Wellington (Total: 4,574, Canadian: 1,229, Group 0)
Vickers Wellington
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 During 1943, it started to be superseded as a bomber by the larger four-engined "heavies" such as the Avro Lancaster.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 Vickers Wellington
YouTube Vickers Wellington documentaryWellington AD593, III
s/n AD593
AD 593
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington AD596, III
s/n AD596
AD 596
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington AD599, III
s/n AD599
AD 599
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington AD606, III
s/n AD606
AD 606
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington AD626, III
s/n AD626
AD 626
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-May-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Deane Flitton 2021-08-06 1942-May-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Asher Hayworth 2022-11-02 1942-May-20 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ronald William Hood 2021-08-10 1942-May-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Douglas John Salt 2021-08-04 1942-May-20 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur Henry Winters 2021-07-07 Wellington AD637, III
s/n AD637
AD 637
Wellington AD647, III
s/n AD647
AD 647
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BB456, IC
s/n BB456
Vickers-Armstrong
BB 456
Wellington BB475, IC
s/n BB475
Vickers-Armstrong
BB 475
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BB482, IC
s/n BB482
Vickers-Armstrong
BB 482
Wellington BB513, VIII
s/n BB513
Vickers-Armstrong
BB 513
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ583, Mk. lll
Wellington BJ589,
s/n BJ589
BJ 589
Wellington BJ592, Mk. lll
s/n BJ592
BJ 592
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ602, Mk. III
s/n BJ602
Vickers-Armstrong
BJ 602
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Bremen Germany 1942-09-04 to 1942-09-05
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) 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 elec¬tronic 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
1942-September-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Richard Arthur Kertson 2022-10-21 1942-September-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Claude Reginald Frederick Morris 2022-10-21
1942-September-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Warren Henry Ridder 2022-10-21 1942-September-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Andrew Crawford Stark Robertson 2022-10-21 1942-September-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Arthur Royle 2022-10-21 Wellington BJ607, Mk. lll
s/n BJ607
BJ 607
Wellington BJ608, Mk. lll
s/n BJ608
BJ 608
Wellington BJ612, III
s/n BJ612
Vickers-Armstrong
BJ 612
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ615, Mk. lll
s/n BJ615
BJ 615
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ621, Mk. lll
s/n BJ621
BJ 621
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ625,
s/n BJ625
BJ 625
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ646, Mk. lll
s/n BJ646
BJ 646
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ650, Mk. lll
s/n BJ650
BJ 650
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ653, Mk. lll
s/n BJ653
BJ 653
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ657, Mk. III
s/n BJ657
Vickers-Armstrong
BJ 657
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-December-07 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class John Cachia 2024-06-29 1942-December-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Edward Cronk 2024-06-29 1942-December-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ronald Hayes 2024-06-29 1942-December-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John David James Rodger 2024-05-20 1942-December-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant David Smith Urquhart 2024-05-20 Wellington BJ658, Mk. III
s/n BJ658
Vickers-Armstrong
BJ 658
last update: 2025-April-18
Minelaying 1943-02-07 to 1943-02-07
424 (B) Sqn (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 BJ662, Mk. lll
s/n BJ662
BJ 662
Wellington BJ664, Mk. lll
s/n BJ664
BJ 664
Wellington BJ673, Mk. lll
s/n BJ673
BJ 673
Wellington BJ674, Mk. lll
s/n BJ674
BJ 674
Wellington BJ688, Mk. lll
s/n BJ688
BJ 688
Wellington BJ689, Mk. lll
s/n BJ689
BJ 689
Wellington BJ691, Mk. lll
s/n BJ691
BJ 691
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ695,
s/n BJ695
BJ 695
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-September-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Raoul Alphonse Boudreault 2024-11-15 1942-September-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Donald Alfred Girouard 2025-02-02 1942-September-22 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Eugene Kuzyk MiD 2025-02-02 1942-September-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Raoul Joseph Rioux 2025-02-02 1942-September-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Edouard Wilfred St Cyr 2025-02-02 Wellington BJ698, Mk. lll
Wellington BJ701, Mk. lll
s/n BJ701
BJ 701
Wellington BJ710, Mk. lll
s/n BJ710
BJ 710
Wellington BJ711, Mk. lll
s/n BJ711
BJ 711
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ714, B. Mk. III
s/n BJ714
Vickers-Armstrong
BJ 714
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Lorient France 1943-01-26 to 1943-01-26
424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) 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
1943-January-26 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Arthur Graydon Ingram 2023-01-03 1943-January-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Wallace Alfred Lawrence Masterman 2023-10-22 1943-January-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Vernon Frederick McHarg 2023-10-22 1943-January-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Max Ernest Putnam 2023-10-22 1943-January-26 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Allan Cruickshank Riach 2023-09-26 1943-January-26 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Kenneth George Vallis 2023-08-15 Wellington BJ716, Mk. lll
s/n BJ716
BJ 716
Wellington BJ720, Mk. lll
s/n BJ720
BJ 720
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ724, Mk. lll
s/n BJ724
BJ 724
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ727, Mk. lll
s/n BJ727
BJ 727
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ729, Mk. lll
s/n BJ729
BJ 729
last update: 2025-April-18
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
1942-October-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Howard Broom 2024-11-20 1942-October-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Guy James Herman McElroy 2025-03-05 1942-October-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Leonard O'Grady 2025-03-05 1942-October-05 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Thomas Edward Powell 2025-03-05 1942-October-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Francis Lionel Todd 2025-03-05 Wellington BJ730, Mk. lll
s/n BJ730
BJ 730
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-September-16 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Francis James Adams 2024-11-01 1942-September-16 KIA RCAF Sergeant Gordon Miles Caldwell 2024-07-08 1942-September-16 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Clement William Hall 2024-07-08 1942-September-16 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Dennis Charles Marsh 2021-09-09 1942-September-16 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Norman Whitfield 2021-09-09 Wellington BJ755, B. Mk. III
s/n BJ755
Vickers-Armstrong
BJ 755
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-March-05 KIA RCAF Sergeant Ernest Maxwell Bell 2024-11-11 1943-March-05 Survived RAFVR Sergeant James Boles 2024-11-14 1943-March-05 Survived RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Nicholas Gerard Burns 2024-11-25 1943-March-05 Survived RCAF Warrant Officer II James Nicholas Gerard Burns 2021-10-30 1943-March-05 Survived RCAF Flying Officer Robert Fitzgerald Conroy 2021-10-30 1943-March-05 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer George Robert Densmore 2024-10-13 Wellington BJ756, Mk. lll
s/n BJ756
BJ 756
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ762, B. Mk. III
s/n BJ762
Vickers-Armstrong
BJ 762
last update: 2025-February-05
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
1943-March-30 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Arthur Bailey 2023-04-27 1943-March-30 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Franklin Gubb 2023-04-27 1943-March-30 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Harvey Martin 2024-11-27 1943-March-30 PoW RAF Flight Sergeant James Taylor 2023-04-27 1943-March-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Richard Earl Todd 2023-04-27 Wellington BJ764, B. Mk. III
s/n BJ764
Vickers-Armstrong
BJ 764
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Roy Norman Victor Burke 2024-10-12 1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Stevenson Cartwright 2024-01-15 1942-November-09 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Joseph Albert Delorme 2024-10-12 1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Raymond Rogers Foltz 2024-10-12 1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Eugene Raymond Laporte 2024-10-12 1942-November-09 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Joseph Raoul Armand Pambrun 2024-10-12 Wellington BJ769, Mk. lll
s/n BJ769
BJ 769
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Buchanan Lawrence 2022-01-22 1942-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frederick Erwin Edgar Lyons 2021-08-14 1942-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Sydney McMenomy 2021-08-17 1942-September-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Clarence William Reaume 2021-08-10 Wellington BJ771, Mk. lll
Wellington BJ774, Mk. lll
Wellington BJ775, Mk. lll
Wellington BJ780, Mk. lll
s/n BJ780
BJ 780
Wellington BJ786, Mk. lll
s/n BJ786
BJ 786
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-April-12 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Anthony Alloysius Dorzek 2024-10-27 1943-April-12 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Richard Archibald Killham 2024-10-27 1943-April-12 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alexander Neil Maclellan 2024-10-27 1943-April-12 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frank Edward Rogers 2024-10-27 1943-April-12 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Donald Henry Smith 2024-10-27 1943-April-12 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Onesime Thomas Ange Albert Gerard Toupin 2024-10-27 Wellington BJ796, Mk. lll
s/n BJ796
BJ 796
Wellington BJ801, Mk. lll
s/n BJ801
BJ 801
Wellington BJ830, Mk. lll
s/n BJ830
BJ 830
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ833, Mk. lll
s/n BJ833
BJ 833
Wellington BJ836, Mk. lll
s/n BJ836
BJ 836
Wellington BJ840, Mk. lll
s/n BJ840
BJ 840
Wellington BJ841, Mk. lll
s/n BJ841
BJ 841
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ842, Mk. lll
s/n BJ842
BJ 842
Wellington BJ844, Mk. lll
s/n BJ844
BJ 844
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ846, Mk. lll
Wellington BJ876, Mk. lll
s/n BJ876
BJ 876
Wellington BJ877, Mk. lll
s/n BJ877
BJ 877
Wellington BJ878, Mk. lll
Wellington BJ879, Mk. lll
s/n BJ879
BJ 879
Wellington BJ883, Mk. lll
s/n BJ883
BJ 883
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-September-20 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Vernon James Bastable 2024-12-30 1942-September-20 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Edward William Cunning 2024-12-30 1942-September-20 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William Milligan 2024-12-30 1942-September-20 Evader RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Earl James Scott 2024-12-30 1942-September-20 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William Frederick Waterworth 2024-12-30 Wellington BJ886, B. Mk. III
s/n BJ886
Vickers-Armstrong
BJ 886
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington BJ891, Mk. lll
s/n BJ891
BJ 891
Wellington BJ893, Mk. lll
s/n BJ893
BJ 893
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ894, B. Mk. III
s/n BJ894
Vickers-Armstrong
BJ 894
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-November-16 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Norman Andrews Ash 2024-11-03 1942-November-16 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Fernand Raymond Croteau 2024-05-21 1942-November-16 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Yves Camille Charles Auguste LaFlamme 2021-05-04 1942-November-16 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William George Laut 2021-08-13 1942-November-16 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Adelard Frederic Evariste Patry 2021-06-08 1942-November-16 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Jack Tritt 2021-07-14 Wellington BJ897, Mk. lll
s/n BJ897
BJ 897
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BJ898, Mk. lll
s/n BJ898
BJ 898
Wellington BJ911, Mk. lll
s/n BJ911
BJ 911
Wellington BJ919, B. Mk. III
s/n BJ919
Vickers-Armstrong
BJ 919
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-February-19 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Russell Bailey 2024-11-04 1943-February-19 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Roy Wilson Ferrier 2024-11-27 1943-February-19 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Omer Romain Gauthier 2024-11-27 1943-February-19 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Campbell Archibald McKinnon 2024-11-27 1943-February-19 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ralph Carlton Ramsay 2024-11-27 1943-February-19 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frank Ruzycki 2024-11-27 Wellington BJ958, Mk. III
s/n BJ958
Vickers-Armstrong
BJ 958
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-October-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Wilbert Francis Bauer 2024-11-09 1942-October-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Phillipe Bedard 2024-11-10 1942-October-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Paul Albert Boyer 2024-11-16 1942-October-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Joffre Marc Seguin 2025-01-01 1942-October-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Ludovic Rodolphe Simoneau 2025-02-17 Wellington BJ962, Mk. lll
Wellington BJ964, Mk. lll
s/n BJ964
BJ 964
Wellington BJ965, Mk. lll
s/n BJ965
BJ 965
Wellington BJ966, B. Mk. III
s/n BJ966
Vickers-Armstrong
BJ 966
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-January-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Clifford Alexander Dunphy 2024-10-30 1943-January-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Steve John Gergley 2021-08-07 1943-January-22 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Charles William Hollingshead 2021-08-10 1943-January-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ewald George Kendel 2023-01-06 1943-January-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Alvin Gustaf Olson 2021-08-18 1943-January-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ronald Hanson Welsh 2021-07-09 Wellington BJ968, Mk. lll
Wellington BJ969, Mk. lll
s/n BJ969
BJ 969
Wellington BJ987, Mk. lll
s/n BJ987
BJ 987
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-September-11 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Richard Edgar Bertram 2024-11-12 1942-September-11 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Cleveland John Eggleton 2023-08-26 1942-September-11 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frank John Gallagher 2022-08-26 1942-September-11 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Richard Melvin George 2021-08-07 Wellington BK127, Mk. lll
s/n BK127
BK 127
Wellington BK158, Mk. lll
s/n BK158
BK 158
Wellington BK162, B. Mk. III
s/n BK162
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 162
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington BK164, B. Mk. III
s/n BK164
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 164
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington BK165, B. Mk. III
s/n BK165
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 165
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-January-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Andrew McQuillin 2021-08-17 1943-January-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Milne 2022-01-21 1943-January-14 KIA RCAF Sergeant James Andrew Pollock 2021-08-13 1943-January-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Cranston Richards 2021-08-09 1943-January-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Joseph Sullivan 2021-07-21 Wellington BK166, Mk. lll
s/n BK166
BK 166
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BK200, Mk. lll
s/n BK200
BK 200
Wellington BK205, Mk. lll
s/n BK205
BK 205
Wellington BK213, Mk. lll
s/n BK213
BK 213
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BK246, B. Mk. lll
s/n BK246
BK 246
Wellington BK248, Mk. lll
s/n BK248
BK 248
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BK251, Mk. lll
s/n BK251
BK 251
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-July-04 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Frank Kenneth Burleigh 2024-11-24 1944-July-04 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Theodore Gabryelski 2025-03-26 1944-July-04 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Robert John Gray 2025-03-26 1944-July-04 KIFA RCAF Sergeant George Andrew Jones 2025-03-26 1944-July-04 KIFA RCAF Sergeant William Marshall 2025-03-26 1944-July-04 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William Alan Tees 2025-03-26 1944-July-04 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Allison Stewart Woolaver 2025-03-26 Wellington BK257, Mk. lll
s/n BK257
BK 257
Wellington BK258, Mk. lll
s/n BK258
BK 258
Wellington BK268, B. Mk. III
s/n BK268
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 268
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington Bk269, Mk. lll
s/n Bk269
Bk 269
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Krefeld Germany 1942-10-02 to 1942-10-02
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Croft
188 aircraft- 95 Wellingtons, 39 Halifaxes, 31 Lancasters, 23 Stirlings. 7 aircraft - 3 Halifaxes, 2 Wellingtons, r Lancaster, r 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
1942-October-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Bryan Morlidge 2022-10-21 1942-October-02 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Norman Nelan 2023-07-30 1942-October-02 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Hubert Douglas Price 2022-10-21 1942-October-02 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Sidney Vernon Stowe 2022-10-21 1942-October-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harding James Stuart 2022-10-21 1942-October-02 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Helgi Sveinn Sveinson 2022-10-21 Wellington BK270, B. Mk. III
s/n BK270
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 270
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Cologne Germany 1942-10-15 to 1942-10-15
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) 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 suffi¬ciently 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.
1942-October-15 KIA RAF Sergeant Patrick James Anderton 2024-11-02 1942-October-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Henry Arthur Grover 2023-08-22 1942-October-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Percy Jolley 2023-08-22
1942-October-15 KIA RAAF Sergeant Vincent Ormerod Noonan 2023-08-22 1942-October-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Leslie Rowland Scourfield 2023-08-22 Wellington BK271, Mk. lll
s/n BK271
BK 271
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BK272, Mk. lll
s/n BK272
BK 272
last update: 2025-April-18
Operational 1944-07-08 to 1944-07-08
(OT) OTU (RAF) RAF Turweston
#17 Operational Training UnitÂ’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
. 1944-July-08 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Fred Bradford 2024-11-21 1944-July-08 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur George Corck 2024-11-21 1944-July-08 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Bernard Hadlow 2024-11-21 1944-July-08 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Walter Haraczay 2024-11-21 1944-July-08 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Jack Benjamin Lemon 2024-11-21 1944-July-08 KIFA RAFVR Pilot Officer Charles Frederick Searles 2024-11-21 1944-July-08 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Peter John Woods 2024-11-21 Wellington BK274, Mk. lll
Wellington BK278, Mk. lll
s/n BK278
BK 278
Wellington BK281, Mk. lll
s/n BK281
BK 281
Wellington BK296, B. Mk. III
s/n BK296
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 296
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington BK309, Mk. lll
s/n BK309
BK 309
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BK311, Mk. lll
s/n BK311
BK 311
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-October-10 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant William Henry Allworth 2024-11-02 1942-October-10 Survived RAAF T V Brown 2025-03-17 1942-October-10 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Norman Desmond Green 2025-03-17 1942-October-10 KIFA RAF Warrant Officer Edwin Henry Herbert 2025-03-17 1942-October-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Norman Clifford Meyers 2025-03-17 1942-October-10 KIFA RAAF Sergeant Reginald Ziser 2025-03-17 Wellington BK312, Mk. lll
s/n BK312
BK 312
Wellington BK313, Mk. lll
s/n BK313
BK 313
Wellington BK330, B. Mk. III
s/n BK330
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 330
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington BK333, B. Mk. III
s/n BK333
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 333
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington BK335, B. Mk. III
s/n BK335
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 335
last update: 2025-February-05
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 1942-October-10 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer Patrick Campbell 2023-12-14 1942-October-10 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Richard John Todd Colvin 2024-03-25 1942-October-10 Survived RCAF Warrant Officer Class II Hans D'Aperng 2022-10-22 1942-October-10 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Herbert Ernest Hicks 2022-10-22 1942-October-10 Survived RAFVR Sergeant Griffith Arthur Lloyd 2022-10-22 1942-October-10 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Lewis William Scobie 2022-10-22 Wellington BK336, B. Mk. III
s/n BK336
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 336
Wellington BK338, Mk. lll
s/n BK338
BK 338
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-December-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Albert Morse Borden Johnson 2021-08-11 1942-December-03 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Athol Malver William McCrea 2021-08-17 1942-December-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Eugene Simbalist 2022-01-03 1942-December-03 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Joseph Cecil Swarbrick 2021-07-21 Wellington BK340, B. Mk. III
s/n BK340
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 340
last update: 2025-February-05
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
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
12/13 March 1943 425 Squadron Wellington III BK340 Sergeant Lamontagne
1943-March-13 PoW Early Release RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Marie Joseph Alfred Jean Aumond 2025-03-06 1943-March-13 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Adrian Walter Brown MiD 2025-03-06 1943-March-13 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Joseph Adrian Vincent Gauthier MiD 2025-03-06 1943-March-13 PoW Early Release RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Joseph Arthur Roland Goulet 2025-03-06 1943-March-13 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Joseph Georges Gilles Claude Lamontagne MiD 2025-03-06 Wellington BK341, B. Mk. III
s/n BK341
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 341
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington BK343, B. Mk. III
s/n BK343
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 343
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-February-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Donald Alexander Ferguson 2021-08-06 1943-February-28 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Douglas Hartney 2023-12-15 1943-February-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Augustus Kilpatrick 2023-12-15 1943-February-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Langmead Ward 2023-12-15 Wellington BK344, B. Mk. III
s/n BK344
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 344
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-March-03 KIA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Engelbert Audy 2024-11-03 1943-March-03 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Joseph Jean Baptiste Albert Dugal 2024-10-29 1943-March-03 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Clyde Forbes 2024-07-22 1943-March-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Victor Leo Gauthier 2024-07-22 1943-March-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Jack Glassberg 2024-07-22 1943-March-03 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Joseph Wilfred Maurice Emond Lanctin 2024-07-22 Wellington BK347, Mk. lll
s/n BK347
BK 347
Wellington BK348, B. Mk. III
s/n BK348
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 348
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Essen Germany 1943-03-12 to 1943-03-12
424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) Topcliffe
457 aircraft - 158 Wellingtons, 156 Lancasters, 91 Halifaxes, 42 Stirlings, IO Mos-quitoes. 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
1943-March-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert George Caldwell 2024-07-08 1943-March-12 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Johnson Cory 2024-07-08 1943-March-12 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Alfred Perry Larson 2024-07-08 1943-March-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Leslie Alfred Parker 2024-07-08 1943-March-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Frederick Topping 2024-07-08 Wellington BK360, Mk. lll
s/n BK360
BK 360
Wellington BK361, Mk. lll
s/n BK361
BK 361
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BK367, Mk. lll
s/n BK367
BK 367
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BK368, Mk. lll
s/n BK368
BK 368
Wellington BK386, Mk. lll
s/n BK386
BK 386
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-December-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harry Thomas Boyes 2024-11-16 1942-December-21 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Samuel Crawford 2024-05-14 1942-December-21 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Stanley Julian Cybulski DFC 2025-02-17 1942-December-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Lloyd Robertson Mann DFC 2025-02-17 1942-December-21 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Patrick Sullivan 2025-02-17 Wellington BK387, 111
s/n BK387
BK 387
last update: 2025-April-18
Flying Incident - Court Martial 1944-01-01 to 1944-01-02
82 (B) OTU (RAF) RAF Ossington
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.
