Stirling (Total: 533, Canadian: 398, Group 0)

Short Stirling

Source: Harold A Skaarup Web Page (L. Faux Photos)
In June 1944, this Short S.29 Stirling B Mk. IV (Serial No. LK589), coded V3, RAF, was flown across the Atlantic as part of a navigation training exercise and did a tour of bases in Eastern Canada. It is shown here at Malton, Ontario. It was flown back to the UK after a two-week visit.

The Short Stirling was a British four-engined heavy bomber of the Second World War. It has the distinction of being the first four-engined bomber to be introduced into service with the Royal Air Force (RAF).

The Stirling was designed during the late 1930s by Short Brothers to conform with the requirements laid out in Air Ministry Specification B.12/36. Prior to this, the RAF had been primarily interested in developing increasingly capable twin-engined bombers but had been persuaded to investigate a prospective four-engined bomber as a result of promising foreign developments in the field. Out of the submissions made to the specification Supermarine proposed the Type 317, which was viewed as the favourite, whereas Short's submission, named the S.29, was selected as an alternative. When the preferred Type 317 had to be abandoned, the S.29, which later received the name Stirling, proceeded to production. In early 1941 the Stirling entered squadron service. During its use as a bomber pilots praised the type for its ability to out-turn enemy night fighters and its favourable handling characteristics whereas the altitude ceiling was often a subject of criticism. The Stirling had a relatively brief operational career as a bomber before being relegated to second line duties from late 1943. This was due to the increasing availability of the more capable Handley Page Halifax and Avro Lancaster, which took over the strategic bombing of Germany. Decisions by the Air Ministry on certain performance requirements (most significantly to restrict the wingspan of the aircraft to 100 feet) had played a role in limiting the Stirling's performance; the 100ft limit also affected earlier models of the Halifax (MkI & MkII) though the Lancaster never adhered to it.

During its later service, the Stirling was used for mining German ports; new and converted aircraft also flew as glider tugs and supply aircraft during the Allied invasion of Europe during 1944"“1945. In the aftermath of the Second World War, the type was rapidly withdrawn from RAF service, having been replaced in the transport role by the Avro York, a derivative of the Lancaster that had previously displaced it from the bomber role. A handful of ex-military Stirlings were rebuilt for the civil market. Wikipedia

Wikipedia Wikipedia Short Stirling

unvetted Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Stirling Mk. I serial BF310

