Wellington (Total: 4,577, Canadian: 1,234, Group 0)

Vickers Wellington

Source: Harold A Skaarup Web Page
Vickers Wellington B. Mk. III (Serial No. X3763), coded KW-E, No. 425 'Alouette' (B) Squadron, RCAF, late summer of 1942

The Vickers Wellington was a British twin-engined, long-range medium bomber. It was designed during the mid-1930s at Brooklands in Weybridge, Surrey. Led by Vickers-Armstrongs' chief designer Rex Pierson, a key feature of the aircraft is its geodetic airframe fuselage structure, which was principally designed by Barnes Wallis. Development had been started in response to Air Ministry Specification B.9/32, issued in the middle of 1932, for a bomber for the Royal Air Force. This specification called for a twin-engined day bomber capable of delivering higher performance than any previous design.

The Wellington was used as a night bomber in the early years of the Second World War, performing as one of the principal bombers used by Bomber Command. During 1943, it started to be superseded as a bomber by the larger four-engined "heavies" such as the Avro Lancaster. The Wellington continued to serve throughout the war in other duties, particularly as an anti-submarine aircraft.

It holds the distinction of having been the only British bomber that was produced for the duration of the war, and of having been produced in a greater quantity than any other British-built bomber. The Wellington remained as first-line equipment when the war ended, although it had been increasingly relegated to secondary roles. The Wellington was one of two bombers named after Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, the other being the Vickers Wellesley.

In August 1936, an initial order for 180 Wellington Mk I aircraft, powered by a pair of 1,050 hp (780 kW) Bristol Pegasus radial engines, was received by Vickers; it had been placed so rapidly that the order occurred prior to the first meeting intended to decide the details of the production aircraft. In October 1937, another order for a further 100 Wellington Mk Is, produced by the Gloster Aircraft Company, was issued; it was followed by an order for 100 Wellington Mk II aircraft with Rolls-Royce Merlin X V12 engines. Yet another order was placed for 64 Wellingtons produced by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft. With this flurry of order and production having been assured by the end of 1937, Vickers set about simplifying the manufacturing process of the aircraft and announced a target of building one Wellington per day.

A total of 180 Wellington Mk I aircraft were built; 150 for the RAF and 30 for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) (which were transferred to the RAF on the outbreak of war and used by 75 Squadron). In October 1938, the Mk I entered service with 9 Squadron. The Wellington was initially outnumbered by the Handley Page Hampden (also ordered by the Ministry to B.9/32) and the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley (to B.34/3 for a 'night' bomber) but outlasted both rival aircraft in service. The Wellington went on to be built in 16 separate variants, in addition to two training conversions after the war. The number of Wellingtons built totalled 11,462 of all versions, a greater quantity produced than any other British bomber. On 13 October 1945, the last Wellington to be produced rolled out. Wikipedia

Wikipedia Wikipedia Vickers Wellington

unvetted Source RCAF - Vickers Wellington

YouTube YouTube Vickers Wellington documentary

unvetted Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Wellington Mk. l serial L4265

Wellington Mk. l serial L4323

s/n L4323

L 4323

Known Units: 15 OTU


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. l serial L4348

s/n L4348

L 4348

Known Units: 20 OTU


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. l serial L4355

Wellington Mk. l serial L4387

s/n L4387

L 4387

Wellington Mk. l serial L7795

s/n L7795

L 7795

Wellington Mk. l serial L7803

s/n L7803

L 7803

Known Units: ;99


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. I serial L7805

s/n L7805

L 7805

Known Units: ;149


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington serial L7810

s/n L7810

L 7810

Known Units: ;115


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. l serial L7873

s/n L7873

L 7873

Known Units: 99


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. l serial L7891

Wellington 1C serial N2745

s/n N2745

N 2745

Known Units: 9


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington 1C serial N2758

s/n N2758

N 2758

Wellington 1C serial N2765

s/n N2765

N 2765

Known Units: 20 OTU


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington 1C serial N2769

s/n N2769

N 2769

Known Units: 20 OTU


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington 1C serial N2780

s/n N2780

N 2780

Wellington 1C serial N2818

s/n N2818

N 2818

Known Units: 3 Grp Trg Flt;75


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington 1C serial N2826

s/n N2826

N 2826

Known Units: 20 OTU


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington 1C serial N2844

s/n N2844

N 2844

Known Units: 218


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington 1C serial N2849

s/n N2849

N 2849

Known Units: 103


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington 1C serial N2851

s/n N2851

N 2851

Known Units: 23 OTU


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington serial N2939

s/n N2939

N 2939

Wellington Mk lA serial N2949

s/n N2949

N 2949

Known Units: ;115


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. lA serial N2953

s/n N2953

N 2953

Known Units: 38


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. IA serial N3004

s/n N3004

Vickers-Armstrong

N 3004

Wellington Mk. IA serial P2515

s/n P2515

Vickers-Armstrong

P 2515

Wellington Mk. IA serial P2524

s/n P2524

Vickers

P 2524

Wellington Mk. lA serial P9229

s/n P9229

P 9229

Known Units: ;115


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. lC serial P9243

s/n P9243

P 9243

Wellington Mk. IC serial P9275

s/n P9275

Vickers

P 9275

Known Units: ;99


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1024

Wellington IC serial R1027

s/n R1027

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1027

Wellington IC serial R1038

s/n R1038

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1038

Wellington IC serial R1040

s/n R1040

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1040

Known Units: ;9


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1047

Wellington IC serial R1063

Wellington IC serial R1066

s/n R1066

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1066

Wellington IC serial R1068

s/n R1068

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1068

Known Units: ;21


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1078

Wellington IC serial R1085

s/n R1085

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1085

Wellington IC serial R1093

s/n R1093

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1093

Wellington IC serial R1095

s/n R1095

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1095

Wellington IC serial R1146

s/n R1146

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1146

Known Units: ;21


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1149

Wellington IC serial R1155

s/n R1155

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1155

Wellington IC serial R1162

s/n R1162

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1162

Known Units: ;27


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1170

Wellington IC serial R1171

s/n R1171

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1171

Known Units: ;20


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1213

s/n R1213

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1213

Known Units: ;103


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1221

s/n R1221

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1221

Known Units: ;115


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1222

s/n R1222

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1222

Known Units: ;115


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1235

s/n R1235

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1235

Wellington IC serial R1272

s/n R1272

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1272

Known Units: ;20


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1275

s/n R1275

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1275

Known Units: ;15


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1279

s/n R1279

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1279

Wellington IC serial R1323

s/n R1323

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1323

Wellington IC serial R1324

Wellington IC serial R1326

s/n R1326

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1326

Known Units: ;218


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1334

Wellington IC serial R1341

s/n R1341

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1341

Known Units: ;9


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1343

s/n R1343

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1343

Known Units: ;149


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1345

s/n R1345

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1345

Known Units: ;21


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1346

s/n R1346

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1346

Known Units: ;16


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1369

s/n R1369

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1369

Known Units: ;57


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1374

s/n R1374

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1374

Known Units: ;150


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1380

s/n R1380

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1380

Known Units: ;214


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1394

s/n R1394

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1394

Known Units: ;150


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1395

s/n R1395

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1395

Wellington IC serial R1396

s/n R1396

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1396

Wellington IC serial R1405

s/n R1405

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1405

Known Units: ;11


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1411

s/n R1411

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1411

Wellington IC serial R1438

Wellington IC serial R1440

s/n R1440

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1440

Known Units: ;99


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1442

s/n R1442

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1442

Wellington IC serial R1474

s/n R1474

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1474

Known Units: ;149


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1500

s/n R1500

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1500

Known Units: ;115


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1513

Wellington IC serial R1517

s/n R1517

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1517

Known Units: ;115


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1519

Wellington IV serial R1520

s/n R1520

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1520

Known Units: ;104

On returning to Nutts Corner from a 4hr night navigational exercise, the aircraft flew in to Rushey Hill, Ballymacward.

No local insight in to crash at Rushey Hill available, but location is given in unit ORB and accident record card, Form 1180

source: Malcolm Deeley, Ulster Aviation Society

last update: 2025-February-05

Wellington IC serial R1522

s/n R1522

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1522

Known Units: ;14


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1524

s/n R1524

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1524

Known Units: ;149


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1537

s/n R1537

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1537

Wellington IC serial R1539

s/n R1539

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1539

Known Units: ;103


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1597

s/n R1597

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1597

Wellington IC serial R1604

s/n R1604

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1604

Known Units: ;214


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1608

s/n R1608

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1608

Wellington IC serial R1609

s/n R1609

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1609

Known Units: ;214


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1613

s/n R1613

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1613

Known Units: ;214


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1614

s/n R1614

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1614

Known Units: ;214


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1617

s/n R1617

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1617

Known Units: ;103


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1624

s/n R1624

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1624

Known Units: ;57


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1644

s/n R1644

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1644

Known Units: ;150


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1646

Wellington IC serial R1654

Wellington IC serial R1661

s/n R1661

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1661

Wellington IC serial R1662

s/n R1662

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1662

Known Units: ;15


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1667

Wellington IC serial R1701

s/n R1701

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1701

Wellington IC serial R1703

Wellington IC serial R1714

s/n R1714

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1714

Wellington IC serial R1717

Wellington IC serial R1722

s/n R1722

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1722

Wellington IC serial R1726

s/n R1726

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1726

Wellington IC serial R1728

s/n R1728

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1728

Known Units: ;11


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1760

Wellington IC serial R1789

s/n R1789

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1789

Known Units: ;214


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial R1794

Wellington IC serial R1798

s/n R1798

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1798

Wellington IC serial R1803

s/n R1803

Vickers-Armstrong

R 1803

Known Units: ;23


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington 1C serial R3152

s/n R3152

R 3152

Known Units: 115


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington 1C serial R3170

s/n R3170

R 3170

Known Units: 99


last update: 2025-October-30

Bombing Cologne Germany 1940-02-24 to 1940-02-24

(B) Sqn (RAF) Newmarket

On the evening of July 6, 1940 eight aircraft from 99 Squadron departed Newmarket at 21:45 including Wellington IC R3170 piloted by Bob Willis destined for Cologne Germany. In very poor weather conditions they were forced to abandoned their primary target and, on their return, attempted to bomb Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Their left engine was hit with flak and the aircraft burst into flames. Bob managed to belly-land the aircraft in a field in Haarlem coming to rest partially in a row of farmers cottage on a roadside. The rear gunner Sergeant Sexton died in the crash and subsequent fire, but the remainder of the crew, P/Os Willis and Perkins and Sergeants McArthur and Scanlon survived. Pilot Officer Perkins's foot was injured in the crash so they split up with Bob staying with John Perkins and McArthur and Scanlon able to travel more quickly to the east.

source: The Bob Willis Story, Bill Dawson

Wellington Mk. lC serial R3175

s/n R3175

R 3175

Known Units: ;149


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk.lc serial R3202

s/n R3202

R 3202

Known Units: ;115


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. Ic serial R3208

s/n R3208

R 3208

Known Units: ;214


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington 1C serial R3295

s/n R3295

R 3295

Wellington IC serial T2470

s/n T2470

T 2470

Known Units: ;214


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial T2501

s/n T2501

T 2501

Wellington IC serial T2503

s/n T2503

T 2503

Known Units: ;75


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial T2506

s/n T2506

T 2506

Wellington IC serial T2515

s/n T2515

BL RAF Roundel U

T 2515

Known Units: ;40


last update: 2025-October-30

Bombing Calais France 1941-03-12 to 1941-03-12

40 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Alconbury

40 Squadron RAF (Hostem A Coelo Expellere) RAF Alconbury. Wellington IC aircraft T2515 BL-U was shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Boulogne, France, crashing near Wimille, France (Pas-de-Calais)

Sergeant T H Rose (RCAF), Sergeant D W Gough (RNZAF), Sergeant T G Webb (RNZAF), Sergeant H Jones (RAFVR), Sergeant F Stones (RAFVR) and Sergeant W J Morgan (RAFVR) were all killed in action

This inexperienced crew were on their first operational sortie

unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

unvetted Source 40 Squadron Wellington IC T2515 BL-U Sgt. Gough

unvetted Source Search for France - Crashes 39-45

Wellington IC / II serial T2545

s/n T2545

T 2545

Known Units: ;15

Converted to Mk. II
last update: 2025-February-05

Wellington IC serial T2566

s/n T2566

T 2566

Known Units: ;22


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial T2575

s/n T2575

T 2575

Wellington IC serial T2716

s/n T2716

T 2716

Known Units: ;149


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial T2722

s/n T2722

T 2722

Wellington IC serial T2729

s/n T2729

T 2729

Wellington IC serial T2734

s/n T2734

T 2734

Known Units: ;70


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial T2743

s/n T2743

T 2743

Known Units: ;148


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial T2805

s/n T2805

T 2805

Known Units: ;75


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial T2821

s/n T2821

T 2821

Wellington IC serial T2834

s/n T2834

T 2834

Known Units: ;3


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial T2879

s/n T2879

T 2879

Wellington IC serial T2891

s/n T2891

T 2891

Known Units: ;70


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial T2896

s/n T2896

T 2896

Wellington IC serial T2913

s/n T2913

T 2913

Known Units: ;20


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial T2967

s/n T2967

T 2967

Wellington IC serial T2973

s/n T2973

T 2973

Known Units: ;9


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial T2984

Wellington IC serial T2985

s/n T2985

T 2985

Known Units: ;148


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial T2997

s/n T2997

T 2997

Known Units: ;99


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. II serial W5355

Wellington Mk. II serial W5365

s/n W5365

W 5365

Known Units: ;12


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. II serial W5371

s/n W5371

W 5371

Known Units: ;12


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. II serial W5372

Wellington Mk. II serial W5379

s/n W5379

W 5379

Known Units: ;12


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. II serial W5381

s/n W5381

W 5381

Known Units: ;12


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. II serial W5387

s/n W5387

W 5387

Wellington Mk. II serial W5390

s/n W5390

LQ RAF Roundel X

W 5390

Known Units: ;405

Served with No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1941/42, coded "LQ*X", at Pocklington, UK. Lost on 15 April 1942, on raid to Dortmund. Radioed for assistance at 05:18, no further trace.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Dortmund Germany 1942-04-15 to 1942-04-15

405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1941/42, coded "LQ*X", at Pocklington, UK. Lost on 15 April 1942, on raid to Dortmund. Radioed for assistance at 05:18, no further trace. Flt Sgt Howard William BYDWELL (R/56197); Sgt Peter Melton CROWE (1168054); Sergeant Frederick John Alfred HESSELDEN (971361) Plt Off William Richard SAMSON (110660); Plt Off Percy Collins TOFT (J/5825). All POW

Wellington Mk. II serial W5397

s/n W5397

W 5397

Known Units: ;12


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. II serial W5398

Wellington Mk. II serial W5401

s/n W5401

W 5401

Wellington Mk. II serial W5416

Wellington Mk. II serial W5418

s/n W5418

W 5418

Known Units: ;104


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. II serial W5424

Wellington Mk. II serial W5427

s/n W5427

LQ RAF Roundel N

W 5427

Known Units: ;405

Served with No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1941/42, coded "LQ*N". Lost on 14/15 April 1942, on raid to Dortmund, out of Pocklington, UK. Believed to have crashed at Bruhl, 16 km SSW of Koln.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Dortmund Germany 1942-04-14 to 1942-04-15

405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
405 Squadron, aircraft failed to return from an operational flight over Dortmund, Germany, 15 April 1942. With photographs.. Flight Sergeant John CORMACK (R/59294) Wireless Op; Sergeant Alan Godfrey HARVEY (1375987) Observer; Sergeant Malcolm David JONES (1006968) Wireless Op.; Sergeant Donald Malcolm MACFARLANE (1108340) Pilot. ;Pilot Officer William Stone TYLER (J/15855) Air Gunner

Wellington Mk. II serial W5432

s/n W5432

W 5432

Known Units: ;104


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. II serial W5443

s/n W5443

W 5443

Known Units: ;104


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. II serial W5448

s/n W5448

W 5448

Known Units: ;218


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. II serial W5452

s/n W5452

W 5452

Wellington Mk. II serial W5454

s/n W5454

W 5454

Wellington Mk. II serial W5459

s/n W5459

W 5459

Known Units: ;115


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. II serial W5461

s/n W5461

W 5461

Wellington Mk. II serial W5476

s/n W5476

LQ RAF Roundel H

Vickers-Armstrong

W 5476

Known Units: ;405

Served with No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1941/42, coded "LQ*H". Lost 30 November / 1 December 1941, on raid to Hamburg, out of Pocklington. Radioed they were returning to base, believed lost at sea.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Hamburg Germany 1941-11-30 to 1941-11-30

405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
Served with No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1941/42, coded "LQ*H". Lost 30 November / 1 December 1941, on raid to Hamburg, out of Pocklington. Radioed they were returning to base, believed lost at sea. Last heard on W/T at 1835 reporting the aircraft was returning to base.

Wellington Mk. II serial W5478

s/n W5478

W 5478

Known Units: ;104

With No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*N". Failed to return from raid on El Alamein on 30 October 1942.
last update: 2025-February-05

Wellington Mk. II serial W5483

s/n W5483

LQ RAF Roundel J

W 5483

Known Units: ;405

Served with No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1941, coded "LQ*J". Lost on 2/3 Augst 1941, on raid to Berlin, out of Pocklington, UK.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Berlin Germany 1941-08-02 to 1941-08-03

405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Poclington
No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1941, coded "LQ*J". Lost on 2/3 Augst 1941, on raid to Berlin, out of Pocklington, UK. Flight Lieutenant T R Kipp (RCAF), Pilot Officer R F Terry (RAAF), Sergeant R S Skan, Sergeant J W Murfin, Sergeant G A Pruette, Sergeant W Menzies (RCAF): prisoners of war; aircraft crashed at sea of the coast of Holland, Wellington W5483, 405 Squadron, 3 August 1941.

Wellington Mk. II serial W5488

s/n W5488

LQ RAF Roundel B

W 5488

Known Units: ;405

Served with No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1941, coded "LQ*B". Lost on 28/29 August 1941, on raid to Duisburg, out of Pocklington, UK.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Duisburg Germany 1941-08-28 to 1941-08-29

405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
Sergeant D M Hughes (RCAF), Sergeant J W T Davies, Sergeant R J Hollobone, Pilot Officer E M Watts: killed; Sergeant D S McLeod, Sergeant I B Quinn (RCAF): prisoners of war; aircraft failed to return from an operational flight over Duisburg, Germany, Wellington W5488, 405 Squadron,28 August 1941. With photographs.

Wellington Mk. II serial W5491

s/n W5491

LQ RAF Roundel N

W 5491

Known Units: ;405

Served with No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF from 6 May 1941. Damaged by German intruder raid on Driffield, 4 June 1941, but repaired. Lost after leaving this unit.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Cologne Germany 1941-08-16 to 1941-08-17

405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Poclington
Sergeant R P Payton (RCAF): killed; Sergeant G M Jackson (RCAF), Sergeant R Craig (RCAF), Sergeant A E Moyanyk (RCAF), Sergeant J A McEachern (RCAF): uninjured; aircraft hit by enemy anti aircraft fire over target, and then fighter, Wellington W5491, 405 Squadron, 17 August 1941. Returned safely.

Wellington Mk. II serial W5492

s/n W5492

LQ RAF Roundel K

W 5492

Known Units: ;405

Served with No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1941. Damaged in mid-air on 8 August 1941, repaired. Lost on local wireless test flight on 18 September 1941. Dingy came loose and fouled elevator controls. Aircraft enter steep dive, broke up in flight, crashed and exploded at Northfield Farm, 3 miles NNE of Pocklington. 8 fatalities.
last update: 2025-February-05

Operational 1941-09-18 to 1941-09-18

405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington

405 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1941. Lost on local wireless test flight on 18 September 1941. Dingy came loose and fouled elevator controls. Aircraft enter steep dive, broke up in flight, crashed and exploded at Northfield Farm, 3 miles NNE of Pocklington. 8 fatalities

Aircraftman 1st Class Harry ARMITAGE (1039943);Sergeant Ronald George CHANDOS (950324) Pilot; Sergeant Charles Harold FLETCHER (1165250) Wireless Op; Sergeant James Matthew MAXON (R/54040) Air Gunner; Sergeant Gabriel PHILLIPS (976646); Sergeant Walter Irvine STROTHER (755999) Wireless Op; Sergeant Norman Watson THOMPSON (402914) Pilot; Sergeant Frederick Peter TURTON (937811) Observer

Wellington Mk. II serial W5493

s/n W5493

W 5493

Wellington Mk. II serial W5496

s/n W5496

W 5496

Known Units: ;405

With No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*M", when lost on raid to Hannover on 14 / 15 August 1941.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Magdeburg Germany 1941-08-15 to 1941-08-15

405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Poclington
Pilot Officer G H Fleming (RCAF), Sergeant J F B Dawson (RCAF), Sergeant A B Lesley (RCAF), Sergeant E Stott, Sergeant E Stansfield, Sergeant J P Molloy (RCAF): missing believed killed; aircraft failed to return from an operational flight over Magdeburgh, Germany, Wellington W5496, 405 Squadron, 15 August 1941.

Wellington Mk. II serial W5514

s/n W5514

W 5514

Known Units: ;12


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. II serial W5516

s/n W5516

LQ RAF Roundel D

Vickers-Armstrong

W 5516

Known Units: ;405

With No. 405 (B) Sqaudron, RCAF when lost on raid to Kiel on 26 / 27 February 1941. Was coded "LQ*D".
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Kiel Germany 1942-02-26 to 1942-02-26

405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus). Wellington aircraft W 5516 failed to return from a bombing, photography, and leaflet-dropping trip to Kiel, Germany. Flight Sergeant John Henry DYSON (402569); Wing Commander Gordon Dale MACALLISTER (C/169); Flight Sergeant Edmund Cecil PHILLIPS (R/60734); Flight Sergeant William Stapleton PIERS (R/56087); Flight Lieutenant James Alexander ROBSON (68798);Flight SergeantMelvin Peter Frederick ROBSON (R/65815). The pilot of an accompanying aircraft reported severe icing conditions in the area.

Wellington Mk. II serial W5521

s/n W5521

EQ RAF Roundel P

W 5521

Known Units: ;405

Served with No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*P". Lost on raid to Berlin, 7 / 8 September 1941. Shot down by night fighter, entire crew POW. Came down 2 kilometres north-east of Nienburg, near Erichshagen.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Berlin Germany 1941-09-07 to 1941-09-08

405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Pocklington

405 Vancouver Squadron RCAF (Ducimus), RAF Pocklington. Wellington Mk II aircraft W 5521 LQ-P was lost during an operation against targets in Berlin, Germany. The bomber was intercepted and shot down near the target area by night fighter ace Oberleutnant Helmut Woltersdorf of the 7/NJG1. The Wellington crashed 2 km northeast of Nienborg, Heek, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany with the entire crew surviving.

Warrant Officer Class 2 James Alexander Smith (RCAF), Pilot Officer William Kenneth MacKay (RCAF), Sergeant Percival Stephenson MacNutt (RCAF), Sergeant Ronald Perkin (RAFVR) and Sergeant Joseph Stanley Courtnall (RAFVR) all survived to become Prisoners of War

Nachtjagd Combat Archive, The Early Years Part 2 13 July 1941 - 29 May 1942 by Theo Boiten, page 43

unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

Wellington Mk. II serial W5527

s/n W5527

LQ RAF Roundel F

W 5527

Known Units: ;405

With No. 405 (B) Squadron RCAF at Pocklington, UK, coded "LQ*F". Lost on raid to Hamburg on 2 / 3 Auguat 1941, crashed in North Sea.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Hamburg Germany 1941-08-02 to 1941-08-02

405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Poclington
Pilot Officer R Cox, Pilot Officer J R Horn (RAAF), Pilot Officer A O Learmouth (RCAF), Flight Sergeant R M Thomas, Sergeant J M Reed: missing believed killed; Sergeant H B McKenzie: killed; Wellington W5527, 405 Squadron, aircraft failed to return from an operational flight over Hanover, Germany, 3 August 1941. With photographs.

Wellington Mk. II serial W5528

s/n W5528

W 5528

Wellington Mk. II serial W5531

s/n W5531

LQ RAF Roundel U

W 5531

Known Units: ;405

With No. 405 (B) Squadron RCAF at Pocklington, UK, coded "LQ*U". Took off for raid on Essen on 13 April 1942, then crashed near Creeting St. Mary, Suffolk, after engine fire.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing 1942-04-12 to 1942-04-12

405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
No. 405 (B) Squadron RCAF at Pocklington, UK, coded "LQ*U". Took off for raid on Essen on 13 April 1942, then crashed near Creeting St. Mary, Suffolk, after engine fire. Warrant Officer Class II Grant Russell GRAVES (R/65174) Wireless Op; Flight Sergeant David Kilgour LLOYD (402798)

Wellington Mk. II serial W5532

s/n W5532

W 5532

Wellington Mk. II serial W5534

s/n W5534

LQ RAF Roundel N

W 5534

Known Units: ;405

With No. 405 (B) Squadron RCAF at Pocklington, UK, coded "LQ*N". Lost on raid to Hannover on 14 / 15 July 1941. Came down in Holland, all 6 crew PoW.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Hanover Germany 1941-07-14 to 1941-07-15

405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington

405 (B) Squadron RCAF at Pocklington, UK, coded "LQ*N". Lost on raid to Hanover on 14 / 15 July 1941. Came down in Holland, all 6 crew PoW.:

Sgt. William James DOSSETTER (1376867); Sgt Eric JONES (643332); Sergeant James Norville William KIRK (R/51830); Plt Off Ronald George Moy MORGAN (60561); Sergeant Victor Rodney Jacob SLAUGHTER (958689); Sgt Derek Bert THROWER (904944); Sgt Harry A JONES ()

Wellington Mk. II serial W5537

s/n W5537

LQ RAF Roundel L

W 5537

Known Units: ;405

Served with No. 405 (B) Squadron, RCAF, in the summer of 1941, reported coded "LQ*O" in Squadron records, or "U" and "L" in other sources. Was "LQ*L" on 16 June 1941, when it was damaged by night fighter on attack on Cologne, forced landed at West Raynham. Was "LQ*O" on 24 July 1941 when lost on raid to Brest, 6 killed.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Brest France 1941-07-24 to 1941-07-24

405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington

No 405 Sqn Wellington W5537 was "LQ*O" on 24 July 1941 when lost on raid to Brest, attacking the German battleships Gneisenau and Scharnhorst. 6 killed:

Sergeant John Colvin CRUMP (R/61608); Sergeant John Albert FAWKES (819035) Sergeant Julian Lee Byron MARTIN (R/57938); Sergeant Anthony George Lendrum MITCHELL (970184) Sergeant Cyril TATTON (1163487); Pilot OfficerRonald Victor TRUEMAN (61969)

Wellington Mk. II serial W5551

s/n W5551

LQ RAF Roundel U

W 5551

Known Units: ;405

With No. 405 (B) Squadron RCAF at Pocklington, UK, coded "LQ*U". Shot down by Bf109s at Ploudaniel, France (near Brest) on 24 July 1941. 2 Crew POW, 4 killed.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Brest France 1941-07-24 to 1941-07-24

405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Pocklingon

405 Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus), RAF Pocklington. Wellington II aircraft W 5551 LQ-U was part of Operation Sunrise, a daytime mission to sink the German pocket battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen in the harbour at Brest, France. The bomber was shot down by German ME 109 fighters, but the crew abandoned the aircraft before it crashed at Ploudaniel,15 km NE of Brest

Flying Officer Robert George Murray Whigham (RAFVR) was killed in action

Pilot Officer William Minto MacKay (RCAF), Sergeant Robert Henry Westbury (RAFVR) survived to become Prisoners of War

Sergeant Melville Hermes Joseph Dalphond DFM, OBE (RCAF) evaded for a time with the aid of the French Resistance, travelling as far as the Franco/Spanish border before being caught and arrested. Sent to a prison in the South of France, he later escaped 1942-09-05 and was returned safely to the UK

Sergeant John Shedden Paton (RCAF) and Wing Commander Peter Alexander Gilchrist (RAF)(Can) both survived and evaded capture

unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

unvetted Source Allied Losses and Incidents: All Commands

unvetted Source France-Crashes 39-45 Search

unvetted Source Crash of a Vickers 416 Wellington IC in Ploudaniel: 1 killed I Bureau of Aircraft...

Wellington Mk. II serial W5553

s/n W5553

LQ RAF Roundel D

W 5553

Known Units: ;405

Served with No. 405 Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*D". Lost 7 / 8 November 1941, after bombing Berlin.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Berlin Germany 1941-11-07 to 1941-11-08

405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus). Wellington aircraft W 5583 missing during a night bombing operation against Berlin, Germany. Flight Sergeant(s) A.L. Hassan, C.H. Bell, Sergeant G.A. McLeod, Pilot Officer M.K. Solheim, and Sergeant C.C. Hynam (RAF) were also killed. Addendum: - Sgt. Killin was from Sydney, Nova Scotia, not Halifax. Detail provided by D.A. Stallard, Trenton, Nova Scotia.

Wellington Mk. II serial W5561

s/n W5561

LQ RAF Roundel J

W 5561

Known Units: ;405

With No. 405 (B) Squadron RCAF at Pocklington, UK, coded "LQ*J". Lost on raid to Emden on 28 / 29 December 1941.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Emden Germany 1941-12-28 to 1941-12-28

405 (B) Sqn (RAF) Pocklington
405 (B) Squadron RCAF at Pocklington, UK, coded "LQ*J". Lost on raid to Emden on 28 / 29 December 1941.. Flight Sergeant Joseph Raymond Frederick BOURGEAU (R/7860) Air Gunner;Flight Sergeant Jack Cecil DONKIN (R/65200) Air Observer; Sergeant Donald Kenneth GORDON (914176) Pilot; Sergeant Ronald JAMES (917059) Wireless Op .;Sergeant Willis LANGHORNE (1956726) Wireless Op; Sergeant Edwin John WILLIAMS (39298) Pilot

Wellington Mk. II serial W5562

Wellington Mk. II serial W5570

Wellington Mk. II serial W5574

Wellington Mk. II serial W5576

s/n W5576

W 5576

Wellington Mk. II serial W5577

Wellington Mk. II serial W5580

s/n W5580

W 5580

Known Units: ;104


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. II serial W5583

s/n W5583

W 5583

Wellington Mk. II serial W5584

s/n W5584

W 5584

Known Units: ;148


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. II serial W5589

s/n W5589

LQ RAF Roundel F

W 5589

Known Units: ;405

Served with No. 405 Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*F". Crashed on air test on 5 January 1942, engine problems. Attempted to land on artillery range near Strenshall Village. All crew killed.
last update: 2025-February-05

Operational 1942-01-05 to 1942-01-05

405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus), The pilot of Wellington aircraft W 5589 attempted a forced landing with one engine on fire and crashed at the Strenshall Military Camp, Strenshall, England. Sergeant James David GARROW (404529); Flight Sergeant John Burton GAYFER (R/18039A) Air Gunner; Flight Sergeant Osborne Bayfield LE FURGEY (R/50333) Pilot; Sergeant William Alan ROBERTSON (R/59266) Wireless Op; Flight Sergeant Peter WITYCK (R/80002) Pilot

Wellington Mk. II serial W5595

Wellington Mk. II serial W5611

s/n W5611

W 5611

Wellington Mk. IC / VIII serial W5619

Wellington Mk. IC serial W5626

Wellington Mk. IC / VIII serial W5647

s/n W5647

W 5647

Known Units: ;7

Converted to Mk. VIII
last update: 2025-February-05

Wellington Mk. IC serial W5652

s/n W5652

W 5652

Known Units: ;3


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. IC serial W5656

s/n W5656

W 5656

Known Units: ;103


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. IC serial W5663

s/n W5663

W 5663

Wellington Mk. IC serial W5688

s/n W5688

W 5688

Known Units: ;14


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. IC serial W5690

s/n W5690

W 5690

Known Units: ;15


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. IC serial W5703

s/n W5703

W 5703

Wellington Mk. IC serial W5705

s/n W5705

W 5705

Wellington Mk. IC serial W5708

s/n W5708

W 5708

Known Units: ;12


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. IC serial W5714

s/n W5714

W 5714

Wellington Mk. IC serial W5719

s/n W5719

W 5719

Known Units: ;150


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. IC serial W5724

s/n W5724

W 5724

Known Units: ;11


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. IC serial W5729

s/n W5729

W 5729

Known Units: ;9


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. IC / VIII serial W5730

s/n W5730

W 5730

Known Units: ;221

Converted to Mk. VIII
last update: 2025-February-05

Wellington 1C serial X3205

s/n X3205

X 3205

Known Units: 75


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. III serial X3284

s/n X3284

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3284

Known Units: ;426

Served with No. 424 (B) Squadron, RCAF, dates not known. Served with No. 426 Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*X" and "OW*R". Reported as failed to return from mission to Munich on 9/10 March 1943, no survivors. Also reported as lost on mining mission, same date.
last update: 2025-February-05

Wellington Mk. lll serial X3304

Wellington Mk. III serial X3359

s/n X3359

VR RAF Roundel N

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3359

Known Units: ;419

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF from 13 May 1942, coded "VR*N", named "N for Nails". Failed to return from raid on Essen on 16 / 17 June 1942. Airborne at 23:55 on 16 June 1942 from Mildenhall. Experienced engine over heating problems, possibly due to plug fouling, jettisoned bombs and fuel after one engine shut down. Crossed Antwerp at 4,000 feet en route back to UK, coned by searchlights and hit by flak. Crashed near Wuustwezel (Antwerp), 16 km NNE of Antwerp. Pilot Sgt. C.E. LeBlanc killed, 2 evaded, 2 POW.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Essen Germany 1942-06-16 to 1942-06-17

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Mildenhall

106 aircraft - 40 Wellingtons, 39 Halifaxes, 15 Lancasters, 12 Stirlings. 8 aircraft¬I lullfaxes, 3 Wellingtons, 1 Stirling - lost

.

Only 16 crews reported that they had identified Essen; 56 bombed alternative targets, 45 of them attacking Bonn. Essen reports only 3 high-explosive and 400 incendiary bombs in the city with one person being wounded

.

This raid concluded the present series of 5 raids on Essen in 16 nights. 1607 sorties had been dispatched and 84 aircraft (5·2 per cent) lost. No industrial damage was caused in Essen on any of these raids; a few houses were destroyed and 38 civilians were killed. Bomber Command now temporarily abandoned its campaign against Essen which would not be visited in strength for 3 months. /p>

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

419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Mildenhall. Wellington III aircraft X 3359 VR-N had the starboard engine fail and the pilot was forced to jettison the bomb load in an attempt to maintain altitude and return to base during an operation to Essen, Germany. The aircraft could not get above 3,000 feet and fell victim to the heavily defended city of Antwerp, Belgium. The pilot, FS CE LeBlanc (RCAF), maintained control of the aircraft long enough for his crew to bail out, he waited too long and went down with the aircraft, killed in action

Two of the crew, Sergeant EA Winkler (RCAF) and Sergeant NW Bradley (RCAF), survived and were taken as Prisoners Of War

The other two crew members Pilot Officer JH Watson (RCAF) and Sergeant Angers MiD (RCAF) survived, evaded capture and were returned safely to England

unvetted Source 419 Squadron RCAF 1941 to 1945 Crew of Wellington X3359

unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

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

Wellington Mk. III serial X3360

s/n X3360

VR RAF Roundel R

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3360

Known Units: ;419

Served with No. 419 Squadron, RCAF, coded "VR*R". Crashed at Budberg, 9 km NW of Duisburg, on 5/6 August 1942, on raid on Essen.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Essen Germany 1942-08-05 to 1942-08-06

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Mildenhall

Battle of the Ruhr

25 aircraft, 17 to Essen and 8 to Bochum. The intention was to reach the target area by Gee and then to bomb visually through gaps in the cloud. Only 3 aircraft bombed at Bochum and only 1 at Essen. 5 aircraft - 3 Halifaxes, 1 Lancaster and 1 Wellington - were lost and a further aircraft crashed in England.

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

419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Wellington aircraft was shot down near Kleve at Bedburg, Germany whilst attacking Essen, Germany.

Flight Sergeant Harold Alexander BROWN (R/67850) Air Observer; Sergeant Ronald Frederick CHURCHILL (1189902) Wireless Op; Sergeant Albert Henry JOHNSON (1313403) Air Gunner; Pilot Officer Raymond Marinus KREFTING (J/7530) Pilot; Sergeant Thomas Henry LAWTON (643746) Air Gunner; Flight Sergeant William James MACAULAY (R/86116) Pilot. Missing believed killed.

