Kelleher, Gerard Patrick
Prisoner of War 1945-03-08
Birth Date: unkown date
Born:
Home:
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: Unknown
Service
RAF
Unit
550 (B) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)
Per Ignem Vincimus Through fire we conquer
Base
Rank
Sergeant
Position
Sergeanrt
Service Numbers
1836271
Target
Dessau Germany
Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)Lancaster Mk.I/III ME428
Bombing Dessau Germany 1945-March-07 to 1945-March-08
550 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF North Killingholme
From 550 Operations Record Book Summary
27 aircraft took off at approximately 17:00 on operations, but not without incident. "E2" Warrant Officer Lukies proved most fractures. The starboard outer engine cut on takeoff. The aircraft swung dangerously, but the pilot by masterly handling avoided a hanger and other obstacles, proceeded to the jettison area and returned safely. The other aircraft met course on the long route to Dessau. Cloud amount was variable. Opposition was lively, both from Flak and night fighters, but the former was not so strong over the target. Some crews bombed ground markers through 3/10 cloud with a clear view of the town and River Elba; others had to rely on sky markers owing to 10/10 cloud. General opinion was that the attack was well concentrated, and that the target was well and truly a blaze. "M" Squadron Leader, Pickles had its "Gee" unserviceable from Southern England outwards, but the crew pressed on, and after some meandering found themselves near to the target. They bombed in solitary state, a healthy contribution of fires left by their comrades. Two crews reported inconclusive combats with night fighters. Three aircraft "V" Flying Officer Jones, "O" Flying Officer Harris, and "R" Flying Officer Nielsen failed to return, and it was with deepest regret that they were reported missing. Nothing was heard from any of them after takeoff.
Three aircraft and crews carried out flying training involving over 7 hours flying.
"The Harris Crew" by Allyson Newburg Lancaster ME428
Avro Lancaster
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
The Avro Lancaster is a British Second World War heavy bomber. It was designed and manufactured by Avro as a contemporary of the Handley Page Halifax, both bombers having been developed to the same specification, as well as the Short Stirling, all three aircraft being four-engined heavy bombers adopted by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the same wartime era.
The Lancaster has its origins in the twin-engine Avro Manchester which had been developed during the late 1930s in response to the Air Ministry Specification P.13/36 for a capable medium bomber for "world-wide use". Originally developed as an evolution of the Manchester (which had proved troublesome in service and was retired in 1942), the Lancaster was designed by Roy Chadwick and powered by four Rolls-Royce Merlins and in one version, Bristol Hercules engines. It first saw service with RAF Bomber Command in 1942 and as the strategic bombing offensive over Europe gathered momentum, it was the main aircraft for the night-time bombing campaigns that followed. As increasing numbers of the type were produced, it became the principal heavy bomber used by the RAF, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and squadrons from other Commonwealth and European countries serving within the RAF, overshadowing the Halifax and Stirling. Wikipedia
Lancaster Bomber
Wikipedia Lancaster ME428 Mk.I/III - Bombing Dessau Germany - 1945-03-07 to 1945-03-08
6 Bomber Group March 7/8, 1945
99 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 425, 426, 429, and 432 Squadrons were ordered to attack the oil refinery at Hemmingstedt. The crews were over the target at between 8,000 and 13,000 feet, releasing 594,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing missed the target.
While the Halifaxes went to Hemmingstedt, 81 Lancasters from 419, 424,428, 431, 433 and 434 Squadrons were ordered on an attack at Dessau. The crews were over the target at between 14,000 and 16,500 feet, releasing214,000 lbs of high explosives and 326,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was done. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
From 550 Operations Record Book Summary
27 aircraft took off at approximately 17:00 on operations, but not without incident. "E2" Warrant Officer Lukies proved most fractures. The starboard outer engine cut on takeoff. The aircraft swung dangerously, but the pilot by masterly handling avoided a hanger and other obstacles, proceeded to the jettison area and returned safely. The other aircraft met course on the long route to Dessau. Cloud amount was variable. Opposition was lively, both from Flak and night fighters, but the former was not so strong over the target. Some crews bombed ground markers through 3/10 cloud with a clear view of the town and River Elba; others had to rely on sky markers owing to 10/10 cloud. General opinion was that the attack was well concentrated, and that the target was well and truly a blaze. "M" Squadron Leader, Pickles had its "Gee" unserviceable from Southern England outwards, but the crew pressed on, and after some meandering found themselves near to the target. They bombed in solitary state, a healthy contribution of fires left by their comrades. Two crews reported inconclusive combats with night fighters. Three aircraft "V" Flying Officer Jones, "O" Flying Officer Harris, and "R" Flying Officer Nielsen failed to return, and it was with deepest regret that they were reported missing. Nothing was heard from any of them after takeoff.
Three aircraft and crews carried out flying training involving over 7 hours flying.