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Operation: Dortmund, Germany
Date: 29th November 1944 (Wednesday)
Unit No: 103 Squadron, 1 Group, Bomber Command
Type: Lancaster III
Serial No: PB465
Code: PM:F
Location: Leverkusen, Germany
Base: RAF Elsham Wolds, North Lincolnshire, England
Pilot: Flt Sgt. Jackson Mansel Chartis Cooke CGM, R173576 RCAF Age 20. KiA
Flt Eng: Sgt. Edward Walter McGrath 1795204 RAFVR Age 24. KiA
Nav: Flt Sgt. James Alfred Goff R194962 RCAF Age 20. KiA
Bomb Aimer: Fg Off. George Thomas Mortimore 152769 RAFVR Age 20. PoW (1)
WOp/Air Gnr: WO2. Francis Ignatius Roy Bruce Hill R185307 RCAF Age 20. KiA
Air Gnr (Mid Upp): Flt Sgt. John Herbert Charles McCoubrey R166838 RCAF Age 23. KiA
Air Gnr (Rear): Flt Sgt. Melvin Osborne Orr R263098 RCAF Age 19. KiA
Above: Flt Sgt. Jackson M.C. Cooke CGM, Flt Sgt. James A. Goff (From their Service Records)
Above: WO2. Francis I.R.B. Hill, Flt Sgt. John H.C. McCoubrey, Flt Sgt. Melvin O. Orr (From their Service Records)
REASON FOR LOSS:
On the 29th November 1944 the squadron detailed 22 aircraft to join a force of 294 Lancasters and 17 Mosquitoes on a mission to bomb Dortmund in Germany.
PB465 took off at 11:46 hrs and enroute to the target the aircraft collided midair with a 550 Sqn Lancaster and sustained damage of such severity that control was lost almost immediately.
550 Sqn Lancaster III PD313 BQ:P limped back to England on two engines and made an emergency landing at RAF Manston. Fg Off. Summons 410749 RAAF and his Flt Eng. Sgt. Jerman 1877605 RAFVR were awarded the DFC and DFM respectively for their actions in bringing their aircraft and crew home (London Gazette 2nd February 1945):
Citation: “Flying Officer David William SUMMONS (Aus.410749) RAAF, 550 Sqn. Distinguished Flying Medal. 1877605 Sergeant Clifford Charles JERMAN, RAFVR, 550 Sqn. This officer and airman were pilot and flight engineer respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Dortmund in November, 1944. During the operation the aircraft sustained serious damage. Two engines were put out of action, whilst the main plane was badly affected. Nevertheless, Flying Officer Summons retained a good measure of control and flew the crippled aircraft to an airfield in this country. He displayed exceptional skill and coolness in most dangerous circumstances. Sergeant Jerman also proved himself to be a most determined and devoted crew member. His expert work in the face of considerable difficulty greatly assisted his pilot in his endeavours to bring the crippled aircraft home.”
An investigation by No. 1 Missing Research and Enquiry Unit (MREU) on the 27th November 1945 determined that PB465 crashed into the machine yard of the IG Farbenindustrie AG factory at Leverkusen.
The aircraft was approaching Leverkusen from the direction of Köln (Cologne) and was on fire prior to crashing in the early afternoon on the day in question.
Two of the crew were recovered from the aircraft wreckage and three others, who had unsuccessfully attempted to bale out, who were lying in the path of aircraft from Köln (Cologne). Flt Sgt. Orr was recovered in the vicinity of Köln (Cologne) and it was therefore assumed at the time that he was the first to attempt to bale out.
The first five members of the crew were initially buried in the North cemetery, Dusseldorf, Field 3C and Plt Off. Orr was buried on the 5th December in the South cemetery, Koln Field 41B, Cologne.
(1) Fg Off. Mortimore was flying as a spare member on the crew. He was the first member of the crew to bale out and shortly after he left the aircraft exploded.
Whilst in hospital for treatment for a broken arm and facial injuries he was told by an eye witness of the collision, a Fg Off. Barnes of 130 Sqn, that he saw one parachute leave the aircraft after which the aircraft exploded.
Note: Fg Off. Barnes has not been identified and it is suspected that the Sqn identification is in error as 130 Sqn was a fighter squadron flying Spitfires. On the day in question the squadron was located in Belgium and had no operations.
