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Allied Air Forces Losses and Incidents Database.

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Data derived from many sources. Incorporates 125,000 entries from Aircrew Deaths 39-47 Database. Corrections/Additions welcomed via Helpdesk

NOTE ON DATES: IMPORTANT: For consistency, the Date is given as the date the mission TOOK OFF since the precise time of a loss is not always certain. Take Off date is unambigous and fixed in the official records, but obviously in those cases where the incident occurred before midnight UK time, then the Take Off Date will be the same as the Incident Date. Of course, most Bomber Command missions flew through midnight, therefore a Luftwaffe claim against a plane - or a locally generated crash report - may record the incident as occurring on the day following our Take Off Date. Bear this in mind when cross-referencing to our Luftwaffe Victories by Name/Date Database and other Luftwaffe sources. In some cases other sources may quote the date following our date, using locally generated reports as their source. To add to the potential for confusion, remember to take into account a Luftwaffe recorded date will be in local time, 1 hour ahead of UK time. When we discover a validated Incident Date we change our record if necessary.



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Thanks to Personnel of the Polish Air Force in Great Britain for supplementary data and images (marked with a chequerboard device) related to the Polish Air Force, and many images courtesy of our respected colleagues Wojtek Matusiak and Robert Gretzyngier. Other images from our own archives.
Responding to requests that respects may be paid in this database to a loved one or friend, or someone you want to recognize, an In Memoriam plaque may now be placed next to any entry. See our Donate Page for details. Search for In Memoriam in this database to see examples of plaques which have been placed.

Polish Air Force personnel have a supplementary database containing more information and many more entries. Check the following:
Personel Polskich Sił Powietrznych posiada dodatkową bazę danych zawierającą więcej informacji i wiele innych wpisów. Sprawdź następujące elementy:
Archiwum: PSP 1939 -1947 Database 17,000+ Polish Air Force Entries
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You searched for: “Z1660”

#Name* SORT (↓)First NamesTitleRankRAF Equivalent RankService No.BornNationalityRoleAwardsAir ForceCommandUnitDateofIncident *See Note SORT (↓)AircraftTypeSerialCodeVictories (Fighters)BaseTimeMission                        Incident                        FateCommemoratedPhoto (Click to Expand)Referring Database                        Notes                        Links/Archive Reports
1 ArbicH CSergeantR/90583Wireless OperatorRCAFBomber Command156Sqn
1942-12-20WellingtonIIIZ1660GT-Warboys1802DuisburgConed by 3/Flakscheinw Abt 409. Hit by lei Heimat 22/VI. (Nachtjagd Combat Archives The Early Years Part 3 - Theo Boiten)PoW No. 27338, Stalag 344 Lamsdorf Paradie Archive Database
2 Brooke-NorrisSisson WilliamPilot Officer1600291921South AfricanNavigatorRAFVRBomber Command156Sqn
1942-12-20WellingtonIIIZ1660GT-Warboys1802DuisburgConed by 3/Flakscheinw Abt 409. Hit by lei Heimat 22/VI. (Nachtjagd Combat Archives The Early Years Part 3 - Theo Boiten)KilledReichswald Forest War Cemetery Plot 8 Row F Grave 1Son of Sisson and Katherine Brooke-Norris, of Port Alfred, Cape Province, South Africa
3 CarterJohnSquadron Leader84710South AfricanComing LeaderDFC

RAFBomber Command156Sqn
1942-12-20WellingtonIIIZ1660GT-Warboys1802DuisburgConed by 3/Flakscheinw Abt 409. Hit by lei Heimat 22/VI. (Nachtjagd Combat Archives The Early Years Part 3 - Theo Boiten)PoW No. 76, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan & BelariaSqn Ldr Carter was awarded the DFC whilst serving with 58 Sqn Gazetted 24 Oct 1941
4 SoutheyMSergeant778884Air GunnerRAFVRBomber Command156Sqn
1942-12-20WellingtonIIIZ1660GT-Warboys1802DuisburgConed by 3/Flakscheinw Abt 409. Hit by lei Heimat 22/VI. (Nachtjagd Combat Archives The Early Years Part 3 - Theo Boiten)PoW No. 27342, Stalag 344 Lamsdorf
5 WatkinsFrank VernonWarrant Officer4048471922New ZealanderPilotMiD

RNZAFBomber Command156Sqn
1942-12-20WellingtonIIIZ1660GT-Warboys1802DuisburgConed by 3/Flakscheinw Abt 409. Hit by lei Heimat 22/VI. (Nachtjagd Combat Archives The Early Years Part 3 - Theo Boiten)KilledReichswald Forest War Cemetery Plot 8 Row E Grave 18Son of Frank Arthur and Annie Watkins, of Ruawai, Auckland, New Zealand

Recommendation for VC: In Sqn Ldr Carter's letter to OC 156 Sqn, Wg Cdr Rivett-Carnac DFC, he wrote: Had he not been so devoted to his friend he could have saved his own life by leaving the dying [bomb aimer] to his fate, yet he refused to do this and attempted the alternative crash landing ... his life was forfeited in the crash ... He willingly and selflessly gave his life in a forlorn effort to save his friend ... his actions were the most outstanding example of ... sacrifice. I am inspired by his memory.

Recommending a VC for Watkins, Wg Cdr Rivett-Carnac DFC mentioned his unquestionable and unequalled courage in the face of death was considered worthy of the highest award that can be made by His Majesty the King it was noted that from the evidence of Carter's letter that Watkins had displayed the highest qualities as a captain of an aircraft. Firstly, he ordered those members of the crew who could be of no further assistance to him to bale out and then waited until the last moment before he ordered the navigator to bail out, when in his own mind he considered that he would be forced to make a crash landing, it would appear that at no time did the question of his own safety enter WO Watkin's mind.

Grp Capt Kirkpatrick, CO of RAF Wyton added his comments the same day, stating: I heartily endorse the Squadron Commander's recommendation that the highest award be granted WO Watkins, it was clear that he went to his death in an attempt to land knowing full well the heavy odds against his doing so in a badly damaged aircraft, in enemy territory, and at night, but hoping that the Bombardier might after all be alive, and that he might possibly effect a landing and thereby save his comrade's life. This act of unselfish sacrifice, cool devotion to duty and astonishing courage, in my opinion deserves the highest recognition by the award of the VC.

The recommendation was sent to the Air Ministry, but because the supporting evidence was insufficient at that time, it was deferred for further investigation when Carter and the rest of the surviving crew were repatriated from PoW camps after the end of the war in Europe. it is not known if the crew were actually interviewed, but Watkins ultimately received only a posthumous Mention in Dispatches published in the London Gazette 13 Jun 1946 (with effect from 20 Dec 1942). At the time, the VC and Mentions were the only military gallantry awards made posthumously.

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