Stirling EF401 - Bombing Berlin Germany - 1943-08-31 to 1943-09-01
Squadron: 214 (B) Sqn (RAF)
Start Date: 1943-08-31
Completion Date: 1943-09-01
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Berlin Germany
Target Specific:
Base: RAF Chedburgh
Take Off Time: 20:34:00
Squadron Code: BU-Y
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: Germany
Crash Specifics: 4 km west of Brandenburg an der Havel, Brandenburg
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: fighter
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim: Leutnant Heinz Rolland of the 12/NJG 1
War Diary Unavailable

6 Bomber Group August31/September 1, 1943

48 Halifaxes from 419, 427,428 and 434 Squadrons were joined by 11 Lancasters from 426 Squadron on an attack at Berlin. The crews were over the target at between 17,000 and 23,000 feet, releasing 88,000 lbs of high explosives and 115,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the target was cloud covered and bombing was scattered. There was many night fighters operating, most of the crews falling to their guns. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)

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

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

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

unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

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

General RAF Commands