30/31.01.1944 101 Squadron Lancaster I DV303 SR-U F/Sgt. Douglas William Froggatt

Operation: Berlin

Date: 30/31st January 1944 (Sunday/Monday)

Unit: No. 101 Squadron. Motto: Mens agitat molem - 'Mind over matter'

Badge: Issuant from the battlements of a tower, a demi-lion rampant guardant. The squadron adopted the battlements of a round tower as symbolic of its claim to be the first squadron equipped with an aircraft fitted with a power-operated rotating turret (the Boulton Paul Overstrand). A lion being a fierce fighter is symbolic of the unit's fighting spirit by its position in the tower. Authority: King George VI, February 1938.

Type: Lancaster I

Serial: DV303

Code: SR-U

Base: RAF Ludford Magna, Lincolnshire

Location: Alexanderdorf, Teltow Region, South West Berlin

Pilot: F/Sgt Douglas William (Doug) Froggatt 1320636 RAFVR age 20 Killed (1)

Fl/Eng: Sgt Louis Verdon Houlton 1582003 RAFVR Age 20 Killed (2)

Nav: Sgt. Albert Francis Graves 1338616 RAFVR PoW No. 968 Camp: Stalag Luft 6 Heydekrug, Memelland (now Šilute in Lithuania) (3)

Air/Bmr: Sgt. Edward (Ted) Charnock 1337177 RAFVR Age 26 PoW No. 976 Camp: Stalag Luft 6 Heydekrug, Memelland (now Šilute in Lithuania) (4)

W/Op: Sgt. Peter Edward John Carmichael 1601085 RAFVR Age 20 PoW No. 1172 Camp: Stalag Luft 6, Heydekrug, Memelland (now Šilute in Lithuania) (5)

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Ronald Charles (Ron) Wilson 1804802 RAFVR Age 20 Killed (6)

Air/Gnr: Sgt Gilbert Thomas J. Heath 1443366 RAFVR Age 22 Killed (7)

ABC/Op: F/O. Moie Marder J27285 RCAF Age 23 Killed (8)

A previous report on this loss was written a number of years ago and can be seen at https://aircrewremembered.com/douglas-froggatt.htm...

In November 2023 the Canadian aviation researcher, and our well respected colleague David Champion, provided substantial new information regarding both the crew and the loss of Lancaster DV303, thus enabling the compilation of this new comprehensive report of the loss. On behalf of Aircrew Remembered, Roy Wilcock would like to thank Dave for his assistance and interest in once more adding extensive further details to one of our stories.

INTRODUCTION

Airborne Cigar (ABC) and 101 Squadron.

ABC, short for Airborne Cigar, was a development by the Telecommunications Research Establishment, of Ground Cigar, a barrage jamming site at Sizewell which denied German night fighters VHF RT frequencies, and went into operation for the first time on the night of 30/31 July 1943. Ground Cigar's coverage however, was not widespread enough due to VHF line of sight, therefore Air Commodore Sidney Osborne Bufton ordered a version of Cigar that could be fitted to aircraft.

ABC was fitted primarily to 101 Squadron aircraft to protect the main bomber force with such ABC-equipped bombers being placed at intervals throughout the bomber stream during raids. It was first used on a raid over Hanover of 22 September 1943 and from 7/8 October 1943 until the end of the war all main-force attacks on German targets were accompanied by aircraft of 101 Squadron equipped with ABC.

For operating purposes, an eighth crew member was required, whose job was to identify and jam any VHF transmission presenting a threat to the bomber stream.

These 'Special Duty Operators' were all volunteers and came from all aircrew trades. They were not necessarily accomplished linguists but needed to be able to recognise the fact that German Ground Control Interceptors (GCI) were sending directions to Luftwaffe interceptors. There was no requirement for them to be able to speak, or even understand, German. The object was to be able to differentiate between German and languages of allies like the Dutch, Poles and Czechs. Their number included a high proportion of German speaking Jewish refugees, but there were also British and Commonwealth Jewish RAF personnel, many of whom spoke German or Yiddish at home. Yiddish had developed out of the Middle High German dialects of Southwest Germany during the 9th to 12th century, integrating some Hebrew and Romanic words.