Wellington Mk. III serial X3361

s/n X3361

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3361

Known Units: ;425

Assigned No. 425 Squadron, RCAF. Crashed on ferry flight from No. 43 Maintenance Unit to this unit, on 1 February 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

Wellington Mk. III serial X3390

s/n X3390

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3390

Known Units: ;427

With No. 419 (B Squadron, RCAF, coded "W", when it bombed Krefeld on 2 October 1942. Served with No. 427 Squadron, RCAF, coded "ZL*W" when it failed to return from mining mission to Frisian Islands on 2/3 March 1943, no survivors.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-March-01 Failed to Return Failed to return from mining mission to Frisian Islands, no survivors. 2019-08-20

Wellington Mk. III serial X3392

s/n X3392

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3392

Known Units: ;84

Served with No. 420 Squadron, RCAF, coded "PT*C".
last update: 2025-February-05

Wellington Mk. lll serial X3393

s/n X3393

KO RAF Roundel H

X 3393

Known Units: 115


last update: 2025-October-30

Bombing Turin Italy 1942-12-09 to 1942-12-10

115 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF East Wretham

115 Squadron RAF East Wretham. Wellington Mk III X3393 KO-H was struck by 'Heavy' (Schwere) flak crossing the Rhine and crashed near Compigny, France returning from an operation against targets in Turin, Italy

The entire crew survived with Sergeant JR Tolmie (RCAF), Sergeant LJ McCosham (RCAF) and Sergeant RM Devine (RCAF)(USA) being captured to become Prisoners of War but Sergeant SP Smith (RCAF) and Sergeant HD Reid (RAF) becoming Evaders

unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

unvetted Source Search for France-Crashes 39-45

Wellington Mk. III serial X3409

s/n X3409

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3409

Known Units: ;82

Served with No. 424 Squadron, RCAF, coded "QB*J". Attacked Lorient, France 15/16 January 1943. Landed at Tangmere on return, due to bad weather.
last update: 2025-February-05

Wellington Mk. III serial X3416

s/n X3416

VR RAF Roundel J

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3416

Known Units: ;419

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1942, coded "VR*J". Lost without a trace on mission to Duisburg on 13/14 July 1942, out of Mildenhall. This crew was on its second mission.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Duisburg Germany 1942-07-13 to 1942-07-14

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Mildenhall

194 aircraft - 139 Wellingtons, 33 Halifaxes, 13 Lancasters, 9 Stirlings - on the first of a series of raids on this industrial city on the edge of the Ruhr. 6 aircraft - 3 Wellingtons, 2 Stirlings, I Lancaster - were lost and 4 more aircraft crashed in England.

The force encountered cloud and electrical storms and reported that their bombing was well scattered. Duisburg reports only housing damage - 1 I houses destroyed, 68 seriously damaged - and 17 people killed

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

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1942, coded "VR*J". Lost without a trace on mission to Duisburg on 13/14 July 1942, out of Mildenhall. This crew was on its second mission.

Wellington Mk. III serial X3419

Wellington Mk. III serial X3420

s/n X3420

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3420

Known Units: ;426

Served with No. 426 Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*H". Attacked Lorient, France 14/15 January 1943. Shot down at 21:06 on 14 February 1943, by Hptm Manfred Meurer of I./NJG1, near Heel and Beegan during mission to Cologne, no survivors.
last update: 2025-February-05

Wellington Mk. lll serial X3455

Wellington serial X3457

s/n X3457

X 3457

Wellington Mk. III serial X3467

s/n X3467

VR RAF Roundel N

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3467

Known Units: ;419

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1942, coded "VR*N". Nick named "N for Nuts". Bombed Le Havre on 5 April 1942. Crew bailed out after both engines set on fire on mission to Hamburg, 8/9 April 1942. Crashed at 01:32 on marshy ground between Roggenburg and Barssel, 18 km SE of Leer. Rear gunner killed when chute snagged on aircraft. Rest of crew, including, pilot Pilot Officer A.B. Crichton and bomb aimer Flight Sergeant H. Brooks, taken prisoner after landing on German side of Belgium/Germany border.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Hamburg Germany 1942-04-09 to 1942-04-09

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Mildenhall

272 aircraft- 177 Wellingtons, 41 Hampdens, 22 Stirlings, 13 Manchesters, 12 Hali¬faxes, 7 Lancasters - on yet another record raid for aircraft numbers to 1 target. 4 Wellingtons and l Manchester lost.

Icing and electrical storms were again encountered. Although 188 aircraft reported bombing in the target area, the raid was a failure. According to Hamburg's records, bombs equivalent to only 14 aircraft loads fell on the city, causing 8 fires - 3 large; no particular incidents of property damage are mentioned. 17 people were killed and 119 injured.

Bremen reports a load of incendiaries dropped very accurately on the Vulkan shipyard where 4 U-boats under construction and several surrounding buildings were damaged by fire. Minor Operations: 13 Wellingtons to Le Havre, 3 Blenheims Intruding over Holland, 24 aircraft minelaying near Heligoland, 16 aircraft on leaflet flights to Belgium and France. l Manchester on a leaflet flight was lost in the sea.

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

419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Wellington aircraft X 3467 missing during a bombing trip to Hamburg, Germany. The aircraft had the port engine catch fire and the bomb load was jettisoned in an attempt to maintain altitude. The fire was put out and the engine restarted but the starboard engine caught fire, the fire was extinguished and the propeller feathered. Shortly after this the port engine again burst into flame and the crew was ordered to bail out, all but Pilot Officer Howard jumped to safety.Warrant Officer MacWilliam, Sergeants Brooks, Paton, Parker, and Pilot Officer Crighton were taken Prisoners of War. The aircraft blew up just after these five jumped.

Wellington Mk. III serial X3477

s/n X3477

VR RAF Roundel G

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3477

Known Units: ;419


last update: 2025-October-30

Bombing Lubeck Germany 1942-03-28 to 1942-03-29

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Mildenhall

234 aircraft-146 Wellingtons, 41 Hampdens, 26 Stirlings, 21 Manchesters. 12 aircraft - 7 Wellingtons, 3 Stirlings, r Hampden, r Manchester - lost.

This famous raid took place on the night of Palm Sunday and was the first major success for Bomber Command against a German target. The attack was carried out in good visibility, with the help of an almost full moon and, because of the light defences of this target, from a low level, many crews coming down to 2,000 ft. The force was split into 3 waves, the leading one being composed of experienced crews with Gee-fitted aircraft; although Lubeck was beyond the range of Gee, the device helped with preliminary navigation. More than 400 tons of bombs were dropped; two thirds of this tonnage was incendiary. The aiming point was the centre of the Altstadt, which was built of narrow streets and old, half-timbered houses. It was a heavy, fire-raising attack on pure area-bombing lines. 191 crews claimed successful attacks. Aerial photographs and German reports confirmed the outstanding success of the raid. Information is available from many sources.* In Bomber Command's new terminology, approximately 190 acres of the old town were assessed on the basis of photographs as having been destroyed, mostly by fire; this was reckoned to be 30 per cent of 'Lubeck's built-up area. German sources show that r,425 buildings in Lubeck were destroyed, r,976 were seriously damaged and 8,41 r were lightly damaged; these represented 62 per cent of all buildings in Lubeck. Of the 3,401 buildings classed as destroyed or seriously damaged, 3,070 were residential buildings, 70 were public buildings, 256 were industrial or commercial and 5 were agricultural. Among the public buildings destroyed were many of architectural importance including the Rathaus and Marienkirche, described by Rumpf as the 'mother church of Northern Germany'. Among the industrial buildings destroyed was the Dragerwerke factory which made oxygen equipment for U-boats. Brunswig states that the cost of the damage caused was 200 million Reichsmarks (£20 million).

The casualties in Lubeck were 312 or 320 people killed (accounts conflict), 136 seriously and 648 slightly injured. This was the heaviest death toll in a German raid so far in the war, exceeding the 185 killed in Hamburg on 8/9 May r94r but still less than the 367 French people killed at Billancourt earlier in this month.

Lubeck was not raided by the full strength of the R.A.F. again during the war. A Swiss diplomat who was president of the International Red Cross later negotiated an agreement with Britain that the port would not be bombed again because it was being used for the shipment of Red Cross supplies.

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

Wellington aircraft X 3477 was enroute to the target Lubeck, Germany when it was attacked and seriously damaged by two German ME-110 fighter aircraft. The bombs were jettisoned and the aircraft dived toward the sea shaking off the remaining fighter, this took the Wellington in range of intensely concentrated light flak. The aircraft sustained further damage and crashed, at about 300 mph, in a coastal marsh near Wilhelmshaven, Germany.

Wellington Mk. III serial X3480

s/n X3480

VR RAF Roundel J

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3480

Known Units: ;419

Served with No. 419 Squadron, RCAF in the UK, coded "VR*J". Lost on mission to Warnemunde on 8/9 May 1942. Attacked by night fighter piloted by Oberfeldwebel Paul Gildner of II./NJG 2 over Denmark. With wounded and dead crew, and losing fuel, aircraft was belly landed near Rejsby. Crew set aircraft on fire. 1 crew killed, 4 POW. Another report of the engagement has the aircraft struck by flak, and ditching off Rejsby.

Operatins Record Books ORB Bomber Command Museum


last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Warnemunde Germany 1942-05-08 to 1942-05-09

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Mildenhall

Served with No. 419 Squadron, RCAF in the UK, coded "VR*J". Lost on mission to Warnemunde on 8/9 May 1942. Attacked by night fighter piloted by Oberfeldwebel Paul Gildner of II./NJG 2 over Denmark. With wounded and dead crew, and losing fuel, aircraft was belly landed near Rejsby. Crew set aircraft on fire. 1 crew killed, 4 POW. Another report of the engagement has the aircraft struck by flak, and ditching off Rejsby.

Wellington Mk. III serial X3484

s/n X3484

VR RAF Roundel O

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3484

Known Units: ;419

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1942, coded "VR*O". Lost without a trace on raid on Le Havre from Mildenhall, on 14/15April 1942.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Le Havre France 1942-04-14 to 1942-04-14

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Mildenhall

419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Wellington aircraft X 3484 was carrying 14 x 250 lb. general purpose bombs and failed to return from a sortie against Le Havre, France. FSs J.R. Norris, A. McMillan, H.F. Darley, F.D. Barbour, L.M. Langlois, and one RAF crew member were killed.

Wellington Mk. III serial X3486

s/n X3486

VR RAF Roundel U

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3486

Known Units: ;419

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1942, coded "VR*U". Lost without a trace on raid to Essen, 5/6 June 1942. Based at Mildenhall at that time. 5 crew commemorated on Runnymede Memorial.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Essen Germany 1942-06-05 to 1942-06-06

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Mildenhall

180 aircraft - 98 Wellingtons, 33 Halifaxes, 25 Stirlings, 13 Lancasters, 11 Hampdens. 12 aircraft - 8 Wellingtons, 2 Stirlings, 1 Halifax, 1 Lancaster - lostThis was another failure, with bombing being scattered over a wide area. Essen suffered minor property damage, IO people killed and 68 injured.

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

419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Wellington aircraft X 3486 was carrying 810 x 41b. incendiaries and failed to return from an attack against Essen, Germany.Lost without a trace on raid to Essen, 5/6 June 1942. Based at Mildenhall at that time. 5 crew commemorated on Runnymede Memorial.

Wellington Mk. III serial X3488

s/n X3488

VR RAF Roundel H

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3488

Known Units: ;419

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1942, coded "VR*H". Lost on raid to Hamburg on 28/29 July 1942. Reported being attacked by fighter, believed to have crashed in North Sea. All crew lost, including Squadron CO W/C J. Fulton. Known as "Moose", his nickname lives on today in the Squadron name. Radio operator Pilot Officer William Gordon Campbell, RAF, and American second pilot Flight Sergeant E.F. Monroe, are buried in Sweden.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Hamburg Germany 1942-07-29 to 1942-07-29

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Mildenhall

403 aircraft- 181 Wellingtons, 77 Lancasters, 73 Halifaxes, 39 Stirlings, 33 Hampdens - dispatched in what was probably a full 'maximum effort' for the regular Bomber Command squadrons. 29 aircraft - I 5 Wellingtons, 8 Halifaxes, 2 Hampdens, 2 Lancasters, 2 Stirlings - were lost, 7·2 per cent of the force.

Crews encountered a mixture of cloud and icing at some places on the route but clear weather at the target. Good bombing results were claimed. Hamburg reports show that severe and widespread damage was caused, mostly in housing and semi¬commercial districts rather than in the docks and industrial areas. At least 800 fires were dealt with, 523 being classed as large. For the first time, the strong Hamburg fire department was forced to call for extensive help from outside the city. 823 houses were destroyed and more than 5,000 damaged. Estimates of compensation for damage claimed ran to 250 million Reichsmarks (£25 million). More than 14,000 people were bombed out. 337 people were killed and 1,027 injured.

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

419 Moose Squadron (Moose Aswayita). Wellington III aircraft X 3488 missing during operations against Hamburg, Germany. The last message received indicated that they were west of the Frisian Islands, Holland, were under attack by enemy fighter aircraft and some of the crew had been wounded. Pilot Officer N.G. Arthur, H.J. Dell, FS(s) H. Bryden, E.F. Monroe, and Pilot Officer W.G. Campbell D.F.C. (RAF) were also killed.

Wellington Mk. III serial X3556

s/n X3556

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3556

Known Units: ;419

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF. Crashed one mile west of Catworth, UK while on a training flight, 6 July 1942. Overturned on a forced landing just west of Catsworth, England, after one engine failed. 2 survivors, and 8 dead, including two USAAF passengers.
last update: 2025-February-05

Operational 1942-07-06 to 1942-07-06

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Mildenhall

419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Wellington III aircraft X3556 VR-L crashed one mile west of Catworth, Huntingdonshire, England after the starboard engine failed on a training flight with passengers

Members of the crew, FS SD Palason (RCAF), Pilot Officer RB Cowell (RCAF), FS RW Pearson (RCAF), FS CF Williams (RCAF), and passengers, Leading Aircraftman AW Patmore (RCAF), Cpl KEV Denyer (RAF), Pfc RL Baral USAAF and Pfc DJ Rudd USAAF were killed

Pilot Officer AL Parnall (RCAF) and Pfc C Nelson USAAF injured

Wellington Mk. lll serial X3560

s/n X3560

X 3560

Known Units: 115


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. III serial X3563

s/n X3563

VR RAF Roundel T

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3563

Known Units: ;427


last update: 2025-October-30

Bombing Saint-Nazaire France 1943-02-28 to 1943-02-28

(B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft

Having destroyed Lorient, Bomber Command was now ready to start on the second target on the list of French U-boat base ports which the directive of 14 January had ordered to be destroyed. 437 aircraft - 152 Lancasters, 119 Wellingtons, 100 Halifaxes, 62 Stirlings, 4 Mosquitoes - were dispatched. 5 aircraft - 2 Lancasters, 2 Wellingtons, 1 Stirling - were lost, 1·1 per cent of the force.

This initial raid caused widespread destruction. Local reports say that many bombs fell into the port area and that 60 per cent of the town was destroyed. 29 people are reported as being killed and 12 injured; it is presumed that most of the local population had left the town.

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

Crew bailed out over Ireland after attack on St. Nazaire, rounded up but soon released. Aircraft crashed in plowed field near Ballybane-Milltown, near Ballinlough in County Roscommon.

unvetted Source Crew survived

source: Dennis Burke, Dublin Ireland

Wellington Mk. III serial X3633

s/n X3633

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3633

Known Units: ;115


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. lll serial X3655

Wellington Mk. lll serial X3656

s/n X3656

X 3656

Known Units: ;101


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington serial X3669

s/n X3669

X 3669

Known Units: ;101


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. III serial X3675

s/n X3675

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3675

Known Units: ;115


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. III serial X3699

s/n X3699

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3699

Known Units: ;426

Served with No. 419 Squadron, RCAF. Coded "VR*Q". With No. 426 Squadron, coded "OW*Q", when it attacked Lorient, France on 14/15 January 1943, flown by crew from No. 425 Squadron. Mining operation near Frisian Islands 21/22 January 1943. Attacked Oldenburg in daylight, 30 January 1943. Mission to Essen 12/13 March 1943. Lost on raid on Kiel on 4/5 April 1943, after flak damage and fighter attack. Ditched 10 miles off Cromer, Norfolk, 3 crew KIA.
last update: 2025-February-05

Wellington Mk. III serial X3703

s/n X3703

VR RAF Roundel Q

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3703

Known Units: ;419

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF coded "VR*Q". Failed to return from raid on Warnemunde on 8/9 May 1942. All 5 crew killed.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Warnemunde Germany 1942-05-08 to 1942-05-09

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Mildenhall

419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Wellington aircraft X 3703 was carrying 3,420 lb. of bombs when it went missing during a bombing raid against Warnemunde, Germany. All 5 crew killed

Wellington Mk. III serial X3704

s/n X3704

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3704

Known Units: ;23

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF. Bombed St. Nazaire on 28 March 1943. Bombed Kiel on 4 April 1943. Launched to Duisburg on 8 April 1943, returned early due to icing. Bombed Frankfurt 10 April 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

Wellington Mk. III serial X3711

s/n X3711

VR RAF Roundel R

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3711

Known Units: ;419

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1942, coded "VR*R". Shot down by a night-fighter of I./NJG4 on raid to Karlsruhe on 23 September 1942, and crashed at 02:10 near Warnant (Namur), 9 km NNW of Dinant, Belgium. Crew was on its 19th mission, all 5 killed.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Karlsruhe Germany 1942-09-02 to 1942-09-03

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe

200 aircraft of 5 types with 4 Group Halifaxes now back on major operations. 8 aircraft - 4 Wellingtons, 2 Lancasters, 1 Halifax, 1 Stirling - lost, 4·0 per cent of the force.

The Pathfinders were accurate and this was a successful raid. An estimated 200 fires were seen burning at the same time. Reconnaissance photographs showed much residential and some industrial damage. A very short report from Karlsruhe says only that 73 people were killed and that 3 public buildings in the city centre were hit.

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

Wellington Mk. III serial X3712

s/n X3712

VR RAF Roundel D

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3712

Known Units: ;419

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1942, coded "VR*D". Lost on raid to Saarbrucken on 29/30 July 1942. Believed shot down by a night-fighter of 5./NJG1, and crashed at 01:32 at Porcheresse (Namur), 11 km NE of Ciney, Belgium. One crew evaded, other 4 all killed.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Saarbrucken Germany 1942-07-30 to 1942-07-30

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Mildenhall

291 aircraft of 5 types on the first large raid to this target. 9 aircraft - 3 Wellingtons, 2 Halifaxes, 2 Lancasters, 2 Stirlings - lost.

The defences at the target were not expected to be strong and crews were urged to bomb at lower than normal altitudes. 248 aircraft reported accurate bombing, three quarters of them doing so from below 10,000 ft. Bomber Command claimed 'severe damage' to 2 industrial targets, an ironworks and an engineering works. Saarbriicken's records show severe damage and casualties in the centre and north¬western districts. 396 buildings were destroyed and 324 seriously damaged, with 155 people being killed.

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

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1942, coded "VR*D". Lost on raid to Saarbrucken on 29/30 July 1942. Believed shot down by a night-fighter of 5./NJG1, and crashed at 01:32 at Porcheresse (Namur), 11 km NE of Ciney, Belgium. One crew evaded, other 4 all killed.

Wellington Mk. III serial X3715

s/n X3715

VR RAF Roundel G

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3715

Known Units: ;419

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1942, coded "VR*G". Lost on raid to Gennevilliers on 29/30 May 1942. Crashed at Argenteuil, 7 km NW of Gennevilliers in the NW suburbs of Paris. All 5 crew killed.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Gennevilliers France 1942-05-30 to 1942-05-30

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Mildenhall

77 aircraft - 31 Wellingtons, 20 Halifaxes, 14 Lancasters, 9 Stirlings, 3 Hampdens - to the Gnome & Rhone factory. 4 Wellingtons and I Halifax lost.

Later photographic cover showed little or no damage to the factory. A local report says that 38 houses were destroyed and 49 damaged, with 34 French people being killed and 167 injured.

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

419 Moose Squadron(Moosa Aswayita). Wellington aircraft X 3715 crashed at Argenteuil, France during a bombing attack against the Gnome-Rhone engine factory at Gennevilliers, France

Wellington Mk. III serial X3717

s/n X3717

VR RAF Roundel C

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3717

Known Units: ;419

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1942, coded "VR*C". Lost on raid on Stuttgart on 6/7 May 1942. Crashed in the vicinity of Mannheim. All 5 crew killed.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1942-05-06 to 1942-05-06

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Mildenhall

97 aircraft- 55 Wellingtons, 15 Stirlings, IO Hampdens, IO Lancasters, 7 Halifaxes - to the city and the Bosch factory. 5 Wellingtons and I Halifax lost.

This third raid on Stuttgart was another failure, with crews again blaming ground haze for their inability to identify the city. Stuttgart's records show that no bombs fell in the city, though a few fell in woods to the west. The Lauffen decoy may have been responsible for a raid which developed on the large town of Heilbronn, only 5 miles from the decoy fire site but 20 miles from Stuttgart. More than 150 buildings were hit in Heilbronn and 7 people died there.

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

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1942, coded "VR*C". Lost on raid on Stuttgart on 6/7 May 1942. Crashed in the vicinity of Mannheim. All 5 crew killed.

Wellington Mk. III serial X3718

s/n X3718

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3718

Wellington Mk. III serial X3723

s/n X3723

VR RAF Roundel H

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3723

Known Units: ;419

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "VR*H". Lost on raid to Essen on 16/17 June 1942. Airborne at 23:36 on 16 June 1942 from Mildenhall. Shot down by a night- fighter of ERG.St./NJG2, and crashed in the sea off the Dutch coast. All 5 crew killed or missing, three bodies were eventually washed ashore and are buried in various Dutch cemeteries.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Essen Germany 1942-06-16 to 1942-06-17

419 () () Mildenhall

106 aircraft - 40 Wellingtons, 39 Halifaxes, 15 Lancasters, 12 Stirlings. 8 aircraft¬I lullfaxes, 3 Wellingtons, 1 Stirling - lost

.

Only 16 crews reported that they had identified Essen; 56 bombed alternative targets, 45 of them attacking Bonn. Essen reports only 3 high-explosive and 400 incendiary bombs in the city with one person being wounded

.

This raid concluded the present series of 5 raids on Essen in 16 nights. 1607 sorties had been dispatched and 84 aircraft (5·2 per cent) lost. No industrial damage was caused in Essen on any of these raids; a few houses were destroyed and 38 civilians were killed. Bomber Command now temporarily abandoned its campaign against Essen which would not be visited in strength for 3 months. /p>

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

419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Target - Essen, Germany. Wellington III X 3723 VR-H was carrying 4,250 lbs. of bombs. Shot down by a night- fighter of ERG.St./NJG2, and crashed in the sea off Gallanstoog, Holland. . All 5 crew killed or missing, three bodies were eventually washed ashore and are buried in various Dutch cemeteries.

Wellington Mk. III serial X3725

s/n X3725

JN RAF Roundel N

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3725

Known Units: ;150


last update: 2025-October-30

Bombing Essen Germany 1942-06-08 to 1942-06-09

(B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Snaith

Royal Air Force Last operation of Wellington lll X3725, Story and photographs of crew courtesy of Aircrew Remembered

Wellington X3725 Missing on Operation to Essen.

Flying Officer Winston David Love, 402243 RAAF, pilot; Flight Sergeant Emil Francois Bruno Mandin, 75471 RCAF, observer; Sergeant Leslie Charles Gray, 1174107 RAFVR, wireless operator; Sergeant Robert Dudley Procter, 1306729 RAFVR, air gunner; Sergeant Lancelot Dent, 1379092 RAFVR, air gunner Were all killed

Wellington Mk. III serial X3763

s/n X3763

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3763

Known Units: ;425

Served with No. 425 Squadron, RCAF in the UK from September 1942, coded "KW*E". Failed to return from mission to Stuttgart on 15 April 1943. Crashed at Mussey-sur-Marne  (Haute Marne), on the W bank of the Marne, 8 km south of Joinville, France.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-15 Failed to Return Failed to return from mission to Stuttgart. 2019-08-20

Wellington Mk. III serial X3796

s/n X3796

VR RAF Roundel C

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3796

Known Units: ;14;419

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1942, coded "VR*C". Crashed while on air test on 15 September 1942. Crashed 3 miles SW of Grimsthorpe, 12 miles W of Spalding, Lincolnshire, after failing to recover from a steep dive. All 9 occupants killed.
last update: 2025-February-05

Unspecified 1942-09-15 to 1942-09-15

14 (B) Sqn (RCAF)
419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Wellington aircraft X 3796 was on a two-hour oil consumption test when it suddenly went into a 45-degree dive and then crashed at Thursby, nine miles east of Stamford, Lincolnshire. England. Members of the crew; WO. J.A. Clark. FS.s E.M. Harney, W.H. Pickering, R.A. Kinnee, P/O. J.A. Hay, Sgt. G.W. Wilson. mechanic LAC. W.A. Jahnke, Leading Aircraftman Lawley, Edward Douglas and passenger LAC. L.O. Luten were killed.

Wellington Mk. III serial X3797

s/n X3797

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3797

Known Units: ;150


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. lll serial X3802

s/n X3802

X 3802

Wellington Mk. III serial X3814

s/n X3814

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3814

Known Units: ;420

Served with No. 420 Squadron, RCAF in the UK, coded "PT*P". Attacked Essen on 12/13 March 1943. Failed to return from mission to Berlin (or Bochum?) on 29/30 March 1943, no survivors. Crashed at Metzkausen, 11 km ENE of Dusseldorf.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-March-30 Failed to Return Failed to return from mission to Berlin, no survivors. 2019-08-20

Wellington Mk. lll serial X3815

s/n X3815

X 3815

Known Units: 101


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. III serial X3873

s/n X3873

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3873

Known Units: ;427

Served with No. 427 Squadron, RCAF in the UK, coded "ZL*R". Mining operation on 3 January 1943. Bombed Lorient on 15/16 January 1943. Failed to return from mining operation to Frisian Islands on 21/22 January 1943, no survivors.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-January-22 Failed to Return Failed to return from mining operation to Frisian Islands, no survivors. 2019-08-20

Wellington Mk. III serial X3888

s/n X3888

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3888

Known Units: ;22 OTU


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. III serial X3943

s/n X3943

Vickers-Armstrong

X 3943

Wellington serial X3988

s/n X3988

X 3988

Known Units: ;12


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial X9619

s/n X9619

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9619

Wellington IC serial X9622

s/n X9622

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9622

Wellington IC serial X9624

s/n X9624

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9624

Wellington IC serial X9625

s/n X9625

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9625

Wellington IC serial X9630

s/n X9630

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9630

Wellington IC serial X9633

s/n X9633

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9633

Known Units: ;149


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial X9637

s/n X9637

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9637

Known Units: ;21


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial X9640

Wellington IC serial X9660

s/n X9660

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9660

Wellington IC serial X9665

s/n X9665

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9665

Known Units: ;103


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial X9675

s/n X9675

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9675

Known Units: ;26


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial X9683

s/n X9683

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9683

Known Units: ;28


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial X9686

s/n X9686

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9686

Wellington IC serial X9700

s/n X9700

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9700

Wellington IC serial X9704

s/n X9704

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9704

Wellington IC serial X9739

s/n X9739

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9739

Wellington IC serial X9747

s/n X9747

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9747

Known Units: ;218


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial X9749

s/n X9749

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9749

Wellington IC serial X9750

s/n X9750

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9750

Wellington IC serial X9752

s/n X9752

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9752

Known Units: ;214


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial X9755

s/n X9755

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9755

Wellington IC serial X9756

s/n X9756

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9756

Wellington IC serial X9759

Wellington IC serial X9762

s/n X9762

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9762

Known Units: ;214


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial X9765

Wellington IC serial X9786

s/n X9786

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9786

Wellington IC serial X9798

s/n X9798

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9798

Wellington IC serial X9826

Wellington Mk. IC serial X9874

s/n X9874

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9874

Known Units: ;12

Served with No. 419 Squadron, RCAF from 9 January 1942.
last update: 2025-February-05

Wellington IC serial X9875

s/n X9875

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9875

Known Units: ;23


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial X9878

s/n X9878

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9878

Known Units: ;149


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial X9879

Wellington IC serial X9905

s/n X9905

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9905

Wellington IC serial X9910

s/n X9910

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9910

Wellington IC serial X9913

s/n X9913

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9913

Known Units: ;109


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial X9916

s/n X9916

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9916

Wellington IC serial X9922

Wellington IC serial X9935

s/n X9935

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9935

Wellington IC serial X9941

s/n X9941

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9941

Wellington IC serial X9942

s/n X9942

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9942

Wellington IC serial X9949

s/n X9949

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9949

Known Units: ;14


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial X9951

s/n X9951

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9951

Wellington IC serial X9975

s/n X9975

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9975

Wellington IC serial X9977

s/n X9977

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9977

Wellington IC serial X9981

s/n X9981

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9981

Wellington IC serial X9982

s/n X9982

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9982

Wellington IC serial X9986

s/n X9986

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9986

Wellington IC serial X9988

s/n X9988

Vickers-Armstrong

X 9988

Known Units: ;109


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial Z1040

s/n Z1040

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1040

Wellington IC serial Z1046

s/n Z1046

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1046

Wellington IC serial Z1048

s/n Z1048

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1048

Wellington IC serial Z1052

s/n Z1052

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1052

Wellington Mk. IC serial Z1083

s/n Z1083

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1083

Known Units: ;30

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF from 8 January 1942, coded "VR*O".
last update: 2025-February-05

Wellington Mk. IC serial Z1091

s/n Z1091

VR RAF Roundel A

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1091

Known Units: ;419

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1942, coded "VR*A". Based at Mildenhall when it was lost without trace attacking German warships off Dutch coast, 12 February 1942, during Operation Fuller.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing 1942-02-11 to 1942-02-12

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Mildenhall

Fuller

Gerrman battle-cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the lighter cruiser Prinz Eugen sailed from Brest to Germany through the English Channel in a carefully prepared and well-executed operation, News of the preparations did not reach Britain and the Germans chose chose a day when bad weather and low cloud gave their ships maximum concealment. A German fighter escort was provided throughout the voyage. The ships were not reported until late morning when a Spitfire of Fighter Command spotted them off Le Touquet. All available Royal Navy and R.A.F. units were ordered to attack the German ships before darkness closed in.

Most of Bomber Command was 'stood down' for the day; only 5 Group was at 4 hours' notice. The bomber squadrons made a frantic effort to prepare planes for attacks, which were mounted in 3 waves. Other aircraft of Coastal and Fighter Commands and of the Fleet Air Arm were also involved. The first Bomber Command aircraft were airborne at 1.30 p.m. and 242 sorties were flown by the squadrons before dark. Every type of aircraft available flew except the Whitleys which were stationed in the North of England. Bomber Command aircraft dispatched were: 92 Wellingtons, 64 Hampdens, 37 Blenheims, 15 Manchesters, 13 Halifaxes, II Stirlings and IO of the new American-built Boston bombers with which some of the 2 Group squadrons were being equipped, although they were not yet officially ready for operations. It was the largest Bomber Command daylight operation of the war to date.

Most of the bombers were unable to find the German ships in the poor weather conditions and, of those aircraft which did bomb, no hits were scored on these fast-moving and heavily defended targets. None of the attacks by other forces caused any serious damage to the German ships but the two largest, the Scharnhorst and the Gneisenau, were both slowed down after striking mines laid by 5 Group Hampdens or Manchesters in the Frisian Islands during recent nights. Scharnhorst hit 2 mines and Gneisenau one. All the German ships reached the safety of ports in Germany before daybreak

The sailing of these ships, although a successful operation for the Germans, finally released Bomber Command from the effort-consuming and costly requirement to bomb the ships while they had been in French ports. Bomber Command had dropped 3,413 tons of bombs on these 3 ships in recent months and lost 127 aircraft in doing so. But these raids had achieved some success. Both Scharnhorst and Gneisenau had been hit and badly damaged by bombs; this and the constant threat of further damage prevented the ships from sailing from Brest on another Atlantic shipping raid and persuaded the Germans that they should be brought back to the greater protection of German ports.

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

Wellington IC serial Z1096

s/n Z1096

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1096

Known Units: ;57


last update: 2025-October-30

Bombing Brest France 1942-01-06 to 1942-01-06

(B) Sqn (RAF) Feltwell

31 Wellingtons of I Group attacked the German warships, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. I aircraft lost. No special bombing results were claimed but a bomb which fell alongside the Gneisenau holed the hull and flooded 2 compartments.source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt

57 Squadron (Corpus Non Animum Muto). Wellington aircraft Z 1096 took off 0520 6 Jan 1942 from Feltwell and crashed 0530 into Home Field at Holmebrink Farm at nearby Methwold. a fire broke out on impact and the Wellington was destroyed.

Flight Sergeant D R Richardson (RCAF), Sergeant R L Simmons,(RAF) Sergeant E Ewings,(RAF) Sergeant L J Roe,(RAF Sergeant V H Mountstephens:(RAF killed; Pilot Officer S H Carter (RAF): injured.

Wellington IC serial Z1113

s/n Z1113

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1113

Known Units: ;109


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial Z1142

s/n Z1142

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1142

Known Units: ;103

Cited with Sergeant Douglas W. Spooner (RAAF, awarded DFM).

Distinguished Flying Medal

Distinguished Flying Medal - No.103 Squadron (AFRO says "Attached to RAF " but deceased at time of AFRO publication). Award effective 27 January 1942 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 358/44 dated 18 February 1944. Award presented to next-of- kin, 22 April 1944.

The citation reads - "One night in January 1942, Sergeants Bray and Spooner were captain and second pilot, respectively, of an aircraft which participated in an attack on Wilhemshaven. (Wellington Z1142) Sergeant Bray carried out a determined attack in spite of intense anti-aircraft fire but, when making a second run over the target, a violent explosion shook the aircraft and an ignited flare was blown from the rear of the bomb compartment into the fuselage where it set fire to the fabric, the floor and a seat. The aircraft was now brightly illuminated so that it was an easy target and, whilst held in a concentration of some thirty searchlights, was subjected to intense enemy fire. The situation began to appear hopeless and Sergeant Bray ordered the crew to escape by parachute. He then set the controls and, when making his way to the rear of the air-craft to ensure that the crew had left safely, he observed Sergeant Spooner still battling with the flames. Sergeant Bray thereupon returned to the controls and skillfully and coolly extricated his aircraft from a perilous situation. The flare eventually burned its way through the floor of the aircraft and Sergeant Spooner, having exhausted the extinguisher, finally subdued the flames with his gloved hands. He then went forward and, to enable Sergeant Bray to fulfill the duties of navigator, took over the controls. Although suffering acutely from the effects of the fumes, he flew the aircraft safely back." Detail provided by H. Halliday, Orleans, Ontario.

last update: 2025-February-05

Wellington Mk. IC serial Z1145

s/n Z1145

VR RAF Roundel B

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1145

Known Units: ;419


last update: 2025-October-30

Bombing Hamburg Germany 1942-01-15 to 1942-01-16

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Mildenhall

96 aircraft. 52 of them claimed to have bombed in difficult visibility. Hamburg reports 36 fires - 3 large, 3 people killed arid 25 injured - but no major incidents. 3 Wellingtons and I Hampden were lost and 8 further aircraft crashed in England.

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

One of 2 aircraft that flew this unit's first operational mission, bombing Brest on 11 January 1942. Lost on 15 / 16 January 1942, on raid to Hamburg. Damaged by enemy action, ran out of fuel on return and ditched off Spurn Head. 2 survivors, Sergeant A. E. Cox and Sergeant J.A.H.Lucas were rescued at sea by HMS Goatfell, Pilot Officer Cottier, Pilot, FS Powell, 2nd Pilot, Sergeant Pugh, w/op, Pilot Officer C.H.Lomas 2nd W/O were killed

Wellington Mk. IC serial Z1146

s/n Z1146

VR RAF Roundel E

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1146

Known Units: ;419

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF in 1942, coded "VR*E" Lost without a trace on 12 February 1942, shot down by ship's fire during attack on German warships off Holland (Operation Fuller). One crew member found dead in dingy, one body washed ashore in July 1942, other 4 crew never found.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing 1942-02-11 to 1942-02-12

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Mildenhall

Fuller

Gerrman battle-cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the lighter cruiser Prinz Eugen sailed from Brest to Germany through the English Channel in a carefully prepared and well-executed operation, News of the preparations did not reach Britain and the Germans chose chose a day when bad weather and low cloud gave their ships maximum concealment. A German fighter escort was provided throughout the voyage. The ships were not reported until late morning when a Spitfire of Fighter Command spotted them off Le Touquet. All available Royal Navy and R.A.F. units were ordered to attack the German ships before darkness closed in.

Most of Bomber Command was 'stood down' for the day; only 5 Group was at 4 hours' notice. The bomber squadrons made a frantic effort to prepare planes for attacks, which were mounted in 3 waves. Other aircraft of Coastal and Fighter Commands and of the Fleet Air Arm were also involved. The first Bomber Command aircraft were airborne at 1.30 p.m. and 242 sorties were flown by the squadrons before dark. Every type of aircraft available flew except the Whitleys which were stationed in the North of England. Bomber Command aircraft dispatched were: 92 Wellingtons, 64 Hampdens, 37 Blenheims, 15 Manchesters, 13 Halifaxes, II Stirlings and IO of the new American-built Boston bombers with which some of the 2 Group squadrons were being equipped, although they were not yet officially ready for operations. It was the largest Bomber Command daylight operation of the war to date.

Most of the bombers were unable to find the German ships in the poor weather conditions and, of those aircraft which did bomb, no hits were scored on these fast-moving and heavily defended targets. None of the attacks by other forces caused any serious damage to the German ships but the two largest, the Scharnhorst and the Gneisenau, were both slowed down after striking mines laid by 5 Group Hampdens or Manchesters in the Frisian Islands during recent nights. Scharnhorst hit 2 mines and Gneisenau one. All the German ships reached the safety of ports in Germany before daybreak

The sailing of these ships, although a successful operation for the Germans, finally released Bomber Command from the effort-consuming and costly requirement to bomb the ships while they had been in French ports. Bomber Command had dropped 3,413 tons of bombs on these 3 ships in recent months and lost 127 aircraft in doing so. But these raids had achieved some success. Both Scharnhorst and Gneisenau had been hit and badly damaged by bombs; this and the constant threat of further damage prevented the ships from sailing from Brest on another Atlantic shipping raid and persuaded the Germans that they should be brought back to the greater protection of German ports.

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

This was another of the aircraft of the formation, and having failed to return it can only be assumed that it met a similar fate to the previously mentioned aircraft. There was 10/10ths cloud over the target area, and combined with the slight drizzle made visibility less than 1,000 yards and the attack had to be made individually.

This is one of two crews that failed to return. The crew of Wellington Z1091 (VR-A) also failed to return.

