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Operation: Bergen, Holland
Date: 4th July 1942 (Saturday)
Unit No: 226 Squadron
Type: Boston III (A-20 Havoc)
Serial No: AL741
Code: MQ:V
Location: Bergen airfield, Holland
Base: RAF Swanton Morley, Norfolk, England.
Pilot: 2nd Lt. William G. Lynn Jr. O-432081 AAF Age 27. KiA
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Boyd Sutcliff Grant O-724265 AAF Age 27. KiA
Radio Op/Gunner: Cpl. Charles P. Kramarewicz 11019157 AAF Age 22. KiA
Gunner: Sgt. William Ennis Murphy 6913804 AAF Age 27. KiA
This operation, flown on America’s Independence Day, involved for the first time crews from the 27th Bombardment Group (Light), 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light) who had been attached to 226 Squadron for operational training in low-level day bombing techniques, whilst awaiting deliver of their own aircraft.
Above: RAF Bomber Command Boston Mk III
REASON FOR LOSS:
Twelve Bostons took off on an early morning attack on four enemy fighter airfields in Holland. Six of the aircraft were crewed by personnel from the US Army Air Force (AAF).
The four airfields were:
De Kooy which was 61 km (38 mls) north of Amsterdam and 4 km (2½ mls) south of Den Helder. 2nd Lt Frederick A. Loehrl flying Boston III AL677 was shot down;
Bergen which was 4 km (2½ mls) WNW of Alkmaar and 2½ km (1½ mls) south of Bergen;
Haamstede which was near the western tip of Schouwen island and 2½ km (1½ mls) NW of the village of Haamstede;
Valkenburg which was on the coast 14 km (8½ mls) NE of den Haag and about 1½ km (1 ml) SW of the village Valkenburg.
AL741 took off at 07:14 hrs detailed as #3 in a flight of three aircraft tasked with attacking the airfield at Bergen, Holland. The other two aircraft were AL679 MQ:Y flown by the flight leader Flt Lt. Robert A. Yates-Earl RAFVR and as #2 Z2213 MQ:U flown by Plt Off. Charles F. Henning 104360 RAFVR.
The combat report for this operation described that the airfield hangers and concealed dispersals were bombed from a very low altitude at 08:02 hrs. The Boston flown by 2nd Lt. Lynn Jr. went down over the target, probably from being hit by flak. Plt Off. Charles F. Henning’s Boston apparently was also hit by flak but carried out his bombing attack.
Flt Lt. Yates-Earl, just after dropping his bombs, encountered a Bf109 taking off immediately in front of him and gave him a 2 second burst from the front guns. The Boston’s speed caused him to overshoot the Bf109, however, as the enemy fighter turned to port the gunner, Sgt. Leaver, fired a burst of 20 rounds at point blank range to the port quarter of the Bf109.
The Bf109 was next seen emitting considerable black smoke, but continued to follow the two remaining two Bostons out to sea. The enemy fighter concentrated his attack on Plt Off. Henning’s damaged Boston shooting him down on fire, and breaking up, into the sea some 24 to 48 km (15 to 30 mls) west of the Dutch coast.
The Bf109 appeared reluctant to close under 800 yards with Flt Lt. Yates-Earl’s Boston. The enemy fighter circled once over the spot in the sea where Plt Off. Henning’s aircraft crashed and then set course for his base still emitting large quantities of black smoke.
Flt Lt. Yates-Earl claimed a Bf109 possibly damaged.
A Boston III was claimed by Uffz. Johannes Rathenow, his first Abschuss, from 10./JG 1 west of Den Helder at 08:33 hrs.
For this action Flt Lt. Yates-Earl, his Navigator and his Wireless Operator/Air Gunner were awarded the DFC and DFM. The awards were promulgated in the London Gazette on the 24th July 1942. The joint citation reads:
“Flight Lieutenant Robert Aubrey YATES-EARL (40163); No. 226 Squadron. Pilot Officer Kenneth Henry HOUGHTON (121208), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 226 Squadron. In July, 1942, Flight Lieutenant Yates-Earl, Pilot Officer Houghton and Sergeant Leaver were pilot, navigator and wireless operator/air gunner respectively of the leading aircraft of a section of bombers which carried out a low level attack on the aerodrome, at Bergen Alkmaar. The operation, which was executed in daylight without fighter protection or cloud cover, called for high qualities of leadership and resolution. On nearing the target area, whilst flying at a very-low level, severe opposition from the enemy's anti-aircraft defences was encountered. His aircraft was hit but, undeterred, Flight Lieutenant Yates-Earl flew on to the target under the able guidance of his navigator. From the lowest possible altitude he enabled his gunner to deliver effective fire at enemy aircraft in dispersal shelters, which were also bombed and set on fire. Shortly, after leaving the target Flight Lieutenant Yates-Earl observed an enemy fighter in close pursuit of an aircraft of his section which had been severely damaged and was incapable of increasing its speed. He immediately drew into protective formation and directed Sergeant Leaver to bring his guns to bear in defence of the damaged bomber. A running fight ensued for some 35 miles out to sea. Flight Lieutenant Yates-Earl displayed the highest conception of his duties as a leader, whilst he was most ably supported by Pilot Officer Houghton and Sergeant Leaver both of whom showed gallantry and fortitude.”
One Bf109 F-4 from IV./JG 1 was destroyed on the ground.(Luftwaffe Airfields 1935-45 the Netherlands (Henry L. deZeng IV)).
Burial details:
Above grave marker for 2nd Lt. Lynn Jr. (Credit American Battle Monuments Commission)
2nd Lt. William G. Lynn Jr. Purple Heart. Netherlands American Cemetery, Plot B, Row 5, Grave 10. Born 6th June 1915 in Michigan. Son of William G. Lynn from Los Angeles, California, USA.
2nd Lt. Boyd Sutcliff Grant. Air Medal, Purple Heart. Repatriated and buried in the Hasley Cemetery, West Monroe, Ouachita, Louisiana. Born 14th January 1915 in Rapides Parish, Louisiana. Son of Ferdinand M.L. ‘Mott’ and Minnie Elvie (née Sutcliff) Lynn. from West Monroe, Ouachita, Louisiana. Husband to Ernestine (née Vaughn) Grant.
Above grave marker for 2nd Lt. Grant (Credit American Battle Monuments Commission)
Cpl. Charles P. Kramarewicz. Purple Heart. Netherlands American Cemetery, Plot I, Row 14, Grave 18. Born in 1920 in Connecticut. Son of Paul and Stefania (née Wroblewska) Kramarewicz of New London, Connecticut., USA.
Sgt. William Ennis Murphy. Repatriated in September 1946 and buried in the Saint John’s Cemetery, Frederick County, Maryland. Born 3rd January 1915 in Baltimore, Maryland. Son of Joseph Leo and Mary Madeline (née Houff) Murphy from Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Researched by Ralph Snape for Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the relatives of this crew.
RS 19.05.2021 - Initial upload
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