Aircraft were equipped with a receiver and three 50-watt T.3160-type transmitters, and three antennae approximately 7 ft long, two dorsally mounted on the spine and one on the nose. The German VHF frequency and language, once identified, was then jammed by the transmission of a loud and varying note running up and down the scale of the relevant speech channel.

The Crew

Posted from 1667 Heavy Conversion Unit at RAF Faldingworth in Lincolnshire, F/Sgt Doug Froggatt and his crew of Sgts. Louis Houlton, Albert Graves, Ted Charnock, Peter Carmichael, Ron Wilson and Gilbert Heath were posted to 101 Squadron at RAF Ludford Magna, some 15 miles west of Faldingworth, on 11 January 1944.

On 18 January, Canadian Flying Officer, Moie Marder, also joined the Squadron from 17 Operational Training Unit at RAF Silverstone in Northamptonshire, a good 100 miles south west of Ludford Magna.

An Air Bomber by trade, Moie had volunteered for Special Duties and is recorded in the Squadron ORB accordingly, 'Air Bomber (Special Duties)'. He was to spend the next two weeks being taught the operation of ABC radio jamming equipment in preparation for operational flying.

While Moie was acquainting himself with the operation of ABC equipment, Douglas Froggatt and his crew were getting further training on Lancasters and by 20 January they were deemed ready for operations. Alas there was to be no easy first op; crew shortages ensured that there were no 2nd dickey trips or milk runs at 101 Squadron. At briefing, the curtain was drawn back to reveal the wall map with red tape stretching all across the North Sea, before turning south east towards Hamburg, and continuing all the way to the Big City - Berlin.

For this operation the Froggatt crew were allocated Special Duties Operator F/O. J. Clark. One of 20 crews detailed for the raid by a total force of 769 aircraft, they took off in Lancaster ME565 'W' at 1640 hours and having successfully bombed the target, returned to base just over 7 hours later at 2350 hours. One of the Squadron's aircraft failed to return.

On 29 January, rear gunner Gilbert Heath flew another operation to Berlin, this time with F/O. D. H. Todd and his crew. They returned without mishap.

The morning of Sunday 30 January found the Froggatt crew and 14 others of the Squadron being briefed for yet another raid on Berlin. Special Duties Operators did not form part of any particular crew but were allocated to crews for each operation. Thus for this operation Canadian Moie Marder was to join the Froggatt crew for what was to be his first operation.

Zero hour was set for 2015 hrs and the duration of the attack was to be from 2013 hrs to 2027 hrs. Blind markers and supporters were to commence their attack at zero -2 followed by blind and visual backers-up.

The main force was to attack in 3 waves at Z+4, Z+8 and z+12 with the 15 ABC Lancasters of 101 Squadron being distributed among them .

Doug Froggatt and his crew were allocated Lancaster DV303 'U' and were assigned to fly and attack with the second wave of the main force.

REASON FOR LOSS

The first of the 15 Lancasters of 101 Squadron took off from RAF Ludford Magna at 1700 hrs. Among the last few to get away at 1720 hrs, was Doug Froggatt, flying DV303 and with an estimated time of return of 2337 hrs.

All the Squadron aircraft were armed with the same bomb load i.e. 1 x 4000, 1200 x 4 (incl. x type) 56 x 30 Incendiaries. DV303 was also equipped with Visual Monica. (see abbreviations).

The 534 strong bomber force flew 350 miles over the North Sea and crossed the German coast just south of the Danish border. Continuing to the Wagria peninsula, the force then turned SE in the vicinity of Heilgenhafen towards Berlin.

Though German fighter controllers attempted to intercept the bombers before they made landfall, they failed. In fact, little opposition was encountered until the force reached the beacon west of the town of Schwerin, but from that point there was strong opposition continuing as far as the first 100 miles of the return route. Schwerin lies about 70 miles due east of Hamburg.