Wellington IC serial Z1156

s/n Z1156

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1156

Known Units: ;214


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IC serial Z1159

Wellington IC serial Z1170

s/n Z1170

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1170

Known Units: ;70


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IV serial Z1202

s/n Z1202

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1202

Known Units: ;142


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IV serial Z1203

s/n Z1203

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1203

Known Units: ;142


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IV serial Z1206

s/n Z1206

QT RAF Roundel F

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1206

Pratt & Whitney R-1830

Known Units: 142 Sqn; 104OTU

Built in 1941. Assigned to 142 Sqn at Binbrook on 1st Oct 1941 and became QT-F (F for Freddie). Approximately 21 combat sorties were flown from Binbrook and later Grimsby (Waltham). Many Canadians flew in Wellington Z1206 at 142 Squadron: Sergeant George Camps Hooper J16717 & R80311, pilot, Z1206 19 May 1942 (Mannheim) Flying Officer Ross Baxter Ingalls DFC J4771, pilot, Z1206 8 Jan 1942 (Brest), 20 Jan 1942 (Emden), 25 Feb 1942 (Kiel) Pilot Officer Melvin Florin Johnson J7901, pilot, Z1206 30 May 1942 (Cologne) Sergeant E B Key R65502, air gunner, Z1206 8 Jan 1942 (Brest), 20 Jan 1942 (Emden), 25 Feb 1942 (Kiel) Sergeant Robert Kenneth McGrath R59361, air gunner, Z1206 9 Mar 1942 (Essen), 5 Apr 1942 (Cologne), 8 Apr 1942 (Hamburg), 10 Apr 1942 (Essen) Sergeant Thomas Edwards Parker R59119, pilot, Z1206 20 Oct 1941 (Antwerp) Pilot Officer Joseph Eugene Roger Pichette DFM J15846 & R55241, air gunner, Z1206 16 Oct 1941 (Dunkirk) to be confirmed Pilot Officer Donald Coburn West R64968 & J16716, pilot, Z1206 19 May 1942 (Mannheim), 30 May 1942 (Cologne), 19 Jun 1942 (crashed at Thruxton) Twenty minutes into a night training flight on 19 Jun 1942, Z1206 was on approach to land when an engine failed. Pilot Officer D.C. West RCAF landed without flaps, overshot and went through a hedge. It was later found that the engine failure had been due to loosening of a throttle control lock nut. There were no injuries to the crew except for Sergeant B.E.B. Luckman, but Z1206 was badly damaged and had to be sent away for repair.

After repairs, Z1206 was transferred to 104 OTU at Nutts Corner, Northern Ireland, which was a transport training unit. Flown by numerous crews, some of whom were Canadian. On 26 Feb 1944, Z1206 was ditched in shallow water at Uig Bay, Isle of Lewis, off the west coast of Scotland. One source says this was due to fuel exhaustion while on a navigation exercise. The RAAF crew escaped unhurt. The wreck was buried by shifting sands for over 50 years. Salvaged by the Midlands Aircraft Recovery Group in 2002 after 5 years of work and planning. The front fuselage of the Wellington is being conserved and will be rebuilt for display.

source: Mark Evans, Midland Aircraft Recovery Group

Museum Midland Aircraft Recovery Group-Warwickshire UK

last update: 2025-March-05
   1941-June-04 Taken on Strength 48MU Hawarden GB 2025-03-04
   1941-October-01 Squadron Assignment 142 Sqn Binbrook GB QT-F 2025-03-04
   1942-June-19 Accident Category B 142 Sqn Thruxton GB due to engine failure while landing; damage extensive 2025-03-04
   1943-February-24 Transferred 38MU Llandow GB 2025-03-04
   1943-May-06 Squadron Assignment 104 OTU Nutts Corner IE -N 2025-03-04
   1944-January-26 Accident Crash 104 OTU Isle of Lewis GB ditched in shallow water 2025-03-04

Wellington IV serial Z1207

s/n Z1207

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1207

Known Units: ;142


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IV serial Z1210

Wellington IV serial Z1211

s/n Z1211

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1211

Wellington IV serial Z1221

s/n Z1221

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1221

Wellington IV serial Z1249

s/n Z1249

UV RAF Roundel K

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1249

Known Units: ;460


last update: 2025-October-30

Bombing 1942-06-03 to 1942-06-03

460 () () RAF Breighton, England
460 Australia Squadron (Strike And Return). Wellington aircraft Z 1249 went missing while on night operations, presumed over the target. It was established post-war that the aircraft was shot down at 01:40 Deulken near the town of Muenchengladbach about 20 miles west of Dusseldorf. The aircraft exploded and wreckage was scattered over a wide area. All the crew were killed instantly. German documents revealed that they removed the remains of the crew for burial, but a post-war search for their graves was unsuccessful. The names of the crew are recorded on the Runnymede Memorial to the Missing, in Surrey, UK, as having no known grave. Casualties included RCAF Flt. Sgt. R.D.G. Read (air gunner); RAAF Flt. Sgt's. H.R. Brodie (observer) and S. Levitus (pilot); RAAF Sgt. J.A. Gaiter (wireless operator / air gunner); and RAF Sgt. T.G.P. Townsend (air gunner).

Wellington IV serial Z1254

s/n Z1254

UV RAF Roundel L

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1254

Known Units: ;460


last update: 2025-October-30

Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1942-05-06 to 1942-05-06

460 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Breighton, England
460 Australia Squadron (Strike And Return). Wellington aircraft Z1254 was on a mission over Stuttgart, Germany, when it was coned by searchlights and hit by heavy flak. The bomber crashed near Mannheim, Germany. Casualties included RCAF Flt. Sgt. K.A. Fogg (wireless operato / air gunner); RAAF Sgt's. R.H. Murphy (second pilot) and J.R. Shearer (observer); and RAF Sqn Leader C.L. Gilbert (pilot) and RAF Sgt. C.N. Dixon (wireless operator / air gunner). RAAF Sgt. J.G. Lake (air gunner) was taken Prisoner of War.

Wellington IV serial Z1266

s/n Z1266

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1266

Known Units: ;142


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IV serial Z1274

s/n Z1274

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1274

Wellington IV serial Z1316

s/n Z1316

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1316

Known Units: ;142


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IV serial Z1321

Wellington IV serial Z1324

s/n Z1324

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1324

Wellington IV serial Z1330

Wellington IV serial Z1341

s/n Z1341

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1341

Wellington IV serial Z1383

s/n Z1383

UV RAF Roundel D

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1383

Known Units: ;460


last update: 2025-October-30

Bombing Lorient France (Artichokes) 1942-06-22 to 1942-06-22

460 () Sqn (RAAF) RAF Breighton, England
460 Australia Squadron (Strike And Return). Wellington aircraft Z 1383 took off at 2247 on 21 June 1942 from Breighton to lay mines in French waters off Lorient (Artichokes Region). The aircraft was resumed shot down in the target area. Casualties included RAAF Flt. Sgt. R.J. Buckingham (pilot); RAAF Sgt's. F.R. Martin (air gunner), W.S. McQueen (air gunner), and R.G.M. Roget (observer); and RAF Sgt. J. Moores (wireless operator).

Wellington IV serial Z1408

s/n Z1408

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1408

Known Units: ;142


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington IV serial Z1410

Wellington IV serial Z1466

Wellington IV serial Z1490

s/n Z1490

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1490

Wellington Mk. III serial Z1562

s/n Z1562

VR RAF Roundel N

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1562

Known Units: ;419

With No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF, based at Mildenhall, coded "VR*N". Lost without a trace on a mining mission on 17 / 18 May 1942. All 5 crew missing, including one RAF and one American in the RCAF.
last update: 2025-February-05

Minelaying Frisian Islands Netherlands 1942-05-17 to 1942-05-17

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Mildenhall

.419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita). Wellington aircraft Z 1562 was on a mine-laying trip in the Baltic Sea and was shot up by our own flak. The aircraft blew up and crashed in the sea off Cromer, England. All 5 crew missing, including one RAF and one American in the RCAF. This was the twentieth operation for this crew..

Wellington Mk. III serial Z1563

s/n Z1563

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1563

Wellington Mk. III serial Z1565

Wellington Mk. III serial Z1577

s/n Z1577

WS RAF Roundel T

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1577

Known Units: ;9


last update: 2025-October-30

Bombing Duisburg Germany 1942-07-24 to 1942-07-24

9 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Honington

9 Squadron (Per Noctem Volemus), RAF Honington. Wellington III aircraft Z 1577 WS-T was shot down by heavy flak during an operation against targets in Duisburg, Germany and crashed near Wetten, Kevelaer, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, Flight Sergeant Alfred Frank Chilvers Ratcliff (RCAF) and Pilot, Flying Officer Henry Ernest Brown (RAFVR) were killed in action

Pilot Officer George Burton Smith (RCAF), Sergeant Jack Arthur Westwood (RCAF), Sergeant Alfred Frank Chilvers Ratcliff (RCAF) and Pilot Officer Norman Jefferies (RAFVR) all survived to become Prisoners of War. However, the severely wounded Sergeant Ratcliff would die from his wounds while a prisoner

unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

Wellington Mk. III serial Z1578

Wellington Mk. III serial Z1597

s/n Z1597

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1597

Known Units: ;419

Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF. Crashed at Rainscombe Farm on the Wiltshire Downs on 7 July 1942 while returning from mining mission, was descending below clouds when it struck trees. All 6 crew killed.
last update: 2025-February-05

Minelaying Lorient France 1942-07-06 to 1942-07-07

419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Mildenhall
Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF. Crashed at Rainscombe Farm on the Wiltshire Downs on 7 July 1942 while returning from mining mission, was descending below clouds when it struck trees. All 6 crew killed.

Wellington Mk. III serial Z1599

s/n Z1599

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1599

Known Units: ;426

Served with No. 426 Squadron, RCAF, in the UK in 1942 and 1943. Coded "OW*M". Attacked Lorient, France on 14/15 January 1943. Attacked by a Ju-88, but returned to England without damage. Mining operation to Frisian Islands on 21/22 January 1943, light flak damage. Was coded "OW*B" when it was shot down by a night fighter on raid to Cologne on 26 / 27 February 1943. Crashed at Boerdonk (Noord Brabant) 8 km SE of Veghel.
last update: 2025-February-05

Wellington Mk. III serial Z1606

s/n Z1606

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1606

Known Units: ;115


last update: 2025-October-30

Wellington Mk. III serial Z1608

Wellington Mk. III serial Z1612

s/n Z1612

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1612

Wellington Mk. III serial Z1615

s/n Z1615

WS RAF Roundel H

Vickers-Armstrong

Z 1615

Known Units: ;49


last update: 2025-October-30

Minelaying Gardening 1942-05-15 to 1942-05-16

9 (B) Sqn (RAF)

Wellington aircraft Z1615 was shot down by flak during a mine-laying operation at Lango Island. Sergeant Gruchy, KIA (RCAF) (Cenotaph at Anglican Cemetery, St. John's, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.) was in the front turret, was hit by shell splinters, and did not get out of the aircraft when it went down in the sea.

Prisoners of War:

  • Warrant Officer P Gaum (RCAF)
  • Warrant Officer S. Richards (RAF)
  • R. Bell (RAF)
  • Flight Lieutenant J. Simpson (RAF)
  • Wellington Mk. III serial Z1620

    s/n Z1620

    Vickers-Armstrong

    Z 1620

    Known Units: ;115


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1622

    s/n Z1622

    Vickers-Armstrong

    Z 1622

    Known Units: ;156


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1623

    s/n Z1623

    VR RAF Roundel V

    Vickers-Armstrong

    Z 1623

    Known Units: ;419

    Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "VR*V". Based at Croft. Lost without a trace om mission to Aachen, 5 / 6 October 1942. All 5 crew killed.
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Bombing Aachen Germany 1942-10-05 to 1942-10-05

    419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft

    Wellington aircraft encountered severe icing conditions enroute to the target and failed to return. Two 419 Squadron aircraft did not return from this sortie and four of the Squadron's aircraft had to turn back because of the severe weather conditions

    257 aircraft- IOI Wellingtons, 74 Lancasters, 59 Halifaxes, 23 Stirlings. IO aircraft - 5 Halifaxes, 2 Stirlings, 2 Wellingtons, I Lancaster - lost, 3·9 per cent of the force. A further 6 aircraft crashed in England, possibly in thunderstorms which were present when some squadrons took off for the raid.

    The weather continued to be bad over Germany. There was little Pathfinder marking at Aachen and most of the bombing fell in other areas. Aachen reports that the raid on this night was carried out by an estimated 10 aircraft and that the centre of the attack appeared to be in the southern suburb of Burtscheid, where a 4,000-lb bomb severely damaged a hospital and 2 nearby churches. 34 fires were started, 5 of them being classified as large. A moderate amount of housing was hit and, rather surprisingly, 22 industrial buildings were damaged. 5 people were killed and 39 injured.

    Many of the bombs intended for Aachen fell in the small Dutch town of Lutterade, 17 miles away from Aachen, and it seems that most of the Pathfinder marking was over this place. The Mayor of Geleen, the Dutch district in which Lutterade is now situated, reports heavy bombing and much damage in Lutterade on that night. More than 800 houses were seriously damaged; 83 people were killed, 22 were injured md 3,000 were made homeless

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

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1624

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1625

    s/n Z1625

    Vickers-Armstrong

    Z 1625

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1648

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1654

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1657

    s/n Z1657

    Vickers-Armstrong

    Z 1657

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1659

    s/n Z1659

    Vickers-Armstrong

    Z 1659

    Known Units: ;156


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1660

    s/n Z1660

    Vickers-Armstrong

    Z 1660

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1679

    s/n Z1679

    Vickers-Armstrong

    Z 1679

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1680

    s/n Z1680

    OW RAF Roundel R

    Vickers-Armstrong

    Z 1680

    Known Units: ;426

    Served with No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*R". Bombed Lorient on 15/16 January 1943. Lost on 30 January 1943, on raid to Hamburg. Crashed in North Sea, all killed. Some crew washed up on Fano Island (Denmark?).
    last update: 2025-July-30

    Bombing Hamburg Germany 1943-01-30 to 1943-01-30

    426 (B) SE (RCAF) RAF Dishforth

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1692

    s/n Z1692

    Vickers-Armstrong

    Z 1692

    Known Units: ;23

    Served with No. 424 Squadron, RCAF, coded "QB*L".
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1717

    s/n Z1717

    Vickers-Armstrong

    Z 1717

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1721

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1724

    s/n Z1724

    Vickers-Armstrong

    Z 1724

    Known Units: ;420

    Served with No. 420 Squadron, RCAF in the UK, coded "PT*X". Bombed Lorient on 15/16 January 1943. Bombed Cologne on 14/15 February 1943. Code changed to "PT*C" when it was lost on a training mission on 1 March 1943. Crashed near Leeming airfield, Yorkshire, after loosing part of wing covering. Aircraft entered dive, lost port wing.
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1725

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1729

    s/n Z1729

    Vickers-Armstrong

    Z 1729

    Known Units: ;425

    Served with No. 425 (B) Squadron, RCAF, in the UK, coded "KW*T". Based at Dishforth. Lost on raid on Duisburg on 20 / 21 December 1942. Shot down by Hptm Werner Streib, I./NJG1, and crashed at 20:13 at Boekel (Noord Brabant), 5 km NNW of Gemert.
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1738

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1742

    s/n Z1742

    Vickers-Armstrong

    Z 1742

    Known Units: ;425

    Served with No. 420 Squadron, RCAF, coded "PT*C". Also with No. 425 Squadron, RCAF, coded "KW*C". With this unit when it failed to return from mining operation, no survivors.
    last update: 2025-February-05
       1943-February-07 Failed to Return Failed to return from mining operation, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. III serial Z1747

    Wellington Mk. II serial Z8329

    s/n Z8329

    LQ RAF Roundel L

    Z 8329

    Known Units: ;405

    Served with No. 405 Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*L". Based at Pocklington. Lost on mission to Bremen on 17 / 18 January 1942. Returning early with engine failure, engine caught fire, crashed in North Sea. 2 survivors.
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Bombing Bremen Germany 1942-01-17 to 1942-01-17

    405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
    Squadron Leader W B Keddy (RCAF): killed; Sergeant G J Masse (RCAF), Sergeant P A Gale, Flight Sergeant G F Gurr; missing believed killed; Flight Lieutenant D R S Scrivens, Sergeant R L Turnbull (RCAF): injured; Wellington Z8329, 405 Squadron; aircraft force landed in the North Sea during an operational flight, 17 January 1942.

    Wellington Mk. II serial Z8344

    s/n Z8344

    LQ RAF Roundel F

    Z 8344

    Known Units: ;405

    Served with No. 405 Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*F".
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Bombing Stettin 1941-09-19 to 1941-09-20

    405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
    Sergeant T F Dougall, Flying Officer W B Towler, Sergeant J Lord, Sergeant D J Clayden, Sergeant J Emsley, Sergeant C W Forman (RCAF): prisoners of war; Wellington Z8344, 405 Squadron, aircraft failed to return from an operational flight 20 September 1941.

    Wellington Mk. II serial Z8358

    s/n Z8358

    LQ RAF Roundel B

    Z 8358

    Known Units: ;405

    Served with No. 405 Squadron, RCAF in 1941/42, coded "LQ*B". Based at Pocklington. Crashed in North Sea during raid on Hamburg on 8 / 9 April 1942.
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Bombing Hamburg Germany 1942-04-08 to 1942-04-08

    405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
    Sergeant A H Edwards, Flight Sergeant N Leftly: killed; Pilot Officer R P Locke (RCAF), Sergeant D E Jones, Sergeant J C Dennis, Flight Sergeant J W Sanderson (RCAF): missing believed killed; Wellington Z8358, 405 Squadron RCAF; aircraft failed to return from an operational flight over Hamburg, Germany, 9 April 1942

    Wellington Mk. II serial Z8364

    s/n Z8364

    Vickers-Armstrong

    Z 8364

    Wellington Mk. ll serial Z8370

    s/n Z8370

    Z 8370

    Wellington Mk. ll serial Z8398

    s/n Z8398

    Z 8398

    Known Units: 12


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. ll serial Z8410

    s/n Z8410

    Z 8410

    Wellington Mk. II serial Z8419

    s/n Z8419

    LQ RAF Roundel V

    Z 8419

    Known Units: ;405

    Served with No. 405 Squadron, RCAF in 1941/42, coded "LQ*V". Bombed le Havre on 22 / 23 October 1941, lost without trace on return.
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Bombing Le Havre France 1941-10-22 to 1941-10-22

    405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
    405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducirnus). Wellington aircraft Z 8419 missing from a night bombing attack on Le Havre, France. Sergeants P.T. Walker, L.E. Dodge, FSs G.F. Marr, L.H. Jackson, Sergeant P.T.W. Walker (RAF), Sergeant W.L.N. Johnston (RAAF) were also killed. Last heard on W/T at 2100 signalling 'operation completed 2030

    Wellington Mk. II serial Z8428

    s/n Z8428

    LQ RAF Roundel N

    Z 8428

    Known Units: ;405

    Served with No. 405 Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*N". Damaged on return from mission to Germany on 17 August 1941. Flak and searchlights were encountered on the return near Hasselt and aircraft was attacked from astern by a Messerschmitt, firing accurate bursts. Pilot Flight Sergeant Sutherland made his a/c dive to 1000 ft and escaped. The rear gunner Flight Sergeant Payton was killed. A fire, caused by a burning parachute and oil from the damaged rear turret, was extinguished by the crew. Later hit by flak, which punctured the starboard wheel. A successful landing was made at base. Lost without a trace on mission to Essen on 10 / 11 March 1942.
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Bombing Essen Germany 1942-03-10 to 1942-03-10

    405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington
    405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus). Target - Essen, Germany. The crew of Wellington aircraft Z 8428 sent an SOS while they were over the North Sea and that was the last that was ever heard from them.. Flight Sergeant James Morley BRODDY (R/64409); Flying Officer Robert Keep DURBRIDGE (404453); Flight Sergeant Francis Campbell GARNETT (R/78261); Flight Sergeant Robert Neville LONERGAN (404550); Sergeant George Albert TILLEY (1378541) ;Sergeant William WRIGHT (1164158)

    Wellington serial Z8514

    s/n Z8514

    Z 8514

    Wellington Mk. ll serial Z8515

    s/n Z8515

    Z 8515

    Wellington Mk. II serial Z8527

    s/n Z8527

    LQ RAF Roundel L

    Z 8527

    Known Units: ;405

    Served with No. 405 Squadron, RCAF, coded "LQ*L". Crashed near Versailles on mission to Poissy on 1 / 2 April 1942.
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Bombing Poissy, France 1942-04-01 to 1942-04-01

    405 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Pocklington

    Wellington Z8527, 405 Squadron RCAF; aircraft shot down and crashed near Versailles, France, during an operational flight over Poissy, France. Pilot Officer L G Burgoyne (RCAF): prisoner of war; Flight Sergeant M A G Howsan (RAAF), Sergeant M C Howe (RCAF), Flight Sergeant R O J Page (RCAF), Sergeant W P Ashun, Pilot Officer J G MacKinnon: killed;

    On November 11, 1994, Remembrance Day in France, which is a public holiday, the Mayor and citizens of Manly in the presence of a delegation from its British "twin town", Marlow-on-Thames, commemorated the crash of the Canadian Wellington with a moving ceremony on the military cemetery near Manly. A monument to the men who died was built by the Town and unveiled jointly by the Assistant Air Attachs, of Australia, Squadron Leader Lefevre, of Britain, Squadron Leader Whitaker and of Canada, Major Poisson, representing the nationalities of the dead airmen. The ceremony was witnessed by a delegation from Marlow, led by the Mayor with, amongst others, representatives from the Royal British Legion and the Aircrew Association. All the organizations present laid wreaths. Our French friends, especially the ex-Service organizations who had been witnesses to the efforts and sacrifices made during the war, by amongst others, the allied air forces, were overwhelming in their demonstrations of friendship and comradeship. Detail provided by David E. Thompson, Middlesborough, England.

    Wellington Mk. l1 serial Z8588

    s/n Z8588

    Z 8588

    Known Units: 104


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington serial Z8591

    s/n Z8591

    Z 8591

    Known Units: 12


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington serial Z8594

    s/n Z8594

    Z 8594

    Known Units: ;104


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington serial Z8598

    Wellington serial Z8688

    s/n Z8688

    Z 8688

    Wellington serial Z8798

    s/n Z8798

    Z 8798

    Wellington serial Z8807

    s/n Z8807

    Z 8807

    Known Units: 11 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. IC serial Z8833

    Wellington serial Z8839

    s/n Z8839

    Z 8839

    Wellington serial Z8869

    s/n Z8869

    Z 8869

    Known Units: ;99


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington serial Z8905

    s/n Z8905

    Z 8905

    Wellington Mk. 1C serial Z8976

    s/n Z8976

    Z 8976

    Wellington serial Z8990

    s/n Z8990

    Z 8990

    Wellington serial Z9033

    s/n Z9033

    Z 9033

    Wellington serial Z9044

    s/n Z9044

    Z 9044

    Known Units: ;70


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington serial Z9096

    s/n Z9096

    Z 9096

    Wellington III serial AD593

    s/n AD593

    AD 593

    Wellington III serial AD596

    s/n AD596

    AD 596

    Wellington III serial AD599

    s/n AD599

    AD 599

    Wellington III serial AD606

    s/n AD606

    AD 606

    Wellington III serial AD637

    s/n AD637

    AD 637

    Known Units: 148


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington III serial AD647

    s/n AD647

    AD 647

    Wellington IC serial BB456

    s/n BB456

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BB 456

    Known Units: 215


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington IC serial BB482

    Wellington VIII serial BB513

    s/n BB513

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BB 513

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ589

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ602

    s/n BJ602

    VR RAF Roundel J

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BJ 602

    Known Units: 419

    Served with No. 419 Squadron, RCAF, coded "VR*J". This aircraft lost without a trace on 4/5 September 1942, on mission to Bremen. All 5 crew killed. 419 Squadron served with 3 & 4 Groups of RAF Bomber Command flying Wellingtons from Dec 1941-Nov 1942.
    last update: 2025-October-02

    Bombing Bremen Germany 1942-09-04 to 1942-09-05

    419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Topcliffe

    251 aircraft-98 Wellingtons, 76 Lancasters, 41 Halifaxes, 36 Stirlings. 12 aircraft- 7 Wellingtons, 3 Lancasters, 1 Halifax, 1 Stirling - lost, 4·8 per cent of the force.

    The Pathfinders introduced new techniques on this night, splitting their aircraft into 3 forces: 'illuminators', who lit up the area with white flares; 'visual markers', who dropped coloured flares if they had identified the aiming point; then 'backers-up', who dropped all-incendiary bomb loads on to the coloured flares. This basic pattern - illuminating, marking and backing-up - would form the basis of most future Pathfinder operations with proper target-indicator bombs and various electronic bombing aids being employed as they became available. The weather was clear and the Pathfinder plan worked well; heavy bombing of the target followed. Bremen confirms that this was a successful raid.

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

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ607

    s/n BJ607

    BJ 607

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ608

    s/n BJ608

    BJ 608

    Wellington Mk. III serial BJ612

    s/n BJ612

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BJ 612

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ615

    s/n BJ615

    BJ 615

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ621

    s/n BJ621

    BJ 621

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ625

    s/n BJ625

    BJ 625

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ646

    s/n BJ646

    BJ 646

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ650

    s/n BJ650

    BJ 650

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ653

    s/n BJ653

    BJ 653

    Wellington Mk. III serial BJ657

    s/n BJ657

    KW RAF Roundel G

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BJ 657

    Known Units: 425

    Served with No. 425 Squadron, RCAF at Dishforth, coded "KW*G". Lost without a trace on mission to Mannheim, 6/7 December 1942. All 5 crew killed. 425 Squadron served with 4 Group of RAF Bomber Command flying Wellingtons from June 1942-Dec 1942.
    last update: 2025-October-02

    Bombing Manheim Germany 1942-12-06 to 1942-12-07

    425 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Dishforth

    Aircraft disappeared without a trace and without reporting a position by RT.

    Wellington Mk. III serial BJ658

    s/n BJ658

    QB RAF Roundel Q

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BJ 658

    Known Units: 424

    424 Squadron served with 4 Group of RAF Bomber Command flying Wellingtons from Oct 1942-Dec 1942.
    last update: 2025-October-02
       1943-February-07 Failed to Return Failed to return from mining mission, all crew killed. 2019-08-20

    Minelaying 1943-02-07 to 1943-02-07

    424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Topcliffe

    424 Tiger Squadron (Castigandos Castigamus). Wellington aircraft BJ 658 was shot down in the Baltic Sea during a night operation. Flying Officer J.M.Patterson,Warrant Officer E.D. Coates, Pilot Officer E.T. Cox, FS H.M. Duke, and Sergeant F.J. Allen (RAF) were killed. One other member of the crew, not Canadian, missing believed killed.

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ662

    s/n BJ662

    BJ 662

    Known Units: 82 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ664

    s/n BJ664

    BJ 664

    Known Units: 12 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ673

    s/n BJ673

    BJ 673

    Known Units: 57


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ674

    s/n BJ674

    BJ 674

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ688

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ689

    s/n BJ689

    BJ 689

    Known Units: 101


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing Saarbrucken Germany 1942-09-20 to 1942-09-20

    101 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Stradishall

    SAARBRUCKEN

    118 aircraft- 72 Wellingtons, 4r Halifaxes, 5 Stirlings. 3 Wellingtons and 2 Halifaxes lost, 4.2 per cent of the force.

    The Pathfinders had to mark 2 targets on this night and the Pathfinder crews allocated to this raid experienced difficulties with ground haze. Bombing was scattered to the west of the target. Saarbriicken reports on 13 houses destroyed, 27 seriously damaged and 1 man killed.source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt

    101 Squadron (Mens Agitat Molem) RAF Stradishall, Suffolk Wellington III aircraft BJ 689, homeward-bound, was shot down by the night fighter crew of Hauptmann Herget & Feldwebel Liebherr of the 9/NJG 4, who were flying a Bf 110 from Juvincourt airfield. The Wellington crashed at Novion-Porcien, Ardennes département, France. Pilot Officer E.A.F De Bartok DFC (RCAF), FS Pilot P.F Brawley (RCAF)(USA) and Sergeant J.L Dyhouse (RAFVR) missing, presumed killed but have no known graves. They are commemorated on the Runnymeade Memorial. Three air crew members bodies were recovered and identified: Sergeant C Drury (RAFVR), Sergeant R.A Haskins (RAFVR) and Sergeant J.E Bailey (RAFVR) and all are buried in the Municipal Cemetery at Novion-Porcien, France.

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ691

    s/n BJ691

    BJ 691

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ695

    s/n BJ695

    BJ 695

    Known Units: 425

    Wellington BJ696 involved in mid air collision with Spitfire AR440, 403 Squadron, during non operational fighter affiliation flight, South of Pickering, Yorkshire, 22 September 1942. 425 Squadron served with 4 Group of RAF Bomber Command flying Wellingtons from Jun 1941-Dec 1942; then 6 Group Jan 1943-May 1943.
    last update: 2025-October-07

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ701

    s/n BJ701

    BJ 701

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ710

    s/n BJ710

    BJ 710

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ711

    s/n BJ711

    BJ 711

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ714

    s/n BJ714

    QB RAF Roundel F

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BJ 714

    Known Units: 424

    Wellington BJ714, 424 Squadron failed to return from an operational flight, Ereac, France, 26 January 1943. 424 Squadron served with 4 Group of RAF Bomber Command flying Wellingtons from Oct 1942-Dec 1942; then 6 Group until May 1943.
    last update: 2025-October-06

    Bombing Lorient France 1943-01-26 to 1943-01-26

    424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Topcliffe

    157 aircraft - 139 Wellingtons, 11 Lancasters, 4 Halifaxes, 3 Stirlings - dispatched and bombed in poor visibility. 2 Wellingtons and I Lancaster lost.

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

    Wellington aircraft BJ 714 missing, presumed over target, presumed enemy action. FSs M.E.Putnam,V.F. McHarg and W.A. Masterman were killed. Three Canadians, Sergeants A.G. Ingram, A.C. Riach, and K.G. Vallis were taken Prisoners of War.


       1943-January-27 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack at Lorient, most crew lost, but at least one POW. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ716

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ720

    s/n BJ720

    BJ 720

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ727

    s/n BJ727

    BJ 727

    Known Units: 419

    419 Squadron served with 3 & 4 Groups of RAF Bomber Command flying Wellingtons from Dec 1941-Nov 1942.
    last update: 2025-October-02

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ729

    s/n BJ729

    BJ 729

    Known Units: 419

    Wellington BJ729, 419 Squadron failed to return from an operational flight to Aachen, Germany, 5 October 1942. Crashed 2230 at Maastricht (Limburg) Holland cause of loss not established. 419 Squadron served with 3 & 4 Groups of RAF Bomber Command flying Wellingtons from Dec 1941-Nov 1942.
    last update: 2025-October-06

    Bombing Aachen Germany 1942-10-05 to 1942-10-05

    419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft

    Wellington aircraft encountered severe icing conditions enroute to the target and failed to return. Two 419 Squadron aircraft did not return from this sortie and four of the Squadron's aircraft had to turn back because of the severe weather conditions

    257 aircraft- 101 Wellingtons, 74 Lancasters, 59 Halifaxes, 23 Stirlings. IO aircraft - 5 Halifaxes, 2 Stirlings, 2 Wellingtons, I Lancaster - lost, 3.9 per cent of the force. A further 6 aircraft crashed in England, possibly in thunderstorms which were present when some squadrons took off for the raid.

    The weather continued to be bad over Germany. There was little Pathfinder marking at Aachen and most of the bombing fell in other areas. Aachen reports that the raid on this night was carried out by an estimated 10 aircraft and that the centre of the attack appeared to be in the southern suburb of Burtscheid, where a 4,000-lb bomb severely damaged a hospital and 2 nearby churches. 34 fires were started, 5 of them being classified as large. A moderate amount of housing was hit and, rather surprisingly, 22 industrial buildings were damaged. 5 people were killed and 39 injured.

    Many of the bombs intended for Aachen fell in the small Dutch town of Lutterade, 17 miles away from Aachen, and it seems that most of the Pathfinder marking was over this place. The Mayor of Geleen, the Dutch district in which Lutterade is now situated, reports heavy bombing and much damage in Lutterade on that night. More than 800 houses were seriously damaged; 83 people were killed, 22 were injured md 3,000 were made homeless

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

    Wellington Mk. III serial BJ755

    s/n BJ755

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BJ 755

    Known Units: 429

    Served with No. 425 Squadron, RCAF, coded "KW*D"; in 4 Group until Dec1942. Served with No. 429 Squadron, RCAF, coded AL*Z; with 6 Group. Mining operation to "Nectarine" on 25 February 1943. Bombed St. Nazaire on 28 February 1943. Mining operation to "Nectarine" on 2 March 1943. Bombed Hamburg on 3 March 1943. Air sea search on 4 March 1943. Took off for mission to Essen at 19:18 on 5 March 1943, crashed shortly after takeoff. One crew killed, 4 injured.
    last update: 2025-October-02
       1943-March-06 Accident Crash Crashed on takeoff for attack on Essen. 1 killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ756

    s/n BJ756

    BJ 756

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ762

    s/n BJ762

    OW RAF Roundel O

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BJ 762

    Known Units: 426

    Served with No. 426 Squadron, RCAF, coded OW*O; with 4 Group. Transferred to 6 Group Jan 1943. During mining operation to the Frisian islands 21/22 January 1943 starboard undercarriage folded on landing. The aircraft was severely damaged but the crew was unhurt. Failed to return from attack on Berlin, shot down by a night fighter, on 29/30 March 1943. Crashed at 23:46 at Nije-Mirdum, Friesland, 20 kilometres south-south-west of Sneek. 3 crew were killed, including Sgt, R.E. Todd, an American in the RCAF, and 2 POW.
    last update: 2025-October-02
       1943-March-30 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Berlin, shot down by a Nightfighter. 3 crew were killed and 2 POW. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Bochum Germany 1943-03-29 to 1943-03-30

    426 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Dishforth

    426 Thunderbird Squadron (On Wings of Fire) RAF Dishforth. Wellington aircraft BJ 762 OW-O was shot down during an operation against targets in Bochum, Germany by night fighter pilot Major Helmut Lent of the Stab 4/NJG 1, flying Bf 110 G-4 G9+AF from Leeuwarden airfield, Netherlands. The bomber crashed near Sondeler Leien, Gaasterland, Friesland, Netherlands

    Flight Sergeant RE Todd (RCAF)(USA), Sergeant JA Bailey (RCAF), and Sergeant JF Gubb (RCAF) were all killed in action

    Warrant Officer 1st Class JH Martin (RCAF), and Flight Sergeant J Taylor (RAF) both survived and were taken as Prisoners of War

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

    unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

    unvetted Source Results

    unvetted Source Wellington MkIII - BJ762 - OW-O

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ796

    s/n BJ796

    BJ 796

    Known Units: 115


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ801

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ830

    s/n BJ830

    BJ 830

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ833

    s/n BJ833

    BJ 833

    Known Units: 26 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ836

    s/n BJ836

    BJ 836

    Known Units: 1443FTF

    With 1443 Ferry Training Flight; involved in ant aircraft accident, near Harwell Aerodrome, Berkshire, 9 January 1943.
    last update: 2025-October-03

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ840

    s/n BJ840

    BJ 840

    Known Units: 156


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ841

    s/n BJ841

    BJ 841

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ844

    s/n BJ844

    BJ 844

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ846

    s/n BJ846

    BJ 846

    Known Units: 425

    Wellington BJ846, 425 Squadron, 4 Group, aircraft accident near Ripon Yorkshire, 10 November 1942. BJ846 crashed 2130 after several unsuccessful attempts to land.
    last update: 2025-October-07

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ886

    s/n BJ886

    ZL RAF Roundel F

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BJ 886

    Known Units: 427

    Served with No. 427 Squadron, RCAF, at Dishforth, coded ZL*F. Failed to return from attack at Cologne on 26/27 February 1943. All crew were killed when they were shot down by a night fighter. Crashed at 21:34 local at Boerdonk, Holland.
    last update: 2025-October-02
       1943-February-27 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack at Cologne. All were killed when they were shot down by a Nightfighter. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ894

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ897

    s/n BJ897

    BJ 897

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ911

    s/n BJ911

    BJ 911

    Known Units: 23 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ919

    s/n BJ919

    OW RAF Roundel P

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BJ 919

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ958

    s/n BJ958

    KW RAF Roundel N

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BJ 958

    Known Units: 425

    Wellington BJ958, 425 Squadron, 4 Group. Bombing mission to Krefeld. Aircraft recovered at RAF Elsham Wolds. After departure, aircraft accident, near High Hunsley, Beverley, Yorkshire, 0955 24 October 1942.
    last update: 2025-October-11

    Bombing 1942-10-24 to 1942-10-24

    425 (B) Sqn (RCAF)

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ965

    s/n BJ965

    BJ 965

    Known Units: 12 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ966

    s/n BJ966

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BJ 966

    Known Units: 420

    Served with No. 420 Squadron, RCAF at Middleton St. George, coded PT*R; with 5 Group. Failed to return from mining operation to the "Nectarines" target, off the Frisian islands, on 21/22 January 1942. All 6 crew lost, first all RCAF Bomber Command crew loss.
    last update: 2025-October-02
       1943-January-22 Failed to Return Failed to return from mining operation to the Frisian islands, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BJ969

    s/n BJ969

    BJ 969

    Known Units: 25 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK127

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK158

    s/n BK158

    BK 158

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK162

    s/n BK162

    AL RAF Roundel B

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 162

    Known Units: 429

    Served with No. 429 (B) Squadron, RCAF at East Moor, UK, coded AL*B. Flew at least 16 missions with this unit, starting with mining operation to Tershelling on 21 January 1943. Damaged by flak over Duisburg on 26 March 1943, landed at Coltishall. Bombed Frankfurt April 10/11, 1943. Failed to return from attack on Pilsen (or Mannheim?), 16/17 April 1943. Hit by light flak at 12,000 feet near Reims, then attacked by night fighter. Crashed at 02:15 local 8 kilometres south-east of Soissons, France. 5 crew were killed and one evaded. This was last Wellington III lost by 429 Squadron, and last Main Force bombing mission loss of a Wellington III.
    last update: 2025-October-10
       1943-April-17 Failed to Return Failed to return fromattack on Pilsen. 5 crew were killed and one evaded. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK164

    s/n BK164

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 164

    Known Units: 427

    Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*E. Mining operation January 2/3,1943, first squadron operation under 6 Group control. Pilot was W/C D. Burnside, returned without dropping mine due to poor weather. Flew operation to Lorient January 15/16, 1943. Attack at Essen March 12/13, 1943, hit by flak, 1 killed. Aircraft returned to base, surviving crew awarded a CGM, a bar to a DFC, and other medals.
    last update: 2025-October-02

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK165

    s/n BK165

    OW RAF Roundel F

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 165

    Known Units: 426

    Served with No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF at Dishforth, UK, coded OW*F. Failed to return from mission to attack Lorient harbour on 14/15 January 1943, no survivors. Believed to have been hit by flak over target, crashed at sea. Bodies never found.
    last update: 2025-October-02
       1943-January-15 Failed to Return Failed to return from mission to attack Lorient, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK166

    s/n BK166

    BK 166

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK200

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK205

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK213

    s/n BK213

    BK 213

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK246

    s/n BK246

    BK 246

    Known Units: 16


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK248

    s/n BK248

    BK 248

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK257

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK258

    s/n BK258

    BK 258

    Known Units: 16 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK268

    s/n BK268

    ZL RAF Roundel C

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 268

    Known Units: 419;427

    Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF, 3 & 4 Groups. With No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "ZL*C" with 6 Group. Carried out mining sortie to Frisian Islands 21/22 January 1943 with this unit, returned without dropping mine as they could not find pinpoint. With 427 Squadron when lost. Crashed on landing at Woolfax Lodge after raid on Cologne on 27 February 1943. Witness reported one engine on fire before crash. 5 killed, 1 survivor.
    last update: 2025-October-10
       1943-February-27 Accident Crash Crashed on landing at Woolfax Lodge after raid on Cologne. 5 killed, 1 survivor. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK269

    s/n BK269

    VR RAF Roundel J

    BK 269

    Known Units: 419

    Wellington BK269, 419 Squadron, 4 Group. Aircraft failed to return from an operational flight over Krefeld, Germany, 2 October 1942.
    last update: 2025-October-07

    Bombing Krefeld Germany 1942-10-02 to 1942-10-02

    419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft

    188 aircraft- 95 Wellingtons, 39 Halifaxes, 31 Lancasters, 23 Stirlings. 7 aircraft - 3 Halifaxes, 2 Wellingtons,1 Lancaster, 1 Stirling - lost, 3.7 per cent of the force.

