Operation: Stuttgart, Germany

Date: 11th/12th March 1943 (Thursday/Friday)

Unit No: 83 Squadron, 8 Group (PFF), Bomber Command

Type: Lancaster I

Serial: ED313

Code: OL:B

Base: RAF Wyton, Cambridgeshire

Location: Sogny-En-L’Angle, Marne, France

Pilot: Flt Lt. Norman Alexander John Buist Mackie DSO, DFC, 88410 RAFVR Age 21. PoW/Evader (1)

Flt Eng: Sgt. Ralph Henderson DFM, 1291378 RAFVR Age 33. Evader (2)

Nav: Flt Lt. Alan McPherson ‘Joe’ Ogilvie DFC and Bar, MiD. Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star, 120865 RAFVR Age 21. Evader (3)

Bom Aimer: Flt Sgt. William Eric Barrett DFM, 751810 RAFVR Age 24. PoW No: 886 * (4)

WOp/Air Gnr: Flt Sgt. Lewis Edward James Humber 1181464 RAFVR Age 22. PoW No:1006 * (5)

Air Gnr (Mid Upp): Flt Sgt. Alexander Lynch DFM, 1001787 RAFVR Age 30. KiA (6)

Air Gnr (Rear): Sgt. Kenneth William Chipchase 1105193 RAFVR Age 21. KiA

* Stalag 357 Kopernikus at Thorn (Toruń) in Poland.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Above: Photo clip from video of Lancaster ED313 OL:B 83 Squadron. Scampton June 1942. (Courtesy of Brian Gibbs)

A mixed force of some 314 Lancasters, Halifaxes and Stirlings were sent to bomb Stuttgart between 22:45 hrs - 23:51 hrs. One of a total of 53 raids that after the war left the centre of Stuttgart almost completely destroyed with 4,477 people dead.

This raid was not a success as far as damage was concerned with only a small packing sore at the Bosch factory destroyed. Most of the bombing fell in open country but some fell on two small towns killing 112 people and injuring 386. Mostly houses were hit with 186 destroyed. The reason for the poor bombing is felt that although the pathfinders did drop accurate markers the main force arrived late and were also subject to German decoy markers in use for the first time.

This operation cost 13 aircraft lost with the deaths of 42 aircrew, 25 being made PoW and 13 aircrew evading capture. 3 civilian maids were also killed when an abandoned severely damaged Halifax DT492 MP:H from 76 squadron crashed onto High Beeches, Handcross, the residence of Colonel Loder at Slaugham, Horsham West Sussex.

All the crew parachuted out safely and the pilot, Tom Gallantry, attempted to put the aircraft on a course for the coast, hoping that it would crash in the sea, but unfortunately it came down on the house instead.

Lancaster ED313 was intercepted and shot down whilst on the homebound trip in the early hours of the morning of 12th March at 00:47 hrs. by Fw. Gerhard Rase of 6./NJG4 in an Me110, combat taking place at some 3000 metres, his first claim of the war. (see Kracker Luftwaffe Archive on this site)

Fw. Gerhard Rase this his only claim of the war from which he survived. Fw Gerhard Rase, his bordfunker was Uffz Rolf Langhoff. On the night of 16/17th April 1943, they were involved in a combat with Halifax JB910, ZA:R of 10 Sqn. During this combat, the rear gunner of the Halifax shot down the Me110. Rase parachuted to safety whilst Langhoff was killed. Flt Sgt. Hill the rear gunner in the 10 Sqn Halifax JB910 opened fire with 5 or 6 bursts shooting off the port wing which then crashed at Ste. Menehould near Chalons sur Marne. Rase was transferred at some point to 10./NJG6 which operated in the Balkans/Romania where the opportunities for night fighter 'trade' must have been much lower than the nightly crowded skies of France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany so this probably accounts for his single victory - and his survival! He finished the war as an Oberleutnant (Flying Officer). (see Kracker Luftwaffe Archive on this site)

Above photographs of the crash - courtesy of J. Lelongt via Brian Gibbs

14th August 2017 Barry Gibbs had just returned from visiting the crash site:

"Well this weekend I went to see his grave in Sogny-en-l'angle. It was a little emotional to see his grave. I placed flowers on both of them. It's a small village with about 40 people in it. I then left the church and went to see if I could find the crash site.
On my way I flagged down a farmer on his tractor, Michelle was his name, so I explained to him why I was here, (I can speak French). He knew about the history of the two airmen and told me about when he was a child his mother used to take him and show him where ED313 came down and that his mother went with the villagers to see the crash site when it happened.
Well, incredibly he took me to the exact spot, the trees have gone now and there is still a slight hole in the ground where it came down. I spent over an hour in the field and was amazed to find fragments of the aircraft, all that is left of ED 313, I couldn't believe it. So I brought them home - to be treasured."