In complete cloud cover, the target was bombed in a concentrated attack. The local report was of heavy damage in the city itself and widespread bombing in the country area outside, with 79 towns and villages reporting some bombs having fallen. The main damage was in the centre of the city and the south western quarter, but with many other districts also hit. At least 1000 people died, 2 industrial premises were completely destroyed and 15 seriously damaged. Many public buildings were also damaged, including Goebbels's Propaganda Ministry. The Berlin transport system also suffered and 94 U-bahn carriages destroyed.

Bomber Command losses totalled 35 with 5 known to be due to flak and 14 known to be due to attack by night fighters. 2 Lancasters are believed to have collided in the target area and 2 more crashed on return to base. Of the rest, most probably fell to night fighters.

Only one of 101 Squadron's 15 aircraft failed to return from the raid on Berlin - Lancaster DV303. Nothing was heard of the aircraft or from the crew after leaving RAF Ludford Magna at 1720 hrs.

A telegram was later received from the IRCC quoting German information, stating that three members of the crew had been taken Prisoners of War whilst three others, not RCAF members, together with two unknowns, had been killed on 30 January 1944.

It was reported that the dead had been buried on 31 January 1944 ' To the right of the east entrance of the Parish Cemetery at Alexanderhof District of Teltow' No grave numbers were notified.

The three members taken Prisoners of War were Albert Graves, Ernest Charnock and Peter Edward John Carmichael.

As this apparently completed the crew of eight it was 'accordingly submitted that the death of CAN/J27285 F/O.M. Marder, be presumed, for official purposes to have occurred on 30 January 1944.'

THE FATE OF LANCASTER DV303 AND ITS CREW

It seems that Lancaster DV303 duly bombed the target, and having done so proceeded as per the briefed route towards a point about 10 miles south southeast of Luckenwalde at coordinates 52°00'N 13°25'E where the planned route turned due west to coordinates 52°00'N 09°20' being some 25 miles east of Bielefeld.

What happened next is the subject of a report of 28 December 1946 to the Air Ministry by Fl/Lt. Michael Albert Radik, an Investigating Officer of 21 Section, No. 4 Missing Research and Enquiry Unit, RAF Germany concerning a: 'New case discovered during [an] exhumation trip in [the] Zossen area in the Russian Zone.' (Zossen is a town in the district of Teltow-Fläming in Brandenburg, about 20 miles south of Berlin).

REPORT OF THE MISSING RESEARCH AND ENQUIRY UNIT INVESTIGATION AND RESULTS

28 DECEMBER 1946

21 Section No. 4 Missing Research and Enquiry Unit RAF Germany

Investigating Officer Fl/Lt. M. A. Radik

Place of crash: ½ SW of Alexanderdorf

Aircraft type and serial: 4 engined (Lancaster, Stirling or Halifax)

Target: Almost certainly Berlin

Date reported missing: 30 January 1944

Place of burial: 4 bodies Kummersdorf (Alexanderdorf) cemetery

1 body in Fern Neuendorf [Fernneuendorf] Burial Ground

This is a twin investigation with attendant exhumations carried out first at Fern Neuendorf on 11 December 1946 and then at Alexanderdorf on 12 December 1946. The statements made dovetail with each other and constitute together a homogeneous and more or less complete account of this case.

We shall start with the latter investigation at the scene of the crash providing a greater amount of information and then turn to the former one for supplementary information completing the case.

ALEXANDERDORF: Eyewitnesses provided by the local Burgomeister gave their account of the crash as follows:

AIRCRAFT AND CREW: On the night of 30 January 1944 between midnight and 0200 hours a four engined aircraft was attacked by German night fighters, one engine was set on fire and a little later the aircraft exploded in mid-air. One engine fell away from the plane before it crashed in a pine wood about ½ mile SW of Alexanderdorf and was found about 500 yards away from the main wreckage. What was left of the aircraft was almost completely burnt out on the ground.

