAF Cemetery Cambridge, UK.
39 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 6 July 1944
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (64) Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: NE 348 Radio call sign: UB – F Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter NE348 took off from RAF Langham at 1907 hours on 6 July 1944 on an armed recce. Ten aircraft from the Squadron took part in the recce and two of these including NE348 failed to return.
At 2100 hours while on patrol off Nordeney Germany, a convoy of 10 MV’s in two columns escorted by 7 mine sweepers and trawlers was sighted. Intense heavy and light flak was experienced but cannon and R/P attacks were carried out. From photos it was considered that an MV of 5/7000 tons was left sinking and an MV of 2/3000 tons and 2 mine sweepers on fire NE348 was seen by Aircraft ‘Z’ to fall into the sea with its tail shot off.
Crew: RAAF 414380 FO Barbour, W M Captain (Pilot) RAF FO Dodd, F G (Navigator Wireless)
Both the crew were killed. FO Barbour is missing and his name is commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK. FO Dodd is buried in the Sage War Cemetery. Sage is a village south of Oldenburg, a town 43kms west of Bremen and 28kms off the main road from Bremen to Holland. Locality Oldenburg, Germany.
40 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 6 July 1944
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (64) NAA : A705, 166/39/208
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: LZ 194 Radio call sign: UB – U Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter LZ194 took off from RAF Langham at 1910 hours on 6 July 1944 to carry out an armed recce. Ten aircraft from the Squadron took part in the recce and two of these including LZ194 failed to return.
At 2100 hours while on patrol off Nordeney Germany, a convoy of 10 MV’s in two columns escorted by 7 mine sweepers and trawlers was sighted. Intense heavy and light flak was experienced but cannon and R/P attacks were carried out. From photos it was considered that an MV of 5/7000 tons was left sinking and an MV of 2/3000 tons and 2 mine sweepers on fire.
LZ194 was hit by flak and ditched. One member of the crew believed to be Flt Sgt Taylor was seen in a dinghy, and the other aircraft circled for some time and a fix was obtained. Early next morning an ASR found the dinghy which was empty and an enemy boat was seen making its way from it towards the coast.
Crew: RAAF 421312 PO Costello, J Captain (Pilot) RAAF 422742 Flt Sgt R Taylor, (Navigator Wireless)
PO Costello is missing and his name is commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK Flt Sgt Taylor became a POW. He later reported “was shot down in sea off Holland and captured after short time in dinghy”. He was released from Stalag Luft V11 and returned safe to UK on 2/6/1945.
41 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 10 July 1944
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (63)
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: NE 760 Radio call sign: UB – A Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter NE760 took off from RAF Langham at 1326 hours on 10 July 1944 to carry out a special recce off the Danish coast. Two aircraft from the Squadron took part in the recce and of these NE760 failed to return.
At 1335 hours three miles from Sheringham, bearing 010deg true, NE760 which was formating on the port quarter of ‘L’ was seen by the navigator of ‘L’ to make a turn to starboard, rapidly losing height as though making an attempt to return to base. ‘L’ followed ‘A’ around to ascertain the cause of this unexpected procedure. When aircraft ‘A’ was at 100 feet the starboard wing dropped and the aircraft dived into the sea and sank immediately. A light naval craft was in the vicinity and proceeded to the spot to investigate, and ‘L’ circled for 15 minutes. No survivors were seen only wreckage and an upturned dinghy. ‘L’ sent out a VHF message of the crash and returned to base.
Crew: RAAF 42457 Flt Sgt M M Roberts, Captain (Pilot) RAAF 418241 Flt Sgt J T Andrew, (Navigator Wireless)
The names of the missing crew members are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK
42 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 10 August 1944
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (63)
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: NE 340 Radio call sign: UB – L Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter NE340 took off from RAF Langham at 1926 hours on 10 August 1944 to carry out a reconnaissance in force. Thirteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission and three of these including NE340 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 413618 WO W T Jones, Captain (Pilot) RAAF 408396 WO H E Brock, (Navigator Wireless)
The 455 Sqn aircraft were accompanied by 12 Torbeaus of 489 Sqn and 15 anti flak Beaufighters of 254 Sqn. Six of the 455 Sqn Beaufighters each carried 8 x 25lbs R P’s, and the other seven cannon only. At 2106 hours an enemy convoy of 5 MV’s and 10 E/V’s was sighted and attacked One MV was hit by 2 torpedoes and burned fiercely. Two ‘M’ M/S were on fire and one ‘M’ was burning fiercely. One ‘M’ was sinking and an “Artevelde” E/V blew up from R/P attacks. Three of our aircraft were shot down. Two of them went in on the starboard and one on the port of the convoy.
