BROTHER to David Archibald Williston.
Williston, Albert Alexander (Flight Sergeant)
Killed in Action 1944-January-22
Birth Date: 1917
Born:
Parents: John H Williston and Katherine MacLeod Williston His brother David Archibald Williston had also served with the Royal Canadian Air Force and died on August 4, 1943.
Spouse:
Home: Sydney, Nova Scotia (parents)
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: unkown date
Service
RCAF
Unit
514 (B) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)
Nil Obstare Potest Nothing can withstand
Base
RAF Waterbeach
Rank
Flight Sergeant
Position
Air Gunner
Service Numbers
R/176589
Target
Magdeburg Germany
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)Crew or Other Personnel
Lancaster LL672
Mission
Lancaster Mk.II LL672
Bombing Magdeburg Germany 1944-January-21 to 1944-January-22
514 (B) Sqn (RAF)
Outbound shot down from 21000 feet over Perleberg Germany
Lancaster aircraft LL 672 was shot down by German Major Heinrich Wittenstein flying a JU-88 aircraft while engaged in a night trip to Magdeburg, Germany. Sergeantt P McQueeny (RAF) was also killed. Two Canadians, Flight Lieutenant JM Bourke, Flying Officer EJ Clare, and three RAF members of the crew were taken Prisoner of War.
Major Wittenstein had shot down 83 four engine aircraft, at night, using the upward firing cannons. After the war, Earl James Clare of Port Credit, Ontario said, Our aircraft was attacked twice by a night fighter and was on fire as five of us baled out. I can't tell you what happened to Al Williston, whether he hit the tailplane or if it exploded before he got out. The JU-88 got caught in the explosion and it also was on fire. Major Wittenstein was killed but his radar operator baled out. The radar operator reported that they were hit by machine gun fire from the Lancaster and were on fire.
January 21 1944 Operations Record BookLancaster LL672 Mk.II - Bombing Magdeburg Germany - 1944-01-21 to 1944-01-22
Squadron: 514 (B) Sqn (RAF)
Start Date: 1944-01-21
Completion Date: 1944-01-22
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Magdeburg Germany
Target Specific:
Base:
Take Off Time: 20:01
Squadron Code: A2-C
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: Perleberg Germany
Crash Specifics:
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: fighter
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim: German Major Heinrich Wittenstein flying a JU-88
War Diary Unavailable
6 Bomber Group January 21/22, 1944
45 Lancasters from 408, 426 and 432 squadrons were joined by 69 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431, 433, and 434 squadrons on an attack at Magdeburg. The crews were over the target at between 18,000 and 23,000 feet, releasing 290,000 lbs of high explosives and 454,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the attack was scattered with little damage. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
Outbound shot down from 21000 feet over Perleberg Germany
Lancaster aircraft LL 672 was shot down by German Major Heinrich Wittenstein flying a JU-88 aircraft while engaged in a night trip to Magdeburg, Germany. Sergeantt P McQueeny (RAF) was also killed. Two Canadians, Flight Lieutenant JM Bourke, Flying Officer EJ Clare, and three RAF members of the crew were taken Prisoner of War.
Major Wittenstein had shot down 83 four engine aircraft, at night, using the upward firing cannons. After the war, Earl James Clare of Port Credit, Ontario said, Our aircraft was attacked twice by a night fighter and was on fire as five of us baled out. I can't tell you what happened to Al Williston, whether he hit the tailplane or if it exploded before he got out. The JU-88 got caught in the explosion and it also was on fire. Major Wittenstein was killed but his radar operator baled out. The radar operator reported that they were hit by machine gun fire from the Lancaster and were on fire.
