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Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
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78 Squadron Crest
13/14.05.1943 78 Squadron Halifax II DT777 EY:T Sgt. George E. Clay

Operation: Borchum, Germany

Date: 13th/14th May 1943 (Thursday/Friday)

Unit No: 78 Squadron, 4 Group, Bomber Command

Type: Halifax II

Serial: DT777

Code: EY:T

Base: RAF Linton-On-Ouse, North Yorkshire

Location: Radevormwald, Germany

Pilot: Sgt. George Ellis Clay 1086886 RAFVR Age 22. PoW No. 1173 * (1)

Flt Eng: Sgt. Leslie Jakes 930627 RAFVR Age 27. KiA

Nav: Sgt. John Francis O’Reilly 1269442 RAFVR Age 21. PoW No. 1263 * (2)

Bomb Aimer: Sgt. Leonard Douglas Edward Marriott 658181 RAFVR Age 32. PoW No: 1256 * (3)

WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. Edward Alexander Coates 650905 RAFVR Age 25. PoW No: 1237 * (4)

Air Gnr (Mid Upper): Sgt. Charles Frederick Leverett 834283 RAFVR Age 30. PoW No: 201 ** (5)

Air Gnr (Rear): Sgt. William John Henry Perry R110247 RCAF Age 20. PoW No: 1195 * (6)

* Stalag Luft 1, Barth-Vogelsang, today situated in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.

** Stalag Luft 6, Heydekrug, Memelland (now Šilutė in Lithuania).

Above: Sgt. Leslie Jakes


Page kindly sponsored by the family of Sgt. Lesley Jakes (Lesley Penney)


REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off from RAF Linton-On-Ouse, North Yorkshire at 23:15hrs to join 441 aircraft made up of 135 Halifaxes, 104 Wellingtons, 95 Stirlings and 10 Mosquitoes.

The raid did start well but the bombers were drawn away by decoy markers made by the Germans. It is reported that 394 buildings were destroyed a further 716 were seriously damaged with 302 people killed on the ground. 29 allied aircraft were lost on this raid with a total crew killed of 102 with a further 54 taken PoW. Just a single crew member evading capture.

78 Squadron lost two other crews on this operation:

Halifax II JB873 EY:J. Flown by Plt Off. Gerald Herbert Dane MiD 146425 RAFVR from Belvedere, Kent. He and his Flight Engineer were KiA, five became PoWs and Sgt. Ronald George Goddard 1333556 RAFVR evaded capture and returned to the UK on the 9th July 1943.

Plt Off. Dane’s brother, 23 year old Fg Off. Eric John Dane 144340 a navigator with 103 Squadron was KiA almost 1 year later on the 4th May 1944. A double blow for his parents.

Halifax II JB924 EY:M. Flown by Plt Off. Richard Edward Bragg 145473 RAFVR from Nuthall, Birmingham. He and six of his crew were KiA, one became a PoW.

Halifax DT777 was hit by Flak from 4./schw.Flak Abt.371 with the aircraft crashing at Radevormwald at 02:08 hrs. (Nachtjagd Combat Archive (1 January - 22 June) 1943 Part 1 - Theo Boiten).

The crew successfully abandoned the aircraft, however, it appears that seems that Sgt. Jakes’ parachute failed to open successfully and he perished.

(1) Sgt. Clay was captured that day and after the statutory visit to Dulag Luft, Oberursel he was transferred to Stalag Luft 1 arriving there on the 22nd May 1943. He was promoted to Warrant Officer (WO).

Whilst at Stalag Luft 1 on the 28th September 1943 during an air raid blackout he, WO. O’Reilly from his crew and WO. W. Lowery cut the compound wire in an escape attempt. However, they were captured in the outer camp compound by guards when the air raid ceased. All three were given 14 days in the cells.

WO. W. Lowery was Sgt. Walter Lowery 541024 RAFVR the Flight Engineer from 218 Sqn, Stirling BF447 shot down by a night-fighter whilst on a Gardening mission on the night of the 28th/29th April 1943.

On the 28th October 1943 he was transferred to Stalag Luft 6, Heydekrug, Memelland arriving there on the 2nd November.

From October 1942 to November 1943, Stalag Luft 1 received only non-commissioned officers (NCOs) who were then transferred to Stalag Luft 6. From October 1943 to May 1945, Stalag Luft 1 had the status of a PoW camp for officers of the Allied air forces.

In early 1944 the Russian Army were advancing into the Baltic States from the North and the East preparation for evacuating the camp was being made. PoWs from Stalag Luft 6, the camp closest to the Russian advance, were in the "northern route" of the force-marches, and were transported to Stalag 20A by train on the 15th July 1944, and from there took part in the forced-march. WO. Clay arrived at Stalag Luft 4, Groß-Tychow in Pomerania on the 19th July 1944.