1944-January-02 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Norman Willard Crawford 2024-05-13 1944-January-02 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Edwin Dalling 2025-03-01 1944-January-02 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Ernest Israel Glass 2024-08-08 1944-January-02 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Jack Henfrey 2024-08-08 1944-January-02 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer James Justin McHenry 2024-08-08 1944-January-02 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Emery Savage 2024-08-08 Wellington BK389, B. Mk. III
s/n BK389
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 389
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-January-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Cecil Joseph Bennett 2024-11-11 1943-January-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Hugh Benjamin Kent 2025-01-14 1943-January-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lloyd Watson Phillips 2025-01-14 1943-January-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Joseph Smith 2025-01-14 1943-January-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Willard Warren Wallace 2025-01-14 Wellington BK401, B. Mk. III
s/n BK401
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 401
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-March-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William John Ross Davies 2024-09-14 1943-March-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Norman Fraser Paterson 2024-09-14 1943-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Cyril Randolph Trask 2024-09-14 1943-March-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Walen 2024-09-14 1943-March-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Earl Williams 2024-09-14 Wellington BK429, B. Mk. III
s/n BK429
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 429
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington BK430, Mk. lll
s/n BK430
BK 430
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-August-06 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Mckenzie Arril 2024-11-03 1943-August-06 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Paul Guy Marcel De Bellefeuille 2024-10-07 1943-August-06 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Paul Roland Labbe 2021-08-13 1943-August-06 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Nicholas Solomka 2021-07-25 1943-August-06 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Francis Cecilius Jean Louis Therien 2025-04-05 Wellington BK435, B. Mk. III
s/n BK435
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 435
last update: 2025-February-05
Minelaying Frisian Islands Netherlands (Nectarines) 1943-02-20 to 1943-02-20
424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) 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 BK438,
s/n BK438
BK 438
Wellington BK440, B. Mk. III
s/n BK440
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 440
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington BK441, Mk. lll
s/n BK441
BK 441
Wellington BK459, Mk. lll
s/n BK459
BK 459
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BK463, Mk. lll
s/n BK463
BK 463
Wellington BK468, B. Mk. III
s/n BK468
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 468
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-February-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Burnet Montieth Chamney 2024-01-28 1943-February-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Harry Alvin Hansen 2022-10-10 1943-February-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Royden Martin Jupe 2021-08-11 1943-February-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lorne Edward Kellaway 2021-08-12 1943-February-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Philip Hubert Mitchell 2021-08-16 Wellington BK495, Mk. lll
s/n BK495
BK 495
Wellington BK497, Mk. lll
s/n BK497
BK 497
Wellington BK501, Mk. lll
s/n BK501
BK 501
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BK503, Mk. lll
s/n BK503
BK 503
Wellington BK506, Mk. lll
s/n BK506
BK 506
Wellington BK512, Mk. lll
s/n BK512
BK 512
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BK513, Mk. lll
s/n BK513
BK 513
Wellington BK517, Mk. lll
s/n BK517
BK 517
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BK536, Mk. lll
s/n BK536
BK 536
Wellington BK540, B. Mk. III
s/n BK540
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 540
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington BK549, Mk. lll
s/n BK549
BK 549
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington BK552, Mk. lll
s/n BK552
BK 552
Wellington BK557, B. Mk. III
s/n BK557
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 557
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Stanley Bourke 2024-11-15 1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Donald Fred Burchell 2024-11-23 1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Norman Davis 2024-10-01 1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Norman Raitblat 2025-02-03 1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Hector Georges Tasse 2025-02-03 1942-November-09 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Norman Joseph Wellwood 2025-02-03 Wellington BK559, Mk. lll
s/n BK559
BK 559
Wellington BK564, B. Mk. III
s/n BK564
Vickers-Armstrong
BK 564
last update: 2025-February-05
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-A 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
1943-March-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Louis Raymond Vincent Ferrier Cartier 2024-01-15 1943-March-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Preben Brandt Gustavsen 2023-04-28 1943-March-30 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Dale King 2023-05-01 1943-March-30 PoW KIA RAFVR Sergeant Harold Frank Rhodes 2023-04-28 1943-March-30 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer John Frederick Spencer 2023-04-28 Wellington BK361, Mk. III
s/n BK361
BK361
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: 2024-December-25
Wellington DF566, Mk. III
s/n DF566
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 566
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-January-30 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Carlin Anthony Bannon 2024-12-09 1944-January-30 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Edward Addy Davis 2024-12-12 1944-January-30 KIFA RCAF Sergeant William Allan Hobson 2024-12-09 1944-January-30 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Lionel Wollaston Matthews DFM 2024-12-12 1944-January-30 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Frederick Arthur Nichols 2024-12-12 1944-January-30 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Clarence Walter Pearce 2024-12-12 1944-January-30 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Henry Schlitt 2024-12-12 Wellington DF595, Mk. III
s/n DF595
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 595
Wellington DF615, Mk. III
s/n DF615
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 615
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington DF626, Mk. III
s/n DF626
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 626
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington DF635, Mk. III
s/n DF635
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 635
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington DF636, Mk. III
s/n DF636
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 636
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington DF637, Mk. III
s/n DF637
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 637
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Wilhelmshaven Germany 1943-02-19 to 1943-02-20
420 (B) Sqn (RCAF) 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 DF639, Mk. III
s/n DF639
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 639
Wellington DF641, Mk. III
s/n DF641
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 641
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-May-28 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Clyde Glencoe Archibald 2024-11-02 1944-May-28 KIFA RCAF Sergeant William Oliver Douglas Baird 2024-11-28 1944-May-28 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Raymond George Hills 2022-11-23 1944-May-28 KIFA RCAF Sergeant George Willston Mitchell 2022-11-25 1944-May-28 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Raymond Pollon 2022-11-25 Wellington DF664, Mk. III
s/n DF664
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 664
last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Kiel Germany 1942-10-13 to 1942-10-13
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) 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
1942-October-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Clarence Edgar Bell 2024-11-11 1942-October-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Everett Stevenson Green 2025-01-09 1942-October-13 KIA RAAF Rex Victor Hall 2025-01-09 1942-October-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Fletcher Streeting 2025-01-09 1942-October-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Arthur Wakeman 2025-01-09 Wellington DF665, Mk. III
s/n DF665
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 665
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Saarbrucken Germany 1942-08-28 to 1942-08-28
419 (B) Sqn (RCAF) 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
. 1942-August-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Archie Ernest Caton 2024-01-20 1942-August-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Andrew Holmes 2023-08-09 1942-August-28 Evader RCAF Sergeant W H Ledford 2023-12-19 1942-August-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Robert Morrow 2023-08-09 1942-August-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Peter Karil Zaparynuk 2023-08-09 Wellington DF673, Mk. III
s/n DF673
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 673
Wellington DF683, Mk. III
s/n DF683
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 683
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington DF686, Mk. X
s/n DF686
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 686
last update: 2025-February-05
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
1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Eric Hayden Douglas 2024-10-27 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Herbert Joseph Dowds 2024-10-28 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Averell Whitman Freeman 2023-07-22 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Frederick Irvine Hill 2022-07-18 1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Thomas Henry Lazenby 2022-07-18 Wellington DF709, Mk. III
s/n DF709
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 709
Wellington DF728, Mk. III
s/n DF728
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 728
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington DF736, Mk. III
s/n DF736
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 736
Wellington DF737, Mk. III
s/n DF737
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 737
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-August-31 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Frederick David Bristow 2024-11-18 1944-August-31 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Murray Gordon Casey 2025-03-03 1944-August-31 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Norman Evan Paul Douglas 2024-10-28 1944-August-31 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Curtis Jutzi 2021-08-11 1944-August-31 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Douglas McLean 2021-08-17 1944-August-31 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William Cosgrove Miller 2021-09-23 1944-August-31 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer James Kennedy Reid 2021-08-10 Wellington DF742, Mk. III
s/n DF742
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 742
Wellington DF743, Mk. III
s/n DF743
Vickers-Armstrong
DF 743
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington DV411, 1C
s/n DV411
DV 411
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington DV434, 1C
s/n DV434
DV 434
Wellington DV439, 1C
Wellington DV457, 1C
s/n DV457
DV 457
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington DV458, 1C
s/n DV458
DV 458
Wellington DV475, 1C
s/n DV475
DV 475
Wellington DV481, 1C
s/n DV481
DV 481
Wellington DV483, 1C
s/n DV483
DV 483
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington DV490, 1C
s/n DV490
DV 490
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-October-13 Survived RCAF Sergeant Douglas Oliver Broughton 2024-11-20 1942-October-13 KIFA RAFVR Pilot Officer Reginald Staynes Elsom DFM 2025-03-06 1942-October-13 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Ernest Page Hunt 2025-03-06 1942-October-13 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Robert Campbell Sinclair 2025-03-06 Wellington DV510, 1C
s/n DV510
DV 510
Wellington DV520,
s/n DV520
DV 520
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington DV543, 1C
s/n DV543
DV 543
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington DV548, 1C
s/n DV548
DV 548
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-April-22 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ennis Frederick Bramley 2025-03-01 1942-April-22 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arnold William Charles Ernest King 2025-03-01 1942-April-22 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Emerson Hubert Martin 2025-03-01 1942-April-22 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Roland Stanton Oliver 2025-03-01 1942-April-22 KIFA RAFVR Pilot Officer James Howe Reid 2025-03-01 Wellington DV560, 1C
Wellington DV564, 1C
s/n DV564
DV 564
Wellington DV569, 1C
s/n DV569
DV 569
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington DV579, 1C
s/n DV579
DV 579
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Rostock Germany 1942-04-25 to 1942-04-25
(B) Sqn (RAF) Elsham Wolds
ROSTOCK 128 aircraft of 6 types,110 to the town and 18 to the Heinke! 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 Heinke! 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
1942-April-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Arthur Frank Blencowe 2025-01-25 1942-April-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Lorne Bray DFM 2024-11-17 1942-April-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Harry Bircham Bullen 2024-11-23 1942-April-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Frank O'Kearney Eivers 2025-01-25 1942-April-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Sidney Harold Harle 2025-01-25 1942-April-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Dennis William Musgrove 2025-01-25 Wellington DV600, 1C
s/n DV600
DV 600
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington DV611, 1C
s/n DV611
DV 611
Wellington DV643, 1C
s/n DV643
DV 643
Wellington DV653, 1C
s/n DV653
DV 653
Wellington DV663, 1C
s/n DV663
DV 663
Wellington DV674, 1C
s/n DV674
DV 674
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington DV695, 1C
s/n DV695
DV 695
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington DV699, Mk. IC
s/n DV699
Vickers-Armstrong
DV 699
Wellington DV700, 1C
s/n DV700
DV 700
Wellington DV701, 1C
Wellington DV703, 1C
s/n DV703
DV 703
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington DV713, 1C
s/n DV713
DV 713
Wellington DV715, 1C
s/n DV715
DV 715
Wellington DV726, 1C
s/n DV726
DV 726
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington DV731, 1C
s/n DV731
DV 731
Wellington DV736, 1C
s/n DV736
DV 736
Wellington DV763, 1C
s/n DV763
DV 763
Wellington DV773, 1C
s/n DV773
DV 773
Wellington DV775, 1C
Wellington DV812, 1C
s/n DV812
DV 812
Wellington DV816, 1C
s/n DV816
DV 816
Wellington DV828, 1C
s/n DV828
DV 828
Wellington DV831, 1C
s/n DV831
DV 831
Wellington DV834, 1C
s/n DV834
DV 834
Wellington DV840, 1C
s/n DV840
DV 840
Wellington DV841, 1C
Wellington DV843, 1C
s/n DV843
DV 843
Wellington DV866, 1C
s/n DV866
DV 866
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington DV867, 1C
s/n DV867
DV 867
Wellington DV873, 1C
s/n DV873
DV 873
Wellington DV875, 1C
s/n DV875
DV 875
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington DV882, 1C
Wellington DV885, 1C
s/n DV885
DV 885
Wellington DV931, 1C
s/n DV931
DV 931
Wellington DV932, 1C
s/n DV932
DV 932
Wellington DV934, 1C
s/n DV934
DV 934
Wellington DV941, 1C
s/n DV941
DV 941
Wellington DV944, 1C
s/n DV944
DV 944
Wellington ES989, 1C
Wellington HD947, Mk. IC
s/n HD947
Vickers-Armstrong
HD 947
Wellington HD955, Mk. IC
s/n HD955
Vickers-Armstrong
HD 955
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HD977, Mk. IC
s/n HD977
Vickers-Armstrong
HD 977
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HD984, Mk. IC
s/n HD984
Vickers-Armstrong
HD 984
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HD985, Mk. IC
s/n HD985
Vickers-Armstrong
HD 985
Wellington HD991, Mk. IC
s/n HD991
Vickers-Armstrong
HD 991
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE112, Mk. IC
s/n HE112
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 112
Wellington HE116, Mk. IC
s/n HE116
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 116
Wellington HE126, Mk. IC
s/n HE126
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 126
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE132, Mk. IC
s/n HE132
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 132
Wellington HE152, B. Mk. X
s/n HE152
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 152
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE155, B. Mk. X
s/n HE155
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 155
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE157, B. Mk. X
s/n HE157
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 157
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-13 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Eric William Betts 2024-11-12 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Howard Ralph Drake 2024-10-28 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Kenneth Franklin Fighter 2025-01-18 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant David Chester Maxwell 2025-01-18 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George McMillan 2025-01-18 Wellington HE159, B. Mk. X
s/n HE159
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 159
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Frankfurt Germany 1943-04-10 to 1943-04-11
424 (B) Sqn (RCAF) 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 HE161, B. Mk. X
s/n HE161
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 161
Wellington HE169, B. Mk. X
s/n HE169
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 169
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-February-14 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Glenn Greaves Clark 2024-02-24 1943-February-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Morgan David Fox 2021-08-06 1943-February-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Duncan McIntyre 2021-09-17 1943-February-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Clinton Stuart Wood 2021-10-02 Wellington HE170, B. Mk. X
s/n HE170
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 170
Wellington HE173, B. Mk. X
s/n HE173
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 173
last update: 2025-February-28
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)
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
Wellington HE176, B. Mk. X
s/n HE176
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 176
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-April-15 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Denys Haughton Ferry 2022-05-11 1943-April-15 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Scott Harris 2024-05-29 1943-April-15 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Richard Twiss Sutton 2024-11-01 1943-April-15 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class James Lawrence Warren 2023-08-17 1943-April-15 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Theodore Haywood White 2023-08-17 Wellington HE177, B. Mk. X
s/n HE177
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 177
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE182, B. Mk. X
s/n HE182
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 182
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-03-29 to 1943-03-30
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Burn
Battle of the Ruhr
329 aircraft - r 62 Lancasters, r 03 Halifaxes, 64 Stirlings. 21aircraft - 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. 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 HE183, B. Mk. X
s/n HE183
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 183
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Bochum Germany 1943-05-13 to 1943-05-14
(B) Sqn (RCAF) 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/0.s D. Coales (RAF) and D.S. Gooderham (RAF) were also killed.
Wellington HE199, B. Mk. X
s/n HE199
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 199
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE201, B. Mk. X
s/n HE201
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 201
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE213, B. Mk. X
s/n HE213
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 213
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Frankfurt Germany 1943-04-10 to 1943-04-11
(B) Sqn (RCAF) 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 HE217, B. Mk. X
s/n HE217
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 217
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-May-04 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Charles Robert Sayre Blenkhorn 2025-02-03 1943-May-04 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Kenneth Charles George Bourne 2025-02-03 1943-May-04 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant James William Freeman 2025-02-03 1943-May-04 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Kenneth Hodgson 2025-02-03 1943-May-04 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Aloysius William Klauer 2025-02-03 1943-May-04 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Ellis Hamilton Park 2025-01-25 Wellington HE218, B. Mk. X
s/n HE218
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 218
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE228, B. Mk. X
s/n HE228
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 228
Wellington HE231, B. Mk. X
s/n HE231
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 231
Wellington HE238, B. Mk. X
s/n HE238
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 238
Wellington HE243, B. Mk. X
s/n HE243
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 243
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE244, B. Mk. X
s/n HE244
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 244
Wellington HE261, B. Mk. X
s/n HE261
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 261
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE266, B. Mk. X
s/n HE266
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 266
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE272, B. Mk. X
s/n HE272
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 272
last update: 2025-April-18
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.
1943-June-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lawrence Arkwright Ferguson 2023-07-22 1943-June-29 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Harry Edward Mayer 2023-01-03 1943-June-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Patrick Joseph Howard McManus 2023-01-03 1943-June-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Lambert Richard Nussbaum 2023-01-03 1943-June-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Walter Raymond Roberts 2023-01-03 Wellington HE276, B. Mk. X
s/n HE276
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 276
Wellington HE280, B. Mk. X
s/n HE280
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 280
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-March-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Edward Bennett 2024-11-11 1943-March-05 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Donald George Culver 2024-05-25 1943-March-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Graham 2021-02-21 1943-March-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harry Taylor Adamson Lawson 2021-08-13 1943-March-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Kenneth MacDonald 2021-08-16 Wellington HE281, B. Mk. X
s/n HE281
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 281
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE284, B. Mk. X
s/n HE284
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 284
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE290, B. Mk. X
s/n HE290
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 290
Wellington HE293, B. Mk. X
s/n HE293
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 293
last update: 2025-April-18
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.
1944-July-13 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Edward Berwick 2023-03-31 1944-July-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ernest Albert Wesley Dawson 2024-10-05 1944-July-13 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Kenneth Arthur Fairclough 2023-03-31 1944-July-13 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Kirkland 2023-03-31 1944-July-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Earl Smith 2023-03-31 Wellington HE294, B. Mk. X
s/n HE294
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 294
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Essen Germany 1943-05-27 to 1943-05-28
(B) Sqn (RCAF) 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.
1943-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ralph Grant Allan 2024-11-02 1943-May-28 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Albert George Bailey 2024-11-04 1943-May-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Arlo Farnham 2024-11-27 1943-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ross Marshall Murray 2024-11-27 1943-May-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ralph Edgar Taylor DFM 2024-11-27 Wellington HE319, B. Mk. X
s/n HE319
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 319
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE320, B. Mk. X
s/n HE320
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 320
Wellington HE321, B. Mk. X
s/n HE321
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 321
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Raymond Lamport Baumgarten 2024-11-09 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alan Edgar Hatch 2025-01-01 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Clifford Hildreth 2025-01-01 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Douglas Ray Horwood 2025-01-01 1943-May-13 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Leven 2025-01-01 Wellington HE322, B. Mk. X
s/n HE322
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 322
last update: 2025-February-05
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)
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
1943-June-11 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Askew 2022-10-21 1943-June-11 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Charles Etienne Jette 2022-10-21 1943-June-11 Survived RCAF Sergeant W Lachman 2022-10-21 1943-June-11 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Eric Ritchie Marchand 2023-11-04 1943-June-11 KIA RCAF Sergeant Maurice Patrick Scullion 2023-11-04 Wellington HE324, B. Mk. X
s/n HE324
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 324
Wellington HE334, B. Mk. X
s/n HE334
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 334
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-July-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ronald Clark East 2021-08-05 1943-July-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ernest Borden McCutcheon 2021-08-17 1943-July-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Ross Campbell McLellan 2021-08-17 1943-July-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Adam Witherbee Melrose 2021-08-16 1943-July-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Lloyd Henry Walton 2021-07-10 Wellington HE348, B. Mk. X
s/n HE348
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 348
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE353, B. Mk. X
s/n HE353
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 353
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Aachen Germany 1943-07-13 to 1943-07-14
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
Battle of the Ruhr
374 aircraft - 214 Halifaxes, 76 Wellingtons, 55 Stirlings, 18 Lancasters, 11 Mos-quitoes; 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.I" 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
1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Clayton Campbell 2024-08-06 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Carson Lyle Dyson 2024-08-06 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Howard Osborne Lee 2024-08-06 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Wilbur McKendry 2024-08-06 1943-July-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Stewart 2024-08-06 Wellington HE367, B. Mk. X
s/n HE367
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 367
With No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "NA*V". Used by 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.
last update: 2025-February-05On 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.
