Operation: Hanover
Date: 27/28th September 1943
Unit: No. 199 Squadron
Type: Stirling III
Serial: EF118
Code: EX:O
Base: RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk.
Location: Ramlingen, Germany
Pilot: Plt.Off. Maurice Albert Nicholas Hodson 170129 RAFVR Age 21. Killed
Pilot 2: Fg.Off. Leonard Douglas Clay 135718 RAFVR Age 26. Killed (1)
Flt.Eng: Sgt. Jack Taylor 1624512 RAFVR Age 19. Killed
Nav: Flt.Sgt. Brian Purdy Higginson 415760 RNZAF Age 22. Killed
Air Bmr: Sgt. Robert Taylor 1439016 RAFVR PoW No: 609 Camp: Stalag Kopernikus (Torum, Poland)
WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. Dugald Gillies Wood 1367826 RAFVR Age 23. Killed
Air Gnr: Sgt. Alfred John Quar 1392702 RAFVR Age 21. Killed
Ai /Gnr: Sgt. William Henry Boyden 1393311 RAFVR Age 33. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Took off at 19:45 hrs from RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk on an operation to Hannover. 678 aircraft - 312 Lancasters, 231 Halifaxes, 111 Stirlings, 24 Wellingtons. 5 B-17s also took part. 38 Bomber Command aircraft - 17 Halifaxes, 10 Lancasters, 10 Stirlings, 1 Wellington - lost, 5.6 per cent of the force, and a B-17 also lost.
The use by the Pathfinders of faulty forecast winds again saved the centre of Hanover. The bombing was very concentrated but fell on an area 5 miles north of the city centre. No details are available from Germany but RAF photographic evidence showed that most of the bombs fell in open country or villages north of the city.
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.
The crew of EF118, L-R: Sgt. Boyden, Sgt. Taylor, Sgt. Taylor, Flt.Sgt. Higginson, Sgt. Quar, Plt.Off. Hodson and Sgt. Wood (courtesy Douglas Wood)
This was the 13th operation undertaken by this crew. Previous operations included:
2 x Gardening operations
1 x Peenemunde
2 x Berlin, Nuremberg
1 x Monchengladbach
2 x Mannheim
1 x Monlucon
1 x Mondane
Stirling EF118 crash site (courtesy Rüdiger Kaufmann)
One publication states that Stirling EF118 was intercepted and shot down by Ofw. Lothar Sachs (2) of 3./JG300 at 23.20 hrs. west of Hannover at 6.000 mtrs.
However, a more definitive publication records that EF118 was claimed by Oblt. Heinz Knigge, his first Abschuss, from 2./NJG6, at Ramlingen, 20 km. NNE of Hannover, at 5000 m at 23:08 hrs. Additionally it is noted that the aircraft was coned by 3./Flakscheinw. Abt 619, 2. & 5./Flakscheinw. Abt 169 and 2./Flakscheinw. Abt. 139 and was recorded as a Stirling at Ramlingen at 23:16 hrs, by 15. Flakbrigade + N.J.. (Nachtjagd Combat Archive (23 September - 31 December) 1943 Part 3 - Theo Boiten)
(1) Fg.Off. Leonard Douglas Clay was not part of the usual crew and was acting as 2nd Dickie.
(2) Ofw. Lothar Sachs is believed to have survived the war after baling out wounded on the 8th March 1944 at Stolzenau, near Wesser, after combat with a B-17.
(3) Oblt. Heinz Knigge was killed on the 18/19th March 1944 near Landeck / Graz in an air combat.
Crew graves - taken circa 1945, notice the graves carefully attended by locals (courtesy Douglas Wood)
The story of a 199 Squadron crew. So Dearly Loved - So Sadly Missed. Written by Douglas Wood and dedicated to all the relatives of the crew:
On returning to the Squadron, the crew were put through a series of training flights with “B” Flight commander Sqn.Ldr. Wynne-Powell and Wing Commander Howard as their pilots. Further training with Maurice Hodson undertaking two and three engine flying exercises, high level bombing and a “Bullseye” exercise readied the crew for operations.
John Quar’s operational career had started on the night of 30/31 July 1943 when he was a Mid Upper Gunner in the crew of Fg.Off. Archer during a sea mining exercise (known as Gardening) to the Frisian Islands. On the night of 1/2 August 1943, he occupied the same position in the crew of Sqn.Ldr. Wynne-Powell on a Gardening exercise to the Gironde River area. The same night saw Bill Boyden operating as a Rear Gunner in the crew of Fg.Off. Hagues during the same Gardening exercise.