The crew of NE340 were killed. WO Brock is buried in the Hanover War Cemetery, Germany, and as WO Jones is missing his name is commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
43 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 10 August 1944
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (64) Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: KW 277 Radio call sign: UB – D Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter KW277 took off from RAF Langham at 1935 hours on 10 August 1944 as part of a Squadron force of thirteen aircraft to carry out a recce in force. Three of these aircraft including KW277 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 409476 FO Kempson, L A Captain (Pilot) RAF FO Curzon, R (Navigator Wireless)
The 455 Sqn aircraft were accompanied by 12 Torbeaus of 489 Sqn and 15 anti flak Beaufighters of 254 Sqn. Six of the 455 Sqn Beaufighters each carried 8 x 25lb R P’s and the other seven cannon only.
At 2106 hours an enemy convoy of 5 MV’s and 10 E/V’s was sighted and attacked. One MV was hit by two torpedoes and burned fiercely. Two ‘M’ M/S were on fire and one ‘M’ was burning fiercely. One ‘M’ was sinking and an “Artevelde” E/V blew up from R/P attacks. Three of our aircraft were shot down. Two of them went in on the starboard and one on the port of the convoy.
The crew of KW277 were killed. FO Kempson is buried in the Kiel War Cemetery, Germany, and FO Curzon is buried in the Hamburg War Cemetery, Germany, known locally as the “Ohlsdorf” Cemetery.
44 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 10th August 1944
Source: AWM 64 1/246
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: NT 959 Radio call sign: UB – H Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter NT959 took off from RAF Langham at 1938 hours on 10 August 1944 to carry out a reconnaissance in force. Thirteen aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission and three of these including NT959 failed to return.
Crew: RAF PO Batchelor, G E P Captain (Pilot) RAF PO Morris, H R (Navigator Wireless)
The 455 Sqn aircraft were accompanied by 12 Torbeaus pf 489 Sqn and 15 anti flak Beaufighters of 254 Sqn. Six of the 455 Sqn Beaufighters each carried 8 x 25lb R P’s and the other seven canon only. At 2106 hours an enemy convoy of 5 M V’s and 10 E/V’s was sighted and attacked. One MV was hit by 2 torpedoes and burned fiercely. Two ‘M’ M/S were on fire and one ‘M’ was burning fiercely. One ‘M’ was sinking and an “Artevelde” E/V blew up from R/P attacks. Three of our aircraft were shot down. Two of them went in on the starboard and one on the port of the convoy.
The crew of N959 were killed and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
45 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 20 September 1944
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (63) NAA : A705, 166/17/753
Aircraft Type: Serial number: Radio call sign: Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: AC1 L L Harris, 18621 an Instrument Maker and member of 455 Sqn ground crew, while cycling back to his billet on the night of 20/9/1944 was fatally injured in a head on collision with an Army truck. He died in the ambulance on the way to Norwich hospital.
AC1 Harris is buried in the RAF Cemetery, Cambridge, UK.
46 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 25 September 1944
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (63) (64) Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: NT 987 Radio call sign: UB – W Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter NT987 took off from RAF Langham at 1509 hours on the 25 September 1944 to carry out a strike at Den Helder, Holland. Twelve aircraft from the Squadron took part in the strike and of these NT987 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 415510 FO Cock, C E A DFC Captain (Pilot) RAAF 415671 WO A R Lyneham, (Navigator Wireless)
The 455 Sqn aircraft were equipped with RP’s and connon. They were accompanied by 10 anti flak Beaufighters and 4 Torbeaus of 489 Sqn, plus 12 (236 Sqn), 14 (143 Sqn) and 13 (254 Sqn) anti flak Beaufighters This was the biggest Coastal Command effort by Beaufighters to date.
At 1626 hours the force attacked shipping and flak positions between Vlieland and Terschelling . One Beaufighter believed to be NT987 was seen to dive blazing among the ships being attacked.
