Operation: Catechism

Date: 12th November 1944 (Sunday)

Unit: 9 Squadron (motto: noctem volamus ''We fly through the night')

Type: Lancaster B.I (see note)

Serial: LM448

Code: WS-TL

Base: RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland

Location: Vannasberget, Sweden

Pilot: F/O. David Arthur Coster NZ/426166 RNZAF Age 23 Interned (1)

Fl/Eng: Fl/Sgt. James Pinning RAFVR Interned

NaVL: Fl/Sgt. Clifford William Black NZ/4213145 RNZAF Age 22, Interned (2)

Air/Bmr: Fl/Sgt. James Henderson Boag NZ/422099 RNZAF Age 22. Interned (3)

W/Op (Guns removed): Fl/Sgt. Harold East RAFVR Interned

Air/Gnr (m/u): Removed to reduce weight (Sgt Morrison transferred)

Air/Gnr (rear): Sgt. William Jones RAFVR Interned

(With many thanks to Medals ReUnited New Zealandnd for bringing this story to our attention. Unfortunately we have very few details on the RAFVR crew members)

REASON FOR LOSS:

Hitler called it the pride of the German Navy - Churchill called it 'The Beast'.

The Tirpitz was equipped with over 200 smoke generators which filled the fjord with dense black smoke within minutes. The ship carried a crew of 2,440 it was so large it had its own bakery, post office and cinema, it even produced its own newspaper.

Tirpitz had survived 33 attacks previously and was considered the highest priory target with Winston Churchill willing to risk the crack squadron 9 and 617. .

Each aircraft was stripped of the mid-upper gun turret, front guns and all armoured protection to save weight, they also added a 200 gallon fuel tank an another 50 gallon tank placed on top of the other within the fuselage. All tubing was checked many times to avoid leakage from the 100 octane aviation fuel.

The Germans moved two fighter squadron at Bardufoss specifically to protect the Tirpitz making the unprotected Lancaster's even mure vulnerable. It was also advised that theGermans hard-positioned a powerful new radar facility on an island following earlier attacks. This was placed facing inland rather than out to sea in the direction of the previous attacks. This would mean that a simple phone call to the fighter squadrons that they could be airborne within 13 minutes ready to slaughter the allied aircraft's.

At 07:40 hrs they began throwing run in to the target but due to the repositioned radar had already picked them up over neutral Sweden. The Tirpitz had already received notification of a bomber force but no direction they were flying. But at 08:09 they spotted them some 30 miles away. At 08:19 the fighters at Bardufoss were scrambled this was over an hour since the bomber formation was spotted. But the fighters lost more valuable time as there were told not to take off as they were positioned at the wrong end of the runway and that a Ju52transport aircraft was given priority to land.

At 08:30 the Lancasters approached the Tirpitz, the ships crew could now see the bombers and took action stations. Still no sign of the German fighters.

The Tirpitz started to fire the 15 inch guns (each shell weighed more than 800 kgs and had a range of 17 miles) the other guns also opened fire.

The first 'Tallboy was released at 08:41 hrs and scored a direct hit even though they were flying at 15,00 ft. The 900 ft ship looked like a dinky toy from that height. The next 5 bombs dropped a further direct hit, three near misses and a stray.

The second wave also scored a direct hit and several near misses. The Tirpits was overwhelmed during the attack, the first bomb had hit midd-ship and caused a magazine to explode, another direct hit one of the massive guns blowing the complete turret in the air. The near misses caused a shock wave that buckled the ships frame and destroyed the sandbanks built to prevent it from capsizing.

The ship was doomed and started to capsize, the Lancasters turned to home but realised they were still in danger from the fighters.

There crews quickly realised that no attacks had been made during the bombing run and even now during the return. They put it down as amazing bot of luck! They were luckier than they could have ever imagined.

The fighters had arrived at the target 3 minutes after the last bomb was dropped. It had taken them just 10 minutes to reach the fjord and when they arrived the Tirpitz was already turning over. There was no sign of the defenceless Lancasters so they returned to their base.