Right: Fg.Off. Leonard Douglas Clay grave
From this point on, the crew were never to operate again other than as a single unit. The night of 15/16 August 1943 saw them undertake another Gardening exercise, this time to the Gironde River area (codenamed ‘Deodars’) in Stirling EE943 EX:X. The target was identified by a small lake North of Lake Hourtin and the mines were released from 4000 feet on a course of 327 degrees magnetic. Although it was noted that all four parachutes opened, the second mine exploded as it entered the water. An uneventful return journey ensued and an operation of almost seven hours ended as the aircraft touched down in the early morning of the 16th at Lakenheath.
As part of the bombing campaign of Northern Italian cities to ensure the Italian surrender, 199 Squadron operated the following night to Turin. However, the crew were not on the Battle Order. For them and Sq/Ldr. Humby’s crew, the night of 16/17 August 1943 saw them taking part in the Main Force raid to the German research establishment of Peenemunde on the Baltic coast of Germany. This operation was of great importance as Bomber Command were desperate to hinder the progress of the German rocket programme which was being conducted in great secrecy. Take off at 21.00 hours in Stirling EE913 EX:F preceded the long journey to Peenemunde.
The first phase of bombers, along with the second phase, was relatively unhindered due to a successful Mosquito diversion to Berlin, which drew most of the German night fighters away from the Peenemunde area. However, the third phase, made up of Halifaxes and Lancasters, was severely mauled by the returning night fighters resulting in a total loss of 40 aircraft from the 596 aircraft assigned to the operation.
Left: Sgt. Jack Taylor
Further deep penetration into the heartland of Germany awaited the crew with an operation to Berlin (or the Big City as it was known to bomber aircrews) on the night of 23/24 August 1943. As the crew were still relatively inexperienced operationally, the Squadron had not yet assigned an individual Stirling to them. This would only come with greater operational experience and, consequently, another Stirling BK806 EX-S was flown. Unlike weather conditions which were to be subsequently experienced by aircrew over Berlin during the winter of 1943-44, good visibility was reported over the target. From a height of 13000 feet and a course of 324 degrees magnetic, the bomb load was released when green Target Indicators were visible in the bomb sight. However, not all of the bomb load had been released as 90 x 4 pound incendiaries hung up in the bomb bay and eventually had to be brought back to Lakenheath. Exceptionally large fires were seen North East of the aiming point and although the raid was reported as being only partially successful, Berlin had suffered its most serious damage of the war to date. Bomber Command experienced its greatest loss of the war in one night to date as 56 aircraft from a total of 727 failed to return. Two of the aircraft which failed to return, were 199 Squadron Stirlings and the crews of Plt.Off. Fisher and Fg.Off. Widdecombe.
The crew’s next operation, as part of a force of 674 aircraft, was to Nuremburg on the night of 27/28 August 1943 and the aircraft flown was to become their regular aircraft from the beginning of September. This was Stirling EH909 EX:Z which was to be given the title ‘Semper in excreta’ and nose art of a flapping toilet roll. Although the crew could add another Stirling to their logbooks, nothing was to change with reference to the operational height of a fully laden Stirling as the bombing run was undertaken at 14000 feet. Clear and cloudless conditions were reported and the well concentrated green Target Indicators were identified and bombed on a course of 320 degrees magnetic. Although the crew returned safely after over eight hours in the air, another two of the Squadron aircraft and crews, piloted by Sgt. Drayton and W/O. Odgers failed to return. A total of 33 Main Force aircraft were lost on this operation.
Flt.Sgt. Brian Purdy Higginson grave
The IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) aerial was broken and there was no answer to the SOS signal sent by the Wireless Operator, Dugald Wood, although replies to emergency calls from other aircraft were heard. Finally, the crew managed to return the damaged aircraft to Lakenheath where it was found the starboard tyre was punctured, the dinghy had been shot away and numerous bullet holes were found in the fuselage, tail-plane and wings. The Squadron suffered another grievous loss as the very experienced crew piloted by Fl/Sgt. Harlem failed to return from the operation. A total of 25 aircraft were lost from a force of 660 aircraft.
Right: Flt.Sgt. Brian Purdy Higginson
The Hodson crew were placed on the Squadron Battle Order on 5 September 1943 for an operation to Mannheim. The aircraft used was EH909 EX:Z which had been previously flown on the Nuremburg operation of 27/28 August. This operation brought an early return as starboard inner engine trouble meant the aircraft could not reach more than 10000 feet. The bombs were jettisoned, the operation aborted and the crew returned to Lakenheath. The end of this operation mean the crew had operated eight times in just twenty seven days over some of the most heavily defended areas in Europe.