Results of the strike included an M/V on fire and exploding.. Three ‘M’ M/S hit and burning with one blowing up. 2 Armed trawlers and 2 tugs on fire A floating crane on fire and collapsed. Congratulations were received from the Captain of Coastal Forces, Nore on the formations great success on 25/9.
Both the crew in NT987 were killed. FO Cock is buried in the Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery. Bergen-op-Zoom is a town in the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant and is 40kms NW of Antwerp, Belgium. WO Lyneham is missing and his name is commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
47 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 15 October 1944
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (64) Commonwealth War Graves records NAA : A705, 166/36/368
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: NV 431 Radio call sign: UB – V Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter NV431 took off from RAF Langham, Norfolk at 0550 hours on 15 October 1944 to carry out an offensive sweep off the West Frisian Islands. Six aircraft from the Squadron took part in the mission and one of these NV431 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 437282 PO Steer, N G Captain (Pilot) RAAF 434107 FO Roberts, B T (Navigator Wireless)
When the aircraft were on patrol at 0700 hours four armed trawlers were sighted and attacked. Visibility 2-3 miles, cloud base low. Moderate light flak was experienced and NV431 was seen ditching after the attack with the starboard engine on fire. Later the aircraft sighted a dinghy containing two survivors who appeared unhurt and waving. It was presumed they would be picked up by the German ASR service as the dinghy was only a few miles from the enemy coast. The dinghy sighting was reported to base.
Both the crew did not however survive. The body of FO Roberts was recovered from the sea and he is buried in the Risor Civil Cemetery, Norway. Risor is on the southern coast of Norway north east of Arendal. PO Steer is missing and his name is commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
48 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 1 November 1944
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (63) (64)
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: NT 915 Radio call sign: UB – Y Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter NT915 took off from RAF Dallachy at 0531 hours on 1 November 1944 to carry out an armed reconnaissance from Obrestadt to Kristiansand at an average height of 300 feet. Eleven aircraft from the Squadron took part in the sortie and one of these NT915 failed to return. In addition to the 455 Sqn aircraft, 5 Torbeaus and 6 anti flak Beaufighters from 489 Sqn made up the Force.
Crew: RAAF 424756 FO Hammond, G H DeB Captain (Pilot) RAAF 428312 Flt Sgt G A Henry, (Navigator Wireless)
The Force set course at 0541 hours and about 1.5 hours later were circling in formation over a ‘Drem’ system of lighting, when ‘Y’ of 455 Sqn and ‘W’ of 489 Sqn were seen to collide. The aircraft broke away and the starboard one thought to be ‘W/489’ did a stalling turn and dived into the sea. The other aircraft (‘Y/455’) trailing smoke disappeared into the darkness and was not seen again. Warwick ASR aircraft were contacted and searched but no trace of the missing crew was found.
The names of FO Hammond and Flt Sgt Henry are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey.
49 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 5 December 1944
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (64)
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: NV 438 Radio call sign: UB – V Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter NV438 took off from RAF Dallachy at 1212 hours on 5 December 1944 to carry out an anti ship patrol from Ytteroene to Molde at a height of 3000 feet. Ten aircraft from the Squadron took part in the patrol and of these NV438 failed to return. The 455 Sqn aircraft were accompanied by 5 Beaufighters from 489 Sqn.
Crew: RAAF 417747 FO Hakewell, J A Captain (Pilot) RAAF 419347 PO Sides, F G (Navigator Wireless)
A number of M/V’s observed in Orstenfjord were attacked and a smaller M/V in Selbervik Heavy accurate flak and light and heavy flak was experienced from all the ships and from land batteries in the locality. NV438 was hit by flak its starboard wing disintegrating, and the aircraft dived in flames into the sea.
