Operation: Politz, Germany

Date: 21st/22nd December 1944 (Thursday/Friday)

Unit No: 617 Squadron (motto: Après moi le déluge - 'After me, the flood')

Type: Lancaster I

Serial: ME561

Code: KC:T

Base: RAF Woodland Spa, Lincolnshire

Location: Tealby, Lincolnshire

Pilot: Fg Off. Arthur William Joplin 424044 RNZAF Age? Seriously injured (1)

Flt Eng: Sgt. Frank L.Tilley 1869271 RAFVR Age 21. Seriously injured (2)

Nav: Flt Sgt. Charles Basil Renshaw Fish 1519711 RAFVR Age? Injured (3)

Bomb Aimer: Fg Off. Arthur James Walker 139686 RAFVR Age 22. Killed (4)

WOp/Air Gnr: Flt Sgt. Gordon Cooke 1549747 RAFVR Age? Seriously injured (5)

Air Gnr: Fg Off. Roberton Bertrand Yates 171019 RAFVR Age 23. Killed

Air Gnr (Rear): Flt Sgt. James T. Thompson 1314255 RAFVR Age? Injured

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off at 16:54 hrs. from 617 Squadron's base at RAF Woodhall Spa. Their target was the synthetic oil plant at Politz in Germany.

On their return to base they were diverted to Ludford Magna. At 02:40 hrs. on the 22nd December and due to fog blanketing the local area, the Lancaster crashed at Tealby, near Market Rasen on the approach to Ludford Magna. Five of the crew survived with various degrees of injuries but sadly Fg Off. Walker and Fg Off. Yates did not.

Frank Tilley takes up the story:

'The outward flight was uneventful and the crew reached the designated area, but found that the target marking appeared haphazard. After releasing their ‘Tallboy’ against a nominated marker they headed for home, setting course for their designated diversionary base in Scotland, which would have not only the advantage of clear weather, but would also shorten the length of the flight. Soon afterwards the wireless operator reported that they were being ordered to return to Lincolnshire. Although this would stretch their fuel reserves Frank considered it was a viable option and they headed for Woodhall Spa. As they crossed the coast it became apparent that Lincolnshire was still shrouded in fog. A further instruction was received for all aircraft to land at the first available airfield.

It seemed that crew were in luck, for very soon they saw a glow through the murk which was identified as the airfield at Ludford Magna. That this was visible was solely due to the fact that it was one of a small number of airfields equipped with FIDO – using burning petrol to disperse fog on the runway approach enabling aircraft to land in such conditions. Joppy homed in on the glow and circled, calling up and asking permission to land. There was no reply. The crew were now in a perilous position. Other aircraft would also be circling, increasing the risk of collision, and Frank reported that their fuel state prevented diversion to any fog free airfield.

They needed to land as soon as possible and were also aware of the rising ground of the Lincolnshire Wolds beneath. A few minutes later, while still circling, a sudden shudder ran through the aircraft as the port wing brushed a hillside. Looking out past his pilot, Frank was seemingly aware of the wing beyond the outer engine bending upwards. Joppy immediately called for more power and Frank responded by pushing the throttles forward. The aircraft was still airborne, but only just, and would not remain so for long. There was a further bump, a horrendous noise and violent shaking – then everything became still.

Frank looked back and saw that the cockpit and nose had broken off from the main fuselage. The wreckage was on fire and Basil Fish, the navigator, had been knocked unconscious. Frank shouted to him to get out. He tried to get clear himself but found that he could hardly stand. With great effort, he crawled and dragged himself away from the cockpit and to relative safety. Looking around, he saw Basil removing smouldering flying kit from the wireless operator before heading back to the blazing wreckage to rescue Joppy who was trapped in his seat. This done, Basil went back in an effort to locate other members of the crew, but the heat of the flames drove him away'.

Above L-R Rear: Flt Sgt. Charles Fish, Flt Sgt Loftus Hebbard (not on this flight as he was sick - Fg Off. Arthur Walker took his place), Sgt. Frank Tilley, Fg Off. Roberton Yates, Front row: Flt Sgt. Gordon Cooke, Fg Off. Arthur Joplin and Sgt. Norman Fredrick Lambell (6) (not on this flight - Flt Sgt. James Thompson took his place)

'Realising that he was the least injured and the only one of five survivors with any degree of mobility Basil set off across the fields in search of assistance, having briefed Frank to listen out for a series of whistle blasts that would signal his return. Nearly three hours later Frank heard a whistle, and sounded his own in reply to guide the rescuers to the injured.