In late January 1945 the PoWs could see the distant flash of artillery fire from the east. On the 28th January the evacuation was ordered, and a train loaded with mostly sick and wounded were transported to Stalag Luft 1 at Barth, Germany. On the 2nd February another train load was transported to Stalag 13D at Nürnberg, Germany. Over a period of 3 days from the 6th February 1945 WO Clay was amongst the some 6,000 prisoners who were ordered to leave the camp on foot with little notice. The PoWs in groups of 250 to 300 were marched, heading west, covering long daily distances on starvation rations.

On the morning of the 2nd May 1945 the main column was resting in a ditch next to the River Elbe near Lauenburg, Germany, when British troops arrived and liberated the camp. The now liberated PoWs were given virtually nothing and told to march west. The march from beginning to end, spanned 86 days over an estimated 600 miles. WO. Clay was interviewed on the 4th May 1945.

George Ellis Clay was born on the 22nd February 1921 in Prestwich, Lancashire.

He was employed as an Engineer in Prestwich, Lancashire prior to enlisting in the RAFVR on the 12th June 1941. George passed away in the 2nd Qtr of 1999 in Cheshire, England.

(2) Sgt. O’Reilly’s story from being captured until arriving at Stalag Luft 4, Groß-Tychow in Pomerania is the same as that of WO. Clay (Ser 1 above).

In late January 1945 the PoWs could see the distant flash of artillery fire from the east. On the 28th January the evacuation was ordered, and a train loaded with mostly sick and wounded were transported to Stalag Luft 1 at Barth, Germany.

Over a period of 3 days from the 6th February 1945 WO O’Reilly joined some 6,000 prisoners who were ordered to leave the camp on foot with little notice. The PoWs in groups of 250 to 300 were marched, heading west, covering long daily distances on starvation rations. On the 28th March the column arrived at Ebbsdorf where a large number of the men were jammed into railway box cars and sealed in for some 33 hours until the train arrived at Stalag 11B, near Fallingbostel on the 30th March.

WO. O’Reilly remained at this camp until liberated by British troops from the 11th and 8th Hussars on the 16th April 1945. WO. O’Reilly was interviewed on the 4th May 1945.

John Francis O’Reilly was born on the 25th April 1922 in Lewisham, London. He was a clerical officer in the Civil Service in London prior to enlisting in the RAFVR on the 12th October 1940. John passed away on the 8th January 1989 in London City, England.

(3) Sgt. Marriott was captured that day and transferred to Dulag Luft, Oberursel arriving there on the 20th May. On the 23rd May he was transferred to Stalag Luft 1, Barth arriving there on the 25th May.

On the 23rd October he joined the other NCOs in the camp who were transferred to Stalag Luft 6, Heydekrug, Memelland arriving there on the 25th October 1943.

In early 1944 the Russian Army were advancing into the Baltic States from the North and the East preparation for evacuating the camp was being made. PoWs from Stalag Luft 6, the camp closest to the Russian advance, were in the "northern route" of the force-marches, and the now promoted WO. Marriott joined the prisoners who were transported to Stalag 20A by train commencing on the 16th July 1944, and from there took part in the forced-march.

The route went via Stalag Luft 4 at Groß-Tychow in Pomerania then via Stettin to Stalag 9B and Stalag 357 Kopernikus at Thorn (Toruń) in Poland. WO. Marriott arrived there on the 18th July 1944.

On the 10th August 1944 he was amongst the prisoners who were force-marched from Thorn (Toruń) to the site of the former Stalag 11D, with construction being carried out by the Italian PoW from Stalag 11B, and arrived there on the 12th August. The new camp was commonly known as Stalag 357, Fallingbostal but officially the designation was Stalag 357, Oerbke.

On the 7th April 1945 the PoWs were informed by the Commandant Oberst Hermann Ostmann that 12,000 British PoWs were being evacuated from the camp in the face of the Allied advance. The men marched from the camp in columns of 2,000. After 10 days they arrived at Gresse, east of the Elbe. There they were issued with Red Cross parcels, but were then unfortunately on the 19th August the columns were strafed by British Typhoonfighter-bombers, mistaking them for German troops. Upwards of 60 PoWs were killed, although research has only found 42 victims, and many more were wounded.

WO. Marriot suffered injuries to his leg and was treated by German doctors at the Boizenberg-on-Elbe Cottage Hospital. He was liberated on the 1st May 1945.

Leonard Douglas Edward Marriott was born on the 22nd May 1910 in Dover, Kent. He was a Marine engine room hand in Dover, Kent prior to enlisting in the RAF on the 4th June 1928. Leonard passed away on the 14th December 1975 in Brighton, Sussex, England.

