Operation: Mantes-la-Jolie (1)

Date: 06/07th May 1944 (Saturday/Sunday)

Unit: No. 156 Squadron (motto: 'We light the way') 8 Group

Type: Lancaster III

Serial: ND449

Code: GT-M

Base: RAF Upwood, Cambridgeshire

Location: Le Fidelaire, France

Pilot: Fl/Lt. Henry Dixie Churchill DFC 124782 RAFVR Age 29. Killed

Fl/Eng/Air/Bmr: Fl/Sgt. George Maurice Gordon Meer DFM 1094376 RAFVR Age 24. Evades (3)

Nav: F/O. John Douglas Foster DFC 143467 RAFVR Age ? Killed

Air/Bmr F/O. Peter Vaughan Jones DFC 151230 RAFVR Age 27. Injured - Evaded (2)

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Ronald Maile 1493596 RAFVR Age ? Evader

Air/Gnr: mid upper F/O. Earle Freeman Warner J/17093 (R/114511) RCAF Age 21. Killed

Air/Gnr: rear Sgt. Donald Frederick Hayward 1332324 RAFVR Age ? Wounded - Evaded (3)

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off from RAF Upwood at 00:48 with 10 others from the squadron to bomb the railway installations at Mantes-la-Jolie. 149 aircraft from various squadrons claimed an accurate attack although local reports state that portions of the town were hit with the church the town hall and a school all being destroyed. 54 civilians were killed.

Nothing further was heard from ND449 after take off (but did complete the operation) and was Claim by Lt. Heinz Wilberg of Stab II/NJG4 - 10-45km WNW of Evreux at 02:33 hrs. (15 minutes after they dropped their bombloa

The remainder of 156 squadron returned safely to RAF Upwood by 04:30 hrs.

MI9 Evasion report - kindly transcribed by Michael Walpole for Aircrew Remembered:

'We took off from Upwood in a Lancaster aircraft about 0100 hrs on 7 May 41 to bomb the railway yards at Mantes-Gassicourt. We completed our mission. About 15 minutes after leaving the target area the rear gunner reported an enemy aircraft on the starboard quarter. The fighter attacked us and scored hits. In all it made six attacks. The rudder controls were shot away, the rear turret and all equipment was put out of order, and the mid-upper gunner was wounded. The pilot then gave the order to bale out

7 May 44 baled out 18km north of Le Fidelaire. We came down in a field, within about 50 yards of each other, about 18km north of Le Fidelaire (NW Europe 1:250, 000, Sheet 7, Q 9463) We buried our parachutes and flying equipment and shortly afterwards we saw our aircraft explode SE. of us. He walled SW for about half an hour and then sat in & ditch emptied our pockets end removed our RAF badges of rank. We then continued walking for another four hours.

About 0500 hrs we lay up in a ditch, as F/O. JONES had hurt his ankle on landing and found walking difficult.

About 0800 two German soldiers came by on patrol. They jumped over the ditch we were in and stood behind us about a yard away. They fired several bursts of gunfire into the woods and ditch further on. We heard firing going on in the woods around us all through that day, and from what we could see the Germans seemed to be firing at random into the trees and ditches.

8 May 44 We started walling again about 2230 hrs and continued until 0430 hrs (8 May). During this time several patrols passed us on the roads.and we were forced to make detours. For about five hours we walked across fields and after that we followed the main due South. At the end of this road we came to a barrier. We, therefore, crossed into a wood and walked on until we came to a small hut. We waited outside this hut until 0800 hrs when a man came out. F/O Jones left Meer hiding in the trees while he went across to speak to this man. He told him that he was in the RAF and asked for food.After the man had asked him when he had come down he took him inti the hut and called Meer across This man told us that we were in St Martin (Q 9460) adding that there was a large German barracks nearby and it would be dangerous for us to remain. However, he said he could hide us and thought he could find someone to help us. He then took us to a small shooting box in the middle of the woods.

Each day this man brought us a supply of food. On 9 May he brought a French Amy ex-officer who spoke English and two other Frenchmen to see us. These men gave us civilian clothes, taking away all our RAF possessions, including our escape boxes and aids and identity tags. We were asked when we had come down. We were then given details of an aircraft and crew that tallied with ours. We were told that three of our crew were dead, but some weeks later we were told that only two of them and been killed. They told us that a funeral had been held for them, and that the Germans had stopped it because such large crowds had turned out. The dead were buried in Le Fidelaire.

10 May 44. On 10 May we were again visited by the Army ex-officer, and from this point our journey was arranged for us.'

Above: The Flight Engineers Memorial. at Newark Air Museum - see here for list of names.

(1) Mantes-la-Jolie - Months before the August campaigns, the British Royal Air Force's Bomber Command attacked railway installations in the Gassicourt suburb of Mantes-la-Jolie on the night of May 6–7. This raid, involving 149 aircraft, damaged locomotive sheds but also resulted in civilian casualties due to some bombs missing the intended railway objective.

(2) Peter Vaughan Jones( born on the 30th June 1917 - from London, England) then SX957 a Fl/Lt. with the regular service number of 56163 in the RAF. He was part of a 148 squadron Avro Lincoln SX957 crew when on Thursday 11th May 1950 flying out of Fayed air force base in Egypt they were involved in a mid-air collision with a 213 squadron Vampre VZ188. Tragically all 10 crew and passengers were killed on the Lincoln and the Polish pilot on the Vampre also lust his life.