No trace of the missing crew was found and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
On the same patrol Beaufighter ‘M’ of 455 Sqn was hit in the starboard engine, but on one motor and all the instruments U/S the aircraft was able to reach a point 40 miles north east of Lerwick, Shetland Isles and ditch in the sea. The RAAF crew of PO Winter (Pilot) and PO Dunshea (Nav W) were circled by an ASR Warwick and picked up from their dinghy by an ASR launch after three hours in a heavy swell. (See also the Date of Death entry for this crew on 10 January 1945)
50 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 10 January 1945
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (64)
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: RD 141 Radio call sign: UB – M Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter RD141 took off from RAF Dallachy at 1150 hours on an anti shipping patrol of Molde-Bremanger. Height 1500 feet, state of sea calm. Six aircraft from the Squadron took part in the patrol and of these RD141 failed to return. The 455 Sqn aircraft were accompanied by 8 Rock Beaus (404 Sqn), 4 anti flak Beaus (144 Sqn), 2 outriders of 333 Sqn, escorted by 10 Mustangs of 315 Sqn and 2 ASR Warwicks.
Crew: RAAF 425997 PO Winter A E Captain (Pilot) RAAF 422936 PO Dunshea, C J (Navigator Wireless)
The patrol sighted a Mine Sweeper of the 1942 class and attacked. Hits were obtained on the superstructure and amidships and the ship was smoking heavily. After the attack at 1445 hours RD141 was seen to climb to starboard with the port engine on fire, to turn on its back and dive into the water on the north east side of Harmansoy (62.39N 06.15E). The aircraft was seen to be burning on the water.
Both the crew were killed. No trace of PO Winter was found and his name is commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK. PO Dunshea is buried in the Stavne Churchyard, Trondheim, Norway.
This same crew survived a ditching on 5 December 1944.
51 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Crash : 9 February 1945
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 54 779/3/129 Parts 12 and 23 AWM 65 (3327)
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: NV 199 Radio call sign: UB – O Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter NV199 took off from RAF Dallachy at 1345 hours on 9 February 1945 to carry out an anti shipping patrol over Sandoy-Bremanger at a height of 800 feet. Eleven Beaufighters from the Squadron took part in the sortie and two of these including NV199 failed to return. The 455 Sqn aircraft were accompanied by 11 Torbeaus (404 Sqn), 8 Anti-flak Beaus plus 2 Outriders (144 Sqn), escorted by 12 Mustangs (65 Sqn) and 2 ASR Warwicks (279 Sqn)
Crew: RAAF 413227 Flt Lt McColl, R C DFC Captain (Pilot) RAAF 421749 WO L L MacDonald, (Navigator Wireless)
The Force attacked 2 Destroyers, 2 Mine Sweepers plus 2 unidentified vessels, and a Sperrbrecher. Photos established there were eleven vessels in the area.
Both the crew of NV199 were POW’s In a 1945 statement Flt Lt McColl reported : “After attacking a convoy in the Forde Fjord, Norway, we were jumped by an FW190 which made 4 separate attacks. Assisted by accurate instructions from the Navigator was able to avoid being hit. Unfortunately while taking violent evasive action, I flew over a 20mm coastal battery and the aircraft was hit three times, one of which set my starboard nacelle petrol tank on fire. The engine was feathered and the fire extinguisher used but all to no avail, and I was forced to ditch close to the main coastline. The aircraft crashed on the Norwegian coast west of Tendi Fjord. Both the crew got clear unhurt but were captured and were POW’s. Released by the Russians on 1st May 1945.”
52 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 9 February 1945
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (63) (64) Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: NV 196 Radio call sign: UB – V Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter NV196 took off from RAF Dallachy at 1346 hours on 9 February 1945 to carry out an anti-shipping patrol over Sandoy-Bremanger. Eleven aircraft from the Squadron took part in the sortie and two of these including NV196 failed to return.
The 455 Sqn aircraft were accompanied by 11 Rock Beaus (404 Sqn), 8 anti flak Beaus and 2 outriders (144 Sqn), escorted by 12 Mustangs (65 Sqn) and 2 ASR Warwicks (279 Sqn)
Crew: RAAF 410694 WO D E Mutimer, Captain (Pilot) RAAF 432095 PO Blackshaw, J D (Navigator Wireless)
The crew of NV196 are buried in the Rossebo Churchyard, Haugesund, Norway. The town of Haugesund is located south of Bergen.
53 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 27 February 1945
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (64) Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: NV 414 Radio call sign: UB – L Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter NV414 took off from RAF Dallachy at 1815 hours on 27 February 1945 to carry out an anti-shipping strike from Naze eastward to Plae. Three aircraft from the Squadron took part in the sortie and of these NV414 failed to return.