Wellington HE369, B. Mk. X
s/n HE369
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 369
last update: 2025-April-18
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 1943-February-25 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant James Banks 2022-10-31 1943-February-25 Survived RCAF Sergeant J Harrison 2022-10-31 1943-February-25 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant Willam Albert Sparrow 2022-06-08 1943-February-25 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant William Albert Sparrow 2024-12-09 1943-February-25 Survived RAFVR Sergeant Frank William Noel Trowbridge 2024-12-09 1943-February-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Alfred Albert Wiles 2024-12-09 1943-February-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Stephen Borden Worley 2022-10-31 Wellington HE370, B. Mk. X
s/n HE370
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 370
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-June-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Albert Charles Collins 2024-03-20 1943-June-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Leslie Charles Foster 2023-07-22 1943-June-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Romeo Lionel Leroux 2021-08-13 1943-June-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Ernest Jeffrey Tucker 2021-07-14 1943-June-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Kevin Davies Wilson 2022-01-02 Wellington HE374, B. Mk. X
s/n HE374
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 374
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Stuttgart Germany 1943-04-14 to 1943-04-15
(B) Sqn (RCAF) 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 - of 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 HE379, B. Mk. X
s/n HE379
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 379
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Mannheim Germany 1943-04-16 to 1943-04-16
(B) Sqn (RCAF) 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 Pilsen. 4 crew were POWs and one crew was killed. 2019-08-20
Wellington HE381, B. Mk. X
s/n HE381
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 381
Wellington HE382, B. Mk. X
s/n HE382
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 382
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE385, B. Mk. X
s/n HE385
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 385
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE391, B. Mk. X
s/n HE391
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 391
Wellington HE392, B. Mk. X
s/n HE392
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 392
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1943-06-11 to 1943-06-12
431 (B) Sqn (RAF) 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
Wellington X HE392 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1943-June-12 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Richard Bell 2025-01-09 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Gerald Breen 2024-11-17 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Colin Angus McDougall 2025-01-11 1943-June-12 KIA RAF Squadron Leader William Edwin Mulford 2022-09-17 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Earl Stewart Rheaume 2025-01-11 Wellington HE393, B. Mk. X
s/n HE393
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 393
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE412, B. Mk. X
s/n HE412
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 412
Wellington HE415, B. Mk. X
s/n HE415
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 415
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-August-23 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Sterling Lorne Braaten 2024-11-16 1944-August-23 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Ronald Greavison 2021-08-07 1944-August-23 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Franklin Leonard Maw 2021-08-16 1944-August-23 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Howard Peter Veregin 2021-07-13 1944-August-23 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Frederick Yacko 2020-08-29 Wellington HE419, B. Mk. X
s/n HE419
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 419
Wellington HE422, B. Mk. X
s/n HE422
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 422
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE423, B. Mk. X
s/n HE423
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 423
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Raymond Thomas Crimmins 2024-05-16 1943-May-13 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Basil Alfred Alexander Geale 2021-07-17 1943-May-13 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Joseph Piggott 2021-07-17 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Howard Allen Tennis 2021-07-17 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class James Samuel Vose 2021-07-17 Wellington HE432, B. Mk. X
s/n HE432
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 432
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-April-05 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Daylor Heslip 2021-07-14 1943-April-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Howard Clinton Irwin 2022-01-26 1943-April-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Kenneth Willard Rosevear 2021-07-14 1943-April-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lawrence Dennis Ryan 2021-07-14 1943-April-05 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert George Tighe 2021-07-14 Wellington HE440, B. Mk. X
s/n HE440
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 440
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Duisburg Germany 1943-05-12 to 1943-05-13
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Burn
Battle of the Ruhr
572 aircraft - 238 Lancasters, 142 Halifaxes, 112 Wellingtons, 70 Stirling», 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
1943-May-13 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Andrew Cresswell 2024-05-14 1943-May-13 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Edward Leo Gummer 2023-03-30 1943-May-13 KIA RAF Sergeant Innis Edward Mobley 2023-03-30 1943-May-13 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas Haig Smith 2023-03-30 1943-May-13 KIA RAF Sergeant George Robert Yorkston Wood 2023-03-30 Wellington HE462, B. Mk. X
s/n HE462
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 462
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-May-24 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Robert Paul Cummins 2024-05-27 1944-May-24 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William Burton Ernst 2022-08-01 1944-May-24 KIFA RCAF Sergeant John Michael Logelin 2021-08-13 1944-May-24 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Roy Spencer Piers 2021-08-14 1944-May-24 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Edward Henry Widdess 2021-07-08 Wellington HE464, B. Mk. X
s/n HE464
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 464
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE466, B. Mk. X
s/n HE466
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 466
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE475, B. Mk. X
s/n HE475
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 475
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE480, B. Mk. X
s/n HE480
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 480
Wellington HE485, B. Mk. X
s/n HE485
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 485
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-August-30 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Lloyd Edwin Chapman 2024-02-01 1944-August-30 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer George Walker Davidson 2024-10-31 1944-August-30 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Meryn Kram 2021-08-12 1944-August-30 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Peter Loszchuk 2023-12-13 1944-August-30 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William Stewart Ross 2023-12-13 Wellington HE491, B. Mk. X
s/n HE491
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 491
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE492, B. Mk. X
s/n HE492
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 492
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-September-06 KIA RCAF Sergeant William John Bowser Ingram 2023-01-05 1943-September-06 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Joseph Albert Roger Langlois 2023-01-05 1943-September-06 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Alexander Pitkethly 2023-01-05 1943-September-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Loring Sills 2023-01-05 Wellington HE495, B. Mk. X
s/n HE495
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 495
Wellington HE501, B. Mk. X
s/n HE501
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 501
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE503, B. Mk. X
s/n HE503
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 503
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Duisburg Germany 1943-03-26 to 1943-03-27
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Burn
Battle of the Ruhr
455 aircraft- 173 Wellingtons, 157 Lancasters, 114 Halifaxes, 9 Mosquitoes, 2 Stirl-: ings. 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 HE514, B. Mk. X
s/n HE514
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 514
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Essen Germany 1943-07-25 to 1943-07-26
(B) Sqn (RCAF) 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
Wellington HE515, B. Mk. X
s/n HE515
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 515
last update: 2025-April-18
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 HE519, B. Mk. X
s/n HE519
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 519
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE522, B. Mk. X
s/n HE522
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 522
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE524, B. Mk. X
s/n HE524
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 524
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Brown 2024-11-21 1943-August-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Earl Willard Dickinson 2025-03-06 1943-August-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edgar Lloyd Fairweather 2025-03-06 1943-August-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Harrison Garbutt 2025-03-06 1943-August-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Bebbington Long 2025-03-06 Wellington HE536, B. Mk. X
s/n HE536
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 536
last update: 2025-April-18
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.
1943-July-10 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Francois Xavier Jean Bittner 2024-11-12 1943-July-10 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer James Carlyle Kennedy 2025-01-21 1943-July-10 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Edward McGrogan 2025-01-21 1943-July-10 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant George William Alex Patterson 2025-01-21 1943-July-10 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Trofanenko 2025-01-21 Wellington HE543, B. Mk. X
s/n HE543
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 543
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Cyril Rene Balcer 2024-11-05 1943-April-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Collier 2024-03-20 1943-April-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Kenneth Peter Garnett 2021-06-03 1943-April-29 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Geoffrey Meakins 2021-06-03 1943-April-29 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Ronald Albert Parkinson 2021-06-03 Wellington HE545, B. Mk. X
s/n HE545
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 545
Wellington HE547, B. Mk. X
s/n HE547
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 547
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE548, B. Mk. X
s/n HE548
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 548
Wellington HE550, B. Mk. X
s/n HE550
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 550
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE553, B. Mk. X
s/n HE553
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 553
last update: 2025-April-18
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 HE568, B. Mk. X
s/n HE568
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 568
last update: 2025-February-05
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, 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
1943-June-01 KIA RCAF Leading Aircraftman Thomas Robert Brookes 2024-11-19 1943-June-01 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Harry Llewellyn Davis 2025-03-04 1943-June-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Spencer Hollowell 2025-03-04 1943-June-01 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Henry Hubbell 2025-03-04 1943-June-01 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Robert King 2025-03-04 1943-June-01 KIA RCAF Corporal James Foster MacKenzie 2025-03-04 1943-June-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alexander Theodore Sodero 2025-03-04 Wellington HE580, B. Mk. X
s/n HE580
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 580
Wellington HE590, B. Mk. X
s/n HE590
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 590
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Donald Lyall Beatty 2025-01-04 1943-May-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Stuart Pennington DFM 2025-01-04 1943-May-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norman Cecil Swan 2025-01-04 1943-May-26 KIA RCAF Sergeant Richard Ellwood Talman 2025-01-04 1943-May-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Kaye Watson 2025-01-04 Wellington HE591, B. Mk. X
s/n HE591
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 591
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE592, B. Mk. X
s/n HE592
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 592
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-April-08 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Cuthbert Worcester Graham Burke 2024-11-24 1943-April-08 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Russel Gordon Cook 2024-04-03
1943-April-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Olivier Edouard Emile Schulz 2025-03-26 1943-April-08 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Francis Smith 2025-03-26 Wellington HE593, B. Mk. X
s/n HE593
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 593
last update: 2025-February-05
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
Crash Site Vickers Wellington B Mark X - Zijtaart - TracesOfWar.com
Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire
Wellington X HE593, [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Nicholas Gerard Burns 2024-10-13 1943-June-12 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Robert Fitzgerald Conroy 2025-01-16 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Robert Densmore 2024-10-13 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer Class I Glenn Arthur Leitch 2024-10-13 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Gordon Arthur Nelson 2024-10-13 Wellington HE600, B. Mk. X
s/n HE600
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 600
Wellington HE630, B. Mk. X
s/n HE630
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 630
last update: 2025-April-18
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
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 HE650, B. Mk. X
s/n HE650
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 650
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-January-29 KIFA RCAF Sergeant William Allan Boundy 2025-02-03 1943-January-29 KIFA RCAF Sergeant William Ewart Douglass 2024-10-28 1943-January-29 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Langley Hall 2025-02-02 1943-January-29 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Lawrence McConnell 2025-02-02 1943-January-29 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Edmond McLeod Tew 2025-02-02 Wellington HE652, B. Mk. X
s/n HE652
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 652
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE656, B. Mk. X
s/n HE656
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 656
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Linwood Alton Dingley 2024-10-21 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Paul Grant Kelly 2023-10-26 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Sergeant Ernest Edward Lundy 2023-10-26 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Walter Edward Mann 2023-10-26 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Wallace Wesley O'Brien 2023-10-26 Wellington HE658, B. Mk. X
s/n HE658
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 658
Wellington HE682, B. Mk. X
s/n HE682
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 682
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE690, B. Mk. X
s/n HE690
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 690
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE692, B. Mk. X
s/n HE692
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 692
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE693, B. Mk. X
s/n HE693
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 693
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE696, B. Mk. X
s/n HE696
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 696
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE697, B. Mk. X
s/n HE697
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 697
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE714, B. Mk. X
s/n HE714
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 714
Wellington HE727, B. Mk. X
s/n HE727
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 727
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE728, B. Mk. X
s/n HE728
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 728
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Victor Agate 2024-11-01 1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Mackenzie Manson 2021-06-02 1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Kenneth Edward Radcliff 2022-01-18 1943-April-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Ian Peter Douglas Rushton 2021-06-09 1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Henry Vaynor Smith-Jones 2021-10-02 Wellington HE729, B. Mk. X
s/n HE729
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 729
last update: 2025-April-18
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 Mos¬quitoes. This was the first night that more than 200 Halifaxes took part in a raid. 38 aircraft- 14 Lancasters, 12 Halifaxes, IO 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 Diisseldorf. This caused part of the Main Force to waste its bombs on open country. But the main bombing caused extensive damage in the centre ofDiisseldorf, where 130 acres were claimed as destroyed, and this proved to be the most damaging raid of the war for this city.
Diusseldorf 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 coven typed pages in the Diisseldorf 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
Wellington X HE729 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Laurie Alban Bourgeois 2024-11-15 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Austin McClintock 2025-02-03 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Daniel Sinclair McRae 2025-02-03 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Albert Mason Philpott 2025-02-03 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harry Dale Warner 2025-02-03 Wellington HE733, B. Mk. X
s/n HE733
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 733
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE737, B. Mk. X
s/n HE737
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 737
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE739, B. Mk. X
s/n HE739
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 739
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-May-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth Scott Johnson 2021-08-11 1944-May-15 KIA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Andre Lanouette 2023-12-13 1944-May-15 KIA RCAF Sergeant Gordon Keith McLellan 2023-12-13 1944-May-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Scott Oliphant 2023-12-13 1944-May-15 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Jack Tass 2023-12-13 Wellington HE743, B. Mk. X
s/n HE743
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 743
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE744, B. Mk. X
s/n HE744
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 744
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE746, B. Mk. X
s/n HE746
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 746
Wellington HE749, B. Mk. X
s/n HE749
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 749
Wellington HE751, B. Mk. X
s/n HE751
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 751
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE756, B. Mk. X
s/n HE756
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 756
Wellington HE760, B. Mk. X
s/n HE760
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 760
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE771, B. Mk. X
s/n HE771
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 771
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE793, B. Mk. X
s/n HE793
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 793
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE795, B. Mk. X
s/n HE795
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 795
last update: 2025-April-18
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 HE802, B. Mk. X
s/n HE802
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 802
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE803, B. Mk. X
s/n HE803
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 803
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-July-26 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Howard William Clarke 2024-02-27 1943-July-26 PoW USAAF Lieutenant J C Elliott 2023-08-21 1943-July-26 PoW RAF Sergeant Frank William Robert Frost 2021-06-28 1943-July-26 PoW Died RCAF Flying Officer Keith Mclean Johnston 2022-04-27 1943-July-26 PoW RCAF Sergeant Joseph Arthur Marcel Lortie 2021-06-28 Wellington HE810, B. Mk. X
s/n HE810
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 810
Wellington HE817, B. Mk. X
s/n HE817
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 817
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Hanover Germany 1943-09-27 to 1943-09-27
(B) Sqn (RCAF) 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, s-6 per cent of the force, and l B-I7 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
Daily Operations 6bombergroup.ca
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
1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Stanley Kyle Atkinson 2024-11-03 1943-September-27 KIA RAF Flight Sergeant Irvine Charles Randolph Bowden 2024-11-16 1943-September-27 PoW USAAF Master Sergeant Shelton Colvin Bybee 2024-11-27 1943-September-27 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Alfred Willliam Chubb 2024-02-20 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Leo Frederick Cook 2025-02-04 1943-September-27 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Alexander Grant 2025-02-04 Wellington HE821, B. Mk. X
s/n HE821
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 821
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-August-05 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Lowell Milton Brehaut 2024-11-17 1944-August-05 KIFA RCAF Sergeant James Robb Clarke 2024-02-27 1944-August-05 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Walter William Cooper 2024-04-11 1944-August-05 KIFA RCAF Sergeant John Joseph Lee 2025-03-02 1944-August-05 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Willis Don Murdie 2025-03-02 Wellington HE824, B. Mk. X
s/n HE824
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 824
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-October-17 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Andrew Jean Duhamel 2024-10-29 1943-October-17 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Jean Marie Paul Marchessault 2021-08-14 1943-October-17 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Arthur Lucien Morissette 2021-08-16 1943-October-17 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class George Smith 2021-02-01 Wellington HE855, B. Mk. X
s/n HE855
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 855
Wellington HE862, B. Mk. X
s/n HE862
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 862
Wellington HE863, B. Mk. X
s/n HE863
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 863
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-April-14 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William Gerald Blight 2025-01-25 1943-April-14 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Paul Joseph Cozens 2025-01-25 1943-April-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Leonard Dutton 2025-01-25 1943-April-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Stephen Graham Giffin 2025-01-25 1943-April-14 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 John Paplowski 2025-01-25 Wellington HE864, B. Mk. X
s/n HE864
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 864
last update: 2025-February-05
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.
1943-May-05 PoW RCAF Sergeant James Lennox Boyd 2024-11-16 1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Dennis Wilbert Johnson 2025-02-16 1943-May-05 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Jean Joseph Levasseur 2025-02-16 1943-May-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Prosnyck 2025-02-16 1943-May-05 PoW RCAF Sergeant Donald Edward Thomson 2025-02-16 Wellington HE871, B. Mk. X
s/n HE871
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 871
last update: 2025-April-18
1945-May-28 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Edwin Algar 2024-11-02 1945-May-28 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 John William Duncan 2024-10-29 1945-May-28 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Fred Theodore Gidilevich 2021-08-07 1945-May-28 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Albert Harry Handley 2021-08-09 1945-May-28 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Rene Isabelle 2021-03-08 Wellington HE899, B. Mk. X
s/n HE899
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 899
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Peter Healey Brand 2024-11-17 1943-May-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Emery Kenneth Edwards 2021-08-06 1943-May-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Edward Hagan 2021-08-09 1943-May-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Clarence Norris Magnusson 2021-09-23 1943-May-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Walter Charles Sutton 2021-07-21 Wellington HE904, B. Mk. X
s/n HE904
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 904
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE905, B. Mk. X
s/n HE905
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 905
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-13 Evader RCAF Flight Sergeant Olaf William Forland 2021-07-16 1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Douglas Gordon Fraser 2023-08-22 1943-May-13 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Dallas Laskey DFC 2021-07-16 1943-May-13 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Miller 2021-07-16 1943-May-13 PoW RAF Sergeant Douglas Hill Pennock 2021-07-16 1943-May-13 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Ian Ralph Andrew Runciman 2021-07-16 Wellington HE906, B. Mk. X
s/n HE906
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 906
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1943-08-02 to 1943-08-03
(B) Sqn (RCAF) Skipton-on-Swale
Battle of Hamburg
740 aircraft - 329 Lancasters, 235 Halifaxes, 105 Stirlings, 66 Wellingtons, 5 Mos-quitoes. 30 aircraft- 13 Lancasters, IO 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.
1943-August-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Marshall Edwin Balkam 2024-11-05 1943-August-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Prentiss Gaudry 2024-12-07 1943-August-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Thomas Yarwood Kirkham 2024-12-07 1943-August-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Devereux Richard Cecil McDonald 2024-12-07 Wellington HE913, B. Mk. X
s/n HE913
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 913
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Sergeant Douglas Oliver Broughton 2024-11-20 1943-May-13 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Peter John Dunger 2024-10-29 1943-May-13 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Arthur Fitzgerald Halsted 2025-03-06 1943-May-13 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Cyril Taylor 2025-01-14 1943-May-13 KIA RAF Flying Officer Stephan Alan Willoughby 2025-03-06 Wellington HE923, B. Mk. X
s/n HE923
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 923
Wellington HE929, B. Mk. X
s/n HE929
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 929
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE952, B. Mk. X
s/n HE952
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 952
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HE961, B. Mk. X
s/n HE961
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 961
last update: 2025-February-05
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 MemorialWellington 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
1943-June-01 KIA RCAF Corporal Allan Cyrenius James Coates 2024-03-06 1943-June-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Kenneth Malcolmson Gillies 2023-01-16 1943-June-01 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Patrick Joseph McCrohan Greig 2023-01-16 1943-June-01 KIA RCAF Leading Aircraftman John Bruce Leitch 2023-01-16 1943-June-01 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Saunders McCulloch 2023-01-16 1943-June-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gerard Daniel McDougall 2023-01-16 1943-June-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Charles Nicol 2023-01-16 Wellington HE962, B. Mk. X
s/n HE962
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 962
last update: 2025-April-18
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 HE963, B. Mk. X
s/n HE963
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 963
last update: 2025-April-18
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 HE967, B. Mk. X
s/n HE967
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 967
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-February-05
Wellington HE971, B. Mk. X
s/n HE971
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 971
last update: 2025-April-18
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 HE977, B. Mk. X
s/n HE977
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 977
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Ronald Dunphy 2024-10-30 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ernest Robert Ferris 2023-07-22 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Frederick Hall 2022-09-30 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Carroll Telfer Hele 2021-08-09 1943-June-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Robert Victor Millar 2021-08-16 Wellington HE979, B. Mk. X
s/n HE979
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 979
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE983, B. Mk. X
s/n HE983
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 983
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HE995, B. Mk. X
s/n HE995
Vickers-Armstrong
HE 995
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HF119, B. Mk. XII
s/n HF119
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 119
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF124, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF124
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 124
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Sutherland Bier 2025-01-18 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Craig 2024-12-27 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Erwin Godwin 2024-12-27 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Douglas Roger Parker 2024-12-27 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Byron Emerson Alwyn Vye 2024-12-27 Wellington HF131, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF131
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 131
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-March-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edmund Sydney Jacquest 2021-08-11 1944-March-24 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class George Kitchener Jarvis 2023-01-02 1944-March-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Norbert Gerald Leclerc 2021-08-13 1944-March-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Hubert John McLean 2021-08-17 1944-March-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur David Morton 2021-08-16 1944-March-24 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Robert Riley Perry 2021-08-16 Wellington HF142, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF142
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 142
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HF143, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF143
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 143
Wellington HF144, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF144
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 144
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Robert Bigham 2024-11-12 1944-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Austin Cauthers 2025-01-19 1944-June-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Samuel James McGrath 2025-01-19 1944-June-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Howard McLaren 2025-01-19 1944-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Robert Mumford 2025-01-19 1944-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Sibbald 2025-01-19 Wellington HF149, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF149
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 149
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-07 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Wallace Hilton Brown DFC 2024-07-26 1944-June-07 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Alexander Donaldson Callander 2024-07-26 1944-June-07 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Desmond William Farrell 2024-07-27 1944-June-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Clarence John Hall 2024-07-27 1944-June-07 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Phoenix Johnston 2024-07-27 Wellington HF168, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF168
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 168
Wellington HF172, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF172
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 172
Wellington HF177, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF177
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 177
Wellington HF182, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF182
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 182
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-November-10 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Joseph Edmund Gustave Girouard 2021-08-07 1943-November-10 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Donald Jesse Haug 2021-08-09 1943-November-10 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Joseph Jean-Paul Gerard Huard 2021-02-20 1943-November-10 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Joseph Noel Gerard Milot 2021-08-16 1943-November-10 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Arthur Raven 2021-08-11 1943-November-10 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Louis Joseph Leo Thibault 2021-10-02 Wellington HF187, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF187
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 187
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HF194, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF194
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 194
Wellington HF199, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF199
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 199
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-December-06 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Orval George Backes 2024-11-04 1944-December-06 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Jack Douglas Baird 2024-11-04 1944-December-06 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Cecil Henry Baldwin 2024-11-05 1944-December-06 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Hugh Joseph McArthur 2024-11-28 1944-December-06 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Albert Volny 2024-11-28 Wellington HF246, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF246
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 246
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF284, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF284
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 284
Wellington HF296, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF296
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 296
Wellington HF307, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF307
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 307
Wellington HF309, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF309
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 309
Wellington HF311, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF311
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 311
last update: 2025-April-18
Reconnaissance 1944-03-11 to 1944-03-11
(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. OConnell, 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.