Right: Sgt. Dugald Gillies Wood grave at Hanover
The tenth operation for the crew was another trip to France in EH909 on the night after Montlucon. This time, the operation was to the important railway yards at Modane. The outward journey was very quiet although, when nearing the target, the gunners reported an Italian fighter flying a parallel course to the bomber for a short while before veering away. The route to the target took the Main Force over the Alps, which could present Stirling crews with severe problems due to the inadequate operational heights of their aircraft. However, there were no problems crossing the Alps and the aircraft flew over snow covered peaks. The crew were able to complete the bombing run after identifying the target using a nearby river and the presence of Green Target indicators. On the return journey, the gunners reported a Stirling being shot down over France and almost four hours after leaving the target, the Hodson crew landed at Lakenheath.
Left: Sgt. Alfred John Quar
As happened regularly throughout the war, operations were ‘On’ the following night with Mannheim, in this instance, being the target. Unlike the operation to Mannheim earlier in the month, the crew were able to get to the target but once again engine trouble dogged the crew’s attempts and EH909 lived up to its nickname. The port inner engine was on fire over the target but the fire was successfully extinguished and feathered. The target was identified visually and fires were noted in the area. The bomb load was released over the target on a course of 141 degrees magnetic and a height of 14500 feet. On the return journey, the starboard inner engine began running at a high temperature and the aircraft was forced to lose height to approximately 6000 feet and emergency wireless messages were broadcast. Damaged bombers flying at this height could attract serious trouble due to fighter attacks or light flak but by great skill and good fortune, the aircraft landed back at Lakenheath.
Due to the engine damage suffered during the Mannheim raid, EH909 was taken for repairs and was not ready for the raid to Hanover on the night of 27/28 September 1943. The crew and a “second dickey” pilot, Fg.Off. Leonard Clay from Chadwell Heath in Essex, boarded Stirling EF118 EX:O which took off at 19.45 hours. After an uneventful trip to the target, the aircraft was just starting its bombing run when it was coned by searchlights. The pilot, Maurice Hodson, tried to lose the searchlights by putting the aircraft into a series of violent corkscrew turns in the hope they could lose the searchlights and find the relative safety of darkness. It was to no avail. The gunners reported two enemy aircraft were closing in on the bomber and there was a large explosion causing the aircraft to go out of control. The aircraft crashed at a farm near the village of Ramlingen about 10 miles North East of Hanover. Robert Taylor, the bomb aimer, managed to escape from the front hatch before the aircraft crashed, but his seven colleagues were killed.
Right: Sgt. William Henry Boyden grave
Burial details:
The crew members who lost their lives were initially buried in a local churchyard in Ramlingen before being reinterred in the Hannover C.W.G.C. War Cemetery.
Plt.Off. Maurice Albert Nicholas Hodson. Hanover War Cemetery Grave 6. F. 7. Son of Albert Edward and Jane Ellen Hodson, of Sheffield, England.
Fg.Off. Leonard Douglas Clay. Hanover War Cemetery Grave 6. F. 1-3. Son of Walter Clay, and of Frances Alice Clay, of Chadwell Heath, Essex, England.
Sgt. Jack Taylor. Hanover War Cemetery Grave 6. F. 1-3. Son of George and Sarah Taylor, of Newton, Hyde, Cheshire, England.
Flt.Sgt. Brian Purdy Higginson. Hanover War Cemetery Grave 6. F. 6. Born on the 01st August 1921 at Auckland, the son of John Samuel Higginson and of Elsie Mary Higginson (née Purdy), of Auckland, New Zealand. Worked as a clerk for the Public Trust Office prior to enlisting on the 19th October 1941. A total of 324 flying hours logged and on his 13th operational sortie.
Sgt. Dugald Gillies Wood. Hanover War Cemetery Grave 6. F. 1-3. Son of John Stewart Wood and Elizabeth Wood, of Clarkston, Renfrewshire Scotland.
Sgt. Alfred John Quar. Hanover War Cemetery Grave 6. F. 5. Son of Charles Alfred and Minnie Quar, of Fulham, London, England.
Sgt. William Henry Boyden. Hanover War Cemetery Grave 6. F. 4. Son of Thomas John and Mabel Boyden; husband of Irene Florence Boyden, of Barkingside, Ilford, Essex, England.
Extensive research carried out by Douglas Wood. For Suzanne Cooling relative of Sgt. William Henry Boyden and for all relatives/friends of the crew. 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. Thanks to Douglas Wood for pointing out the incorrect labelling on the images of the crew, crash site and grave markers. (Sep 2020).
RS 03.09.2020 - Correction to labeling on images and update to aircraft loss
Unknown date and original
RS 03.09.2020 - Correction to labeling on images and update to aircraft loss
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