Operation: Bomber Support / Patrol

Date: 13/14th January 1945 (Saturday/Sunday)

Unit: No. 515 Squadron (100 Group)

Type: Mosquito VI

Serial: PZ465

Code: 3P-?

Base: RAF Little Snoring, Norfolk, England

Location: Possibly South East Cuxhaven

Pilot: Sq/Ldr. Cyril Victor Bennett DFC. 109072 RAFVR Age 33. Missing - believed killed

Nav: Fl/Lt. Robert Arthur Smith 170400 RAFVR Age 37. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off from RAF Little Snoring in Norfolk, England at 16:48 hrs on a patrol in the Husum - Jagel regions of Germany.

It is described in the latest edition of the nightfighter war diaries that it is ‘possible’ that they were shot down by Uffz. Kurt Scherer of 4./NJG4 at 22:34 hrs on the 13th January - this is ‘not’ confirmed. It was his 3rd and final claim of the war, from which he survived, no additional details.

Burial details:

Sq/Ldr. Cyril Victor Bennett DFC. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 264. Son of William and Edith Emily Bennett and husband of Marion Bennett, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, England. DFC Awarded 23rd May 1944 whist with 256 Squadron fighter Command.

Note: Both crew members are described as very experienced and above the normal age for aircrew.

Fl/Lt. Robert Arthur Smith. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 266. Son of Edwin S. and Edith Jane Smith and husband of Irene May Smith, of Ilford, Essex, England.

Researched for Roger Bennett, son of the pilot who contacted us in October 2017 and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to sources indicated below.