1944-March-11 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Reginald Carl Gaudet 2023-05-03 1944-March-11 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Grant 2023-05-03 1944-March-11 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Edmund Michael O'Donnell 2023-05-03 1944-March-11 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ivor Ernest Smithson 2024-06-11 1944-March-11 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Hugh Campbell Sorley 2023-05-03 1944-March-11 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Franklyn Leroy Travers 2023-05-03 Wellington HF359, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF359
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 359
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF361, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF361
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 361
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF396, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF396
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 396
Wellington HF412, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF412
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 412
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HF446, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF446
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 446
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-June-15 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant George Samuel Holland 2022-01-25 1944-June-15 KIA RAFVR Flight Lieutenant Arthur Harold Evans Kahn 2022-01-25 1944-June-15 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer George Reginald Manley-Tucker 2022-01-25 1944-June-15 KIA RAFVR Wing Commander Kenneth Petrie 2022-01-25 1944-June-15 KIA RAF Flying Officer Sisson Ede Rotheram 2022-01-25 1944-June-15 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Donald Wallace 2022-01-25 Wellington HF450, B. Mk. XIV
s/n HF450
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 450
Wellington HF457, B. Mk. X
s/n HF457
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 457
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HF459, B. Mk. X
s/n HF459
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 459
Wellington HF460, B. Mk. X
s/n HF460
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 460
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF461, B. Mk. X
s/n HF461
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 461
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-July-24 KIA RCAF Sergeant Reginald Newman Barlow 2024-11-09 1943-July-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Adam Sidney Bellingham 2025-01-13 1943-July-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Frederick Coulson 2024-12-19 1943-July-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Stewart Harrison 2024-12-19 1943-July-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur Stanley Hopping 2024-12-19 Wellington HF471, B. Mk. X
s/n HF471
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 471
Wellington HF485, B. Mk. X
s/n HF485
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 485
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-July-05 KIFA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Frank Lorne Burston 2024-11-25 1944-July-05 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Glen Richard Burston 2024-11-25 1944-July-05 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Douglas Gordon Bush DFC 2025-03-28 1944-July-05 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Richard Vernon Doupe 2024-10-28 1944-July-05 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Neil Scott Hurder 2025-03-27 1944-July-05 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Owen Miller 2025-03-27 Wellington HF518, B. Mk. X
s/n HF518
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 518
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Krefeld Germany 1943-06-21 to 1943-06-22
(B) Sqn (RCAF) 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, 6·2 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 HF519, B. Mk. X
s/n HF519
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 519
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-May-16 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Ralph William Bartlett 2024-12-30 1944-May-16 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Donald David Bidwell 2024-11-12 1944-May-16 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Roy Walter Hare 2024-12-30 1944-May-16 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Harry William Ingleson 2024-12-30 1944-May-16 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Andrew Tilton 2024-12-30 Wellington HF533, B. Mk. X
s/n HF533
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 533
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF534, B. Mk. X
s/n HF534
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 534
Wellington HF535, B. Mk. X
s/n HF535
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 535
Wellington HF542, B. Mk. X
s/n HF542
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 542
last update: 2025-February-05
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, NetherlandsFlying 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
Wellington X HF542 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Duncan Eric Campbell 2023-12-11 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ralph Perry Davies 2024-10-31 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Albert James MacLachlan 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Louis Philippe Roma Taillefer 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Rudolph Zeidel 2022-10-21 Wellington HF568, B. Mk. X
s/n HF568
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 568
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-June-27 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Lyall James Davidson 2024-10-31 1943-June-27 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Walter Wilfred Horn 2023-01-15 1943-June-27 KIA RCAF Sergeant Lloyd George McKenzie 2023-01-15 1943-June-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frederick Harold Schull 2023-01-15 1943-June-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Douglas Watson Tate 2023-01-15 Wellington HF572, B. Mk. X
s/n HF572
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 572
last update: 2025-April-18
Bombing Wuppertal Germany 1943-06-24 to 1943-06-25
432 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Skipton-on-Swale
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 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
Daily Operations 6bombergroup.ca
1943-June-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Neil Goldie 2022-10-30 1943-June-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Charles Kingston Killick 2022-10-30 1943-June-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant George Liddle 2022-10-30 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Albert Sparrow 2022-10-31 1943-June-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Frank William Noel Trowbridge 2022-10-30 Wellington HF594, B. Mk. X
s/n HF594
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 594
Wellington HF595, B. Mk. X
s/n HF595
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 595
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF596, B. Mk. X
s/n HF596
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 596
Wellington HF601, B. Mk. X
s/n HF601
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 601
Wellington HF612, Mk. lll
Wellington HF613, Mk. lll
s/n HF613
HF 613
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF628, Mk. lll
s/n HF628
HF 628
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF630, Mk. lll
s/n HF630
HF 630
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF632, Mk. lll
Wellington HF633, Mk. lll
Wellington HF641, Mk. lll
s/n HF641
HF 641
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-June-29 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Robert John Andrews 2024-11-02 1944-June-29 KIFA RCAF Sergeant William Howard Clark 2024-02-26 1944-June-29 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Allan Hustead MacKimmie 2021-11-17 1944-June-29 KIFA RCAF Sergeant John Berge Sollie 2021-11-17 1944-June-29 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Charles Edward Stephen 2021-11-17 1944-June-29 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Paul William Tokar 2021-11-17 Wellington HF643, Mk. lll
s/n HF643
HF 643
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF645, Mk. lll
Wellington HF648, Mk. lll
s/n HF648
HF 648
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-November-09 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Carl Stirling Boomer 2024-11-14 1942-November-09 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Desmond Bracken Clements 2024-03-02 1942-November-09 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Leonard Doray 2024-10-26 1942-November-09 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Anthony Albert Hebert 2021-10-01 1942-November-09 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Garnet Willard Wilken 2021-07-08 Wellington HF675, Mk. lll
s/n HF675
HF 675
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF690, Mk. lll
s/n HF690
HF 690
Wellington HF697, Mk. lll
s/n HF697
HF 697
Wellington HF700, Mk. lll
s/n HF700
HF 700
Wellington HF732, Mk. lll
Wellington HF752, Mk. lll
s/n HF752
HF 752
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF759, Mk. lll
s/n HF759
HF 759
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-February-13 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Spencer Hewitt Amys 2024-11-02 1943-February-13 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Russell Charles Heath Boulton 2024-11-15 1943-February-13 KIFA RCAF Sergeant John Gilbert Campbell 2025-02-02 1943-February-13 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Leonard Stanley Carpenter 2025-02-02 1943-February-13 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Michael Stein Jacobs 2025-02-02 1943-February-13 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Roy Kennedy 2025-02-02 1943-February-13 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 George Andrew Molozzi 2025-02-02 Wellington HF763, B. Mk. III
s/n HF763
Vickers-Armstrong
HF 763
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF800, Mk. lll
s/n HF800
HF 800
Wellington HF811, Mk. lll
s/n HF811
HF 811
Wellington HF813, Mk. lll
s/n HF813
HF 813
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF831, Mk. lll
s/n HF831
HF 831
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF835, Mk. lll
s/n HF835
HF 835
Wellington HF838, Mk. lll
s/n HF838
HF 838
Wellington HF838, Mk. Vlll
s/n HF838
HF 838
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF847, 1C
s/n HF847
HF 847
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF848,
s/n HF848
HF 848
Wellington HF852, 1C
s/n HF852
HF 852
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF856, 1C
s/n HF856
HF 856
Wellington HF865, 1C
s/n HF865
HF 865
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-September-07 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Frederick Henry Dowland 2024-10-28 1942-September-07 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Ronald Adey Jackson 2021-08-11 1942-September-07 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Barclay Robb 2021-08-08 1942-September-07 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Albert John Temple 2021-07-20 1942-September-07 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Pat Neff Templeton 2021-07-20 Wellington HF868,
s/n HF868
HF 868
Wellington HF881, MK Vlll
s/n HF881
HF 881
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF883, Mk. Vlll
s/n HF883
HF 883
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-November-10 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Allison Burnett Burgess 2024-11-24 1942-November-10 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Gerald James 2025-03-26 1942-November-10 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Hooker Mathews DFC 2025-03-26 1942-November-10 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Bernard Joy Moffatt 2025-03-26 1942-November-10 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Verdun Blake Ray 2025-03-26 Wellington HF907, MK Vlll
s/n HF907
HF 907
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HF918, 1C
s/n HF918
HF 918
Wellington HF981, Mk. X
s/n HF981
HF 981
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Henry Calder 2024-07-06 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Lionel Frederick Lown 2024-07-06 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alfred Spencer Rhodes 2024-07-06 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur James Sieffert 2024-07-06 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class John Kenneth Wood 2024-07-06 Wellington HP868,
s/n HP868
Vickers
HP 868
Wellington HX365, 1C
s/n HX365
HX 365
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HX370, 1C
s/n HX370
HX 370
Wellington HX375, 1C
s/n HX375
HX 375
Wellington HX398, MK Vlll
s/n HX398
HX 398
Wellington HX400, MK Vlll
s/n HX400
HX 400
Wellington HX424, MK Vlll
s/n HX424
HX 424
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HX427, B. Mk. X
s/n HX427
HX 427
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HX430, MK Vlll
s/n HX430
HX 430
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HX431, 1C
s/n HX431
HX 431
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HX433, 1C
s/n HX433
HX 433
Wellington HX444, MK Vlll
s/n HX444
HX 444
Wellington HX448, MK Vlll
s/n HX448
HX 448
Failed to return from non operational night training flight
source: Malcolm Deeley, Ulster Aviation Society
last update: 2025-February-05 1942-September-28 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harry Walter Hughes Adams 2024-11-01 1942-September-28 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Leon Triffle Chartier 2024-02-08 1942-September-28 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Robert Coffey 2024-03-12 1942-September-28 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Edsel Raymond Hutton 2021-08-10 1942-September-28 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Evered Oatway 2021-08-18 Wellington HX473, MK Vlll
s/n HX473
HX 473
Wellington HX482,
Wellington HX484, 1C
s/n HX484
HX 484
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HX489, MK Vlll
s/n HX489
HX 489
Wellington HX512, MK Vlll
s/n HX512
HX 512
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HX527, 1C
s/n HX527
HX 527
Wellington HX559,
s/n HX559
HX 559
Wellington HX566, 1C
s/n HX566
HX 566
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HX576, MK Vlll
s/n HX576
HX 576
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HX580,
s/n HX580
HX 580
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HX594,
s/n HX594
HX 594
Wellington HX596, MK Vlll
s/n HX596
HX 596
Wellington HX603, 1C
s/n HX603
HX 603
last update: 2025-April-18
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
1942-August-15 Survived RCAF Sergeant F Browning 2023-01-27 1942-August-15 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Warren Cullen 2023-01-27 1942-August-15 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Geoffrey Hugh Lawrence 2023-01-10 1942-August-15 KIFA RAAF Sergeant John De Medici Nelson 2023-01-10 1942-August-15 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Bruce Simpson 2023-01-10 Wellington HX626, MK Vlll
s/n HX626
HX 626
Wellington HX627,
s/n HX627
HX 627
Wellington HX638, MK Vlll
s/n HX638
HX 638
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HX645,
s/n HX645
HX 645
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HX646, MK Vlll
s/n HX646
HX 646
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HX677, MK Vlll
s/n HX677
HX 677
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 HX681, MK Vlll
s/n HX681
HX 681
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HX688, 1C
s/n HX688
HX 688
Wellington HX689,
Wellington HX690, MK Vlll
s/n HX690
HX 690
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HX703, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n HX703
HX 703
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HX726, MK Vlll
s/n HX726
HX 726
last update: 2025-April-18
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). 1943-February-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Peter Edwin Elkford Brown 2024-11-21 1943-February-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lawrence Harry Gleason 2025-03-16 1943-February-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Maurice Mcallister Kempton 2025-03-16
1943-February-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Harold Ernest Stanley 2025-03-16 Wellington HX727, 1C
s/n HX727
HX 727
Wellington HX732,
s/n HX732
HX 732
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HX735, MK Vlll
s/n HX735
HX 735
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HX743, MK Vlll
s/n HX743
HX 743
Wellington HX779, MK Vlll
s/n HX779
HX 779
Wellington HZ104, MK Vlll
s/n HZ104
HZ 104
Wellington HZ110, Mk. lll
s/n HZ110
HZ 110
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HZ128, Mk. lll
Wellington HZ207,
s/n HZ207
HZ 207
Wellington HZ247,
s/n HZ247
HZ 247
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HZ253, Mk. X
s/n HZ253
HZ 253
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HZ260, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ260
HZ 260
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HZ261, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ261
HZ 261
last update: 2025-February-05
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
Wellington HZ261 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norman Dennis Hayes 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Donald Andrew MacKenzie 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Leslie Rawson 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Desmond Gerald Richardson 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Clifford Earl Schamehorn 2022-10-21 Wellington HZ263, Mk. X
s/n HZ263
HZ 263
Wellington HZ273, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ273
HZ 273
last update: 2025-April-18
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 HZ277, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ277
HZ 277
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HZ278,
s/n HZ278
HZ 278
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Laurence Maurice Clark 2024-02-25 1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Anthony Dalton 2024-08-08 1943-April-29 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Horace Reginald Fisher 2024-08-27 1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant David Edward Giles 2023-08-28 1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Hugh Archibald Maceachen 2023-08-28 Wellington HZ280,
s/n HZ280
HZ 280
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-May-14 PoW RCAF Sergeant Stuart Arthur Hamilton Davis 2024-10-03 1943-May-14 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Harry Wilson Newby 2023-07-30 1943-May-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Norman Partridge 2021-08-18 1943-May-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Wahl 2021-07-12 1943-May-14 PoW RCAF Sergeant Joe Austin Wright 2023-08-19 Wellington HZ303, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ303
HZ 303
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HZ304, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ304
HZ 304
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Colin Muir Binnie 2025-01-21 1943-July-29 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Albert Lloyd Bjarnason 2024-11-12 1943-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Phillip Gustave Heden 2025-01-21 1943-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Allan Souch DFC 2025-01-21 1943-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Finlay Russell Taylor 2025-01-21 1943-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert James Wilson 2025-01-21 Wellington HZ312, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ312
HZ 312
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HZ353, Mk. X
s/n HZ353
HZ 353
Wellington HZ355, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ355
HZ 355
last update: 2025-February-05
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
1943-June-12 Evader RCAF Sergeant William Gordon Bailey 2024-11-27 1943-June-12 KIA RAF Pilot Officer Richard Campbell Ellison 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 PoW RAF Flight Sergeant Horace Edwin John Horton 2022-10-21 1943-June-12 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Jr Mullaney 2024-11-27 1943-June-12 PoW RAF Flight Sergeant Edward Clowes Nicholson 2022-10-21 Wellington HZ365, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ365
HZ 365
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HZ407, Mk. Xl
s/n HZ407
HZ 407
Wellington HZ437, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ437
HZ 437
Wellington HZ471, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ471
HZ 471
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HZ476, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ476
HZ 476
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frank Greenaway Baker 2024-11-05 1943-May-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William Ernest Douglas 2024-10-28 1943-May-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Roy Gibson Madge 2023-08-22 1943-May-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William George Pepper 2021-08-16 1943-May-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Norman James Waters 2024-11-01 Wellington HZ481, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ481
HZ 481
last update: 2025-April-18
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.