(4) Sgt. Coates baled out but was injured. It is assumed that he received treatment for his injuries because he did not arrive at Dulag Luft, Oberursel until the 19th May.

On the 22nd May he was transferred Stalag Luft 1, Barth arriving there on the 26th May 1943. On the 1st November he joined the other NCOs in the camp who were transferred to Stalag Luft 6, Heydekrug, Memelland arriving there on the 5th November 1943.

On the 15th July 1944 the then promoted Warrant Officer (WO) Coates was transferred Stalag Luft 4 arriving there on the 19th July.

On the 23rd February 1945 he was transferred back to Stalag Luft 1, Barth arriving there on the 27th February 1945. On the 30th April 1945, the prisoners were ordered to evacuate the camp in the face of the advancing Soviet Red Army, but the Senior American Officer (SAO), Col. Hubert Zemke, refused to give the order. After negotiations between Zemke and Commandant Oberst (Col) Gustav Warnstedt, it was agreed that to avoid useless bloodshed the guards would go, leaving the PoWs behind. The next day, the first Soviet troops arrived.

The Western Allied prisoners took over the camp into self-administration on the 1st May 1945. After protracted negotiations between the Western Allies and the Soviet leadership, the evacuation of the 8,498 inmates of Stalag Luft 1 finally took place between the 12th and 14th May 1945. The former PoWs had repaired a runway at the Barth Air Base and aircraft of the 8th Air Force undertook a massive airlift called "Operation Revival". Hundreds of PoWs had meanwhile made their own way west.

RAF PoWs were flown back to England and the American PoWs were flown to Camp Lucky Strike in Le Havre, France, where they were processed and waited for a liberty ship to return to the United States. WO. Coates was interviewed on the 11th May 1945.

Edward Alexander Coates was born on the 22nd October 1917 in Wigan, Greater Manchester. He was employed as an Accounts Clerk in Wigan, Greater Manchester prior to enlisting in the RAFVR on the 17th July 1939. Edward passed away on the 24th April 1969 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.

(5) Sgt. Leverett was standing in for the usual mid-upper gunner. The usual air gunner, Sgt. A. Scott 1559133 RAFVR was with his usual crew on an operation to Duisberg the previous night. After the bomb run due to a technical problem with the intercom, he thought that he had been given the order to bale out. The order was in fact, 'we've got to get out of here'. He became a, PoW No. 1199, at Stalag 357.

Sgt. Leverett baled out but was injured. It is assumed that he received treatment for his injuries because he did not arrive at Dulag Luft, Oberursel until the 23rd May. On the 27th May he was transferred to Luft 6, Heydekrug, Memelland arriving there on the 1st June 1943.

On the 11th February 1944, presumably because he was appointed to a commission and promoted to 146624 Plt Off with effect 13th May 1943 (London gazette 20th July 1943) and then promoted to Fg Off. with effect 13th November 1943 (London Gazette 19th November 1943), to Stalag Luft 3, Sagan arriving there on the 13th February 1944.

On the night of the 27th January 1945, with Soviet troops only 26 km (16 mls) away, orders were received to evacuate the PoWs to Spremberg which is to the West in Germany. The PoW’s were informed of the evacuation, which was on foot, at about 22:00 hrs the same night and were given 30 mins to pack and prepare everything for the March. The weather conditions were very difficult, with freezing temperatures, and it was snowing accompanied by strong winds. There was 15 cm (6 in) of snow and 2000 PoWs were assigned to clear the road ahead of the main groups.

After a 55 km (34 mls) march, the PoWs arrived in Bad Muskau where they rested for 30 hours. The PoWs were then marched the remaining 26 km (16 mls) to Spremberg where they were housed in empty garages, storerooms and in military barracks. There they were provided with warm soup and bread.

During next days, PoWs were divided up according to Compounds, and they were led to railway sidings and loaded into tightly packed carriages.

On the 2nd February 1945 Fg Off. Leverett was amongst the prisoners who were sent to Marlag und Milag Nord at Westertimke.

Marlag is an acronym for Marinelager (naval prisoner of war camp), Milag is short for Marine-Internierten-Lager(naval internment camp), and Nord is German for north.

On the 2nd April 1945 the Commandant announced that he had received orders to leave the camp with most of his guards, leaving only a small detachment behind to hand over the camp to Allied forces, who were already in Bremen.

However, that afternoon a detachment of over a hundred SS-Feldgendarmerie entered the camp, mustered over 3,000 men and marched them out, heading east. It is not known if Fg Off. Leverett was amongst the prisoners that were mustered or if he was amongst those that hid in the camp or in the surrounding countryside.

