Operation: Magdeburg, Germany
Date: 4th/5th April 1945 (Wednesday/Thursday)
Unit No: 571 Squadron
Type: Mosquito B.XVI
Serial: RV305
Code: 8K:A
Base: RAF Oakington, Cambridgeshire
Location: SE Oebisfelde, Germany
Pilot: WO. Alfred Bruce Clarke 411565 RNZAF Age 24. MiA
Nav: Flt Sgt. Alexander Collie Beaton 1063934 RAFVR Age 28. KiA
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off from RAF Oakington, Cambridgeshire mid evening on the 4th April joining another 30 Mosquitos on a diversionary operation to Magdeburg. The main operations were to Leuna and Harburg.
This was the 30th operation for WO Clarke logging a total of 1704 hours.
No details as to its loss (no nightfighter claims made on the Mosquitoes) but some reports state that after the Mosquito crashed the pilot survived and was taken away to be treated. He died from his wounds but the whereabouts of his grave is a mystery. Lack of cooperation with the occupying Russian Army failed to confirm his burial site.
We are unable to confirm this.
Burial details:
WO. Alfred Bruce Clarke. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 285. Son of Harry and Ruth Augusta Clarke of Whakatone, Auckland, New Zealand and husband of Eve Ivy Clarke of Richmond, Surrey, England.
Flt Sgt. Alexander Collie Beaton. Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery. Grave 9.E.20. Grave inscription: 'DEARLY BELOVED HUSBAND OF JEAN DRUCE YOUNG, GLASGOW, SCOTLAND. REST IN PEACE'. Son of Malcolm and Jessie Ann Beaton of Glasgow and husband of Jean Druce Beaton of Mount Florida, Glasgow, Scotland. Chartered accountant.
Researched by Aircrew Remembered volunteer, researcher and specialist genealogist Linda Ibrom for relatives of this crew. Thanks to Antonio McDonald for the Sqn code correction (Mar 2024)
Other sources listed below:
