Thompson, Briar Sibbald (Pilot Officer)

Killed in Action 1945-February-21

Pilot Officer Briar Sibbald Thompson RCAF

Birth Date: 1923-July-17

Born: Jacksons Point, Ontario

Parents: Harry & Ada Louisa Thompson, Nanaimo, BC

Spouse:

Home: Weston, Ontario

Enlistment: Toronto, Ontario

Enlistment Date: 1942-November-24

Service

RCAF

Unit

625 (B) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)
We Avenge

Base

RAF Kelstern

Rank

Pilot Officer

Position

Air Gunner

Service Numbers

J/93899
Prev: R/209011

Final Burial
Google MapReichswald Forest War Cemetery
Plot 4 Row F Grave 6

Mission

Lancaster Mk.I NG267

Ferry Flight Dortmund Germany 1945-February-20 to 1945-February-21

625 (B) Sqn (RAF) Kelstern
On the night of Tuesday 20th February 1945 Bomber Command operated a total of 1,283 sorties: The main force was split into four major attacks: 528 aircraft assigned to attack Dortmund, 173 aircraft to Dusseldorf, 128 aircraft to attack Monheim and 165 aircraft assigned to attack the Mittelland Canal near Gravenhorst (Later aborted by the Master Bomber because of cloud) Minor operations that night consisted of 289 aircraft: a total of 91 aircraft on a Diversionary Sweep across the North Sea, 66 aircraft to attack Berlin, 65 aircraft to carry out Radio Counter Measures, 45 aircraft on Patrol and 16 aircraft assigned to attack Mannheim and six aircraft on Resistance Work. From the night's operations there were a total of 25 aircraft (1.95%): 12 Lancaster aircraft (2.23%) from the attack on Dortmund, four Lancasters and four Halifaxes (4.62%) from the attack on Dusseldorf, two Halifax aircraft from the attack on Monheim (1.56%) and a single Liberator from No.223 Squadron (1.54%) on Bomber Support Duty carrying out Radio Counter Measures. From these 25 aircraft there were a total of 156 casualties; 85 airmen died (54.48%) died, six injured and 65 became Prisoners of War. The casualties came from 21 Bomber Squadrons flying out of 21 airfields operating in five Bomber Groups.