Stirling Mk. I serial BF312

s/n BF312

BF 312

Stirling Mk. I serial BF313

Stirling Mk. I serial BF314

s/n BF314

BF 314

Stirling Mk. I serial BF327

s/n BF327

BF 327

Stirling Mk. I serial BF330

s/n BF330

BF 330

Known Units: ;214


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. I serial BF337

s/n BF337

BF 337

Stirling Mk. I serial BF338

s/n BF338

BF 338

Stirling Mk. I serial BF347

s/n BF347

BF 347

Stirling Mk. I serial BF351

s/n BF351

BF 351

Stirling Mk. I serial BF353

s/n BF353

BF 353

Stirling Mk. I serial BF378

s/n BF378

BF 378

Stirling Mk. I serial BF386

s/n BF386

BF 386

Stirling Mk. I serial BF387

s/n BF387

BF 387

Stirling Mk. I serial BF392

s/n BF392

BF 392

Stirling Mk. I serial BF399

s/n BF399

BF 399

Stirling Mk. I serial BF403

s/n BF403

BF 403

Stirling Mk. I serial BF415

s/n BF415

BF 415

Stirling Mk. I serial BF437

s/n BF437

BF 437

Known Units: ;75


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. I serial BF451

s/n BF451

BF 451

Known Units: ;75


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. III serial BF457

s/n BF457

BF 457

Stirling Mk. III serial BF458

Stirling Mk. III serial BF462

s/n BF462

BF 462

Stirling Mk. III serial BF467

s/n BF467

BF 467

Stirling Mk. III serial BF469

Stirling Mk. III serial BF470

s/n BF470

BF 470

Stirling Mk. III serial BF472

s/n BF472

BF 472

Stirling Mk. III serial BF477

s/n BF477

BF 477

Stirling Mk. III serial BF478

s/n BF478

BF 478

Known Units: ;214


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. III serial BF483

s/n BF483

BF 483

Known Units: ;149


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. III serial BF501

s/n BF501

BF 501

Stirling Mk. III serial BF502

s/n BF502

BF 502

Stirling Mk. III serial BF505

s/n BF505

BF 505

Stirling Mk. III serial BF508

s/n BF508

BF 508

Known Units: ;90


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. III serial BF511

Stirling Mk. III serial BF512

s/n BF512

BF 512

Stirling Mk. III serial BF522

s/n BF522

BF 522

Known Units: ;218


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. III serial BF523

s/n BF523

BF 523

Known Units: ;90


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. III serial BF524

s/n BF524

BF 524

Stirling Mk. III serial BF525

Stirling Mk. III serial BF530

s/n BF530

BF 530

Stirling Mk. III serial BF571

s/n BF571

BF 571

Stirling Mk. III serial BF572

Stirling Mk. III serial BF578

Stirling Mk. l serial BK599

s/n BK599

BU RAF Roundel R

BK 599

Known Units: 214


last update: 2025-June-01

Bombing Kiel Germany 1942-10-13 to 1942-10-13

214 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Chedburgh

214 Federated Malay States Squadron RAF (Ultor In Umbris) RAF Chedburgh. Stirling I aircraft BK 599 BU-R was coned by searchlights, struck by flak and attacked by night fighter pilot Oberfeldwebel Karl Fleischmann of the 6/NJG 3, crashing near Felde, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Only two of the crew of seven managed to bale before the crash

Davison, Phalempin, Dempsay, Cameron, and Murray had previously survived the ditching of #22 Operational Training Unit Wellington Ic aircraft X 9701 LT-D 1942-06-25 returning from an operation over Germany. They survived adrift in their dinghy for several days until picked by air-sea rescue until 1942-07-01

unvetted Source [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...

unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

unvetted Source No 214 (FMS) Squadron RAF - Crews and Losses - Short Stirling

unvetted Source Plane crash near fields

Stirling Mk. l serial BK611

s/n BK611

LS RAF Roundel U

BK 611

Known Units: 15


last update: 2025-June-01

Bombing 1943-05-25 to 1943-05-26

15 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Mildenhall

15 Squadron (Aim Sure) RAF Mildenhall. Short Stirling I aircraft BK 611 LS-U nicknamed "Te-Kooti" was struck by flak during the run-in to bomb targets in Dusseldorf, Germany and jettisoned their bomb-load. Control of the aircraft was regained and turned for home but the Stirling crash-landed west of the River Maas near Venlo, Holland with the loss of three aircrew members

FS JO Wilson (RAAF), Sergeant RW Pittard (RAFVR) and Sergeant P Arnott (RAFVR) were killed in action

Sergeant EF Seabolt (RCAF) baled after the flak hit, survived and was taken as Prisoner of War

Flight Lieutenant BE Cooper (RAF), Sergeant SJ Maxted (RAF) and Sergeant AW Edgley (RAF) survived and evaded for a time but all were eventually arrested and became Prisoners of War

unvetted Source Results

unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

Stirling Mk. l serial BK614

s/n BK614

BK 614

Stirling Mk. l serial BK618

s/n BK618

BK 618

Stirling Mk. l serial BK646

s/n BK646

BK 646

Known Units: 75


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling serial BK648

s/n BK648

BK 648

Stirling serial BK650

s/n BK650

BK 650

Stirling serial BK653

s/n BK653

BU RAF Roundel A

BK 653

Known Units: 214


last update: 2025-June-01

Bombing Mannheim Germany 1943-04-16 to 1943-04-17

214 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Chedburgh

214 Federated Malay States Squadron (Ulter in umbris) RAF Chedburgh. Stirling III aircraft BK 653 BU-A was attacked by three ME109 fighter aircraft during an operation against targets in Mannheim, Germany. The Stirling was shot down by Leutnant Norbert Pietek of 2/NJG4 and the aircraft was abandoned before crashing at Bonneuil-les-Eaux, Oise, Hauts-de-France, in France

Rear Air-Gunner Sergeant Eric Makham Lee (RAFVR) was killed in action

Mid-Upper Air Gunner Sergeant Gerard Brendan Gallahger (RAFVR) and Bomb Aimer Sergeant Clifford George Walton (RAFVR) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War

