• Kracker Archive
• Allied Losses
• Archiwum Polish
• Paradie Canadian
• RCAF
• RAAF
• RNZAF
• USA
• Searchable Lists
Operation: Special Operation
Date: 31st January/1st February 1945 (Wednesday/Thursday)
Unit No: 159 Squadron, ‘C’ Flight, SE Asia Command
Type: Liberator GR.V Wottawitch!!
Serial: BZ938
Code: W
Base: RAF Digri, India
Location: 2½ to 3 miles south of the village of Lat Pan Pin, Burma (Myanmar)
Pilot: Sqn Ldr. James Wilson Bradley DFC, 84656 RAFVR Age 39. PoW * (1)
Co-Pilot: Flt Sgt. Leslie Bellingan 710193 RAFVR Age 27. Murdered (2)
Nav: Fg Off. Allan Graham Jeffrey 147114 RAFVR Age 31. PoW *
WOp/Air Gnr: WO. Arthur Roland Williams 421484 RAAF Age 34. MiA
Flt Eng: Flt Sgt. Robert James Snelling 1234723 RAFVR Age 25. Murdered (2)
WOp/Air Gnr: Flt Sgt. John Derek Woodage 1803337 RAFVR Age 22. Murdered (2)
WOp/Air Gnr: Flt Sgt. Stanley James Woodbridge GC, 1393806 RAFVR Age 23. Murdered (2)
Air Gnr: Flt Sgt. Leslie ‘Les’ Adams 1592986 RAFVR Age 35. MiA
Specialist Operator: Fg Off. William James John Lowery 156576 RAFVR Age 28. MiA
* Burma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail)
Above: WO. Arthur Roland Williams from his service record.
REASON FOR LOSS:
The Wottawitch!! took off at 15:30 hrs on the 31st January 1945 from RAF Digri in India on a mission to investigate Japanese radio and radar station frequencies.
Note: The aircraft was named Wottawitch!! (Built as B-24D, #42-64015) when with 160 Sqn. This aircraft and Liberator B.VI X-Stasy KH170 (Built as B-24J #44-10735) from 160 Sqn, ‘C’ Flight on detachment to RAF Digri in India were transferred together with their crews and groundcrews to 159 Sqn.
The planned route was to fly to the Rangoon (Yangon) river and from there to a number of other locations in Burma (Myanmar), then onto Bangkok in Siam (Thailand), Tavoy (Mali Kyun) Island and Diamond Island before turning for home.
The aircraft was scheduled to return at 10:00 hrs on the 1st February 1945 but failed to do so.
In a booklet titled “Five Times Reprieved” Sqn Ldr. Bradley describes that after a successful mission they were heading home when #1 engine ran up to full power and caused the aircraft to veer sharply to the left (port).
Sqn Ldr. Bradley brought the aircraft under control and reset their course home. Whilst this was taking place Flt Sgt. Bellingan called out that #3 engine was on fire which was put out using the engine fire suppression extinguishers.
As they were now flying on two engines, #1 engine having been feathered, Sqn Ldr. Bradley ordered everything that was removable thrown over-board to try and reduce weight to maintain altitude. He then warned the crew to prepare to bale out and would give the order to abandon the aircraft if they reached 1500 ft and he could not control the aircraft. He stated that a Japanese night fighter had found and attacked them.
However, Fg Off. Jeffrey’s recollections were that the Liberator was abandoned because of mechanical problems. No information has been found to confirm that the loss was due to enemy action.
Note: The Japanese Navy had a twin-engine land based night-fighter but there are no records available to confirm any claims in the Burma theatre of operations.
The aircraft was by then losing 300 to 400 ft per minute. Fg Off. Jeffrey informed Sqn Ldr. Bradley that they were about 40 miles SW of Rangoon where the delta of the Irrawaddy River reached the Indian Ocean. Unable to maintain 1500 feet the order was given to abandon the aircraft.
All of the crew successfully baled out but only six of the nine were known to have survived the landing.
Post-war investigations determined that local villagers saw one man, trailing an unopened parachute, plummet into a mangrove swamp, never to be found. The two other missing airmen were believed to have drowned after landing just short of the coast. However, when the nearby local villagers were eventually able to access the site of the crash it was claimed that a member of the crew was found in the wreckage. None of these sightings have been corroborated and the remains of WO. Williams, Flt Sgt. Adams and Fg Off. Lowery have never been recovered.
The crash site of the aircraft, which exploded on impact, was later established to be 2½ to 3 miles south of the village of Lat Pan Pin in Burma (Myanmar) at Lat/Long 16 05 05N, 95 41E.
This Lat/Long is about 1¾ miles inland on the SE coast of Burma (Myanmar) and about 62 miles SW of Rangoon (Yangon).
The six survivors gathered together in a local village and attempted to seek assistance in getting back to Allied territory, however, they were betrayed and turned over to the Japanese.
Eventually Sqn Ldr. Bradley and Fg Off. Jeffrey were separated from the four NCOs and moved to the Burma #5 (Moulmein & Rangoon Jail).