One body was found about 50 yards away from the aircraft and 3 others were found in the wreckage. 2 men baled out and were taken prisoner.

The deceased personnel were buried in four separate coffins at Gemeinde Alexanderdorf Cemetery at noon the following day and were given a military funeral.

The grave was well looked after by the inhabitants and fresh flowers were placed on the mound at regular intervals

There was a black Marble headstone erected over the grave which read

"Here crashed with their aircraft on 20.1.1944

Officer Sgt. (F/Sgt) SEATH (Spelt CEATH) 1423366 [S/B 1443366]

Officer Sgt. (F/Sgt) WILSON 1804802

O.R. Sgt. FRAGATE 1320636

.. unknown

This tombstone is erected by their comrades, Jugoslav Prisoners of War".

In spite of possible misspelling the names on the stone must be accepted as approximately correct as they were supplied by one of the aircrew who baled out of the aircraft.

The place of the crash was visited but no clues could be obtained apart from the fact that the aircraft in question had radial engines as the wreckage had been removed by the Luftwaffe in 1944 a few days after the crash. still the fact that one engine fell out prior to the crash was corroborated. On a fragment which looked like a part of engine casing or supercharger casing boss the following numbers were found

C

M116460 and lower down D4480

EXHUMATION

This failed to reveal any information with the exception that body in grave 2 wore an officers' type shirt, which evidence however does not necessarily prove that an officer was buried there.

On the face of the information obtained thus far we still have to account for one member of the crew and so we shall now examine evidence at Fern Neuendorf

FERN NEUENDORF

AIRCRAFT AND CREW: It was reported by the eyewitnesses at this village that on 30 January 1944 shortly after midnight a four engined [sic] aircraft was attacked by night fighters (several bursts of machine-gun fire were heard), set on fire and 10-20 seconds later it exploded in the air. The flaming wreckage then crashed in the woods near Alexanderdorf.

In all 3 persons were reported to have baled out after the aircraft was set on fire . A navigator came down in Fern Neuendorf and tried to hide in a farm but was captured. According to eyewitnesses' description he was tall and fair and had a "N" Brevet on his tunic.

One of the crew obviously came down in Neuendorf See, was drowned and his body was washed ashore some 2 months later. He was buried at East end of German Soldiers' communal grave at Fern Neuendorf. No ceremony attended the funeral.

The grave had no cross nor any other means of identification but was well looked after and decorated with pine branches arranged in a neat pattern.

German burial cards state that it was Sgt. Howltor RAF died on 30.1.44

EXHUMATION

No information was obtained beyond the fact that the deceased was a member of the RAF and that the aircraft was shot down by fighters as the remains of his sleeve were riddled by bullets.

From the above accounts this case can now be summarised as follows

On the night of 30 January 1944, Between midnight and 0010 hrs a four engined aircraft was attacked by German night fighters and set on fire. The aircraft was then proceeding on N Westerly course (Track can be plotted on the ground). Orders there were given to abandon aircraft, but only three men, among whom the navigator of the plane, managed to bale out before the aircraft blew up in the air.

Of these three, one, Sgt. Howltor (?) came down in Neuendorfer See and was drowned. The other two were captured by the Germans.

The aircraft with the remaining personnel crashed in the woods near Alexanderdorf and was almost completely burned out. All four members of the crew were killed and were buried on the following day by a Luftwaffe detachment at Alexanderdorf cemetery with military honours.

The body of the airman who was drowned on baling out was buried at Fern Neuendorf Burial Ground.

RESULTS OF THE EXHUMATIONS

ALEXANDERDORF Row 1 12 December 1946

PVM 106 Grave 1

Body badly smashed and burnt. Medium height. Light Brown hair. RAF BD Trousers. Other ranks Shirt. White sweater.

PVM 107 Grave 2

Medium height. Officer's shirt. Vest. White and blue sweater. Black tie with collar attached. Fragment flying suit, Mae West.

PVM 108 Grave 3

Body badly burnt and smashed. Medium height. Other ranks shirt. winter underwear. RAF blue pullover. Smashed cigarette lighter. Part of parachute harness hook on type.