Pilot, Flight Sergeant David Eric James (RCAF), 2nd Pilot William George Grove (RAFVR), Flight Engineer James Hall (RAFVR), Wireless Operator/Air Gunner Sergeant Reginald Walter Adams (RAFVR) and Navigator James Arthur Smith (RAFVR) all survived and avoided capture as Evaders

Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1943 Part 1 1 January - 22 June by Theo Boiten, page 71

unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

unvetted Source France-Crashes39-45 Search

Stirling serial BK657

s/n BK657

BK 657

Stirling serial BK661

s/n BK661

BK 661

Known Units: 90


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling serial BK662

s/n BK662

BK 662

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK686

s/n BK686

BK 686

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK687

s/n BK687

HA RAF Roundel R

Short

BK 687

Known Units: ;218


last update: 2025-June-01

Bombing Bremen Germany 1943-10-08 to 1943-10-09

218 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Downham Market

119 aircraft - 95 Stirlings, 17 Halifaxes, 7 Lancasters, of 3 and 8 Groups. This was a diversionary raid on a larger scale than ever before. The bombing was scattered but this was a subsidiary aim of the operation. 3 Stirlings lost, 2.5 percent of the force.Minor Operations: 10 Mosquitos to Castrop-Rauxel, 7 to Berlin, 1 to Duren, 17 Stirlings minelaying in the River Gironde and off La Pallice, 2 OTU sorties. No Losses.Total Effort for the night: 660 sorties, 30 aircraft (4.5 percent) lost

218 Gold Coast Squadron (In Time) RAF Downham Market. Stirling III aircraft BK 687 HA-R was shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Hans-Heinz Augenstein of the 9/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110G from Twente airfield, the Netherlands during an operation against targets in Bremen, Germany. The Stirling crashed at Ebersdorf, Germany with the loss of the entire crew, flying their fourteenth operation

The Bomber Command War Diaries and Operational Reference book, 1939-1945 by Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt, page 438

From St Vith to Victory, 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron and the Campaign Against Nazi Germany by Stephen C Smith, page 184

unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

unvetted Source Allied Losses and Incidents: All Commands

unvetted Source 5e6b8bf9bd3273043a891644_NJCA194

unvetted Source History I No 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron 1936-1945

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK692

s/n BK692

BK 692

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK699

s/n BK699

BK 699

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK700

s/n BK700

BK 700

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK703

s/n BK703

BK 703

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK705

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK706

s/n BK706

BK 706

Known Units: 218


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK709

s/n BK709

BK 709

Known Units: 7


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK716

s/n BK716

BK 716

Known Units: 7;218


last update: 2025-June-01

Bombing 1943-03-29 to 1943-03-29

218 (B) Sqn (RAF) Downham Market

Short Stirling Bomber aircraft s/n BK 716 with a crew of seven was shot down over Holland. The plane crashed into Lake Markermeer north of Amsterdam and remained at the bottom of the lake until discovered in 2008. None of the crew survived, including two young Canadians, Flt Sergeant Francis McCaw R105188 and Harry Farrington

https://www.waybacktimes.com/military/the-recovery-of-the-short-stirling-bomber-bk716/

