Operation: Essen

Date: 16/17th September 1942 (Wednesday/Thursday)

Unit: No. 7 Squadron (motto: Per diem, per noctem - 'By day and by night') PFF 3 Group

Type: Stirling I

Serial: W7569

Code: MG-D

Base: RAF Oakington, Cambridgeshire

Location: Ijsselmeer, Netherlands

Pilot: P/O. Ben Dallenger NZ/411377 RNZAF Age 23. Killed (note)

Fl/Eng: Sgt. Peter Sandison 566067 RAF Age 26. Killed

Nav: Fl/Sgt. Donald Trevor Lamb NZ/41540 RNZAF Age 20. Killed

Air/Bmr: P/O. Robert Edward Clarke J/11210 RCAF Age 20. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Ronald Hugh Crabtree NZ/411741 RNZAF Age 24. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. William James Anderson NZ/41617 RNZAF Age 23. Killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Harry Oldfield Goddard NZ/404547 RNZAF Age 27. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

369 aircraft including many from training units taking part to bomb the Krupps works (1) at Essen. Although it is reported at the majority of the bombing was scattered, this was described as the most successful on what was known to be a difficult target.

W7569 took of at 20:05 hrs. It is understood they were hit by the anti-aircraft fire with the Stirling coming down in the Ijsselmeer at around 23:00 hrs. The crew bodies were washed ashore at various points.

33 large fires with a further 80 medium-sized fires with 8 industrial and 6 transport premises being hit. The Krupps works were also damaged, hit by 15 high explosive bombs - further damage was caused when one of the allied aircraft crashed into the target full of incendiary bombs - 47 people reported killed on the ground with a further 92 suffering various degrees of injuries. The scattered bombing also hit Bochum causing 50 fires with a reported 13 killed. The towns of Herne and Cochem were also hit

The training units were called upon to make up the numbers. Losses from these units were huge and it was the last time they would be called upon to take part in main force operations.

27 OTU lost two aircraft with 5 crew killed.
26 OTU lost 2 aircraft with all 10 crew killed.
25 OTU lost 1 aircraft with 4 crew killed and the pilot took PoW.
23 OTU lost3 aircraft with 13 crew killed and 2 taken PoW.
22 OTU lost 1 aircraft with all 5 crew killed.
21 OTU lost 1 aircraft with all 5 crew killed.
15 OTU lost 2 aircraft with all 10 crew killed
12 OTU lost 2 aircraft with all 10 crew killed.
11OTU lost 3 aircraft with 12 crew killed and 3 taken PoW.
10 OTU lost 1 aircraft with all 5 crew killed.

Above: 7 Squadron Stirlings at RAF Oakington. The Stirlings which weighed over 30 tons caused havoc with the grass runways and the construction of concrete runways began in late 1941.

(note) The usual pilot for this crew was sick at the time. P/O. Graham Reed Burgess NZ/41869 RNZAF, survived the war and died on the 21st July 2017, age 97.

(1) The Krupps factory was headed by Gustav Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach (1870–1950), who assumed the surname of Krupp when he married the Krupp heiress, Bertha Krupp. After Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933, the Krupp works became the centre for German rearmament. In 1943, by special order from Hitler, the company reverted to a sole-proprietorship, with Gustav and Bertha's eldest son Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach (1907–67) as proprietor. After Germany's defeat, Gustav was senile and incapable of standing trial, and the Nuremberg Military Tribunal convicted Alfried as a war criminal in the Krupp Trial for "plunder" and for his company's use of slave labour. It sentenced him to 12 years in prison and ordered him to sell 75% of his holdings. In 1951, as the Cold War developed and no buyer came forward, the authorities released him, and in 1953 he resumed control of the firm.

Burial and personal details:

P/O. Ben Dallenger. Lemsterland General Cemetery (Lemmer). Plot C. Row 9. Grave 244. Born on the 31st March 1919 at Upper Hutt. Worked as a clerk for Waugh Ltd at Lower Hutt. Enlisted on the 02nd March 1941 at Levin. Initial training with No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School on the 11th of April 1941. Embarked for Canada on the 16thg of June 1941. The pilot badge was awarded on the 25th of September 1941 and awarded his commission. Embarked for England on the 07th October 1941 Further training with 20 Operational Training Unit on the 18th November 1941 and then with No. 7 Conversion flight on the Stirling. Joined 7 squadron on the 05th June 1942.

Son of Joseph Sidney (died 09th June 1959, age 73) and Aveline Jane Dallenger (née Hughes - died 03rs April 1943, age 59), of Stilling StreetLower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand. Father remarried Constance Lillian Eveline Dallenger (née Wilson - died 26th November 1978, age 70). A total of 458 flying hours were logged. On his 11th operational sortie.

