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Introduction.
462 Squadron was an Article XV squadron of the Empire Air Training Scheme formed by 205 Group RAF as the first Halifax Mk.II heavy bomber unit in the Middle East. On 7th September 1942 No.205 Group RAF issued Instruction No.17 dated 02Sep42 that directed all elements of Nos 10/227 and 76/462 Heavy Bomber Squadrons to immediately amalgamate and form No.462 (B) Squadron RAAF at RAF Station Fayid, Egypt. For the remainder of the month several more raids were mounted, all against Tobruk harbour and surrounds to try and diminish the Axis build up in Libya. The rest of the year saw the Squadron divide its missions between the Libyan Campaign and the ill-fated campaign in Crete.
The early months of 1943 saw the Squadron bombing Axis forces firstly from Benina LG near Benghazi, Libya then from Gardabia Main in North Western Libya where the Squadron was based until the Tunisian Campaign ended in May 1943. The Squadron then moved to the primitive Hosc Raui Landing Ground located south of Benghazi where it remained for several months conducting raids mainly against targets in Sicily and southern Italy. At the end of September the Squadron was placed on warning of a move to Italy but the order was rescinded and the Squadron moved instead to Terria LG also close to Benghazi. From Terria they were tasked to conduct raids against German targets in Greece, Crete, Rhodes and other islands in the Dodecanese. In December 1943 its operations included conducting attacks on Greek ports and bays including Salamis Island, Piraeus, Salonika, and Suda.
The close of 1943 saw the RAF agreed to a request from RAAF Overseas Headquarters in London to disband 462Sqn and renumber it as an RAF Squadron, although the disbanding and renumbering was not put into effect for some months. In the meantime the Squadron was moved to El Adem aerodrome in Libya to conduct raids over Greece and it wasn’t until 1st March 1944 that the Squadron was relocated to Italy as No.614 (B) Sqn RAF and 462Sqn was officially disbanded in the Middle East.
Reformation
In late July 1944 RAAF No.466 (B) Squadron was part of 4 Group RAF Bomber Command operating from RAF Station Driffield in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. RAFHQ decreed that a nucleus of trained and experienced personnel from the squadron would be used to form the basis of a new squadron. Accordingly, 462 Squadron was reformed as a 4 Group Heavy Bomber squadron on 14 August 1944 at RAF Station Driffield equipped with MK.III Halifax bombers. The squadron’s tenure with 4 Group was a relatively brief five month tour of duty which involved bombing various industrial targets in Germany and, simultaneously, assisting Allied forces fighting their way across France, Belgium and Holland. In all the Squadron participated in 39 separate attacks in support of ground forces. During their time with 4 Group the squadron flew a total of 570 operational flights for the loss of six aircraft and twenty two aircrew.
In November 1944 RAFHQ earmarked the squadron for transfer to 100 Group, a specialist formation tasked with disrupting the German air defence system through the employment of diversionary raids and various electronic warfare countermeasures. On 21 December 1944 the squadron was withdrawn from operations and prepared for a move to RAF Station Foulsham, Norfolk which occurred on 29 December. To enable the Squadron to perform its new role, upgraded aircraft and aircrew training commenced as soon as the squadron arrived at Foulsham and continued throughout the remainder of the War. The squadron employed two main functions to protect Main Force aircraft: (1) Windows Spoof raids which entailed a group of aircraft flying abreast and releasing vast quantities of Window along the approach route, attempting to deceive the early warning Freya (or Giant Wurzburg) radar operators into believing they were the Main Force raid; and, (2) Jamming support by flying close cover in and around the Main Force and shielding them using Airborne Cigar (ABC) to jam night fighter radios, Piperack to jam night fighter radars and, Carpet to jam Giant Wurzburg ground controlled radars. The first of the new breed operations was carried out on 01Jan45 when four aircraft flew a Windows Spoof raid in the Bremen area of Germany in support of the Main Force raids that night. The squadron continued in electronic warfare role until the end of hostilities and during that 18 week period the squadron flew 537 operational missions which resulted in the loss of eleven aircraft and fifty three aircrew. After the war the squadron continued flying to test radio countermeasure equipment and techniques and, to fly armed patrols over Germany. Additionally, the squadron performed a much more satisfying mission when it was tasked to fly ex-Prisoners of War back to the UK in July1945. 462 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force disbanded for the second and time on 24 September 1945 at RAF Foulsham.
462 Sqn was reborn again in April 2005 as an Information Operations Squadron in the RAAF and is tasked to provide coordinate information operations support at the tactical level of the Air Force. The squadron supplies an Information Operations Support Team consisting of personnel from a range of squadron components.
Year |
Month |
Location/Group |
Sorties |
Operational Losses |
Non-Operational Losses |
1944 |
August |
RAF Driffield/4 Grp |
27 |
0 |
0 |
September |
RAF Driffield/4Grp |
178 |
1 |
0 |
|
October |
RAF Driffield/4Grp |
157 |
4 |
0 |
|
November |
RAF Driffield/4Grp |
124 |
2 |
0 |
|
December |
RAF Driffield/4Grp |
84 |
0 |
0 |
|
1945 |
January |
RAF Foulsham/100Grp |
107 |
2 |
0 |
February |
RAF Foulsham/100Grp |
166 |
6 |
0 |
|
March |
RAF Foulsham/100Grp |
127 |
1 |
0 |
|
April |
RAF Foulsham/100Grp |
129 |
3 |
2 |
|
May |
RAF Foulsham/100Grp |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
Totals |
19 |
2 |
Table 1. Summary of 462 Sqn Aircraft Losses and WW2 Sorties Flown in the ETO
462 Squadron is known to have operated at least 73 Halifax Mk.III aircraft in the European Theatre of Operations during the period Aug44 to May45. Of the 73 used 21 aircraft or 28% were lost through operational and non-operational causes. The remainder of this document details the history of the 21 aircraft lost and the men who flew them.