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK723

s/n BK723

BK 723

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK725

s/n BK725

BK 725

Known Units: 90


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK759

s/n BK759

BK 759

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK773

s/n BK773

BK 773

Known Units: 7


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK774

s/n BK774

BK 774

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK776

s/n BK776

BK 776

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK784

s/n BK784

BK 784

Known Units: 90


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK800

s/n BK800

BK 800

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK801

s/n BK801

BK 801

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK802

s/n BK802

BK 802

Stirling Mk. lll serial BK806

s/n BK806

BK 806

Stirling Mk. l serial DJ973

s/n DJ973

DJ 973

Known Units: 214


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. lll serial DJ974

s/n DJ974

DJ 974

Stirling serial EE877

s/n EE877

EE 877

Stirling serial EE882

s/n EE882

EE 882

Stirling serial EE887

Stirling Mk. lll serial EE888

s/n EE888

EE 888

Stirling serial EE891

s/n EE891

EE 891

Stirling Mk. lll serial EE892

Stirling Mk. lll serial EE895

s/n EE895

EE 895

Stirling serial EE903

s/n EE903

EE 903

Stirling serial EE906

s/n EE906

EE 906

Stirling serial EE909

s/n EE909

EE 909

Stirling serial EE937

s/n EE937

EE 937

Stirling serial EE938

s/n EE938

AA RAF Roundel X

EE 938

Known Units: 75


last update: 2025-June-01

Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-08-24 to 1943-08-24

75 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Mepal

75 New Zealand Squadron (Ake Ake Kia Kaha) RAF Mepal. Stirling III aircraft EE 938 AA-X lost during an operation against targets in Berlin, Germany. While over the target, the Stirling was coned by searchlights and attacked by night fighter pilots Hauptmann Friedrich Karl Muller of Stab/JG 300 and Major Helmut Lent of Stab/NJG 3. The bomber crashed near Mahlsdorf, ESE of Berlin with the loss of the entire crew

Sergeant Joseph Andrew Cletus Holmes (RCAF), Flight Sergeant Alexander Davidson (RCAF), Sergeant Andrew Bain (RAFVR), Warrant Officer Trevor Fear (RAFVR), Sergeant Brian Hartley Ruddy (RAFVR), Sergeant George Douglas Woolcott (RAFVR) and Sergeant Charles Munro (RAFVR) were all killed in action and buried in Germany with the exception of Sergeant Munro, who was missing presumed killed in action. Sergeant Munro has no known gave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial

Nachtjager Luftwaffe Night Fighter Units 1939-1945 by David P Williams

unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

unvetted Source EE938 - Der am 24 August 1943 uber Mahlsdorf abgeschossene Stirling -...

unvetted Source Stirling (updated 10th November 2016) I 75 (nz) squadron

Stirling serial EE952

s/n EE952

EE 952

Stirling serial EE955

s/n EE955

EE 955

Stirling Mk. lll serial EE957

s/n EE957

EE 957

Stirling serial EF114

s/n EF114

EF 114

Stirling serial EF119

s/n EF119

EF 119

Stirling serial EF129

s/n EF129

EF 129

Stirling serial EF130

s/n EF130

EF 130

Stirling serial EF137

s/n EF137

EF 137

Known Units: 75


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling serial EF140

s/n EF140

EF 140

Stirling serial EF151

s/n EF151

EF 151

Stirling serial EF153

s/n EF153

EF 153

Stirling serial EF155

s/n EF155

EF 155

Stirling serial EF158

s/n EF158

EF 158

Stirling serial EF159

s/n EF159

EF 159

Known Units: 90


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling serial EF162

s/n EF162

EF 162

Stirling serial EF180

s/n EF180

EF 180

Stirling serial EF186

s/n EF186

EF 186

Known Units: 1661 HCU


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling serial EF187

s/n EF187

EF 187

Stirling serial EF188

s/n EF188

EF 188

Stirling serial EF191

s/n EF191

EF 191

Stirling serial EF201

s/n EF201

EF 201

Stirling serial EF209

s/n EF209

EF 209

Stirling serial EF263

s/n EF263

EF 263

Stirling serial EF295

s/n EF295

EF 295

Stirling serial EF298

s/n EF298

EF 298

Stirling serial EF307

s/n EF307

EF 307

Stirling serial EF331

s/n EF331

EF 331

Stirling serial EF348

s/n EF348

EF 348

Stirling serial EF367

s/n EF367

EF 367

Known Units: 218


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling serial EF392

s/n EF392

EF 392

Stirling serial EF394

s/n EF394

EF 394

Stirling serial EF401

s/n EF401

BU RAF Roundel Y

EF 401

Known Units: 214


last update: 2025-June-01

Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-08-31 to 1943-09-01

214 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Chedburgh

214 (Federated Malay States) Squadron (Ulter in umbris) RAF Chedburgh. Stirling Mark III EF 401 BU-Y was shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Heinz Rolland of the 12/NJG 1 during an operation against targets in Berlin Germany. The Stirling crashed at 01:05, 4 km west of Brandenburg an der Havel, Brandenburg, Germany.

