Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
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27/28.09.1943 No. 76 Squadron Halifax V LK891 MP-X P/O. David G. Griffiths

Operation: Hankover

Date: 27/28th September 1943 (Monday/Tuesday)

Unit: No. 76 Squadron

Type: Halifax V

Serial: LK891

Code: MP-X

Base: RAF Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, Yorkshire.

Location: Lost without trace.

Pilot: P/O. David George Griffiths 156084 RAFVR Age 23. Missing

Pilot 2: Fl/Sgt, Bertram Arthur Shortland 1178784 RAFVR Age 21. Missing

Fl/Eng: Sgt. Charles Raymond Walker 1077177 RAFVR Age 29. Missing

Nav: Sgt. Anthoney Ernest Harry Holmes 1600328 RAFVR Age ? Missing

Air/Bmr: F/O. Kenneth Arthur Barber 134720 RAFVR Age ? Missing

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Reginald Clifford Herbert Freeman 1332204 RAFVR Age ? Missing

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Lewis Glentworth 1379631 RAFVR Age 29. Missing

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Dandan Mervyn Robert Bertin Entwisle 634999 R.A.F.V.R. Age 20. Missing

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Anyone who are able to identify people in these photographs are invited to contact us. Relatives would like any further information that you maybe able to provide.

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REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off from RAF Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, Yorkshire at 19.09 hrs.

Over the course of the Second World War the city of Hanover and the surrounding environs were targeted 88 times. The city itself, being an important road and rail logistical centre, received heavy damage and by the end of hostilities 90% had been destroyed and over 6,000 inhabitants killed.

  

Around the city were clustered numerous industries producing weaponry and other supporting materials for the war effort. 

At Stöcken to the north lay the AFA works producing batteries for submarines. On the east side a major oil refinery at Misburg and to the west the M.N.H. tank factory at Badenstedt, the Hanomag military vehicle plant at Linden and the Continental rubber factory at Limmer.

  

The attacking force of 678 aircraft was comprised of 312 Lancasters, 231 Halifaxes, 111 Stirlings, 24 Wellingtons and 5 B-17’s. In total 47 aircraft were lost, 38 over or en-route to or from the target and nine crash landing in England.

  

According to RAF reports after the raid, the Pathfinders had used incorrect wind forecasts which blew the target markers away from the city centre. Reconnaissance photographs taken after the raid showed that the majority of the bombs fell in a concentrated area consisting of villages and open country some five miles to the north.

21 Lancasters and 6 Mosquitoes of No 8 Group carried out a diversionary raid on Brunswick which was successful in drawing off some night fighters. 218 people were killed in Brunswick - 51 Germans and 167 foreigners. 1 Lancaster lost.

9 Mosquitoes on another diversion to Emden, 5 Mosquitoes on Oboe tests to Aachen (3 were successful), 19 aircraft minelaying in the Kattegat and the Frisian Islands, 4 OTU sorties. No losses.

No details as to how this aircraft was lost but no nightfighter claims have been made. 

  

The family would very much like to place names to the people shown in the series of photographs and indeed and further information on them would be appreciated. A copy of any photographs used can be sent to assist you further. Contact us via the help desk or add info button shown on top of the squadron crest on this page.

  

Burial details:

P/O. David George Griffiths. Runnymede Memorial Panel 131. Son of George and May Griffiths, husband of Jeanne Eileen Griffiths, of Tonbridge, Kent, England. (Living at RAF Station, Lulsgate Bottom, Somerset, England.)

Fl/Sgt, Bertram Arthur Shortland. Runnymede Memorial Panel 139. Son of Bert and Dorothy Kate Shortland. of Wolverhampton, England.

Sgt. Charles Raymond Walker. Runnymede Memorial Panel 168. Son of C. and Ada Walker, of York, husband of Edna Mary Walker, of 16 Philadelphia Terrace, Albemarle Road, York, England.

Sgt. Anthoney Ernest Harry Holmes. Runnymede Memorial Panel 153. Son of Mr E.H. Holmes of 29 Glebe Road, Cheam, Surrey, England.

F/O. Kenneth Arthur Barber. Runnymede Memorial Panel 123. Son of Arthur George and Eva Theresa Barber, of Jarvis Brooke, Springfield Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, England.

Sgt. Reginald Clifford Herbert Freeman. Runnymede Memorial Panel 150. Son of Herbert James Freeman and Ada Beatrice Freeman, of Conway Stow Road, Purleigh, Chelmsford, Essex, England.

Sgt. Lewis Glentworth. Runnymede Memorial Panel 150. Son of Lewis and Emma Glentworth, of Hull, husband of Rhoda Ann Glentworth, of 138 Division Road, Hull, England.

Sgt. Dandan Mervyn Robert Bertin Entwisle. Runnymede Memorial Panel 148. Son of Robert George and Dulce Theona Muriel Entwisle, of Virginia Water, Surrey, husband of Joan Agnes of 'Odmenstead', Laleham-on-Thames, Middlesex, England.

Researched by and for Vanessa Croucher, great niece of the pilot P/O. David George Griffiths. For further details our thanks to the following, Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vol's. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vol's. 1 and  2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries (Updated 2014 version), Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

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