LL598 LL599 LL600 LL604 LL610 MZ296 MZ370
MZ400 MZ401 MZ402 MZ447 MZ448 MZ461 MZ467
MZ469 MZ479 NA240 NR284 PN427 PN429 RG432
Table 2 –462 Sqn Halifax Mk.II Aircraft Losses 1944-45 in the ETO
HX244
00Oct43 Handley Page Halifax B/GR Mk.III aircraft Serial HX244 was the 19th of 22 aircraft manufactured in the serial range HX226-HX247 to Contract No. ACFT/1688, requisition HA4/E11/41. Built by Handley Page Co at their Cricklewood, London and Radlett, Hertfordshire facilities. The aircraft was built in-line with Handley Pages’ well established and proven split construction and unit assembly methods. The aircraft was divided into twelve major assemblies, which allowed for more tradespeople to work on each assembly than would normally have been possible. Not only did this approach speed up production but it also made transportation and repair much easier. Each of the four major manufacturers used sub-contractors to produce specific sub-assemblies, which were then transported by road to that manufacturer’s main assembly facility where the aircraft was completed and test flown.
Powered by four Bristol Hercules XVI 38-litre, 14-cylinder, twin-row, supercharged, air-cooled radial engines each developing 1,650hp (1,230 kW) driving three-blade de Havilland 55/18 fully feathering wooden propellers. Engine serials were port outer 385667; port inner 382435; stbd inner 380666; and stbd outer 381915.
Defensive armament consisted of nine .303 inch Browning machine guns; one Gimbal mounted Vickers GO in the SRS 1A Type nose; four midships guns in a Bolton Paul A Mk.VIII turret; and, four tail guns in a Bolton Paul E Mk.I turret. Max bomb load, 10,000lb (4,540 kg) in fuselage and 3,000lb (1,362 kg) in wings. The aircraft was painted in the standard RAF Night scheme of matt Dark Green and Dark Earth on the upper surfaces and Night Black on all undersurfaces.
00Oct43 Aircraft allocated to RAAF No.466 (B) Sqn at RAF Station Leconfield, Yorkshire.
21Oct43 Aircraft delivered by an ATA Ferry Crew to No.45 Maintenance Unit at RAF Station Kinloss.
29Oct43 Aircraft delivered by an ATA Ferry Crew to 466 Sqn where it was issued to B Flight as HD-V
11Nov43 SQNLDR A.O McCormack and FLTLT F.W Mack departed Leconfield at 0915hrs for a local test flight. As the aircraft lifted off the runway the pilot selected undercarriage up and proceeded to carry out the test flight. Unbeknownst to the crew the pilot had in fact selected the undercarriage up before the weight-on-wheels system took effect, which resulted in damage to the control sequencer. When setting up for landing the pilot could not get the undercarriage to deploy and after several more unsuccessful attempts it was decided to perform a wheels-up landing on the grass beside the runway. A text book landing ensued which caused minimal damage to the aircraft and no injury to either crewman.
A technical investigation attached no blame to the pilot and alterations were made to procedures in the flight manual. The reason for the accident was a previously unknown condition whereby the undercarriage selection system could be damaged by retracting the wheels too early after lift-off.
HX244 on the grass at RAF Leconfield 11Nov43
12Nov43 A post flight inspection assessed the aircraft damage as Cat.AC.
20Nov43 Lorries from No.60 MU transported the aircraft to the Handley Page repair facility at Rawcliffe, Yorkshire. The damage proved to be significant and a lengthy repair was carried out between Nov43 and Apr44.
25Apr44 Aircraft repairs completed and awaiting collection
27Apr44 Aircraft delivered by an ATA Ferry Crew to No.48 Maintenance Unit at RAF Station Hawarden in Flintshire, Wales.
00May44 Aircraft allocated to RAAF No.466 (B) Sqn at RAF Station Leconfield, Yorkshire.
08Jun44 Aircraft delivered by an ATA Ferry Crew to 466 Sqn now based at RAF Station Driffield, Yorkshire where it was issued to B Flight as DV-O. While serving with 466Sqn the aircraft flew 25 operational missions and made at least 31 non-operational flights.
23Aug44 Aircraft struck off charge with 466Sqn and taken on charge with RAAF No.462 (B) Sqn at RAF Station Driffield, Yorkshire. Issued to B Flight as Z5-O
25Aug44 1st Operational Mission (with 462Sqn). RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.46
FLGOFF R.R Rickey and crew departed Driffield at 1821hrs as one of nine 462Sqn bombers that joined a further 131 Halifaxes from No.4 Group plus 16 Lancasters and five Mosquitos from No.8 Group to attack five rocket launching and storage sites near Watten, France. Weapons load consisted of 3 x 1,000lb AN M65 GP bombs, 6 x 1,000lb AN M59 SAP bombs and, 2 x 500lb MC .025sec time delay bombs. The crew bombed their assigned target area at 2033hrs from 13,000ft and returned to Base at 2159hrs.