PVM 109 Grave 4

Body badly smashed and burnt. Tall. Blond. BD Trousers. Other ranks shirt. Winter underwear. White sweater. Flying boots (size 11) Brown suede. Parachute harness hook on type. Mae West. Flying suit.

FERN NEUENDORF

PVM 105 Grave 1 End of German Soldiers' grave

Medium height. Teeth complete upper and lower. BD Sleeve with bullet holes. BD Trousers. Other ranks shirt. Blue sweater. Fragment braces, leather belt (Boys' Brigade). Fragment of Mae West and Irvine jacket

After exhumation the 5 bodies were reinterred in the Heerstrasse British War Cemetery, British Sector, Berlin on 13 December 1946. The following list shows the present location and recommended identities for registration purposes after Air Ministry approval and necessary connections as to names, initials and ranks. The identity of the unknown member of the crew can be established by the elimination of the personnel captured by the Germans.

Plot V Row E

Grave 11 Wilson

Grave 12 Heath then marked in pencil Marder

Grave 13 Froggatt

Grave 14 ?

Plot V Row G

Grave 29 Houlton

The Air Ministry advised that Graves, Carmichael and Charnock were the three captured and of the suggested identifications only two could be accepted with certainty, namely Sgt. Houlton and P/O. Marder and the other graves must be collectively marked and registered for Wilson, Heath and Froggatt. Service numbers, ranks, initials and trades to be also included. Form 3372 to be amended when completed.

Final grave references as per the Graves Concentration Report of 10 December 1947 were:

Plot V Row Z Grave 15 - Sgt. L.V. Houlton

Plot V Row Z Grave 16 - F/O. M. Marder

Plot V Row Z Collective Grave 17-19 - F/Sgt. D.W. Froggatt, Sgt. R.C. Wilson and Sgt. G.T.J. Heath.

The case file reference P.413274/44 was officially closed on 24 May 1948.

THE SURVIVORS

Albert Graves landed safely after baling out and was captured on 30 January 1944 and after being held at Dulag Luft, Frankfurt, where he spent 4 days in solitary confinement, was sent to Stalag Luft 6 near the town of Heydekrug, Memelland (now Šilute in Lithuania), on 12 February 1944. On 17 July 1944 he was sent to Stalag Luft 4 Gross Tychow in Poland where he remained until 6 February 1945 when the camp was evacuated in the face of the Russian advance. We have no further information of his movements after this but presumably he took part in the notorious 'Death March' and survived the war.

Edward Charnock had also landed safely and a note on the loss card records he had said that 'This was my first 'chute jump and the sensation was pleasing.'

After landing, he was captured and sent for interrogation at Dulag Luft on 2 February 1944 after which he was transferred to Stalag Luft 6 Heydekrug from February 1944 until July 1944 when he was transferred to Stalag 357 at Thorn and later at Fallingbostel. Following a forced march from 6 April to 2 May he was finally liberated by the 2nd British Army at Salem on 2 May 1945.

Peter Edward John Carmichael was held at Stalag Luft 6, Heydekrug. He survived the war.

THE SHOOTING DOWN

According to the Bomber Command Night Raid Report 'The blind-markers tended to arrive late, in common with most aircraft on this night.'

All returning aircraft of 101 Squadron reported having bombed at heights of between 19000 and 21000 feet between 2019 hours and 2032 hours which would seem to bear out an average late arrival of up to 5 minutes.

Most sources wrongly identify the crash site as being in the vicinity of the town of Teltow about 16km SW of Berlin. However, as the Missing Research and Enquiry Service investigation concluded, the crash site was in the Alexanderdorf/Kummersdorf area, some 36 km south the town of Teltow.

The misconception was due to the villages of Fernneuendorf, Kummersdorf, Alexanderdorf and indeed the town of Teltow itself being in an area known as the Teltow Region.

