Operation: Mainz

Date: 11/12th august 1942 (Tuesday/Wednesday)

Unit: No. 75 Squadron (RNZAF) 3 Group (motto: Ake ake kia kaha - 'For ever and ever be strong')

Type: Wellington III

Serial: BJ625

Code: AA-T

Base: RAF Feltwell, Norfolk

Location: Near Neuss, Germany

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Thomas Smith Barclay NZ/411358 RNZAF Age 22. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Robert John Warring NZ/411110 RNZAF Age 21. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. William Gordon Lloyd Inglis NZ/411758 RNZAF Age 27. Killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. John William Filder Atkin NZ/411057 RNZAF Age 20. PoW No: 25659 Camp: Stalag Lamsdorf (1)

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off between 22:00 - 22:55 hrs one of nine detailed from the squadron to bomb Mainz, a total force of 154 aircraft taking part. Bombing was made between 01:55 and 03:15 hrs (CET). 14 aircraft failed to return with 3 from 75 squadron, the others:

Wellington III X3646 Flown by 25 year old, P/O. George Edward Francis Bradley NZ/401954 RNZAF - 4 crew lost with 1 PoW.
Wellington IIIBJ767 Flown by 29 year old, Fl/Lt. Laurence St George Dobbin NZ/401375 RNZAF - 2 LOST, 3 made PoW.

BJ625 was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed into the side of a hill near Neuss in the early hours of Wednesday morning. All but one of the crew were killed.

(1) John William Filder Atkin died on the 16th July 2005, age 83. Husband of Agnes Margaret (died 23rd October 1973, age 53) both buried at Maunu Cemetery, Northland, New Zealand. Father of Murray.

Burial details:

Initially buried in the North Military Cemetery at Dusseldorf.

Fl/Sgt. Thomas Smith Barclay. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 9.H.4. Born on the 29th October 1919 in County Durham, England. Son of Thomas Young Barclay (died 29th June 1961 - later married Olive Mary (née Wash - died 03rd September 1985, age 91), and of Janet Barclay (née Smith - died 27th February 1931), formerly of Pelaw, County Durham, England and later of Northcote, Auckland, New Zealand. 348 flying hours logged and thought to be on his 6th operational sortie.

Sgt. William Gordon Lloyd Inglis. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 9.H.2. Born on the 20th January 1915 in Dannevirke. Son of William (died 1932, age 51) and Mary Agnes Inglis (née Ridler/Smith - died 15th March 1917, age 31) foster son of Mrs. Rose Retter (née Rasmussen - died 14th November 1983, age 88), of Ruaroa, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. 150 flying hours logged and thought to be on his 7th operational sortie.

Sgt. Robert John Warring. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 9.H.3. Born on the 07th December 1920 in Auckland. Son of William Robert (died 22nd June 1963, age 80) and Ada May Warring (died 28th March 1966, age 77), of Mount Albert, Auckland City, New Zealand. 164 flying hours logged and thought to be on his 5th operational sortie.

Fl/Sgt. Ronald George Renauf Hodges. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 9.H.1. Born on the 23rd February 1911 in Dorchester, Dorset, England. Enlisted on the 12th February 1941. Son of Archibald Fred Hodges and Edith Clare Benest (née Barnes - marrie 06th August 1907) of 1649 Berkley Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Parents originally from St. Hrlier, Jersey, Channel Islands.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, New Zealand Cenotaph, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, National Archive. We recommend that you take the time to view the excellent 75 Squadron website. Thanks also to Jennifer Lemair in New Zealand for some images.

Other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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