Edwards, John Leonard (Sergeant)
Killed in Action 1943-May-24
Birth Date: 1923
Born:
Parents: BENJAMIN THOMAS EDWARDS AND EVA EDWARDS, OF SKETTY, SWANSEA.
Spouse:
Home:
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: unkown date
Service
RAFVR
Unit
51 (B) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)
Swift And Sure
Base
RAF Snaith
Rank
Sergeant
Position
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner
Service Numbers
1256599
Dortmund GermanyCrew or Other Personnel
Halifax HR835
Mission
Halifax B/GR.Mk.II HR835
Bombing 1943-May-23 to 1943-May-24
51 (B) Sqn (RAF) Snaith
Battle of the Ruhr
23/24 May 1943 DORTMUND
51 Squadron (Swift And Sure). Halifax aircraft HR 835 lost during a trip over enemy territory. All seven members of the crew were killed. Flight Sergeant William Brown RCAF. the other crew members killed were all RAF, Flying Officer. J. Cookson, Sergeants J.L. Edwards, J. Jones, J.D. Minton, C. Newman, and L.A. Wright.
After a 9-day break in major operations, Bomber Command dispatched 826 aircraft on this raid, the greatest number in a 'non-1,000' raid so far in the war and the largest raid of the Battle of the Ruhr. The force comprised: 343 Lancasters, 199 Halifaxes, 151 Wellingtons, 120 Stirlings and 13 Mosquitoes. 38 aircraft - 18 Halifaxes, 8 Lancasters, 6 Stirlings, 6 Wellingtons - were lost, 4?6 per cent of the force.
The Pathfinders marked the target accurately in clear weather conditions and the ensuing attack proceeded according to plan. It was a very successful raid. Large areas in the centre, the? north and the east of Dortmund were devastated. Nearly 2,000 buildings were completely destroyed. Many industrial premises were hit, par?ticularly the large Roesch steelworks, which ceased production. 599 people were killed, 1,275 were injured and the bodies of about 25 other people were never found. Dortmund was not attacked in strength again by Bomber Command until exactly year after this raid.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Halifax HR835 B/GR.Mk.II - Bombing - 1943-05-23 to 1943-05-24
Squadron: 51 (B) Sqn (RAF)
Start Date: 1943-05-23
Completion Date: 1943-05-24
Mission: Bombing
Operation: Battle of the Ruhr
Target City:
Target Specific:
Base: Snaith
Take Off Time: 23.57
Squadron Code:
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City:
Crash Specifics:
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason:
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim:
War Diary Unavailable
6 Bomber Group May 23/24, 1943
28 Halifaxes from 408 and 419 Squadrons were joined by 63 Wellingtons from 426, 428, 429, 431, and 432 Squadrons on an attack at Dortmund. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 135,000 lbs of high explosives and 195,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the weather was good and the target was severely damaged. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
23/24 May 1943 DORTMUND
51 Squadron (Swift And Sure). Halifax aircraft HR 835 lost during a trip over enemy territory. All seven members of the crew were killed. Flight Sergeant William Brown RCAF. the other crew members killed were all RAF, Flying Officer. J. Cookson, Sergeants J.L. Edwards, J. Jones, J.D. Minton, C. Newman, and L.A. Wright.
After a 9-day break in major operations, Bomber Command dispatched 826 aircraft on this raid, the greatest number in a 'non-1,000' raid so far in the war and the largest raid of the Battle of the Ruhr. The force comprised: 343 Lancasters, 199 Halifaxes, 151 Wellingtons, 120 Stirlings and 13 Mosquitoes. 38 aircraft - 18 Halifaxes, 8 Lancasters, 6 Stirlings, 6 Wellingtons - were lost, 4?6 per cent of the force.
The Pathfinders marked the target accurately in clear weather conditions and the ensuing attack proceeded according to plan. It was a very successful raid. Large areas in the centre, the? north and the east of Dortmund were devastated. Nearly 2,000 buildings were completely destroyed. Many industrial premises were hit, par?ticularly the large Roesch steelworks, which ceased production. 599 people were killed, 1,275 were injured and the bodies of about 25 other people were never found. Dortmund was not attacked in strength again by Bomber Command until exactly year after this raid.
source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
