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Operation: Mannheim
Date: 16/17th December 1940 (Monday/Tuesday)
Unit: No. 149 Squadron (Fortis Nocte - 'Strong by Night')
Type: Wellington IC
Serial: P9265 (some sources state P9268)
Code: OJ-A
Base: RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk
Location: At base RAF Mildenhall
Pilot: Sgt. Jack S. Marr 55576 RAFVR Survived
Pilot 2: Sgt. George J.P. Morchen RAFVR Survived
Obs: Sgt. Edward Guy Prettyman 749386 RAFVR Age 33. Survived (1)
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Ernest White 618714 RAF Age 19. Survived (1)
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Wiliam George Marett 639154 RAF Age 22. Survived (1)
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Clifford Godfrey Harry Ward 751296 RAFVR Age 23. Survived (1)
Air/Gnr: P/O. John Percy Whymark 53481 RAFVR Age 20. Survived (2)
Information and photographs extracted from the personal records of Fl/Lt. John Percy Whymark - we are open, as of course is his son, who contributed this information - for any corrections.
REASON FOR LOSS:
This was a unique operation as the crews were ordered to carry out an area attack over Mannheim. It was intended as a form of retribution for the recent raid on Coventry. 200 bombers were organised to take part but only some 134 became involved due to weather forecast etc.
The operation was classed as a success with considerable damage to the residential areas of Mannheim. 34 people died in Mannheim during the attack. 81 residents of the city were injured.
L9265 returned from this operation when the pilot overshot and crashed at 00:22 hrs, coming to rest in the bomb dump. Despite the aircraft breaking its back all the crew survived. Only the two pilots would see the end of the hostilities.
Burial details:
See other pages.
(1) Killed on the 15th March 1941. Further details here.
(2) Killed 04th October 1945 Further details here.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Richard Whymark, other sources as quoted below:
KTY 10-01-2022
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 10 January 2022, 22:00