27Aug44 2nd Operational Mission RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.48 This historic mission was the first major daylight raid by Bomber Command to Germany since 12 August 1941.
FLGOFF R.R Rickey and crew departed Driffield at 1140hrs as one of ten 462Sqn aircraft all loaded with 16 x 500lb MC 025sec time delay bombs. The aircraft joined a further 233 Halifaxes from No.4 Group plus 13 Lancasters and 14 Mosquitos from No.8 Group to attack the Rheinpreussen synthetic-oil refinery near Homberg, Germany. The bombers were escorted by nine squadrons of Spitfires on the outward flight and seven squadrons on the withdrawal. The crew bombed their assigned target area at 1403hrs from 19,000ft at and returned to Base safely at 1555hrs.
28Aug44 Aircraft struck off charge and taken on charge with No.640 Sqn sat RAF Station Leconfield.
13Sep44 PLTOFF W.N Harper and crew were departing Leconfield for an operational mission when the A.S.I failed to register and the pilot aborted. However, the pilot throttled back but could not stop before the aircraft ran off the runway where the undercarriage collapsed. Fortunately, there was no fire and all seven crewmen safely egressed the wrecked aircraft.
00Sep44 A post flight inspection declared the aircraft a write-off and it was classified as Category E.
13Sep44 Aircraft struck off charge. While serving with 462 and 466 Squadrons the aircraft flew 27 operational missions; made at least 34 non-operational flights; and, flew 27 x 10min pre-Ops test flights.
LL598
00Aug44 Handley Page Type HP61 Halifax B/A Mk III bomber Serial LL598 was the 26th of 43 aircraft manufactured in the Serial Range LL573 to LL615 to Contract No. ACFT/637, requisition HA3/E11/40 by Rootes Securities Ltd at their facilities in Liverpool and Blythe Bridge, Staffordshire. The aircraft was built in-line with Handley Pages’ well established and proven split construction and unit assembly methods. The aircraft was divided into twelve major assemblies, which allowed for more tradespeople to work on each assembly than would normally have been possible. Not only did this approach speed up production but it also made transportation and repair much easier. Each of the four major manufacturers used sub-contractors to produce specific sub-assemblies, which were then transported by road to that manufacturer’s main assembly facility where the aircraft was completed and test flown.
Powered by four Bristol Hercules XVI 38-litre, 14-cylinder, twin-row, supercharged, air-cooled radial engines each developing 1,650hp (1,230 kW) driving three-blade de Havilland 55/18 fully feathering wooden propellers. Engines fitted were: Port Outer SS20470/A389468; Port Inner SS20856/A389854; Starboard Inner SS13058/A380038; and, Starboard Outer SS27859/A430135.
Defensive armament consisted of nine .303 inch Browning machine guns; one Gimbal mounted Vickers GO in the SRS 1A Type nose; four midships guns in a Bolton Paul A Mk.VIII turret; and, four tail guns in a Bolton Paul E Mk.I turret. Max bomb load, 10,000lb (4,540 kg) in fuselage and 3,000lb (1,362 kg) in wings. The aircraft was painted in the standard RAF Night scheme of matt Dark Green and Dark Earth on the upper surfaces and Night Black on all undersurfaces.
18Aug44 Aircraft delivered by an ATA Ferry Crew to No.76 (B) Sqn RAF at RAF Station Holme-on-Spalding-Moore, Yorkshire.
20Aug44 Aircraft allocated to No.462Sqn RAAF at RAF Station Driffield, Yorkshire.
22Aug44 Aircraft delivered by an ATA ferry crew to 462Sqn. Taken on charge and issued to A Flight as Z5-A
25Aug44 1st Operational Mission (with 462Sqn). RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.46
FSGT R.V Jubb and crew departed Driffield at 1820hrs as one of nine 462Sqn bombers that joined a further 131 Halifaxes from No.4 Group plus 16 Lancasters and five Mosquitos from No.8 Group to attack five rocket launching and storage sites near Watten, France. Weapons load consisted of 3 x 1,000lb AN M65 GP bombs; 6 x 1,000lb AN M59 SAP bombs; and, 2 x 500lb MC .025sec time delay bombs. The crew bombed their assigned target at 2032hrs from 13,000ft then returned to Base 2150hrs.
31Aug44 Aircraft flew three operational missions and made four non-operational flights in August 1944.
30Sep44 Aircraft flew nine operational missions and made 11 non-operational flights in September 1944.
31Oct44 Aircraft flew ten operational missions and made 15 non-operational flights in October 1944.
30Nov44 Aircraft flew six operational missions and made 10 non-operational flights in November 1944.
21Dec44 462 Squadron was stood down from operations and ordered to move from No.4 Group to No.100 Group where it became a Special Duties squadron.
29Dec44 Aircraft moved from Driffield to RAF Station Foulsham, Norfolk.
31Dec44 Aircraft flew four operational missions and made five non-operational flights in December 1944.
14Jan45 34th Operational mission. PLTOFF A.E Astill and crew departed Foulsham at 1632hrs as one of thirteen squadron aircraft tasked to conduct a Windows Spoof Raid on Mannerheim, Germany. At 1645hrs the starboard outer engine caught fire followed by the starboard mainplane which quickly spread to engulf the entire starboard wing. The captain gave the order to abandon the blazing bomber but only two crewmen managed to do so before the aircraft crashed two miles west of Shipdham airfield, Norfolk killing the remaining five crewmen.
