Operation: Revigny, France

Date: 14th/15th July 1944 (Friday/Saturday)

Unit No: 156 Squadron, 8 Group, Bomber Command

Type: Lancaster III

Serial: PA984

Code: GT:Q

Base: RAF Upwood, Cambridgeshire

Location: Forest of Valturmont-Jossilliers, France

Pilot: Sqn Ldr. George Geoffrey Davies DSO, MiD, 87415 RAFVR Age 24. PoW No: 4900 * (1)

Flt Eng: Fg Off. Kenneth Stevens 52120 RAFVR Age 33. PoW ** (2)

Nav: Fg Off. Fernand Camille Guillaume DeBrock DFC, 168843 RAF Age 36. KiA (3)

Nav II: Fg Off. Hugh Coker 149304 RAFVR Age 23. KiA

Bomb Aimer: Fg Off. Frederick Holbrook DFC, 158423 RAFVR Age 24. KiA

WOp/Air Gnr: Flt Lt. Harry George Mason Robinson DFC, 412304 RAAF Age 24. KiA (4)

Air Gnr (Mid Upp): Fg Off. Frederick James Lockwood DFC, 131879 RAFVR Age 22. KiA.

Air Gnr (Rear): Fg Off. Daniel Dominique Platana DFC, J18616 RCAF Age 21. KiA

* Stalag Luft 1, Barth-Vogelsang, today situated in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.

** Stalag Luft 3 (Belaria), Sagan-Silesia, Germany, now Żagań in Poland.

Above: Fg Off. Fernand Camille Guillaume DeBrock DFC

Above left to right: Flt Lt. Harry George Mason Robinson DFC, Fg Off. Daniel Dominique Platana DFC

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 21:55 hrs from RAF Upwood to attack rail facilities, flying as Deputy Master Bomber. Two targets had been planned to be bombed, Revigny and Villeneuve. The Revigny target had to be abandoned as the railway yards could not be positively identified. This second target was hit but most of the bombing landed to the east.

Homebound PA984 was claimed by Ofw. Reinhard Kollack flying Bf110 G-4 3C+BS, of 8./NJG4, his 44th Abschuss, SSW of Bar-le-Duc at 2.500 m at 02:05 hrs (Nachtjagd Combat Archive (12 May 1944 - 23 July 1944) Part 3 - Theo Boiten).

Above: Ofw. Reinhard Kollack (courtesy Kracker Archive)

Stabsfeldwebel (Stfw) Reinhard Kollack survived the war with his Bordfunker, Hans Herman. He was credited with 44 confirmed Abschüsse with one (1) awaiting confirmation. (Nachtjagd Combat Archive - Biographies - Theo Boiten). He died on the 6th February 1980 age 65.

The aircraft exploded in mid-air and broke into two sections before crashing about 300 yards apart in the Forest of Valturmont-Jossilliers some 20 km SW of Bar-le-Duc.

(1) Sqn Ldr. Davies landed suffered an injured knee or ankle and was captured near St. Dizier at 06:00 hrs on the 15th July. After the statutory interrogation at Dulag Luft, Oberursel he was transferred to Stalag Luft 1, Barth-Vogelsang arriving there on the 28th July 1944.

On the 30th April 1945, the prisoners were ordered to evacuate the camp in the face of the advancing Soviet Red Army, but the Senior American Officer (SAO), Col. Hubert Zemke, refused to give the order. After negotiations between Zemke and Commandant Oberst (Col) Gustav Warnstedt, it was agreed that to avoid useless bloodshed the guards would go, leaving the PoWs behind. The next day, the first Soviet troops arrived.

The Western Allied prisoners took over the camp into self-administration on the 1st May 1945. After protracted negotiations between the Western Allies and the Soviet leadership, the evacuation of the 8,498 inmates of Stalag Luft 1 finally took place between the 12th and 14th May 1945. The former PoWs had repaired a runway at the Barth Air Base and aircraft of the 8th Air Force undertook a massive airlift called "Operation Revival". Hundreds of PoWs had meanwhile made their own way west.

RAF PoWs were flown back to England and the American PoWs were flown to Camp Lucky Strike in Le Havre, France, where they were processed and waited for a liberty ship to return to the United States. Sqn Ldr. Davies was interviewed on the 11th May 1945

George Geoffrey Davis was born on the 5th March 1920 in Wavetree, West Derby, Lancashire.