Many sources also credit the shooting down of DV303 to Joseph Kraft of 4.NG5 at 2010 hrs over Berlin but a claim by 'Oblt. Karl-Heinz Richard, Stab II/NJG6 - Kummersdorf at 2039 hrs.'(Nachtjagd Combat Archives 1944 Part 1 - Theo Boiten) is clearly the more likely in view of timing and crash location.

From central Berlin to Kummersdorf-Alexanderdorf is approximately 35 km or 22 miles. A Lancaster flying at 20000 ft at a speed of 200 mph would take about 7 minutes to cover the distance. If DV303 bombed on time, between Z+4 and Z+8 (between 2019 and 2023 hours), the earliest that Kummersdorf-Alexanderdorf could be reached would be between 2026 hours and 2030 hours but given the fact that most bombers were late over the target, arrival in the area was nearer 2039 hours when Oblt. Richard claimed to have shot down a Lancaster at Kummersdorf.

Given that by 0025 hours on 31 January 1944 all the returning Lancasters of 101 Squadron were safely back at Ludford Magna it is strange that eyewitnesses at Alexanderdorf timed the crash 'between midnight and 0200 hours' and those at Fernneuendorf 'shortly after midnight'.

The period from 1 January 1944 to 2 April 1944 was one of several from 1941 to 1945 when German time was the same as British time. For a comprehensive explanation see: http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=583...

BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS OF THE CREW

(1) F/Sgt. Douglas William Froggatt was born in 1921 at Woolwich, London, the son of Joshua Creswell Froggatt and Mary Froggatt née McPherson. He had ten siblings: Joshua Froggatt (1912–2000), Frederick George Froggatt (1914–2010), Mary Froggatt (1915–1998), Marjorie Deborah Froggatt (1923–2002), Georgina J (Joyce) Froggatt (born 1924), Triplets: George Froggatt (1925–1982), Annie Froggatt (1925–2010) and Jessie Froggatt (1925–1925); William Thomas (Tom) Froggatt (1927–1974) and one other (details unknown)

He married Hilda M. Boyde at Woolwich in the December Quarter of 1943, she becoming his next of kin. Hilda M Froggatt later married Harry W. Mitchell at Woolwich in the December Quarter of 1944)

(2) Sgt. Louis Verdon Houlton was born in 1923 at Kings Norton Worcestershire the son of son of William Percy Houlton (a Rubber Down at Coach Painters') and Alice Houlton née Freeth

In 1939 William and Alice Houlton lived at 14 Cambridge Road, Smethwick, West Midlands and later at Tirley, Gloucestershire, England.

(3) WO. Albert Francis Graves was born at Brentford, Middlesex on 14 January 1916, the son of Albert George Graves (an Aero and Motor Accessory Representative) and Annie Florence Graves neé Horsfield. He had 7 siblings: Arthur Albert Edward Graves (1904-1945), William George Graves (1906–1971), Lily Florence Jessie Graves (1909–1958), Doris Winifred Graves (1912–1993), Thomas Percy Graves (1918–2005), Leslie Fredrick Graves (1924–2011) and Douglas Vincent Graves (1927–2007).

In 1939 the family lived at 12 Browning Way, Heston, Hounslow, Middlesex, at which time Albert Francis Graves was employed as an Aircraft Industry Fitter.

He enlisted on 6 October 1941

In 1956 he married May Amy Graves née Arnold at Ealing. Mary Ann Graves was the widow of Albert's brother Arthur, who had sadly died in 1945.

Albert Francis Graves died at Ealing in February 1993 aged 77.

(4) F/Sgt. Edward Charnock was born at Prestwich, Lancashire, on 12 April 1917. He was the son of John Edward Charnock and Millicent Charnock née Cass, of Bolton. He had 5 siblings: Elizabeth Charnock born 1908, John Charnock born 1909, James Charnock born 1912, Mary Charnock born 1919 and Dorothy Charnock born 1924.

In 1939 the family lived at 8 Bedwell Close, Welwyn Garden City Hertfordshire at which time Edward was a Storekeeper and his father was a Radio Parts Fitter.