An accident investigation discovered the cause of the engine fire was fatigue failure of the No.7 cylinder retaining studs and subsequent rupture of the cylinder. The pilot feathered the propeller and was about to operate the fire extinguisher when the propeller unfeathered and as the engine accelerated the fire flared up and spread. The raging fire then weakened the starboard outer wing to a point where it broke away and was found 400 yards away from the main wreckage. At 1650hrs the aircraft struck the ground at a high rate of descent but with little forward speed killing all aboard and destroying the aircraft.
15Jan45 No.54 Maintenance Unit was tasked to salvage the remains of the aircraft.
19Jan45 Aircraft struck off charge. While serving with 462Sqn the aircraft flew 34 operational missions and made at least 23 non-operational flights, plus 34 pre-operations test flight. RAAF pilot 421143 Pilot Officer Alan Edward Astill (24) was born on 7th November 1920 in Chatswood, Sydney, New South Wales the son of Mr James Edwin Astill and Mrs Christina Maud Astill (nee Finlayson). PLTOFF Astill was KIA and is buried in RAF Lawn Grave 15723 at the Cambridge City Cemetery in Cambridgeshire, England. He is also commemorated on Panel 109 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT; and, on Panel 124 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre, Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire. He is also honoured on the Roll of Honour at Roseville, Sydney.
RAAF air bomber 423814 Warrant Officer Stanley James Minett (27) was born 20 March 1917 in Eastwood, the son of John & May Minett of North Sydney, New South Wales, husband of Valentina Minett of North Sydney. WOFF Minett was KIA and is buried in RAF Lawn Grave 15722 at the Cambridge City Cemetery in Cambridgeshire, England. He is also commemorated on Panel 109 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT; and, on Panel 213 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre, Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire. He is also honoured on the Roll of Honour at North Sydney, Australia.
RAAF navigator 427410 Flight Sergeant Phillip Swarbrick (32) was born 21 September 1912 in Perth Western Australia the son of James and Beatrice Swarbrick of Perth, husband of Edna Beryl Swarbrick of Gwaila, Western Australia. Phillip Swarbrick was KIA and is buried in RAF Lawn Grave 15724 at the Cambridge City Cemetery in Cambridgeshire, England. He is also commemorated on Panel 109 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT; on Panel 250 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire; and, on the Cenotaph Undercroft, State War Memorial in Kings Park, Perth WA. He is also honoured on the Leonora Honour Roll at the Leonora War Memorial in Perth.
RAAF wireless air gunner 421198 Warrant Officer Sydney Robert Fuller (21) was born on 11 November 1923 in Chatswood, Sydney, New South Wales, the son of Richard and Doris Christina Fuller, of Chatswood, Sydney. WOFF Fuller was KIA and is buried in RAF Lawn Grave 15720 at the Cambridge City Cemetery in Cambridgeshire, England. He is commemorated on Panel 109 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT; and, on Panel 167 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire. He is also remembered on the Roll of Honour in Brooklyn, New South Wales.
RAAF air gunner 433727 Flight Sergeant Mervyn George Isaac (19) was born 8 March 1925 in Young, New South Wales to Ernest George and Mercy Marion Isaac of Goulburn, New South Wales. Mervyn Isaac was KIA and is buried in RAF Lawn Grave 15721 at the Cambridge City Cemetery in Cambridgeshire, England. He is commemorated on Panel 109 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT; and, on Panel 187 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire. He is also remembered on the Roll of Honour in the Rocky Hill War Museum in Goulburn, New South Wales.
RAFVR special duties operator 1894484 Sergeant Leslie Edward Miles (20) was born 11 December 1924 in London, the son of William Lewis and Emily Jane Miles from Queen's Park, London. Leslie Miles was KIA and is buried in Section R.S Grave 1295 of the Kensal Green (St Mary’s) Roman Catholic Cemetery, London. Borough of Brent, Greater London, England. He is commemorated on Panel 212 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire.
RAFVR flight engineer 1896933 Sergeant G.A.E Sanday survived the ordeal and quickly returned to operations. Sadly, his return proved to be brief as he was KIA on 24Feb45 when MZ461 failed to return from a Windows operation to the Ruhr.
RAAF air gunner 435209 Flight Sergeant Neville Owen Reed (22) of Caboolture, Queensland baled out and survived the ordeal. This was Reed’s second bale out in three months and after this episode his name does not appear on any further operational missions with 462Sqn. He did however remain with the Squadron until VE day but was probably assigned non-operational duties. Reed detailed his adventures in letters and was the subject of an article in The Australian Women’s Weekly in March 1945.
14/15 October 1944
"I was on that extra heavy raid on Duisburg, flying with another crew as one of their gunners was sick. They were all good chaps, and we were certainly a Dominions crew. Three Aussies, two New Zealanders, one Canadian, and one Englishman. We were hit by flak, and just after we left the target we found that we did not have enough petrol to reach England. By the time we were well into Belgium we only had six minutes' flying time left. As we did not know where any dromes were in Belgium, we started jumping.