1943-July-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelly Chambers 2024-01-28 1943-July-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Byron Homer Garoutte 2023-08-22 1943-July-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Lee Henry Alexander McCormick 2023-08-22 1943-July-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Roy Frederick Moore 2023-01-15 1943-July-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Brock Laverne Owen 2023-01-15 Wellington HZ485, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ485
HZ 485
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Alexander Farquhar Beaton 2024-11-09 1943-May-28 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Kenneth Graham Chilver 2024-02-14 1943-May-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon Gerald Hart 2021-08-09 1943-May-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gerald Churchill Patrick O'Hara 2021-06-11 1943-May-28 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Denison Hilton Thompson 2021-07-20 Wellington HZ517, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ517
HZ 517
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 George Demetrius Coe 2024-10-07 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Henri De Bussac 2024-10-07 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Arthur Follows 2024-10-07 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 David Edwin Palmatier 2024-10-07 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Malcolm Burgess Spence 2024-10-07 Wellington HZ518, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ518
HZ 518
last update: 2025-April-18
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
1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Mansell Ramsay Deverell 2024-10-17 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Rene Guy Gingras 2024-10-17 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Maurice Conrad Lagace 2024-10-17 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Jacques Charles Mercier 2024-10-17 1943-June-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Martin Patrick Tobin 2024-10-17 Wellington HZ519, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ519
HZ 519
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Kopchuk 2021-08-12 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Patrick Gallery O'Reilly 2021-08-18 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Casimer Frank Orlinski 2021-08-18 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William George Parkinson 2021-08-18 1943-June-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ernest Alexander Star 2022-01-03 Wellington HZ520, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ520
HZ 520
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington HZ521, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ521
HZ 521
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Stanley Hicks 2023-08-22 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles William Keay 2023-08-22 1943-June-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant James Matthew Meech 2021-06-07 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Leo Frederick O'Leary 2021-05-29 1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Edward Burdess Peart 2021-08-16 Wellington HZ531, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ531
HZ 531
Wellington HZ582, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ582
HZ 582
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HZ594, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n HZ594
HZ 594
last update: 2025-April-18
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 HZ598, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n HZ598
HZ 598
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington HZ633, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n HZ633
HZ 633
Wellington HZ642, B. Mk. XIII
s/n HZ642
HZ 642
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Robson Armitage 2024-11-02 1944-February-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Lucien Antole Champoux 2024-01-29 1944-February-08 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Maurice Weir Gibson 2021-09-21 1944-February-08 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Edward Hanson 2021-08-09 1944-February-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert MacGillivray 2021-08-16 1944-February-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Russell Urban 2021-07-14 Wellington HZ659, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ659
HZ 659
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Robert Dryden 2024-10-30 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Arthur Henson 2021-08-09 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Cornelius Krahn 2021-08-12 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Mervin Lacombe 2021-08-13 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frederick Llewellyn Ladd 2021-08-13 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas Ian Alexander Laurie 2021-08-13 1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gerald Errol Robertson 2021-08-08 Wellington HZ703, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n HZ703
HZ 703
Wellington HZ715, B. Mk. X
s/n HZ715
HZ 715
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-June-16 KIFA RCAF Sergeant George Mccrimmon Anderson 2024-10-21 1944-June-16 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 George Richard Coathup 2024-10-21 1944-June-16 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Albert Digby Cooper 2024-04-09 1944-June-16 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Allen Dixon 2024-10-21 1944-June-16 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Campbell Mcrae Hodges 2024-10-21 1944-June-16 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Roy Edward Simonson 2024-10-21 1944-June-16 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Daniel Titleman 2024-10-21 1944-June-16 KIFA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Emil Unterseher 2024-10-21 Wellington HZ726, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n HZ726
HZ 726
Wellington HZ727, B. Mk. XII
s/n HZ727
HZ 727
Wellington HZ814,
s/n HZ814
HZ 814
Wellington HZ963, MK Vlll
s/n HZ963
HZ 963
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington JA114, B. Mk. X
s/n JA114
JA 114
last update: 2025-February-05
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
1943-July-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Allan Ronald Armitage Farquhar 2024-07-22 1943-July-28 KIA RAF Wing Commander James Arthur Piddington DFC 2024-09-15 1943-July-28 PoW RAF Sergeant Leonard Reineck 2023-08-01 1943-July-28 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Paul Renton 2023-08-01 1943-July-28 PoW RAF Flight Sergeant Reginald Scarth 2023-07-31 Wellington JA118, B. Mk. X
s/n JA118
JA 118
last update: 2025-April-18
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 JA119, B. Mk. X
s/n JA119
JA 119
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-July-16 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph William Campbell 2023-12-13 1943-July-16 KIA RCAF Leading Aircraftman Thomas Melville Kearns 2023-01-15 1943-July-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Elmer Morris 2023-01-15 1943-July-16 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon Brydon Nesbitt 2023-01-15 1943-July-16 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Vernon Francis Rector 2023-01-15 Wellington JA142, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n JA142
JA 142
last update: 2025-April-18
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 JA192, B. Mk. X
s/n JA192
JA 192
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington JA296, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n JA296
JA 296
Wellington JA343, B. Mk. X
s/n JA343
JA 343
Wellington JA415, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n JA415
JA 415
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington JA450, B. Mk. X
s/n JA450
JA 450
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-November-26 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Bruno Vianney Chevalier 2024-02-12 1943-November-26 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Jean Cyriaque Joseph Emilien Dubord 2024-10-29 1943-November-26 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Raymond Florent Morand 2021-08-16 1943-November-26 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Jules Jean Jacques Vennes 2021-07-13 Wellington JA455, B. Mk. X
s/n JA455
JA 455
Wellington JA535, B. Mk. Xll
s/n JA535
JA 535
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington JA563, B. Mk. Xll
s/n JA563
JA 563
Wellington JA572, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n JA572
JA 572
Wellington JA580, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n JA580
JA 580
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington L4265, Mk. l
s/n L4265
L 4265
Wellington L4323, Mk. l
s/n L4323
L 4323
Wellington L4348, Mk. l
s/n L4348
L 4348
Wellington L4355, Mk. l
s/n L4355
L 4355
Wellington L4387, Mk. l
s/n L4387
L 4387
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington L7795, Mk. l
s/n L7795
L 7795
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington L7803, Mk. l
s/n L7803
L 7803
Wellington L7805, Mk. I
s/n L7805
L 7805
Wellington L7810,
s/n L7810
L 7810
Wellington L7845, Mk. l
Wellington L7873, Mk. l
s/n L7873
L 7873
Wellington L7891, Mk. l
s/n L7891
L 7891
Wellington L7894, Mk. l
s/n L7894
L 7894
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LA970, MK Vlll
s/n LA970
LA 970
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-December-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Francis Anthony De Gruchy 2024-10-07 1942-December-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Charles Benson Hodges 2024-10-07 1942-December-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Ovila Maurice Le Bel 2024-10-07 1942-December-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Richards 2024-10-07 1942-December-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Alfred Rollings 2024-10-07 1942-December-26 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John George Wyatt 2024-10-07 Wellington LA971, MK Vlll
s/n LA971
LA 971
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LA993, TB. Vll
s/n LA993
LA 993
last update: 2025-April-18
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 LA995, MK Vlll
s/n LA995
LA 995
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LB114, MK Vlll
s/n LB114
LB 114
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-December-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Robert Hawthorne 2024-08-11 1942-December-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Douglas Gordon Ide 2024-08-11 1942-December-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Richard Graham McFarland 2024-08-11 1942-December-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur James Skirten 2024-08-11 Wellington LB115, MK Vlll
Wellington LB120, 1C
s/n LB120
LB 120
Wellington LB134, MK Vlll
s/n LB134
LB 134
last update: 2025-April-18
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). 1943-February-25 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Lloyd William Clark 2024-02-25 1943-February-25 KIA RCAF Sergeant Francis Surrage Jenkins 2022-09-23 1943-February-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Perry King 2022-09-23 1943-February-25 KIA RCAF Sergeant James Frederick Kirk 2022-09-23 1943-February-25 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Allison Frederick Weeks Macleod 2022-09-23 1943-February-25 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer Robert Alfred Philip Sheffield 2022-09-23 Wellington LB169, MK Vlll
s/n LB169
LB 169
last update: 2025-April-18
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). 1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Gordon John Banks 2024-11-07 1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Sergeant George Alexander Duncan Cameron 2024-12-09 1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Joseph Robert Grasley 2024-12-09 1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Norman Albert Stelter 2024-12-09 1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Robert Morris Westman 2024-12-09 Wellington LB172, MK Vlll
s/n LB172
LB 172
last update: 2025-April-18
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 LB195, MK Vlll
s/n LB195
LB 195
last update: 2025-April-18
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 LM293, Mk. l
s/n LM293
LM 293
Wellington LN167, B. Mk. X
s/n LN167
LN 167
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-November-30 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Rodolphe Gaston Farlette 2021-08-06 1944-November-30 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Samuel Lorne Wilfred McCron 2021-08-17 1944-November-30 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Gladstone Clifford Morris 2021-08-16 1944-November-30 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer John George Mccaffery Rowe 2021-08-06 1944-November-30 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Jack Alfred Smallwood 2021-07-28 Wellington LN181, B. Mk. X
s/n LN181
LN 181
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-March-20 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Ronald Frank Calnan 2024-07-27 1944-March-20 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Charles Richard Floyd 2024-07-28 1944-March-20 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Melville Lloyd Fullerton 2024-07-28 1944-March-20 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Daniel Lewis Jacobs 2024-07-28 1944-March-20 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Lorne Herbert Johnston 2025-03-25 1944-March-20 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Ralph Northcliff MacGillivray 2024-07-28 1944-March-20 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Harry Charles Millen 2024-07-28 1944-March-20 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William James Mohring 2024-07-28 Wellington LN185, B. Mk. X
s/n LN185
LN 185
Wellington LN238, B. Mk. X
s/n LN238
LN 238
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LN263, B. Mk. X
s/n LN263
LN 263
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LN284, B. Mk. X
s/n LN284
LN 284
last update: 2025-April-18
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 LN285, B. Mk. X
s/n LN285
LN 285
last update: 2025-April-18
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 LN288, B. Mk. X
s/n LN288
LN 288
Wellington LN294, B. Mk. X
s/n LN294
LN 294
last update: 2025-April-18
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.
1943-July-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Bennett 2024-11-11 1943-July-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Victor John Jewell 2025-01-14 1943-July-30 KIA RCAF Wing Commander Harold Wilmer Kerby 2025-01-14 1943-July-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Patrick Scott James Murphy MiD 2025-01-14 1943-July-30 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Henry Smith 2025-01-14 Wellington LN296, B. Mk. X
s/n LN296
LN 296
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington LN324, B. Mk. X
s/n LN324
LN 324
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LN329, B. Mk. X
s/n LN329
LN 329
Wellington LN330, B. Mk. X
s/n LN330
LN 330
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LN336, B. Mk. X
s/n LN336
LN 336
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LN338, B. Mk. X
s/n LN338
LN 338
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LN394, B. Mk. X
s/n LN394
LN 394
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LN400, B. Mk. X
s/n LN400
LN 400
Wellington LN424, B. Mk. X
s/n LN424
LN 424
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-30 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant John Dywan 2024-10-31 1943-May-30 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Hamilton Edwards 2021-02-02 1943-May-30 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Ambrose Ferguson 2021-02-02 1943-May-30 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Joseph Gerrard Sylvester 2023-08-10 1943-May-30 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Gerald Ferdinand Tallman 2023-10-02 Wellington LN429, B. Mk. X
s/n LN429
LN 429
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington LN435, B. Mk. X
s/n LN435
LN 435
last update: 2025-April-18
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 LN439, B. Mk. X
s/n LN439
LN 439
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington LN443, B. Mk. X
s/n LN443
LN 443
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-May-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Charles Allen Blackmore 2024-11-12 1944-May-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Howard Geddes 2025-01-22 1944-May-29 KIA RCAF Sergeant Bruce Gordon 2025-01-22 1944-May-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Galloway Watt McKie 2025-01-22 1944-May-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Leonard Joseph Smith 2025-01-22 1944-May-29 KIA RCAF Sergeant Albert Howard Spinks 2021-07-23 Wellington LN451, B. Mk. X
s/n LN451
LN 451
last update: 2025-April-18
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 LN460, BX
Wellington LN516,
s/n LN516
LN 516
Wellington LN531, B. Mk. X
Wellington LN540, B. Mk. X
s/n LN540
LN 540
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LN554, B. Mk. X
s/n LN554
LN 554
last update: 2025-April-18
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 LN566, B. Mk. X
s/n LN566
LN 566
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LN591,
s/n LN591
LN 591
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LN601, B. Mk. X
Wellington LN689, B. Mk. X
s/n LN689
LN 689
Wellington LN716, B. Mk. X
s/n LN716
LN 716
Wellington LN721, B. Mk. X
s/n LN721
LN 721
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-January-11 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Thomas James Beechinor 2024-11-10 1944-January-11 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Douglas Walter Bowell 2024-11-16 1944-January-11 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Mitchell Hunter 2025-01-07 1944-January-11 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Elliott Williams 2025-01-07 Wellington LN760, B. Mk. X
s/n LN760
LN 760
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LN766, B. Mk. X
s/n LN766
LN 766
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LN811, B. Mk. X
s/n LN811
LN 811
Wellington LN857, B. Mk. X
s/n LN857
LN 857
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LN869, B. Mk. X
s/n LN869
LN 869
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-July-30 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Jean Joseph Donnelly Belanger 2024-11-11 1944-July-30 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Ross Lloyd Cuzner 2021-07-11 1944-July-30 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Adolphe Maurice Dauplaise 2024-10-31 1944-July-30 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Narcisse Orval Martin 2021-07-11 1944-July-30 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Laurent Moreau 2024-06-25 Wellington LN896, B. Mk. X
s/n LN896
LN 896
last update: 2025-April-18
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
1944-April-21 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Harold J Brennan 2022-11-23 1944-April-21 Evader RCAF Sergeant Roger Jacques Dickson 2022-11-23 1944-April-21 Evader RCAF Sergeant Andrews Elder 2022-11-23 1944-April-21 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer Alfred James Houston 2022-11-23 1944-April-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Kempson 2022-11-23 1944-April-21 Evader RCAF Sergeant Ernest Joseph Trottier 2022-11-23 Wellington LN900, B. Mk. X
s/n LN900
LN 900
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LN914, B. Mk. X
s/n LN914
LN 914
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LN948, B. Mk. X
s/n LN948
LN 948
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LP127, B. Mk. X
s/n LP127
LP 127
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LP130, B. Mk. X
s/n LP130
LP 130
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LP155, B. Mk. X
s/n LP155
LP 155
Wellington LP189, B. Mk. X
s/n LP189
LP 189
Wellington LP204, B. Mk. X
s/n LP204
LP 204
Wellington LP249, B. Mk. X
s/n LP249
LP 249
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LP258, B. Mk. X
s/n LP258
LP 258
Wellington LP284, B. Mk. X
s/n LP284
LP 284
Wellington LP355, B. Mk. X
s/n LP355
LP 355
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-November-17 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class William Harold Cyples 2024-06-12 1944-November-17 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Learmonth Melville 2024-06-12 1944-November-17 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant David Jerome Spence 2024-06-12 1944-November-17 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Harry Arthur Stock 2024-06-12 Wellington LP397, B. Mk. X
s/n LP397
LP 397
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LP404, B. Mk. X
s/n LP404
LP 404
Wellington LP406, B. Mk. X
s/n LP406
LP 406
Wellington LP494, B. Mk. X
s/n LP494
LP 494
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-September-23 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Ian Taylor Cromb 2024-05-18 1944-September-23 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Edric La Dell Dunn 2024-10-29 1944-September-23 KIFA RCAF Sergeant James Wesley Irwin 2022-12-29 1944-September-23 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Edward John Kennedy 2022-01-24 1944-September-23 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Basil Andrew Skebo 2021-07-28 Wellington LP514, B. Mk. X
s/n LP514
LP 514
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LP567, B. Mk. X
s/n LP567
LP 567
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-July-23 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Lyall Ken Beattie 2024-11-09 1944-July-23 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Walter Leonard Blunt 2024-11-13 1944-July-23 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Laurence Richmond Carter 2025-01-04 1944-July-23 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Robert Andrew Johnson 2025-01-04 1944-July-23 KIFA RCAF Sergeant George Hiram Van Every 2025-01-04 1944-July-23 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William Douglas Watson 2025-01-04 Wellington LP568, B. Mk. X
s/n LP568
LP 568
Wellington LP610, B. Mk. X
Wellington LP618, B. Mk. X
s/n LP618
LP 618
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-August-11 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Lloyd Henderson Fraser 2021-08-06 1944-August-11 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Alvin Eric Kidney 2021-09-23 1944-August-11 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Leo Max Lysak 2021-08-14 1944-August-11 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Gordon Oswald Prime 2021-08-12 1944-August-11 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Geoffrey Round 2021-08-06 Wellington LP729, BX
s/n LP729
LP 729
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LP759, B. Mk. X
s/n LP759
LP 759
Wellington LP760, B. Mk. X
s/n LP760
LP 760
Wellington LP786, B. Mk. X
s/n LP786
LP 786
last update: 2025-April-18
1945-January-31 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Douglas Lyle Dewart 2024-10-17 1945-January-31 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William Morrison Howard 2024-10-17 1945-January-31 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Dalton O'Connor 2024-10-17 1945-January-31 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Angus Spice 2024-10-17 1945-January-31 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Edward Arthur Wilson 2024-10-17 Wellington LP826, B. Mk. X
s/n LP826
LP 826
Wellington LP840, B. Mk. X
s/n LP840
LP 840
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-November-09 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Anthony Austin Giroux 2021-08-07 1944-November-09 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Donald Goodwin 2021-08-07 1944-November-09 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Rosen 2022-01-18 1944-November-09 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Raymond Phillip Willison 2021-07-13 1944-November-09 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas McLaren Young 2021-07-13 Wellington LP841, B. Mk. X
s/n LP841
LP 841
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LP844, B. Mk. X
s/n LP844
LP 844
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington LP876, B. Mk. X
s/n LP876
LP 876
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-December-07 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Cradock Bull 2024-11-23 1944-December-07 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Stanley Esmond Cross 2025-03-23 1944-December-07 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Spencer Edwin Leppert 2025-03-23 1944-December-07 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Lawrence Rheaume 2025-03-23 1944-December-07 KIFA RCAF Sergeant George Leonard Warthe 2025-03-23 Wellington LZ655, Mk. lll
s/n LZ655
LZ 655
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-February-07 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Frederick Acer 2024-11-01 1944-February-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Jens Lawrence Dissing 2024-10-21 1944-February-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Edward Johnston Dorval 2024-10-26 1944-February-07 KIA RCAF Leading Aircraftman John William Husselbee 2021-08-10 1944-February-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Cyril James McCarvill 2023-11-23 1944-February-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Jack Earl Russell 2023-11-23 1944-February-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Edward Simpson 2023-11-23 1944-February-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norman Charles Elmer West DFC 2023-11-23 Wellington ME878, B. Mk. X
s/n ME878
ME 878
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington ME902, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n ME902
ME 902
Wellington ME914, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n ME914
ME 914
Wellington ME929, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n ME929
ME 929
Wellington MF116, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n MF116
MF 116
Wellington MF120, B. Mk. X
s/n MF120
MF 120
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington MF139,
s/n MF139
MF 139
Wellington MF148, B. Mk. Xlll
Wellington MF176,
s/n MF176
MF 176
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-August-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lewis George Henry Griffiths 2021-09-21 1944-August-30 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Hugh Edward Maguire 2021-08-14 1944-August-30 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Gerald Nathan 2021-08-17 1944-August-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth Albert Roche 2022-01-03 1944-August-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Nathan Shlahetka 2021-07-30 1944-August-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Charles Reginald Watts 2021-07-13 Wellington MF186, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n MF186
MF 186
Wellington MF234, B. Mk. Xlll
Wellington MF238, B. Mk. X
s/n MF238
MF 238
Wellington MF319, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n MF319
MF 319
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-October-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert McCloy 2021-07-13 1944-October-04 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Richard Murray 2021-07-13 1944-October-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon Ernest Pratt 2021-07-13 1944-October-04 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Robert Harry Ridgway 2021-07-13 1944-October-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Arthur Slater 2022-11-09 1944-October-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Floyd Alexander Steels 2021-07-13 Wellington MF374, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n MF374
MF 374
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington MF375, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n MF375
MF 375
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington MF494, Mk, XII (L/L)
s/n MF494
MF 494
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-July-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edward George Crawley 2024-05-14 1944-July-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lloyd Eby Findlay 2022-08-13 1944-July-13 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Robert Leonard Harman 2022-10-13 1944-July-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon Keith Huish 2022-12-15 1944-July-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Jordan Sheen 2021-07-30 1944-July-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Jacques Rodolphe Vannier 2021-07-13 Wellington MF509, B. Mk. X
s/n MF509
MF 509
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-November-20 KIFA RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Joe Allison 2024-11-02 1944-November-20 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Paul Ernest Burke 2024-11-24 1944-November-20 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Lionel Ulderic Gerard Dusablon 2024-10-31 1944-November-20 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Arthur Edmond Groulx 2025-03-26 1944-November-20 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Hamel 2025-03-26 1944-November-20 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Jules Robert Rene Villeneuve 2025-03-26 Wellington MF517,
s/n MF517
MF 517
Wellington MF520, B. Mk. X
s/n MF520
MF 520
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-August-23 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Arnold Douglas Daniels 2024-10-31 1944-August-23 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Robert Clarke Green 2021-08-07 1944-August-23 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Lowther Murray 2021-08-16 1944-August-23 KIFA RCAF Sergeant William Stocks Paton 2021-08-18 1944-August-23 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer James Molloy Rinahan 2021-08-08 Wellington MF538, B. Mk. X
s/n MF538
MF 538
last update: 2025-April-18
1945-March-01 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Edward James Cooper 2024-04-09 1945-March-01 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer William Alexander Leslie DFC 2023-06-08 1945-March-01 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Glenn Duncan McVicar 2021-08-17
1945-March-01 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Frank Scott 2022-01-15 1945-March-01 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Albert Cyril Thoms 2021-07-17 Wellington MF562, B. Mk. X
s/n MF562
MF 562
Wellington MF589, B. Mk. X
s/n MF589
MF 589
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-August-26 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Vernon Harry Bolton 2024-11-14 1944-August-26 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Norman Edward Cousins 2025-01-27 1944-August-26 KIFA RCAF Sergeant James Crawford McMurtrie 2025-01-27 1944-August-26 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Raymond Joseph Sander 2025-01-27 1944-August-26 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Elwood Oscar Smith 2025-01-27 Wellington MF591, B. Mk. X
s/n MF591
MF 591
Wellington MF644, B. Mk. X
s/n MF644
MF 644
last update: 2025-April-18
1945-April-05 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Henry Bruce 2024-10-19 1945-April-05 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon Douglas Dickie 2024-10-19 1945-April-05 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Wesley Mcdonald Hunt 2024-10-19 1945-April-05 KIFA RCAF Flt. Sergeant Charles Campbell MacDonald 2024-10-19 1945-April-05 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Richard Llewellyn McCaskill 2024-10-19 1945-April-05 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Ewing Francis Willys Mitchell 2024-10-19 Wellington MP503, Mk. XII(L/L)
s/n MP503
MP 503
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-12 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Joseph Arthur Raymoral Cote 2024-04-28 1943-September-12 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class James Patrick Haughey 2023-07-19 1943-September-12 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class George Wesley Munch 2021-08-16 1943-September-12 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Hugh Pincock 2021-08-14 1943-September-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Clifford Eldon Russell 2021-08-05 Wellington MP505, B. Mk. Xll
s/n MP505
MP 505
last update: 2025-April-18
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
1943-March-04 Killed RAFVR Flying Officer Geoffrey Belmont Alred 2025-03-10 1943-March-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Neville Bernett 2025-01-16
1943-March-04 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Gordon David Arthur Lundun DFC 2025-03-17 1943-March-04 KIA RCAF Sergeant Daniel Melvin McLeod 2025-01-16 1943-March-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Geoffrey James Prideaux 2025-01-16 1943-March-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Clarence Harold Smith 2025-01-16 Wellington MP506, B. Mk. Xll