Flight Sergeant Raymond Colin Chislett (RAFVR), Sergeant Andrew Cowan (RAFVR), Sergeant Stanley Harold Hopkins (RAFVR) and Sergeant Alfred Arthur Poulton (RAFVR) were all killed in action

Warrant Officer Class 1 John Walter Dales (RCAF), Pilot Officer Norman Arthur Parsons (RAF) and Sergeant William Edward Humphreys (RAF) all survived and were captured to become Prisoners of War

unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

unvetted Source No 214 (FMS) Squadron RAF - Crews and Losses - Short Stirling

Stirling serial EF407

s/n EF407

EF 407

Stirling serial EF427

s/n EF427

EF 427

Stirling serial EF428

s/n EF428

EF 428

Stirling serial EF439

s/n EF439

EF 439

Stirling serial EF445

s/n EF445

EF 445

Stirling serial EF451

s/n EF451

EF 451

Stirling serial EF452

s/n EF452

EF 452

Stirling serial EF453

s/n EF453

EF 453

Known Units: 199


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling serial EF469

s/n EF469

EF 469

Stirling Mk. lll serial EH882

s/n EH882

EH 882

Stirling Mk. lll serial EH887

s/n EH887

EH 887

Stirling Mk. lll serial EH906

s/n EH906

EH 906

Stirling Mk. lll serial EH924

s/n EH924

QS RAF Roundel B

EH 924

Known Units: 620


last update: 2025-June-01

Bombing Essen Germany 1943-07-25 to 1943-07-26

620 (B) Sqn (RAF) Chedburgh

Additonal Crew:

  • Rathbone, J.D. (RAF) - KIA
  • Wallace, J.H. (RAF) - KIA
  • Wild, R. (RAF) - KIA
  • Shepherd, J.F. (RAF) - KIA
  • Wells, J.F. (RAF) - KIA
  • Simons, A. (RAF) - KIA

Stirling Mk. lll serial EH925

s/n EH925

EH 925

Stirling Mk. lll serial EH931

s/n EH931

EH 931

Stirling Mk. lll serial EH937

s/n EH937

EH 937

Stirling Mk. lll serial EH942

s/n EH942

EH 942

Known Units: 218


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. lll serial EH945

s/n EH945

EH 945

Stirling Mk. lll serial EH952

s/n EH952

EH 952

Stirling Mk. lll serial EH955

s/n EH955

EH 955

Known Units: 75


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. lll serial EH960

s/n EH960

EH 960

Stirling Mk. lll serial EH986

s/n EH986

EH 986

Stirling Mk. lll serial EJ104

s/n EJ104

EJ 104

Stirling Mk. lll serial EJ110

s/n EJ110

EJ 110

Stirling Mk. lll serial EJ113

s/n EJ113

EJ 113

Stirling Mk. lll serial EJ125

s/n EJ125

EJ 125

Stirling serial LJ444

s/n LJ444

LJ 444

Known Units: 1653 HCU


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling serial LJ454

s/n LJ454

LJ 454

Stirling serial LJ455

s/n LJ455

LJ 455

Stirling serial LJ501

s/n LJ501

LJ 501

Known Units: 149


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling serial LJ504

s/n LJ504

LJ 504

Stirling serial LJ529

s/n LJ529

LJ 529

Stirling serial LJ586

s/n LJ586

LJ 586

Stirling serial LJ617

s/n LJ617

LJ 617

Stirling serial LJ621

s/n LJ621

LJ 621

Known Units: 149


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. lV serial LJ814

s/n LJ814

LJ 814

Stirling Mk. lV serial LJ822

s/n LJ822

LJ 822

Stirling Mk. lV serial LJ830

s/n LJ830

LJ 830

Known Units: 620


last update: 2025-June-01

Transport 1944-09-21 to 1944-09-21

620 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Fairford

Market Garden

620 Squadron (Dona ferentes adsumus) RAF Fairford. Stirling IV aircraft LJ 830 went down near Arnhem, Holland while on a re-supply flight during Operation Market Garden. The Stirling crashed at Buunderkamp, Wolfheze, Gelderland, Netherlands, cause of loss unknown

Flying Officer JR Thomas (RCAF) and passenger SL Churchyard (RASC) were killed in action

There may have been a second unidentified RASC (Royal Army Service Corps) also killed in action on Wellington LJ 830

Flight Lieutenant H Bate (RCAF) and Flying Officer HM MacLeod (RCAF) both survived to be taken as Prisoners of War

Flying Officer R Newton (RCAF), Warrant Officer CC King (RAFVR) and Sergeant T Haig (RAFVR) survived, avoiding capture as Evaders

unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database...

unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

unvetted Source Results

unvetted Source 620 Squadron

Stirling Mk. lV serial LJ832

s/n LJ832

LJ 832

Stirling Mk. lV serial LJ841

s/n LJ841

LJ 841

Stirling Mk. lV serial LJ920

s/n LJ920

LJ 920

Stirling Mk. lV serial LJ937

Stirling Mk. lV serial LJ942

s/n LJ942

LJ 942

Stirling Mk. lV serial LJ988

s/n LJ988

LJ 988

Known Units: 196


last update: 2025-June-01

Unspecified Oosterbeck, Arnhem 1944-09-20 to 1944-09-20

(SD) Sqn (RAF) Keevil

Market Garden

Stirling aircraft LJ 988 did not return from a re-supply operation over Holland.Warrant Officer E.W. Bancroft was also killed. Four RAF members of the crew, FS.s T.B. Cragg, C. Mabbott, A.J. Murphy, P/O. D.G. Benning and Driver (Dispatcher) AG. Neale were also killed. Driver (Dispatcher) A. Nye was captured POW

Royal Air Force RAF crash reports, Operation Market Garden

Stirling Mk. lV serial LJ991

s/n LJ991

LJ 991

Known Units: 570


last update: 2025-June-01

Transport Arnhem Netherlands 1944-09-23 to 1944-09-23

(T) Sqn (RAF) Harwell

Took off from Harwell on a re-supply operation to Arnhem, Holland.

Aircraft was hit by flak and crashed in flames at Heteren, near Nijmegen, Holland.

Killed includes Flight Sergeant Cormier RCAF:Flight Sergeant Erle Mayne Milks RCAF;Flight Sergeant Harold James Stell RCAF;Flight Sergeant John McGarrie RAF;Driver Cyril William Lightwood RASC

Flying Officer Clifford Beck RCAF was seriusly injured in the crash.

The Wireless Operator, Sergeant Sydney Wheatley (1565788) RAF and Air Dispatcher Driver (T/2887003 RASC) survived the crash.

Anti-aircraft guns brought down a total of four 570 squadron aircraft this day.

Stirling Mk. lV serial LK116

s/n LK116

LK 116

Stirling Mk. lV serial LK118

s/n LK118

LK 118

Stirling Mk. lV serial LK126

s/n LK126

LK 126

Stirling Mk. lV serial LK127

s/n LK127

LK 127

Stirling Mk. lV serial LK151

s/n LK151

LK 151

Stirling Mk. lV serial LK272

s/n LK272

LK 272

Stirling serial LK380

s/n LK380

LK 380

Stirling Mk. lll serial LK382

s/n LK382

LK 382

Stirling Mk. lll serial LK383

s/n LK383

LK 383

Stirling Mk. lll serial LK387

s/n LK387

LK 387

Stirling Mk. lll serial MZ262

s/n MZ262

MZ 262

Stirling Mk. l serial N3658

s/n N3658

N 3658

Stirling Mk. l serial N3659

Stirling Mk. l serial N3664

s/n N3664

N 3664

Stirling Mk. l serial N3665

s/n N3665

N 3665

Stirling Mk. l serial N3677

s/n N3677

N 3677

Stirling Mk. l serial N3680

s/n N3680

N 3680

Stirling Mk. l serial N3706

s/n N3706

N 3706

Stirling Mk. l serial N3716

s/n N3716

N 3716

Known Units: 7


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. l serial N3727

s/n N3727

N 3727

Stirling Mk. l serial N3755

s/n N3755

N 3755

Known Units: ;149


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. l serial N3763

s/n N3763

N 3763

Known Units: ;218


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling serial N6007

s/n N6007

N 6007

Known Units: ;7


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. l serial N6013

s/n N6013

N 6013

Stirling Mk. l serial N6015

s/n N6015

N 6015

Known Units: 15


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. l serial N6017

s/n N6017

N 6017

Stirling Mk. l serial N6018

s/n N6018

N 6018

Known Units: 15


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. l serial N6034

s/n N6034

N 6034

Stirling Mk. l serial N6047

s/n N6047

N 6047

Stirling Mk. l serial N6070

s/n N6070

N 6070

Stirling Mk. l serial N6072

s/n N6072

N 6072

Stirling Mk. I serial N6073

s/n N6073

MG RAF Roundel Y

N 6073

Known Units:


last update: 2025-June-01

Bombing Mannheim Germany 1942-05-19 to 1942-05-20

7 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Oakington

#7 Squadron RAF (Per diem, per noctum) RAF Oakington. Stirling I aircraft N 6073 MG-Y was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberfeldwebel Wilhelm Engel of the 8/NJG 4, who was flying a Messerschmitt Bf 110. The Stirling crashed in the Rheinland-Pfalz area of Germany