    The Pathfinders encountered dense haze and their marking was late. The raid which developed was dispersed and not expected to cause much damage. Krefeld's rather general report on wartime bombing does not class this as a 'Grossangriff' - a major raid; only 3 streets in the northern part of the town are mentioned as being hit but most of the 41 people recorded as being killed by raids in 1942 probably died on this night.

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

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK270

    s/n BK270

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 270

    Known Units: 419

    Wellington BK270 served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF, 4 Group. Failed to return from raid on Koln, 16/17 October 1942.
    last update: 2025-October-06

    Bombing Cologne Germany 1942-10-15 to 1942-10-15

    419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft

    289 aircraft - 109 Wellingtons, 74 Halifaxes, 62 Lancasters, 44 Stirlings. 18 aircraft - 6 Wellingtons, 5 Halifaxes, 5 Lancasters, 2 Stirlings - lost, 6.2 per cent of the force.

    This was not a successful raid. Winds were different from those forecast and the Pathfinders had difficulty in establishing their position and marking the target sufficiently to attract the Main Force away from a large decoy fire site which received most of the bombs. Cologne reports I 'Luftmine' (out of 71 4,000-pounders carried by the bombing force), 3 other high-explosive bombs (out of 231) and 210 incendiary bombs (out of 68,590). 226 houses were damaged but only 2 of these received what was classed as 'serious damage'; 4 people were injured.

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK271

    s/n BK271

    BK 271

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK272

    s/n BK272

    BK 272

    Known Units: 17 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Operational 1944-07-08 to 1944-07-08

    17 (OT) OTU (RAF) RAF Turweston

    #17 Operational Training Unit's Vickers Wellington (BK272) took flight in the late evening of 7 Jul 1944 from RAF Turweston on a night training exercise. Early in the morning of July 8th the Wellington collided in mid-air with another #17 OTU Wellington lll (HE325) and crashed near Westbury in Buckinghamshire, taking the lives of the seven airmen on board. Six aircrew of the other aircraft, HE325, also perished when their Wellington crashed

    Killed included Pilot Officer Arthur Corck: Flying Officer Walter Haraczay RCAF J/29418 KIA Brookwood Military Cemetery grave 52. D. 1. Sergeant Robert Fred Bradford RAF KIA Edmonton Cemetery, Middlesex Sec. K. Grave 3349. Sergeant Bernard Hadlow RAF KIA St. Vincent Church Littlebourne Row B. Grave 6. Sergeant Jack Benjamin Lemon RAF KIA Stoke Road Cemetery Slough C. of E. Plot. Grave 2866. Pilot Officer Charles Frederick Searles RAF pilot KIA Mitcham Road Cemetery Croydon Plot P.P. Grave 40033. Sergeant Peter John Woods RAF KIA Northampton And Counties Crematorium

    .

    YouTube Collision of BK272 and HE325

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK281

    s/n BK281

    BK 281

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK296

    s/n BK296

    PT RAF Roundel J

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 296

    Known Units: 420

    Served with No. 420 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded PT*J. Failed to return from mining operation to the Frisian Islands on 13/14 March 1943, lost without a trace, no survivors

    Claim by Oblt Paul Zorner 2/NJG3 - Sea 8km North of Norderney (Jaguar): 3,000m at 03:51. (Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1943 Part 1 - Theo Boiten)

    last update: 2025-October-03
       1943-March-14 Failed to Return Failed to return from mining operation to the Frisian Islands, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK309

    s/n BK309

    BK 309

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK312

    s/n BK312

    BK 312

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK313

    s/n BK313

    BK 313

    Known Units: 115


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK330

    s/n BK330

    PT RAF Roundel K

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 330

    Known Units: 420

    Served with No. 420 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded PT*K. Flew mission to bomb Norden in daylight January 15, 1943. Returned to base, port engine was u/s. Flew mission to attack Essen in daylight January 23, 1943, slight flak damage. Failed to return from mission to Lorient on 13/14 February 1943, crashed in target area, no survivors.
    last update: 2025-October-03
       1943-February-14 Failed to Return Failed to return from mission to Lorient, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK333

    s/n BK333

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 333

    Known Units: 425;17 OTU

    Served previously with No. 425 (B) Squadron, RCAF 4 Group, coded KW*N. Wellington BK333, 425 Squadron, aircraft accident, Dishforth aerodrome, Yorkshire, 10 October 1942. Crashed while with 17 OTU on the approach to Turweston following an engine failure 11 Jan 1944.
    last update: 2025-October-10

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK335

    s/n BK335

    VR RAF Roundel Y

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 335

    Known Units: 419

    Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF, 3 & 4 Groups, coded VR*Y. Crashed on a training flight on 9 October 1942.
    last update: 2025-October-10

    Operational 1942-10-10 to 1942-10-10

    419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
    419 Moose Squadron (Moosa Aswayita) RAF Croft. Returning from a cross-country navigation training exercise, Wellington BIII aircraft BK 335 VR-Y suffered a port engine failure in a steep climbing turn after overshooting the landing. The aircraft stalled, crashed and burned at RAF Croft, Yorkshire, England with the loss of the aircraft and three crew

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK336

    s/n BK336

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 336

    Known Units: 115


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK340

    s/n BK340

    KW RAF Roundel T

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 340

    Known Units: 425

    Served with No. 425 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded KW*T. Failed to return from attack on Essen on 12/13 March 1943, shot down by a Ju 88 over Holland while returning, all crew POW. Warrant Officer Joseph Georges Gilles Claude Lamontagne (pilot), Warrant Officer Adrien Walter Brown (navigator) and Warrant Officer Joseph Adrian Vincent Gauthier (bomb aimer) received MID for their efforts to control the aircraft and extinguish fires, providing time for the crew to successfully bail out.
    last update: 2025-October-03
       1943-March-13 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack at Essen, shot down by a Nightfighter, All crew POW. 2019-08-20

    Bombing 1943-03-12 to 1943-03-13

    425 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Dishforth

    425 Alouette Squadron ((Je te plumerai) RAF Dishforth.

    Wellington III aircraft BK 340 KW-T was shot down by a night fighter during an operation to bomb the Krupps Works factories in Essen, Germany. The bomber crashed at Westfriese Dijk, Aartswoud, Noord-Holland with the entire crew surviving and were taken prisoner.

    Multiple sources credit the claim for this bomber loss to Leutnant Oscar Kostler of 10/NJG1 but there is also a claim from Feldwebel Hienz Vinke of 11/NJG1 for this same aircraft

    Warrant Officer 1st Class Marie Joseph Alfred Jean Aumond (RCAF), Warrant Officer 1st Class Adrien Walter Brown (RCAF), Flight Sergeant Joseph Adrian Vincent Gauthier (RCAF), Sergeant Joseph Georges Gilles Claude Lamontagne (RCAF) and Warrant Officer 1st Class Joseph Arthur Roland Goulet (RCAF) all survived and were taken as Prisoners of War.

    Warrant Officer 1st Class Aumond and Sergeant Goulet were both severely wounded and both were repatriated early, Aumond in October 1943 and Goulet in February 1945

    Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1 January - 22 June, 1943 Part 1 by Theo Boiten, page 45

    unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

    unvetted Source 12/13 March 1943 425 Squadron Wellington III BK340 Sergeant Lamontagne

    unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

    unvetted Source Results

    unvetted Source Vince Gauthier I RCAF 425 Alouettes

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK341

    s/n BK341

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 341

    Known Units: 75

    Wellington BK341, 75 (B) Squadron, aircraft failed to return from an operational flight, 11 October 1942. Took off from Mildenhall to lay mines in the Kattegat (Silverthorne Region). Crashed 2329 11 Oct 1942 between Langli Island and the Skallingen N of the main shipping channel leading into Esbjerg Denmark.
    last update: 2025-October-07

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK343

    s/n BK343

    ZL RAF Roundel V

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 343

    Known Units: 427

    Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*V. Flew mining operation to the Frisian islands January 09/10, 1943, returned early due to bad weather. Flew operation to Lorient January 15/16, 1943. Bombed St. Nazaire docks on 28 February /1 March 1943. Crashed in the sea off Belle Ile.
    last update: 2025-October-10
       1943-February-28 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on the docks at St. Nazaire. 5 crew were killed and 1 POW. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK344

    s/n BK344

    KW RAF Roundel B

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 344

    Known Units: 425

    Served with No. 425 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded KW*B. Flew attack at Oldenburg in daylight January 30, 1943, returned early due to lack of cloud cover. Possibly lost on 3/4 March 1943 during attack on Hamburg, see also BK334.
    last update: 2025-October-06
       1943-March-04 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack at Hamburg. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK347

    s/n BK347

    BK 347

    Known Units: 30 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK348

    s/n BK348

    QB RAF Roundel J

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 348

    Known Units: 424

    With 424 (B) Squadron QB*J. Shot down at 2300 12 Mar 1943 with the entire crew buried beneath the wreckage of their aircraft when it crashed at Echteld (Gelderland) on the N bank of the Waal 4 km ENE of Tiel Holland.
    last update: 2025-October-09

    Bombing Essen Germany 1943-03-12 to 1943-03-12

    424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Topcliffe

    457 aircraft - 158 Wellingtons, 156 Lancasters, 91 Halifaxes, 42 Stirlings, 10 Mosquitoes. 23 aircraft- 8 Lancasters, 7 Halifaxes, 6 Wellingtons, 2 Stirlings lost, 5.0 per cent of the force.

    This was another very successful Oboe-marked raid. The centre of the bombing area was right across the giant Krupps factory, just west of the city centre, with later bombing drifting back to the north-western outskirts. Photographic interpretation assessed that Krupps received 30 per cent more damage on this night than on the . earlier successful raid of 5/6 March. Nearly 500 houses were also destroyed in the raid. The number of people killed is variously reported between 169 and 322, with 198 probably being the most accurate figure, made up of 64 men, 45 women, 19 children, 4 soldiers, 61 foreign workers and 5 prisoners of war.

    German records say that one third of the bombs dropped on this night did not hit Essen and that 39 people were killed in other towns with Bottrop, just north of Essen, being the worst hit, but these towns were all close to Essen and there was often no clear division between overlapping built-up areas.

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

    Served with No. 424 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded QB*J when failed to return from attack at Essen on 12 / 13 March 1943. All crew were killed. Crashed on the north bank of the Waal, 4 kilometres east-north-east of Tiel, near Echteld or Gelderland, Holland.


       1943-March-13 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack at Essen. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK361

    s/n BK361

    BK 361

    Known Units: 166

    Took off 2118 8 April 1943 from Kirmington. Last heard on W/T at 0029 9 April 1943 transmitting SOS at which time the Wellington was plotted at 5030N 0206E.

    Plt Offr B M MARION (J/22552) Evader Wellington III BK361 1943-04-08 166 Sqdn

    Sgt George Stanley BARCLAY (413369) Wellington III BK361 1943-04-08 166 Sqdn Stalag Luft L6 Heydekrug
    Sgt Arthur Herbert CONRAD (1263438) Wellington III BK361 1943-04-08 166 Sqdn Stalag 357 Kopernikus
    Sgt Robert Wesley HART (1391223) Wellington III BK361 1943-04-08 166 Sqdn Stalag Luft L6 Heydekrug
    Sgt Ronald Francis LIMAGE (1391336) Wellington III BK361 1943-04-08 166 Sqdn Stalag 4B Muhlberg (Elbe)
    last update: 2025-October-10

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK367

    s/n BK367

    BK 367

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK368

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK387

    s/n BK387

    BK 387

    Known Units: 82


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Operational 1944-01-01 to 1944-01-02

    82 (B) OTU (RAF) RAF Ossington
    Memorial stone near crash site. Image by Colin Dickinson of Haworth UK

    The aircraft flew into a hillside at Tewitt Hall Wood above Oakworth. A stone unveiled recently in West Yorkshire was the work of the Oakworth Village Society, helped by a generous donation from an anonymous villager. Under the RCAF badge are the names of the six crew, all Canadians, who were killed in the crash. The memorial at the isolated crash site was dedicated on 4 July 1993 at a service attended by more than 500 people. Keighley Squadron, ATC, personnel from RAF Leeming and officers from The Canadian Armed Forces were present and a BBMF Spitfire made several low passes. Detail provided by David E. Thompson, Middlesborough, England.

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK389

    s/n BK389

    ZL RAF Roundel L

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 389

    Known Units: 427

    Served with No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded ZL*L. Flew mining mission January 2/3,1943, hit by flak resulting in a one foot square hole in the starboard wing. This was first squadron operation under 6 Group control. Failed to return from attack at Oldenburg in daylight on 30 January 1943, lost without a trace, no survivors.
    last update: 2025-October-06
       1943-January-30 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack at Oldenburg in daylight, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK401

    s/n BK401

    KW RAF Roundel B

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 401

    Known Units: 425;426

    Served with No. 425 (B) Squadron, RCAF at Dishforth, 4 Group, coded KW*B. Served with No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded OW*M when lost without a trace. Failed to return from attack on Essen on 5/6 March 1943, no survivors.
    last update: 2025-October-06
       1943-March-06 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack at Essen, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK429

    s/n BK429

    AL RAF Roundel Q

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 429

    Known Units: 429

    Served with No. 429 (B) Squadron, RCAF at East Moor, coded AL*Q. Bombed Wilhelmshaven on 19 February 1943. Mining operation to Nectarine 2 area on 25 February 1943, and to Nectarine 1 on 27 February 1943. Bombed St. Nazarine on 28 February 1943. Mission to Nectarine 1 on 2 March 1943, brought mines back due to bad weather. Bombed Hamburg on 3 March 1943. Mining to Nectarine 2 on 7 March 1943. Failed to return from mission on 9/10 March 1943, no survivors. Reported as raid on Munich and as mining in Carrot area.
    last update: 2025-October-06
       1943-March-10 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack at Munich, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. III serial BK435

    s/n BK435

    OB RAF Roundel U

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 435

    Known Units: 424

    Served with No. 424 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded QB*U, in the UK. Failed to return from mining operation to the Frisian Islands on 20/21 February 1943, shot down by Oblt Rudolf Sigmund of IV/NJG I into the North Sea, all were killed. Reported shot down at 19:46 local, 50 kilometres north of Texel. Crew was one RNZAF, 2 RCAF and 2 RAF.
    last update: 2025-October-10

    Minelaying Frisian Islands Netherlands (Nectarines) 1943-02-20 to 1943-02-20

    424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Topcliffe

    Served with No. 424 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded QB*U, in the UK. Failed to return from mining operation to the Frisian Islands on 20 / 21 February 1943, shot down by Oblt Rudolf Sigmund of IV/NJG I into the North Sea, all were killed. Reported shot down at 19:46 local, 50 kilometres north of Texel. Crew was one RNZAF, 2 RCAF and 2 RAF.


       1943-February-21 Failed to Return Failed to return from mining operation to the Frisian Islands, shot down by a Nightfighter into the North Sea, all were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK440

    s/n BK440

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 440

    Known Units: 26 OTU

    Wellington BK440 T/O 06.45 11 Dec 1943 Little Horwood for a navigation sortie. Exploded 08.00, or thereabouts, and crashed near Park Farm, Hindolveston, 8 miles ESE of Fakenham in Norfolk. Five were taken to Cambridge City Cemetery, while Sergeant Brown is buried in Rushden Cemetery. In the years since this tragedy, various items of debris have been recovered from the fields and the more important pieces are now with the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum at Flixton.

    incorrect aircraft
    Served with No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded OW*V. Flew attack at Wilhelmshaven February 24/25, 1943. Attacked 5 times by Ju 88, large hole in fuselage. Flew attack at Essen March 12/13, 1943. Attacked by fighter, no damage. Flew attack on Kiel April 4/5, 1943. Attacked by single engine fighter, no damage.
    last update: 2025-October-10

    Operational 1943-12-11 to 1943-12-11

    (OT) OTU (RAF)

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK441

    s/n BK441

    BK 441

    Known Units: 29 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK459

    s/n BK459

    BK 459

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK463

    s/n BK463

    BK 463

    Known Units: 83 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK468

    s/n BK468

    PT RAF Roundel R

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 468

    Known Units: 420

    Served with No. 420 (B) Squadron, RCAF at Middleton St. George, coded PT*R. Failed to return from attack at Cologne on 26/27 February 1943. All 5 crew were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-06
       1943-February-27 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack at Cologne. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK495

    s/n BK495

    BK 495

    Known Units: 115


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK503

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK506

    s/n BK506

    BK 506

    Known Units: 23 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK512

    s/n BK512

    BK 512

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK513

    s/n BK513

    BK 513

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK517

    s/n BK517

    BK 517

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK536

    s/n BK536

    BK 536

    Known Units: 142


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK540

    s/n BK540

    AL RAF Roundel C

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 540

    Known Units: 429

    Served with No. 429 (B) Squadron, RCAF at East Moor, coded AL*C when lost. Bombed Lorient on 26 January 1943. Bombed Wilhelmshaven on 19 February 1943. Bombed Cologne on 26 February 1943. Returned early from mission to St. Nazaire on 28 February 1943, due to electrical fire in bomb bay. Landed at Abington. Bombed Essen on 5 March 1943. Mining operation to Nectarine 1 on 7 March 1943. Mining operation to Trefoil on 22 March 1943. Bombed Duisburg on 26 March 1943. Bombed St. Nazaire on 28 March 1943. Failed to return from attack on Berlin on 29/30 March 1943. Last reported position was 53:33N - 01:40E at 20:43 UK time. All 5 crew were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-06
       1943-March-30 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Berlin. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK549

    s/n BK549

    BK 549

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK552

    s/n BK552

    BK 552

    Known Units: 29 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK557

    s/n BK557

    KW RAF Roundel S

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 557

    Known Units: 425

    Served with No. 425 (B) Squadron, RCAF 4 Group, at Dishforth, coded KW*S. Lost on mission to Hamburg on 9/10 November 1942, possibly brought down by flak west of target. Claimed by 8 Flak Division. Five crew killed, one PoW. Crashed near Bad Zwischenahn, 14 kilometres west-north-west of Oldenburg, Germany, at 21:35 local time.
    last update: 2025-October-10

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK559

    s/n BK559

    BK 559

    Known Units: 30 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial BK564

    s/n BK564

    NR RAF Roundel R

    Vickers-Armstrong

    BK 564

    Known Units: 428

    Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF from 2 December 1942, coded NA*R. Bombed Lorient on 4/5 and 7/8 February 1943. Failed to return from attack on Bochum / Berlin on 29/30 March 1943. Crashed near Gelsenkirchen, 4 crew were killed and 1 POW.
    last update: 2025-October-09
       1943-March-30 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Berlin. Crashed near Gelsenkirchen, 4 crew were killed and 1 POW. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Bochum Germany 1943-03-29 to 1943-03-30

    428 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Dalton

    428 Ghost Squadron (Usque Ad Finem) RAF Dalton. Wellington BIII aircraft BK 564 NR-R was shot down during a raid on targets in Bochum, Germany and crashed near Gelsenkirchen, Germany

    Pilot Officer JLRVF Cartier (RCAF) Flight Sergeant PB Gustavsen (RCAF) and Flying Officer JF Spencer (RAFVR) were killed in action. Two crew members were able to bail. One, Sergeant HF Rhodes (RAFVR) was injured and he survived to reach the ground but died from his injuries 1943-04-12 in hospital. Sergeant D King (RCAF) survived and was taken as Prisoner Of War

    There were two 428 Squadron Wellington aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial HE 175 NA-V for additional information

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

    unvetted Source Daily Operations

    Wellington Mk. III serial DF615

    s/n DF615

    Vickers-Armstrong

    DF 615

    Known Units: 420

    Served with No. 420 Squadron, RCAF in the UK, coded "PT*S". Failed to return from attack on the dock area of Lorient on 29/30 January 1943, no survivors.
    last update: 2025-October-10
       1943-January-30 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on the dock area of Lorient, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. III serial DF626

    s/n DF626

    Vickers-Armstrong

    DF 626

    Known Units: 420

    Served with No. 420 Squadron, RCAF coded "PT*Y". Dispatched for attack on the dock area of Lorient on 29 / 30 January 1943, crashed near Woodbury Common, near Exeter in Devon outbound, only 2 survived. Marine Sgt. W. West received BEM for rescue efforts at the crash site.
    last update: 2025-October-10
       1943-January-30 Accident Crash Dispatched for attack on the dock area of Lorient, crashed near Exeter outbound, only 2 survived. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. III serial DF635

    s/n DF635

    Vickers-Armstrong

    DF 635

    Known Units: 428

    Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF coded "NA*I". Failed to return from attack on Duisberg on 8/9 April 1943, shot down by a night fighter at 18,000 feet over the target. All crew were POW.
    last update: 2025-October-10
       1943-April-09 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Duisberg, shot down by a night fighter. All crew were POW. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. III serial DF636

    s/n DF636

    Vickers-Armstrong

    DF 636

    Known Units: 420

    Served with No. 420 Squadron, RCAF, 4 Group, coded "PT*S". Lost on 13/14 October 1942, crashed at Leeming at 01:38 local, while attempting go-around after returning from mission to Kiel. All 5 crew killed.
    last update: 2025-October-10

    Wellington Mk. III serial DF637

    s/n DF637

    PT RAF Roundel F

    Vickers-Armstrong

    DF 637

    Known Units: 420

    Served with No. 420 Squadron, RCAF coded "PT*F". Damaged on 19/20 February 1943 during a raid on Wilhelmshaven, by night fighter and by flak. Port engine quit after night fighter attack, one crew member bailed out. Landed at Coltishall on one engine.
    last update: 2025-October-10

    Bombing Wilhelmshaven Germany 1943-02-19 to 1943-02-20

    420 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Middleton St George

    Aircraft was damaged by flak and then attacked by a Bf 110 night fighter. The rear gunner Warrant Officer 2nd Class Beresford baled out but did not survive. The pilot, Flight Sergeant RE Taylor (RCAF), managed to fly the damaged aircraft on one engine back to a safe landing in Coltishall, England. Taylor was awarded a DFM for this sortie. D Parker, R Koval, FF Years

    Wellington Mk. III serial DF639

    s/n DF639

    Vickers-Armstrong

    DF 639

    Known Units: 75


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. III serial DF664

    s/n DF664

    VR RAF Roundel E

    Vickers-Armstrong

    DF 664

    Known Units: 419

    Served with No. 419 (B) Squadron, RCAF, 4 Group. Coded "VR*E" when lost on 13/14 October 1942 during raid on Kiel. Crashed in North Sea off Brockeswalde, Germany. All 5 crew killed.
    last update: 2025-October-10

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

    419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Croft

    288 aircraft - roo Wellingtons, 82 Lancasters, 78 Halifaxes, 28 Stirlings. 8 aircraft- 5 Wellingtons, 1 each of other types - lost, 2.8 per cent of the force.

    A decoy fire site was operating and at least half of the bombing was drawn away into open countryside, but the rest of the attack fell on Kiel and its immediate surroundings. The Kiel diarist records a now familiar list of area-bombing damage, the only items of particular interest being that 17 omnibuses were destroyed in their garage or parking area and that much of the bombing fell on the south-eastern suburbs of Elmschenhagen. He also refers to a constantly recurring theme in recent raids, the vast amount of roof damage and glass breakage with the increasing use by Bomber Command of high-capacity blast bombs. 250,000 square metres of roof tiling and 150,000 square metres of glass were blown away in Kiel on this night. Casualties were 41 killed and 101 injured. Finally, Herr Boelck writes: 'Amazingly, the Flak hardly opened fire for some time although the bombers were over the town.* This withholding of fire was a ploy which the German defences developed to hinder the identification of a target by the bombers, particularly when a nearby decoy site was being used. There were often disagreements between local party officials who wanted their people to see the Flak banging away vigorously, and the local Luftwaffe Flak commanders who were attempting this tactical deception.

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

    Wellington Mk. III serial DF665

    s/n DF665

    VR RAF Roundel Q

    Vickers-Armstrong

    DF 665

    Known Units: 419


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing Saarbrucken Germany 1942-08-28 to 1942-08-28

    419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Topcliffe

    II3 aircraft - 71 Wellingtons, 24 Halifaxes, 17 Hampdens, I Stirling. This was an experimental raid by a force of oddments - Halifaxes of 4 Group which were being rested from major operations, Hampdens of 5 Group and new crews from other groups. There were no Pathfinders. The moon was four fifths full and it was judged that this relatively undefended target, just inside Germany, could be successfully attacked while the main raid on Nuremberg was taking place.

    The raid was not a success; bombing was scattered over a wide area. 15 houses were destroyed and 51 seriously damaged in Saarbriicken and one woman was killed. 7 aircraft - 4 Hampdens, 2 Halifaxes, I Wellington - lost, 6.2 per cent of the force.

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

    Vickers Wellington B. Mk. III s/n DF665 and code VR*Q, was shot down by a BF 110 night-fighter flown by Oberluetnant Kurt Martinek 9./NJG 4 operating from Laon-Athies airfield in France.

    The 'Wimpy' as the Wellington was affectionately known as, crashed at 23:30 hours at Petit-Deische, Namur, Belgium on the border with France and roughly 2 km's north-west of the French town of Givet. Only one crewmember survived and became an evader. R.C.A.F. Sergeant W. H. Ledford made it back to England on the 2nd of November, 1942.

    Sadly after returning to ops, Ledford was killed in action on the 23rd of August while a member of No. 434 'Bluenose' (B) Squadron.

    Oberleutnant Kurt Martinek and Oberfeldwebel Fritz Gudjons were both killed in crash of Bf 110E-4 w.n.3818 C9+AL of 3/NJG5 at Neudorf 5km's north-west of Stendal, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany on the night of the 3rd/4th of November,1942. It had been a non-operational flight.

    source: Chris Charland

    .

    Wellington Mk. III serial DF683

    s/n DF683

    Vickers-Armstrong

    DF 683

    Wellington Mk. X serial DF686

    s/n DF686

    Vickers-Armstrong

    DF 686

    Known Units: 420

    Used by No. 420 Squadron, RCAF, in North Africa in 1943. Mission 17/18 Aug 1943 to attack beach targets between Briatico and Capo Suvero Italy. DF686 and crew not heard from again.
    last update: 2025-October-10

    Bombing Briatico Cape Semero Sicily 1943-08-17 to 1943-08-18

    420 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Kairuan Tunisia

    Mission: 11 aircraft were bombed up and took of to attack beach targets between Briatico and Capo Suvero Italy. There were no noticeable concentrations of personnel or barges on the beaches. Bombs were seen to burst in the vicinity of the aiming point. It is believed fuel storage supplies were struck, causing flames to reach 400 feet.

    DF686 and crew not heard from again. Some sources say targeting Pizzo Italy

    Wellington Mk. III serial DF709

    s/n DF709

    Vickers-Armstrong

    DF 709

    Known Units: 142


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. III serial DF728

    s/n DF728

    Vickers-Armstrong

    DF 728

    Wellington Mk. III serial DF742

    Wellington 1C serial DV411

    s/n DV411

    DV 411

    Wellington 1C serial DV457

    s/n DV457

    DV 457

    Wellington 1C serial DV458

    s/n DV458

    DV 458

    Known Units: 1 OADU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial DV475

    s/n DV475

    DV 475

    Known Units: 23 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial DV483

    s/n DV483

    DV 483

    Wellington 1C serial DV510

    s/n DV510

    DV 510

    Wellington serial DV520

    s/n DV520

    DV 520

    Wellington 1C serial DV543

    s/n DV543

    DV 543

    Known Units: 37


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial DV564

    s/n DV564

    DV 564

    Known Units: 70


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial DV569

    s/n DV569

    DV 569

    Wellington 1C serial DV579

    s/n DV579

    DV 579

    Known Units: 103


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing Rostock Germany 1942-04-25 to 1942-04-25

    103 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Elsham Wolds

    ROSTOCK 128 aircraft of 6 types,110 to the town and 18 to the Heinkel factory. No aircraft were lost although crews reported that Rostock's Flak defences had been strengthened. (ORB confirms that DV579 was lost on this raid)

    Heavy bombing of the town and many fires were achieved. Some aircraft also hit the Heinkel! factory for the first time; the crews achieving this were flying Manchesters from 106 Squadron, which was commanded by Wing Commander Guy Gibson. source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt

    Wellington 1C serial DV643

    s/n DV643

    DV 643

    Wellington 1C serial DV653

    s/n DV653

    DV 653

    Known Units: 22 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial DV663

    s/n DV663

    DV 663

    Known Units: 40


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial DV674

    s/n DV674

    DV 674

    Wellington 1C serial DV695

    s/n DV695

    DV 695

    Wellington 1C serial DV699

    s/n DV699

    Vickers-Armstrong

    DV 699

    Wellington 1C serial DV700

    s/n DV700

    DV 700

    Known Units: 23 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial DV703

    s/n DV703

    DV 703

    Known Units: 26 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial DV715

    s/n DV715

    DV 715

    Known Units: 156


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial DV726

    s/n DV726

    DV 726

    Known Units: 20 OTU;238


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial DV731

    Wellington 1C serial DV763

    Wellington 1C serial DV773

    s/n DV773

    DV 773

    Known Units: 16 OTU;103


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial DV812

    Wellington 1C serial DV816

    s/n DV816

    DV 816

    Wellington 1C serial DV828

    s/n DV828

    DV 828

    Known Units: 156;16


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial DV831

    s/n DV831

    DV 831

    Wellington 1C serial DV834

    Wellington 1C serial DV843

    Wellington 1C serial DV866

    s/n DV866

    DV 866

    Wellington 1C serial DV867

    s/n DV867

    DV 867

    Known Units: 26 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial DV875

    s/n DV875

    DV 875

    Wellington 1C serial DV885

    s/n DV885

    DV 885

    Known Units: 26 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial DV931

    s/n DV931

    DV 931

    Known Units: 162


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial DV932

    Wellington 1C serial DV934

    Wellington 1C serial DV944

    s/n DV944

    DV 944

    Known Units: 162


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. IC serial HD947

    Wellington Mk. IC serial HD955

    s/n HD955

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HD 955

    Wellington Mk. IC serial HD977

    s/n HD977

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HD 977

    Wellington Mk. IC serial HD984

    s/n HD984

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HD 984

    Wellington Mk. IC serial HD985

    s/n HD985

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HD 985

    Wellington Mk. IC serial HE112

    Wellington Mk. IC serial HE116

    Wellington Mk. IC serial HE126

    s/n HE126

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 126

    Wellington Mk. IC serial HE132

    s/n HE132

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 132

    Wellington Mk. X serial HE152

    s/n HE152

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 152

    Wellington Mk. X serial HE155

    s/n HE155

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 155

    Wellington Mk. X serial HE157

    s/n HE157

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 157

    Known Units: 420;426

    Served with No. 420 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "PT*U". Used by No. 426 Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*N" when lost. Failed to return from attack on Duisberg on 12/13 May 1943. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-10
       1943-May-13 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Duisberg. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. X serial HE159

    s/n HE159

    QB RAF Roundel P

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 159

    Known Units: 424


    last update: 2025-October-30
       1943-April-11 Accident Crash Serious engine problems during attack at Frankfurt. 1 bailed out rest killed when a/c crashed near Rolvenden. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Frankfurt Germany 1943-04-10 to 1943-04-11

    424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming

    Battle of the Ruhr

    502 aircraft- r44 Wellingtons, r36 Lancasters, r24 Halifaxes, 98 Stirlings. 2r aircraft - 8 Wellingtons, 5 Lancasters, 5 Stirlings, 3 Halifaxes - lost, 4.2 per cent of the force.

    Complete cloud cover in the target area again led to a failure. The bombing photographs of every aircraft showed nothing but cloud and Bomber Command had no idea where bombs had fallen. Frankfurt reports only a few in the suburbs of the city south of the River Main. The only damage listed was fires in a paper-goods store and in the rafters of a few neighbouring houses. The Frankfurt report says that there were no casualties in the city, but another report says that 18 people died, presumably in country areas.

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

    Wellington aircraft HE 159 had engine failure and crashed at Lambs Ponds, near Tenterden, Kent, England. WO. R.M. Buie, FS A.W. Kimmerly, and P/Os L.K.Taylor, R.W. Thompson (RAF) were killed.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE161

    s/n HE161

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 161

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE170

    s/n HE170

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 170

    Known Units: 196


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE173

    s/n HE173

    NA RAF Roundel S

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 173

    Known Units: 428

    With No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF from 8 December 1942. Coded "NA*S", when it crashed 1 mile NW of Dishforth after takeoff on night training flight, 31 January 1943. Caught fire shortly after take off, 3 crew killed and 1 injured. First aircraft lost by this squadron.
    last update: 2025-October-11
       1943-January-31 Accident Crash Crashed on training flight, see comments. 2019-08-20

    Operational 1943-01-30 to 1943-01-31

    428 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Dishforth

    428 Ghost Squadron (Usque Ad Finem) RAF Dalton. Flying out of RAF Station Dishforth, Yorkshire rather than the Squadron home field of RAF Dalton, Wellington X aircraft HE 173 NA-S was on a night flying exercise when it crashed one mile north-west of the aerodrome at RAF Dishforth. The aircraft had already been flown on a cross-country flight earlier that night and the crew had reported no issues with the aircraft, although an engine starter motor issue had prevented this aircraft from participation in operations the night of January 28/29. The crew then made three successful take-off and landing circuits from RAF Dishforth and at 02:12 they began a fourth. The aircraft climbed normally to between 300 and 500 feet, but then gradually descended until it crashed just north-east of the airfield. The crash-site was near Lingham Lane Farm and three of the four aboard were killed. It was thought that the pilot was so pre-occupied in making sure that the flaps and undercarriage were raised after take-off that he failed to keep the aircraft's nose up. The rear gunner was the only survivor. A Wellington bomber would normally have a crew of five but the Squadron Operations Record Book confirms the number of four aircrew aboard for this flight.