(1) Acting Flt Lt. Mackie was awarded the Distinguished Fling Cross (DFC) whilst with 83 Sqn on the 26th May 1942 (London Gazette 22nd May 1942)

Acting Sqn Ldr Mackie was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) whilst with 571 Sqn on the 16th February 1945 (London Gazette 13th February 1945)

Citation: “This officer has completed a third tour of operational duty during which he has attacked a wide variety of targets in Germany. He is a fearless and devoted captain whose splendid example has been well reflected in the fine fighting spirit of his crews. In November, 1944, Squadron Leader Mackie led a formation of aircraft in an attack on Duisburg, one of the most heavily defended targets in the Ruhr. Considerable heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire was encountered on approaching the target but Squadron Leader Mackie kept his formation well together to execute a good attack. This officer, who has always elected to take part in the most dangerous operations, has set an example of a high order.”

He remained in the RAF after the war and retired as a Wg Cdr. on 22nd December 1967. He then became bursar at Highgate School, and later worked as a personnel administrator in the City. He retained his links with the RAF through the Pathfinders' Association and the RAF Escaping Society. He also made occasional visits to France to meet members of the families who had helped him evade capture, he also managed to trace the remains of his crashed Lancaster. Norman Mackie married, in 1958, Thelma Vallis, who survived him with their daughter, after his death age 80 in 2003.

(2) Sgt. Henderson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) whilst with 83 Sqn on the 23rd July 1943 (London Gazette 20th July 1943).

General Citation: “In air operations, these officers and airman have displayed conduct in keeping with the highest traditions of the Royal Air Force”.

Note: Although he was taking the Flight Engineer role on this mission he was a Pilot by role.

1291378 Sgt. Henderson was appointed to a commission and promoted to 156121 Plt Off. on the 9th July 1943 (London Gazette 5th October 1943).

Plt Off. Henderson DFM and his crew were KiA on the night of 22nd/23rd November 1943 on an operation to Berlin. Lancaster III JB424 OL:B was claimed by 1.-6./schw. Flak Abt. 516. The aircraft exploded in mid-air and crashed at Berlin-Wedding Schillerpark, corner of Edinburgerstraße and Ungarnstraße at 20:10 hrs. (Nachtjagd Combat Archive (23 September - 31 December) 1943 Part 3 - Theo Boiten). Twenty-three (23) heavy bombers were claimed by the Flak divisions with only five (5) claimed by night fighters.

(3) Flt Lt. Ogilvie's Manchester IA R5830 OL:L was attacked by a German night-fighter on the 28th/29th March 1942 on a operat to Lübeck, Germany.

On another mission his captain, Sqn Ldr. McClure, was severely wounded on a mission to Essen on the 6th/7th April 1942 aboard Manchester IA R5837 OL:R.

Flt Lt. Ogilvie DFC and Bar, MiD, Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star died on the 30th December 2000 leaving his wife, sister Ruby, his sons Steve, Robert and Donald, his daughters Claire and Jill, and seven grandchildren

His biography was published by Creative Publishers, Newfoundland and edited by John Parsons - ‘All the Luck in the World’ ISBN 1-895387-43-4.

His early training took him to Toronto, Ontario and Winnipeg, Manitoba during 1940-1941. He Joined 83 Squadron at Scampton, Lincolnshire in January 1942.

798537 Sgt. Ogilvie was appointed to a commission and promoted to 120865 Plt Off. on the 21st April 1942

The DFC awarded to acting Flt Lt. Ogilvie whilst with 83 Sqn. London Gazette 12th March 1943

A Bar to the DFC was awarded to acting Flt Lt. Ogilvie whilst with 83 Sqn DFC. London Gazette 27th July 1943. Citation: "Acting Flight Lieutenant Allan MacPherson OGILVIE, DFC (120865), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 83 Squadron. Flying Officer Gordon Charles CROWTHER (Can/J.12975), Royal Canadian Air Force, No. 420 (RCAF) Squadron. In air operations, these officers have displayed courage and fortitude worthy of the highest praise".