It wasn't as hard to bail out as I thought it would be. When you know that you have to go, you just dive out and hope for the best. I won't say that I was cool, calm and collected when I found myself falling. I did not think about counting, but just pulled the ripcord. They would never get me in the para-troopers. Still, they only fall a few hundred feet and their chute is opened for them. We jumped from about 10,000 feet, and as it was dark I could not judge the height when I got near the deck. Boy, did I hit hard. It knocked the wind right out of me and I thought I had broken both feet. Luckily, I only landed about 30 yards from a house.
I crawled some of the way, and then found that I could hop on my left foot. When I hammered on the door I woke just about the whole village. At first I could not make anybody understand me, but they helped me to a house where some of the family spoke English after a fashion. They treated me very well, and seemed to know something about medicine. They fixed my foot up to make it comfortable, and gave me some kind of strong drink. After that they cooked a couple of eggs for me. Knowing that they were short of food I tried to stop them.
My hair stood an end when I asked where the nearest British Army was, and they said 'Not here.' For a second I thought I had been blown behind the German lines, and I knew I'd be flat out getting away with a broken right foot. Actually, I was well inside our lines and our army had a field dressing station about four miles away. From there I was sent to a general hospital in Brussels. Visitors came every day, and even though they were short of food they always brought stacks of fruit, like grapes, pears, apples, and peaches. I came back to England by air ambulance, and will be able to walk with a plaster on my foot by next Monday."
14 January 1945.
We took off for a night raid on Germany, and had been flying only a few minutes when one of our motors caught fire. The pilot could not get the fire out, and it quickly spread to one of the petrol tanks, which exploded and blew half a wing off. The pilot ordered us to bail out before the tank exploded, but things happened very fast.
I was all ready to bail out and just had to toss myself out back-wards. My body got out all right, but my legs were caught in the turret. The slipstream was so strong I could not move, so I just got dragged along through the air with my feet still caught in the turret. When I think of it now, I wonder how I kept so calm. Strange to say, I wasn't frightened after I found I could not get away. I just thought, 'I hope it won't be long now before I hit the ground, and it is all over. Just then the slipstream tore me out of one of my big flying-boots which had been caught. Then I found I was falling free of the plane.
While I was caught by the leg and foot the wind blew my 'chute-pack off my chest, so before I could open it I had to get the harness, which was attached to the 'chute, and pull it down from above my head. Just as my 'chute opened our plane hit the ground. This time I was careful to make a good landing. I didn't want to break my foot again. It was much easier to land as it was still daylight.
The engineer was the only other one to get out. When the wing blew off, the plane went rolling over and over, so the rest of the boys could not have been able to move to their escape positions. One thing, it all happened and was over within a few seconds."
Neville Owen Reed died in Perth, Western Australia on 20th October 1990 aged 69 years.
LL599
00Aug44 Handley Page Type HP61 Halifax B/A Mk III bomber Serial LL599 was the 27th of 43 aircraft built in the Serial Range LL573 to LL615 and was manufactured under license to Contract No. ACFT/637, requisition HA3/E11/40 by Rootes Securities Ltd at their facilities in Liverpool and Blythe Bridge, Staffordshire. The aircraft was built in-line with Handley Pages’ well established and proven split construction and unit assembly methods. The aircraft was divided into twelve major assemblies, which allowed for more tradespeople to work on each assembly than would normally have been possible. Not only did this approach speed up production but it also made transportation and repair much easier. Each of the four major manufacturers used sub-contractors to produce specific sub-assemblies, which were then transported by road to that manufacturer’s main assembly facility where the aircraft was completed and test flown.
Powered by four Bristol Hercules XVI 38-litre, 14-cylinder, twin-row, supercharged, air-cooled radial engines each developing 1,650hp (1,230 kW) driving three-blade de Havilland 55/18 fully feathering wooden propellers. Engines fitted were: Port Outer SS20192/A389190, Port Inner SS21254/A390252, Starboard Inner SS21330/A390328, and Starboard Outer SS27507/A429783
Defensive armament consisted of nine .303 inch Browning machine guns; one Gimbal mounted Vickers GO in the SRS 1A Type nose; four midships guns in a Bolton Paul A Mk.VIII turret; and, four tail guns in a Bolton Paul E Mk.I turret. Max bomb load, 10,000lb (4,540 kg) in fuselage and 3,000lb (1,362 kg) in wings. The aircraft was painted in the standard RAF Night scheme of matt Dark Green and Dark Earth on the upper surfaces and Night Black on all undersurfaces.
18Aug44 Aircraft delivered by an ATA Ferry Crew to No.76 (B) Sqn RAF at RAF Station Holme-on-Spalding-Moore, Yorkshire.
20Aug44 Aircraft allocated to RAAF No.462 (B) Sqn at RAF Station Driffield, Yorkshire.
22Aug44 Aircraft delivered by an ATA ferry crew to 462Sqn where it was taken on charge with A Flight as Z5-E.
Halifax LL599 departing Driffield 12 September 1944
12Sep44 1st Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.63
RAAF 427636 FLGOFF P.J Robertson and crew departed Driffield at 1113hrs as one of sixteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 299 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 75 Lancasters and 22 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 412 strong main force attack on synthetic oil plants in the Ruhr area of Germany. 462Sqn’s target was located at Gelsenkirchen just north of Essen. Weapons load consisted of 8 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs; and, 8 x 500lb GP bombs. The crew attacked their assigned target at 1340hrs from 17,500ft then returned to Base at 1645hrs.