Pilot Sergeant F Tomkins (RAFVR) was killed in action

FS JH Watson (RCAF), Sergeant RG Brook (RAFVR), Sergeant J Fisher (RAFVR), Sergeant FG Fueggle (RAFVR), Sergeant BVG Lewis (RAFVR) and Sergeant E Townsend (RAFVR) all survived to become Prisoners of War

unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

unvetted Source [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...

Stirling Mk. l serial N6083

s/n N6083

N 6083

Known Units: 149


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. l serial N6087

s/n N6087

N 6087

Stirling Mk. l serial N6088

s/n N6088

N 6088

Known Units: 15 CF;25


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling serial N6124

s/n N6124

N 6124

Stirling Mk. l serial R9145

s/n R9145

R 9145

Stirling Mk. l serial R9146

s/n R9146

R 9146

Stirling Mk. l serial R9155

s/n R9155

R 9155

Stirling Mk. l serial R9162

s/n R9162

R 9162

Stirling Mk. l serial R9168

s/n R9168

LS RAF Roundel T

R 9168

Known Units: 15


last update: 2025-June-01

Bombing Diepholz Germany 1942-12-15 to 1942-12-16

15 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Bourne

#15 Squadron RAF (Aim Sure) RAF Bourne. Stirling I aircraft R9168 LS-T, on an operation to bomb the airfield at Diepholz, Germany, was repeatedly hit by flak before being intercepted by the night fighter crew of Leutnant Werner Rapp & Unteroffizier Hans Ortmann of 7/NJG 1 and shot down. The Stirling crashed into woods East of Gortel near Epe, Netherlands

Pilot Officer Emerson Harvey Kieswetter (RCAF), Pilot Officer Russell Neal Holmes (RCAF) , Pilot Officer Hugh Ernest Hill (RCAF)(USA), Pilot Officer Frank Severne Millen (RCAF)(USA), Sergeant Grantley Charles George Hutton (RAF) and Sergeant Robert Hugh McKillop (RNZAF) were all killed in action

Sergeant James Frederick Perring (RAF) survived and was taken as Prisoner of War

The Last Flight of T for Tommy by Harry Bouwman

unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

unvetted Source Results

unvetted Source [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...

Stirling Mk. l serial R9194

s/n R9194

R 9194

Stirling Mk. l serial R9202

s/n R9202

R 9202

Stirling Mk. l serial R9241

s/n R9241

R 9241

Stirling Mk. l serial R9245

s/n R9245

R 9245

Stirling Mk. l serial R9247

s/n R9247

R 9247

Stirling serial R9249

s/n R9249

R 9249

Known Units: 1657 HCU


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. l serial R9250

s/n R9250

R 9250

Stirling Mk. l serial R9253

s/n R9253

R 9253

Stirling Mk. I serial R9261

s/n R9261

MG RAF Roundel M

R 9261

Known Units: ;7


last update: 2025-June-01

Bombing Stettin Germany 1943-04-20 to 1943-04-21

7 (PFF) Sqn (RAF) RAF Oakington

Battle of the Ruhr

339 aircraft - 194 Lancasters, 134 Halifaxes, II Stirlings. 21 aircraft - 13 Lancasters, 7 Halifaxes, 1 Stirling - lost, 6·2 per cent of the force.