Edward Charnock enlisted on 23 April 1941.

In 1942 he married Margery Ivy J. Playle at Hatfield. A daughter, Yvonne, was born at Hatfield in 1944.

Yvonne was born whilst Ted was in a POW camp. The following link to BBC People's War tells the story of how he was notified of her birth https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/storie...

It is to be noted that he also records the crew members who were lost as follows:

'The following members of the crew that did not make it on the night of 30th January, 1944 were: Sgt.Doug Froggatt, Sgt.George Heath, Sgt.Louis Houlton and Sgt.Ron Wilson.'

Moie Marder is not mentioned, his name probably forgotten due to not being part of the usual crew.

Following liberation in 1945 Edward returned to the UK.

Edward Charnock died at St Austell, Cornwall in August 1999

(5) F/Sgt. Peter Edward John Carmichael was born in London on 25 June 1923. He was the son of a Belgian born father, Andre Florian "Frederick" Camichel and Mary Ann E. A. Canham. He had 4 siblings: Cyril Herbert F. Carmichael (1912-1976), Doreen Gertrude Florence Carmichael (1913-2001), Robert Joseph Ronald Carmichael (1915-1994) and Yvonne Nora P. Carmichael born 1917

Andre Florian Camichel became a Naturalised British subject on 3 August 1909 at which time he was living at 3 St.Paul Road and working on a ship as a ship's steward and waiter. Presumably, Andre anglicised his surname to Carmichael at this time.

Andre married Mary Ann E.A. Canham at Southwark in 1909. She was born in 1890 at Pancras and is thought to have died c.1933.

Following his return from POW life, Peter Carmichael returned to his hobby of theatre acting by joining the RAF Drama Group. This would lead to a family as he married Kathleen "Kay" Weir, a fellow actor, at Christ the King Church, West Hill Road, Coventry on 12 September 1952. They had three children: Gary P. Carmichael (1955-1986), Adele Y. Carmichael born 1960 and Nichole A. Carmichael born 1965. They lived at 42, Wellesbourne Road, Barford, Warwick, until c.2003 when they moved to 23, Keats Close, York.

Peter Edward John Carmichael died at York on 8 August 2008 aged 85.

(6) Sgt.Ronald Charles Wilson born in 1923 at Islington the son of Herbert Charles Wilson and Ethel May Wilson née Saberton. He had one sibling: Margery E. Wilson born 1920

In 1939 the family lived at 30 Bryantwood Road Islington but Ronald Charles Wilson was not living at the address. Herbert Wilson was recorded as a Fitter Assembler - Oxygen and an ARP Warden at British Oxygen.

(7) Sgt. Gilbert Thomas James Heath was born on 16 June 1921 at Wisbech Saint Mary, Cambridgeshire the son of Thomas Alfred Heath (a farm Worker) and Elizabeth Heath née Freeman. He had one sibling: Eileen Elizabeth Heath (1919-1988)

In 1939 the family lived at Bevis Lane Wisbech St. Mary, at which time Gilbert Heath was a Farm Worker

In 1941 he married Eva Joan Ashmore at Wisbech St. Mary, England.

(8) F/O. Moie Marder was born on 10 July 1920 at Regina, Saskatchewan the son of Israel Daniel Marder and Fanny Marder née Shein. He had 2 siblings: Anne Marder (later Rogers) born c1917 and Benny Marder born c1918. Israel and Fanny were both Russian born Jews and had become Naturalised Canadian Citizens.

Moie was short for Morris but it would seem that he preferred the diminutive version. Only one document, a reference from Edmonton Public School Board, refers to him as Morris.

Moie was educated at Victoria High School at Edmonton 1935-1938. After leaving school he was employed as a Salesman at Dollar Cleaners in Edmonton (1938-1941). He also belonged to the following Societies: YMCA, AZA and had served as Vice President of the Judeans . He also played softball and baseball and enjoyed swimming.