Halifax LL599 over the North Sea on a daylight raid to the Ruhr 12Sep44
13Sep44 2nd Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.66
RAAF 427636 FLGOFF P.J Robertson and crew departed Driffield at 1546hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 87 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 28 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 140 strong main force attack on the Nordstern synthetic oil plant at Gelsenkirchen just north of Essen, Germany. Weapons load consisted of 8 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs; and, 8 x AN M64 500lb GP bombs. The crew attacked their assigned target at 1340hrs from 17,500ft then returned to Base at 2106hrs.
15Sep44 3rd Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.68
RAFVR 126905 FLGOFF P.D Wilson and crew departed Driffield at 2229hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 158 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 310 Lancasters and seven Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 490 strong main force attack on Kiel, Germany. Weapons load consisted of 1 x 2000lb HC Blockbuster bomb, 4 x AN M64 500lb GP bombs and, 6 x Cluster Projectile 500lb No.14 Mk.1 (each with 106 x 4lb incendiary bombs). The crew attacked their assigned target at 0115hrs/16Sep from 18000ft then returned to Base at 0427hrs/16Sep.
17Sep44 4th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.69
RAFVR 1561798 PLTOFF G. Coleman and crew departed Driffield at 0657hrs as one of thirteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 338 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 370 Lancasters and 41 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 762 strong main force attack on German positions around Boulogne, France in support of Operation Cobra. Weapons load consisted of 4 x 1,000lb GP bombs; 4 x 1,000lb AN M59 SAP bombs; 3 x 500lb GP bombs; 3 x AN M64 500lb GP bombs. The crew attacked their assigned target at 0857hrs from 9000ft then returned to Base at 1045hrs.
23Sep44 5th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.72
RAAF 423892 PLTOFF A.J Rate and crew departed Driffield at 1856hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 139 Halifaxes, 378 Lancasters and 17 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 549 strong main force attack on the German city of Neuss in the Ruhr Valley. Weapons load consisted of 2 x AN M44 1,000lb GP bombs, 4 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP bombs and, 4 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs. The crew attacked their assigned target at 2132hrs from 17,5000ft then returned to Base at 0020hrs/24Sep.
25Sep44 6th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.73
PLTOFF N.E Marchant and crew departed Driffield at 0650hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 383 Halifaxes, 430 Lancasters and 45 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for an 872 strong main force attack on German defensive positions around Calais, France. Weapons load consisted 4 x 1,000lb GP bombs and 16 x 500lb GP bombs. The raid was aborted by the Master Bomber at 0820hrs and the aircraft headed for Base. At 0922hrs 3 x 1,000lb bombs were jettisoned Safe into the Channel before the aircraft landed at 1010hrs.
26Sep44 7th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.75
PLTOFF N.E Marchant and crew departed Driffield at 0804hrs as one of thirteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 276 Halifaxes, 388 Lancasters and 45 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 722 strong main force attack on German defensive positions around Calais and Cap Gris Nez. 462Sqn was part of the 191 aircraft that attacked Cap Gris Nez. Weapons load consisted of 9 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP bombs and, 4 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs, which were dropped on target at 1006hrs from 9,500ft. Aircraft and crew RTB at 1223hrs.
27Sep44 8th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.77
WOFF D.L Taylor and crew departed Driffield at 0922hrs as one of seven 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 77 Halifaxes, 222 Lancasters and 35 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 341 strong main force attack on German defensive positions around Calais. Weapons load consisted of 9 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP bombs and, 4 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs. The pilot overshot the first approach to the target and by the time he could set up for another bomb run the Master Bomber aborted the mission. At 1130hrs all bombs were jettisoned Safe into the Channel before the aircraft returned to Base at 1325hrs.
30Sep44 9th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.80
WOFF D.L Taylor and crew departed Driffield at 0949hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 87 Halifaxes, 21 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of Nos 4 and 8 Groups for a 136 strong main force attack on a synthetic oil plant near Bottrop, Germany. Weapons load consisted of 16 x 500lb MC bombs. The primary target was blocked by heavy clouds so the Master Bomber ordered the force to seek alternate targets. The crew dropped their load on an alternate at 1135hrs then RTB at 1425hrs.
30Sep44 Aircraft flew nine operational missions and made at least 12 non-operational flights in Sep44.
14Oct44 On 13 October, Sir Arthur Harris received the directive for Operation Hurricane: 'In order to demonstrate to the enemy in Germany generally the overwhelming superiority of the Allied Air Forces in this theatre. The intention is to apply within the shortest practical period the maximum effort of the Royal Air Force Bomber Command and the VIII United States Bomber Command against objectives in the densely populated Ruhr.' The city selected for the operation was Duisburg in the North Rhine-Westphalia district of Germany.
10th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.88
PLTOFF T.W Triggs and crew departed Driffield at 0646hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that took part in Operation Hurricane. The Squadron joined a further 519 Lancasters, 463 Halifaxes and 20 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4, 6 and 8 Groups to make a 1,013 strong area attack on Duisburg. Weapons load was 7 x 1,000lb MC bombs, 2 x 500lb GPTD bombs and, 4 x 500lb GPLD37A bombs. The crew bombed the target at 0907hrs from 18,000ft before returning to Base at 1132Hrs. Overall, the attacking force dropped 3,574 tons of High Explosives and 820 tons of Incendiaries on Duisburg.
