Operation: Duisburg, Germany

Date: 17th/18th June 1941 (Tuesday/Wednesday)

Unit No: 142 Squadron (motto: 'Determination'), 1 Group, Bomber Command

Type: Wellington II

Serial: W5370

Code: QT:?

Base: RAF Binbrook, Lincolnshire

Location: At base

Pilot: Flt Lt. Alexander Douglas Gosman 40107 RAF Age 26. Safe (1)

2nd Pilot: (2)

Obs: Plt Off. Robert McDougal Durham 45231 RAF Age? Safe (1)

WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. Leslie Frith 617340 RAFVR Age 21. Safe (1)

Air Gnr (Front): Sgt. Kenneth Stuart Holman 751800 RAFVR Age 24. Safe (1)

Air Gnr (Rear): Sgt. Douglas Alfred ‘Doug’ Maclean 525672 RAF Age? KiA (3)

Above: Sgt. Douglas Alfred ‘Doug’ Maclean (Courtesy of Michael McRitchie)

REASON FOR LOSS:

W5370 took-off from RAF Binbrook at 22:58 hrs to join a force of twenty-six (26) Wellingtons on an operation to bomb Duisburg in Germany.

The ORB states that the 'sky was particularly bright' while crossing the North Sea with the result that the aircraft was attacked by two (2) Ju88.

Outbound the aircraft was reportedly shot-up by the two fighters attacking in quick succession at 00:05hrs some 130 km east of Cromer.  The Wimpey managed shake off the night-fighters at low-level in the sea mist and returned to the UK base with its rear gunner killed. W5370 was claimed as damaged at 00:08 hrs over the sea 115km east of Cromer by Oblt. Herbert Bönsch of 1./NJG2, his 6th Abschuss (Ref 1, p104).

The aircraft forced-landed back at base at 01:27 hrs. The death of Sgt. Douglas A. Maclean was the first casualty since the Sqn being re-equipped with Wellington aircraft.

Above: Believed to be W5370. The aircraft Movements Card (Form 1180) for W5370 reported the extent of damage as "FB (B)" which means Flying Battle Damage (Beyond Repair on site but repairable at a Maintenance Unit or at a contractor’s works)

(1) On the night of the 12th/13th August 1941 four (4) of crew were aboard Wellington II W5433 which was shot down by Flak on an operation to Berlin.

(2) The Sqn ORB for the operation on the night of the 17th/18th June 1941 only records the crew as “Flt Lt. Gosman and Crew”.  The last recorded full crew complement prior to this operation was on the 11th May 1941 which listed the 2nd Pilot as Fg Off. Bilton. This officer was believed to be Fg Off. John Ewart Bilton 81552 RAF. 

Plt Off. John Raymond Gibbon 61312 RAFVR, the 2nd Pilot for the operation on the night of the 12th/13th August 1941 was posted onto 142 Sqn on the 3rd July 1941 which makes it probable that Fg Off. Bilton was the 2nd Pilot for the Operation on the night of the 17th/18th June 1941 but requires corroboration.

(3) Michael McRitchie wrote to us in February 2024 Douglas joined the RAF in 1936 and met Stanley McRitchie of Belfast in 1938 at Andover when they trained as air gunners.  They were posted to 142 Sqn (Fairey Battles) and went to war in1939, being stationed at Berry-au-Bac in France where the RAF suffered appalling casualties.

When the squadron returned to Binbrook in Lincolnshire Stanley was posted away but kept in close touch with his friend Doug, who sent him his picture (above) in April 1941.  Stanley found later that back in Belfast his son Michael had arrived into this world at just about the time his best friend Doug was leaving it.

Stanley wanted to visit Doug's parents at the end of the war but was posted to India in 1944 (Vultee Vengeance) he remained until the end of 1945.

BURIAL DETAILS:

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Sgt. Douglas Alfred Maclean.  He was buried with full military honours on the 21st June 1941 at Eastleigh Cemetery, Section D, Grave 485.  From Southampton, England.  No next of kin details - are you able to assist?

Researched by Kelvin Youngs (Webmaster) and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Michael McRitchie for bringing the loss of Sgt. Maclean to our attention (24th Feb 2024).  Reviewed and updated with thanks to Nicholas Gosman for informing us that his father, Flt Lt. Gosman was the pilot of the aircraft and not Fg Off. G.M. Kelly (29th Oct 2026).

Other sources listed below:

References:

1.         Nachtjagd Combat Archive (1939 - 12 July 1941) The Early Years Part 1 - Theo Boiten