The family later moved to Trail, British Columbia, where they lived at 1352 Bay Avenue and later at 1855 Groutage Avenue. By November 1944 Israel and Fanny Marder were living at Twentieth Century Studios 212-425½ Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba

At Trail, Moie worked briefly as a Truck Driver in 1941 for Millers Department Store and in 1942 as a Ladle man at the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company.

On 8 January 1942, Moie applied to join the RCAF, but before being accepted he was required to pass a pre-enlistment education course. He undertook the course at Glenora in British Columbia and on successful completion was duly enlisted at Edmonton, Alberta on 17 June 1942. He was described as being 5' 8½" tall with a medium complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair.

After training at 7 Service Flying Training School at RCAF Macleod, Alberta, 4 Initial Training School at RCAF Edmonton and 5 Air Observer School at RCAF Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he graduated from Course 75, he was awarded his Air Bomber badge on 11 June 1943 , was also promoted to Sergeant and commissioned as a Pilot Officer .

Following 14 days pre embarkation leave Moie was posted to Y depot at Halifax Nova Scotia. On 3 August he embarked for the UK and having disembarked on 11 August was posted, the following day, to 3 Personnel and Reception Centre at Bournemouth.

On 30 August he was posted to 1 (Observer) Advanced Flying Unit at RAF Wigtown, Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland.

On 19 October he was posted to 14 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at RAF Market Harborough in Leicestershire and on 29 October to 17 OTU at RAF Silverstone in Northamptonshire/Buckinghamshire for training on Vickers Wellingtons.

Moie was promoted to Flying Officer on 11 December 1943 and having volunteered for Special Duties was posted to 101 Squadron at RAF Ludford Magna on 18 January 1944.

(9) Oblt. Karl-Heinz Richard was born on 3 September 1916 at Duisburg.

Adj II/NJG-6. One known victory, a Lancaster at Kummersdorf on 30 January, 1944.

On 16 March, 1944, his Bf 110G-4 Werk # 480131, was shot down whilst opposing a British bombing raid on Munich. The AC crashed at Möhringen, SW of Munderkingen (Jager Blatt 5/2003). All the crew baled out safely, but Oblt. Richard died of his injuries in hospital at Donaueschingen the next day. He was buried at Oberhausen-Sterkrade.

The remaining crew R/O Uffz Pommer and Gnr Gefr Schaffer were also injured but survived. (Details courtesy Tom Kracker Archive)

During his career Oblt. Karl-Heinz Richard was awarded the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class, Wound Badge and Night Fighter Operational Clasp

BURIAL DETAILS

(1) F/Sgt Douglas William (Doug) Froggatt was originally buried at Alexanderdorf Gemeinde Cemetery and re-interred on 13 December 1946 at the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery. Grave Ref: Plot 5 Row Z Collective Grave 17-19

No epitaph

(2) Sgt Louis Verdon Houlton was originally buried at Fernneuendorf Cemetery and re-interred on 13 December 1946 at the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery. Grave ref: Plot 5 Row Z Grave 15.

His epitaph reads:

We have lost,

Heaven has gained

One of the best

This world contained

(6) Sgt. Ronald Charles (Ron) Wilson was originally buried at Alexanderdorf Gemeinde Cemetery and re-interred on 13 December 1946 at the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery. Grave ref: Plot 5 Row Z. Collective Grave 17-19

His epitaph reads:

Memory

Is a golden chain

That binds us

Till we meet again

(7) Sgt Gilbert Thomas J. Heath was originally buried at Alexanderdorf Gemeinde Cemetery and re-interred on 13 December 1946 at the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery. Grave ref: Plot 5 Row Z Collective Grave 17-19

No epitaph.

(8) F/O. Moie Marder was originally buried at Alexanderdorf Gemeinde Cemetery and re-interred on 13 December 1946 at the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery. Grave ref: Plot 5 Row Z Grave 16

No epitaph

Researched for Mary McPherson, niece of the pilot Flt.Sgt. Froggatt and dedicated to all relatives of the crew - December 2023.

With thanks to John Jones for details of the German fighter claim.

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