    This accident was the first fatal accident 428 Squadron had sustained since it formed in November 1942

    Flying Officer George Wood (RCAF), Flying Officer Norman Gorick (RAFVR), Flight Sergeant William Mossop (RAFVR) were all killed in this training flying accident

    The rear gunner, Sergeant John Welsh (RAFVR) was the only survivor from this crash

    (detail provided by John Jones, London, UK)

    unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

    unvetted Source ircraft accidents in Yorkshire

    unvetted Source 428 Squadron Wellington X HE173 NA-S Flying Officer Gorick

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE176

    s/n HE176

    NA RAF Roundel F

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 176

    Known Units: 428

    With No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*F". Bombed Kiel on 4/5 April 1943. Shot down while on a raid to Stuttgart on 14/15 April 1943. Crashed at Freiburg, Germany.
    last update: 2025-October-11
       1943-April-15 Accident Crash Shot down while on a raid to Stuttgart. Crashed at Freiburg, Germany. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE177

    s/n HE177

    NA RAF Roundel G

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 177

    Known Units: 428

    With No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*G". Bombed Cologne on 26/27 February 1943, attacked by night fighter. Crashed after an overshoot at East Moor on 22 May 1943 after mining operation to the Frisian Islands (Nectarine target area). 1 survivor.
    last update: 2025-October-11
       1943-May-22 Accident Crash Crashed after an overshoot at East Moor after mining operation to the Frisian Islands (Nectarine target area). 1 survivor. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE182

    s/n HE182

    SE RAF Roundel A

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 182

    Known Units: 431

    Wellington aircraft HE 182 missing, presumed over the target Berli, presumed enemy action. Warrant Officer 2 Philip Frank Yellin killed, Sergeants E.J. Aspden (RAF), R. Davies (RAF), and J.H. Kinnber (RAF) were also killed. One other member of the crew, not Canadian, missing believed killed.
    last update: 2025-October-12
       1943-March-30 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Berlin, shot down by flak. 4 crew were killed and 1 POW. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-03-29 to 1943-03-30

    431 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Burn

    Battle of the Ruhr

    329 aircraft - 162 Lancasters, 103 Halifaxes, 64 Stirlings. 21 aircraft - 11 Lancasters, 7 Halifaxes, 3 Stirlings - lost, 6.4 per cent of the force.

    Weather conditions were difficult, with icing and inaccurately forecast winds. The marking for the raid appeared to be concentrated but in a position which was too far south and the Main Force arrived late. Most of the bombs fell in open country 6 miles south-east of Berlin. German records say that 148 people were killed in Berlin and 148 buildings were totally destroyed but there is some doubt about the accuracy of these figures.

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

    Wellington aircraft HE 182 missing, presumed over the target, presumed enemy action. Warrant Officer 2 Philip Frank Yellin killed, Sergeants E.J. Aspden (RAF), R. Davies (RAF), and J.H. Kinnber (RAF) were also killed. One other member of the crew, not Canadian, missing believed killed.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE183

    s/n HE183

    SE RAF Roundel J

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 183

    Known Units: 431

    Wellington aircraft HE 183 missing, presumed over the target, presumed enemy action. Squadron Leader T.B. Marshall (RAF), Flying Officer D.J. Macmillan and Sergeant A.E. Quaife (RAF) were killed. F/O.s D. Coales (RAF) and D.S. Gooderham (RAF) were also killed.
    last update: 2025-October-11
       1943-May-14 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Bochum. No survivors. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Bochum Germany 1943-05-13 to 1943-05-14

    (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Burn

    Battle of the Ruhr

    442 aircraft - 135 Halifaxes, 104 Wellingtons, 98 Lancasters, 95 Stirlings, IO Mosquitoes; 5 Group did not take part in this raid. 24 aircraft- 13 Halifaxes, 6 Wellingtons, 4 Stirlings, 1 Lancaster - lost, 5.4 per cent of the force.

    This raid started well but, after 15 minutes, what were believed to be German decoy markers drew much of the bombing away from the target. The only information available from Germany is that 394 buildings in Bochum were destroyed, 716 were seriously damaged and 302 people were killed.

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

    Wellington aircraft HE 183 missing, presumed over the target, presumed enemy action. Squadron Leader T.B. Marshall (RAF), Flying Officer D.J. Macmillan and Sergeant A.E. Quaife (RAF) were killed. F/O.s D. Coales (RAF) and D.S. Gooderham (RAF) were also killed.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE199

    s/n HE199

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 199

    Known Units: 431;82 OTU

    Served previously with No. 431 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "SE*R". Lost while with 82 OTU; the crew of Wellington HE199 were returning from a Nickel raid over northwest France when they were shot down at Gillingham, Dorset, England by a friendly Mosquito night fighter aircraft. Sergeant W.H. McGuigan and Warrant Officer L.F. Davey were also killed.
    last update: 2025-October-11

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE201

    s/n HE201

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 201

    Known Units: 431;82 OTU

    Served previously with No. 431 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "SE*T". Claimed two night fighters shot down during mission to Stuttgart on 14/15 April 1943, one substantiated by German records.
    last update: 2025-October-11

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE213

    s/n HE213

    SE RAF Roundel F

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 213

    Known Units: 431

    Wellington aircraft HE 213 failed to return from operations 11 Apr 1943. Sergeant A. Holden (RAF) was also killed. Three others of the crew, not Canadians, missing believed killed.
    last update: 2025-October-11
       1943-April-11 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack at Frankfurt, 3 crew were POWs and 2 killed after ditching near the Channel Islands. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Frankfurt Germany 1943-04-10 to 1943-04-11

    431 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Burn

    Battle of the Ruhr

    502 aircraft- 144 Wellingtons, 136 Lancasters, 124 Halifaxes, 98 Stirlings. 21 aircraft - 8 Wellingtons, 5 Lancasters, 5 Stirlings, 3 Halifaxes - lost, 4.2 per cent of the force.

    Complete cloud cover in the target area again led to a failure. The bombing photographs of every aircraft showed nothing but cloud and Bomber Command had no idea where bombs had fallen. Frankfurt reports only a few in the suburbs of the city south of the River Main. The only damage listed was fires in a paper-goods store and in the rafters of a few neighbouring houses. The Frankfurt report says that there were no casualties in the city, but another report says that 18 people died, presumably in country areas.

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

    Wellington aircraft HE 213 failed to return from operations. Sergeant A. Holden (RAF) was also killed. Three others of the crew, not Canadians, missing believed killed.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE228

    s/n HE228

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 228

    Known Units: 192


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE231

    s/n HE231

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 231

    Known Units: 192


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE238

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE243

    s/n HE243

    OW RAF Roundel E

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 243

    Known Units: 426

    Served with No. 426 Squadron, RCAF, in the UK 1943, coded "OW*E". Failed to return from attack on Bochum on 13/14 May 1943, no survivors.
    last update: 2025-October-11
       1943-May-14 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Bochum, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE244

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE261

    s/n HE261

    KH RAF Roundel R

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 261

    Known Units: 425

    Used by No. 425 (B) Squadron, RCAF, in North Africa in 1943, coded "R". Crashed into the sea off Cap Bon, near Hacquarhe, Tunisia on 6 August 1943, while attempting a go-around. All 5 crew killed.

    Operatins Record Books August 6 1943 Operations Record Book



    last update: 2025-October-11

    Bombing 1943-08-06 to 1943-08-06

    431 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Kairouan/Zina (approx.) N.Africa

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE266

    s/n HE266

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 266

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE272

    s/n HE272

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 272

    Known Units: 424

    Wellington aircraft HE 272 failed to return from operations over Sicily 29 June. W/O 1st cl. H.E.Mayer, Flying Officer L.R. Nussbaum, Pilot Officer P.J. McManus, FSs W.R. Roberts, and L.A. Ferguson were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-11

    Bombing Messina Sicily Italy 1943-06-29 to 1943-06-29

    424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Kairouan/Zina (approx.) N.Africa

    Wellington aircraft HE 272 failed to return from operations over Sicily. W/O 1st cl. H.E.Mayer, Flying Officer L.R. Nussbaum, Pilot Officer P.J. McManus, FSs W.R. Roberts, and L.A. Ferguson were killed. There were two 424 Sqdn. aircraft lost on this date. The following RAF personnel were also killed; Sergeants J. Canning, S.D. Rollinson, A.C. Whiteman, F/Os W.H.J. Pickard, and K. Marsland.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE276

    s/n HE276

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 276

    Known Units: 17


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE280

    s/n HE280

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 280

    Known Units: 420

    Used by No. 420 Squadron, RCAF, coded "PT*V". Failed to return from attack at Essen on 5/6 March 1943. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-13

    Bombing 1943-03-05 to 1943-03-05

    420 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Middleton St George

       1943-March-06 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack at Essen. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE281

    s/n HE281

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 281

    Known Units: 426

    Served with No. 426 Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*D". Failed to return from attack on Dortmund on 23/24 May 1943. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-13
       1943-May-24 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Dortmund. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Dortmund Germany 1943-05-24 to 1943-05-24

    426 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Dishforth

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE284

    s/n HE284

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 284

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE290

    s/n HE290

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 290

    Known Units: 166


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE293

    s/n HE293

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 293

    Known Units: 142


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing Milan Italy 1944-07-13 to 1944-07-13

    142 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Regina, Foggia, Italy

    142 Squadron (Determination) RAF Regina, Foggia, Italy. Wellington BX aircraft HE 293-D had been struck by flak and was struggling in poor weather conditions when it crashed in the Passo della Portula, near Bergamo, 50 miles north east of the target, the Lambrate Marshalling Yards in Milan, Italy

    Pilot Officer E A W Dawson (RCAF), Flight Sergeant G E Smith (RCAF), Flight Sergeant K E Fairclough (RAFVR), Flight Sergeant E Berwick (RAFVR) and Sergeant W Kirkland (RAFVR) were all killed in action and were buried by local partisans near the crash site. They were later exhumed and now rest in the Milan War Cemetery.

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

    unvetted Source 142 Squadron Wellington losses

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE294

    s/n HE294

    QO RAF Roundel P

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 294

    Known Units: 432


    last update: 2025-October-30
       1943-May-28 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Essen, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Essen Germany 1943-05-27 to 1943-05-28

    432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale

    Battle of the Ruhr

    518 aircraft - 274 Lancasters, 151 Halifaxes, 81 Wellingtons, 12 Mosquitoes. 23 aircraft- I I Halifaxes, 6 Lancasters, 5 Wellingtons, 1 Mosquito lost, 4.4 per cent of the force.

    The weather was cloudy and sky-marking had to be used. The main bombing was scattered, with many aircraft undershooting. The limited damage caused in Essen was mainly in the central and northern districts. 488 buildings were destroyed. 196 people were killed and 547 injured. Bombs fell in 10 surrounding Ruhr towns.

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

    Wellington aircraft HE 294 missing from night operations over Essen, Germany. R.G. Allan, R.M. Murray, J.A. Farnham, R.E Taylor and A.G. Bailey were killed.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE319

    s/n HE319

    NA RAF Roundel Y

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 319

    Known Units: 428

    With No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*Y". Went missing while on a mission to Wuppertal on 30 May 1943.
    last update: 2025-October-13

    Bombing Wuppertal Germany 1943-05-30 to 1943-05-30

    428 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Dalton

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE320

    s/n HE320

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 320

    Known Units: 16


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE321

    s/n HE321

    NA RAF Roundel Z

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 321

    Known Units: 428

    With No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*Z". Shot down by ObIt August Geiger in a III./NJG 1 night-fighter on 13 May 1943 while on a mission to Duisburg. The aircraft crashed near Deuringen, Holland.
    last update: 2025-October-13

    Bombing Duisburg Germany 1943-05-13 to 1943-05-13

    428 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Dalton

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE322

    s/n HE322

    NA RAF Roundel J

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 322

    Known Units: 428

    Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*J". Crashed on takeoff from Dalton on 11 June 1943, for attack on Dusseldorf. 1 survivor.
    last update: 2025-October-13

    Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1943-06-11 to 1943-06-11

    428 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Dalton

    428 Ghost Squadron (Usque Ad Finem) RAF Dalton. Wellington BX aircraft HE 322 NA-J was carrying a 4,000 lb. bomb when it swung off the runway during take-off for an operation against targets in Dusseldorf Germany. The Wellington hit the ridge at the end of the aerodrome with the bomb exploding on impact

    FS JCE Jette (RCAF), FS JER Marchand (RCAF), Sergeant MP Scullion (RCAF) and Sergeant R Askew (RAFVR) were all killed in action

    The sole survivor was pilot Sergeant W Lachman (RCAF), who was badly injured

    Most of this crew, Jette, Lachman, Askew and Marchand had been rescued at sea 1943-05-28 following the ditching of 428 Squadron Wellington X aircraft MS 481 NA-Q returning from an operation to Essen, Germany. The starboard engine was disabled by flak over Essen and the bomber turned for home, ditching off the coast of England, near Grimsby near the Humber Estuary. Sadly, the tail section had broken away from the aircraft with the loss of the rear air gunner, FS AF O'Rourke (RCAF)

    unvetted Source Wellington X HE322 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...


       1943-June-12 Accident Crash Crashed on takeoff from Dalton, for attack on Dusseldorf. 1 survivor. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE324

    s/n HE324

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 324

    Known Units: 17


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE348

    s/n HE348

    QO RAF Roundel P

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 348

    Known Units: 432


    last update: 2025-October-30
       1943-August-13 Failed to Return Failed to return from mining operation to Brest, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Minelaying Brest France (Jellyfish) 1943-08-13 to 1943-08-13

    432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale

    Failed to return from mining operation to Brest on 12/13 August 1943, no survivors.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE353

    s/n HE353

    QO RAF Roundel R

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 353

    Known Units: 432


    last update: 2025-October-30
       1943-July-14 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Aachen. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Aachen Germany 1943-07-13 to 1943-07-14

    432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale

    Battle of the Ruhr

    374 aircraft - 214 Halifaxes, 76 Wellingtons, 55 Stirlings, 18 Lancasters, 11 Mosquitoes; 5 Group did not take part in this raid. 20 aircraft - 15 Halifaxes, 2 Lancasters, 2 Wellingtons, 1 Stirling - lost, 5.3 per cent of the force.

    A strong tail wind brought the first waves of the Main Force into the target area before Zero Hour with the result that, when the first Pathfinder markers were released, an unusually large number of aircraft bombed in the first minutes of the raid. The visibility was good and large areas of Aachen appeared to burst into flame at once. In the words of the report from Aachen, "A Terrorangriff of the most severe scale was delivered." 2,927 individual buildings were destroyed. These contained 16,828 flats/apartments and there was the familiar list of public and cultural buildings hit. Among those classed as severely damaged were the cathedral, the Rathaus, the town theatre, the police headquarters, the local prison, the main post office, two infantry barracks and an army food depot, and 8 large industrial premises including an aero-engine factory, a rubber factory, a tyre factory and a wagon works. 294 people were killed and 745 injured and 28,500 people appear to have fled the town and were still absent when new ration cards were issued nearly 7 weeks later.

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

    Wellington BX aircraft HK 353 QO-R missing from a trip to Aachen, Germany, cause not determined. The entire crew were killed

    unvetted Source Daily Operations 6bombergroup.ca

    unvetted Source HE353 432 Sqdn Halifax

    unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

    unvetted Source HE353 432 Sqdn Halifax

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE367

    s/n HE367

    QB RAF Roundel F

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 367

    Known Units: 428;424

    With No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*V". Later to No. 424 Squadron, RCAF, coded "QB*F". Piloted by Sergeant R.C. White R128793. Overshot on landing at Topcliffe while with this unit, crashed into a field adjacent to No. 5 Hangar when the landing gear collapsed, early 1943.

    On 1943-04-02, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, a Technical Officer at Topcliffe, wrote in his diary:

    Well, we had another crash, or prang as they say over here, today. A 424 sqdn Wellington came in too hot & overshot the runway. He touched down about 3/4 of the way along , run off the end, ballooned over a ditch, through a wooden fence & ended up on his nose on a farmers field just outside my hanger. Nobody hurt but the aircraft is practically a complete wash out. It appears that the pilot had not checked his a/c carefully enough & the Pitot head cover was left on giving him no instruments and thus no I.A.S. He touched down doing about 135mph.

    Museum Diary of A Ross Dawson, courtesy CWM

    last update: 2025-October-14

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE369

    s/n HE369

    QB RAF Roundel P

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 369

    Known Units: 424

    Wellington BX aircraft HE 369 QB-P crashed on the aerodrome at Topcliffe, Yorkshire, returning from an operation to Wilhelmshaven, Germany. The cause of the crash was not determined.
    last update: 2025-October-15
       1943-February-25 Accident Crash On return from attack at Wilhelmshaven, crashed on the perimeter track burst into flames, killing 3 crew. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Wilhelmshaven Germany 1943-02-24 to 1943-02-25

    424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Topcliffe

    424 Tiger Squadron (Castigandos Castigamus) RAF Topcliffe, Wellington BX aircraft HE 369 QB-P crashed on the aerodrome at Topcliffe, Yorkshire, returning from an operation to Wilhelmshaven, Germany. The cause of the crash was not determined

    Pilot Officer RSB Worley (RCAF), FS J Banks (RAFVR) and Sergeant AA Wiles (RAFVR) were killed in action in the crash

    FS WA Sparrow (RCAF), Sergeant J Harrison (RCAF) and Sergeant FWN Trowbridge (RAFVR) survived, injured

    unvetted Source Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE370

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE374

    s/n HE374

    SE RAF Roundel X

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 374

    Known Units: 431

    Wellington HE374 431 Squadron, 4 Group, lost during raid on Stuttgart 14/15 Apr 1943.
    last update: 2025-October-15

    Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1943-04-14 to 1943-04-15

    431 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Burn

    Battle of the Ruhr

    462 aircraft- 146 Wellingtons, 135 Halifaxes, 98 Lancasters, 83 Stirlings. 23 aircraft - 8 Stirlings, 8 Wellingtons, 4 Halifaxes, 3 Lancasters - lost, 5.0 per cent of the force.

    The Pathfinders claimed to have marked the centre of this normally difficult target accurately but the main bombing area developed to the north-east, along the line of approach of the bombing force. This was an example of the 'creepback', a feature of large raids which occurred when Main Force crews- and some Pathfinder backers-up - failed to press through to the centre of the marking area but bombed - or re-marked - the earliest markers visible. Bomber Command was never able to eliminate the creepback tendency and much bombing fell outside city areas because of it.

    On this night the creepback extended over the suburb of Bad Canstatt, which was of an industrial nature, and some useful damage was caused, particularly in the large railway-repair workshops situated there. The neighbouring districts of Munster and Miihlhausen were also hit and the majority of the 393 buildings destroyed and 942 severely damaged and the 200-plus civilian casualties were in these northern areas.

    Only a few bombs fell in the centre of Stuttgart but the old Gedachtnis church was destroyed. In the district of Gaisburg, just east of the centre, 1 bomb scored a direct hit on an air-raid shelter packed with French and Russian prisoners of war. 257 Frenchmen and 143 Russians were killed. This tragedy brought the total death roll in Stuttgart to 619, a new record for raids to Germany.

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

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE379

    s/n HE379

    SE RAF Roundel H

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 379

    Known Units: 431

    Wellington HE379 431 Squadron, 4 Group, lost on mission to Mannheim Germany 16 Apr 1943.
    last update: 2025-October-14

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

    431 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Burn

    Battle of the Ruhr

    271 aircraft - 159 Wellingtons, 95 Stirlings, 17 Halifaxes. 18 aircraft- 9 Wellingtons,7 Stirlings,, 2 Halifaxes - lost, 6.6 per cent of the force.

    The Pathfinders marked this target accurately and an effective attack followed. 130 buildings were totally destroyed and nearly 3,000 damaged. Production was stopped or reduced at 41 industrial premises. 130 people were killed, 269 injured and 6,954 bombed out of their homes.

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


       1943-April-17 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Mannheim. 4 crew were POWs and one crew was killed. 2025-10-14

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE381

    s/n HE381

    TY RAF Roundel G

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 381

    Known Units: 24OTU

    Wellington X aircraft HE 381 TY-G went into a spin and crashed near Morton In Marsh, Oxford, England.
    last update: 2025-October-14

    Operational 1944-07-14 to 1944-07-14

    24 (B) OTU (RAF) RAF Honeybourne

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE382

    s/n HE382

    AL RAF Roundel Y

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 382

    Known Units: 429

    With No. 429 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "AL*Y". Failed to return from attack on Duisberg on 26/27 April 1943. All 6 crew were killed. Came down at Bornerbroek, Holland, near Almelo.
    last update: 2025-October-14
       1943-April-27 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Duisberg. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Bombing 1943-04-27 to 1943-04-27

    429 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE385

    s/n HE385

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 385

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE391

    s/n HE391

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 391

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE392

    s/n HE392

    SE RAF Roundel L

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 392

    Known Units: 431

    Wellington X aircraft HE 392 4 Group SE-L shot down 12 June 1943 by night fighter pilot Leutnant Heinz Grimm of the Stab IV/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Leeuwarden airfield, Netherlands during bombing operations against targets in Dusseldorf, Germany.
    last update: 2025-October-15
       1943-June-12 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Dusseldorf, crashed into the sea. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1943-06-11 to 1943-06-12

    431 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Burn

    Battle of the Ruhr

    783 aircraft - 326 Lancasters, 202 Halifaxes, 143 Wellingtons, 99 Stirlings, 13 Mosquitoes. This was the first night that more than 200 Halifaxes took part in a raid. 38 aircraft- 14 Lancasters, 12 Halifaxes, 10 Wellingtons, 2 Stirlings - lost, 4.9 per cent of the force.

    The Pathfinder marking plan proceeded excellently until an Oboe Mosquito inadvertently released a load of target indicators 14 miles north-east of Dusseldorf. This caused part of the Main Force to waste its bombs on open country. But the main bombing caused extensive damage in the centre of Dusseldorf, where 130 acres were claimed as destroyed, and this proved to be the most damaging raid of the war for this city.

    Dusseldorf reports that the fire area measured 8 km by 5 km, covering the city centre - both the old and new parts, the Derendorf district and the south of the city. No less than 8,882 separate fire incidents were recorded of which 11,144 were classified as large. 1,292 people were killed. 140,000 people were bombed out of their homes The list of destroyed and seriously damaged industrial and public buildings coven typed pages in the Dusseldorf report! 42 industries connected with the war effort suffered complete stoppages of production and 35 more suffered a partial reduction. 20 military establishments were hit. 8 ships were sunk or damaged. The Gau (province) local government headquarters was destroyed.

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

    Wellington X aircraft HE 392 SE-L shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Heinz Grimm of the Stab IV/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Leeuwarden airfield, Netherlands during bombing operations against targets in Dusseldorf, Germany.

    The Wellington crashed at Slikkerdijk, Oudesluis, Noord-Holland, Netherlands, although the wreckage was not located until 1991

    FS ES Rheaume (RCAF) was killed in action and the only crew member recovered, identified and buried at the time of the crash

    Flying Officer CA MacDougall (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 JG Breen (RCAF), Squadron Leader WE Mulford (RAF) and Sergeant JR Bell (RAFVR) were all missing presumed killed in action and were commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial

    In September 1991, the wreckage of Wellington HE 392 was recovered by the Royal Netherlands Air Force Aircraft Recovery Team along with the remains of four missing members of the crew. The entire crew were laid to rest together in a formal ceremony with Canadian, British and Netherlands military and officials in attendance in the Bergen-op-Zoom Cemetery June 16, 1993

    There were three 431 Squadron Wellington aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials HF 543 SE-P and HE 184 SE-M for additional information

    Addendum: Changes to the crew list. Pilot Officer(s) Burrow and McAusland were not part of this crew. Wellington aircraft HE 392 SE-L missing during a night attack against Dusseldorf, Germany. FS ES Rheaume,Warrant Officer JG Breen, Sergeant JR Bell (RAF), and Squadron Leader WE Mulford (RAF) were also killed in action

    unvetted Source Results

    unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

    unvetted Source Wellington X HE392 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE393

    s/n HE393

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 393

    Known Units: 431


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE412

    s/n HE412

    NA RAF Roundel B

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 412

    Known Units: 196


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE419

    s/n HE419

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 419

    Known Units: 104


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE422

    s/n HE422

    PT RAF Roundel Q

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 422

    Known Units: 420

    Served with No. 420 Squadron, RCAF, coded "PT*Q". Became lost after attack at Frankfurt on 10/11 April 1943. Very low on fuel over England on return, crew bailed out. 1 man landed in Carmarthen Bay near Tenby, South Wales and drowned, remainder of crew uninjured.
    last update: 2025-October-23

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE423

    s/n HE423

    AL RAF Roundel O

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 423

    Known Units: 429

    Took off from East Moor at 00:03 in Wellington Mk X (Sqn code AL-O Bomber Command) on an operation to Duisburg Germany. Shot down by a night fighter and crashed at Kouwenhovenselaan, Zeist, Utrecht, Holland.
    last update: 2025-October-23

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE432

    s/n HE432

    NA RAF Roundel B

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 432

    Known Units: 428

    With No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, first coded "NA*C". Coded "NA*B" when lost. Failed to return from attack on Kiel on 4/5 April 1943, went down off coast of Holland. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-23
       1943-April-05 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Kiel, went down off coast of Holland. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Bombing 1943-04-05 to 1943-04-05

    428 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Dalton

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE440

    s/n HE440

    SE RAF Roundel Y

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 440

    Known Units: 431


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing Duisburg Germany 1943-05-12 to 1943-05-13

    431 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Burn

    Battle of the Ruhr

    572 aircraft - 238 Lancasters, 142 Halifaxes, 112 Wellingtons, 70 Stirlings», 10 Mosquitoes. 34 aircraft 10 Lancastcrs, 10 Wellingtons, 9 Halifaxes, 5 Stirlings lost 5.9 per cent of the force.

    This was the fourth raid on Duisburg so far during the Battle of the Ruhr, the first 3 raids having been only partially successful. The Pathfinder marking on this night however, was near perfect and the Main Force bombing was particularly well concentrated. The centre of Duisburg and the port area just off the River Rhine, the larges inland port in Germany, suffered severe damage. I ,596 buildings were totally destroyer and 273 people were killed. 4 of the August Thyssen steel factories were damaged Nearly 2,000 prisoners of war and forced workers were drafted into Duisburg to repair windows, roofs and other bomb damage. In the port area, 21 barges and 13 other ship totalling 18,921 tons were sunk and 60 further ships of 41,000 tons were damaged. lt was not deemed necessary to attack Duisburg again during this period.

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

    Wellington BX aircraft HE 440 SE-Y was lost over Holland, shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Manfred Meurer of the 3/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Venlo airfield, Netherlands, while on an operation against the port area, industrial targets and the Thyssen steel works at Duisburg, Germany

    The Wellington crashed at Huppel F20, northeast of Winterswijk, Gelderland with the loss of the entire crew

    Sergeant GRY Wood (RAF), Sergeant S Cresswell (RAFVR), Sergeant EL Gummer (RAFVR), Sergeant IE Mobley (RAF) and Sergeant TH Smith (RAFVR) were all killed in action

    unvetted Source search T/R number

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE464

    s/n HE464

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 464

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE466

    s/n HE466

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 466

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE475

    s/n HE475

    KW RAF Roundel E

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 475

    Known Units: 425

    Used by No. 425 Squadron, RCAF, at Disforth, UK. Coded "KW*E". Failed to return from attack on Pilsen on 16/17 April 1943. 3 crew were POWs and 2 were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-20
       1943-April-17 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Pilsen. 3 crew were POWs and 2 were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE480

    s/n HE480

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 480

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE491

    s/n HE491

    KW RAF Roundel U

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 491

    Known Units: 425

    Served with No.425 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "KW*U". Failed to return from mining operation to Texel on 11/12 April 1943. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-20
       1943-April Failed to Return Failed to return from mining operation to Texel. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE492

    s/n HE492

    QB RAF Roundel W

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 492

    Known Units: 424


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing Battipaglia Italy 1943-09-06 to 1943-09-06

    424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Kairouan

    Wellington aircraft HE 492 missing during an operation to Battipaglia, Italy. Flying Officer A. Pitkethly,Warrant Officer J.A. Langlois, Flight Sergeant J.L.Sills; Sergeants W.J. Ingram, and L. Allen (RAF) were killed.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE495

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE501

    s/n HE501

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 501

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE503

    s/n HE503

    SE RAF Roundel S

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 503

    Known Units: 431


    last update: 2025-October-30
       1943-March-27 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Duisberg, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Duisburg Germany 1943-03-26 to 1943-03-27

    431 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Burn

    Battle of the Ruhr

    455 aircraft- 173 Wellingtons, 157 Lancasters, 114 Halifaxes, 9 Mosquitoes, 2 Stirlings. 6 aircraft - 3 Wellingtons, I Halifax, 1 Lancaster, 1 Mosquito - lost, 1.3 per cent of the force. The Mosquito lost was the first Oboe Mosquito casualty. A message was received from the pilot, Flight Lieutenant L. J. Ackland, that he was having to ditch in the North Sea. His body was never found but his navigator, Warrant Officer F. S. Sprouts, is believed to have survived.

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

    This raid was one of the few failures of this series of attacks on Ruhr targets. It was a cloudy night and, for once, accurate Oboe sky-marking was lacking because 5 Oboe Mosquitoes were forced to return early with technical difficulties and a sixth was lost. The result was a widely scattered raid. The only details reported from Duisburg were 15 houses destroyed and 70 damaged, with II people killed and 36 injured.

    Failed to return from attack on Duisberg on 26 / 27 March 1943, no survivors. Believed to have crashed in the North Sea. The 5 fatalities included pilot Flight Lieutenant G. Eades, RAFVR, a published poet and playwright, on the first mission of his second tour. One crew member washed ashore in Sweden. May have been shot down by Halifax of 51 Squadron, but this is not confirmed.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE514

    s/n HE514

    QO RAF Roundel K

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 514

    Known Units: 432


    last update: 2025-October-30

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

    432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale

    Battle of Hamburg

    705 aircraft - 294 Lancasters, 221 Halifaxes, 104 Stirlings, 67 Wellingtons, 19 Mosquitoes. 26 aircraft - I0 Halifaxes, 7 Stirlings, 5 Lancasters, 4 Wellingtons - lost, 3.7 per cent of the force. The commander of the American VIII Bomber Command, Brigadier-General Fred Anderson, observed this raid as a passenger in an 83 Squadron Lancaster.

    This was an attempt to achieve a good raid on this major target while the effects of Window were still fresh. The raid was successful, with particular damage being recorded In Essen's industrial areas in the eastern half of the city. The Krupps works suffered what was probably it's most damaging raid of the war. The next morning, Doktor Gustav Krupp had a stroke from which he never recovered; this saved him from being charged with war crimes after the war. 51 other industrial buildings were destroyed and 83 seriously damaged. 2,852 houses were destroyed, 500 people were killed, 12 were missing and 1,208 were injured. The 500 dead are recorded as follows: 165 civilian men, II8 women, 22 children, 22 servicemen, 131 foreign workers and 42 prisoners of war.

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

    Wellington BX aircraft HE 514 QO-K, flak damaged, was ditched into the English Channel off Cromer, Norfolk, England returning from a raid to Essen, Germany

    Squadron Leader CB Sinton (RCAF)(UK), Sergeant GW Sharpe (RAF), Pilot Officer SA Sinclair (RAF), Sergeant RE Pearce (RAF) and Pilot Officer KR Patterson (RAF) all survived the ditching at sea and were rescued

    unvetted Source Daily Operations 6bombergroup.ca

    unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

    unvetted Source Allied Losses and Incidents: All Commands

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE515

    s/n HE515

    QB RAF Roundel T

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 515

    Known Units: 424


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing Taranto Italy 1943-08-26 to 1943-08-26

    424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Kairouan

    Wellington aircraft HE 515 was seen to go down in the target area, Taranto, Italy. Flying Officer F.P. Wilson, FS s A.C. McLenahan, J.G. Brislan and Sergeant E. Munstemian were killed. One member of the crew, not Canadian, missing believed killed.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE519

    s/n HE519

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 519

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE522

    s/n HE522

    KW RAF Roundel B

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 522

    Known Units: 425

    Used by No. 425 (B) Squadron, RCAF, in North Africa in 1943, coded "KW*B".
    last update: 2025-October-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE536

    s/n HE536

    QB RAF Roundel E

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 536

    Known Units: 424


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Unspecified 1943-07-10 to 1943-07-10

    424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Kairouan/Zina (approx.) N.Africa

    Wellington X aircraft HE 536 QB-E was taking off on an operational flight when the tire blew out on the port wheel causing the aircraft to crash on the runway. The bomb load exploded on impact completely disintegrating the aircraft,

    Flying Officer JC Kennedy (RCAF), Flying Officer JFXJ Bittner (RCAF), FS W Trofanenko (RCAF), FS GWA Patterson (RCAF) and FS J McGrogan (RCAF) were killed.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE543

    s/n HE543

    NA RAF Roundel D

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 543

    Known Units: 428

    Served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*D". Failed to return from mining operation to the Frisian Islands on 28/29 April 1943. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-20
       1943-April-29 Failed to Return Failed to return from mining operation to the Frisian Islands. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE545

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE547

    s/n HE547

    ZL RAF Roundel D

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 547

    Known Units: 427

    Served with No.427 (B) Squadron, RCAF at Croft, UK, coded "ZL*D". Failed to return from attack on Pilsen on 16 / 17 April 1943, 4 crew were POWs and one was killed.
    last update: 2025-October-21

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE548

    s/n HE548

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 548

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE550

    s/n HE550

    PT RAF Roundel C

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 550

    Known Units: 420

    Served with No.420 Squadron, RCAF, coded "PT*C". Failed to return from attack on Stuttgart on 14 / 15 April 1943, shot down by a night fighter. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-April-15 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Stuttgart, shot down by a night fighter. All were killed.. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE553

    s/n HE553

    QO RAF Roundel S

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 553

    Known Units: 432

    Crashed 30 May 1943, on return from attack on Wuppertal , Was descending through clouds when it struck high ground at Reeth, near Richmond in Yorkshire, Dingwall and Blight were both killed. Other members of the crew were injured.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-May-30 Accident Crash crashed into a hill on return from attack on Wuppertal, near Richmond in Yorkshire, 2 killed. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Wuppertal Germany 1943-05-29 to 1943-05-30

    432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale

    Battle of the Ruhr

    719 aircraft- 292 Lancasters, 185 Halifaxes, 118 Stirlings, 113 Wellingtons, 11 Mosquitoes. 33 aircraft - 10 Halifaxes, 8 Stirlings, 8 Wellingtons, 7 Lancasters - lost, 4.6 per cent of the force.

    This attack was aimed at the Barmen half of the long and narrow town of Wuppertal and was the outstanding success of the Battle of the Ruhr. Both Pathfinder marking and Main Force bombing was particularly accurate and a large fire area developed in the narrow streets of the old centre of the town, It is probable that this fire was so severe that the first small form of what would later become known as a 'firestorm' developed. Because it was a Saturday night, many of the town's fire and air-raid officials were not present, having gone to their country homes for the weekend, and the fire services of the town - in their first raid - were not able to control the fires.

    Approximately 1,000 acres - possibly 80 per cent of Barmen's built-up area - was destroyed by fire. 5 out of the town's 6 largest factories, 2II other industrial premises and nearly 4,000 houses were completely destroyed. The number of buildings classed as seriously damaged - 71 industrial and 1,800 domestic - indicates the high proportion of complete destruction. Various figures were given for the number of people killed but our expert on Ruhr raids, Norbert Kruger, advises that the figure of 'approximately 3,400' is the nearest reasonable estimate.

    The above figures indicate that the property damage in this raid was about twice as severe as any previous raid on a German city, while the number of people killed in this comparatively unprepared backwater of the Ruhr was about 5 times greater than any previous city raid.

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

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE568

    s/n HE568

    QO RAF Roundel Y

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 568

    Known Units: 420

    420 Squadron RCAF was detached from Bomber Command from 1943-05-15 until 1943-11-06 and sent to the Middle East. Served with No. 420 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "QO*Y". Wellington X aircraft HE 568 lost in a daylight transit flight from RAF Portreath in Cornwall to Ras El Ma, North Africa, when the Wellington was intercepted and shot down over the Bay of Biscay by Oblt Hermann Horstmann of 13/KG 40.
    last update: 2025-October-22

    Ferry Flight 1943-06-01 to 1943-06-01

    420 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Middleton St George

    420 Snowy Owl Squadron (Pugnamus Finitum), RAF Middleton St George. 420 Squadron RCAF was detached from Bomber Command from 1943-05-15 until 1943-11-06 and sent to the Middle East. Wellington X aircraft HE 568 lost in a daylight transit flight from RAF Portreath in Cornwall to Ras El Ma, North Africa, when the Wellington was intercepted and shot down over the Bay of Biscay by Oblt Hermann Horstmann of 13/KG 40

    Aircrew: Flight Sergeant AT Sodero (RCAF), Flying Officer GH Hubbell (RCAF), Pilot Officer WR King (RCAF), Pilot Officer RS Hollowell (RCAF), Warrant Officer 2nd Class HL Davis (RCAF) as well as Ground Crew: Corporal JF MacKenzie (RCAF) and Leading Aircraftman TA Brookes (RCAF), were all missing, presumed killed in action

    The missing have no known graves and are all commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial

    Wellington X HE 568 was one of a group of 20 aircraft transferring air and ground crew to North Africa and one of two aircraft shot down within minutes of each other by German fighters during the transit flight. Please see serial HE 961 for casualty list on that aircraft

    Addendum: - FS Sodero was 23 years old at the time of death, not 21 Detail provided by DA Stallard, Trenton, Nova Scotia

    unvetted Source [Royal air Force serial and Image Database]...

    unvetted Source HOWARD'S END

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE580

    s/n HE580

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 580

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE590

    s/n HE590

    OW RAF Roundel P

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 590

    Known Units: 426

    Served with No. 426 Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*P". Failed to return from attack on Dusseldorf on 25/26 May 1943, shot down by Oblt W. Telge II/NJG 1 at 02:40 near Zemst. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-May-26 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Dusseldorf, shot down Oblt W. Telge II/NJG 1 at 02:40 near Zemst. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE591

    s/n HE591

    OW RAF Roundel R

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 591

    Known Units: 426

    Served with No. 426 Squadron, RCAF at Dushforth, UK, coded "OW*R". Failed to return from attack on Pilsen on 16/17 April 1943, shot down by a night fighter. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-April-17 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Pilsen, shot down by a night fighter. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE592

    s/n HE592

    KW RAF Roundel Q

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 592

    Known Units: 425

    Used by No. 425 Squadron, RCAF, in the UK, mid 1943. Coded "KW*Q". Failed to return from attack on Duisberg 8/9 April 1943. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-April-09 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Duisberg. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE593

    s/n HE593

    AL RAF Roundel Z

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 593

    Known Units: 429

    Used by No. 429 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "AL*Z". Bombed Duisberg on 26/27 April 1943. Failed to return from attack on Dusseldorf on 11/12 June 1943, shot down by a night fighter. 4 crew killed and one evaded.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-June-12 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Dusseldorf, shot down by a night fighter. 4 crew killed and one evaded. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1943-06-11 to 1943-06-12

    429 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor

    429 Bison Squadron (Fortunae Nihil) RAF East Moor. Wellington BX aircraft HE 593 AL-Z was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberfeldwebel Bruno Eikmeier of the 2/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Gilze-Rijen airfield, Netherlands during an operation against targets in Dusseldorf, Germany. The Wellington crashed near Zijtaart, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands

    Warrant Officer Class 1 GA Leitch (RCAF), Pilot Officer GR Densmore (RCAF), FS GA Nelson (RCAF), and Sergeant JNG Burns (RCAF)(USA) were all killed in action

    FS RF Conroy (RCAF) was lone survivor from his crew and became an Evader. FS Conroy was aided by various people in the Bourgogne Escape Line and eventually made it to Gibraltar from where he returned to the UK and his unit 1943-10-02

    There were three 429 Squadron Wellington aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials HF 542 AL-O and HZ 355 AL-G for additional information

    unvetted Source Crash Site Vickers Wellington B Mark X - Zijtaart - TracesOfWar.com

    unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

    unvetted Source Results

    unvetted Source Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire

    unvetted Source Wellington X HE593, [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE600

    s/n HE600

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 600

    Known Units: 17 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE630

    s/n HE630

    QO RAF Roundel B

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 630

    Known Units: 432

    After attack on Cologne on 3/4 July 1943 directed to West Malling on return due to poor weather. With fog and low fuel, crashed into a house near Gravesend, 3 killed.
    last update: 2025-October-22
       1943-July-04 Accident Crash After attack on Cologne, directed to West Malling on return due to poor weather. With fog and low fuel, crashed into a house near Gravesend, 3 killed. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Cologne Germany 1943-07-03 to 1943-07-04

    432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale

    Battle of the Ruhr

    53 aircraft - 293 Lancasters, 182 Halifaxes, 89 Wellingtons, 76 Stirlings, 13 Mosquitoes. 30 aircraft - 9,Halifaxes, 8 Lancasters, 8 Wellingtons, 5 Stirlings - lost, 4.6 per cent of the force.

