Operation: Duisburg, Germany

Date: 26th/27th April 1943 (Wednesday/Thursday)

Unit No: 426 (Thunderbird) Sqn, RCAF, 6 Group, Bomber Command

Type: Wellington X

Serial: HE867

Code: OW:?

Base: RAF Dishforth, North Yorkshire

Location: Manor Farm, Stonegrave, Yorkshire

Pilot: Wg Cdr. Leslie Crooks DFC, 44054 RAF Age 33. Injured (1)

2nd Pilot: Sgt. James Austin Thomson R121044 RCAF Age 20. Safe (2)

Observer: Fg Off. Donald Wallace Simpson J11110 RCAF Age 30. Safe (3)

Bomb Aimer: Plt Off. Laurence Henry Power J20163 RCAF Age 24. Injured (4)

WOp/Air Gnr: Flt Lt. Francis Peter Marsh J15643 RCAF Age 24. Safe (3 & 1)

Air Gnr (Rear): Sgt. Thomas Ferguson How R132630 RCAF Age 25. Safe (2)

Above: Sgt. James Austin Thomson from his service record

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the 26th/27th April 1943 the squadron detailed ten (10) aircraft to join a force of five-hundred and sixty-one (561) bombers to bomb Duisburg in Germany.

The aircraft was attacked by a night fighter at Wesel at 02:26 hrs, five (5) minutes before the ETA at a height of 14,000 ft. Due to the attack the rear turret, intercommunication, brake pressure, hydraulics and navigator’s lights were all rendered unserviceable.

The port tail plane had all the fabric shot away about three (3) feet from the fuselage. The centre bomb bay door was badly damaged and the port engine was overheating. The Captain therefore decided to abandon the attack and return to base.

On the return trip an attempt was made to jettison the bombs but this was found to be impossible owing to electrical failure. Upon arriving over the base, owing to hydraulic failure, the wheels could not be lowered and the Captain was instructed to have the crew bale out which was done.

The Captain, Wg Cdr L. Crooks, DFC, sprained his back in landing and the Bomb Aimer, Plt Off. Power, broke or sprained his foot, neither injury being serious. The other members of the crew were unhurt. The fact that this aircraft ever reached England is due solely to the very commendable work of the whole crew.

The abandoned aircraft crashed at 05:50 hrs near Manor Farm, Stonegrave, 3 miles (5 km) due south of the then RAF Wombleton in Yorkshire, no damage being done to civilian property or personnel, but the aircraft being a total loss.

HE867 was claimed by Lt. Heinz Grimm his 8th Abschuss, from Stab IV./NJG1 over the edge of Ijsselmeer north of Kampen at 3.800 m. at 02:21 hrs. Although the aircraft escaped albeit badly damaged the Abschusskommissioncredited the victory to Lt. Grimm on the 26th November 1944. (Ref 1 p80).

Lt. Grimm died on the 13th November 1943 after his Bf110 G-4 G9+CE was shot down Breman-based Flak on the night of the 8th/9th October 1943. He baled out with severe burns, breaking both legs upon hitting the tail of the aircraft and succumbed to his injuries 4 days later. (Ref 2. p34).

He was credited with twenty-four (24) confirmed Abschüsse with two (2) awaiting confirmation. (Ref 3. p34).

(1) Wg Cdr. Crooks DFC was the Commanding Officer (CO) of the squadron.

As an Acting Flt Lt. with 58 Sqn he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) which was promulgated in the London Gazette on the 11th February 1941.

Wg Cdr. Crooks was awarded the Distinguish Service Order (DSO) for his actions on this night. (London Gazette 28th May 1943).

Citation reads:

‘This officer is an ideal leader, whose ability and untiring efforts have been reflected in the high standard of efficiency of his squadron. His courage and skill were admirably demonstrated during a recent attack on Duisburg. When approaching the target his aircraft was raked by cannon fire from an enemy fighter. Wing Commander Crooks skilfully evaded the attacker but his aircraft had sustained much damage. Although one aileron and half the port tail plane had been shot away, while the hydraulic and electrical systems were rendered inoperative, Wing Commander Crooks flew the bomber back to this country. Unfortunately, it was impossible to effect a safe landing but, when the crew were forced to abandon aircraft, all descended safely. In the face of heavy odds, Wing Commander Crooks set an example worthy of high praise’.