Note: This was also known as the Futo Buntai prison or New Law Courts Jail, Rangoon, Burma.
Above: Rangoon, Burma. 2nd May 1945. The jail in which the Japanese held Allied prisoners of war (PoWs) showing the roof marking which was put there by the prisoners as a message to the aircraft flying over the town on D-Day. The message on the long red-roofed building reads, 'British Here' and on the other side 'Japs Gone', painted in large white letters.
Sqn Ldr. Bradley describes his ordeal whilst at the prison and the subsequent evacuation, force-march and liberation in “Five Times Reprieved”.
(1) James Wilson Bradley was born in Pakhoil, China on the 25th December 1910. He was the son of Dr. Newille and Margaret (née Cadbury) Bradley. His father was a surgeon who travelled the world. He had four siblings, two sisters and two brothers. His brothers and one sister were born in China and the other sister in Evesham, Worcestershire.
He enlisted in the RAFO (Reserve of Air Force Officers), GD Branch and was granted a Class AA(ii) commission as a Plt Off. on probation on the 26th March 1929. (London Gazette 12th April 1929).
Note: Class AA(ii) = Direct entrant officers with no previous flying experience.
He was promoted to Fg Off. on the 26th September 1930. (London Gazette 24th October 1930) and was transferred to Class C grouping on the 1st October 1932. (London Gazette 28th February 1933).
Note: Class C = Ex-regular/wartime technical and other officers, not requiring up-to-date knowledge (no mandatory training but up to 14 days per years permitted).
On the 1st October 1932 he embarked aboard the “SS Aquitania” in Southampton
bound for the United States and on the 26th March 1934 Fg Off. James W. Bradley, RAFO relinquished his commission on completion of service.
On the 29th September 1938 James married Loretta Yvonne Fillion in Bay City, California and applied for Naturalization as a United States citizen on the 22nd December 1938. Some time during the next two years he appeared to have been called forward from the RAF reserve. He embarked aboard the "Duchess of Bedford" in Montreal, Canada arriving in Liverpool on the 10th August 1940. He was recorded as an aviator c/o Air Ministry, London.
On the 2nd August 1941 he was confirmed in his appointment as a Plt Off. under probation and was promoted to the war substantive rank of Plt Off. (London Gazette 7th October 1941). He was then promoted to Flt Lt. on the 2nd August 1942. (London Gazette 20th November 1942).
Flt Lt. Bradley was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) (no accompanying citation) whilst serving with the South East Asia Command. (London Gazette 21st November 1944).
Temporary Sqn Ldr. Bradley DFC was appointed the Commanding Officer (CO) of 159 Sqn's “C” Flight which comprised two Liberators equipped with specialist radio and radar detection equipment.
After being liberated he returned to England and continued to serve with the RAF. On the 25th December 1954 he relinquished his commission as a Flt Lt. retaining his rank of Sqn Ldr. (London Gazette 25th January 1955) and returned to the United States to live in San Francisco, California with his wife and daughter.
James Wilson Bradley died on the 13th November 1971 aged 70 in Santa Clara, California, USA.
(2) The circumstance leading to the deaths of Flt Sgts. Bellingan, Sneeling, Woodage and Woodbridge were determined by a British Military Court convened in Rangoon, Burma on the 15th to 30th January, 5th to 28th February and 1st to 21st March 1947.
The following six members of the 55th Engineering Unit, 55th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army were before the court:
Lt. Col (Rikugun-Chūsa) MURAYAMA Seichii;
Lt. (Rikugun- Chūi) KANNO Yasutaka;
Lt. (Rikugun- Chūi) OKAMI Hiroshi;
Cpl. (Rikugun-Jōtō-Hei) JOKO Hisochi;
Cpl. (Rikugun-Jōtō-Hei) KATAYAMA Shiro;
Cpl. (Rikugun-Jōtō-Hei) TSUKAMOTO Fukuichi
Note: the Japanese word Rikugun preceding a rank designation indicates that it relates to the army.
The six accused were charged with committing a War Crime in that they at Mok Soe Kwin Village near Myaungmya, Burma, on or about the 7th February 1945 were in violation of the laws and usages of war concerned in the ill-treatment and killing of Sergeants Woodbridge, Bellingan, Sneeling and Woodage all of the Royal Air Force and British Prisoners of War.
The court heard that on a date early in February 1945 a British aircraft crashed near Bassein (Pathein) and 6 of its crew, 2 Officers and 4 Sergeants, all members of the Royal Air Force were captured and brought to the civilian police station at Myaungmya.
Mok Soe Kwin is about 1 mile SSW of Myaungmya which is some 60 miles WNW, as the crow flies, of the reported aircraft crash site.