Frank was admitted to the RAF Hospital at Rauceby with a broken leg and severe bruising to the other. Considering that he was not strapped in at the time of the crash since his role as flight engineer required him to stand for much of the time next to the pilot, or perch on a rudimentary canvas sling seat, he was incredibly fortunate not to be far more severely injured.

As his condition improved, Frank was sent to Hoylake for convalescence before returning to Woodhall Spa in August 1945. By now the European war was over, and following VJ Day Frank was keen to return to civilian life. However, it would be another eighteen months until this could be achieved, during which Frank re-mustered to a clerical role, serving with Polish units operating in Transport Command. He finally left the Service in February 1947. (Later in the same year, he and June were married. He told her nothing about his wartime experiences until 40 years later)'.

(courtesy of the Aircraft Enthusiasts’ Group - see link below)

(1) Fg Off. Arthur William Joplin. After the war he was demobilised during February 1947. He returned to work in his father’s knitwear business In 1953 and married Bette (Betty), who died in 2014. They have no descendants. He passed away on the 21st March 2023, age 99. Read his obituary.

(2) Frank Tilley was born on the 26th December 1922 in Hackney, London. Later of Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

(3) Charles Basil Renshaw Fish was born in Bury, Lancashire. Husband of Margaret Fish who died on the 19th September 1985, age 64 of Blackburn, Lancashire, England. He passed away on the 26th February 2020 age 97.

(4) Fg Off. Walker was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) whilst with 617 Squadron. (London Gazette 12th January 1945)

Citation reads: "As air bomber, this officer has participated in a large number of bombing missions, including many attacks against dangerous and difficult targets. He is a highly skilled and resolute member of aircraft crew, whose accurate work has contributed materially to the successes obtained. Flying Officer Walker took part in all three attacks on the German battleship Tirpitz".

(5) Flt Sgt. Gordon Cooke was appointed to a commission and promoted to 197847 Plt Off. with effect the 20th April 1945. Promoted to Fg Off. with effect 22nd October 1945. Demobilised 19th April 1946.

(6) Norman Frederick Lambell was born on the 17th February 1925, survived the war.. From Buckfastleigh, Devon, but later lived in Warrington for 58 years. Husband of Barbara Ann Lambell died of heart failure on the 15th October 2003 age 78.

Pilots course 36a. No. 1 Service Flying Training School, RNZAF Wigram - 08th March 1943.

L-R: Rear; J.P. Halligan, J.J. Macilree, D.J. James, R.A Naylor, C.J. Wright, M.S. Aitchison, H.L. Doyle, G.D. Lean, A.G. Brewer, E.G. Brooke, W.A. Jones, S.R. Carlton.
3rd row; J.E. Tompkins, B.F. Rosson, A.W. Joplin, K. Jackson, K.F. Parker, D.M. Moran, A.S.S. McCurdy, J.L. Gutzewitz, D.A. Coster, C.H. Edmands, E.C. Harris, D.M. Stevenson.
2nd row; T.G. Lister, A.H. Fairmaid, E.I. Waters, M.L.T. Harper, V.J. Armstrong, M.J. Adamson, C.T. Campbell, C.L. Organ, R.A. Stone, A.D. Wells, P.J. McArthur, W.E. Brunton.
Front; V.W. Mathias, R.K. Neiderer, K. Mangos, G.E. Scott, A.M. MacLeod, L.F. Le Lievre, N.L. Kelly, B.D. Stewart, A.H. Trewavas, C.F. St John, J.R. Sparrow, W.G. Cowie.

Burial details:

Fg Off. Arthur James Walker DFC. Richmond and East Sheen Cemeteries. Block AA, Grave 14. Son of James (died 21st May 1968, age 86) and Elizabeth Carnegie Walker (died 14th February 1971, age 82) of Ham Common, Richmond. London, England.

Fg Off. Roberton Bertrand Yates. Dartmouth Cemetery (Longcross) Sec A. Grave 287. Born on the 7th June 1921 in Toxteth, Liverpool, England. Son of Francis Bertrand and Winifred Elizabeth Yates (née Roberton) of Dartmouth, Devon, England. Nephew of the Revd. William Alfred Roberton, of St. Petrox Vicarage, Dartmouth.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Jennifer Lemaire of New Zealand, National Archives Kew, International Bomber Command Centre IBCC, Aircraft Enthusiasts’ Group, New Zealand Cenotaph. Thanks to John Jones for the DFC notification for Fg Off. Walker (Dec 2024).

Other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2025 Last Modified: 03 December 2024, 06:49