The 455 Sqn aircraft were accompanied by 3 Rock Beaus (404 Sqn), and 6 Torbeaus (489 Sqn)
Crew: RAAF 428102 FO Brock, H J Captain (Pilot) RAAF 426597 Flt Sgt W A Hirst, (Navigator Wireless)
During an attack at 2010 hours on enemy shipping (2 vessel convoy) south of Mandal, NV414 aimed at the front ship but overshot slightly and almost certainly obtained hits on the second vessel. At 2022 hours it sent an R/T message ‘port engine cut at 500 feet cause unknown, set course for base.’
At 2300 hours the aircraft made landfall south of Peterhead and the Navigator baled out about half a mile from RAF Peterhead and walked into dispersal uninjured. The pilot who was ready to follow the Navigator out was not located and there was no sign of him in the crashed aircraft.
FO Brock is buried in the Hune Churchyard, Denmark. Hune is a small town in northern Jutland about 20kms north of the port of Aalborg.
54 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 8 March 1945
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (63) (64)
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: RD 132 Radio call sign : UB – O Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter RD132 took off from RAF Dallachy at 1406 hours on 8 March 1945 to carry out an anti-ship patrol from Sandoy to Svinoy. Nine aircraft from the Squadron took part in the sortie and of these RD132 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 422968 PO Mitchell, W D Captain (Pilot) RAAF 437134 Flt Sgt I H Jury, (Navigator Wireless)
The formation attacked shipping south of Bremanger and making for Midgulen. The target was at the bottom end of the fjord with 3 ships close inshore on each side of the fjord.
No trace of the missing crew of RD132 was found and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
55 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 24 March 1945
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (63) Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: RD 329 Radio call sign: UB – X Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter RD329 took off from RAF Dallachy at 1601 hours on 24 March 1945 to carry out a shipping strike on Egersund Harbour, Norway. Eight aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and one of these RD329 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 426229 WO G E Longland, Captain (Pilot) RAAF 419533 Flt Sgt E C Nayda, (Navigator Wireless)
RD329 was seen to crash south of a vessel during an attack on shipping. Both the crew were killed and they are buried in the Egersund Church Cemetery, Norway. Egersund is on the south west coast of Norway.
56 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 3 April 1945
Source : AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (63) (64)
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: RD 421 Radio call sign: UB – O Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter RD421 took off from RAF Dallachy at 1727 hours on 3 April 1945 to carry out and anti-ship strike on Egersund Harbour. 13 aircraft from the Squadron took part in the strike and of these RD421 failed to return.
The 455 Sqn aircraft were accompanied by 10 anti flak Beaus (489 Sqn) 12 Rock Beaus (144 Sqn) escorted by 12 Mustangs and 2 ASR Warwicks.
Crew: RAAF 423785 WO W T D Furlong, Captain (Pilot) RAAF 432323 Flt Sgt A E Williams, (Navigator Wireless)
At 1807 hours the formation rendezvous at Peterhead with the Mustangs and set course for Egersund. At 1923 hours landfall within 4 miles of Egero. Formation turned to starboard and owing to poor weather conditions were unable to keep formation, The Leader called the Force and cancelled the operation and instructed Force to return to base. At 1927 hours there was an R/T message from an unidentified aircraft ‘going to ditch’ At1928 hours 58.28N 05.28E mean position. An aircraft understood to be ‘O/455 was seen flying low over the water then hit water and bounce with port engine trailing white smoke and starboard undercarriage down. The aircraft was seen again to hit the water and disintegrate. The dinghy was seen to inflate and one survivor swim towards it. Another body was seen in the water 15 yards from the dinghy apparently unconscious. At 1935 hours the Leader and main force set course for base having circled the area of the ditching. Aircraft ‘H/455’ remained until 1958 hours when a Warwick aircraft arrived in the area.
No trace of crew of RD421 was found and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
57 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 5 April 1945
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (64)
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: NE 207 Radio call sign: UB – N Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter NE207 took off from RAF Dallachy at 1345 hours on 5th April 1945 to carry out an anti shipping recce of Svinoy-Aalesund – Yttergene and Cutvaer- Bremanger. 8 aircraft from the Squadron took part in the recce and two of these including NE207 failed to return. In addition to the 455 Sqn aircraft 10 Rock Beaus (144Sqn) 7 Anti Flak and 2 outriders (489Sqn), 12 Mustangs (65Sqn) and 2 ASR Warwicks took part in the recce.