The sinking of the Tirpitz was a result of remarkable navigation, flying and precision bombing but it came at enormous human cost to the Germans 1700 sailors were on board as the ship began to capsize. Some managed to swim to the shore in the oil filled waters, others were rescued by naval boats sent to the scene but 971 lost their lives.

Patric Bishop interviewed a then 17 year old Sander Petersen was working at the radar station under the command of Lt. Karl Heinrich Wessner who had strong symphony for the English. Patric came across a letter that he wrote after the war helTirpitzd in the Norwegian archives which confirmed his anti Nazi plans. He wrote that he was forming his plans as early as 1944. together with at least 3 other German officers planned sabotage events against the Germans should the allies invade Norway. He had already made contact with the Norwegian underground who agreed to smuggle him out should take plan took place.

Did the actions of Wessner delayed alerting the Luftwaffe fighters enabling all but one to return to England after a round trip of some 2,250 miles?

The son-in-law, Ron Price, of the navigator provides a detailed report on the incident:

On 12 November 1944, just after 03:00 hrs, 31 Lancasters loaded with Tallboy 12,000 lb bombs left northern Scotland, bound for Haakoy Island near Tromso, to sink the Tirpitz battleship. Between 0841 and 0849 hrs, 29 Tallboys, fused at 0.07 second, were dropped on Tirpitz from 12.650 feet to 16,500 feet. In the middle of the formation was Flying Officer Dave Coster RNZAF and his crew: Sergeant Jim Pinning RAF – Flight Engineer, Flight Sergeant James Boag RNZAF – Navigator, Flight Sergeant Cliff Black RNZAF – Bomb Aimer, Flight Sergeant Harry East RAF - Wireless Operator & Air Gunner and Sergeant William (Taffy) Jones RAF – Tail Gunner. They were flying IX Squadron Lancaster LM448, coded WS-T, and were just about to start their bombing run when they were hit by heavy flak. They were not initially put off, so continued their bombing run.

Then Taffy Jones, the rear gunner came over the intercom to Flight Engineer - Jim Pinning: “Jim - Your starboard outer engine is on fire.” They followed the routine - opened the radiator wide & descended fast to try to blow the fire out, but that didn’t work. So Jim Pinning closed the throttle, feathered the prop, pressed the extinguisher button, and the fire went out. Other flak damage had caused a petrol leak from the fuel tanks and the starboard inner engine was running roughly. The crew discussed the situation and concluded that they would be unable to get back to Scotland. They took the briefed withdrawal route south west from Tromso to fly down the Norwegian coast, then turned left, and run for neutral Sweden. However, they flew over an enemy airfield and were hit by more flak, then attacked by enemy fighters. One fighter came in from the starboard quarter, so Dave Coster corkscrewed (a violent 3D manoeuvre at top speed) the Lancaster on two and a half engines. Taffy was firing at the fighters. Eventually, the fighters gave up, possibly as they had just entered Swedish airspace.

They flew over dense pine forests alternating with snowy peaks, the cloud was low and it was getting dark. There was hardly any petrol left and all they could see was trees and mountains, mountains and trees for tens of miles around. They had to find a clearing to land, and they had to find it quickly, as they were now running on fumes. The Navigator was concerned that they might cross into Finland, where there was political confusion with the Russians. Dave Coster ordered his crew to destroy all secret equipment and papers before landing and to prepare to burn any remaining papers after landing, once clear of the petrol-leaking aircraft.

They spotted a bare patch of land, so descended to have a better look. It was an island in a river, so Dave Coster lined up LM448 and landed her on two and a half engines, undercarriage up, belly flop, knowing he only had one shot at it. They had landed near the village of Vannasberget, on the River Kalix, just thirty miles from the Finnish border. The aircraft filled with slush as they ploughed along but the crew were uninjured. Dave Coster ordered them to evacuate the aircraft and to burn any remaining secret papers.

Within 10 minutes, local Swedish defence volunteers arrived and offered them reindeer meat and gave them hot water to wash in.

