Richards, David John Osborne (Sergeant)
Killed in Action 1943-May-13
Birth Date: 1920
Born:
Parents: Son of David and Elizabeth Ann Richards, of Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales
Spouse: husband of Dorothy Elizabeth Richards, of Llanelly, Wales
Home: Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: unkown date
Service
RAFVR
Unit
35 (PFF) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)
Uno Anima Agimus We Act with One Accord
Base
Graveley
Rank
Sergeant
Position
Air Gunner (Mid-Upper)
Service Numbers
1418379
Target
Duisburg Germany
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
International Bomber Command CentreCrew or Other Personnel
Halifax DT801
Mission
Halifax B/GR.Mk.II DT801
Combat Duisburg Germany 1943-May-12 to 1943-May-13
35 (PFF) Sqn (RAF) Graveley
35 Squadron RAF (Uno Anima Agimus), Pathfinder Force, RAF Graveley. Halifax II aircraft DT 801 TL-A was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant August Geiger of the 7/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Twente airfield while on an operation to Duisburg, Germany, crashing behind a house in Buurse, Overijssel, Netherlands
Sawyer and Richards were killed. Elford, Heard, Moores, and Rowley survived and were taken as Prisoners of War. Elford evaded capture for several days but was picked up by the Gestapo and became a Prisoner of War. The pilot, Sale evaded capture, was reported safe in Gibraltar on August 4, 1943 and returned to service with his squadron.In Enemy Hands - Canadian Prisoners of War 1939-1945
Aviation Safety NetworkHalifax DT801 B/GR.Mk.II - Combat Duisburg Germany - 1943-05-12 to 1943-05-13
Squadron: 35 (PFF) Sqn (RAF)
Start Date: 1943-05-12
Completion Date: 1943-05-13
Mission: Combat
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Duisburg Germany
Target Specific:
Base: Graveley
Take Off Time: 00:23
Squadron Code: TL-A
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: Buurse, Overijssel, Netherlands
Crash Specifics: Behind house
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: fighter
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim: Oberleutnant August Geiger of the 7/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4
War Diary Unavailable
6 Bomber Group May 12/13, 1943
19 Halifaxes from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 51 Wellingtons from 426, 428, 429, and 431 Squadrons on an attack at Duisberg. The crews were over the target at between 13,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 70,000 lbs of high explosives and 153,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the weather was clear and severe damage was caused to the port area and industrial sector, including the Thyssen steel works. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
35 Squadron RAF (Uno Anima Agimus), Pathfinder Force, RAF Graveley. Halifax II aircraft DT 801 TL-A was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant August Geiger of the 7/NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Twente airfield while on an operation to Duisburg, Germany, crashing behind a house in Buurse, Overijssel, Netherlands
Sawyer and Richards were killed. Elford, Heard, Moores, and Rowley survived and were taken as Prisoners of War. Elford evaded capture for several days but was picked up by the Gestapo and became a Prisoner of War. The pilot, Sale evaded capture, was reported safe in Gibraltar on August 4, 1943 and returned to service with his squadron.In Enemy Hands - Canadian Prisoners of War 1939-1945