Operation: Neuss

Date: 23rd September 1944 (Saturday)

Unit: No. 12 Squadron 1 Group (motto - Leads the Field')

Type: Lancaster I

Serial: NG116

Code: PH-O

Base: RAF Wickenby, Lincolnshire

Location: Aldekerk

Pilot: F/O. Robert Bamberough 177515 RAFVR Age 20. Killed

Fl/Eng: Sgt. Allen Dodd 1591349 RAFVR Age ? Killed

Nav: Fl/Sgt. Robert Haynes Gawler Aus/430279 RAAF Age 19. Killed

Air/Bme: Sgt. Gerard Whyles 1439043 RAFVR Age 20. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Colin Eric Mengel Aus/434468 RAAF Age 20. Killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Frederick John Gooch 653945 RAFVR Age 24. Killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. James William Cox 1869548 RAFVR Age ? Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 18:29 with 10 others from the squadron

NG116 was hit by anti aircraft fire and was the only crew that failed to return from the squadron. By 00.05 hrs the following morning had returned to base.

The MREU (Missing research and enquiry unit) reported the scene of the crash was in a clearing of a large wooded area 3km south west of Aldekerk. Local people confirmed that the aircraft exploded and disintegrated in mid-air after a heavy burst of flak at about 22:30 hours on the night of the 23rd September 1944. Pieces of the aircraft were strewn over a very wide area but the majority of the fragments of the wreckage in the place of the clearing in the woods.

Above L-R//: F/O. Bamberough, Sgt. Dodd, Fl/Sgt. Gawler, Sgt. Whyles, Fl/Sgt. Mengel, Sgt. Gooch and Sgt. William Cox.

Although inspection of pieces of the aircraft revealed evidence of one bearing a number and by placing together several of these fragments they were able to identify the letters NG.
The cemetry keeper ,who collected most of the remains was certain he handled the crews bodies and that two identity earls were discovered. The remains of the crew were buried in the local cemetery
It was established, not only by the reports, but by questioning local civilians that the remains of three airmen were removed from the area.

The bombing of Neuss resulted in:

34 casualties - 12,000 residents left homeless - 314 residential buildings destroyed - 654 residential buildings heavily damaged - 1,628 residential buildings moderately damaged - 9,030 residential buildings lightly damaged - Damage to public buildings, industrial facilities, and Wehrmacht installations.

Burial details:

F/O. Robert Bamberough. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Collective grave 21. H. 9-15. John George and Margaret Bamberough, of Hornchurch, Essex, England. Epitaph: 'Treasured Memories Of Our Dear Son. "For Ever With The Lord" Mam, Dad And Muriel'.

Sgt. Allen Dodd. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Collective grave 21. H. 9-15. No further details - are you able to assist?

Fl/Sgt. Robert Haynes Gawler. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Collective grave 21. H. 9-15. Born on the 06th Dec 192 in Melbourne, Australia. Son of Oswald (died in 1975, age 86) and Doris Kathleen Gawler, they married on the 29th December 1920. (née Haynes - died 13th November 1978 age 81, of Armadale, Victoria, Australia. Epitaph: 'Valour Fashions Men With True Nobility'.

Sgt. Gerard Whyles. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Collective grave 21. H. 9-15. Son of Edward Whyles, and of Margaret Ellen Whyles, of Higher Openshaw, Manchester, England Epitaph: 'Greater Love Than This Hath No Man. He Gave His Life For His Friends - R.I.P. (John 15:13)'.

Fl/Sgt. Colin Eric Menge. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Collective grave 21. H. 9-15. Born on the 29th July 1924. Enlisted on the 04th December 1942, and on the 10th September 1943, sailed for Europe, arriving in England in October 1943. In August 1944, he was posted to 12 Squadron in Lincolnshire.S on of Henry Arthur and Jane May Mengel, of Mackay, Queensland, Australia. A street near where his parents lived is now called ;Mengel Street' in honour of his sacrifice.

Sgt. Frederick John Gooch. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Collective grave 21. H. 9-15. Son of Warner and Sarah Jane Gooch, of Sible Hedingham, England. Epitaph: 'Sweetest Memories, Loving And True, Will Always Remain, Dear Son, Of You'.

Sgt. James William Co.x Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Collective grave 21. H. 9-15. No further details - are you able to assist?

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the, National Archive Kew AIR 27-168-17/18. National Archives Australia, Paul McGuiness Archives.

Other sources as quoted below:

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