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Operation: Milan, Italy
Date: 13th/14th July 1944 (Thursday/Friday)
Unit No: 142 Squadron, 330 Wing, Middle East Command
Type: Wellington X
Serial: MF120
Code: QT:Q
Base: Amendola Airfield, Italy
Location: Near the village of Pizzighettone, Italy
Pilot: Flt Lt. Stewart Foster Garland DFC, J16208 RCAF Age 24. KiA
Observer: Flt Sgt. Patrick Cashin 968964 RAFVR Age 26. KiA
Bomb Aimer: WO. Donald Maurice Russell Purdue 421688 RAAF Age 20. KiA
WOp/Air Gnr: Fg Off. Stuart Collin Ware 151075 RAFVR Age 28. KiA
Air Gnr (Rear): Flt Sgt. Douglas Michael Maughan-Taylor 700731 RAFVR Age 27. KiA
Above: Flt Lt. Stewart F. Garland DFC, from his service record
REASON FOR LOSS:
On the night of the 13th/14th July 1944 the squadron was detailed on a follow-up mission to the Lambrake marshalling yards in Milan, Italy. MF120 was one of 18 aircraft that took off from Amendola Airfield (Regia Aeronautica) in Italy.
The attack was deemed to be a success and the aircraft turned for home. Wellington X MF120 was flying just above the cloud ceiling of 9,500 ft on the homebound leg when another aircraft emerged from the clouds below and collided with MF120. It is probable that the crew of MF120 were completely unaware of the approaching aircraft.
It was later established that the collision was with 70 Squadron Wellington X LN806.
It can only be speculated that the collision killed and/or incapacitated the crew as they were all recovered from the aircraft wreckage which had crashed near the village of Pizzighettone some 6½ km (4 mls) south of San Bassano where LN806 crashed.
Pizzighettone is some 56¼ km (35 mls) SE of Milan
MF120 was one of two aircraft from the squadron that failed to return. The second aircraft was:
Wellington X, HE293 QT:D. Crashed near Bergamo, which is approximately 46 km (28 mls) NE of Milan, Italy. Flt Sgt. Kenneth A. Fairclough and his crew were KiA.
Burial details:
The crew were initially buried near Pizzighettone some 19¼ km (12 mls) WNW of Cremona in Italy.
Above Milan War Cemetery
Flt Lt. Stewart Foster Garland DFC. Milan War Cemetery II.E.8. Grave Inscription: ‘YOUNGEST SON OF WILLIAM AND MARGARET GARLAND, OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA’. Born on the 20th December 1918 in Ottawa, Ontario.Son of William Foster and Margaret (née Green) Garland, of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
The DFC was awarded to Plt Off. Garland whilst with 40 Sqn. London Gazette 15th October 1943. Citation: "This officer is an extremely keen and efficient captain who has earned many successes. One night in July, 1943, he executed a most successful attack on the Marshalling Yards at Reggio de Calbria, although his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire during the bombing run, Pilot Officer Garland pressed home his Attack starting many fires. He also secured an excellent photograph. His high morale and fine record have set an excellent example”.
Flt Sgt. Patrick Cashin. Milan War Cemetery II.E.10. Grave Inscription: ‘"THY WILL BE DONE" IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR BROTHER. R.I.P. NANCY AND SEAMUS’. Son of Michael Cashin and of Margaret Cashin (nee Carty), of New Ross, Co. Wexford, Irish Republic.
WO. Donald Maurice Russell Purdue. Milan War Cemetery II.E.4. Grave Inscription: ‘HIS DUTY FEARLESSLY AND NOBLY DONE. EVER REMEMBERED’. Born on the 25th October 1923 in Glen Innes, New South Wales. Son of Maurice Henry and Matilda Louisa Purdue, of Glen Innes, New South Wales, Australia.
Fg Off. Stuart Collin Ware.Milan War Cemetery II.E.6. Grave Inscription: ‘MOURN NOT FOR HIM WHOM GOD HATH BLEST AND TAKEN TO HIS HEAVENLY REST’.Son of Pte Sydney Stuart Ware, 2nd Bn. South Wales Borderers, (killed in Action at Gallipoli, 13th August, 1915) and Henrietta Ware. Ttepson of Edwin Blinman, of Ogmore Vale, Glamorgan, Wales.
Flt Sgt. Douglas Michael Maughan-Taylor.Milan War Cemetery II.E.2. Born in the 2nd Qtr of 1917 in Tendring, Essex. Son of Harry Douglas and Anne Helen Hope (née O’Dwyer) Maughan-Taylor of Surrey, England.
Researched by Ralph Snape from Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the relatives of this crew.
Other sources listed below:
RS 07.02.2024 - Initial upload
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