On the night of 31st October/1st November 1944 Flt Sgt. Cooke was the captain of 103 Sqn Lancaster I, LL964, PM:H which took off at 17:49 hrs on a mission to bomb targets in Köln (Cologne) in Germany.
The aircraft was hit by Flak over the Assembly Point, which heavily damaged the aircraft and its controls. Flt Sgt. Cooke turned towards Allied lines and when over Namur in Belgium he ordered the crew to bale out. The events are more fully described in the citation accompanying the award of a Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (CGM) for Flt Sgt. Cooke’s action.
It appears that Flt Sgt. Mann came down on the enemy side of the lines as he was listed as an evader albeit no further details have been found.
Citation for the award of a Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) to Flt Sgt. Cooke: (London Gazette 19th December 1944):
“One night in October, 1944, this airman was captain and pilot of an aircraft detailed to attack Cologne. Whilst over the target considerable anti-aircraft fire was encountered. Just as the bombs were released the aircraft was struck by high explosive shells. Much damage was sustained. The starboard rudder controls were severed. The petrol tanks were badly pierced and the contents streamed out. Within ten minutes the petrol supply became practically exhausted. By now, Flight Sergeant Cooke had reached friendly territory. He thereupon instructed the crew to leave the aircraft by parachute. As he prepared to leave himself, Flight Sergeant Cooke saw that, one of his comrades still remained in the aircraft, having accidentally released his parachute inside the fuselage. Height was being rapidly lost. Nevertheless Flight Sergeant Cooke was determined not to leave his crew member and promptly returned to the controls and attempted to effect a crash landing in a field. During his approach with undercarriage and flaps retracted, two engines failed. Coolly and skilfully, however, this intrepid pilot achieved his purpose and effected a landing, incurring little further damage to the aircraft in his effort. This airman set a magnificent example of skill, courage and captaincy in most difficult and dangerous circumstances”.
Burial details:
Above: Reichswald Forest war cemetery (Courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC))
Flt Sgt. Jackson Mansel Chartis Cooke CGM. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, 8.C.10.
Born on the 24th March 1924 in Grey County, Ontario. Son of Cyrus Lorenzo and Anne Beatrice Jane Cooke of Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
His brother Capt. William J.W. Cooke also served. No further details found.
Sgt. Edward Walter McGrath. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, 8.C.11. Inscription: “CALLED TO HIGHER SERVICE. R.I.P.”. Born in the 4th Qtr of 1920 in Cork, Irish Republic. Son of Thomas J. and Bridget McGrath of Killester, Dublin, Irish Republic.
Flt Sgt. James Alfred Goff. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, 8.C.14. Born on the 17th January 1924 in Regina, Saskatchewan. Son of James Borland and Mary Emily (née Fell) Goff of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
WO2. Francis Ignatius Roy Bruce Hill. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, 8.C.11. Born on the 2nd March 1924 in London, England. Son of Raphael Bruce Roy and Mercy Marcella (née Woollams) Hill of Forest Hills, New York, USA.
Plt Off. John Herbert Charles McCoubrey. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, 8.C.12. Inscription: “IF LOVE COULD SAVE THOU HADST NOT DIED”. Born on the 18th August 1921 in Wilkie, Saskatchewan. Son of George Robert Whalen and Emma Clara Frederick (Deceased). Foster parents Cyril Bertram (Deceased) and Florence Mae Brydone-Jack of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Posthumously appointed to a commission and promoted to J95369 Plt Off. with effect 28th November 1944.
Above: Initial Grave marker for Plt Off. Melvin O. Orr (From his Service Record)
Plt Off. Melvin Osborne Orr. Rheinberg War Cemetery, 2.K.17. Inscription: “"THE LORD GAVE, AND THE LORD HATH TAKEN AWAY" OURS IT SEEMED, LORD, JUST FOR A DAY”. Born on the 23rd January 1925 in Hamilton, Ontario. Son of Charles Edward and Viola Irene (née Roberts) Orr of Willow Cove, Ontario, Canada.
Posthumously appointed to a commission and promoted to J95460 Plt Off. with effect 28th November 1944.
Researched by Ralph Snape for Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the relatives of this crew (Oct 2024).
Other Sources listed below:
RS 23.10.2024 - Initial Upload
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