The circumstances leading to the deaths of Flt Sgts. Woodbridge, Bellingan, Sneeling and Woodage are summarised in the Citation of the award of the George Cross (GC) to 1393806 Flt Sgt. Woodbridge:
“Flight Sergeant Woodbndge was a wireless operator in the crew of a Liberator aircraft which crashed in the jungle in Burma whilst engaged in an operation against the Japanese on 3ist January, 1945. Together with five other members of the crew he was captured by the Japanese. All six were subjected to torture at the hands of their captors in an endeavour to obtain information which would have been of use to the Japanese Intelligence Service. Eventually the four non-commissioned officers were separated and conveyed by motor transport to a forest, where they were put to death by beheading. Three officers and three non-commissioned officers of the Imperial Japanese Army were subsequently brought to trial by a Military Court charged with the torture and murder of the four airmen, they were all found guilty. Three were hanged and three sentenced to terms of rigorous imprisonment. At the trial it was revealed that the Japanese concentrated their efforts on Flight Sergeant Woodbridge, the wireless operator, in an endeavour to obtain technical information regarding wireless equipment, secret codes, wavelengths, etc. A Japanese technical officer was detailed to make the interrogation and the services of two interpreters were engaged, but, in spite of repeated torture, including kicking, beating with belts and with a sword, Flight Sergeant Woodbridge steadfastly refused to reveal any information whatever. The final interrogation took place actually at the place of execution, when it was obvious to the unfortunate prisoner that he was to be put to death, even so he maintained his courageous attitude to the end, merely remarking that if the Japanese were going to kill him they should do it quickly. After all efforts to make him speak, including further torture, were found to be fruitless this gallant non-commissioned officer was beheaded on 7th February, 1945. Flight Sergeant Woodbridge behaved throughout with supreme courage. His fortitude, loyalty to his country and his complete disregard for his own safety, even unto death, constitute one of the highest examples of valour in the annals of the Royal Air Force.”
All six of the accused were found guilty of the charge. MURAYAMA, KANNO, OKAMI and KATAYAMA were sentenced to death. JOKO and TSUKAMOTO were sentenced to 2 years and 1 year imprisonment respectively.
Upon review of the trial and findings the death sentence imposed upon MURAYAMA was commuted to 10 years imprisonment.
KANNO, OKAMI and KATAYAMA were hanged at the Central Jail, Rangoon on the 27th June 1947.
Burial details:
Above: Rangoon War Cemetery (Courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC))
Flt Sgt. Leslie Bellingan. Rangoon War Cemetery Coll. Grave 3.F.6-9. Son of Frank Bellingan of Mufulua, South Rhodesia. Husband to Mavis Grace Howell (née Kensington) Bellingan of Cape Town, South Africa.
WO. Arthur Roland Williams. Singapore Memorial Column 458. Born on the 29th November 1910 in Meerschaum Vale, New South Wales. Son of Eli and Maude Victoria Williams of Bagotville, Richmond River, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered on the Roll of Honour at Coraki, New South Wales.
Flt Sgt. Robert James Snelling. Rangoon War Cemetery Coll. Grave 3.F.6-9. Inscription: ‘”UNTIL”’. Born on the 16th October 1921 in Cheltenham, Shropshire. Son of Robert John and Nelly Kate (née Mathews) Snelling of Brightlingsea, Essex, England
His brother, Gnr. Peter Roy Murray Snelling, 983222 serving with the Royal Artillery in Burma was KiA on the 26th June 1944.
Flt Sgt. John Derek Woodage. Rangoon War Cemetery Coll. Grave 3.F.6-9. Inscription: ‘TO OUR DEAREST SON DEREK, WHOSE MEMORY WILL LONG OUTLIVE THIS MEMORIAL’. Born on the 8th October 1922 in Wigan, Greater Manchester. Son of George William and Charlotte (née Mawdsley) Woodag of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.
Flt Sgt. Stanley James Woodbridge GC. Rangoon War Cemetery Coll. Grave 3.F.6-9. Inscription: ‘IN PROUD AND HONOURED MEMORY OF A DEVOTED HUSBAND AND LOVING SON’. Born on the 29th August 1921 in Chelsea, London. Son of James Henry and May Ashman (née Muggleton) Woodbridge. Husband of Florence Edith (née Carter) Woodbridge of Chingford, Essex, England.
Above: Singapore Memorial (Courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC))
Flt Sgt. Leslie Adams. Singapore Memorial Column 449. Born on the 14th November 1909 in Leeds, Yorkshire, West Riding. Son of Henry and Mabel (née Kirk) Adams. Husband of Gladys (née Collinson) Adams, of Leeds, Yorkshire, England.
Fg Off. William James John Lowery. Singapore Memorial Column 447. Born on the 26th September 1916 in Poplar, London. Son of Arthur James and Edith (née Allvey) Lowery. Husband of Nellie May (née Hawkes) Lowery of Bow, London, England.
Researched by Ralph Snape and Traugott Vitz for Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the relatives of this crew. Thanks also to Traugott Vitz for his work on the ‘VitzArchive’.
Other sources listed below:
RS & TV 30.04.2024 - Initial Upload
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: 16 May 2024, 06:18