He was granted a Short Service Commission in the RAF in June 1939. On the outbreak of the war his Commission was cancelled after which he enlisted in the ranks. 967884 LAC George Geoffrey Davis was granted a commission as 87415 Plt Off. with effect 19th October 1940. (London Gazette 26th November 1940).

Flt Lt. Davies was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) whilst with 102 Sqn (London Gazette 8th August 1941.)

Citation: “One night in July, 1941, this officer was the captain of an aircraft which carried out an attack on Bremen. Over the target area the aircraft was subjected to heavy antiaircraft fire whilst held in the beams of a concentration of searchlights. Nevertheless, Flight Lieutenant Davies continued his bombing run and was shortly engaged by enemy fighters. In the course of the action the rear gunner was killed and much damage inflicted to the aircraft causing it to go out of control at 10,500 feet. In spite of great difficulties, Flight Lieutenant Davies, showing exceptional skill and admirable presence of mind, succeeded in regaining control after the aircraft had fallen some 7,000 feet. Coming out of the spin the aircraft was again attacked by enemy fighters but Flight Lieutenant Davies skilfully maintained a level flight and with a superlative display of airmanship succeeded in flying back to an aerodrome in this country where he landed safely without further damage to the aircraft or injury to his crew. Throughout the whole of this most hazardous operation, Flight Lieutenant Davies displayed the utmost courage and determination and was certainly responsible for saving the aircraft and the crew from destruction”.

He was promoted to Fg Off. with effect 19th October 1941 (London Gazette 9th December 1941).

Fg Off. Davies was Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) which was promulgated in the London Gazette on the 1st January 1942.

He was promoted to Fg Off. (War Substantive) effective from the 8th October 1941 (London Gazette 13th January 1942). He was promoted to Flt Lt. (War Substantive) effective from the 8th October 1942 (London Gazette 27th November 1942).

He was appointed to a commission as a Flt Lt. in Royal Air Force (RAF) effective 4th April 1949 (London Gazette 7th October 1949). He was promoted to Sqn Ldr. effective 1st January 1955. (London Gazette 28th December 1954). George Geoffrey Davis retired from the RAF as a Sqn Ldr. on the 12th March 1963 (London Gazette 22nd March 1963).

George Geoffrey Davies passed away in September 1991 in Worthing, West Sussex.

(2) Fg Off. Stevens baled out and upon landing he was hidden by the friendly citizens of Ancerville until he was picked up by the local Maquis and taken to their Head Quarters (HQ) at Bar-sur-Aube near Troyes where he remained until the HQ was attacked. He escaped and travelled towards the Swiss frontier but was captured near Gray, about 15 km from the frontier, by the Gestapo on the 4th August 1944.

He was transferred to Dulag Luft, Oberursel where he was interrogated for 10 days. He was then transferred to Stalag Luft 3 (Belaria), Sagan-Silesia arriving here on the 18th August 1944.

On the night of the 27th January 1945, with Soviet troops only 26 km (16 mls) away, orders were received to evacuate the PoWs to Spremberg which is to the West in Germany. The PoW’s were informed of the evacuation, which was on foot, at about 22:00 hrs the same night and were given 30 mins to pack and prepare everything for the March. The weather conditions were very difficult, with freezing temperatures, and it was snowing accompanied by strong winds. There was 15 cm (6 in) of snow and 2000 PoWs were assigned to clear the road ahead of the main groups.

After a 55 km (34 mls) march, the PoWs arrived in Bad Muskau where they rested for 30 hours. The PoWs were then marched the remaining 26 km (16 mls) to Spremberg where they were housed in empty garages, storerooms and in military barracks. There they were provided with warm soup and bread.

During next days, PoWs were divided up according to Compounds, and they were led to railway sidings and loaded into tightly packed carriages. On the 2nd February he was amongst the PoWs who were sent to Stalag 3A, Luckenwalde.

He was promoted to Flt Lt. (War Substantive) effective 10th April 1945 (London Gazette 4th May 1945).

On the 22nd April 1945 as the Russians approached the camp the guards fled leaving the prisoners to be liberated by the Red Army. Stalag 3A was turned over to the Americans on the 6th May at which time the Senior American Officers (SAO) took over the running of the camp until all the PoWs were evacuated. Fg Off. Stevens was interviewed on the 12th May 1944.

Flt Lt. Stevens was transferred to the Secretarial Branch retaining his existing rank and seniority on the 13th November 1947. (London Gazette 27th April 1948).