Acting Flt Lt. Ogilvie was mentioned in Despatches (MiD). London Gazette 1st January 1945

He relinquished his commission on the 31st May 1945 (London Gazette 17th July 1945) on appointment to the RCAF. It has been reported that he was commissioned as 20509 Colonel in the RCAF.

He was awarded the Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star on the 12th December 1947.

Above: The ID card for Flt Lt. Ogilvie which was made by a Jewish French Resistance man M. Petite, who was later caught by the Gestapo, tortured and sent to Dachau concentration camp, thankfully he survived. (Steve Ogilvie, son of Alain Ogilvie)

His Obituary also placed on our website with a great deal more personal details.

(4) Flt Sgt. Barrett was a Battle of Britain veteran with 25 Squadron flying the Blenheim.

Flt Sgt. Barrett was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) whilst with 207 Sqn on the 20th December 1942. (London Gazette 29th December 1942)

Flt Sgt. Barrett was captured on the 14th March in St. Dizier and was transferred to Dulag Luft , Oberursel for the statutory interrogation and solitary confinement.

He was then transferred to Stalag Luft 3, Sagan-Silesia, Germany some time in April 1943. In June 1943 he was transferred to Stalag Luft 6, Heydekrug, Memelland which became a Stalag for enlisted men, when British and Canadian NCOs (non-commissioned officers) arrived at the camp from Stalag Luft 1 and Stalag Luft 3.

In early 1944 the Russian Army were advancing into the Baltic States from the North and the East preparation for evacuating the camp was being made. PoWs from Stalag Luft 6, the camp closest to the Russian advance, were in the "northern route" of the force-marches, and were transported to Stalag 20A by train in July 1944, and from there took part in the forced-march.

It was estimated that 100,000 PoWs took the northern route. It went to Stalag Luft 4 at Groß-Tychow, Pomerania then via Stettin to Stalag 9B and Stalag 357, Kopernikus at Thorn (Toruń) in Poland.

On the 1st September 1944 the PoWs were force-marched from Thorn (Toruń) in Poland to the site of the former Stalag 11D, with construction being carried out by the Italian PoW from Stalag 11B. The camp was commonly known as Stalag 357, Fallingbostal but officially the designation was Stalag 357, Oerbke.

In early April 1945 the PoWs were informed by the Commandant Oberst Hermann Ostmann that 12,000 British PoWs were being evacuated from the camp in the face of the Allied advance. The men marched from the camp in columns of 2,000.

On the forced march from Stalag 357 on the 7th April 1945 the now Warrant officer (WO) Barrett and an unnamed companion broke away from the column. They attempted to reach the American lines but were recaptured on the 13th April 1945.

He must have been returned to Stalag 357, Fallingbostal because his interview date of the 28th April 1945 aligned with the liberation of the camp on the 16th April 1945 by British troops from B Squadron 11th Hussars and the Reconnaissance Troop of the 8th Hussars. They were met at the main gate of Stalag 357 by a guard of Airborne troops, impeccably attired and led by RSM Lord.

The marching columns in the meantime were liberated on the 2nd May 1945.

William Eric Barrett was born on the 22nd July 1918 in Shanghai, China. He was employed as an Insurance Clerk prior to enlisting in the RAF on the 7th June 1939. He, his wife and daughter emigrated to China on the 21st November 1947. He then emigrated to New Zealand and was naturalised on the 30th December 1979. William passed away in 2003 in Perth, Western Australia.

(5) Humber 1181464 was captured on the 11th March 1943 in Paris, some ten (10) days after being shot down

He was interrogated in Paris for three (3) weeks. He was given very little food and third-degree tactics were used in his interrogation about the Path Finder Force (PFF). He was then transferred to Dulag Luft , Oberursel for the statutory interrogation and solitary confinement.

Some time in April 1945 he was transferred to Stalag Luft 1, Barth-Vogelsang where he remained until October 1943.

In June 1943 Stalag Luft 6 became a Stalag for enlisted men, when British and Canadian NCOs (non-commissioned officers) arrived at the camp from Stalag Luft 1 and Stalag Luft 3.

In early 1944 the Russian Army were advancing into the Baltic States from the North and the East preparation for evacuating the camp was being made. PoWs from Stalag Luft 6, the camp closest to the Russian advance, were in the "northern route" of the force-marches, and were transported to Stalag 20A by train in July 1944, and from there took part in the forced-march.

It was estimated that 100,000 PoWs took the northern route. It went to Stalag Luft 4 at Groß-Tychow, Pomerania then via Stettin to Stalag 9B and Stalag 357, Kopernikus at Thorn (Toruń) in Poland.

