Ridings, Desmond George (Flight Sergeant)
Killed in Action 1943-May-05
Birth Date: unkown date
Born:
Parents:
Spouse:
Home:
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: unkown date
Service
RNZAF
Unit
156 (PFF) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)
We Light The Way
Base
Rank
Flight Sergeant
Position
Service Numbers
Dortmund Germany
Commonwealth War Graves CommissionCrew or Other Personnel
Lancaster ED877
156 Squadron Summary ORBLancaster ED877 Mk.I/III - Bombing Dortmund Germany - 1943-05-04 to 1943-05-05
Squadron: 156 (PFF) Sqn (RAF)
Start Date: 1943-05-04
Completion Date: 1943-05-05
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Dortmund Germany
Target Specific:
Base:
Take Off Time: 22:29
Squadron Code: GT-N
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: Dortmund Germany
Crash Specifics:
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: flak
Flak Battery: Flak of the 3./schwere Flak-Abteilung 524
Enemy Claim:
Dortmund
596 aircraft,- the largest 'non-1000' raid of the war so far and the first major attack on Dortmund. 31 losses (5.2%) with a further 7 crashing due to bad weather at their bases, taking the total loss rate to 6.4%. PFF marking was accurate but backup marking was not. Also, decoy fires attracted many of the bombs. Severe damage was nevertheless caused to much of the central and northern areas of the city, including the Hoesch and Dortmunder Union steelworks. At least 693 people were killed, including 200 PoWs.
6 Bomber Group May 4/5, 1943
32 Halifaxes from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 47 Wellingtons from 426, 428, 429, and 431 Squadrons on an attack at Dortmund. The crews were over the target at between 12,000 and 21,000 feet, releasing 126,000 lbs of high explosives and 183,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused including 2 steel factories and the dock area. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
Hit by Flak at 19,000 feet over the target and sent down out of control. Information sourced from Mike Lee, Nephew of Pilot Officer Richard John Lee who was killed in this crash.