s/n MP506
MP 506
Wellington MP514, B. Mk. Xll
s/n MP514
MP 514
Wellington MP515, B. Mk. Xll
s/n MP515
MP 515
Wellington MP538,
s/n MP538
MP 538
Wellington MP539, Mk. XII(L/L)
s/n MP539
MP 539
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Justus Clifford Austin 2025-01-29 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Charles Royce Booth 2024-11-14 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Alexander Robert Merritt 2025-01-29 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Robert William Revell 2025-01-29 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Kenneth Gillmore Rolfstad 2025-01-29 1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Leonard Graydon Smith 2025-01-29 Wellington MP542, Mk. XII(L/L)
s/n MP542
MP 542
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Hamish Gordon Collins 2024-03-21 1943-May-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Grant Fowlie 2021-08-06 1943-May-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class George Evelyn Greenwood 2021-08-07 1943-May-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Philip Stanley Grindley 2021-08-09 1943-May-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Joseph Charles Harrison 2021-08-09 1943-May-31 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur Clarke McNabb 2021-08-17 Wellington MP565, B. Mk. Xl
s/n MP565
MP 565
Wellington MP575, B. Mk. Xll
s/n MP575
MP 575
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-February-06 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Lawrence Andrew Arner 2024-11-03 1944-February-06 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class John James Hughes 2022-12-15 1944-February-06 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Allan Menzies Johnston 2021-08-11 1944-February-06 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Thomas Lawrence Jordan 2021-08-11 1944-February-06 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Ralph Winston Pratt 2021-08-12 1944-February-06 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Edmund George Richards 2021-08-09 1944-February-06 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Leonard Strickland 2021-07-21 Wellington MP615, B. Mk. Xll
s/n MP615
MP 615
Wellington MP618, Mk. XII(L/L)
s/n MP618
MP 618
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Raymond Cornwall 2024-04-23 1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Drummond Fergusson 2022-08-08 1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Allen Styles Flemington 2021-08-06 1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant George Low 2022-01-23 1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Samuel Charles Franklin Summers 2021-07-21 1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Pearson Wheeler 2021-07-09 Wellington MP622, Mk. XII(L/L)
s/n MP622
MP 622
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Allan Andrew Johnston 2022-01-06 1943-August-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Thomas Main 2022-01-21 1943-August-13 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Beverley Wayne Pritchard 2021-08-12 1943-August-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harold Melville Tarver 2021-07-20 1943-August-13 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Allison George Tatton 2021-07-20 1943-August-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Nicholas John Tuchtie 2021-07-14 Wellington MP624, B. Mk. Xll
s/n MP624
MP 624
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington MP627, B. Mk. Xl
s/n MP627
MP 627
Wellington MP629, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n MP629
MP 629
last update: 2025-April-18
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). 1943-July-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Howard Eldon Bradley 2024-10-20 1943-July-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Andrew Diggins 2024-10-20 1943-July-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Charles Hailstone 2024-10-20 1943-July-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Donald Hyatt McConechy 2024-10-20 1943-July-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William Wallace Wright 2024-10-20 Wellington MP631, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n MP631
MP 631
last update: 2025-April-18
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). 1943-July-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Herbert Lawson 2022-09-28 1943-July-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Edwin Albert McCorkell 2022-09-28 1943-July-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur Robert Pagan 2022-09-28 1943-July-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Albert Renton 2022-09-28 1943-July-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Maxwell Harry Tarrison 2022-09-28 Wellington MP637, B. Mk. Xl
s/n MP637
MP 637
Wellington MP641, B. Mk. Xl
s/n MP641
MP 641
Wellington MP643, B. Mk. Xl
Wellington MP652, Mk. XII(L/L)
s/n MP652
MP 652
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-20 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class James Harold Clancy 2024-02-22 1943-August-20 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Roy Arnold Clark 2024-02-25 1943-August-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Carl Dalgliesh 2024-08-08 1943-August-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Wallace Hirtle 2022-11-23 1943-August-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Harold Peters 2021-08-16 Wellington MP654, B. Mk. Xll
s/n MP654
MP 654
Wellington MP656, B. Mk. Xll
s/n MP656
MP 656
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington MP679, B. Mk. Xl
s/n MP679
MP 679
Wellington MP702, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n MP702
MP 702
last update: 2025-April-18
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 MP703, B. Mk. Xl
s/n MP703
MP 703
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington MP706, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n MP706
MP 706
last update: 2025-April-18
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 MP710, B. Mk. XlV
s/n MP710
MP 710
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington MP713, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n MP713
MP 713
last update: 2025-April-18
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 MP715, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n MP715
MP 715
last update: 2025-April-18
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 MP722, B. Mk. XlV
Wellington MP742,
s/n MP742
MP 742
Wellington MP744, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n MP744
MP 744
last update: 2025-April-18
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 MP754, Mk. XII(L/L)
s/n MP754
MP 754
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-30 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Brian Walter Gavin 2021-08-07 1943-June-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Charles Chancellor Hebden 2022-01-06 1943-June-30 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Norman Clifford Graham Luther 2021-08-14 1943-June-30 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Patrick Ignatius McLaughlin 2021-08-17 1943-June-30 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Ronald Neil McLean 2021-08-17 1943-June-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ernest Leslie Shuttleworth 2021-07-30 Wellington MP758, B. Mk. XlV
s/n MP758
MP 758
Wellington MP760, B. Mk. XV1
s/n MP760
MP 760
Wellington MP796, B. Mk. Xlll
s/n MP796
MP 796
Wellington MP804, B. Mk. XlV
s/n MP804
MP 804
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington MS471, B. Mk. X
s/n MS471
MS 471
Wellington MS479, B. Mk. X
s/n MS479
MS 479
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-April-08 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Frederick Bemi 2024-11-11 1943-April-08 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 David Finlay Evans 2025-01-13 1943-April-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth Watson Baker MacDonald 2025-01-13 1943-April-08 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Ronald George Rispin 2025-01-13 1943-April-08 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Alexander Walkinshaw 2025-01-13 Wellington MS481, B. Mk. X
s/n MS481
MS 481
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
Wellington BX MS481 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...
Wellington MS482, B. Mk. X
s/n MS482
MS 482
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington MS484, B. Mk. X
s/n MS484
MS 484
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington MS492, B. Mk. X
s/n MS492
MS 492
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington MS496, B. Mk. X
s/n MS496
MS 496
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-June-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Percival Ernest Balderston 2025-03-16 1943-June-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Burns Brown 2025-03-16 1943-June-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Samuel Davidson Caulderwood 2024-01-20 1943-June-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Stanley James McIlrath 2025-03-16 Wellington N2745, 1C
s/n N2745
N 2745
Wellington N2758, 1C
s/n N2758
N 2758
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington N2765, 1C
s/n N2765
N 2765
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington N2769, 1C
s/n N2769
N 2769
Wellington N2778, 1C
Wellington N2780, 1C
s/n N2780
N 2780
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington N2803, 1C
Wellington N2818, 1C
s/n N2818
N 2818
Wellington N2822, 1C
Wellington N2826, 1C
s/n N2826
N 2826
Wellington N2844, 1C
s/n N2844
N 2844
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington N2844, 1C
s/n N2844
N 2844
Wellington N2849, 1C
s/n N2849
N 2849
Wellington N2851, 1C
s/n N2851
N 2851
Wellington N2939,
s/n N2939
N 2939
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington N2949, Mk lA
s/n N2949
N 2949
Wellington N2953, Mk. lA
s/n N2953
N 2953
Wellington N3004, Mk. IA
s/n N3004
Vickers-Armstrong
N 3004
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington NB798, Mk. XIV
s/n NB798
Vickers-Armstrong
NB 798
Wellington NB805, Mk. XIV
s/n NB805
NB 805
Wellington NB811, Mk. XIV (L/L)
s/n NB811
NB 811
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-September-26 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Gordon A Biddle 2024-11-12 1944-September-26 Evader RCAF Flying Officer George F Death 2024-10-10 1944-September-26 Evader RCAF Warrant Officer E Harvey Firestone 2023-07-25 1944-September-26 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth W Graham 2023-07-25 1944-September-26 Evader RCAF Warrant Officer George Edward Grandy 2023-07-25 1944-September-26 Evader RCAF Flight Lieutenant Maurice M Neil 2023-07-25 Wellington NB859, Mk. XIV
s/n NB859
Vickers-Armstrong
NB 859
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-August-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alan Rowat Elliott 2022-01-30 1944-August-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Bernard Anthony Gauthier 2022-08-30 1944-August-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer David Louden Sutherland Henderson 2021-08-09 1944-August-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Arthur John Hoddinott 2021-08-10 1944-August-14 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Frederick August John Kemper 2021-08-12 1944-August-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Marshall Richardson 2021-10-01 Wellington NB880, Mk. XIV
s/n NB880
NB 880
Wellington NC419, Mk. XIV
s/n NC419
Vickers-Armstrong
NC 419
Wellington NC494, Mk. X
s/n NC494
Vickers-Armstrong
NC 494
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-December-18 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Chester Edward Anderson 2024-11-02 1944-December-18 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Edmund Bruce Forbes 2021-08-06 1944-December-18 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Staniforth Saywell Galvin 2022-08-26 1944-December-18 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Paul Allen Cornell Maeder 2021-08-14 1944-December-18 KIFA RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Francis Scott AFM 2021-08-04 1944-December-18 KIFA RCAF Sergeant John Christopher Smart 2021-07-28 Wellington NC512, Mk. XIV (L/L)
s/n NC512
NC 512
last update: 2025-February-05
1945-May-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon David Bowes 2025-02-05 1945-May-31 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Mitchell Bowlen 2025-02-05 1945-May-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Leo Joseph Mathew Eisler 2025-02-05 1945-May-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Edward Garrigan 2025-02-05 1945-May-31 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Harold Irvin Malmas 2025-02-05 1945-May-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Kenneth McGrath 2025-02-05 Wellington NC627, Mk. XIII
s/n NC627
Vickers-Armstrong
NC 627
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-05Wellington NC650, Mk. X
s/n NC650
Vickers-Armstrong
NC 650
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-September-16 KIFA RCAF Sergeant William Robert Mattless 2021-08-16 1944-October-13 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Howard Herbert Cleghorne 2024-02-29 1944-October-13 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Duff Matthew 2021-08-16 1944-October-13 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Stewart Willis Wells 2021-07-16 1944-October-13 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alan Raymond Wilde 2021-07-16 1944-October-13 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Claude Calvin Warren Woodford 2021-07-16 Wellington NC678, Mk. X
s/n NC678
Vickers-Armstrong
NC 678
Wellington NC835, Mk. XIV
s/n NC835
Vickers-Armstrong
NC 835
last update: 2025-April-18
1945-February-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Stuart Alexander Wilson Hepburn 2021-10-02 1945-February-13 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Weldon Hobbs 2021-09-21 1945-February-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Kukurski 2021-08-12 1945-February-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Lafricain Mulhall 2021-08-16 Wellington NC848, Mk. XIV (L/L)
s/n NC848
Vickers-Armstrong
NC 848
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington NC967, Mk. X
s/n NC967
Vickers-Armstrong
NC 967
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-December-05 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Jean Paul Osias Berlinguette 2024-11-11 1944-December-05 KIFA RCAF Sergeant George Albert Chevrier 2024-02-13 1944-December-05 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Lucien Marcel Dube 2024-10-29 1944-December-05 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Laurent Gerard Gilbert Dumas 2024-10-29 1944-December-05 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Paul Andrew Marc Jobin 2025-01-16 1944-December-05 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Ludger Norman Savard 2025-01-16 Wellington NC2818, 1C
s/n NC2818
NC 2818
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington NC2826, 1C
s/n NC2826
NC 2826
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington NC2844, 1C
s/n NC2844
NC 2844
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington P2515, Mk. IA
s/n P2515
Vickers-Armstrong
P 2515
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington P2524, Mk. IA
s/n P2524
Vickers
P 2524
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington P9229, Mk. lA
s/n P9229
P 9229
Wellington P9243, Mk. lC
s/n P9243
P 9243
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington P9275, Mk. IC
s/n P9275
Vickers
P 9275
Wellington R1024, IC
s/n R1024
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1024
Wellington R1027, IC
s/n R1027
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1027
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington R1036, IC
s/n R1036
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1036
Wellington R1038, IC
s/n R1038
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1038
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington R1040, IC
s/n R1040
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1040
Wellington R1047, IC
s/n R1047
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1047
Wellington R1063, IC
s/n R1063
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1063
Wellington R1066, IC
s/n R1066
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1066
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington R1068, IC
s/n R1068
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1068
Wellington R1078, IC
s/n R1078
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1078
Wellington R1085, IC
s/n R1085
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1085
Wellington R1093, IC
s/n R1093
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1093
Wellington R1095, IC
s/n R1095
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1095
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington R1146, IC
s/n R1146
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1146
Wellington R1149, IC
s/n R1149
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1149
Wellington R1155, IC
s/n R1155
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1155
Wellington R1162, IC
s/n R1162
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1162
Wellington R1170, IC
s/n R1170
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1170
Wellington R1171, IC
s/n R1171
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1171
Wellington R1213, IC
s/n R1213
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1213
Wellington R1221, IC
s/n R1221
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1221
Wellington R1222, IC
s/n R1222
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1222
Wellington R1235, IC
s/n R1235
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1235
Wellington R1266, IC
s/n R1266
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1266
Wellington R1272, IC
s/n R1272
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1272
Wellington R1275, IC
s/n R1275
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1275
Wellington R1279, IC
s/n R1279
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1279
Wellington R1323, IC
s/n R1323
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1323
Wellington R1324, IC
s/n R1324
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1324
Wellington R1326, IC
s/n R1326
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1326
Wellington R1332, Mk. IC
s/n R1332
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1332
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington R1334, IC
s/n R1334
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1334
Wellington R1341, IC
s/n R1341
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1341
Wellington R1343, IC
s/n R1343
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1343
Wellington R1345, IC
s/n R1345
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1345
Wellington R1346, IC
s/n R1346
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1346
Wellington R1369, IC
s/n R1369
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1369
Wellington R1374, IC
s/n R1374
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1374
Wellington R1380, IC
s/n R1380
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1380
Wellington R1394, IC
s/n R1394
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1394
Wellington R1395, IC
s/n R1395
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1395
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington R1396, IC
s/n R1396
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1396
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington R1405, IC
s/n R1405
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1405
Wellington R1411, IC
s/n R1411
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1411
Wellington R1438, IC
s/n R1438
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1438
Wellington R1440, IC
s/n R1440
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1440
Wellington R1442, IC
s/n R1442
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1442
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington R1450, IC
s/n R1450
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1450
Wellington R1465, IC
s/n R1465
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1465
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-July-06 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Harold Creighton Beatty 2025-01-04 1942-July-06 KIFA RCAF Sergeant James Patrick Hayes 2025-01-04 1942-July-06 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Beverley Kemp 2025-01-04 1942-July-06 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ernest Edward Mittell 2025-01-04 1942-July-06 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Kenneth Ferguson Yuill 2025-01-04 Wellington R1474, IC
s/n R1474
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1474
Wellington R1500, IC
s/n R1500
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1500
Wellington R1513, IC
s/n R1513
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1513
Wellington R1517, IC
s/n R1517
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1517
Wellington R1519, IC
s/n R1519
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1519
Wellington R1520, IV
s/n R1520
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1520
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-05Wellington R1522, IC
s/n R1522
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1522
Wellington R1524, IC
s/n R1524
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1524
Wellington R1537, IC
s/n R1537
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1537
Wellington R1539, IC
s/n R1539
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1539
Wellington R1586, IC
s/n R1586
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1586
Wellington R1588, IC
s/n R1588
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1588
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-September-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frank Holmes de Nevers 2024-10-08 1942-September-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Henry Galipeau 2024-10-08 1942-September-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert George Hill 2024-10-08 1942-September-14 KIA RCAF Sergeant Harry Francis MacArthur 2024-10-08 1942-September-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Peter Sutherland 2024-10-08 Wellington R1597, IC
s/n R1597
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1597
Wellington R1604, IC
s/n R1604
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1604
Wellington R1608, IC
s/n R1608
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1608
Wellington R1609, IC
s/n R1609
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1609
Wellington R1613, IC
s/n R1613
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1613
Wellington R1614, IC
s/n R1614
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1614
Wellington R1616, IC
s/n R1616
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1616
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-September-10 KIA RCAF Sergeant Charles Herbert Leslie Bell 2024-11-11 1942-September-10 KIA RCAF Sergeant William Thomas Cranna 2024-05-12 1942-September-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Raymond Woods Hughes 2022-12-15 1942-September-10 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Thomas Beilby McBratney 2021-08-17 1942-September-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Daniel Williams 2021-07-08 Wellington R1617, IC
s/n R1617
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1617
Wellington R1624, IC
s/n R1624
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1624
Wellington R1644, IC
s/n R1644
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1644
Wellington R1646, IC
s/n R1646
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1646
Wellington R1654, IC
s/n R1654
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1654
Wellington R1658, IC
s/n R1658
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1658
Wellington R1661, IC
s/n R1661
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1661
Wellington R1662, IC
s/n R1662
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1662
Wellington R1667, IC
s/n R1667
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1667
Wellington R1701, IC
s/n R1701
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1701
Wellington R1703, IC
s/n R1703
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1703
Wellington R1714, IC
s/n R1714
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1714
Wellington R1717, IC
s/n R1717
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1717
Wellington R1722, IC
s/n R1722
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1722
Wellington R1726, IC
s/n R1726
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1726
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington R1728, IC
s/n R1728
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1728
Wellington R1757, IC
s/n R1757
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1757
Wellington R1759, IC
s/n R1759
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1759
Wellington R1760, IC
s/n R1760
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1760
Wellington R1773, IC
s/n R1773
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1773
Wellington R1783, IC
s/n R1783
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1783
Wellington R1789, IC
s/n R1789
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1789
Wellington R1794, IC
s/n R1794
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1794
Wellington R1798, IC
s/n R1798
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1798
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington R1803, IC
s/n R1803
Vickers-Armstrong
R 1803
Wellington R3152, 1C
s/n R3152
R 3152
Wellington R3170, 1C
s/n R3170
R 3170
last update: 2025-April-18
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
1940-February-24 PoW RAF Sergeant Kenneth A R McArthur 2023-10-09 1940-February-24 PoW RAF John Walter Philip Perkins 2023-10-01 1940-February-24 PoW RAF Sergeant Charles James Scanlon 2023-10-01 1940-February-24 KIA RAF Sergeant Gerald F Sexton 2023-10-09 1940-February-24 PoW RAF Pilot Officer Robert Andrew Grover Willis 2023-10-20 Wellington R3175, Mk. lC
s/n R3175
R 3175
Wellington R3202, Mk.lc
s/n R3202
R 3202
Wellington R3208, Mk. Ic
s/n R3208
R 3208
Wellington R3295, 1C
s/n R3295
R 3295
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington T2458, IC
Wellington T2470, IC
s/n T2470
T 2470
Wellington T2501, IC
s/n T2501
T 2501
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington T2503, IC
s/n T2503
T 2503
Wellington T2506, IC
s/n T2506
T 2506
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington T2515, IC
s/n T2515
T 2515
last update: 2025-April-18
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
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
1941-March-12 KIA RNZAF Sergeant Douglas William Gough 2023-12-16 1941-March-12 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Henry Jones 2023-12-16 1941-March-12 KIA RAF Sergeant William James Morgan 2023-12-16 1941-March-12 KIA RCAF Sergeant Thomas Herbert Rose 2024-03-18 1941-March-12 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Frank Stones 2023-12-16 1941-March-12 KIA RNZAF Sergeant Thomas Geoffrey Webb 2023-12-16 Wellington T2545, IC / II
s/n T2545
T 2545
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington T2554, IC
s/n T2554
T 2554
Wellington T2561, IC
s/n T2561
T 2561
Wellington T2566, IC
s/n T2566
T 2566
Wellington T2575, IC
s/n T2575
T 2575
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington T2714, IC
Wellington T2716, IC
s/n T2716
T 2716
Wellington T2722, IC
s/n T2722
T 2722
Wellington T2723, IC
Wellington T2729, IC
s/n T2729
T 2729
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington T2734, IC
s/n T2734
T 2734
Wellington T2743, IC
s/n T2743
T 2743
Wellington T2747, IC
s/n T2747
T 2747
Wellington T2749, IC
s/n T2749
T 2749
Wellington T2805, IC
s/n T2805
T 2805
Wellington T2821, IC
s/n T2821
T 2821
Wellington T2834, IC
s/n T2834
T 2834
Wellington T2844, IC
Wellington T2879, IC
s/n T2879
T 2879
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington T2880, IC
s/n T2880
T 2880
Wellington T2891, IC
s/n T2891
T 2891
Wellington T2896, IC
s/n T2896
T 2896
Wellington T2909, IC
Wellington T2913, IC
s/n T2913
T 2913
Wellington T2959, IC
s/n T2959
T 2959
Wellington T2967, IC
s/n T2967
T 2967
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington T2973, IC
s/n T2973
T 2973
Wellington T2984, IC
s/n T2984
T 2984
Wellington T2985, IC
s/n T2985
T 2985
Wellington T2987, IC
s/n T2987
T 2987
Wellington T2997, IC
s/n T2997
T 2997
Wellington W5355, Mk. II
s/n W5355
W 5355
Wellington W5365, Mk. II
s/n W5365
W 5365
Wellington W5371, Mk. II
s/n W5371
W 5371
Wellington W5372, Mk. II
s/n W5372
W 5372
Wellington W5376, Mk. II
s/n W5376
W 5376
Wellington W5379, Mk. II
s/n W5379
W 5379
Wellington W5381, Mk. II
s/n W5381
W 5381
Wellington W5387, Mk. II
s/n W5387
W 5387
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington W5390, Mk. II
s/n W5390
W 5390
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 POWWellington W5394, Mk. II
s/n W5394
W 5394
Wellington W5397, Mk. II
s/n W5397
W 5397
Wellington W5398, Mk. II
s/n W5398
W 5398
Wellington W5401, Mk. II
s/n W5401
W 5401
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington W5416, Mk. II
s/n W5416
W 5416
Wellington W5418, Mk. II
s/n W5418
W 5418
Wellington W5424, Mk. II
s/n W5424
W 5424
Wellington W5427, Mk. II
s/n W5427
W 5427
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 GunnerWellington W5432, Mk. II
s/n W5432
W 5432
Wellington W5434, Mk. II
Wellington W5443, Mk. II
s/n W5443
W 5443
Wellington W5448, Mk. II
s/n W5448
W 5448
Wellington W5452, Mk. II
s/n W5452
W 5452
Wellington W5454, Mk. II
s/n W5454
W 5454
Wellington W5459, Mk. II
s/n W5459
W 5459
Wellington W5461, Mk. II
s/n W5461
W 5461
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington W5476, Mk. II
s/n W5476
Vickers-Armstrong
W 5476
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. 1941-November-30 KIA RAF Squadron Leader Robert Clare Bisset DFC & Bar, MM 2025-01-21 1941-November-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Edward Hillmer 2025-01-21 1941-November-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alan John Knight 2025-01-21 1941-November-30 KIA RCAF Sergeant Ronald Percy Mann 2025-01-21 1941-November-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Addison Mather 2025-01-21 Wellington W5478, Mk. II
s/n W5478
W 5478
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington W5483, Mk. II
s/n W5483
W 5483
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 W5488, Mk. II
s/n W5488
W 5488
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 W5491, Mk. II
s/n W5491
W 5491
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 W5492, Mk. II
s/n W5492
W 5492
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 W5493, Mk. II
s/n W5493
W 5493
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington W5496, Mk. II
s/n W5496
W 5496
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 W5514, Mk. II
s/n W5514
W 5514
Wellington W5516, Mk. II
s/n W5516
Vickers-Armstrong
W 5516
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. 1942-February-26 KIA RCAF Wing Commander Gordon Dale MacAllister 2022-08-09 1942-February-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Edmund Cecil Phillips 2022-08-09 1942-February-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Stapleton Piers 2022-08-09 1942-February-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Melvin Peter Frederick Robson 2022-08-09 Wellington W5521, Mk. II
s/n W5521
W 5521
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
1941-September-08 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Joseph Stanley Courtnall 2025-04-16 1941-September-08 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Kenneth MacKey 2025-01-11 1941-September-08 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Percival Stephenson MacNutt 2025-01-11 1941-September-08 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Ronald Perkin DFM 2025-01-11 1941-September-08 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Stewart Saunders 2025-01-11 1941-September-08 PoW Early Release RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class James Alexander Smith 2025-01-18 Wellington W5527, Mk. II
s/n W5527
W 5527
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 W5528, Mk. II
s/n W5528
W 5528
Wellington W5531, Mk. II
s/n W5531
U
W 5531
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 W5532, Mk. II
s/n W5532
W 5532
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington W5534, Mk. II
s/n W5534
W 5534
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 W5537, Mk. II
s/n W5537
W 5537
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 W5551, Mk. II
s/n W5551
U
W 5551
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
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
Allied Losses and Incidents: All Commands
Crash of a Vickers 416 Wellington IC in Ploudaniel: 1 killed I Bureau of Aircraft...