Above: O extreme left, F/O. David Arthur Coster, next to him Fl/Sgt. James Henderson Boag. The remainder awaiting identification (courtesy Ian Martin of Medals Reunited New Zealand)

The Swedish Military Authorities arrived and took them to a school at Hedensbyn, where the schoolmaster and his wife invited the whole crew for dinner and wine. They were then interned at Ekfors barracks, staff headquarters of the VI. Militiiromr8.det for two nights. The whole crew were then taken by train via Falun & Korsntis to Stockholm, and put up in a hotel, given civilian clothes, issued with ration coupons and allowed to wander around the city. Nobody bothered them except for one Swedish policeman who seemingly had German sympathies. The British Assistant Military Attaché looked after them very well and arranged for them to be repatriated. They left Sweden on 24 November 1944 and were flown back to UK the same day

Report on wreckage of LM448'

Back in Sweden, Swedish Air Force personnel were sent to the crash site. They reported:

Deformation of the lower part of the fuselage, bent propeller blades, one propeller and its gear casing was lying 50 yards from the aircraft, shell damage to starboard fuel tanks. The fuel gauges showed 600 gallons left, but a dipstick check showed only 180 gallons left. It was noted by the Swedish that if the aircraft was to be salvaged, it would have to be dismantled and transported by train to Mortiv, over 20 miles away. Also the Army would have to stop constructing a road block en route.

Further, LM448 could not be salvaged straight away as the ground was too soft. They would have to wait until the winter frost and leave the Lancaster exposed to the elements. Having seen this report, the British Air Attache stated that the fuselage, including the engines and propellers should be sold as scrap and if any instruments were still serviceable, they should be taken to the Swedish Air Force main store. The airframe was cut into several pieces: the rear fuselage was acquired by a college in Pite and used for training flight technicians.

(note) Lancaster LM448 was originally built as a Mk. III but converted to Mk. I modified to carry the 'Tall Boy' bomb. No Mid-Upper gunner and equipped with extra 200 gallon fuel tank from the Wellington bomber and a further 50 gallon tank from the Mosquito fuel tans for extended range.

Further images available - click image or heredefined

Burial details:

None - all crew survived the war.

Pilots course 36a. No. 1 Service Flying Training School, RNZAF Wigram - 08th March 1943.
Rear; J.P Halligan, J.J Macilree, D.J James, R.A Naylor, C.J Wright, M.S Aitchison, H.L Doyle, G.D Lean, A.G Brewer, E.G Brooke, W.A Jones, S.R Carlton.
3rd row; J.E Tompkins, B.F Rosson, A.W Jopli (wia 22.12.031944), K. Jackson (kia 06.03.1945), K.F Parker, D.M Moran, A.S.S McCurdy, J.L Gutzewitz, D.A Coster (int 12.11.1944) C.H Edmands, E.C Harris, D.M Stevenson.
2nd row; T.G Lister, A.H Fairmaid, E.I Waters, M.L.T Harper, V.J Armstrong, M.J Adamson, C.T Campbell, C.L Organ, R.A Stone, A.D Wells, P.J McArthur, W.E Brunton.(kia 19.10.1944)
Front; VW. Mathias, R.K Neiderer, K. J Mangos (kia 08.02.1945), G.E Scott, A.M MacLeod, L.F Le Lievre, N.L Kelly, B.D Stewart, A.H Trewavas, C.F St John (kia 11.03.1944), J.R Sparrow, W.G Cowie.

(1) F/O. David Arthur Coster - Born n the 13th July 1918 in Invercargill. Passed away on the 14th March 1986, age 68. Buried in Tapu Cemetery, Porirua, Wellingtonm New Zealand, Servicepersons Area, Row E, Plot 01. Educated at the Limehills primary school and Winton District High School, . Finished his training and promoted to sergeant on the on 2nd July 1943 before embarking on 12th July 1943 for overseas service. Landed in the UK on 03rd September 1943 and was posted to Operational Training Unit 17 for training on the Wellington bombers being promoted to

Flight Sergeant on 02nd January 1944. Conversion training to the ‘heavies’ the four engine Stirling and then the Lancaster. Commissioned on 17th May 1944

Son of Edwin Barker (dies 1927, age 54) and Emily Coster (née Tippett - died 1951, age 70) of Limehills, Southland. Husband of Elizabeth Coster (died 08th November 2000 in Invercargill).

