Archive Report: Allied Forces

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08/09.07.1941 No. 10 Squadron Whitley V Z6627 Fl/Sgt. Lewis

Operation: Hamm

Date: 8/9th July 1941 (Tuesday/Wednesday)

Unit: No. 10 Squadron

Type: Whitley V

Serial: Z6627

Code: ZA-?

Base: R.A.F. Leeming, Yorkshire.

Location: North Sea – 60 km. north west of Vieland, Holland

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. George Bertram Lewis 805396 R.A.F. (Auxiliary) Age ? Missing (1)

Pilot 2: P/O. Frank Wilson 89362 R.A.F.V.R. Age ? Missing

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Rodney Victor Butcher 962421 R.A.F.V.R. Age 21. Missing

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Cyril John Bevan 755892 R.A.F.V.R. Age 25. Missing

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off at 22.29 hrs. from R.A.F. Leeming to join 45 Hampdens and 28 Whitleys on an operation to Hamm, Germany. 

Only 31 aircraft for various reasons managed to bomb the target and the results of the raid are unknown. However, 8 aircraft were lost with 25 aircrew killed, 5 being made pow’s and one airman according to reports, swam 9 miles back to shore to raise the alarm about his aircraft, another Whitley from 78 squadron Y4209 EY-W flown by Sgt. William McQuitty R.A.A.F. but despite a search no survivors were found.

                     

                                                                           

Z6627 was intercepted and shot down by Lt. Rudolf Schoenert (2) of 4./NJG1 at 03.40 hrs. The aircraft came down according to records in the North Sea 60 km. north west of Vieland, Holland.

                    

(1) Fl/Sgt. George Bertram Lewis was a former pupil of Moseley Grammar school (Now secondary/grammar school. We are working very closely with the school’s historians to remember all the ex pupils who died whilst serving with the RAF and recorded on the school memorial.

(2) This was the second kill for Lt. Rudolf Schoenert who survived the war as a Major, with 67 confirmed kills.

Burial details:

Fl/Sgt. George Bertram Lewis. Runnymede memorial Panel 37. No further details apart from his former address, 64 Southam Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, England.

P/O. Frank Wilson. Runnymede memorial Panel 35. N.o.K. details not currently available.

Sgt. Rodney Victor Butcher. Runnymede memorial Panel 40. Son of George Thomas Butcher and Edith Maud Butcher, of Doddington, Cambridgeshire, England.

Fl/Sgt. Cyril John Bevan. Runnymede memorial Panel 35.Son of Ernest James Bevan and Eva Bevan, of Okehampton, Devon, England.

Researched by Aircrew Remembered, researcher and specialist genealogist Kate Tame for relatives of this crew. With thanks to the following: Keith Townsend historian of Moseley Secondary/Grammar school memorial records, Bill Chorley – “Bomber Command Losses”, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie – ‘Nightfighter War Diaries Vol’s. 1 and  2’, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt “Bomber Command War Diaries”, the C.W.G.C.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

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