Crew: RAAF 437417 FO Hassell, G W Captain (Pilot) RAAF 428725 FO Loonam, E J (Navigator Wireless)
During the patrol 6 ME 109’s were sighted at 1625 hours flying a parallel course and same height 500/250 feet. Combat ensued. Two enemy aircraft attacked. Aircraft ‘C/455’ which was seen to pull up to starboard and climb collided with ‘N/455’. The wing of one aircraft broke off and falling knocked off another Beaufighter last seen with port engine smoking. Both aircraft ‘N’ and ‘C’ failed to return.
No trace of the crew of NE207 was found and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
58 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 5 April 1945
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (63) (64)
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: NT 920 Radio call sign: UB – C Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter NT920 took off from RAF Dallachy at 1346 hours on 5 April 1945 to carry out an anti shipping recce of Svinoy-Aalesund – Yttergene and Cutvaer- Bremanger. Eight aircraft from the Squadron took part in the recce and two of these including NT920 failed to return. In addition to the 455 Sqn aircraft 10 Rock Beaus (144Sqn), 7 Anti flak and 2 outriders (489 Sqn), 12 Mustangs (65Sqn) and 2 ASR Warwicks took part in the recce.
Crew: RAAF 411167 Flt Lt Moore, K A V Captain (Pilot) RAAF 432108 Flt Sgt R E Bull, (Navigator Wireless)
During the patrol 6 ME 109’s were sighted at 1625 hours flying a parallel course and same height 500/250 feet. Combat ensued. Two enemy aircraft attacked. Aircraft ‘C/455’ which was seen to pull up starboard and climb collided with ‘N/455’. The wing of one aircraft broke off and falling knocked off another Beaufighter last seen with port engine smoking. Both aircraft ‘N’ and ‘C’ failed to return.
No trace of the crew of NT920 was found and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
59 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 22 April 1945
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (63) (64)
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: NE 444 Radio call sign: UB – B Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter NE444 took off from RAF Dallachy at 1650 hours on 22 April 1944 to carry out an anti shipping strike in Moldoy-Vaagso region, Norway. Seven aircraft from the Squadron took part in the strike and one of these NE444 failed to return.
Crew: RAAF 434361 FO Higgins, T J Captain (Pilot) RAAF 428872 WO A J Mirow (Navigator Wireless)
NE444 attacked a 3/4000 tons M/V alongside a quay and warehouse on the west side of Moldoy anchorage near the town of Sor Vaagso. At 1918 hours UB-B was seen to crash in flames in the anchorage at the northern end of the town of Sor Vaagso.
Both the crew were killed and they are buried in the Stavne Churchyard, Trondheim, Norway. The town of Trondheim is on the west coast of Norway approx 300kms north of Oslo.
60 455 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 26 April 1945
Source: AWM 64 1/246 AWM 237 (63) (64)
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter Serial number: RD 429 Radio call sign: UB – N Unit: 455 Sqn RAAF
Summary: Beaufighter RD429 took off from RAF Dallachy at 1420 hours on 26 April 1945 to carry out an anti shipping patrol of Fede Fjord. Six aircraft from the Squadron took part in the patrol and one of these RD429 failed to return. In addition to the 455 Sqn aircraft, 12 Rockbeaus (144Sqn), 2 Anti flak Beaus outriders (489Sqn), 12 Mustangs (19Sqn) and 2 ASR Warwicks (279Sqn) took part in the patrol.
Crew: RAAF 433097 FO Edwards, W J Captain (Pilot) RAAF 434459 WO K L Hamilton, (Navigator Wireless)
The patrol attacked enemy shipping in Brevigen Bay on the north side of the Fede fjord. N/455 attacked an M/V 4/5000 tons with R/P and cannon. Possible RP hits seen by the following aircraft. Enemy aircraft were encountered when out of the attack and combat ensued. ‘N’ called up that the Pilot had been wounded but thought he could make base. ‘N asked for an escort but almost at once called up to say that he was being attacked by fighters. There was then no further word but an aircraft was seen to crash into a hill and explode between Fleke Fjord and N Fede. A/c ‘N’ was the Leader of the 455 Sqn aircraft.
No trace was found of the crew of RD429 and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68