Stirling BK611 Mk. l - Bombing - 1943-05-25 to 1943-05-26
Squadron: 15 (B) Sqn (RAF)
Start Date: 1943-05-25
Completion Date: 1943-05-26
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City:
Target Specific:
Base: RAF Mildenhall
Take Off Time: 23:56
Squadron Code: LS-U
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: Netherlands
Crash Specifics: west of the River Maas near Venlo
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: flak
Flak Battery: unspecified
Enemy Claim:
War Diary Unavailable

6 Bomber Group May 25/26, 1943

9 Halifaxes from 408 Squadron were joined by 62 Wellingtons from 426, 428, 429, 431, and 432 Squadrons on an attack at Dusseldorf. The crews were over the target at between 13,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 94,000 lbs of high explosives and 133,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and bombing was scattered. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)

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

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

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

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

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