Operation: Anti Shipping

Date: 16th June 1941 (Monday)

Unit No: 21 Squadron, 2 Group, Bomber Command

Type: Blenheim IV

Serial: V6034

Code: YH:D

Base: RAF Watton, Norfolk

Location: North Sea

Pilot: Flt Sgt. Evered Arthur Reginald ‘Rex’ Leavers DFM, 745760 RAFVR Age 24. KiA (1)

Obs: Sgt. Ian Overheu DFM, 40721 RNZAF Age 23. MiA

WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. Joseph William Howell Phelps 751054 RAFVR Age? KiA

REASON FOR LOSS:

Blenheim IV V6034 took-off at 13:19 hrs from RAF Watton in Norfolk on an anti-shipping strike off the Frisian Islands with two other aircraft.

V6034 collided with the mast of a 'Squeler' (radio-equipped early warning trawler) shearing off the outer starboard wing. The aircraft then cartwheeled into the sea. Two bodies of the crew were later recovered. Sgt. Overheu has no known grave.

Above: Gun camera picture of Blenheim IVF V6034 seconds before it crashed into the sea (Courtesy of Antonio McDonald)

Sgt. Leavers and Sgt. Overheu were awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) whilst with 21 Sqn. London Gazette 23rd May 1941.

Citation Reads: “745760 Sergeant Evered Arthur Reginald LEAVERS, No. 21 Squadron. NZ40729 Sergeant Ian OVERHEU, Royal New Zealand Air Force, No. 21 Squadron. In April, 1941, Sergeant Leavers and Sergeant Overheu were the pilot and observer respectively in an aircraft which participated in an attack on a large enemy convoy. In the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, Sergeant Leavers displayed great determination and tactical ability which enabled Sergeant Overheu to score two direct hits on a large ship. In March, 1941, these airmen successfully attacked an enemy destroyer which was escorting a convoy of some 13 ships. Pressing home his attack from an extremely low level, Sergeant Leavers machine gunned the deck while Sergeant Overheu scored two direct hits on the destroyer with his bombs. These airmen have completed many operational missions and both have displayed outstanding team work, together with great courage and determination”.

(1) News of the death of Flt Sgt. Leavers DFM courtesy of the Evening Post, dated 23rd August 1941.

Burial details

Flt Sgt. Evered Arthur Reginald Rex Leavers DFM. Baflo (Den Andel) Protestant Cemetery, Row 22, Grave 12. Grave inscription: 'IN PROUD AND EVERLOVING MEMORY OF EVERED ARTHUR REX OF NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND'. Born on the 27th of May 1917 in Bridgford, Nottingham. Son of Evered Herbert and Jessie (née Hales) Leavers of Dunkirk, Nottingham, England.

Sgt. Ian Overheu DFM. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 64. Born on the 28th July 1917 in Geraldton, Western Australia. Son of Frederick Charles and Florence Margaret (née Bond) Overhue. Husband of Peggy Yvonne (née Skelton) Overhue of Subiaco, Perth, Western Australia.

Worked as a traveller/machine fitter prior to service. Enlisted on the 12th March 1940 at Levin. Trained with 17 OTU before joining 21 Sqn on the 17th February 1941.

A total of 290 flying hours logged and on his 28th operational sortie.

Sgt. Joseph William Howell Phelps. Sage War Cemetery. Grave 7.C.15. Son of Herbert and Olive Phelps of Bedwellty, Monmouthshire, South Wales.

Sgt Phelps was recovered from the Luteran Cemetery at Borkum in the Frisian Irelands and was laid to rest at the Sage War Cemetery 28th May 1947.

Researched by Kelvin Youngs (Webmaster) and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Jenifer Lemaire and to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”,RAF Watton website, Auckland Library Heritage Collection,AWMM (Apr 2020). Thanks to Antonio McDonald for the Gun Camer image. Other updates by Aircrew Remembered (Apr 2025).

Other sources listed below:

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