(3) Sgt. Hayward awarded DFM whilst with 103 Sqn. London Gazette 23rd May 1944. Fg Off. Jones awarded DFC whilst with 103 Sqn. London Gazette 23rd May 1944 Awarded the DFM whilst with 156 Sqn. London Gazette 26th May 1944

Fl/Sgt.Meer (born on the 03rs August 1920 - from Birmingham, England) awarded the DFM whilst with 156 Sqn. London Gazette 26th May 1944 Citation: "

Flight Lieutenant Henry Dixie Churchill, D.F.C. (124782), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 156 Squadron. Distinguished Flying Medal. 1094376 Flight' Sergeant George Meer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 156 Squadron. This officer and airman were pilot and flight engineer respectively of an aircraft which attacked Karlsruhe one night in April, 1944. Soon after the bombs had been released, the aircraft sustained damage to both wings, the flaps and one of the petrol tanks from which a considerable amount of the contents was lost and a fire started close to the rear turret. Flight Lieu tenant Churchill had great difficulty in maintaining control of the aircraft. Nevertheless, he continued to give directions for fighting the fire, a task which Flt Sgt Meer gallantly attempted. The flames increased in intensity but, although distressed by petrol, fumes and deprived of the full use of oxygen, Flight Sergeant Meer worked unremittingly and finally succeeded in putting out the fire. After a hazardous flight, Flight Lieutenant' Churchill eventually landed the badly damaged bomber at an airfield in England. He displayed skill, determination and devotion to duty beyond praise. Flight Sergeant Meer also proved himself to be a most dependable member of aircraft crew. His coolness and bravery in a trying situation set a fine example.

Fl/Sgt. George Meer, F/O. Peter Jones, Sgt. Ronald Maile - Evaded via Comete Line/Returned to UK on 25th June 1944 at RAF Whitchurch. Sgt. Donald Hayward - Evaded via Comete Line/ Returned to UK at RAF Northolt on 29 August 1944.

Above: vase of flowers left on the Coleshill, Warwichsire, War Memorial in May 2024. Left image lists the names of the crew, right image , some names and a note 'Gallant crew remembered'. Probably placed on the anniversary of the loss. (courtesy Michael Walpole)

Burial details:

Fl/Lt. Henry Dixie Churchill DFC. Le Fidelaire Communal Cemetery. Son of Willoughby Dixie Churchill and Kathleen Annie Churchill, of Stow, Norfolk. Epitaph: 'Greater Love Than This Hath No Man'.

DF C Citation:

Flt Lt. Churchill awarded DFC whilst with 103 Sqn. London Gazette 4th February 1944. Citation: "One night in January, 1944, this officer was the pilot of an aircraft detailed to attack Brunswick. When crossing the enemy coast on the outward journey, the aircraft was subjected to heavy fire from the ground defences. One of the engines was hit by shrapnel and it caught fire. The flames were extinguished but the engine was useless. Although some height was lost, Flight Lieutenant Churchill went on to the target and pressed home a vigorous and accurate bombing attack. This officer has completed many sorties against important and well defended targets and has invariably displayed great skill, courage and resolution

Awarded Bar to DFC whilst with 156 Sqn. London Gazette 26th May 1944. Citation: "Acting Flight Lieutenant Henry Dixie CHURCHILL, D.F.C. (124782), Royal Air Force Volunteer

F/O. John Douglas Foster DFC. Le Fidelaire Communal Cemetery. We have been unable to find any further details. Are you able to assist?
F/O. Foster awarded DFC whilst with 103 squadron. London Gazette 21st April 1944.

F/O. Earle Freeman Warnen. Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery. Plot XXIV Row H Grave 1. Born on the 23rd January 1923 in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada. Enlisted in the RCAF on the 08th July 1941. Qualified as a Pilot/Observer but chose not to use this. Son of the late George Douglas Warren and May (née Freeman) Warren of 162 Retallack Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada,

Flt Sgt Warren awarded DFM whilst with 15 Sqn. London Gazette 12th January 1943. Citation: "Can/R 83335 Flight Sergeant William Desbro MACMONAGLE, Royal Canadian Air Force, No 15 Squadron Can/R 114511 Flight Sergeant Earle Freeman WARREN, Royal Canadian Air Force, No 15 Squadron. In December, 1942, Flight Sergeants MacMonagle and Warren were captain and mid upper gunner respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack a target in Germany When approaching the target, their aircraft was intercepted and severely damaged by fire from two Messerschmitt 110's. Flight Sergeant Warren although seriously wounded shot one of the fighters down in flames By skilful evasive tactics the remaining attacker was eluded and the target successfully bombed. On the return flight another Messerschmitt now attacked and further damage was inflicted on the bomber The attack was again beaten off and Flight Sergeant MacMonagle flew the disabled aircraft safely back to base. Throughout this hazardous operation these airmen displayed great coolness and courage".

Later:

F/O. Peter Vaughan Jones DFC. Born on the 15th December 1922. Of 9 Springfieldn Avenue, Potts Point, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Sister Mrs. Lecoustre (née Jones) of Brook Vale, Blackburn, Brindle, near Chorley, Lancashire, England. No burial details but probably in the Fayid War Cemetery, south of Ismailia, Egypt. Although we understand that some of the crew remains were brought back to the United Kingdom. We recurrently seeking further details.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the, National Archives, Kew AIR-27-1042-9/10, Australian National Archives, Canada WW2 Service Records, Mike Walpole who has also researched this loss. Paradie RCAF Archives, Theo Boiten 'Nachtjagd Combat Archives 1944 Part 2'.

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