Operation: Gardening (mine laying) Frisian Islands
Date: 7/8th March 1943 (Sunday/Monday)
Unit: No 431 (Iroquois) Squadron
Type: Wellington X
Serial: HE202
Code: SE-Z
Base: RAF Burn, Yorkshire
Location: West Essen, North West Jever, Germany
Pilot: Sgt Derek Cecil Pitts NZ/413470 RNZAF Age? PoW No 27655 Camp: Lamsdorf - VIIIB/344 (1)
Nav: Sgt Robert McHugh 1147399 RAF. Age? PoW No 27649 Camp: Lamsdorf - VIIIB/344 (2)
Air/Bmr: P/O Kenneth David Tutton 120888 RAF Age? PoW No? Camp:? (3)
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt B G Peart 1379087 RAF Age? PoW No 27650 Camp: Lamsdorf - VIIIB/344 (4)
Air/Gnr: Sgt D E H Dyer 1288756 RAF Age? PoW No 27635 Camp: Lamsdorf - VIIIB/344 (5)
REASON FOR LOSS:
Wellington HE202 took off at 18.13hrs Wellington HE202 with six other aircraft from the squadron for a Gardening (mine laying) operation in Nectarine 2 (Frisians Islands) area. Each aircraft carried 2 x 1500lb G.P.mines. None of the other aircraft saw Wellington HE202 in the target area, but it was reported that there was a concentration of search lights and considerable flak seen at the apex
Map of the area of the crash of Wellington X HE202
Obit Paul Zorner
Of the seven aircraft that took off that night. One returned shortly after take off and one turned back due to faulty equipment. Of the remaining five aircraft three successfully dropped there mines, but one was unable to pin point the target and brought the mines back to base. The only loss for the Squadron was the Wellington flown by Sgt Pitts.
Above: Wellington HE202 SE-Z after it crash landed. All the crew were taken prisoners of war (courtesy Daz Bunker Museum, Emden, Germany
The first operation for the Squadron was on the night of 2nd March 1943 mine laying in Nectarine 1 (Frisians Islands) Sgt Pitts and crew first flew on the 3rd March on a mine laying operation to Nectarine 1 (Frisians Islands) returning to base after a very successfull operation. Flying again on the 5th March in Wellington 202 Sgt Pitts carried out an operation on Essen bombing the Krupps factory
Above: Lamsdorf Prisoner of War camp (courtesy New Zealand Bomber Command Association)
Back row: NZ403290 Wt Off Carlye Arthur Powel (AB), NZ412369 Wt Off Raymond Herbert Thom (WOp/AG), NZ404535 Flt Lt William Edmund Gibbes (Nav/AB), NZ402493 Wt Off Gordon Leonard Otter (AB), NZ403819 Wt Off Noel Stuart Craddock (AG), NZ41135 Fg Off Aynsley Stuat Forbes (P), NZ41164 Wt Off Roden Barnsdale Pickford (AG), NZ412222 Wt Off Douglas Cecil Giddings (WOp/AG)
Centre row: NZ414564 Wt Off John Douglas Hardie (P), most likely NZ41565 Wt Off Leslie Sydney Bevan (AG) - otherwise - NZ44772 (but previously RAF as 959593 until Jun 44) Wt Off Stephen Henry Rossfield Bevan (AG), NZ413470 Wt Off Derek Cecil Pitts (P), NZ402174 Wt Off George Emmerson (P), NZ411057 Wt Off John William Filda Atkin (AG), NZ411745 Wt Off Thomas William Devine (WOp/AG), NZ405310 Wt Off Uila Nicolson (not Nicholson) (Nav), most likely NZ413423 Wt Off Eric William Peter Johnson (P), otherwise - RAF 43643 (later NZ2473 in 1945) Flt Lt Theodore Faire Storrier Johnson (P). NZ404559 Wt Off Gordon George Whitla (not Witla) (Nav)
Front row: NZ405311 Wt Off William Kevin Charles O'Byrne (AB), either NZ416637 Wt Off Jack Edwin Hyde (AB) - or - NZ413420 Wt Off Galbraith Mickle Bullen Hyde (P), Grimsby - no NZer of this surname in WWII air force, NZ404550 Flt Lt Bruce Alexander McKenzie (not MacKenzie) (Nav/AB), NZ412349 Wt Off Edwin Burton Mossman (WOp/AG), NZ41708 Wt Off William James Stanley Voice (AG), NZ405327 Wt Off Denis Butler Scoble (not Scobie) (Nav/AB), NZ41596 Wt Off Norrice John MacKenzie (WOp/AG)
(2) Sgt Robert McHugh. After repatriation Robert stayed in the Royal Air Force and on the 7th September 1958 Flying Officer R McHugh service was extended by four years. Robert extended his service again on the 7th September 1962 and 1966. No further information. Are you able to help?
(3) P/O Kenneth David Tutton. Kenneth was posted to No 431 Squadron on the 11th December 1942. Are you able to help with further information?
(4) Sgt B G Peart. Are you able to help with further information?
(5) Sgt D E H Dyer. Are you able to help with further information?
Researched by: Kate Tame Aircrew Remembered and for all the relatives and friends of the crew. With special thanks to Martin Klose, Germany, Daz Bunker Museum, Emden, Germany, New Zealand Bomber Command Archive
KT August 14, 2015
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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