6 Group Unavailable
462 Australian Squadron, RAF Terria, Italy. Halifax B Mk II aircraft BB 417 V was part of an operation to bomb the Maritsa aerodrome on the Greek Island of Rhodes. Halifax BB 417's part in the operation was to drop flares to light up the aerodrome for the incoming bombers. Sadly, the bomber was shot down by flak, crashing into the Agean Sea with the loss of the entire crew
Warrant Officer 1st Class Frank Richmond Vincent Nello (RCAF), Flight Sergeant Raymond Llewellyn Fennell (RAFVR), Flight Sergeant Melbourne Glaister Fraser (RAFVR), Flight Sergeant Albert Griffin (RAFVR), Flight Sergeant Micheal Frank Hall (RAFVR) and Sergeant Gordon Frederick William Lawrence (RAFVR) were all missing, presumed killed in action
The missing have no known grave but all are commemorated on the Alamein War Memorial in Egypt
Some sources place another crew member on Halifax BB 417 V, a Mid-Upper Air-Gunner Sergeant Windebank but the Squadron ORB (AIR27/1916/28) shows a crew of six only and Sergeant Windbank is not included in the crew list. It was common practice for bomber crews to operate without an upper gunner while conducting operations in the Mediterranean Theatre
Royal air Force Serial and Image Database