The war in Europe ended on 3rd May 1945 and elements of No 9 Squadron (including this crew) and other Squadrons were combined to form ‘Tiger Force’ the British Commonwealth Very Long Range Bomber force. As well as RAF , 75 Squadron (NZ), 467 (Australian) 419 & 428 (Canadian) made up the force. Planning was in place for Tiger Force' to operate out of Okinawa.

The dropping of the Atomic Bombs in August 1945 and Japan’s unconditional surrender in late August 1945 resulted in Tiger Force being officially disbanded on 30th October 1945.

Details of 'Tiger force - click image or here.

(2) Fl/Sgt. Clifford William Black - Born on the 06 August 1922 - Passed away on the 07th May 2016, age 96. Buried in the Mokau Cemetery, Mokau, Waikato, New Zealand. Plot 176.

(3) Fl/Sgt. James Henderson Boag - Born on the 16th November 1922. Passed away on 5th March 1996 in Christchurch NZ, age 73.

The Tallboy:

The Tallboy was a 12,000-pound (approx. 5.4-ton) "earthquake" bomb developed by British engineer Barnes Wallis and used by the RAF in WWII to destroy heavily fortified Nazi targets. Designed for deep penetration, it created massive underground shockwaves rather than relying on a surface blast. It was 21 feet long, 38 inches in diameter, and filled with 5,200 pounds of Torpex.

Key Details About the Tallboy Bomb:

Purpose: Specifically designed for deep-penetration, it was used against U-boat pens, bunker sites, and bridges.
Effectiveness: Known as an earthquake bomb, it caused massive shockwaves that could destroy structures from underground without needing a direct hit, famously sinking the battleship Tirpitz.
Dimensions & Weight: 21 feet (6.35m) in length, 38 inches (0.95m) in diameter, and weighing 12,000 pounds (5,443 kg).
Explosive Load: Contained 5,200 pounds of Torpex, a highly powerful explosive.
Usage: Dropped by modified Avro Lancaster bombers from the "Dambusters" 617 Squadron.
Post-War Find: A live, unexploded Tallboy was discovered in 2020 in a Polish canal and exploded during a disposal operation, causing no injuries.

Lancaster Performance:

Maximum speed: 282 mph (454 km/h, 245 kn) at 63,000 lb (28,576 kg) and 13,000 ft (4,000 m) altitude[144]
Cruise speed: 200 mph (320 km/h, 170 kn)
Range: 2,530 mi (4,070 km, 2,200 nmi) - normal configuration.
Service ceiling: 21,400 ft (6,500 m) at 63,000 lb (29,000 kg)[144]
Rate of climb: 720 ft/min (3.7 m/s) at 63,000 lb (29,000 kg) and 9,200 ft (2,800 m) altitude[144

History of the Avro Lancaster - click image or here

Making for Sweden - For many airmen Sweden offered the only hope of refuge when their aircraft were unable to make the flight back to Britain. The case of each individual landing in the country or its coastal waters is featured in remarkable detail, each airplane identified and every man accounted for. A definitive reference on all those who had no option but to make for Sweden.
Part 1 - bISBN 10: 1871187338 ISBN 13: 9781871187335
Publisher: Crecy Pub, 2004
Part 2 - ISBN 1871187370, 9781871187373
Crecy Publishing, 1998
(note: Both currently sadly out of print)

L-R: Arthur William, Joplin (617 squadron, passed away 21st March 2023, age 99), Loftus Hebbard (617 squadron, passed awau 30 March 2004, age 88), Clifford William Black (9 squadron, passed away 07th May 2016, age 93) and Frank Amuri Cardwell (617 squadron, passed away 26th September 1914, age 94).

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Medals ReUnitef of New Zealand., National Archives Kew, Express Newspaper of Sweden, Lars Gyllenhaal, Piteå Museumm Porirua War Stories, I.B.C.C - International Bomber Command Centre, New Zealand Cenotaph, historian Patrick Bishop, military historian and 'Big Ships' video productions.

Other sources as quoted below:

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