The next day, at around at 10:00 hrs the column was strafed by RAF aircraft, and two PoWs were killed. Over the next few days the column was attacked from the air several times. Finally the Senior British Naval Officer (SBNO), who was later killed in a strafing attack by RAF aircraft, offered the Germans the PoW’s parole, in return for being allowed to rest during the day and march at night. The Germans agreed.

On the 9th April 1945 the guards at Marlag-Milag moved out and were replaced by older men, presumably local Volkssturm. Meanwhile, the column slowly headed east, finally crossing the River Elbe, north of Hamburg, on the 18th April.

On the 27th April the camps were liberated by elements of the British Guards Armoured Division. The next day, the 28th April, the column finally arrived at Lübeck on the Baltic coast. They were liberated by the British 11th Armoured Division on the 1st May 1945. Fg Off. Leverett was interviewed on the 5th May 1945.

Charles Frederick Leverett was born on the 23rd December 1912 in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. He was an Assistant Accountant in Dartford, Kent prior to enlisting in the RAFVR on the 10th July 1940. Charles passed away in the 4th Qtr of 1986 in Gravesend, Kent, England.

(6) Sgt. Perry was captured that day and transported to Dulag Luft, Oberursel arriving ther the next day on the 15th May. On the 19th May he was transferred to Stalag Luft 1, Barth arriving there on the 22nd May.

He attempted to escape by himself from Stalag Luft 1 during an air raid blackout, however, he was recaptured in the camp area by the guards.

He was promoted to Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) and on the 19th October he joined the other NCOs in the camp who were transferred to Stalag Luft 6, Heydekrug, Memelland arriving there on the 25th October 1943.

In early 1944 the Russian Army were advancing into the Baltic States from the North and the East preparation for evacuating the camp was being made. PoWs from Stalag Luft 6, the camp closest to the Russian advance, were in the "northern route" of the force-marches, and the now promoted WO2. Perry joined the prisoners who were transported to Stalag 20A by train commencing on the 16th July 1944, and from there took part in the forced-march.

The route went via Stalag Luft 4 at Groß-Tychow in Pomerania arriving there on the 18th July 1944 where WO2 Perry remained.

In late January 1945 the PoWs could see the distant flash of artillery fire from the east. On the 28th January the evacuation was ordered, and a train loaded with mostly sick and wounded were transported to Stalag Luft 1 at Barth, Germany. On the 2nd February another train load was transported to Stalag 13D at Nürnberg, Germany. Over a period of 3 days from the 6th February WO2. Perry joined some 6,000 prisoners were ordered to leave the camp on foot with little notice. The PoWs in groups of 250 to 300 were marched, heading west, covering long daily distances on starvation rations.

It is not recorded when or where he was liberated but what is known is that he was interviewed on the 22nd April 1945.

William John Henry Perry was born on the 26th November 1922 in Saskatchewan, Canada. He was a student in British Columbia, Canada prior to enlisting in the RCAF in July 1941. William passed away in 1997 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.



Reunion of 4 of the crew - John Francis O’Reilly at the head of the table - are you able to recognise and place names to the others? We do know that one had the nickname of 'The Bishop'. (courtesy Julia Robinson)


Burial details:

Sgt. Leslie Jakes. Rheinberg War Cemetery. Grave 1.D.25. Grave inscription: "IN ALIEN SOIL THE ENGLISH AIRMAN LIES HE FOUGHT & FELL IN THE BATTLE OF THE SKIES". Born on the 10th January 1916 in Monmouthshire, Wales. Son of Alfred and Annie Jakes, of Enfield Wash, Middlesex, England.

Researched for Julia Robinson, relative of WO. O’Reilly by Kelvin Youngs (Webmaster). Also to Aran Ramsell who contacted us in February 2018 (Great Grandson of Charles Leverett). With many thanks to Darren Sheerin and Tony Hibbered - 78 Squadron researchers who identified the crash area more accurately and supplied details of the former rear air gunner of this crew. Also to Lesley Penney who kindly donated to the page (Feb 2023). Reviewed an updated by Aircrew Remembered (Oct 2024). Thanks to the contributor for the endorsed image for Sgt. Leslie Jakes (Oct 2024).

Other sources listed below:

RS 16.10.2024 - Reviewed updated and image of Sgt. Jakes added

Pages of Outstanding Interest
History Airborne Forces •  Soviet Night Witches •  Bomber Command Memories •  Abbreviations •  Gardening Codenames
CWGC: Your Relative's Grave Explained •  USA Flygirls •  Axis Awards Descriptions •  'Lack Of Moral Fibre'
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Acknowledgements
Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and MWO François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
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