On the 1st September 1944 the PoWs were force-marched from Thorn (Toruń) in Poland to the site of the former Stalag 11D, with construction being carried out by the Italian PoW from Stalag 11B. The camp was commonly known as Stalag 357, Fallingbostal but officially the designation was Stalag 357, Oerbke.

In early April 1945 the PoWs were informed by the Commandant Oberst Hermann Ostmann that 12,000 British PoWs were being evacuated from the camp in the face of the Allied advance. The men marched from the camp in columns of 2,000.

After ten (10) days they arrived at Gresse, east of the Elbe. There they were issued with Red Cross parcels, but were then unfortunately strafed by British Typhoonfighter-bombers, mistaking them for German troops. Sixty (60) PoW were killed and many wounded.

WO. ‘Dixie’ Deans confronted OberstOstmann and bluntly gave him a choice, to be captured to the Russians or the British. Ostman provided WO. Deans with a pass and a German guard, and they headed west to contact the advancing British troops. On the 1st May WO. Deans and his guard were sheltering in a house east of Lauenbergwhen they heard over the radio the news of the death of Adolf Hitler. The next morning the house was overrun by troops of the British 6th Airborne. WO. Deans was taken to the commander of VIII Corpsand explained the situation. He was given a captured Mercedes car and drove back to Gresse. Two days later the PoW column marched back across the British lines.

The now Warrant Officer (WO) Humber was interviewed on the 5th May 1945

Lewis Edward James Humber was born on the 17th February 1921 in Birmingham, Warwickshire. He was a Commercial Artist prior to enlisting in the RAFVR on the 17th May 1940. Lewis passed away in the 3rd Qtr of 1987 in Solihull, Warwickshire.

(6) Sgt. Lynch was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) whilst with 144 Sqn on the 13th February 1942 (London Gazette 10th February 1942).

(Above - courtesy of Brian Gibbs)

Above the award to Alfred Walz of the Wounded Badge. Alfred was just 13 and a student in Stuttgart he was also a volunteer firefighter.

On the night of 11 March 1943, in the wake of the Allied bombing, he received 1st/2nd-degree burns on his legs and hands, sustained during fire-fighting operations. His address was Möhringer Str. 32, 70199 Stuttgart, Germany, as well as the address at which he received medical treatment, Furtbachstraße 6, 70178 Stuttgart, Germany, being only 1/2 mile apart, give some indication of the city region which sustained direct damage that evening.

His father had died (1936) when Alfred was a young lad. Within a year of this air-raid, Alfred and his brother became orphaned, following a long illness of his mother. Alfred was born on the 29th October 1929 in Stuttgart, he died in 2017, age 88.

Submitted and translated by Dr. Steven Segletes (son-in-law of Alfred) April 2022.

Burial details:

Flt Sgt. Alexander Lynch DFM. Sonny-En-L’angle Churchyard. Grave 1. Grave inscription: 'UNTIL THE DAY BREAK AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY (SONG OF SOLOMON 2:17)'. Son of Robert and Bessie Lynch, of Stranraer, Wigtownshire, Scotland.

Sgt. Kenneth William Chipchase. Sogny-En-L’Angle Churchyard. Grave 2. Grave inscription: 'IN THE GARDEN OF MEMORIES WE MEET EVERY DAY'. Son of Harry and Frances Mary Chipchase, of Harrogate, Yorkshire, England.

Later:

Sgt. Ralph Henderson DFM. Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery. Coll. Grave 1.G.10-15. Son of the late Robert William Henderson (died 18th November 1926) and Mary Jane Henderson (died 29th August 1962) of 53 North Avenue, Blyth, Northumberland. Husband of Muriel C. L. Henderson, of Headington, Oxford.

Researched for relatives of the crew. A great deal of information has been provided by Steve Ogilvie (son of Flt Lt. Ogilvie). Also Brian Gibbs (nephew of Flt Sgt. Alexander Lynch). With thanks to Uwe Jenrich for grave photographs. We also recommend 'RAF Evaders' written by Oliver Clutton-Brook and 'Footprints On The Sands Of Time' for further information. Thanks to Brian Gibbs for the image of ED313 (Mar 2023). Additional details added to Bio for Allan MacPherson Ogilvie (Sept 2023). Thanks to Clive Smith for the information and link to further information regarding the crash of DT492 (Jan 2024). Reviewed, updated and information corrected by Aircrew Remembered with thanks to Brian Gibbs for the French ID card image (Jan 2026)

Other sources listed below.

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