Operation: Magdeburg

Date: 04/05th April 1945 (Wednesday/Thursday)

Unit: No. 571 Squadron

Type: Mosquito XVI

Serial: RV305

Code: BK-A

Base: RAF Oakington, Cambridgeshire

Location: SE Oebisfelde, Germany

Pilot: W/O. Alfred Bruce Clarke NZ/411565 RNZAF Age 24. Killed

Nav: Fl/Sgt. Alexander Collie Beaton 1063934 RAFVR Age 28. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off from RAF Oakington, Cambridgeshire mid evening on the 4th April joining another 30 Mosquitos on a diversionary operation to Magdeburg. The main operations were to Leuna and Harburg.

No details as to its loss (no nightfighter claims made on the Mosquitoes) but some reports state that after the Mosquito crashed the pilot survived and was taken away to be treated. He died from his wounds but the whereabouts of his grave is a mystery. Lack of cooperation with the occupying Russian Army failed to confirm his burial site.

We are unable to confirm this.

Burial details:

W/O. Alfred Bruce Clarke. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 285. Son of Harry and Ruth Augusta Clarke of Whakatone, Auckland, New Zealand and husband of Eve Ivy Clarke of Richmond, Surrey, England. 1704 hours logged - his 30th operation.

Fl/Sgt. Alexander Collie Beaton. Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery. Grave 9.E.20. Son of Malcolm and Jessie Ann Beaton of Glasgow and husband of Jean Druce Beaton of Mount Florida, Glasgow, Scotland. Chartered accountant.

Researched by Aircrew Remembered volunteer, researcher and specialist genealogist Linda Ibrom for relatives of this crew.