Operation: Stuttgart

Date: 15/16th March 1944 (Wednesday/Thursday)

Unit: No. 12 Squadron (motto: 'Leads the Field')

Type: Lancaster III

Serial: ND447

Code: PH-C

Base: RAF Wickenby, Lincolnshire

Location: Hartheim am Rhein, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Pilot: W/O. Donald Russell Knowles 1052000 RAFVR Age 23. Killed

Pilot 2: P/O. Albert Ernest Hammond J/85187 RCAF Age 25. Killed

Fl/Eng: Sgt. Harold Jackson 1684020 RAFVR Age 23. Killed

Nav: Fl/Sgt. Harold Ernest Edgley 1204564 RAFVR PoW No: 3108 Camp: Stalag Luft Sagan and Belaria

Air/Bmr: Sgt. Sydney John Arnold 1000377 RAFVR Age? Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Hubert Johnson Sishton 1578240 RAFVR PoW No: 3047 Camp: Stalag Kopernikus

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Arthur Cross 1593233 RAFVR Age 30. Killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Ernest Egerton Bebington 1626908 RAFVR Age 20. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Weather: Fair to fine becoming cloudy later, visibility poor becoming moderate, wind westerly. 5/10 mph.

Bomb load: 1 x 4,000lb, 120 x 30lb, 550 x 4lb, 100 x 4 lb X Incendiary bombs.

Taking off at 18:49 hrs with 15 others from the squadron to attack Stuttgart. A total of 863 aircraft taking part. Bombing made between 10,000 and 20,000 ft. and the returning crews reported concentrated bombing and accurate.

The bomber stream approached France, crossing the German border as late as possible, delaying the point at which the German fighters were able to enter the stream. PFF marking was well short of the target, possibly due to the strong winds as the conditions were clear. Although some of the early bombing fell in the city, much of the later bombing fell outside. Damage was light with 88 deaths and 203 injured.

The bombers encountered heavy Luftwaffe attacks both en route and over the target. 37 allied aircraft were lost, mostly due to night fighters.

ND447 was the only loss from the squadron. Shot down by Oblt. Fritz Lau of 4./NJG1 flying Bf 110 G-4 G9+CP from Saint-Dizier airfield in France at 23:19 hrs. (shown above) The aircraft with a full bomb load exploded after diving to the ground.

Burial details:

W/O. Donald Russell Knowles. Durnbach War Cemetery. Collective grave 4.K.15-21. Son of Alfred William Pawson Knowles, and of Louisa Joan Knowles (née Curlett) Epitaph: 'Life's Journey O'er, Life's Battle Won, At Rest'.

P/O. Albert Ernest Hammond. Durnbach War Cemetery. Collective grave 4.K.15-21. Born on the 09th June 1918. Son of Albert Ernest and Alice Maria Hammond (née Gooding), of 645 Beverly Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and husband of six months, Elizabeth W. Hammond who was serving with the WAAF's (née Beveridge). Epitaph: 'There Is A Link Death Cannot Sever. Love And Remembrance Last For Ever'.
Hammond Lake east of Swampy Lake in Winnipeg, Manitoba was named after P/O. Albert Ernest Hammond in 1995.

Sgt. Harold Jackson. Durnbach War Cemetery. Collective grave 4.K.15-21. Son of William and Esther Jackson, of Hyde, Cheshire, England. Epitaph: 'Until The Day Break' Mam And Dad, Godley Hill, Hyde'.

Sgt. Sydney John Arnold. Durnbach War Cemetery. Collective grave 4.K.15-21. Son of William Arnold, and of Maria Arnold, of Wavertree, Liverpool, England. Epitaph: 'The Music Of His Life Is In No Way Stilled. We Who Loved Him Will Not Forget'.

Sgt. Arthur Cross. Durnbach War Cemetery. Collective grave 4.K.15-21. Son of Arthur and Laura Cross and husband of Doris Irene Cross, of Coneysthorpe, Yorkshire, England. Epitaph: 'Always Remembered'.

Sgt. Ernest Egerton Bebington. Durnbach War Cemetery. Collective grave 4.K.15-21. Son of Harry Egerton Bebington and Emily Beatrice Bebington, of Langdon Hills, Essex, England. His brother, 30 year old, P/O. John Harry Samuel Bebington 81384 RAFVR was killed on the 12th November 1941 whilst serving with 40 squadron

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to National Archives Kew Air-27-168-5/6, International Bomber Command Centre IBCC, Government of Canada Archives, Kracker Luftwaffe Archive,

Other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2024 Last Modified: 19 April 2023, 17:03