This raid, on a target more than 600 miles from England, proved to be the most successful attack beyond the range of Oboe during the Battle of the Ruhr. Visibility was good and the Pathfinder marking was carried out perfectly. 24 fires were still burning when a photographic reconnaissance aircraft flew over Stettin a day and a half later. Approximately 100 acres in the centre of the town were claimed as devas¬tated; much of this area comprised industrial buildings. German reports show that 13 industrial premises and 380 houses were completely destroyed. A large chemical factory was among the places where production was completely halted. 586 people were killed in Stettin.

source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt

It all had begun on the evening of April 20, 1943. A major bombing operation was launched from bases in England against numerous German targets. Among the planes taking part in the raid was a Stirling bomber, M for "Mother", of the 7th Squadron Pathfinders. The plane had a mixed crew of men from the British Commonwealth:"¢ Flt. Lt. Charles Woodbine Parish Pilot R.A.F"¢ Pilot Officer E. R. (Bob) Vance Navigator R.C.A.F"¢ Flt. Sgt. J.S. (Jimmy) Marshall Bomb Aimer R.C.A.F."¢ Flt. Sgt. Louis Krulicki Wireless Operator R.C.A.F."¢ Sgt. Charles Farley Mid Upper Gunner R.A.F"¢ Sgt. Jack Lees Rear Gunner R.A.F"¢ Sgt. Donald V. Smith Flight Engineer R.C.A.F

Their destination that night was Stettin, and their mission was to locate the target area and mark it with incendiaries as a guide for the rest of their planes. They had an extra crew member that night, Squadron Leader Blake, a Canadian pilot who was new to the squadron and who was to accompany them on an orientation flight.

Their aircraft was damaged by flak on approach to the target and, unable to mark it reliably, they aborted and left the job to a backup plane. Heading back to England, they flew over the Baltic and the relative safety of the water. As they approached Korsor, they had to veer across land to avoid a flak ship in the Belt, but soon found themselves under attack by an ME 110 night fighter. After a burst of cannon fire set their plane afire, the order was given to bail out. Don Smith was the only one who managed to escape from the plane before it crashed into a farmer's field near Kongsmerk Denmark

source: Dave Smith,son of Donald V Smith

Stirling Mk. l serial R9262

s/n R9262

R 9262

Known Units: 7


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. l serial R9271

s/n R9271

R 9271

Stirling Mk. l serial R9278

s/n R9278

R 9278

Known Units: 7


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. l serial R9279

s/n R9279

R 9279

Stirling Mk. l serial R9286

s/n R9286

R 9286

Stirling Mk. l serial R9295

s/n R9295

R 9295

Known Units: 149


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. l serial R9310

s/n R9310

R 9310

Stirling Mk. l serial R9312

s/n R9312

R 9312

Stirling Mk. l serial R9316

Stirling Mk. l serial R9318

s/n R9318

R 9318

Stirling serial R9321

s/n R9321

R 9321

Stirling Mk. l serial R9326

s/n R9326

R 9326

Stirling Mk. l serial R9328

s/n R9328

R 9328

Stirling Mk. l serial W7436

s/n W7436

W 7436

Stirling Mk. l serial W7442

s/n W7442

W 7442

Known Units: 1651 HCU


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. l serial W7448

s/n W7448

W 7448

Stirling Mk. l serial W7464

s/n W7464

W 7464

Known Units: 218


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. l serial W7469

s/n W7469

W 7469

Stirling Mk. l serial W7474

s/n W7474

W 7474

Stirling Mk. l serial W7509

s/n W7509

W 7509

Known Units: 1651 HCU


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. l serial W7515

s/n W7515

W 7515

Stirling Mk. l serial W7518

s/n W7518

W 7518

Known Units: 15


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. l serial W7525

s/n W7525

W 7525

Stirling Mk. l serial W7526

s/n W7526

W 7526

Stirling Mk. l serial W7528

s/n W7528

W 7528

Stirling Mk. l serial W7531

s/n W7531

W 7531

Stirling serial W7565

s/n W7565

W 7565

Stirling Mk. l serial W7567

s/n W7567

W 7567

Known Units: 214


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. l serial W7569

s/n W7569

W 7569

Stirling Mk. l serial W7573

s/n W7573

W 7573

Stirling Mk. l serial W7578

s/n W7578

W 7578

Stirling Mk. l serial W7586

s/n W7586

W 7586

Known Units: 1657 HCU


last update: 2025-June-01

Stirling Mk. l serial W7611

s/n W7611

W 7611

Stirling Mk. l serial W7616

s/n W7616

W 7616

Stirling Mk. l serial W7634

s/n W7634

W 7634

Stirling Mk. l serial W7635

s/n W7635

W 7635

Stirling Mk. l serial W7638

s/n W7638

W 7638