    The aiming point for this raid was that part of Cologne situated on the east bank of the Rhine. Much industry was located there. Pathfinder ground marking was accurately maintained by both the Mosquito Oboe aircraft and the backers-up, allowing the Main Force to carry out another heavy attack on Cologne. 20 industrial remises and 2,200 houses were completely destroyed. 588 people were killed, approximately 1,000 were injured and 72,000 bombed out.

    'l'his night saw the first operations of' a new German unit, .Jagdgeschwader 300, equipped with single-engined fighters using the Wilde Sau (Wild Boar) technique. In this, a German pilot used any form of illumination available over a city being bombed - searchlights, target indicators, the glow of fires on the ground - to pick out a bomber for attack. Liaison with the local Flak defences was supposed to ensure that the Flak was limited to a certain height above which the Wild Boar fighter was free to operate. RAF crews were not used to meeting German fighters over a target city and it was some time before the presence of the new danger was realized. The reports on this night from 4 bombers that they had been fired on over the target by other bombers were almost certainly the result of Wild Boar attacks. The new German unit claimed 12 bombers shot down over Cologne but had to share the 12 available aircraft found to have crashed with the local Flak, who also claimed 12 successes.

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

    After attack on Cologne on 3/4 July 1943 directed to West Malling on return due to poor weather. With fog and low fuel, crashed into a house near Gravesend, 3 killed.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE652

    s/n HE652

    OW RAF Roundel H

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 652

    Known Units: 426

    Used by No. 426 Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*H". Failed to return from attack at Frankfurt on 10/11 April 1943, shot down by a night fighter. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-April-11 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack at Frankfurt, shot down by a night fighter. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE656

    s/n HE656

    NA RAF Roundel A

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 656

    Known Units: 424;428

    With No. 424 Squadron, RCAF, coded "QB*L", when it bombed Kiel on 4/5 April 1943. Later served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*A". Crashed into the sea off Gravelines after a raid to Duisburg on 13 May 1943.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-May-13 Accident Crash Crashed into the sea off Gravelines after a raid to Duisburg. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE658

    s/n HE658

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 658

    Known Units: 166


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE682

    s/n HE682

    PT RAF Roundel T

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 682

    Known Units: 420

    Used by No. 420 Squadron, RCAF at Middleton St. George, UK, coded "PT*T". Failed to return from attack on Pilsen on 16/17 April 1943, exploded over Luxembourg after being attacked by a night fighter of I / NJG 4 en route to target. 4 crew were killed and one POW, Sgt. K.T.P. Allan.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-April-17 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Pilsen, shot down by a night fighter. 4 crew were killed and one POW. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE690

    s/n HE690

    PT RAF Roundel U

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 690

    Known Units: 420

    Operated by No. 420 Squadron, RCAF, coded "PT*U". Failed to return from attack at Essen on 12/13 March 1943. Hit by flak and crashed 22:26 local time at Brielle (Zuid Holland), 21 km WSW from the centre of Rotterdam. 4 POW 1 killed.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-March-13 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack at Essen, shot down by flak. 4 POW 1 killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE692

    s/n HE692

    PT RAF Roundel U

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 692

    Known Units: 424


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Operational 1943-05-02 to 1943-05-02

    424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Leeming

    Served with No. 424 (B) Squadron, RCAF. Overshot on landing and crashed into a stand of trees at Penrhos while on a cross country flight on 2 May 1943.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE693

    s/n HE693

    PT RAF Roundel W

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 693

    Known Units: 420

    Operated by No. 420 Squadron, RCAF, coded "PT*W". Failed to return from attack on Duisberg on 26/27 April 1943, shot down by a night fighter. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-April-27 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Duisberg, shot down by a night fighter. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE696

    s/n HE696

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 696

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE697

    s/n HE697

    OW RAF Roundel M

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 697

    Known Units: 426

    Operated by No. 426 Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*M". Failed to return from attack on Bochum on 13/14 May 1943, shot down by a night fighter. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-May-14 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Bochum, shot down by a night fighter. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE727

    s/n HE727

    NA RAF Roundel K

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 727

    Known Units: 428

    Used by No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*K". Failed to return from attack on Dortmund on 4/5 May 1943. Crashed NW of Utrecht, Holland. 3 crew killed and 2 were POW.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-May-05 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Dortmund. Crashed NW of Utrecht, Holland. 3 crew killed and 2 were POW. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Dortmund Germany 1943-05-05 to 1943-05-05

    428 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Dalton

    On May 5, 1943, the Vickers Wellington NA-K HE 727 bomber crashed in Wilnis (now part of De Ronde Venen) in a field near what is now the roundabout at Mijdrechtse Dwarsweg-Ir. Enschedeweg. The Vickers Wellington was part of the 428 Ghost Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force and had taken off the day before with five crew members from Dalton Airfield in Graafschap Yorkshire, England.

    The target was Dortmund. The attack on Dortmund was, at that time, the largest Allied air raid on a German city during World War II. A total of 596 bombers participated, 31 of which "failed to return." Of these, 31 bombers crashed in the Netherlands.

    From a military perspective, the attack was successful. Reports indicate that the bombing caused severe damage to the city. More than 1,200 buildings were destroyed, and nearly 2,000 others were damaged, including factories of Hoesch and the Dortmund Union Steelworks. The bombing resulted in nearly 700 deaths, with around 200 prisoners of war who had been forced to work in the war industry among them. Almost 1,100 people were injured.

    The Vickers Wellington was attacked on its return flight by a Messerschmitt Me-110, piloted by Hauptmann Hans-Dieter Frank. The bomber caught fire and lost altitude.

    The pilot, Warrant Officer Class I Robert Moulton, ordered the crew to bail out. Navigator Flight Sergeant Gordon Carter and wireless operator/gunner Flight Sergeant Howard Hoddinott managed to parachute out and were taken as prisoners of war. They survived the war. It appears that pilot Robert Moulton attempted an emergency landing to prevent the burning aircraft from crashing into the village of Wilnis. About one kilometer north of the village, the aircraft hit the ground and quickly disappeared almost entirely into the soft peat soil. Although Flight Sergeant Hoddinott was handed a parachute, pilot Robert Moulton did not survive the crash. Bomb aimer/gunner Flight Sergeant Joseph White and rear gunner Flight Sergeant Adrien Thibaudeau also lost their lives and were declared missing.

    During a recovery operation in September 2002, the Royal Netherlands Air Force and the Army Identification Service found the mortal remains of the three missing crew members. They were identified, and a military burial followed, with three individual graves at the Dutch Reformed Cemetery in Wilnis.

    The recovery of the three crew members was initiated by the Vickers Wellington 1943 Recovery Foundation in Mijdrecht. The process took seven years, including legal procedures and research.

    2019 / Mr. Jan C.K. van Loo

    Chairman of the Vickers Wellington 1943 Recovery Foundation

    unvetted Source About the crew of the Vickers Wellington HE727

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE728

    s/n HE728

    NA RAF Roundel D

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 728

    Known Units: 428

    Used by No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*B". Coded "NA*D" when lost. Failed to return from mining operation to the Frisian Islands on 28/29 April 1943. All were killed. One of two squadron aircraft lost on this mission.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-April-29 Failed to Return Failed to return from mining operation to the Frisian Islands. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE729

    s/n HE729

    QO RAF Roundel U

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 729

    Known Units: 432


    last update: 2025-October-30
       1943-June-12 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Dusseldorf, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1943-06-11 to 1943-06-12

    434 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale

    783 aircraft - 326 Lancasters, 202 Halifaxes, 143 Wellingtons, 99 Stirlings, 13 Mosquitoes. This was the first night that more than 200 Halifaxes took part in a raid. 38 aircraft- 14 Lancasters, 12 Halifaxes, 10 Wellingtons, 2 Stirlings - lost, 4.9 per cent of the force.

    The Pathfinder marking plan proceeded excellently until an Oboe Mosquito inadvertently released a load of target indicators 14 miles north-east of Dusseldorf. This caused part of the Main Force to waste its bombs on open country. But the main bombing caused extensive damage in the centre of Dusseldorf, where 130 acres were claimed as destroyed, and this proved to be the most damaging raid of the war for this city.

    Dusseldorf reports that the fire area measured 8 km by 5 km, covering the city centre - both the old and new parts, the Dcrcndorf district and the south of the city. No less than 8,882 separate fire incidents were recorded of which 1,444 were classified as large. 1,292 people were killed. 140,000 people were bombed out of their homes. The list of destroyed and seriously damaged industrial and public buildings covered 9 typed pages in the Dusseldorf report! 42 industries connected with the war effort suffered complete stoppages of production and 35 more suffered a partial reduction 20 military establishments were hit. 8 ships were sunk or damaged. The Gau (province) local government headquarters was destroyed.

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

    Wellington BX aircraft HE 729 QO-U failed to return from operations over Dusseldorf, Germany, lost without a trace

    The Wellington crashed into the North Sea or possibly IJsselmeer, Noord-Holland. There are multiple night fighter claims for the loss of this aircraft, but neither the actual crash location or correct night fighter pilot has been absolutely identified to date

    Pilot Officer HD Warner (RCAF), FS JAM Philpott (RCAF), FS DS McRae (RCAF), Flying Officer GA McClintock, (RCAF) and Flight Lieutenant LA Bourgeois (RCAF) were all missing, presumed killed in action

    The missing have no known grave and are all commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial

    unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

    unvetted Source Wellington X HE729 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE733

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE737

    s/n HE737

    AL RAF Roundel B

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 737

    Known Units: 424;429

    Used originally by No. 424 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "QB*V". Later used by No. 429 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "AL*B" when it failed to return from attack on Duisberg on 26/27 April 1943, shot down by a night fighter. 3 crew were killed and 3 POW.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-April-27 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Duisberg, shot down by a night fighter. 3 crew were killed and 3 POW. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE743

    s/n HE743

    ZL RAF Roundel X

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 743

    Known Units: 427

    With No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded X. Returned early from raid on Duisberg on 26 March 1943, after port engine failed. As this 427 Squadron aircraft was taking off from Croft airfield at 22.40hrs for a Bullseye training exercise on the evening of 6th April 1943 it swung out of control and crashed into an orchard at East Vince Moor Farm.
    last update: 2025-October-21

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE744

    s/n HE744

    ZL RAF Roundel J

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 744

    Known Units: 427

    Used by No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "ZL*J". Failed to return from attack on Berlin on 29/30 March 1943, no survivors.
    last update: 2025-October-22
       1943-March-30 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Berlin, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE746

    s/n HE746

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 746

    Known Units: 26 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE749

    s/n HE749

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 749

    Known Units: 84


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE751

    s/n HE751

    NA RAF Roundel S

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 751

    Known Units: 428;20 OTU

    Used by No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*S". Crashed while with 20 OTU 23 Jan 1944. 2 RCAF killed.
    last update: 2025-October-21

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE756

    s/n HE756

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 756

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE760

    s/n HE760

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 760

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE771

    s/n HE771

    PT RAF Roundel F

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 771

    Known Units: 427

    Used by No. 420 Squadron, RCAF, coded "PT*F". Crashed near Leiston, on approach to Darlington, while returning from attack on Duisberg on 26/27 April 1943. 1 killed, Sgt. C.D. Alder.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-April-27 Accident Crash Crashed near Leiston while returning from attack on Duisberg. 1 killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE793

    s/n HE793

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 793

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE795

    s/n HE795

    QB RAF Roundel F

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 795

    Known Units: 424


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing 1943-10-02 to 1943-10-02

    424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Hani East, Tunisia

    Hani East Landing Ground, Tunisia. Wellington X aircraft HE 795 QB-F failed to return, lost over Mediterranean on a sortie to Formia, Italy, cause unknown

    FS HD Dauk (RCAF), FS JR Cote (RCAF), FS IA Martin (RCAF), FS EF Warr (RCAF) and Sergeant GD Dodson (RAF) were missing, presumed killed

    They have no known graves and are commemorated on the Malta War Memorial

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE803

    s/n HE803

    AL RAF Roundel W

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 803

    Known Units: 429

    Served with No. 429 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "AL*W". Failed to return from attack on Essen on 25/26 July 1943, shot down by a night fighter. 1 crew was killed and 4 POWs.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-July-26 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Essen, shot down by a night fighter. 1 crew was killed and 4 POWs. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE810

    s/n HE810

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 810

    Known Units: 166


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE817

    s/n HE817

    QO RAF Roundel K

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 817

    Known Units: 432

    Wellington X aircraft HE 817 QO-K failed to return from night operations over Hanover, Germany 29 Sept 1943. The aircraft was coned by searchlights over the target and possibly hit by flak. The Wellington was attacked by a night fighter which collided with the bomber during the attack and it crashed at Schulenburger, Landstrasse, Hannover, Germany.
    last update: 2025-October-22

    Bombing Hannover Germany 1943-09-27 to 1943-09-27

    432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Eastmoor

    Battle of Berlin

    678 aircraft - 312 Lancasters, 231 Halifaxes, 111 Stirlings, 24 Wellingtons. 5 B.17s also took part, 38 Bomber Command aircraft - 17 Halifaxes, I0 Lancasters, I0 Stirlings, 1 Wellington - lost, 5.6 per cent of the force, and 1 B-17 also lost.

    The use by the Pathfinders of faulty forecast winds again saved the centre of Hannover. The bombing was very concentrated but fell on an area 5 miles north of the city centre. No details are available from Germany but R.A.F. photographic evidence showed that most of the bombs fell in open country or villages north of the city.

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

    Wellington X aircraft HE 817 QO-K failed to return from night operations over Hanover, Germany. The aircraft was coned by searchlights over the target and possibly hit by flak. The Wellington was attacked by a night fighter which collided with the bomber during the attack and it crashed at Schulenburger, Landstrasse, Hanover, Germany

    Only two crew members survived

    FS LF Cook (RCAF), Pilot Officer SK Atkinson (RCAF), FS ICR Bowden (RAF), and Pilot Officer AW Chubb (RAFVR) were missing, presumed killed in action

    The missing have no known graves and are all commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial

    Sergeant WA Grant (RCAF), and M/Sergeant SC Bybee (USAAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War

    unvetted Source Daily Operations 6bombergroup.ca

    unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

    unvetted Source 432 Squadron Wellington X HE817 QO-K P/O. Atkinson, Hanover...


       1943-September-28 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Hannover. 4 crew were killed and 2 POW. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE855

    s/n HE855

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 855

    Known Units: 26 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE862

    s/n HE862

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 862

    Known Units: 166


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE863

    s/n HE863

    PT RAF Roundel G

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 863

    Known Units: 420

    Served with No. 420 Squadron, RCAF, coded "PT*G". Failed to return from attack on Stuttgart on 14/15 April 1943, shot down by a night fighter. 2 crew were killed, 2 evaded capture, and 1 was a POW.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-April-15 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Stuttgart, shot down by a night fighter. 2 crew were killed, 2 evaded capture, and 1 was a POW. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE864

    s/n HE864

    NA RAF Roundel D

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 864

    Known Units: 424;428

    Initially used by No. 424 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "QB*W". Later served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*D" when it failed to return from attack on Dortmund on 4/5 May 1943, shot down by Uffz Emil Heinzelmann in a IV./NJG 1 night-fighter. 3 were POWs and 2 killed. Crashed near Zwolle, Holland.
    last update: 2025-October-21
       1943-May-05 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Dortmund, shot down by Uffz Emil Heinzelmann in a IV./NJG 1 night-fighter. 3 were POWs and 2 killed. Crashed near Zwolle, Holland. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Dortmund Germany 1943-05-04 to 1943-05-05

    428 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Dalton UK

    Aircraft shot down by a night fighter 2 miles southeast of Zwolle during a raid on Dortmund. Three of the crew survived and were captured. Prosnyck and Johnson killed. Three Canadians: Boyd, Thomson, and Levasseur were taken Prisoners of War.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE899

    s/n HE899

    NA RAF Roundel B

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 899

    Known Units: 424;428

    Initially used by No. 424 (B) Squadron, RCAF. later served with No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*B", when it failed to return from mining operation to the Frisian Islands on 21/22 May 1943, no survivors.
    last update: 2025-October-23
       1943-May-22 Failed to Return Failed to return from mining operation to the Frisian Islands, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE904

    s/n HE904

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 904

    Known Units: 426;16 OTU

    Served initially with No. 426 Squadron, RCAF, in the UK 1943. Coded "OW*C". Bombed Duisberg on 12/13 May 1943. Later to 16 OTU, crashed 28 Nov 1943. Two Wellington aircraft were in a mid-air collision before they crashed two miles east of Ardley,. Berkshire at Baynardt Green. F/Os Stevens, D.J. Arneil, Sergeants W.H. Sayres, and D.C. MacNeil were all killed in aircraft HE 904. Sergeant R.W. McLachlan, and three airmen, not Canadians, were killed in aircraft X 3923, one airman, not Canadian, injured.
    last update: 2025-October-23

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE905

    s/n HE905

    OW RAF Roundel V

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 905

    Known Units: 426

    Served with No. 426 Squadron, RCAF, in the UK 1943. Coded "OW*V". Failed to return from attack on Duisberg on 12/13 May 1943, shot down by flak. 4 crew were POWs, one killed, and one evaded capture.
    last update: 2025-October-23
       1943-May-13 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Duisberg, shot down by flak. 4 crew were POWs, one killed, and one evaded capture. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE906

    s/n HE906

    QO RAF Roundel H

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 906

    Known Units: 432

    Wellington aircraft HE 906 failed to return from a night operation over Hamburg, Germany. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-23
       1943-August-03 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Hamburg. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Hamburg Germany 1943-08-02 to 1943-08-03

    432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale

    Battle of Hamburg

    740 aircraft - 329 Lancasters, 235 Halifaxes, 105 Stirlings, 66 Wellingtons, 5 Mosquitoes. 30 aircraft- 13 Lancasters, 10 Halifaxes, 4 Wellingtons, 3 Stirlings - lost, 4.1 per cent of the force.

    The bombing force encountered a large thunderstorm area over Germany and the raid was a failure. Many crews turned back early or bombed alternative targets. At least 4 aircraft, probably more, were lost because of icing, turbulence or were struck by lightning. No Pathfinder marking was possible at Hamburg and only scattered bombing took place there. Many other towns in a 100-mile area of Northern Germany received a few bombs. A sizeable raid developed on the small town of Elmshorn, 12 miles from Hamburg. It is believed that a flash of lightning set a house on fire here and bomber crews saw this through a gap in the storm clouds and started to bomb the fire. 254 houses were destroyed in Elmshorn and 57 people were killed, some of them refugees from recent raids on Hamburg.

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

    Wellington aircraft HE 906 failed to return from a night operation over Hamburg, Germany. All were killed.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE913

    s/n HE913

    AL RAF Roundel L

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 913

    Known Units: 429

    Wellington BX aircraft HE 913 AL-L lost during operations on 13 May 1943, against the port area, industrial targets and the Thyssen steel works at Duisberg, Germany. The Wellington was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberfeldwebel Fritz Kruse of the 3/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 from Venlo airfield, Netherlands. The bomber crashed at Den Drossert, Asten, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands with the loss of the entire crew. Sergeant DO Broughton (RCAF), Flying Officer PJ Dunger (RAFVR), FS AF Halstead (RAFVR), Sergeant C Taylor (RAFVR) and Flying Officer SA Willoughby (RAF) were all killed in action.
    last update: 2025-October-24

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE929

    s/n HE929

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 929

    Known Units: 424;142

    Served with No. 424 Squadron, RCAF, in North Africa, from June until Oct 1943. Coded "QB*V". With 142 Squadron, Wellington aircraft HE 929 missing from a raid on Turin, Italy 25 Nov 1943.
    last update: 2025-October-24

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE952

    s/n HE952

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 952

    Known Units: 150

    Wellington HE952 aircraft of 150 Squadron failed to return from operations 5 Aug 1943. Five of the crew, not Canadians, missing believed killed. Pilot Squadron Leader Gordon Keith Fison Garrad killed.
    last update: 2025-October-24

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE961

    s/n HE961

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 961

    Known Units: 420

    420 Squadron RCAF was detached from Bomber Command from 1943-05-15 until 1943-11-06 and sent to the Middle East. Wellington X HE 961 was one of a group of 20 aircraft transferring air and ground crew to North Africa 1 June 1943.and one of two aircraft shot down by German fighters within minutes of each other during the transit flight. Wellington X aircraft HE 568 lost in a daylight transit flight from RAF Portreath in Cornwall to Ras El Ma, North Africa was intercepted and shot down over the Bay of Biscay by Uffz Heinz Hommel of 13/KG 40.

    Aircrew: Flight Sergeant JC Nichol (RCAF), Flying Officer GS McCulloch (RCAF), Flying Officer PJM Greig (RCAF), Flight Sergeant GD McDougall (RCAF), Flight Sergeant KM Gillies (RCAF) as well as Ground Crew: Corporal ACJ Coates (RCAF), and Leading Aircraftman JB Leitch (RCAF) were all missing, presumed killed in action.

    last update: 2025-October-23

    Ferry Flight 1943-06-01 to 1943-06-01

    420 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Middleton St George

    420 Snowy Owl Squadron (Pugnamus Finitum), RAF Middleton St George. 420 Squadron RCAF was detached from Bomber Command from 1943-05-15 until 1943-11-06 and sent to the Middle East. Wellington X aircraft HE 568 lost in a daylight transit flight from RAF Portreath in Cornwall to Ras El Ma, North Africa was intercepted and shot down over the Bay of Biscay by Uffz Heinz Hommel of 13/KG 40

    Aircrew: Flight Sergeant JC Nichol (RCAF), Flying Officer GS McCulloch (RCAF), Flying Officer PJM Greig (RCAF), Flight Sergeant GD McDougall (RCAF), Flight Sergeant KM Gillies (RCAF) as well as Ground Crew: Corporal ACJ Coates (RCAF), and Leading Aircraftman JB Leitch (RCAF) were all missing, presumed killed in action

    The missing have no known graves and are all commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial

    Wellington X HE 961 was one of a group of 20 aircraft transferring air and ground crew to North Africa and one of two aircraft shot down by German fighters within minutes of each other during the transit flight. Please see aircraft HE 568 for additional information

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

    unvetted Source HOWARD'S END

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE962

    s/n HE962

    QB RAF Roundel N

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 962

    Known Units: 424

    424 Squadron Wellington HE 962 developed trouble immediately it was airborne from Kairouan/Zina (approx.) N.Africa. The oil temperature started to go up and at 75 degrees the engine started to cut out. As soon as this was noticed the Pilot jettisoned this bombs over the mountains. At this time the A/C was losing height rapidly. The starboard motor was in flames and the temperature needle was off the clock. The Captain ordered the crew to get ready to bail out. The B/A stated that all the crew repeated the instructions and answered ready and that the Captain bailed out last, eight minutes after giving the order to bail. The Captain jumped from 500 feet. Unfortunately the Navigator and the A/G did not jump and were killed.

    CAPT.(RCAF) Sergeant A.R La Farge (R130741), broken ankle; NAV (RCAF) R F Thayer, killed; B/A (RCAF) Sergeant Sinclair (R 167646) , Bruises; W/O (RAF) 1332301, Sergeant J.C. Waltoin bruises; A/G RAF) 64462,, Sergeant L W Norton killed.

    source: 424 Squadron ORB-540

    last update: 2025-October-24

    Bombing 1943-07-17 to 1943-07-17

    424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Kairouan/Zina (approx.) N.Africa

    Wellington HE 962 developed trouble immediately it was airborne. The temperature started to go up the oil at 75 degrees and the engine started to cut out. As soon as this was noticed the Pilot jettisoned this bombs over the mountains. At this time the A/C was losing height rapidly. The starboard motor was in flames and the temperature needle was off the clock. The Captain ordered the crew to get ready to bail out. The B/A stated that all the crew repeated the instructions and answered ready and that the Captain bailed out last, eight minutes after giving the order to bail. The Captain jumped from 500 feet. Unfortunately the Navigator and the A/G did not jump and were killed.

    CAPT.(RCAF) Sergeant A.R La Farge (R130741), broken ankle; NAV (RCAF) R F Thayer, killed; B/A (RCAF) Sergeant Sinclair (R 167646) , Bruises; W/O (RAF) 1332301, Sergeant J.C. Waltoin bruises; A/G RAF) 64462,, Sergeant L W Norton killed.

    source: 424 Squadron ORB-540

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE963

    s/n HE963

    QB RAF Roundel U

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 963

    Known Units: 424

    Wellington X aircraft HE963 of 424 Squadron, operating from Kairouan/Zina (approx.) N.Africa, missing on bombing mission to Messina Italy. Flying Officer W.C. Davidson, Warrant Officer RE. Vanderbeck, Pilot Officer R.F.Mang, FS D. Campbell (RAF), and Sergeant J.P.M. Garland (RAF) were killed. Flight Sergeant K.M. Gillies, Flying Officer P.J.M. Greig, electrician Cpl A.C.J. Coates, aero engine mechanic Leading Aircraftman J.B. Leitch, Flying Officer G.S. McCulloch, Flight Sergeant G.D. McDougall and Flight Sergeant J.C. Nicol missing.
    last update: 2025-October-24

    Bombing Messina Sicily Italy 1943-07-13 to 1943-07-13

    424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Kairouan/Zina (approx.) N.Africa

    Wellington X aircraft HE963 missing on bombing mission to Messina Italy. Flying Officer W.C. Davidson,Warrant Officer RE. Vanderbeck, Pilot Officer R.F.Mang, FS D. Campbell (RAF), and Sergeant J.P.M. Garland (RAF) were killed. Flight Sergeant K.M. Gillies, Flying Officer P.J.M. Greig, electrician Cpl A.C.J. Coates, aero engine mechanic Leading Aircraftman J.B. Leitch, Flying Officer G.S. McCulloch, Flight Sergeant G.D. McDougall and Flight Sergeant J.C. Nicol missing.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE967

    s/n HE967

    QB RAF Roundel O

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 967

    Known Units: 424

    On the morning of 2nd August 1943, Wellington HE967 took off at 0035 hours to carry out a bombing operation over Randazzo, Italy. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off, and it failed to return to base.
    Crew:
    RAAF 420435 Flt Flight Sergeant S C Bowker, Captain (Pilot)
    RAF Flight Sergeant T A Hallam, (Navigator)
    RAF Flight Sergeant R C Dixon, (Bomb Aimer)
    RAF Flight Sergeant F C Daniels, (Wireless Air Gunner)
    RAF Flight Sergeant H G Shoobert, (Air Gunner)
    The aircraft crashed and exploded on impact in the vicinity of Mt Etna, Sicily, presumably as a result of enemy aircraft. All the crew were killed and they are buried in
    the Catania War Cemetery, Sicily, Italy.
    last update: 2025-October-23

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE971

    s/n HE971

    QB RAF Roundel G

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 971

    Known Units: 424

    Wellington X HE971 QB-G aircraft, which had just been bombed up and fuelled for an operation, suddenly burst into flames and had it's bomb load explode at it's dispersal in Tunisia. A second Wellington HZ371 QB-E was caught in the rain of debris and also caught fire.

    Squadron personnel rushed to put out the flames and aero engine mechanic Leading Aircraftman Snelling started a third undamaged Wellington and taxied it clear of the area, while flight engineer Flying Officer Doehler and air frame mechanic Sergeant Campbell brought out a fourth.

    The second aircraft also blew up before the fire was brought under control, aero engine mechanic Leading Aircraftman N.L. Bardgett killed, Leading Aircraftman H.J. Allen and Leading Aircraftman D.A. Whyte and two others seriously injured (424 SH). research by Paul Squires

    last update: 2025-October-23

    Unspecified 1943-07-06 to 1943-07-06

    424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Kairouan/Zina (approx.) N.Africa

    Wellington X HE971 QB-G aircraft which had just been bombed up and fuelled for an operation suddenly burst into flames and had it's bomb load explode at it's dispersal in Tunisia. A second Wellington HZ371 QB-E was caught in the rain of debris and also caught fire.

    Squadron personnel rushed to put out the flames and aero engine mechanic Leading Aircraftman Snelling started a third undamaged Wellington and taxied it clear of the area, while flight engineer Flying Officer Doehler and air frame mechanic Sergeant Campbell brought out a fourth.

    The second aircraft also blew up before the fire was brought under control, aero engine mechanic Leading Aircraftman N.L. Bardgett killed, Leading Aircraftman H.J. Allen and Leading Aircraftman D.A. Whyte and two others seriously injured (424 SH). research by Paul Squires

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE977

    s/n HE977

    KW RAF Roundel I

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 977

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE979

    s/n HE979

    KW RAF Roundel Y

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 979

    Known Units: 425

    Used by No. 425 (B) Squadron, RCAF, in North Africa in 1943, coded "KW*Y".
    last update: 2025-October-23

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE983

    s/n HE983

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 983

    Known Units: 431;18 OTU

    Served with No. 431 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "SE*A". Later to 18 OTU, crashed 27 Jan 1944. Wellington aircraft HE 983 went into a dive at 9,000 feet and crashed near Lound, Yorkshire. J.A. Jefferson killed, four of the crew, not Canadians, were also killed.
    last update: 2025-October-24

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HE995

    s/n HE995

    OW RAF Roundel R

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HE 995

    Known Units: 426

    Served with No. 426 Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*R". Hit by flak attack on raid to Dortmund on 23/24 May 1943, severe damage to the fuselage and caught fire. 2 crew bailed out, crash-landed at Martlesham Heath.
    last update: 2025-October-23
       1943-May-24 Accident Crash Hit by flak attack on Dortmund, severe damage to the fuselage and caught fire. 2 crew bailed out, crash-landed at Martlesham Heath. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. XII serial HF119

    s/n HF119

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 119

    Known Units: 36

    Wellington aircraft HF 119 crashed in the sea during an anti-sub patrol. Canadian Brandt, Clarence Elmer and five members of the crew, not Canadians, missing believed killed.
    last update: 2025-October-23

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF124

    s/n HF124

    C1 RAF Roundel Q

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 124

    Known Units: 407

    Served with No. 407 (GR) Squadron, RCAF c.1943, coded "C1*Q". Disappeared on 27 September 1943, while searching for MP593 which had disappeared the day before. 6 crew missing, including the Squadron commander W/C J.C. Chilton, RAF. Only one body recovered.
    last update: 2025-October-23

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF131

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF142

    s/n HF142

    C1 RAF Roundel H

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 142

    Known Units: 407

    Served with No. 407 (GR) Squadron, RCAF c.1943/44, coded "C1*H". Stalled and crashed on takeoff from Limavady on the morning of 15 February 1944, killing pilot Lt. D.B. Bleser, USAAF and one RCAF and three RAF crew.
    last update: 2025-October-23

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF143

    s/n HF143

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 143

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF144

    s/n HF144

    C1 RAF Roundel G

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 144

    Known Units: 407

    Served with No. 407 (GR) Squadron, RCAF c.1943/45, coded "C1*G". Wellington Mk XIV (Sqn code C1-G Bomber Command) took off on an operation to the Bay of Biscay.
    Shot down (means not found) over the Bay of Biscay and crashed. Missing 22 June 1944. All aboard killed.
    last update: 2025-October-24

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF149

    s/n HF149

    C1 RAF Roundel C

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 149

    Known Units: 407

    Served with No. 407 (GR) Squadron, RCAF c.1943/44, coded "C1*C". Joined with No. 224 Squadron Liberator to badly damage U-989 in the English Channel on 6 June 1944. Failed to return to base, pilot Squadron Leader D.W. Farrell and crew lost.
    last update: 2025-October-23

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF168

    s/n HF168

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 168

    Known Units: 172

    Wellington aircraft HF 168 missing over the North Sea during a night navigation exercise. P/Os L.A. Meech and A.F. More and Flight Sergeant J.W. Torscher, were killed. Three of the crew, not Canadians, missing, believed killed.
    last update: 2025-October-24

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF172

    s/n HF172

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 172

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF177

    s/n HF177

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 177

    Known Units: 612


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF182

    s/n HF182

    C1 RAF Roundel T

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 182

    Known Units: 407

    Served with No. 407 (GR) Squadron, RCAF c.1943/45, coded "C1*T". Wellington aircraft HF 182 missing from a night anti- sub patrol over the Bay of Biscay. Addendum: Just before midnight of 9 November L.J. Thibault and his crew took-off and vanished into the night sky over the Bay of Biscay. Shortly after the aircraft reached its patrol area in the Bay, a message was received that it had a radar contact; this was followed a few moments later by a second message that no enemy had been sighted. Nothing further was heard of, or from the aircraft. Detail provided by 407 Squadron History book.
    last update: 2025-October-23

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF187

    s/n HF187

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 187

    Known Units: 407;612

    Initially served with No. 407 (GR) Squadron, RCAF c.1943/45, coded "C1*S". Later with 612 Squadron, Wellington aircraft HF 187 did not return from a night anti-sub patrol over the Bay of Biscay 25 May 1944. Flying Officer K.H. Davies, G.E. Scott and Warrant Officer J.A. Rooney were killed. Three crew members, not Canadians, missing believed killed.
    last update: 2025-October-23

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF194

    s/n HF194

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 194

    Known Units: 179

    Took off from Malta for an anti-submarine patrol off Gibraltar 17 Jan 1944. Failed to return, lost over the Mediterranean.
    last update: 2025-October-27

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF246

    s/n HF246

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 246

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF284

    s/n HF284

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 284

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF296

    s/n HF296

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 296

    Known Units: 36


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF307

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF309

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF311

    s/n HF311

    C1 RAF Roundel H

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 311

    Known Units: 407


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Reconnaissance 1944-03-11 to 1944-03-11

    407 (GR) Sqn (RCAF)

    With No. 407 (GR) Squadron, RCAF, coded "H", when it was lost on 11 March 1944 during an attack on U-256. Conflicting reports if U-boat flak downed aircraft, or if it crashed for some other reason. Pilot was Flying Officer E. O'Connell, DFC. Pilot Officer I.E.Smithson's body washed up in Derrygimbla, near Clifden, Ireland some months later and is buried there.

    source: Malcolm Deeley, Ulster Aviation Society

    Wellington aircraft HF 311 did not return from an anti-sub patrol. F/Os E.M. O'Donnell, H.C. Sorley, P/Os I. E.Smithson, C. Grant, R.C. Gaudet, and F.L. Travers were killed. On September 7, 1943 this crew sank German U-boat U 669 in the Bay of Biscay.

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF359

    s/n HF359

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 359

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF361

    s/n HF361

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 361

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF396

    s/n HF396

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 396

    Known Units: 172


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF412

    s/n HF412

    C1 RAF Roundel P

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 412

    Known Units: 407

    Served with No. 407 (GR) Squadron, RCAF c.1943/45, coded "C1*P".
    last update: 2025-October-28

    Wellington B. Mk. XIV serial HF450

    s/n HF450

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 450

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HF457

    s/n HF457

    AL RAF Roundel H

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 457

    Known Units: 429

    With No. 429 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "AL*H". Failed to return from attack on Mulheim on 22/23 June 1943, shot down by a night fighter. 3 were killed and 2 POW.
    last update: 2025-October-27
       1943-June-23 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Mulheim, shot down by a night fighter. 3 were killed and 2 POW. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HF459

    s/n HF459

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 459

    Known Units: 420

    Wellington aircraft HA 459 failed to return from operations 13 Aug 1943. Flying Officer Charles Arthur Tindall RCAF, Flying Officer J.D. Hotson (RAF), Sergeant H.W. LiIley (RAF), J. McAdam (RAF), and FS A.G. Ludgater (RAF) were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-27

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HF460

    s/n HF460

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 460

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HF471

    s/n HF471

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 471

    Known Units: 30


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HF493

    s/n HF493

    QO RAF Roundel C

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 493

    Known Units: 432

    Aircraft hit by flak during attack on Cologne on 3 / 4 July 1943. Bomb Aimer, A Dabous, bailed out without orders at 0112. On return to England aircraft was abandoned and crashed near Gravesend.
    last update: 2025-October-28

    Bombing Cologne Germany 1943-07-03 to 1943-07-03

    432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale

    Battle of the Ruhr

    53 aircraft - 293 Lancasters, 182 Halifaxes, 89 Wellingtons, 76 Stirlings, 13 Mosquitoes. 30 aircraft - 9,Halifaxes, 8 Lancasters, 8 Wellingtons, 5 Stirlings - lost, 4.6 per cent of the force.