Flt Lt. Stevens retired from the service retaining his rank of Sqn Ldr. on the 7th November 1957. (London Gazette 8th November 1957)

Kenneth Stevens was born on the 29th April 1913 in Leicester, Leicestershire. He was an Insurance Inspector in Lincolnshire prior to enlisting in the RAF on the 3rd March 1934.

Above Courtesy of the Leicester Mercury, dated 24th March 1990

Kenneth passed away in March 1990 in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

(3) Fg Off. Debrock DFC was Belgian attached to the RAF.

(4) Flt Lt. Robinson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) whilst with 76 Sqn. (London Gazette 15th October 1943).

Citation: “During his tour of operations Flight Lieutenant Robinson has been detailed to attack dome of the heaviest defended targets in enemy territory. This officer has always shown a high degree of courage, skill and initiative and fine fighting spirit. He posses outstanding ability as a wireless operator and a strong sense of duty both in the air and on the ground”.

Burial details:

The five (5) recovered bodies were immediately buried in Ancerville by the French people to avoid their remains from falling into the hands of the Germans.

The body of Fg Off. Debrock was found in a nearby forest on the 22nd March 1945. He was buried in the Ancerville Communal Cemetery on the 24th March alongside his comrades with full Military Honours.

Above: Belgian Airman’s field of honour

Fg Off. Fernand Camille Guillaume DeBrock DFC. Repatriated to Belgium and laid to rest in the Brussels Town Cemetery, Belgian Airman’s field of honour. Born on the 28th December 1907, Oostende, Belgium.

Also named in the Maidenhead Register.

Fg Off. Hugh Coker. Ancerville Communal Cemetery, Grave 3. Grave Inscription: “IN LOVING MEMORY OF A DEAR SON, BROTHER AND FIANCE. "THY WILL BE DONE" R.I.P.”. Born on the 16th November in City of London, Greater London. Son of Hugh and Norah (née Fitzgerald) Coker of Petts Wood, Kent, England.

Fg Off. Frederick Holbrook DFC. Ancerville Communal Cemetery, Grave 4. Grave Inscription: “ALTHOUGH YOU LIE SO FAR AWAY YOU ARE WITH US ALWAYS”. Born on the 11th May 1920 in Shirley, Solihull. Son of William Alfred and Frances Mildred (née Sibson) Holbrook of Shirley, Warwickshire, England.

Fg Off. Holbrook was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) whilst with 156 Sqn. (London Gazette 25th January 1946).

Flt Lt. Harry George Mason Robinson DFC. Ancerville Communal Cemetery, Grave 5. Grave Inscription: “ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS. YOUR LOVING WIFE DOROTHY AND DAUGHTER BEVERLEY”. Born on the 22nd September 1919 in Parramatta, New South Wales. Son of George Henry and Kathleen Robinson. Husband of Dorothy Robinson of Busselton, Western Australia.

Fg Off. Frederick James Lockwood DFC. Ancerville Communal Cemetery, Grave 2. Born on the 6th September 1920 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. Son of Frederick and Margaret Anne (née Small) Lockwood of Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England.

Also commemorated at the Cleethorpes Memorial Hall with a memorial plaque.

Fg Off. Lockwood was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) whilst with 156 Sqn. (London Gazette 25th January 1946).

Fg Off. Daniel Dominique Platana DFC. Ancerville Communal Cemetery, Grave 1. Grave Inscription: “IL EST TOMBE LOIN DE NOUS PRIEZ HOUR LUI. SON HERE, SA MERE QUI N'OUBLIENT HAS”. Born on the 25th September 1922 in Indian Head, Saskatchewan. Son of Antoine and Marthe-Marie (née Latreille) Platana of Regina, Saskatchewan. Husband of Sarah (née Sharpe) Platana of Felling-on-Tyne, County Durham, England.

Fg Off. Platana was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) whilst with 156 Sqn. (London Gazette 25th January 1946).

His wife, 2092394 LACW Sarah Platana served at SHQ Signals Section, at RAF Manby, Lincolnshire.

Platana Lake in Saskatchewan is named after Fg Off. Platana.

Initially researched by Kelvin Young (Webmaster) and dedicated to the crew and their families. Thanks to Richard Lockwood for additional details on Fg Off. Lockwood (Mar 2016). Reviewed and updated by Aircrew Remembered (Jul 2025).

Other sources listed below:

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