23Oct44 11th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.96
FLGOFF N.E Nelder and crew departed Driffield at 1643 as one of 16 Squadron aircraft that joined 447 Halifax, 561 Lancasters and 35 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for a major attack on Essen. The crew successfully bombed their target and set course for home. Approaching Aachen, Germany the aircraft collided with 625Sqn Lancaster (LM691 CF-O) and both machines exploded scattering wreckage over fields 2km SE of Aachen. Six of the seven crewmen aboard LL599 perished in the collision and subsequent explosion but the Navigator was blown clear and managed to deploy his parachute. He was picked up by US Army personnel and returned to the UK.
29Oct44 Aircraft struck off charge. While serving with 462Sqn the aircraft flew 11 operational missions and made at least five non-operational flights, plus 11 short pre-operations test flights.
RAAF pilot 419561 Flying Officer Frank Edward Nelder (21) was born 25 June 1923 in Brunswick Melbourne, Victoria the son of Alfred Gordon and Lily Nelder of Brunswick. Frank Nelder was KIA and initially buried in Plot D, Row 2, Grave 33 of the US Military Cemetery at Henri-Chapelle, Belgium. He was later exhumed and reinterred in Section I Row E Grave 10 of the Hotton War Cemetery south of Liege, Belgium. He is commemorated on Panel 109 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT; and, on Panel 218 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire. He is also remembered on the Brunswick Town Hall Roll of Honour in Melbourne.
RAAF navigator 427259 Flight Sergeant Ernest Hartley Richardson (33) was born 16 December 1910 in Cottesloe Town, Western Australia the son of William Horatio and Mary Jane Richardson; husband of Daphne Mavis Richardson, of Bencubbin, Western Australia. Ernie Richardson was KIA and initially buried in Plot D Row 2 Grave 30 of the US Military Cemetery at Henri-Chapelle, Belgium. He was later exhumed and reinterred in Section I Row E Grave 8 of the Hotton War Cemetery south of Liege, Belgium. He is commemorated on Panel 109 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT; and, on Panel 232 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire. He is remembered on the Roll of Honour at Bencubbin, Town Hall WA; and, on the Cenotaph Undercroft, State War Memorial in Kings Park, WA.
RAAF wireless operator 429105 Flight Sergeant Edward Phillip Austin (23) was born 3 June 1921 in Epping, Sydney the son of Edward Picton Austin and Alice Pauline Austin; husband of Patricia Joan Austin, of Cheltenham, Sydney. Edward was KIA and initially buried in Plot D Row 2 Grave 31 of the US Military Cemetery at Henri-Chapelle, Belgium. He was later exhumed and reinterred in Section I Row E Grave 7 of the Hotton War Cemetery south of Liege, Belgium. He is commemorated on Panel 109 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT; and, on Panel 125 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire. He is remembered on the Beecroft-Cheltenham Roll of Honour, Sydney.
RAAF air gunner 435026 Flight Sergeant Malcom Langley Wood (21) was born 17 October 1923 in Mosman, Sydney the son of Kenneth William and Ethel Maud Wood of Mosman. Malcom was KIA and initially buried in the US Military Cemetery at Henri-Chapelle, Belgium. He was later exhumed and reinterred in Section I Row E Grave 5 of the Hotton War Cemetery south of Liege, Belgium. He is also commemorated on Panel 109 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT; and on Panel 268 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire. He is remembered on the Roll of Honour in Mosman, Sydney.
RAAF air gunner 436820 Flight Sergeant Allan Farmer (22) was born 17 July 1922 in Balmain, Sydney the son of Arthur Farmer. Allan was KIA and initially buried in the US Military Cemetery at Henri-Chapelle, Belgium. He was later exhumed and reinterred in Section I Row E Grave 6 of the Hotton War Cemetery south of Liege, Belgium. He is also commemorated on Panel 109 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT; and, on Panel 162 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire. He is remembered on the Roll of Honour in Balmain, Sydney.
RAFVR flight engineer 1895178 Sergeant Douglas Darrah Pettit (19) born 12 September 1925 in Shinfield, Berkshire the son of Frederick Charles and Ada Sophie Pettit, husband of Amy Maybn Pettit. Douglas Pettit was KIA and initially buried in the US Military Cemetery at Henri-Chapelle, Belgium. He was later exhumed and reinterred in Section I Row E Grave 9 of the Hotton War Cemetery south of Liege, Belgium. He is commemorated on Panel 225 of the International Bomber Command Centre Memorial at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire; and, on the Shinfield War Memorial in Berkshire.
RAAF Navigator/B 419701 Flight Sergeant John Maurice Grace survived the accident and was picked up by US Army personnel. Grace’s survivors report stated: “from the French coast until the time of the accident we were in 10/10ths cloud. Over Aachen about 1925 hours a terrific bang occurred and the Aircraft went into a screaming dive. I was blown out of the Aircraft. I imagine I was the only one saved as no other chutes were in the air. Believe we were struck by another aircraft as no flak or night fighters around at the time. Landed at place called Haaren not far from Aachen about 2140 hours on 23 October. Walked east for 20 minutes in wrong direction then retraced my steps to go west and making detour to avoid a house. Someone called out to me. I walked in that direction with hands above head and identified myself to Americans. Stayed night with them and taken next day to British Liaison Officer.”