    The aiming point for this raid was that part of Cologne situated on the east bank f the Rhine. Much industry was located there. Pathfinder ground marking was accurately maintained by both the Mosquito Oboe aircraft and the backers-up, allowing the Main Force to carry out another heavy attack on Cologne. 20 industrial remises and 2,200 houses were completely destroyed. 588 people were killed, approximately 1,000 were injured and 72,000 bombed out.

    'l'hls night saw the first operations of' a new German unit, .Jagdgeschwader 300, equipped with single-engined fighters using the Wilde Sau (Wild Boar) technique. In this, a German pilot used any form of illumination available over a city being bombed - searchlights, target indicators, the glow of fires on the ground - to pick out a bomber for attack. Liaison with the local Flak defences was supposed to ensure that the Flak was limited to a certain height above which the Wild Boar fighter was free to operate. R.A.F. crews were not used to meeting German fighters over a target city and it was some time before the presence of the new danger was realized. The reports on this night from 4 bombers that they had been fired on over the target by other bombers were almost certainly the result of Wild Boar attacks. The new German unit claimed 12 bombers shot down over Cologne but had to share the 12 available aircraft found to have crashed with the local Flak, who also claimed 12 successes.

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

    Aircraft hit by flak during attack on Cologne on 3 / 4 July 1943. Bomb Aimer, A Dabous, bailed out without orders at 0112. On return to England aircraft was abandoned and crashed near Gravesend.


       1943-July-04 Accident Crash Hit by flak during attack on Cologne. On return to England aircraft was abandoned and crashed near Gravesend. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HF518

    s/n HF518

    SE RAF Roundel J

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 518

    Known Units: 431

    Wellington aircraft HF 518 4 Group failed to return from operations 21 June 1943. Flying Officer B.S. Fudge. Flying Officer J.B.G. Bailey D.F.C. (RAF), W/O2ndCl Fawns, H.S., Pilot Officer G.C.W. Parslow D.F.M. (RAF), and W/C. J. Coverdale were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-28
       1943-June-22 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Krefeld, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Krefeld Germany 1943-06-21 to 1943-06-22

    431 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Burn

    Battle of the Ruhr

    705 aircraft - 262 Lancasters, 209 Halifaxes, I 17 Stirlings, I05 Wellingtons, 12 Mosquitoes. 44 aircraft - 17 Halifaxes, 9 Lancasters, 9 Wellingtons, 9 Stirlings - were lost, 62 per cent of the force.

    This raid was carried out before the moon period was over and the heavy casualties were mostly caused by night fighters .. 12 of the aircraft lost were from the Pathfinders; 35 Squadron lost 6 out of its 19 Halifaxes taking part in the raid.

    The raid took place in good visibility and the Pathfinders produced an almost perfect marking effort, ground-markers dropped by Oboe Mosquitoes being well backed up by the Pathfinder heavies. 619 aircraft bombed these markers, more than three quarters of them achieving bombing photographs within 3 miles of the centre of Krefeld. 2,306 tons of bombs were dropped. A large area of fire became established and this raged, out of control, for several hours. The whole centre of the city - approximately 47 per cent of the build-up area - was burnt out. The total of 5,517 houses destroyed, quoted in Krefeld's records, was the largest figure so far in the war. 1,056 people were killed and 4,550 were injured. 72,000 people lost their homes; 20,000 of these were billeted upon families in suburbs, 30,000 moved in with relatives or friends and 20,000 were evacuated to other towns.

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

    Wellington aircraft HF 518 failed to return from operations. Flying Officer B.S. Fudge. Flying Officer J.B.G. Bailey D.F.C. (RAF), W/O2ndCl Fawns, H.S., Pilot Officer G.C.W. Parslow D.F.M. (RAF), and W/C. J. Coverdale were killed.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HF533

    s/n HF533

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 533

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HF535

    s/n HF535

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 535

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HF542

    s/n HF542

    AL RAF Roundel O

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 542

    Known Units: 429

    With No. 429 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "AL*O". Failed to return from attack on Dusseldorf on 11/12 June 1943, shot down by a night fighter. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-October-27
       1943-June-12 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Dusseldorf, shot down by a night fighter. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1943-06-11 to 1943-06-12

    429 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor

    429 Bison Squadron (Fortunae Nihil) RAF East Moor. Wellington BX aircraft HF 542 AL-O was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Manfred Meurer of the 3/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Venlo airfield, Netherlands during an operation on targets in Dusseldorf, Germany

    The Wellington crashed and blew up at Westendorp near Wisch, Gelderland, Netherlands

    Flying Officer RP Davies (RCAF), FS DE Campbell (RCAF), and FS AJ MacLachlan (RCAF) were all killed in action

    FS R Zeidel (RCAF) and Warrant Officer Class 2 LPR Taillefer (RCAF) were missing, presumed killed in action. The missing have no known grave and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial

    There were three 429 squadron Wellington aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials HE 593 AL-Z and HZ 355 AL-G for additional information

    unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

    unvetted Source Results

    unvetted Source Wellington X HF542 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HF568

    s/n HF568

    QO RAF Roundel Y

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 568

    Known Units: 432

    Wellington aircraft HF 568 failed to return from a night mine-laying operation.
    last update: 2025-October-28
       1943-June-27 Failed to Return Failed to return from mining operation to Lorient and Brest, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Minelaying Brest France (Jellyfish) 1943-06-26 to 1943-06-27

    432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale

    Battle of the Ruhr

    Wellington aircraft HF 568 failed to return from a night mine-laying operation

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HF572

    s/n HF572

    QO RAF Roundel J

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 572

    Known Units: 432

    Wellington BX aircraft HF 572 QO-J missing from operations 25 June 1943 over Wuppertal, Germany, shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Werner Baake of the 1/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Gilze-Rijen airfield, Netherlands. The bomber crashed at 'Kleine Ipperakker' Kerkdriel, Gelderland, Netherlands. The entire crew was lost.
    last update: 2025-October-28
       1943-June-25 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Wuppertal. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Wuppertal Germany 1943-06-24 to 1943-06-25

    432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale

    630 aircraft - 251 Lancasters, 171 Halifaxes, 101 Wellingtons, 98 Stirlings, 9 Mosquitoes. 34 aircraft- 10 Halifaxes, 10 Stirlings, 8 Lancasters, 6 Wellingtons- lost, 5.4 per cent of the force.

    This attack was aimed at the Elberfeld half of Wuppertal, the Barmen half of the town having been devastated at the end of May. The Pathfinder marking was accurate and the Main Force bombing started well but the creep back became more pronounced than usual. 30 aircraft bombed targets in more western parts of the Ruhr; Wuppertal was at the eastern end of the area. These bombing failures were probably a result of the recent run of intensive operations incurring casualties at a high level: However, much serious damage was again caused to this medium-sized Ruhr town. The post-war British survey estimated that 94 per cent of the Elberfeld part of Wuppertal was destroyed on this night and Wuppertal's own records show that more bombs fell in Elberfeld than had fallen in Barmen on the last raid. 171 industrial premises and approximately 1000 houses were destroyed; 53 industrial premises and 2,500 houses were severely damaged. Approximately 1,800 people were killed and 2,400 injured.

    There was a dramatic incident in Gelsenkirchen, 20 miles north of Wuppertal, when an R.A.F. 4-engined bomber crashed into the hall of a building which had been taken over by the Wehrmacht. The bomber blew up 'with a terrific explosion'. A German officer, 13 soldiers, the caretaker of the building and 5 Dutch trainee postal workers were killed and 2 more soldiers died later.

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

    Wellington BX aircraft HF 572 QO-J missing from operations over Wuppertal, Germany, shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Werner Baake of the 1/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Gilze-Rijen airfield, Netherlands

    The bomber crashed at 'Kleine Ipperakker' Kerkdriel, Gelderland, Netherlands. The entire crew was lost

    FS WA Sparrow (RCAF), Sergeant N Goldie (RAFVR), Sergeant CK Killick (RAFVR), Sergeant G Liddle (RAFVR) and Sergeant FWN Trowbridge (RAFVR) were all killed in action

    The air crew were initially buried at a Cemetery at Breda, later exhumed and reburied at the Canadian War Cemetery, Bergen-op-Zoom, Netherlands

    There was a second 432 Squadron Wellington X aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serial HF 572 QO-J for additional information

    unvetted Source Daily Operations 6bombergroup.ca

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

    unvetted Source The Wuppertal Raid-Webflow

    unvetted Source search T/R number

    unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HF594

    s/n HF594

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 594

    Known Units: 166


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HF595

    s/n HF595

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 595

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HF596

    s/n HF596

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 596

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HF601

    s/n HF601

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 601

    Known Units: 196


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial HF675

    s/n HF675

    HF 675

    Wellington Mk. lll serial HF690

    s/n HF690

    HF 690

    Wellington Mk. lll serial HF697

    s/n HF697

    HF 697

    Wellington Mk. lll serial HF700

    s/n HF700

    HF 700

    Known Units: 150


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial HF752

    s/n HF752

    HF 752

    Wellington B. Mk. III serial HF763

    s/n HF763

    Vickers-Armstrong

    HF 763

    Wellington Mk. lll serial HF800

    s/n HF800

    HF 800

    Wellington Mk. lll serial HF811

    s/n HF811

    HF 811

    Known Units: 37


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. lll serial HF813

    s/n HF813

    HF 813

    Wellington Mk. lll serial HF831

    s/n HF831

    HF 831

    Wellington Mk. lll serial HF833

    s/n HF833

    HF 833

    Wellington Mk. lll serial HF835

    s/n HF835

    HF 835

    Wellington Mk. Vlll serial HF838

    s/n HF838

    HF 838

    Known Units: 7 (C) OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial HF847

    s/n HF847

    HF 847

    Wellington serial HF848

    s/n HF848

    HF 848

    Wellington 1C serial HF856

    s/n HF856

    HF 856

    Known Units: 214


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HF881

    s/n HF881

    HF 881

    Known Units: 38

    Took off from Fayid, Egypt on a night operational flight to Tripoli, Libya. Aircraft failed to return, assumed lost (means not found).
    last update: 2025-October-27

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HF907

    s/n HF907

    HF 907

    Known Units: 1443 Flt

    Wellington HF907, 1443 Ferry Training Flight RAF Harwell, aircraft accident over the Irish Sea off the coast of Anglesey, Wales, 5 June 1942.
    last update: 2025-October-28

    Wellington 1C serial HF918

    s/n HF918

    HF 918

    Wellington Mk. X serial HF981

    Wellington serial HP868

    s/n HP868

    Vickers

    HP 868

    Known Units: 38


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial HX365

    s/n HX365

    HX 365

    Wellington 1C serial HX370

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HX400

    s/n HX400

    HX 400

    Known Units: 148


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HX424

    s/n HX424

    HX 424

    Known Units: 7 (C) OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HX427

    s/n HX427

    HX 427

    Known Units: 70


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HX430

    s/n HX430

    HX 430

    Known Units: 7 (C) OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial HX431

    s/n HX431

    HX 431

    Wellington 1C serial HX433

    s/n HX433

    HX 433

    Known Units: 1443 Flt


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HX444

    s/n HX444

    HX 444

    Known Units: 3 (C) OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HX473

    Wellington 1C serial HX484

    s/n HX484

    HX 484

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HX489

    s/n HX489

    HX 489

    Known Units: 1 OADU;15


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HX494

    s/n HX494

    HX 494

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HX512

    s/n HX512

    HX 512

    Known Units: 3 (C) OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial HX527

    s/n HX527

    HX 527

    Known Units: 148


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial HX566

    s/n HX566

    HX 566

    Known Units: 1 OADU;15


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HX576

    s/n HX576

    HX 576

    Wellington serial HX580

    s/n HX580

    HX 580

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HX596

    s/n HX596

    HX 596

    Wellington 1C serial HX603

    s/n HX603

    HX 603

    Known Units: Ferry Command


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Ferry Flight 1942-08-15 to 1942-08-15

    1446 (T) FTU (RAF) RAF Hastings, Sierra Leone

    1446 (Ferry Training) Flight, RAF Hastings, Sierra Leone, West Africa. Wellington Ic aircraft HX603, bound for Lagos, Nigeria, crashed on take-off when the undercarriage was retracted too early. The aircraft skidded on it's belly into trees and caught fire

    Flight Sergeant GB Simpson (RCAF) was killed in the crash. Sergeant HG Lawrence (RAFVR) initially survived but succumbed to his injuries later that day. Flight Sergeant JW Cullen (RCAF) and Sergeant JD Nelson (RAAF) were severely injured and died the following day in the General Hospital at Freetown, Sierra Leone

    Sergeant F Browning (RCAF), survived, safe

    unvetted Source WW2 Talk

    unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

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

    unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HX626

    Wellington serial HX627

    s/n HX627

    HX 627

    Known Units: ;38


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington serial HX645

    s/n HX645

    HX 645

    Known Units: 221;28


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HX646

    s/n HX646

    HX 646

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HX677

    s/n HX677

    HX 677

    Known Units: 458

    RAAF Sqn
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Bombing 1943-04-27 to 1943-04-27

    458 () ()
    458 Australia Squadron (We Find and Destroy). The No. 458 Squadron Operations Record Book recorded the following: "On the night of 27/28th April 1943 one special Wellington took off at 2015 hours to search for enemy shipping off the west coast of Italy. At 2325 hours two medium size merchant vessels escorted by a destroyer were sighted in position 39.10N 13.22E, course 270 deg, speed 8 knots. A sighting report was sent to base. The aircraft acknowledged a signal from base at 0124 hours but it failed to return from the mission." Casualties from Wellington HX677 included: RCAF Pilot Officer R.W.J. Hudson (navigator); RAFVR Flying Officer M. Tuckwell (pilot); and RAFVR Sgt's. J.R. Hunter (special equipment (radar) operator), W.S. Lees (air gunner), T.E. Musto (second pilot), and K.T. Bates (wireless operator).

    Wellington serial HX689

    s/n HX689

    HX 689

    Known Units: ;38


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HX690

    s/n HX690

    HX 690

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial HX703

    s/n HX703

    HX 703

    Known Units: 8


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HX726

    s/n HX726

    HX 726

    Known Units: 458


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing 1943-02-13 to 1943-02-13

    458 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Luqa, Malta
    458 Australian Squadron (We Find and Destroy). The pilot of Wellington aircraft HX 726 turned back from an operation because of engine trouble and overshot the landing. The aircraft crashed and caught fire in a quarry near the Luqa aerodrome, Malta. Casualties included RCAF W/O H.E. Stanley (wireless operator / air gunner), W/O II P.E.E. Brown (wireless operator / air gunner), Pilot Officer L.H. Gleason (pilot), Pilot Officer M.M. Kempton (observer); and RAFVR Sgt. E.A. Brown (second pilot).

    Wellington serial HX732

    s/n HX732

    HX 732

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HX735

    s/n HX735

    HX 735

    Known Units: 7 (C) OTU

    Failed to Return
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HZ104

    s/n HZ104

    HZ 104

    Known Units: 22 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington serial HZ207

    s/n HZ207

    HZ 207

    Known Units: ;40


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington serial HZ247

    s/n HZ247

    HZ 247

    Wellington Mk. X serial HZ253

    s/n HZ253

    HZ 253

    Known Units: 142


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ260

    s/n HZ260

    HZ 260

    Known Units: ;429

    Used by No. 429 Squadron, RCAF, coded "AL*K". Lost on mining operation to the Frisian Islands, shot down over the sea, 1 survivor, date unknown.
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ261

    s/n HZ261

    OW RAF Roundel L

    HZ 261

    Known Units: ;426

    Used by No. 426 Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*L". Bombed Dusseldorf on 25/26 May 1943. Failed to return from raid on Dusseldorf on 11/12 June 1943, no survivors.
    last update: 2025-February-05
       1943-June-12 Failed to Return Failed to return from raid on dusseldorf, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1943-06-11 to 1943-06-12

    426 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Dishforth

    426 Thunderbird Squadron (On Wings of Fire) RAF Dishforth. Wellington BX aircraft HZ 261 OW-L did not return from a night attack against targets in Dusseldorf, Germany, lost without a trace

    There are multiple possible night fighter claims for this aircraft on this night, none definite and the Wellington may have crashed into the North Sea or near IJsselmeer, Netherlands

    FS CE Schamehorn (RCAF), Pilot Officer ND Hayes (RCAF), Flying Officer JL Rawson (RCAF), FS DG Richardson (RCAF) and FS DA MacKenzie (RCAF) were all missing, presumed killed in action

    The missing have no known grave and all are commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial

    unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

    unvetted Source Hon. Roll 1

    unvetted Source Wellington HZ261 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...

    Wellington Mk. X serial HZ263

    s/n HZ263

    HZ 263

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ273

    s/n HZ273

    QB RAF Roundel G

    HZ 273

    Known Units: ;424


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1943-04-14 to 1943-04-15

    424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Leeming

    Battle of the Ruhr

    462 aircraft- 146 Wellingtons, 135 Halifaxes, 98 Lancasters, 83 Stirlings. 23 aircraft - 8 Stirlings, 8 Wellingtons, 4 Halifaxes, 3 Lancasters - lost, 5.0 per cent of the force.

    The Pathfinders claimed to have marked the centre. of this normally difficult target accurately but the main bombing area developed to the north-east, along the line of approach of the bombing force. This was an example of the 'creep back', a feature of large raids which occurred when. Main Force crews- and some Pathfinder backers-up - failed to· press through to the centre of the marking area but bombed - of re-marked - the earliest markers visible. Bomber Command was never able to eliminate the creep back tendency and much bombing fell outside city areas because of it

    On this night the creep back extended over the suburb of Bad Canstatt, which was of an industrial nature, and some useful damage was caused, particularly in the large railway-repair workshops situated there. The neighbouring districts of Munster and Miihlhausen were also hit and the majority of the 393 buildings destroyed and 942 severely damaged and the 200-plus civilian casualties were in these northern areas.

    Only a few bombs fell in the centre of Stuttgart but the old Gedachtnis church was destroyed. In the district of Gaisburg, just east of the centre, 1 bomb scored a direct hit on an air-raid shelter packed with French and Russian prisoners of war. 257 Frenchmen and 143 Russians were killed. This tragedy brought the total death roll in Stuttgart to 619, a new record for raids to Germany

    .

    Used by No. 424 Squadron, RCAF, in the UK, mid 1943, coded "QB*G". Shot down while on a mission to Stuttgart on 15 April 1943. All crew baled and were captured POW.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ277

    s/n HZ277

    HZ 277

    Known Units: ;199

    Used by No. 425 Squadron, RCAF, in the UK mid 1943. Coded "KW*F".
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ303

    s/n HZ303

    HZ 303

    Known Units: ;429

    Used by No. 429 Squadron, RCAF, in the UK mid 1943.
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ312

    s/n HZ312

    HZ 312

    Known Units: ;429

    Used by No. 429 Squadron, RCAF, in the UK mid 1943, coded "AL*F". Failed to return from attack on Mulheim on 22/23 June 1943. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-February-05
       1943-June-23 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Mulheim. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. X serial HZ353

    s/n HZ353

    HZ 353

    Known Units: 142


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ355

    s/n HZ355

    AL RAF Roundel G

    HZ 355

    Known Units: ;429

    Used by No. 425 Squadron, RCAF, in the UK mid 1943. Coded "KW*D". With No. 429 Squadron, RCAF, coded "AL*G", when lost. Failed to return from attack on Dusseldorf on 11/12 June 1943, shot down by a night fighter, 3 crew were POWs, one evaded and one killed.
    last update: 2025-February-05
       1943-June-12 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Dusseldorf, shot down by a night fighter, 3 crew were POWs, one evaded and one killed. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1943-06-11 to 1943-06-12

    429 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF East Moor

    429 Bison Squadron (Fortunae Nihil) RAF East Moor. Wellington BX aircraft HZ 355 AL-G was shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Werner Baake of the 1/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Gilze-Rijen airfield, the Netherlands during an operation against targets in Dusseldorf, Germany. The Wellington crashed near Ophoven, Limburg, Belgium

    Pilot Pilot Officer RC Ellison (RAF) maintained control of the bomber until his crew were able to bail but was himself, killed in action

    Sergeant WG Bailey (RCAF), FS WJ Mullaney Jr (RCAF), Sergeant EC Nicholson (RAF) and Sergeant HEJ Horton (RAF) survived and initially became Evaders. Sergeant Bailey escaped with the assistance of the Comet Escape Line but Mullaney , Horton and Nicholson were betrayed and arrested and became Prisoners of War. Three Belgians assisting the airmen to escape were arrested and executed

    There were three 429 Squadron Wellington aircraft lost on this operation. Please see aircraft serials HF 542 AL-O and HE 593 AL-Z for additional information

    unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

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

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ365

    s/n HZ365

    HZ 365

    Known Units: ;428

    Used by No. 428 Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*U". Failed to return from attack on Duisberg on 26/27 April 1943, 4 crew were killed and 1 POW. Crashed near Dulmen.
    last update: 2025-February-05
       1943-April-27 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Duisberg, 4 crew were killed and 1 POW. Crashed near Dulmen. 2019-08-20

    Wellington Mk. Xl serial HZ407

    s/n HZ407

    HZ 407

    Known Units: 547


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ437

    s/n HZ437

    HZ 437

    Known Units: 310 FTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ471

    s/n HZ471

    HZ 471

    Known Units: ;429

    With No. 429 Squadron, RCAF, coded "AL*M". Failed to return from attack on Wuppertal on 29/30 May 1943, no survivors.
    last update: 2025-February-05
       1943-May-30 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Wuppertal, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ476

    s/n HZ476

    HZ 476

    Known Units: ;428

    With No. 428 Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*A". Failed to return from attack on Dusseldorf on 25/26 May 1943. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-February-05
       1943-May-26 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Dusseldorf. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ481

    s/n HZ481

    QO RAF Roundel W

    HZ 481

    Known Units: ;432


    last update: 2025-October-30
       1943-July-04 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Cologne. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Cologne Germany 1943-07-03 to 1943-07-04

    (B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale

    Battle of the Ruhr

    53 aircraft - 293 Lancasters, 182 Halifaxes, 89 Wellingtons, 76 Stirlings, 13 Mos¬uitoes. 30 aircraft - 9,Halifaxes, 8 Lancasters, 8 Wellingtons, 5 Stirlings - lost, 4·6 per cent of the force.

    The aiming point for this raid was that part of Cologne situated on the east bank f the Rhine. Much industry was located there. Pathfinder ground marking was accurately maintained by both the Mosquito Oboe aircraft and the backers-up, allowing the Main Force to carry out another heavy attack on Cologne. 20 industrial remises and 2,200 houses were completely destroyed. 588 people were killed, approximately 1,000 were injured and 72,000 bombed out.

    'l'hls night saw the first operations of' a new German unit, .Jagdgeschwader 300, equipped with single-engined fighters using the Wilde Sau (Wild Boar) technique. In this, a German pilot used any form of illumination available over a city being bombed - searchlights, target indicators, the glow of fires on the ground - to pick out a bomber for attack. Liaison with the local Flak defences was supposed to ensure that the Flak was limited to a certain height above which the Wild Boar fighter was free to operate. R.A.F. crews were not used to meeting German fighters over a target city and it was some time before the presence of the new danger was realized. The reports on this night from 4 bombers that they had been fired on over the target by other bombers were almost certainly the result of Wild Boar attacks. The new German unit claimed 12 bombers shot down over Cologne but had to share the 12 available aircraft found to have crashed with the local Flak, who also claimed 12 successes.

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

    Wellington aircraft HZ 481 was shot down at St Puond, Belgium during a night trip to Cologne, Germany. L.H.A. McCormick P.K. Chambers, B.L. Owen, B.H. Garoutte, and R.F. Moore were killed. These airmen had all been slightly injured on April 16, 1943 when their 427 Squadron Wellington aircraft had engine failure and made a forced landing at Clear Hill, Bedford, England.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ485

    s/n HZ485

    HZ 485

    Known Units: ;428

    Used by No. 428 Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*G". Failed to return from attack on Essen on 27/28 May 1943, no survivors. May have been shot down on way to target, coming down at Haps-Rijkevoort, SE Noord-Brabant province, Holland at 01:30 on 28 May 1943.
    last update: 2025-February-05
       1943-May-28 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Essen, no survivors. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ517

    s/n HZ517

    HZ 517

    Known Units: ;429

    With No. 429 Squadron, RCAF, coded "AL*M". Failed to return from attack on Krefeld on 21 / 22 June 1943, shot down by a night fighter. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-February-05
       1943-June-22 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Krefeld, shot down by a night fighter. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ518

    s/n HZ518

    QO RAF Roundel A

    HZ 518

    Known Units: ;432


    last update: 2025-October-30
       1943-June-25 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Wuppertal. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Wuppertal Germany 1943-06-24 to 1943-06-25

    (B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale

    Battle of the Ruhr

    630 aircraft - 251 Lancasters, 171 Halifaxes, IOI Wellingtons, 98 Stirlings, 9 Mos-quitoes. 34 aircraft- IO Halifaxes, IO Stirlings, 8 Lancasters, 6 Wellingtons- lost, 5'4 per cent of the force.

    This attack was aimed at the Elberfeld half of Wuppertal, the Barmen half of the town having been devastated at the end of May. The Pathfinder marking was accurate and the Main Force bombing started well but the creep back became more pronounced than usual. 30 aircraft bombed targets in more western parts of the Ruhr; Wuppertal was at the eastern end of the area. These bombing failures were probably a result of the recent run of intensive operations incurring casualties at a high level: However, much serious damage was again caused to this medium-sized Ruhr town. The post-war British survey estimated that 94 per cent of the Elberfeld part of Wuppertal was destroyed on this night and Wuppertal's own records show that more bombs fell in Elberfeld than had fallen in Barmen on the last raid. 171 industrial premises and approximately J;OOO houses were destroyed; 53 industrial premises and 2,500 houses were severely damaged. Approximately ·1,800 people were killed and 2,400 injured.

    There was a dramatic incident in Gelsenkirchen, 20 miles north of Wuppertal, when an R.A.F. 4-engined bomber crashed into the hall of a building which had been taken over by the Wehrmacht. The bomber blew up 'with a terrific explosion'. A German officer, 13 soldiers, the caretaker of the building and 5 Dutch trainee postal workers were killed and 2 more soldiers died later.

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

    Wellington X aircraft HZ 518 QO-O crashed into the North Sea 10 km west of Den Haag, Zuid-Holland during an operation to Wuppertal, Germany. The Wellington was shot down by night fighter pilot Hauptmann Heinrich Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein of the Stab IV/NJG 5 (detached to 1/NJG 1), flying a Ju 88 C-6 from Gilze-Rijen airfield., Netherlands

    FS JMC Lagace (RCAF), FS MR Deverell (RCAF), FS JJ.Mercier (RCAF), Flying Officer JR Gingras (RCAF), and Sgt. MP Tobin (RAFVR) were initially missing presumed killed

    FS Lagace's body washed ashore 1943-07-10

    Flying Officer Gingras's body washed ashore 1943-08-29

    FS Deverell's body washed ashore near Ouddorp, Netherlands, date unknown

    All three are buried in cemeteries in the Netherlands

    FS Mercier and Sergeant Tobin remain missing and are commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial

    There was a second 432 Squadron Wellington aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Sparrow, W for information on Wellington HF 572 QO-J

    unvetted Source Daily Operations 6bombergroup.ca

    unvetted Source search T/R number

    unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

    unvetted Source The Wuppertal Raid-Webflow

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ519

    s/n HZ519

    HZ 519

    Known Units: ;429

    Used by No. 429 Squadron, RCAF, in the UK mid 1943, coded "AL*L". Failed to return from attack on Krefeld on 21/22 June 1943, shot down by a night fighter, into the sea. All were killed. At least two bodies found in life raft washed ashore some days later.
    last update: 2025-February-05
       1943-June-22 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Krefeld, shot down by a night fighter, into the sea. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ520

    s/n HZ520

    HZ 520

    Known Units: ;429

    Used by No. 429 Squadron, RCAF, in the UK mid 1943, coded "AL*Z". Failed to return from attack on Krefeld on 21/22 June 1943, shot down by a night fighter. 2 crew killed and 3 POW.
    last update: 2025-February-05
       1943-June-22 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Krefeld, shot down by a night fighter. 2 crew killed and 3 POW. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ521

    s/n HZ521

    HZ 521

    Known Units: ;429

    Used by No. 429 Squadron, RCAF, in the UK mid 1943, coded "AL*W". Failed to return from attack on Wuppertal on 24 / 25 June 1943. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-February-05
       1943-June-25 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Wuppertal. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ531

    s/n HZ531

    HZ 531

    Known Units: 466


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial HZ582

    s/n HZ582

    HZ 582

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial HZ594

    s/n HZ594

    HZ 594

    Known Units: 458


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing 1943-07-22 to 1943-07-22

    458 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Protville, Tunisia
    458 Australia Squadron (We Find and Destroy) Wellington XIII aircraft HZ 594 was on an anti-shipping strike operation over the Mediterranean, west of Sardinia and from Corsica to Toulon. At 0135, the crew broadcast a sighting report. At 0320 hours, the aircraft sent a message to base requesting instructions, and was directed to return to base. Nothing further was heard from the aircraft which did not return to base. It is believed to have been shot down by flak near Bastia, Corsica. Casualties included RCAF Flight Lieutenant G.L. Baker (pilot); RAAF Flt. Sgt. I. Kippenberger (navigator); RAFVR Sgt's. L.S. Hill (wireless operator / air gunner), L.H. Johnson (wireless operator / air gunner), F.C. Kingston (pilot), and R. Wilkinson (pilot).

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial HZ598

    s/n HZ598

    HZ 598

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial HZ633

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial HZ703

    s/n HZ703

    HZ 703

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial HZ726

    s/n HZ726

    HZ 726

    Known Units: 38


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. XII serial HZ727

    s/n HZ727

    HZ 727

    Wellington MK Vlll serial HZ963

    s/n HZ963

    HZ 963

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial JA114

    s/n JA114

    AL RAF Roundel A

    JA 114

    Known Units: ;429

    Used by No. 429 Squadron, RCAF, coded "AL*A". Failed to return from attack on Hamburg on 27 / 28 July 1943, shot down by a night fighter. 3 crew were killed and 2 POW.
    last update: 2025-February-05
       1943-July-28 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Hamburg, shot down by a night fighter. 3 crew were killed and 2 POW. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Hamburg Germany 1943-07-27 to 1943-07-28

    (B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor

    For this Hamburg op of the 9 crews dispatched including the CO and his crew, W/C Piddington and B Flight Commander, Squadron Leader French and his crew. There were 2 early returns, Sergeant Tighe with his Gee becoming US and Flight Lieutenant Pentony because the starboard engine became US. The crews returned from 0357 to 0423.

    The squadron waiting, to no avail, W/C Piddington and his crew failed to return on this op. According to his tail gunner, Reg Scarth, they were flying a brand new kite that night and it was developing too much power. W/C Piddington couldn't throttle back enough because it would cause the engines to overheat. Because of the excessive power their kite was about two minutes ahead of the bomber stream and a sitting duck for the enemy radar and night fighters. They were attacked by Ofw. Karl Kades at 0049 hrs. The aircraft was on fire from the attack and the crew were attempting to exit the plane when it broke apart from an explosion. Sergeant L. Reineck was catapulted through the side of the fuselage. He didn't know what happened to the rest of the crew. He was told by the German interrogation officer, in Frankfurt on 6 Aug 1943 that W/C Piddington was found at the controls of the wrecked aircraft. Sergeant Reineck doesn't know what happened to the rest of the crew. Sergeant L Reineck (WAG) RAF and Sergeant R Scarth (AG) RAF would spend the rest of the war as POWs. Many recalled W/C Piddington as a very popular and well-liked officer. He was quiet, he had a sense of humour and he earned the respect of both his crew and the squadron. W/C Piddington's grave marker is at Hamburg Cemetery.

    The story finally comes to life again when Ellen Renton, the wife of Flying Officer Paul Renton (BA) RAFVR age 27 typed a letter to the RAF on 6 July 1945 saying that a soldier friend of hers had made enquires for her in Germany and found that a plane was brought down at Rensdburg on July 27th, 1943. She goes on to describe that there were three airmen in the plane, 2 were identified as W/C Piddington, the other as DO NOT Remove 14805, this is Flying Officer Farquhar number, but the third in someway has been recorded as an American in the book and on the gravestone, yet my friend found a certificate confirming their death and on this they were down as English. She asked that if this unidentified airmen is her husband she would rather know and have his name on the cross, rather than being in the state of mind of not knowing anything for the past two years. She closed the letter by saying If my husband has made the supreme sacrifice, I would rather know where his body lies. She enclosed a photograph of the cross her friend found.

    The MREU section, under Flight Lieutenant S.G. Uerdal, takes up the story in May 1946. Herr Oehme, the local policeman at the time of the crash, was looking skyward on the night of 26/27 July 1943. He said he saw a Dornier 217 attack a British aircraft. The Dornier crashed at the same time, presumably shot down by the British aircraft. Herr Oehme arrived at the scene of the crash about one and a half hours later, finding pieces of the aircraft scattered over a wide area and burning fiercely. He identified it as a twin engine aircraft. He placed a guard on the aircraft and reported it to the Landraft at Rendsburg and to the Luftwaffe airfield at Neumunster. The Luftwaffe came out and took charge of the crash scene. Herr Oehme stated that he was told by Hauptman Vollert, from Neumunster that the aircraft was identified as a Wellington. He stated that three bodies were recovered from the crash site with one badly burned. Two of the bodies were identified as Piddington rectly identifies Stovell,not Renton and Farquhar. The third body couldn't be identified. They were buried with full military honours on 30 Jul 1943 at Neumunster. The original graves, in 1946, showing Stovell on the marker.

    Uerdal reports that the graves were extremely well cared for with flowers on them and a grass verge around them with two crosses of pine with the names of W/C Piddington and Flying Officer Allan Ronald Armitage Farquhar's (N) RCAF age 21 names on the crosses in white lettering. The third cross is marked at Flight Lieutenant C. Stovel 16835. The bodies were exhumed to confirm identities. The first body was badly burned and decapitated. Because of this there was no possible means of positively identifying it. The next body exhumed had false upper dentures and a dark moustache. Obviously W/C Piddington. Since Farquhar and Piddington were positively identified and the third body was part of the same crash. They came to the conclusion the grave was incorrectly labelled at Flight Lieutenant Stovel and was in fact Pilot Officer Paul Renton. (J16835 Flight Lieutenant C.C Stovel RCAF, of 408 sqn was also killed that night. He is buried at the Hamburg Cemetery). Based on their findings they considered the matter was closed and the graves registered.

    source: Greg Kopchuck, Bomber Command Museum of Canada

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial JA118

    s/n JA118

    QO RAF Roundel G

    JA 118

    Known Units: ;432


    last update: 2025-October-30
       1943-August-31 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Munchen. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Monchengladbach Germany 1943-08-31 to 1943-08-31

    (B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale

    Battle of Berlin

    660 aircraft - 297 Lancasters, l 85 Halifaxes, 107 Stirlings, 57 Wellingtons, 14 Mosquitoes. 25 aircraft - 8 Halifaxes, 7 Lancasters, 6 Stirlings, 4 Wellingtons - lost, 3·8 per cent of the force.

    This was a 'double' attack, with a z-minute pause after the first phase while the Pathfinders transferred the marking from Monchengladbach to the neighbouring town of Rheydt. It was the first serious attack on both towns. The visibility was good and the Oboe-assisted marking of both targets was described in Bomber Command's records as 'a model' of good Pathfinder marking. The bombing was very concentrated with little creepback. Approximately half of the built-up area in each town was destroyed.

    Only short reports are available from Germany. Mdnchengladbach recorded 1,059 buildings destroyed - 171 industrial, 19 military and 869 domestic, with II7 people killed. The town's telegraph office is the only building mentioned by name.

    The number of buildings destroyed in Rheydt is given as 1,280 with damage to the main railway station and many rail facilities being stressed, and with 253 people being killed. A further 2,152 people were injured and 12 were missing but these last figures are combined ones for the two towns.

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

    Wellington aircraft JA 118 missing during night operations to Monchengladbach, Germany.Warrant Officer B.J. Pierce, P/Os D. Collins (RAF), R.C. White (RAF), Flying Officer G. Jarvis (RAF), FS J.E. Pendelton and FS Jacob Jensky (RAF) were killed.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial JA119

    s/n JA119

    JA 119

    Known Units: ;432


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Operational 1943-07-16 to 1943-07-16

    (B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale

    Aircraft disintegrated in flight during a test flight and crashed at 11:50 on 16 July 1943. Came down 2 miles west of Malton, Yorkshire. All 6 crew killed.