Sgt. Peter Sandison. Amsterdam New Eastern Cemetery. Plot 69. Row D. Joint grave 4. Born on the 04th August 1916 in Thurso. Son of Donald Sandison (died 24th September 1916, age 58 and Alice Sandison (née More - died in 1958, age 77) of Framside Farm, Thurso, Scotland. Husband of Mary Logan. Enlisted in the RAF at age of 16 - he lied about his age!

Fl/Sgt. Donald Trevor Lamb. Lemsterland General Cemetery (Lemmer). Plot C. Row 9. Grave 246. Born on the 10th May 1922 at Blenheim. Worked as a watchmaker/jeweller for P.N Denton in Wellington. Served in the territorial army for 2 years before enlisting in the RNZAF on the 19th January 1941 at Levin. Embarked for Canada on the 27th March 1941. Air Observer badge 18th August 194 and promoted to sergeant. Embarked for England on the 22nd of September 1941. Further training with 11 Operational Training Unit on the 25th March and then with No. 7 Conversion flight on the Stirling. Joined 7 squadron on the 29th of August 1942.

Son of William Wentworth Lamb (died 144th February 1931, age 62)and of Louisa Frances Lamb (née Rush - died 04th April 1945, age 67), of Spring Creek, Marlborough, New Zealand. A total of 294 flying hours were logged. On his 4th operational sortie.

P/O. Robert Edward Clarke. Amsterdam New Eastern Cemetery. Plot 69. Row D. Joint grave 3. Born on the 14th September 1922 in Winnipeg. Enlisted on the 25th June 1941 at Winnipeg. Son of Robert Edward and Myrtle Loraine (née Bowler) Clarke, of Matlock, Manitoba, Canada.

Clarke Rapids off Arthur Thomson Lake in 1995 which is northeast of Croll Lake - 26-year-old, Lt. Arthur Percival Thompson of the 10th Armd. Regt. RCAC was killed on the 28th of September 1944.

Sgt. Ronald Hugh Crabtree. Lemsterland General Cemetery (Lemmer). Plot C. Row 9. Grave 245. Born on the 04th November 1917 at Napier, Hawkes Bat. Worked as a carpenter for N. Cole Contractor of Waaiouru. Enlisted on the 15th March 1941 at Levin. Embarked for Canada on the 29th of April 1941. Awarded his air gunner badge and promoted to sergeant on the 25th of October 1941. Embarked for England on the 03rd November 1941. Further training with 11 Operational Training Unit on the 20th January 1942 and then with No. 7 Conversion flight on the Stirling. Joined 7 squadron on the 21st of July 1942.

Son of Harry Aubrey (died 28th November 1938) and Menetta Coral Crabtree (née Hutton - died 20th November 1968), of Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. A total of 215 flying hours were logged. On his 9th operational sortie.

Sgt. William James Anderson. Lemsterland General Cemetery (Lemmer). Plot C. Row 9. Grave 243. Born on the 16th October 1918 in New Brighton. Worked as a welder/cutter for Booth MacDonald and Company Ltd. Enlisted at Levin on the 19th January 1941. Embarked for Canada on the 27th of February 1941. Wireless operator/air gunner badge awarded on the 01st September 1941 and promoted to sergeant. By Stranraer flying boat to Halifax on the 04th September 1941. Embarked for England on the 18th of September 1941. Further training with 11 Operational Training Unit on the 25th November 1941 and then with No. 7 Conversion flight on the Stirling. Joined 7 squadron on the 27th of August 1942.

Son of William Stevenson Anderson (died 09th February 1967, age 86) and of Catherine Strath Anderson (née McArthur - died 29th May 1967, age 85), of Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. A total of 160 flying hours were logged. On his 5th operational sortie.

Sgt. Harry Oldfield Goddard. Lemsterland General Cemetery (Lemmer). Plot C. Row 9. Grave 249. Born on the 07th May 1915 in Kinohaku. A self-employed farmer at Te Anga prior to service. Enlisted at Levin on the 24th November 1940. Embarked for Canada on the 30th January 1941. Wireless operator/air gunner badge awarded on the 04th August 1941 and promoted to sergeant. Embarked for England on the 15th August 1941. Further training with 11 Operational Training Unit on the 20th January 1942 and then with No. 7 Conversion flight on the Stirling. Joined 7 squadron on the 29th of August 1942.

Son of Frederick Alfred Goddard (died 10tyh February 1940, age 71) and of Emily Sarah Goddard (née Hammond - died 06th September 1973, age 90), of Kinohaku, Auckland, New Zealand.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

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