Wg Cdr. Crooks DFC, DSO and Flt Lt. Marsh DFC were KiA during an operation to Peenemünde in Germany on the night of the 17th/18th August 1943. His Lancaster II DS681 OW:? was believed to have crashed some 3 km south of Griefswald after being claimed as a probable by Lt. Dieter Mussett of 5./NJG1 at 01:58 hrs. They and five (4) of his crew were KiA and Sgt. Kenneth William Reading 1217087 RAFVR became a PoW.

This was the first losses suffered by 426 (Thunderbird) Sqn, RCAF after completing their conversion program to Lancasters.

(2) Sgt. Thomson and Sgt. How were KiA on the night of the 13th/14th May 1943 on an operation to Bochum in Germany. Their Wellington X HE697 OW:? was claimed by Hptm. Hans-Dieter Frank, his 27th Abschuss, from 2./NJG1 over Nederhorst den Berg, Netherlands at 02:53 hrs (Ref 1. p93). All five (5) of the crew were KiA.

Maj. Frank was involved in a mid-air collision on the 27th/28th September 1943 with Bf110 G-4 G9+DA of Stab I./NJG1 whilst landing at Cell/Hanover airfield. In the rush of the moment he forgot to disconnect the cable of his radio helmet before baling out of his He219 A-0 G9+CB and was chocked to death. (Ref 2. p13.)

He was credited with fifty (50) confirmed Abschüsse with three (3) awaiting confirmation. (Ref 3. p30)

(3) Fg Off. Simpson and Flt Lt. Marsh were each awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for their actions this night. (London Gazette 1st June 1943).

Citation reads:

‘Acting Flight Lieutenant Francis Peter MARSH (Can/J.15643), Royal Canadian Air Force, No. 426 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron. Flying Officer Donald Wallace SIMPSON (Can/J.11110), Royal Canadian Air Force, No. 426 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron. One night in April, 1943, these officers were wireless operator and navigator respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Duisburg. When nearing the target area the bomber was engaged by an enemy fighter and sustained severe damage. On the return flight Flying Officer Simpson displayed exceptional navigational ability in most difficult circumstances and Flight Lieutenant Marsh, who skilfully obtained bearings, rendered him valuable assistance. Both these members of aircraft crew displayed great coolness and skill in a perilous situation’.

Donald Wallace Simpson was born on the 11th November 1912 in Stratford Ontario, Canada.

He volunteered in the RCAF to train a navigator. As he was older than many of the other trainees, he could have become a navigation trainer with a desk job but instead chose flying duties.

He suffered facial injuries on an operation to Berlin on the 1st/2nd March 1943. It was not until the 1st April 1944 that he was admitted No.10 Canadian General Hospital for assessment.

On the 28th December 1944 he was admitted to the Queen Victoria Hospital (QVH) at East Grinstead for an operation for the nose and facial injuries that he had suffered. He became a member of the “Guinea Pig Club”.

Note: The Queen Victoria Hospital (QVH) in East Grinstead became renowned during World War II as a specialist burns unit, treating RAF and Allied aircrew who suffered severe injuries. Under the leadership of Sir Archibald McIndoe, it pioneered reconstructive plastic surgery and was the birthplace of the Guinea Pig Club.

He retired from the RCAF as a Flt Lt. and had completed a tour of thirty-three (33) Operations. Donald passed away on the 31st January 2003 in Ottawa, Ontario, aged 90.

Above: Courtesy of The Ottawa Citizen, dated 1st February 2003

(4) Plt Off. Power was on an operation to Berlin on the night of the 27th/28th January 1944 his Lancaster II LL721 OW:U was shot down by a German night fighter. Fg Off. Power and two (2) others from the crew became PoWs, three (3) were KiA and one (1) remains MiA.

Burial details:

None - The crew survived this operation.

Researched by Ralph Snape for Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the crew and their families (Jul 2026).

Other sources listed below:

References:

1. Nachtjagd Combat Archive (1 January - 22 June) 1943 Part 1 - Theo Boiten.
2. Nachtjagd Combat Archive (23 September - 31 December) 1943 Part 3 - Theo Boiten.
3. Nachtjagd Combat Archive - Biographies - Theo Boiten.

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