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial JA142

    s/n JA142

    JA 142

    Known Units: 458


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing Mediterranean Sea 1943-11-27 to 1943-11-27

    458 () Sqn (RAAF) Tahir
    458 Australia Squadron (We Find and Destroy). Wellington aircraft JA 142 crashed in hill country off Cape Bougaroun, Algeria, while engaged in a search and rescue mission for a downed long-range Beaufighter aircraft doing anti-submarine convoy patrol. Casualties included RCAF W/O I A. Aikman (navigator); RAFVR Sgt. M.V. Angier (pilot); and RAAF Sgt's. R.T.A. Freeman (wireless air gunner), L.J. Muschialli (special equipment / radar operator), G.K. Reid (wireless operator), and J. Richards (2nd pilot).

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial JA192

    s/n JA192

    JA 192

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial JA296

    s/n JA296

    JA 296

    Known Units: 38


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial JA415

    s/n JA415

    JA 415

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial JA455

    s/n JA455

    JA 455

    Known Units: 26 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. Xll serial JA563

    s/n JA563

    JA 563

    Known Units: 78 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial JA572

    s/n JA572

    JA 572

    Known Units: 78 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial JA580

    s/n JA580

    JA 580

    Wellington MK Vlll serial LA971

    s/n LA971

    LA 971

    Wellington TB. Vll serial LA993

    s/n LA993

    LA 993

    Known Units: 458


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing 1943-06-28 to 1943-06-28

    458 () ()
    458 Australia Squadron (We Find and Destroy). Wellington aircraft LA 993 was flying at 300 feet when the starboard engine caught fire. The aircraft crashed six miles south-west of Landing Ground 106. All crew members were killed and buried in the El Alamein Cemetery, Egypt. Casualties included: RCAF W/O II D.J. Somers (pilot); RAFVR Flying Officer D.J. Carter; and RAFVR Sgt's. H.J. Ferrier, F.W. Machin (wireless operator), F. O'Neill, J. Shutt, and H. Taylor (wireless operator).

    Wellington MK Vlll serial LA995

    s/n LA995

    LA 995

    Known Units: 303 FTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial LB120

    Wellington MK Vlll serial LB134

    s/n LB134

    LB 134

    Known Units: 458


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing 1943-02-25 to 1943-02-25

    458 (B) () RAF Luqa Malta
    458 Australia Squadron (We Find and Destroy). Wellington aircraft LB 134 went down in the sea off Italy. All Canadian members of the RCAF crew died: W/O II R.A. Sheffield (pilot), W/O II L.M. Clark (observer), Sgt. F.S. Jenkins (wireless air gunner), Sgt. J.F. Kirk (wireless air gunner), Sgt. A.F.W. McLeod (wireless air gunner), and Flt. Sgt. P. King (second pilot).

    Wellington MK Vlll serial LB169

    s/n LB169

    LB 169

    Known Units: 458


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing 1943-04-29 to 1943-04-29

    458 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Luqa, Malta
    458 Australia Squadron (We Find and Destroy). Wellington LB169 took off from RAF Luqa at 2018 hours on the night of 29/30 April 1943 to carry out a shipping search off western Sicily. At 0223 hours a weather report was received at base from the aircraft. Nothing further was heard from the aircraft and it failed to return from the mission. Casualties of the entire crew included: RAAF Flt. Sgt. R.D. Armour (gunner); and RCAF W/O II's G.J. Banks (special equipment (radar) operator), J.R. Grasley (wireless operator), N.A. Stelter (second pilot), and R.M. Westman (pilot); and RCAF Sgt. G.A.D. Cameron (navigator).

    Wellington MK Vlll serial LB172

    s/n LB172

    LB 172

    Known Units: 458


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing Naples Italy 1943-03-25 to 1943-03-25

    458 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Luqa, Malta
    458 Australia Squadron (We Find and Destroy). Wellington LB172 was equipped with torpedoes to carry out an armed shipping search covering an area East of Sardinia, Maritime, Palermo, and Naples. The aircraft requested a bearing back to Base while it was between Palermo and Naples. Nothing further was heard from the aircraft and the aircraft failed to return. The cause of the crash was unknown. All crew members were taken Prisoners of War: RCAF Sgt. T.J. Crouch; RNZAF W.P. Hermann; RAAF Pilot Officer H.T. Lambie; RAAF Sgt. R.W. Mellor; RAAF Sgt. F.O. Raymond; and RAAF W/O J.G. Shierlaw. W/O Shierlaw was subsequently killed during a mistaken allied air attack on Prisoners of War near the German village of Gresse in 1945.

    Wellington MK Vlll serial LB195

    s/n LB195

    LB 195

    Known Units: 458


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing 1943-06-16 to 1943-06-16

    458 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Protville, Tunisia
    458 Australia Squadron (We Find and Destroy). Wellington LB195 was on an anti-submarine patrol escorting a convoy. It sent suddenly off the RDF plot and did not return to base. Casualties included: RCAF W/O II T.P. Scandiffio (navigator); RAAF Flt. Sgt. J.E. Flecknoe (air gunner); RAF Sgt. E.B. Bottomley (pilot); RAFVR Flt. Sgt. J.D. Reynolds (air gunner); RAFVR Sgt's. J.R. Cousines (wireless operator / air gunner), and B.L. Pottage (second pilot).

    Wellington Mk. l serial LM293

    s/n LM293

    LM 293

    Known Units: 12 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN185

    s/n LN185

    LN 185

    Known Units: 18 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN238

    s/n LN238

    LN 238

    Known Units: 84 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN263

    s/n LN263

    LN 263

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN284

    s/n LN284

    SE RAF Roundel Q

    LN 284

    Known Units: ;431


    last update: 2025-October-30
       1943-July-04 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Cologne, shot down by a night fighter. 4 crew were killed and 1 POW. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Cologne Germany 1943-07-03 to 1943-07-04

    (B) Sqn (RCAF) Burn

    Battle of the Ruhr

    653 aircraft - 293 Lancasters, 182 Halifaxes, 89 Wellingtons, 76 Stirlings, 13 Mosquitoes. 30 aircraft - 9.Halifaxes, 8 Lancasters, 8 Wellingtons, 5 Stirlings - lost, 4·6 per cent of the force.

    The aiming point for this raid was that part of Cologne situated on the east bank of the Rhine. Much industry was .located there. Pathfinder ground marking was accurately maintained by both the Mosquito Oboe aircraft and the backers-up, allowing the Main Force to carry out another heavy attack on Cologne. 20 industrial premises and 2,200 houses were completely destroyed, 588 people were killed, approximately 1,000were injured and 72,000 bombed out.

    .

    This night saw the first operations of a new German unit, Jagdgeschwader 300 equipped with single-engined fighters using the Wilde Sau (Wild Boar) technique. Ii this, a German pilot used any form of illumination available over a city being bomber - searchlights, target indicators, the glow of fires on the ground - to pick out : bomber for attack. Liaison with the local Flak defenses was supposed to ensure tha the Flak was limited to a certain height above which the Wild Boar fighter was free t, operate. R.A.F. crews were not used to meeting German fighters over a target city and it was some time before the presence of the new danger was realized. The report on this night from 4 bombers that they had been fired on over the target by ot he bombers were almost certainly the result of Wild Boar attacks. The new German unit claimed 12 bombers shot down over Cologne but had to share the 12 available aircraft found to have crashed with the local Flak, who also claimed 12 successes.

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

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN285

    s/n LN285

    QO RAF Roundel C

    LN 285

    Known Units: ;432


    last update: 2025-October-30
       1943-July-04 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Cologne. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Cologne Germany 1943-07-03 to 1943-07-04

    (B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale

    Battle of the Ruhr

    53 aircraft - 293 Lancasters, 182 Halifaxes, 89 Wellingtons, 76 Stirlings, 13 Mos¬uitoes. 30 aircraft - 9,Halifaxes, 8 Lancasters, 8 Wellingtons, 5 Stirlings - lost, 4·6 per cent of the force.

    The aiming point for this raid was that part of Cologne situated on the east bank f the Rhine. Much industry was located there. Pathfinder ground marking was accurately maintained by both the Mosquito Oboe aircraft and the backers-up, allowing the Main Force to carry out another heavy attack on Cologne. 20 industrial remises and 2,200 houses were completely destroyed. 588 people were killed, approximately 1,000 were injured and 72,000 bombed out.

    'l'hls night saw the first operations of' a new German unit, .Jagdgeschwader 300, equipped with single-engined fighters using the Wilde Sau (Wild Boar) technique. In this, a German pilot used any form of illumination available over a city being bombed - searchlights, target indicators, the glow of fires on the ground - to pick out a bomber for attack. Liaison with the local Flak defences was supposed to ensure that the Flak was limited to a certain height above which the Wild Boar fighter was free to operate. R.A.F. crews were not used to meeting German fighters over a target city and it was some time before the presence of the new danger was realized. The reports on this night from 4 bombers that they had been fired on over the target by other bombers were almost certainly the result of Wild Boar attacks. The new German unit claimed 12 bombers shot down over Cologne but had to share the 12 available aircraft found to have crashed with the local Flak, who also claimed 12 successes.

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

    Wellington aircraft LN 285 missing from night operations over Cologne,

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN288

    s/n LN288

    LN 288

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN294

    s/n LN294

    QO RAF Roundel E

    LN 294

    Known Units: ;432


    last update: 2025-October-30
       1943-July-30 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Hamburg, shot down by a night fighter. 4 were killed and one POW. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Hamburg Germany 1943-07-29 to 1943-07-30

    (B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale

    Battle of Hamburg

    177 aircraft - 340 Lancasters, 244 Halifaxes, 119 Stirlings, 70 Wellingtons, 4 Mos¬[uitoes, 28aircraft-11 Halifaxes, 11 Lancasters, 4 Stirlings, 2 Wellingtons -lost, 3·6 per cent of the force.

    The marking for this raid was again all by H2S. The intention was to approach Hamburg from almost due north and bomb those northern and north-eastern districts which had so far not been bombed, 't'he Pathfinders actually came In more than 2 miles too far to the east and marked an area just south of the devastated firestorm area. The Main Force bombing crept buck about 4 miles, through the devastated urea, but then produced very heavy bombing in the Wandsbek and Barmbek districts and parts of the Uhlenhorst and Winterhude districts. These were all residential areas. 707 aircraft dropped 2,318 tons of bombs. There was a widespread fire area - though no firestorm - which the exhausted Hamburg fire units could do little to check. The worst incident was in the shelter of a large department store in Wandsbek. The building collapsed and blocked the exits from the shelter which was in the basement of the store. 370 people died, poisoned by carbon monoxide fumes from a burning coke store near by.

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

    Wellington aircraft LN 294 was shot down by a night fighter. twenty-six miles south-east of the target at Lunenburg, Germany during a night raid against Hamburg, Germany. 4 were killed and one POW.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN296

    s/n LN296

    LN 296

    Known Units: ;429

    With No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, dates and code unknown. Used by No. (B) 429 Squadron, RCAF, in the UK mid 1943. Coded "AL*P" when lost. Failed to return from attack on Cologne on 3/4 July 1943, shot down by a night fighter. All were killed.
    last update: 2025-February-05
       1943-July-04 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Cologne, shot down by a night fighter. All were killed. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN324

    s/n LN324

    LN 324

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN330

    s/n LN330

    LN 330

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN336

    s/n LN336

    LN 336

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN338

    s/n LN338

    LN 338

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN384

    s/n LN384

    LN 384

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN400

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN424

    s/n LN424

    LN 424

    Known Units: ;428

    Used by No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*E". Failed to return from attack on Wuppertal on 29/30 May 1943, crashed after catching fire. No survivors.
    last update: 2025-February-05
       1943-May-30 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Wuppertal, crashed after catching fire. No survivors. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN429

    s/n LN429

    LN 429

    Known Units: ;429

    Used by No. 427 (B) Squadron, RCAF.
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN435

    s/n LN435

    QO RAF Roundel J

    LN 435

    Known Units: ;432


    last update: 2025-October-30
       1943-May-30 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Wuppertal. 3 crew were POWs and 2 were killed. 2019-08-20

    Bombing Wuppertal Germany 1943-05-29 to 1943-05-30

    (B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale

    Battle of the Ruhr

    719 aircraft- 292 Lancasters, 185 Halifaxes, 118 Stirlings, 113 Wellingtons, 11 Mosquitoes. 33 aircraft - IO Halifaxes, 8 Stirlings, 8 Wellingtons, 7 Lancasters - lost, 4·6 per cent of the force.

    This attack was aimed at the Barmen half of the long and narrow town of /uppertal and was the outstanding success of the Battle of the Ruhr. Both Pathfinder marking and Main Force bombing was particularly accurate and a large fire area developed in the narrow streets of the old centre of the town, It is probable that this fire was so severe that the first small form of what would later become known as a 'firestorm' developed. Because it was a Saturday night, many of the town's fire and air-raid officials were not present, having gone to their country homes for the weekend, and the fire services of the town - in their first raid - were not able to control the fires.

    Approximately 1,000 acres - possibly 80 per cent of Barmen's built-up area - was destroyed by fire. 5 out of the town's 6 largest factories, 2II other industrial premises and nearly 4,000 houses were completely destroyed. The number of buildings classed as seriously damaged - 71 industrial and 1,800 domestic - indicates the high proportion of complete destruction. Various figures were given for the number of people killed but our expert on Ruhr raids, Norbert Kruger, advises that the figure of 'approximately 3,400' is the nearest reasonable estimate.

    The above figures indicate that the property damage in this raid was about twice as severe as any previous raid on a German city, while the number of people killed in this comparatively unprepared backwater of the Ruhr was about 5 times greater than any previous city raid.

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

    Wellington aircraft LN 435 missing over Holland. One of the crew, not Canadian, was killed. Sergeant W.H. Grigg, and two crew members, not Canadians, taken Prisoners of War.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN439

    s/n LN439

    LN 439

    Known Units: ;429

    Served with No. 424 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "QB*D", probably in the UK. Used by No. 429 Squadron, RCAF, coded "AL*N" when it failed to return from attack on Bochum on 13 / 14 May 1943. Possibly shot down by flak, also reported as shot down by night fighter just before starting bombing run. Came down at Kleinerbroich, about 6 kilometres east of Munchen Gladbach. 4 crew were killed and one POW.
    last update: 2025-February-05
       1943-May-14 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Bochum, shot down by flak. 4 crew were killed and one POW. 2019-08-20

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN451

    s/n LN451

    QO RAF Roundel W

    LN 451

    Known Units: ;432


    last update: 2025-October-30
       1943-October-09 Failed to Return Failed to return from attack on Hannover. All were killed. 2019-08-20

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

    (B) Sqn (RCAF) Eastmoor

    Battle of Berlin

    504 aircraft- 282 Lancasters, 188 Halifaxes, 26 Wellingtons, 8 Mosquitoes. This was the last Bomber Command raid in which Wellingtons took part. 300 (Polish) and 432 (Canadian) Squadrons provided the 26 Wellingtons which operated on this night; they all returned safely. The German controller guessed correctly that Hannover was the target and many night fighters arrived before the attack was over. 27 aircraft- 14 Lancasters and 13 Halifaxes - were lost, 5·4 per cent of the force.

    Conditions over Hannover were clear and the Pathfinders were finally able to mark the centre of the city accurately; a most concentrated attack followed with a creepback of only 2 miles, all within the built-up area. This was probably Hannover's worst attack of the war. The local report describes extensive damage in the centre of. the city and in many other parts except the west. The telephone system and electricity supply failed at the beginning of the raid and many water mains were quickly broken. A large area of fire quickly developed in the centre and south-central districts. Acting upon instructions from the Party Headquarters and from district air-raid posts, the population were shepherded to collecting places in open areas between the fires. This action is believed to have saved many lives but 1,200 people were killed and 3,345 were injured, 449 seriously so. A further 6,000-8,000 people received eye injuries because of smoke and heat. 3,932 buildings were completely destroyed and more than 30,000 were damaged in varying degree, but no individual buildings are named. R.A.F. reconnaissance, however, showed that the important Continental rubber factory and the Hanomag machine works were badly hit.

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

    Wellington aircraft LN 451 missing, presumed over the target Hanover, Germany. WO.s D.C. Baker, G.W. Thompson, C.N Hurl and Sergeants J. Taylor, J.Black (RAF) were killed.

    Wellington serial LN516

    s/n LN516

    LN 516

    Known Units: ;150


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN540

    s/n LN540

    LN 540

    Known Units: 16 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN554

    s/n LN554

    QO RAF Roundel P

    LN 554

    Known Units: ;432


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing Hanover Germany 1943-09-22 to 1943-09-23

    (B) Sqn (RCAF) Eastmoor

    Battle of Berlin

    711 aircraft - 322 Lancasters, 226 Halifaxes, 137 Stirlings, 26 Wellingtons - on the first major raid to Hannover for 2 years; this was the first of a series of 4 heavy raids on this target. 5 American B-17s also took part in the raid, their first night raid on Germany. 26 aircraft - 12 Halifaxes, 7 Lancasters, 5 Stirlings, 2 Wellingtons - lost, 3 ·7 per cent of the force.

    Visibility in the target area was good but stronger winds than forecast caused the marking and the bombing to be concentrated between 2 and 5 miles south-south-east of the city centre. It has not been possible to obtain a German report but it is unlikely that serious damage was caused.

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

    Wellington X aircraft LN 554 QO-P had to ditch in the North Sea sixty miles off the British Coast. Two Canadians, Sergeants Higgins and Mayo were rescued after spending twelve hours in a dinghy.

    This wasWarrant Officer Barlow's fifth operation. ExWarrant Officer Andrew Higgins of Port Elgin, Ontario had this to say about the sortie, "We were on our 5th op. to Hanover and were badly hit over the target. Ron did a wonderful job of getting us to within 60 miles of the British Coast and landing successfully in rough water off Flamborough Head. I had a tough job getting out of the rear turret and swimming to the dinghy. Ron, our pilot, never got out and our RAF Wireless Air Gunner , FS Fred Reeson was also lost. Sergeant Alex Buchan, our Nay, Sergeant Bill Mayo our BA, and myself spent 12 hours in the dinghy. Flying Officer A Mercer and his crew located our dinghy and stood by until a British Navy rescue launch arrived and took us to Innnigham Hospital at Grimsby. We got 30 days leave and back to 432 Sqdn. on Lancs." (R. Koval)

    Please see FS WJ Mayo for details of a second crash involvingWarrant Officer Higgins.

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN566

    s/n LN566

    LN 566

    Wellington serial LN591

    s/n LN591

    LN 591

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN689

    s/n LN689

    LN 689

    Known Units: 14 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN716

    s/n LN716

    LN 716

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN760

    s/n LN760

    LN 760

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN766

    s/n LN766

    LN 766

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN811

    s/n LN811

    LN 811

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN848

    s/n LN848

    LN 848

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN857

    s/n LN857

    LN 857

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN896

    s/n LN896

    LN 896

    Known Units: 28 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Operational 1944-04-20 to 1944-04-21

    28 (OT) OTU (RAF) RAF Wymeswold

    28 Operational Training Unit, RAF Wymeswold. The crew of Wellington BX aircraft LN 896 FU was engaged in dropping leaflets (Nickeling exercise) over Northern France in preparation for the D-Day landings, their first operational flight. On the return leg they ran out of fuel, fooled by German radio messages to continue flying. They eventually abandoned the aircraft near Mael-Pestivien, France, and the Wellington crashed between Kebars and Kerlosquer, 13 k m SW of Guingamp, France

    Sergeant J Kempson (RAFVR) was severely injured when he fractured his skull on a rock during his parachute jump landing and died in hospital 1944-04-25

    Sergeant EJ Trottier (RCAF), Flying Officer HJ Brennan (RCAF), Pilot Officer AJ Houston (RCAF), Sergeant RJ Dickson (RCAF) and Sergeant A Elder (RCAF) all survived and evaded capture with the aid of French locals and Resistance groups, even surviving a German attack against the Resistance in the town of St Fiacre. They stayed together as a group and were repatriated to the UK by boat (MGB 503) 1944-07-12/13

    unvetted Source Research of France-Crashes 39-45

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

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN900

    s/n LN900

    LN 900

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN914

    s/n LN914

    LN 914

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LN948

    s/n LN948

    LN 948

    Known Units: 14 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LP127

    s/n LP127

    LP 127

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LP130

    s/n LP130

    LP 130

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LP155

    s/n LP155

    LP 155

    Known Units: 12 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LP189

    s/n LP189

    LP 189

    Known Units: 142


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LP204

    s/n LP204

    LP 204

    Known Units: 150


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LP249

    s/n LP249

    LP 249

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LP258

    s/n LP258

    LP 258

    Known Units: 26 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LP284

    s/n LP284

    LP 284

    Known Units: 16 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LP404

    s/n LP404

    LP 404

    Known Units: 24 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LP406

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LP514

    s/n LP514

    LP 514

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LP568

    s/n LP568

    LP 568

    Known Units: 83 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington BX serial LP729

    s/n LP729

    LP 729

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LP759

    s/n LP759

    LP 759

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LP760

    s/n LP760

    LP 760

    Known Units: 19 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LP826

    s/n LP826

    LP 826

    Known Units: 85 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial LP844

    s/n LP844

    LP 844

    Wellington Mk. lll serial LZ655

    s/n LZ655

    LZ 655

    Known Units: 415;8415


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial ME878

    s/n ME878

    ME 878

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial ME902

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial ME914

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial ME929

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial MF116

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial MF120

    s/n MF120

    MF 120

    Wellington serial MF139

    s/n MF139

    MF 139

    Known Units: ;37


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial MF238

    s/n MF238

    MF 238

    Known Units: 104


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial MF374

    s/n MF374

    MF 374

    Wellington Mk, XII (L/L) serial MF494

    s/n MF494

    MF 494

    Known Units: ;415

    With No. 415 Squadron, RCAF, coded "NF*G" when it failed to return from an anti-shipping patrol on 12/13 July 1944. May have been shot down by night fighter, off coast of Holland. This was last night of 415 Squadrons Coastal Command service, moving to 6 Group the next day.
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial MF562

    s/n MF562

    MF 562

    Known Units: 14 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial MF591

    s/n MF591

    MF 591

    Known Units: 24 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. Xll serial MP505

    s/n MP505

    MP 505

    Known Units: 172


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing 1943-03-04 to 1943-03-04

    () (RAF) RAF Chivenor

    The squadron was formed on 4 April 1942 at RAF Chivenor from No. 1417 (Leigh Light) Flight, and was part of 19 Group, Coastal Command. The squadron had been formed to continue the work of the development flight to use the new Leigh Light in conjunction with ASV radar on anti-submarine patrols. The Leight Light was a powerful (22 million candles) searchlight used to illuminate the surface of the sea and any submarines caught on the surface. It operated from bases such as Malta, Gibraltar and the Azores to exploit the new invention and it was also used to attack surface vessels. The squadron re-equipped with the Wellington Mark XIII and the rate of sorties increased, although the aircraft losses also increased as they were hunted by German night-fighters in the Western Approaches Source Wikipedia.

    At 21.31 hours, the outbound boat was surprised by Wellington MP505 in the Bay of Biscay. But when the aircraft switched on the Leigh Light, it was hit by AA fire and crashed burning into the sea after passing over the boat, killing the crew of six. Two of the four depth charges dropped actually hit U-333, but one broke up without detonating and the other bounced of and caused only light damages.The same aircraft and crew had sunk U-268 on 19 Feb, 1943.Source Amrit RAF Commands

    Wellington B. Mk. Xll serial MP506

    Wellington B. Mk. Xll serial MP514

    s/n MP514

    MP 514

    Known Units: 172


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. Xll serial MP515

    s/n MP515

    MP 515

    Known Units: 172


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington serial MP538

    s/n MP538

    MP 538

    Known Units: ;172


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. Xl serial MP565

    s/n MP565

    MP 565

    Known Units: 547


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. Xll serial MP615

    Wellington Mk. XII(L/L) serial MP618

    s/n MP618

    MP 618

    Known Units: ;407

    Served with No. 407 (GR) Squadron, RCAF, coded "C1*S". Crashed in early morning of 29 April 1943. Had left Chivenor 3 hours earlier on patrol, radioed report of engine trouble and attempting return to base. Radio contact lost when aircraft was off Hartland Point. Aircraft reported crashed NNW of Morte Point, in Morte Bay, off Woolacombe, is believed to have been this aircraft. All 6 crew killed or missing.
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Wellington Mk. XII(L/L) serial MP622

    Wellington B. Mk. Xll serial MP624

    s/n MP624

    MP 624

    Wellington B. Mk. Xl serial MP627

    s/n MP627

    MP 627

    Known Units: 38


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial MP629

    s/n MP629

    MP 629

    Known Units: 458


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing Sardinia 1943-07-13 to 1943-07-13

    458 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Protville, Tunisia
    458 Australia Squadron (We Find and Destroy). Wellington aircraft MP 629 was on an arrmed reconnaissance patrol and reported a contact at 2320 hours. No further contact was received and the aircraft failed to return from a sea search off Sardinia. It was presumed to have been shot down by a night fighter or anti-aircraft fire. Casualties included: RCAF F/O's W.C. Hailstone (pilot) and J.A. Diggins (navigator), RCAF W/O II's H.E. Bradley (wireless air gunner), D.H. McConechey (wireless air gunner), and W.W. Wright (wireless air gunner); RAFVR Flt. Sgt. F.G. Crocker (second pilot); RAFVR Sgt. J. Tindal (wireless air gunner); and RAAF Flt. Lt. K.J. Neill (navigator).

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial MP631

    s/n MP631

    MP 631

    Known Units: 458


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing 1943-07-15 to 1943-07-15

    458 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Protville, Tunisia
    458 Australia Squadron (We Find and Destroy). Wellington aircraft MP631 was on an armed reconnaissance patrol north-east of Sardinia. At 2330 hours, the aircraft was diverted to attack a convoy sighted by another Wellington between Corsica and Sicily. Apart from a signal at 0216 hours saying it had sighted the convoy and requesting another Wellington to illuminate the convoy, nothing further was heard from Wellington MP631 which failed to return to base. Post-war inquiries with local inhabitants established that the aircraft was shot down by flak and crashed into the sea between Palau and Maddalena, a small island off the coast about 5 km north of Palau. Casualties included: RCAF F/O's G.H. Lawson (pilot), E.A. McCorkell (wireless air gunner), A.R. Pagan (wireless air gunner), A. Renton, and M.H. Tarrison; RAAF Flying Officer L.Y. Hazeldine; and RAFVR Sgt. R.E. Burrows (navigator).

    Wellington B. Mk. Xl serial MP637

    Wellington B. Mk. Xl serial MP641

    s/n MP641

    MP 641

    Known Units: 294


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. XII(L/L) serial MP652

    s/n MP652

    MP 652

    Known Units: ;407

    Served with No. 407 (GR) Squadron, RCAF, coded "C1*S". Crashed into high ground on 20 August 1943, at Bunkercombe Hill (or Buncombe Hill?), Summerset, while returning to Chivenor after being diverted on return from a raid. 5 crew killed, one seriously injured.
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Wellington B. Mk. Xll serial MP656

    s/n MP656

    MP 656

    Wellington B. Mk. Xl serial MP679

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial MP702

    s/n MP702

    MP 702

    Known Units: 458


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing 1943-07-15 to 1943-07-15

    458 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Protville, Tunisia
    458 Australia Squadron (We Find and Destroy). Wellington MP702 was on a cross over patrol in the Mediterranean Sea between the Straits of Bonnifacie and south of Elba. Apart from a signal that it had sighted a convoy, nothing further was heard from the aircraft and it failed to return to base after the mission. Caualties included: RCAF W/O II T.E. Griggs (wireless air gunner) and RAFVR Sgt. E. Stanfield (wireless air gunner). Taken Prisoners of War were: RCAF Flying Officer W.J. Markowsky (pilot), RAAF Flt. Sgt. E.J. Colclough (second pilot), RAFVR Sgt. E.J.W. Blackler (wireless air gunner), RAFVR Pilot Officer H.W.J. Filmer (wireless air gunner), and RAFVR Flying Officer R. Leonard (navigator).

    Wellington B. Mk. Xl serial MP703

    s/n MP703

    MP 703

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial MP706

    s/n MP706

    MP 706

    Known Units: 458


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing 1943-08-24 to 1943-08-24

    458 () Sqn (RAAF)
    458 Australia Squadron (We Find and Destroy). Wellington aircraft MP 706 was one of 4 aircraft carrying out an offensive shipping search in the Civitaveschia-Elbe-Leghorn area. Wellington MP 706became overdue for its return to base, and was deemed lost off Leghorn, Italy. Casualties included RCAF Flt. Lt. R.C. Scott (pilot) and Flying Officer M.L. Brechin (2nd pilot); RAFVR Sgt's. W.E. Dixon (wireless air gunner), J. Whittaker (wireless air gunner), and M.E. Windsor (wireless air gunner); and RAFVR Flying Officer J. Hillen (navigator).

    Wellington B. Mk. XlV serial MP710

    s/n MP710

    MP 710

    Known Units: 3 (C) OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial MP713

    s/n MP713

    MP 713

    Known Units: 458


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing 1943-08-02 to 1943-08-02

    458 () Sqn (RAAF) RAF Protville, Tunisia
    458 Australia Squadron (We Find and Destroy). Wellington aircraft MP713 was on an armed reconnaissance anti-shipping mission off the coasts of Corsica and Sardinia. After attacking an enemy light cruiser, it was likely shot down by flak. RCAF W/O II H.E. Kontzie (wireless air gunner) was killed. The rest of the surviving crew were picked up by an Italian Red Cross seaplane and taken to the port of Portoli, where they became Prisoners of War: RAFVR Flt. Lt. J.H. Douglas (pilot); RAAF Pilot Officer L.J. Netherway (2nd pilot); RAAF Sgt. B.F. Wheatley (navigator); RCAF Sgt. K.F. McLelland (wireless operator); and RAAF W/O C.M. Ryan (wireless operator / air gunner).

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial MP715

    s/n MP715

    MP 715

    Known Units: 458


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Reconnaissance 1943-08-01 to 1943-08-02

    458 (B) Sqn (RAAF)

    On the night of 1/2 August 1942, MP715 was one of three No. 458 Squadron aircraft on a reconnaissance patrol off Sardinia, Corsica and the west coast of Italy. The aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and forced to ditch. Five crew members survived and were rescued and taken prisoner by Italian Forces.

    The crew members of MP715 were:

    • Flight Lieutenant John Hardy Douglas DFC (108524) (RAFVR) (Pilot) PoW
    • Sergeant Herbert Edwin Kontzie (R/101976) (RCAF) (Wireless Air Gunner) Remembered: Alamein Memorial, Egypt
    • Sergeant K McLellan (R/89760) (RCAF) (Wireless Operator / Radar Operator) PoW: Escaped
    • Pilot Officer Leonard James Netherway (409508) (Second Pilot) PoW, Discharged from the RAAF: 6 October 1945
    • Warrant Officer Cecil Mannix Ryan (412708) (Wireless Air Gunner) PoW, Discharged from the RAAF: 1 November 1945
    • Sergeant Basil Freeth Wheatley (400851) (Navigator) PoW: Escaped, Discharged from the RAAF: 4 November 1944

    References:

    Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
    Department of Veterans' Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
    National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/29/37 (Netherway)
    Operations Record Book No. 458 Squadron Entry for 2 August 1943

    Bibliography:

    Alexander, P. (Peter) We Find and Destroy: history of No. 458 Squadron, The 458 Squadron Council, 1959
    RAAF Directorate of Public Relations, RAAF Saga, Australian War Memorial Canberra, 1944 "“ Chapter: Escape from Italy

    Wellington serial MP742

    s/n MP742

    MP 742

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial MP744

    s/n MP744

    FU RAF Roundel D

    MP 744

    Known Units: 458


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Bombing Corsica 1943-07-30 to 1943-07-30

    458 () Sqn (RAAF) RAF Protville, Tunisia
    458 Australia Squadron (We Find and Destroy). Wellington aircraft MP744 was on an armed reconnaissance operation along the east coast of Corsica and Sardinia and the approaches to Spezia. At 2157 hours near Plane Island, the aircraft sent a message to base advising engine trouble. It jettisoned its load of flares and returned to base, but collided with a parked aircraft during a forced landing. Casualties included RCAF Flt. Lt. D.D. Graham (pilot) and Flying Officer F.K. Verhaest (pilot). The rest of the crew suffered burns and injuries but survived the mission: RCAF Flying Officer Hicks (3rd pilot / navigator), and RAFVR Sgt.'s Birchall (wireless air gunner), Flying Officer Healy (wireless air gunner), and Sgt. Robertson (wireless operator / air gunner); and RAFVR Flying Officer L. Gundy (navigator).

    Wellington B. Mk. XlV serial MP758

    Wellington B. Mk. XV1 serial MP760

    Wellington B. Mk. Xlll serial MP796

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial MS471

    s/n MS471

    MS 471

    Known Units: 82 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial MS481

    s/n MS481

    MS 481

    Known Units: ;428

    Used by No. 424 Squadron, RCAF, in the UK, mid 1943, coded "QB*Q". Also with No. 428 Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*Q" when lost. While enroute to the target at Essen the starboard engine failed. The aircraft was then struck by flak. The port engine then began to cause problems and the aircraft was eventually ditched off Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Bombing Essen Germany 1943-05-27 to 1943-05-28

    428 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Dalton

    428 Ghost Squadron (Usque Ad Finern) RAF Dalton. Wellington BX aircraft MS 481 NA-Q was hit by flak over the target at Essen, Germany, losing an engine. Crossing the Dutch coast the aircraft was hit by flak in the tail and dove several thousand feet but managed to return to England where it ditched off shore when the remaining engine faltered off the Estuary of Humber. Four survivors were picked up.

    Gunner FS AF O'Rourke (RCAF) was in the rear turret and was lost sometime after the aircraft was shot up and ditched. FS O'Rourke is believed to have drowned when the rear turret broke off the aircraft (possibly off Holland) and was missing, presumed killed in action (R Koval, FF Years)

    FS O'Rourke has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial

    Four survivors, Sergeant W Lachman (RCAF), Sergeant JCE Jette (RCAF), Sergeant JER Marchand (RCAF) and Sergeant R Askew (RAFVR) were all rescued at sea

    The survivors would be involved in a crash on take-off of 428 Squadron Wellington BX aircraft HE 322 NA-J at RAF Dalton, 1943-06-1. Jette, Marchand, Askew and Sergeant MP Scullion (RCAF) would be killed in action. Pilot Sergeant Lachman would be the sole survivor, badly injured

    unvetted Source Wellington BX MS481 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial MS482

    s/n MS482

    MS 482

    Known Units: ;20

    Used by No. 420 Squadron, RCAF, in the UK in 1943, coded "PT*Y".
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial MS484

    s/n MS484

    MS 484

    Known Units: ;420

    Used by No. 420 Squadron, RCAF, in the UK in 1943, coded "PT*V". Lost 29/30 March 1943, on raid to railway yards at Bochum. Hit by flak over target, coned by searchlights. Port engine hit and failed, crew ordered to bail out, aircraft then exploded in flight. Also claimed by German night fighter of I/NJG. Came down over large area in a pasture near Peelkant, Holland, south of Nijmegen. Lone survivor POW. Four bodies found in wreckage.
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Wellington B. Mk. X serial MS492

    s/n MS492

    MS 492

    Known Units: ;425

    Used by No. 425 Squadron, RCAF, in North Africa in 1943. Coded "KW*F".
    last update: 2025-February-05

    Wellington Mk. XIV serial NB798

    Wellington Mk. XIV serial NB805

    s/n NB805

    NB 805

    Wellington Mk. XIV (L/L) serial NB811

    s/n NB811

    CI RAF Roundel S

    NB 811

    Known Units: ;407


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Submarine Patrol 1944-09-26 to 1944-09-26

    (AS) Sqn (RCAF) Wick

    26 September 1944, 5.00 to 8 a.m.

    A large fireball gushed out of the exhaust of our starboard engine and the aircraft shook violently. I had just settled in to the turret and had completed my checks on the equipment after changing watches with Ken Graham, another of the three wireless air gunners in our crew. Ken had been in the rear turret and I had been on the radar set. We were on an antisubmarine patrol over the North Sea off the coast of Norway in our Vickers Wellington Mk XIV early in the morning of September 26th 1944. A hasty glance at the flames engulfing the engine confirmed my sudden fears that the plane was on fire.........

    Click on "6 Sacks of Potatoes" link below to read the detailed account, by Warrant Officer Harvey Firestone, of the crash of Wellington NB811 and the crews" subsequent Evasion in German occupied Norway

    unvetted Source 6 Sacks of Potatoes, Crash and Evasion story of the crew of Wellington NB811

    unvetted Source Postscript to the Evasion story by Warrant Officer Harvey Firestone

    unvetted Source "Sleepy Boy" U-Boat Stalker No. 407 Squadron

    Wellington Mk. XIV serial NB880

    s/n NB880

    NB 880

    Known Units: ;36


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial NC2818

    s/n NC2818

    NC 2818

    Known Units: 3 Grp Trg Flt


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial NC2826

    s/n NC2826

    NC 2826

    Known Units: 20 OTU


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington 1C serial NC2844

    s/n NC2844

    NC 2844

    Known Units: 218


    last update: 2025-October-30

    Wellington Mk. XIV serial NC419

    Wellington Mk. XIII serial NC627

    s/n NC627

    Vickers-Armstrong

    NC 627

    Known Units: ;407

    Loran RAF Mullaghmore, near Ballymoney, County Antrim, North Ireland, took off at 0021 hours on 13 November 1944 on a Loran training exercise. The route was Mullaghmore 53.30N 06.48W 54.33N 12.25W and return by reciprocal track. After take off nothing further was heard from the aircraft. An aircraft day & night search was carried out with nil result. It was assumed aircraft and crew were lost at sea. Training Unit using a 407 aircraft.

    source: Malcolm Deeley, Ulster Aviation Society

    last update: 2025-February-05

    Wellington Mk. XIV (L/L) serial NC848

    s/n NC848

    Vickers-Armstrong

    NC 848