1941-July-24 PoW Escaper RCAF Sergeant Melville Hermes Joseph Dalphond DFM, OBE 2024-12-08 1941-July-24 Evader RAFVR Wing Commander Peter Alexander Gilchrist DFC, MiD 2024-12-08 1941-July-24 PoW Early Release RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Minto MacKay 2025-01-16 1941-July-24 Evader RCAF Sergeant John Shedden Paton MiD 2024-12-08 1941-July-24 PoW RAF Sergeant Robert Henry Westbury 2024-12-08 1941-July-24 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Robert George Murray Whigham 2024-12-08 Wellington W5552, Mk. II
s/n W5552
W 5552
Wellington W5553, Mk. II
s/n W5553
W 5553
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. 1941-November-08 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Harold Bell 2024-11-11 1941-November-08 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alexander Lawrence Dennis Hassan 2022-08-08 1941-November-08 KIA RCAF Sergeant Ronald Douglas Killin 2022-08-08 1941-November-08 KIA RCAF Sergeant Graham Alexander McLeod 2022-08-08 1941-November-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Merlin Kelmer Solheim 2022-08-08 Wellington W5561, Mk. II
s/n W5561
W 5561
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) PilotWellington W5562, Mk. II
s/n W5562
W 5562
Wellington W5570, Mk. II
s/n W5570
W 5570
Wellington W5574, Mk. II
s/n W5574
W 5574
Wellington W5576, Mk. II
s/n W5576
W 5576
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington W5577, Mk. II
s/n W5577
W 5577
Wellington W5580, Mk. II
s/n W5580
W 5580
Wellington W5583, Mk. II
s/n W5583
W 5583
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington W5584, Mk. II
s/n W5584
W 5584
Wellington W5589, Mk. II
s/n W5589
W 5589
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) PilotWellington W5595, Mk. II
s/n W5595
W 5595
Wellington W5611, Mk. II
s/n W5611
W 5611
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington W5618, Mk. IC
Wellington W5619, Mk. IC / VIII
s/n W5619
Vickers-Armstrong
W 5619
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington W5626, Mk. IC
s/n W5626
W 5626
Wellington W5647, Mk. IC / VIII
s/n W5647
W 5647
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington W5652, Mk. IC
s/n W5652
W 5652
Wellington W5656, Mk. IC
s/n W5656
W 5656
Wellington W5663, Mk. IC
s/n W5663
W 5663
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington W5688, Mk. IC
s/n W5688
W 5688
Wellington W5690, Mk. IC
s/n W5690
W 5690
Wellington W5703, Mk. IC
s/n W5703
W 5703
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington W5705, Mk. IC
s/n W5705
W 5705
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington W5708, Mk. IC
s/n W5708
W 5708
Wellington W5714, Mk. IC
s/n W5714
W 5714
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington W5719, Mk. IC
s/n W5719
W 5719
Wellington W5724, Mk. IC
s/n W5724
W 5724
Wellington W5729, Mk. IC
s/n W5729
W 5729
Wellington W5730, Mk. IC / VIII
s/n W5730
W 5730
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington X1695, Mk. III
s/n X1695
Vickers-Armstrong
X 1695
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X3198, Mk. IC
s/n X3198
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3198
Wellington X3201, Mk. IC
s/n X3201
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3201
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-July-28 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Elmer Warrenner Bell 2025-01-09 1942-July-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Rex Thomas Gammon 2025-01-09 1942-July-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Patrick Cluney Noel 2025-01-09 1942-July-28 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Jack Pierce 2025-01-09 1942-July-28 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William Charles Warren 2025-01-09 Wellington X3203, Mk. IC
s/n X3203
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3203
Wellington X3205, 1C
s/n X3205
X 3205
Wellington X3284, Mk. III
s/n X3284
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3284
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-March-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George Raymond Baker 2024-11-05 1943-March-09 KIA RCAF Sergeant Leo Joseph Baribeau 2024-11-07 1943-March-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Dexter Brand Coons 2024-04-09 1943-March-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Donald Parker McLachlan 2024-12-04 1943-March-09 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Lawrence Murphy 2024-12-04 1943-March-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Max Zeavin 2024-12-04 Wellington X3304, Mk. lll
s/n X3304
X 3304
Wellington X3349, Mk. lll
s/n X3349
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3349
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-March-10 KIFA RCAF Sergeant John Valentine Ellis 2021-08-06 1943-March-10 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class John William Harold Heard 2021-07-11 1943-March-10 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Nick Kulyk 2021-08-12 1943-March-10 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Graham Moorby 2021-08-16 1943-March-10 KIFA RCAF Sergeant William Bruce Wallace 2021-07-12 Wellington X3351, Mk. lll
s/n X3351
X 3351
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-December-31 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Thomas Jones 2021-10-04 1942-December-31 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer William Douglas Victor Pearce 2023-09-23 1942-December-31 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Samuel William Walmsley 2023-08-16 1943-January-01 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Donald McKay 2023-09-24 Wellington X3359, Mk. III
s/n X3359
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3359
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
1942-June-17 Evader RCAF Sergeant Joseph Arthur Angus Bruno Angers MiD 2022-10-30 1942-June-17 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Norman William Bradley 2024-11-16 1942-June-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Emile LeBlanc 2025-02-18 1942-June-17 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer John Henry Watson MiD 2023-01-24 1942-June-17 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Eric Alfred Winkler 2025-02-18 
Wellington X3360, Mk. III
s/n X3360
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3360
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.
1942-August-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Alexander Brown 2025-03-13 1942-August-06 KIA RAFVR Ronald Frederick Churchill 2025-03-13 1942-August-06 KIA RAFVR Albert Henry Johnson 2025-03-13 1942-August-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Raymond Marenus Krefting 2025-03-13 1942-August-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William James Macaulay 2025-03-13 Wellington X3361, Mk. III
s/n X3361
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3361
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington X3390, Mk. III
s/n X3390
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3390
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-March-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Bruce Drake 2024-10-28 1943-March-03 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Thomas Alexander Dutton 2024-10-31 1943-March-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Leoclellan Lymburner MC 2022-01-23 1943-March-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Stanton MacPherson 2021-08-17 1943-March-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Roy Millson 2021-08-16 Wellington X3392, Mk. III
s/n X3392
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3392
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington X3393, Mk. lll
s/n X3393
X 3393
last update: 2025-April-18
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
1942-December-10 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Robert McCullough Devine 2024-10-17 1942-December-10 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Lawrence James McCosham 2024-10-17 1942-December-10 Evader RAF Sergeant Hawthorne Dalrymple ("Jock"} Reid 2023-09-18 1942-December-10 Evader RCAF Sergeant Sydney Percival Smith 2023-09-23 1942-December-10 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 John Roy Tolmie 2024-10-17 Wellington X3409, Mk. III
s/n X3409
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3409
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington X3416, Mk. III
s/n X3416
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3416
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.
1942-July-14 KIA RAFVR James Grant 2023-08-19 1942-July-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Leonard Maxim 2022-10-05 1942-July-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Basil Vincent Pearce 2022-10-05 1942-July-14 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Warren Langton Sargant 2022-10-05 1942-July-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Furneaux Montague Van Geun 2022-10-05 Wellington X3419, Mk. III
s/n X3419
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3419
Wellington X3420, Mk. III
s/n X3420
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3420
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-February-14 KIA RCAF Wing Commander Sedley Selby Blanchard 2025-01-25 1943-February-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Henri Eveline 2025-01-25 1943-February-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Paul Winstanley Jeanneret 2025-01-25 1943-February-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur Grant Longwell 2025-01-25 1943-February-14 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Kenneth William Tutton 2025-01-25 Wellington X3423, Mk. III
s/n X3423
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3423
Wellington X3455, Mk. lll
s/n X3455
X 3455
Wellington X3457,
s/n X3457
X 3457
Wellington X3467, Mk. III
s/n X3467
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3467
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.
1942-April-09 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Hubert Brooks MC, CD, MiD, KW1, SCM 2024-11-20 1942-April-09 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Arthur Bligh Crighton 2024-05-15 1942-April-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ernest Richard Howard 2025-03-05 1942-April-09 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 William Ralph MacWilliam 2025-03-05 1942-April-09 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Winston Churchill Parker 2025-03-05 1942-April-09 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 James Peter Paton 2025-03-05 Wellington X3470, Mk. III
s/n X3470
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3470
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-October-02 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Angus Fyfe Bell 2024-11-11 1943-October-02 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Allan Joseph Copegog 2024-04-11 1943-October-02 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer William Homer Fuller 2021-08-06 1943-October-02 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Frederick John Sidney Guppy 2021-08-09 1943-October-02 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Leslie Austin Pinchess 2021-08-14 Wellington X3475, Mk. III
s/n X3475
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3475
Wellington X3477, Mk. III
s/n X3477
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3477
last update: 2025-April-18
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.
1942-March-29 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Sidney John Bailey 2024-11-04 1942-March-29 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Everett Brodrick 2024-11-19 1942-March-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arnold Leo Flesch 2024-11-27 1942-March-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth Edward Hobson 2024-11-27 1942-March-29 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Clarence Albert Marcotte 2024-11-27 1942-March-29 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Kenneth Haig Paul 2024-11-27 Wellington X3480, Mk. III
s/n X3480
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3480
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.
1942-May-09 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class James Douglas Giddens 2022-09-24 1942-May-09 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Clayton Leroy MacCallum 2022-09-24 1942-May-09 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Donald Kenneth Gilbert MacMillan 2022-09-24 1942-May-09 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Benedict Joseph McKinley 2022-09-24 1942-May-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Cornelius James Porter 2023-08-28 1942-May-09 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class George Wellington Robinson 2023-09-27 Wellington X3484, Mk. III
s/n X3484
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3484
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.
1942-April-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frank Douglas Barbour 2024-11-07 1942-April-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Henry Francis Stain Darley 2024-10-31 1942-April-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Louis Marie Langlois 2024-12-16 1942-April-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alexander McMillan 2024-12-16 1942-April-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Royden Norris 2024-12-16 1942-April-14 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Alexander William Robertson 2024-12-16 Wellington X3486, Mk. III
s/n X3486
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3486
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.
1942-June-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Mervyn Dutton 2024-10-31 1942-June-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Herbert Joseph Kirkpatrick 2022-09-26 1942-June-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Cameron Francis McCaw 2022-09-26 1942-June-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Howard Peters 2022-09-26 1942-June-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Walter Ruben Rice 2022-09-26 Wellington X3488, Mk. III
s/n X3488
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3488
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.
1942-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Neil Greig Arthur 2024-11-03 1942-July-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Herbert Bryden 2024-11-23 1942-July-29 KIA RAF Pilot Officer William Gordon Campbell DFC 2025-03-18 1942-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harley James Dell 2025-03-18 1942-July-29 KIA RAF Wing Commander John (Moose) Fulton DFC, DSO, AFC 2025-03-18 1942-July-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Edward Francis Monroe 2025-03-18 Wellington X3556, Mk. III
s/n X3556
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3556
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
1942-July-06 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Richard Bryan Barney Cowell 2024-05-06 1942-July-06 KIFA RAF Corporal Kenneth Ernest Victor Denyer 2024-10-14 1942-July-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Stefan Douglas Palmason 2022-09-26 1942-July-06 KIA RCAF Leading Aircraftman Allen William Patmore 2022-09-26 1942-July-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Wakefield Pearson 2022-09-26 1942-July-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Franklin Williams 2022-09-26 Wellington X3560, Mk. lll
s/n X3560
X 3560
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X3563, Mk. III
s/n X3563
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3563
last update: 2025-April-18
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.
source: Dennis Burke, Dublin Ireland
1943-February-28 Survived RCAF Sergeant J H Blue 2024-11-13 1943-February-28 Survived RCAF Sergeant W W N Chalk 2024-01-25 1943-February-28 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant J C Grover 2025-01-26 1943-February-28 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant A W Puffer 2025-01-26 1943-February-28 Survived RAFVR Lyndon George Southwood 2025-01-26 1943-February-28 Survived RCAF Pilot Officer M B Summers 2025-01-26 Wellington X3564, Mk. III
s/n X3564
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3564
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-September-03 KIFA RCAF Sergeant David George Davidson Burnside 2024-11-25 1943-September-03 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 John William Chester 2025-03-27 1943-September-03 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon Arthur Innes 2025-03-27 1943-September-03 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Adrian Roland Joseph Le Page 2025-03-27 Wellington X3633, Mk. III
s/n X3633
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3633
Wellington X3655, Mk. lll
s/n X3655
X 3655
Wellington X3656, Mk. lll
s/n X3656
X 3656
Wellington X3669,
s/n X3669
X 3669
Wellington X3675, Mk. III
s/n X3675
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3675
Wellington X3699, Mk. III
s/n X3699
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3699
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington X3703, Mk. III
s/n X3703
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3703
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-May-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Howard Robert Hibbard 2024-04-21 1942-May-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Clifton King 2024-04-22 1942-May-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Michael McAroy 2024-04-22 1942-May-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alfred Ernest McCoy 2024-04-22 1942-May-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Melville Shannon 2024-05-01 1942-May-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Henry Edward Went 2024-05-03 Wellington X3704, Mk. III
s/n X3704
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3704
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington X3711, Mk. III
s/n X3711
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3711
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
1942-September-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frederick William Cassidy 2024-01-18 1942-September-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Handel Freestone 2023-08-26 1942-September-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gerald Charles Hart 2023-08-26 1942-September-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harry William Thompson 2023-08-26 1942-September-03 KIA RAF Wing Commander Archibald Philip Walsh DFC, AFC 2023-08-26 Wellington X3712, Mk. III
s/n X3712
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3712
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 X3715, Mk. III
s/n X3715
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3715
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
1942-May-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Eric Graham Cavaghan 2024-01-21 1942-May-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Orville Everett Crawford 2024-05-13 1942-May-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Gordon Forbes 2023-09-12 1942-May-30 KIA RAF Sergeant William Laverson Field Kellow 2023-09-12 1942-May-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Widdop Whitley 2023-09-12 Wellington X3717, Mk. III
s/n X3717
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3717
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.
1942-May-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Allan Charles Vincent Brophy 2024-11-20 1942-May-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Vernon Estey McDougall 2025-03-05 1942-May-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph George Murray 2025-03-05 1942-May-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lloyd John Osborne Roberts 2025-03-05 1942-May-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Joseph Valkenier 2025-03-05 Wellington X3718, Mk. III
s/n X3718
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3718
Wellington X3723, Mk. III
s/n X3723
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3723
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.
