Operation: Hengelo

Date: 11th April 1943 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 105 Squadron. 2 Group (motto: Fortis in Proeliis - 'Valiant in battles')

Type: Mosquito IV

Serial: DZ536

Code: GB-S

Base: RAF Marham, Norfolk

Location: Metelerkamps Bauernhof 4, Bentheim, Germany

Pilot: F/O. David Polglase NZ/415714 RNZAF Age 27. Killed.

Nav: Sgt. Lesley Charles Lampem 1311504 RAFVR Age 23. Killed.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took-off at 19:10 hrs from Marham for mission to the Stork Diesel Works at Hengelo, shot down in a running fight with six FW190s, though Uffz. Werner Wiegand of 2./JG1 is credited with the victory.

105 Squadron Mosquitos preparing to take-off from RAF Marham on an operation and insert David Polglase. (Flight photo/Auckland Cenotaph)

Second photo of the recovery it is interesting to note that the vehicle being used for this operation is a British Scammell Pioneer, most likely captured during the fall of France in 1940.

Grave at Reichswald Forest.

Burial details:

F/O. David Polglase. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Plot 15. Row G. Grave 1. Born on the 15th August 1915 at Takaka, the son of George Davis Polglase and Gertrude Ellen Polglase , of Takaka, Nelson, New Zealand. Husband of Olive May Polglase (née Langford), of Takaka. On arrival in UK hospitalised with appendicitis. Prior to service worked for Richmond Borough Council as a clerk/treasurer. A total of 313 flying hours logged and having completed 7 operational sorties.

Sgt. Leslie Charles Lampen. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Plot 15. Row F. Grave 18. Son of Charles Albert John and Daisy Katherine Lampen, of Plymouth, England. Grave inscription: 'Too Dearly Loved To Be Forgotten. Duty Nobly Done. Mam And Dad'.

Researched for relatives of the crew. With thanks to Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Gert Poelchau, Auckland Cenotaph, Flight, Commonwealth War Graves Commission.