Operation: Berlin, Germany

Date: 24th/25th March 1944 (Friday/Saturday)

Unit No: 429 (Bison) Sqn, RCAF

Type: Halifax III

Serial: LV914

Code: AL:V

Base: RAF Leeming, Yorkshire

Location: Merbitz, about 7 km (4½ mls) west of Desden, Germany

Pilot: Fg Off. Robert Fitzgerald Conroy J17939 RCAF Age 22. KiA (1)

Flight Engineer: Flt Lt. George Wesley McIntyre J18367 RCAF Age 22. PoW No. 4006 *

Navigator (Capt): Sqn Ldr. Jerrold Walton Bell J7020 DFC, RCAF Age 30. PoW No. 4131 * (2 & 5)

Bomb Aimer: WO2. Oliver Douglas McLean R102034 DFC, RCAF Age 30. PoW No. 4008 * (3 & 5)

Wireless Op/ Air Gnr: Flt Lt. Andrew Payton Smith DFC, J10025 RCAF Age 24. PoW No. 4114 * (4 &5 )

Air Gunner (Mid Upp): Sgt. Lambert Charles Patrick Spencer R225387 RCAF Age 29. PoW No. 4024 * (5)

Air Gunner (Rear): Sgt. Gerald Wilton 1893491 RAFVR Age? PoW No. 4031 * (5)

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

REASON FOR LOSS:

LV914 took off from RAF Leeming at 18:59 hrs as one of 14 aircraft from the Sqn to join a force of 811 aircraft, comprising 577 Lancasters, 216 Halifaxes and 18 Mosquitoes.

The bomber stream became very scattered especially on the homebound leg because of stronger that forecasted winds. Losses were heavy with a total of 72 aircraft, 44 Lancasters and 28 Halifaxes with approximately 50 of the 72 falling prey to Flak defences and s approximately 14 being claimed by German night fighters.

LV914 was claimed by Oblt. Heinz Rökker, his 16th Abschuss and 2nd of three this night, from 2./NJG2 over Sandersleben, 18 km SW of Bernburg at 5,550 m. at 23:20 hrs. (Nachtjagd Combat Archive (16 March 1944 - 11 May 1944) Part 2 - Theo Boiten).

Oblt Rökker survived the war with a total of 61 Abschüsse, 5 of which were unconfirmed, from 161 missions. He later served in the Bundes Luftwaffe. (Luftwaffe ACES - Biographies and Victory Claims (Mathews and Foreman) - Volume 3).

An investigation by the Missing Research and Enquiry Unit (MREU) determined that at about 23:30 hrs on the 24th March 1944, a four-engine bomber on fire, approached the village of Merbitz from the direction of Halle and crashed into field a few hundred metres east of the village. The wreckage was scattered over a wide area and was removed some weeks later by a Luftwaffe recovery team.

The body of one member of the crew was found amongst the wreckage and was buried in the Merbitz village cemetery at 11:00 hrs on the 29th March 1944. His remains were recovered on the 30th September 1947 and identified as those of Fg Off. Conroy.

(1) Fg Off. Conroy remained at the controls in order that his crew could bale out. He had only recently returned to England after having baled out of 429 (Bison) Sqn RCAF Wellington X HE593 over enemy territory and evaded capture. By that quirk of fate which so often tracked bomber crews he had, on that occasion, been the sole survivor.

(2) Acting Flt Lt. Bell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) whilst with 425 Sqn, RCAF. London Gazette 20th April 1943. Sqn Ldr. Bell was the ‘B’ Flight Commander.

(3) WO2. McLean evaded capture for 3 days before being was captured 96½ km (60 mls) north of Frankfurt on the 28th March. After the statutory visit to Dulag Luft Oberursel he was transferred to Stalag Luft 1 at Barth-Vogelsang, arriving there on the 5th April 1944.

The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) was awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) McLean whilst with 429 (Bison) Sqn RCAF, London Gazette 2nd June 1944.

WO2. McLean was appointed to a commission and promoted J86247 Plt Off. whilst a PoW.

Oliver Douglas McLean was born on the 24th December 1913 in Gilroy, Saskatchewan, Canada where he was a Merchant prior to enlisting in the RCAF on the 24th April 1941.

(4) Flt Lt. Smith was captured on the morning of the 26th March near Halle. After the statutory visit to Dulag Luft Oberursel he was transferred to Stalag Luft 1 at Barth-Vogelsang, arriving there on the 12th April 1944.

The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) was awarded to Fg Off. Smith whilst with 429 (Bison) Sqn RCAF, London Gazette 23rd May 1944.

Andrew Payton Smith was born on the 17th March 1920 Sceptre, Saskatchewan , Canada where he was a mechanic prior to enlisting in the RCAF on the 13th March 1941.

(5) On the 30th April 1945, the PoWs at Stalag Luft 1 were ordered to evacuate the camp in the face of the advancing Soviet Red Army, but the Senior American Officer, 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 and the PoWs were freed.

Burial details:

Above Grave marker for Fg Off. Robert F. Conroy (Courtesy of Uwe - FindAGrave)

Fg Off. Robert Fitzgerald Conroy. Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery 4.Z.1. Grave inscription: 'OUR LOVED ONE SLEEPS HERE'. Born on the 14th April 1921 in Middle Stewiacke, Nova Scotia. Son of William Daniel and Bertha Evelyn (née Tupper) Conroy of Middle Stewiacke, Colchester County, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Researched by Ralph Snape from Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the relatives of this crew.

Other sources listed below:

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