1942-June-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Edward Norman Costigan 2024-04-26 1942-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frederick Ritchie Donnison 2024-10-26 1942-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arnold Harvey Harris 2022-09-26 1942-June-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Thompson Hunter 2022-12-20 1942-June-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harry Alexander MacDonald 2022-12-28 Wellington X3751, Mk. III
s/n X3751
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3751
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X3759, Mk. III
s/n X3759
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3759
Wellington X3763, Mk. III
s/n X3763
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3763
last update: 2025-February-05
1943-April-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Omer Leopold Desroches DFC 2024-10-16 1943-April-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Alexander Theodore Doucette DFC 2024-10-27 1943-April-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Georges Paul Henri Ledoux 2024-10-16 1943-April-15 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Pierre Paul Trudeau 2024-10-16 Wellington X3796, Mk. III
s/n X3796
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3796
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. 1942-September-15 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class James Anderson Clark 2024-02-25 1942-September-15 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Edmund Murray Harney 2022-10-21 1942-September-15 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer John Arthur Hay 2022-10-21 1942-September-15 KIFA RCAF Leading Aircraftman Walter Robert Albert Jahnke 2022-10-21 1942-September-15 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ronald Alfred Kinnee 2022-10-21 1942-September-15 KIFA RCAF Leading Aircraftman Edward Douglas Lawley 2022-10-21 1942-September-15 KIFA RCAF Leading Aircraftman Leo Owen Luten 2022-10-21 1942-September-15 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Walter Henry Pickering 2022-10-21 1942-September-15 KIFA RCAF Sergeant George Watson Wilson 2022-10-21 Wellington X3797, Mk. III
s/n X3797
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3797
Wellington X3798, Mk. lll
s/n X3798
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3798
Wellington X3802, Mk. lll
s/n X3802
X 3802
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X3808, B. Mk. III
s/n X3808
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3808
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-October-15 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gerrard Roy Bing 2025-01-19 1942-October-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Frederick Walter Buck 2025-03-22 1942-October-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Millar Joynt 2025-01-19 1942-October-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant David Beverley Smyth 2025-01-19 1942-October-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lloyd Ernest White 2025-01-19 Wellington X3814, Mk. III
s/n X3814
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3814
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington X3815, Mk. lll
s/n X3815
X 3815
Wellington X3873, Mk. III
s/n X3873
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3873
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington X3888, Mk. III
s/n X3888
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3888
Wellington X3932, Mk. III
s/n X3932
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3932
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-November-09 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Hugh Hartil Barton 2024-11-12 1943-November-09 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon John Gallagher 2021-08-07 1943-November-09 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Robert Gaudet Long 2021-08-13 1943-November-09 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Harold Julius Magnes 2021-08-14 1943-November-09 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Alton James O'Neil 2021-08-17 Wellington X3943, Mk. III
s/n X3943
Vickers-Armstrong
X 3943
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-October-05 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Marshall Armstrong 2024-11-03 1942-October-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Albert Clifford Challis 2024-01-25 1942-October-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Gordon Howells 2021-08-10 1942-October-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Michael Francis O'Driscoll 2021-08-17 1942-October-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Bertram Sandiford 2021-10-01 Wellington X3988,
s/n X3988
X 3988
Wellington X9619, IC
s/n X9619
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9619
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9622, IC
s/n X9622
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9622
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9624, IC
s/n X9624
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9624
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9625, IC
s/n X9625
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9625
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9630, IC
s/n X9630
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9630
Wellington X9633, IC
s/n X9633
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9633
Wellington X9637, IC
s/n X9637
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9637
Wellington X9640, IC
s/n X9640
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9640
Wellington X9660, IC
s/n X9660
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9660
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9665, IC
s/n X9665
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9665
Wellington X9671, IC
s/n X9671
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9671
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-September-16 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Harry Casimiri 2024-01-17 1942-September-16 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Albert H John Fawcett 2020-10-09 1942-September-16 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant David Harry Halstead 2021-08-09 1942-September-16 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frank Alfred Conway Macauley 2021-08-16 1942-September-16 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class John William O'Brien 2021-08-17 Wellington X9675, IC
s/n X9675
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9675
Wellington X9683, IC
s/n X9683
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9683
Wellington X9686, IC
s/n X9686
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9686
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9693, IC
s/n X9693
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9693
Wellington X9696, IC
s/n X9696
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9696
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-July-28 KIA RCAF Sergeant Richard Butcher Ayers 2024-11-04 1942-July-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Spencer Evans 2023-11-28 1942-July-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frank Edward Johnson 2023-11-28 1942-July-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Elmer Leroy Wagner 2023-11-28 1942-July-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ernest Griffith White 2023-11-28 Wellington X9700, IC
s/n X9700
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9700
Wellington X9704, IC
s/n X9704
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9704
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9705, IC
s/n X9705
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9705
Wellington X9739, IC
s/n X9739
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9739
Wellington X9747, IC
s/n X9747
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9747
Wellington X9749, IC
s/n X9749
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9749
Wellington X9750, IC
s/n X9750
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9750
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9752, IC
s/n X9752
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9752
Wellington X9755, IC
s/n X9755
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9755
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9756, IC
s/n X9756
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9756
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9759, IC
s/n X9759
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9759
Wellington X9762, IC
s/n X9762
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9762
Wellington X9765, IC
s/n X9765
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9765
Wellington X9786, IC
s/n X9786
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9786
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9798, IC
s/n X9798
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9798
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9826, IC
s/n X9826
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9826
Wellington X9873, IC
s/n X9873
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9873
Wellington X9874, Mk. IC
s/n X9874
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9874
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington X9875, IC
s/n X9875
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9875
Wellington X9878, IC
s/n X9878
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9878
Wellington X9879, IC
s/n X9879
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9879
Wellington X9890, IC
s/n X9890
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9890
Wellington X9905, IC
s/n X9905
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9905
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9910, IC
s/n X9910
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9910
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9913, IC
s/n X9913
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9913
Wellington X9916, IC
s/n X9916
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9916
Wellington X9922, IC
s/n X9922
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9922
Wellington X9929, IC
s/n X9929
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9929
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-August-25 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Robert Henry Harper 2021-08-09 1942-August-25 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Albert Leether 2021-08-13 1942-August-25 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer George Leigh Shaw 2021-08-01 1942-August-25 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Edmund Thomas Spears 2021-07-23 1942-August-25 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Ernest Friedrick Johann Stoll 2021-07-22 Wellington X9932, IC
s/n X9932
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9932
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-September-11 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Wallace Hayden Johnson 2021-08-11 1942-September-11 KIA RCAF Sergeant Eddie Stanley Joseph McCasky 2021-08-17 1942-September-11 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Daniel Lawrence Pablo 2021-08-18 1942-September-11 KIA RCAF Sergeant Charles Edward Pollard 2021-08-13 1942-September-11 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Clifford Roy Sullivan 2021-07-21 Wellington X9935, IC
s/n X9935
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9935
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9941, IC
s/n X9941
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9941
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9942, IC
s/n X9942
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9942
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9949, IC
s/n X9949
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9949
Wellington X9951, IC
s/n X9951
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9951
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9954, IC
s/n X9954
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9954
Wellington X9974, IC
s/n X9974
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9974
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9975, IC
s/n X9975
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9975
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9977, IC
s/n X9977
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9977
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington X9980, IC
s/n X9980
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9980
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-June-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Hawksworth Gardner 2022-08-27 1942-June-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Caldwell Hadley 2021-08-09 1942-June-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Donald Albert Millard 2021-08-16 1942-June-25 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Donald Leroy Torkelson 2021-07-15 1942-June-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Anthony Yankoski 2021-08-21 Wellington X9981, IC
s/n X9981
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9981
Wellington X9982, IC
s/n X9982
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9982
Wellington X9986, IC
s/n X9986
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9986
Wellington X9988, IC
s/n X9988
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9988
Wellington X9989, IC
s/n X9989
Vickers-Armstrong
X 9989
Wellington Z1040, IC
s/n Z1040
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1040
Wellington Z1046, IC
s/n Z1046
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1046
Wellington Z1048, IC
s/n Z1048
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1048
Wellington Z1052, IC
s/n Z1052
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1052
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z1053, Mk. IC
s/n Z1053
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1053
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-May-07 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Joseph Milton Lorrain Charbonneau 2024-02-04 1942-May-07 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Lawson Macintosh Mesheau 2021-08-16 1942-May-07 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Peter James Arnold Huke Palin 2021-08-18 1942-May-07 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Murray Sadler 2021-08-04 Wellington Z1083, Mk. IC
s/n Z1083
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1083
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington Z1084, IC
s/n Z1084
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1084
Wellington Z1086, IC
s/n Z1086
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1086
Wellington Z1091, Mk. IC
s/n Z1091
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1091
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
1942-February-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Henry Gordon Anderson 2024-11-02 1942-February-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Max Alfred Reid 2022-09-18 1942-February-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Joseph Roche 2022-09-18 1942-February-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Thomas Joseph Thomas 2022-09-18 1942-February-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Fernand Paul Vezina 2022-09-18 1942-February-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Neil Williamson 2022-09-18 Wellington Z1096, IC
s/n Z1096
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1096
last update: 2025-April-18
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.
1942-January-06 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Eric Ewings 2024-09-26 1942-January-06 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Victor Haig Mountstephens 2024-09-26 1942-January-06 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Douglas Roy Richardson 2024-09-26 1942-January-06 KIA RAFVR Lawrence Joseph Roe 2024-09-26 1942-January-06 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Louis Nathaniel Simmons 2024-09-26 Wellington Z1113, IC
s/n Z1113
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1113
Wellington Z1114, IC
s/n Z1114
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1114
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z1141, IC
s/n Z1141
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1141
Wellington Z1142, IC
s/n Z1142
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1142
Cited with Sergeant Douglas W. Spooner (RAAF, awarded DFM).
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-05Wellington Z1145, Mk. IC
s/n Z1145
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1145
last update: 2025-April-18
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 Z1146, Mk. IC
s/n Z1146
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1146
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.
1942-February-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon Kenneth Armstrong 2024-11-03 1942-February-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Walter Frederick Bond 2025-01-27 1942-February-12 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Richard Arthur Laing 2025-01-27 1942-February-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph William Poirier 2025-01-27 1942-February-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Godfrey Hyde Stewart Ross 2025-01-27 1942-February-12 KIA RAF Sergeant Harry Rowsell 2025-01-27 Wellington Z1148, IC
s/n Z1148
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1148
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z1156, IC
s/n Z1156
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1156
Wellington Z1159, IC
s/n Z1159
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1159
Wellington Z1168, IC
s/n Z1168
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1168
Wellington Z1170, IC
s/n Z1170
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1170
Wellington Z1202, IV
s/n Z1202
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1202
Wellington Z1203, IV
s/n Z1203
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1203
Wellington Z1206, IV
s/n Z1206
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1206
Pratt & Whitney R-1830
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
Midland Aircraft Recovery Group-Warwickshire UK
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 Z1207, IV
s/n Z1207
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1207
Wellington Z1209, IV
s/n Z1209
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1209
Wellington Z1210, IV
s/n Z1210
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1210
Wellington Z1211, IV
s/n Z1211
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1211
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z1214, IV
s/n Z1214
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1214
Wellington Z1221, IV
s/n Z1221
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1221
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z1249, IV
s/n Z1249
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1249
last update: 2025-April-18
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 Z1254, IV
s/n Z1254
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1254
last update: 2025-April-18
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 Z1266, IV
s/n Z1266
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1266
Wellington Z1274, IV
s/n Z1274
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1274
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z1316, IV
s/n Z1316
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1316
Wellington Z1319, IV
s/n Z1319
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1319
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z1321, IV
s/n Z1321
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1321
Wellington Z1324, IV
s/n Z1324
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1324
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z1330, IV
s/n Z1330
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1330
Wellington Z1338, IV
s/n Z1338
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1338
Wellington Z1341, IV
s/n Z1341
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1341
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z1380, IV
s/n Z1380
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1380
Wellington Z1383, IV
s/n Z1383
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1383
last update: 2025-April-18
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 Z1408, IV
s/n Z1408
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1408
Wellington Z1410, IV
s/n Z1410
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1410
Wellington Z1424, IV
s/n Z1424
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1424
Wellington Z1466, IV
s/n Z1466
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1466
Wellington Z1487, IV
s/n Z1487
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1487
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-August-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Anderson 2024-11-02 1942-August-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Hall 2024-01-25 1942-August-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Earl Edwin Hopper 2024-01-25 1942-August-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Claude Lorraine Jr Love 2024-01-25 1942-August-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Charles Pearce 2024-01-25 Wellington Z1490, IV
s/n Z1490
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1490
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z1562, Mk. III
s/n Z1562
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1562
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..
1942-May-17 KIA RAFVR Gordon Clelland 2024-02-29 1942-May-17 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Kenneth Lendon McDowell 2022-09-24 1942-May-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frank Pikula 2022-09-24 1942-May-17 KIA RCAF Sergeant William Thomson 2022-09-24 1942-May-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Walter Hopkins Webster 2022-09-24 Wellington Z1563, Mk. III
s/n Z1563
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1563
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z1565, Mk. III
s/n Z1565
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1565
Wellington Z1577, Mk. III
s/n Z1577
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1577
last update: 2025-April-18
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
1942-July-24 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Henry Ernest Brown 2025-01-11 1942-July-24 PoW RAFVR Pilot Officer Norman Jefferies 2025-01-11 1942-July-24 PoW KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alfred Frank Chilvers Ratcliff 2025-01-11 1942-July-24 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant George Burton Smith 2025-01-11 1942-July-24 PoW Early Release RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Jack Arthur Westwood 2025-03-14 Wellington Z1578, Mk. III
s/n Z1578
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1578
Wellington Z1592, Mk. III
s/n Z1592
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1592
last update: 2025-April-18
1944-June-27 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Eugene Bunt 2025-03-25 1944-June-27 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Gilbert Keith Cameron 2023-12-06 1944-June-27 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Richard Stephen Cracknell 2024-05-10 1944-June-27 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Eric Arthur Crowe 2024-05-21 1944-June-27 KIFA RCAF Sergeant George Henry Durham 2025-03-25 1944-June-27 KIFA RCAF Sergeant George Frederick Marchington 2025-03-25 Wellington Z1594, Mk. III
s/n Z1594
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1594
Wellington Z1597, Mk. III
s/n Z1597
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1597
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-July-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Clayton Penrose Lindon Brown 2024-11-21 1942-July-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ivan Thomas Hugel Evans 2022-09-26 1942-July-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Mcmillan Ferguson 2022-09-26 1942-July-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Gordon Holmes 2022-09-26 1942-July-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Patrick Louis Murphy 2022-09-26 1942-July-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Cecil Baker Smith 2022-09-26 Wellington Z1599, Mk. III
s/n Z1599
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1599
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington Z1606, Mk. III
s/n Z1606
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1606
Wellington Z1608, Mk. III
s/n Z1608
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1608
Wellington Z1610, Mk. III
s/n Z1610
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1610
Wellington Z1612, Mk. III
s/n Z1612
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1612
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z1615, Mk. III
s/n Z1615
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1615
last update: 2025-April-18
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:
Wellington Z1620, Mk. III
s/n Z1620
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1620
Wellington Z1622, Mk. III
s/n Z1622
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1622
Wellington Z1623, Mk. III
s/n Z1623
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1623
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
1942-October-05 KIA RAFVR Flt. Sergeant Kenneth Edward Crewe 2024-10-24 1942-October-05 KIA RCAF Flt. Sergeant Robert Doherty 2024-10-24 1942-October-05 KIA RCAF Flt. Sergeant Sidney Alexander Palmer 2024-10-24 1942-October-05 KIA RCAF Flt. Sergeant George Erwin Robson 2024-10-24 1942-October-05 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Joseph Harold Gourley Shaw 2024-10-24 Wellington Z1624, Mk. III
s/n Z1624
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1624
Wellington Z1625, Mk. III
s/n Z1625
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1625
Wellington Z1648, Mk. III
s/n Z1648
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1648
Wellington Z1650, Mk. III
s/n Z1650
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1650
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z1654, Mk. III
s/n Z1654
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1654
Wellington Z1657, Mk. III
s/n Z1657
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1657
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z1659, Mk. III
s/n Z1659
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1659
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z1660, Mk. III
s/n Z1660
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1660
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z1663, Mk. III
s/n Z1663
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1663
Wellington Z1679, Mk. III
s/n Z1679
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1679
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Sergeant Walter Stanley Beale 2025-01-02 1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Cornelius Collard 2025-01-02 1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Duncan McDonald 2025-01-02 1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Armand Joseph Marcel Smith 2025-01-02 1942-November-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Solomon Snider 2025-01-02 Wellington Z1680, Mk. III
s/n Z1680
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1680
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington Z1682, Mk. III
s/n Z1682
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1682
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-November-24 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Herbert Russell Beswick 2024-11-12 1943-November-24 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth Wallace Bolstad 2024-11-14 1943-November-24 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Willaim Harry Budd 2025-03-22 1943-November-24 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Lorne Frankland Cook 2024-04-02 1943-November-24 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Dawson Aubrey Dunlop 2024-10-29 1943-November-24 KIFA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Leon Gibault 2025-01-18 Wellington Z1685, Mk. III
s/n Z1685
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1685
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z1691, Mk. III
s/n Z1691
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1691
last update: 2025-February-05
1944-October-04 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Richard Gladstone Campbell 2023-12-14 1944-October-04 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Gordon Alden Macleod 2021-08-17 1944-October-04 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Noble 2022-01-19 1944-October-04 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Glenn Edward Opie 2021-08-18 1944-October-04 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frank Eleazer Thistle 2021-07-20 1944-October-04 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Zaheckeh Wasserman 2021-07-10 Wellington Z1692, Mk. III
s/n Z1692
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1692
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington Z1694, Mk. III
s/n Z1694
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1694
last update: 2025-April-18
1943-August-17 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Robert Hilliard Chisnell 2024-02-15 1943-August-17 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Allan Thomas Duke 2024-10-29 1943-August-17 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon William Holditch 2021-08-10 1943-August-17 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frederick David Johnson 2021-08-11 1943-August-17 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Taylor 2022-01-14 Wellington Z1697, Mk. III
s/n Z1697
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1697
Wellington Z1717, Mk. III
s/n Z1717
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1717
Wellington Z1721, Mk. III
s/n Z1721
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1721
Wellington Z1724, Mk. III
s/n Z1724
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1724
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington Z1725, Mk. III
s/n Z1725
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1725
Wellington Z1729, Mk. III
s/n Z1729
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1729
last update: 2025-February-05
1942-December-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Henri Jacques Cholette 2024-02-15 1942-December-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Pierre Augustin Guy Martel 2021-08-15 1942-December-20 KIA RCAF W.O.II Air Gunner Jean Paul Alban Raymond 2021-08-10 1942-December-20 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Charles William Hurley Roy 2024-11-28 Wellington Z1730, Mk. III
s/n Z1730
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1730
last update: 2025-April-18
1942-September-16 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Donaldson 2024-10-26 1942-September-16 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Needler 2021-08-17 1942-September-16 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Linwood Nibblet 2021-08-17 1942-September-16 KIA RCAF Sergeant Jack Arthur Charles Smith 2021-07-26 1942-September-16 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Kenneth Boyd Tanner 2021-07-20 Wellington Z1738, Mk. III
s/n Z1738
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1738
Wellington Z1742, Mk. III
s/n Z1742
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1742
last update: 2025-February-05
Wellington Z1747, Mk. III
s/n Z1747
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 1747
Wellington Z8328,
s/n Z8328
Z 8328
Wellington Z8329, Mk. II
s/n Z8329
Z 8329
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 Z8344, Mk. II
s/n Z8344
Z 8344
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 Z8347, Mk. II
s/n Z8347
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 8347
Wellington Z8358, Mk. II
s/n Z8358
Z 8358
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 1942Wellington Z8364, Mk. II
s/n Z8364
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 8364
Wellington Z8370, Mk. ll
s/n Z8370
Z 8370
Wellington Z8398, Mk. ll
s/n Z8398
Z 8398
Wellington Z8410, Mk. ll
s/n Z8410
Z 8410
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z8419, Mk. II
s/n Z8419
Z 8419
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 1941-October-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Lloyd Eldon Dodge 2024-10-23 1941-October-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Cyril Roland Hall 2024-10-23 1941-October-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lawrence Herbert Jackson 2024-10-23 1941-October-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Frederick Marr 2024-10-23 1941-October-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Percy Thomas Walter Walker 2024-10-23 Wellington Z8428, Mk. II
s/n Z8428
Z 8428
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 Z8514,
s/n Z8514
Z 8514
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z8515, Mk. ll
s/n Z8515
Z 8515
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z8527, Mk. II
s/n Z8527
Z 8527
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 Z8588, Mk. l1
Wellington Z8591,
s/n Z8591
Z 8591
Wellington Z8594,
s/n Z8594
Z 8594
Wellington Z8598,
s/n Z8598
Z 8598
Wellington Z8688,
s/n Z8688
Z 8688
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z8776,
s/n Z8776
Z 8776
Wellington Z8798,
s/n Z8798
Z 8798
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z8807,
s/n Z8807
Z 8807
Wellington Z8833, Mk. IC
s/n Z8833
Vickers-Armstrong
Z 8833
Wellington Z8839,
s/n Z8839
Z 8839
Wellington Z8869,
s/n Z8869
Z 8869
Wellington Z8905,
s/n Z8905
Z 8905
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z8908,
s/n Z8908
Z 8908
Wellington Z8976, Mk. 1C
s/n Z8976
Z 8976
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z8990,
s/n Z8990
Z 8990
Wellington Z9033,
s/n Z9033
Z 9033
last update: 2025-April-18
Wellington Z9044,
s/n Z9044
Z 9044
Wellington Z9096,
s/n Z9096
Z 9096