He was flown back to the UK where, on 27Oct44, he was posted to No.1 Personnel Holding Unit at RAF Morecombe, Lancashire. He saw out the War in the UK before returning to Australia in September 1945 and discharged from the RAAF in Melbourne on 21st December 1945 with the rank of Flying Officer. John Maurice Grace passed away on 12th March 1977 aged 54 years and is buried in Warrnambool Cemetery, Victoria.
LL600
00Aug44 Handley Page Type HP61 Halifax B/A Mk III bomber Serial LL600 was the 28th of 43 aircraft built in the Serial Range LL573 to LL615 manufactured under license to Contract No. ACFT/637, requisition HA3/E11/40 by Rootes Securities Ltd at their facilities in Liverpool and Blythe Bridge, Staffordshire. The aircraft was built in-line with Handley Pages’ well established and proven split construction and unit assembly methods. The aircraft was divided into twelve major assemblies, which allowed for more tradespeople to work on each assembly than would normally have been possible. Not only did this approach speed up production but it also made transportation and repair much easier. Each of the four major manufacturers used sub-contractors to produce specific sub-assemblies, which were then transported by road to that manufacturer’s main assembly facility where the aircraft was completed and test flown.
Powered by four Bristol Hercules XVI 38-litre, 14-cylinder, twin-row, supercharged, air-cooled radial engines each developing 1,650hp (1,230 kW) driving three-blade de Havilland 55/18 fully feathering wooden propellers. Engines fitted were: A389482, A390346, A390040 and A429737.
Defensive armament consisted of nine .303 inch Browning machine guns; one Gimbal mounted Vickers GO in the SRS 1A Type nose; four midships guns in a Bolton Paul A Mk.VIII turret; and, four tail guns in a Bolton Paul E Mk.I turret. Max bomb load, 10,000lb (4,540 kg) in fuselage and 3,000lb (1,362 kg) in wings. The aircraft was painted in the standard RAF Night scheme of matt Dark Green and Dark Earth on the upper surfaces and Night Black on all undersurfaces.
20Aug44 Aircraft delivered by an ATA Ferry Crew to No.578 (B) Sqn RAF at RAF Station Burn, Yorkshire.
22Aug44 Aircraft delivered by an ATA Ferry Crew to No.462Sqn RAAF at RAF Station Driffield, Yorkshire. Issued to A Flight as Z5-C
27Aug44 1st Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.48 This historic mission was the first major daylight raid by Bomber Command to Germany since 12 August 1941.
FLGOFF C.W Jackson and crew departed Driffield at 1147hrs as one of ten 462Sqn bombers that joined a further 206 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 13 Lancasters and 14 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 243 strong attack on the Rheinpreussen synthetic-oil refinery near Homberg, Germany. Weapons load was 16 x 500lb MC 025sec time delay bombs. The bombers were escorted by nine squadrons of Spitfires on the outward flight and seven squadrons on the withdrawal. The crew bombed their assigned target area at 1403hrs from 19,000ft at and RTB safely at 1549hrs.
31Aug44 2nd Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.51
WOFF J.E Byrom and crew departed Driffield at 1247hrs as one of eight 462Sqn bombers that joined a further 139 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 418 Lancasters and 36 Mosquitos Nos 1 and 8 Group for a 601 strong attack on V2 storage sites in the Pas de Calais area of northern France. 462Sqn was one of the squadrons tasked to attack the sites near La Pourchinte. Weapons load was 16 x 500lb MC 025sec time delay bombs Because of adverse weather conditions the Master Bomber aborted the mission and the aircraft and crew returned to Base at 1629hrs.
31Aug44 Aircraft flew two operational missions and made three non-operational flights in August 1944.
03Sep44 3rd Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.54
FSGT R.R Mitchell and crew departed Driffield at 1543hrs as one of ten 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 305 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 348 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 675 strong attack against six German airfields in Southern Holland. 462Sqn was one of the squadrons tasked to attack the airfield at Soesterberg in Utrecht province. Weapons load was 3 x AN M65 1,000lb GP, 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP and 4 x 500lb GP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target at 1730hrs from 16,000ft then returned to Base at 1912hrs.
09Sep44 4th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.56
FLGOFF E. McGindle and crew departed Driffield at 0639hrs as one of twelve 462Sqn aircraft that joined the main attack force of 218 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 22 Lancasters and 20 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 272 strong attack against German fortified field positions outside against the French coastal city of Le Havre. Weapons load was 3 x AN M65 1,000lb GP, 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP and 4 x 500lb GP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. Because of adverse weather conditions the Master Bomber aborted the mission and the aircraft and crew returned to Base at 1052hrs after jettisoning the bombs at sea.
10Sep44 5th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.57
FLGOFF E. McGindle and crew departed Driffield at 1440hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 410 Halifaxes, 521 Lancasters and 45 Mosquitos of Nos.1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for a 992 strong attack against eight German fortified field positions around the French coastal city of Le Havre. Weapons load was 3 x AN M65 1,000lb GP, 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP and 4 x 500lb GP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target at 1706hrs from 10,000ft then returned to Base at 1852hrs.
11Sep44 6th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.61
FLGOFF E. McGindle and crew departed Driffield at 0615hrs as one of eleven 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 95 Halifaxes, 103 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos from Nos.4 and 8 Group for a 218 strong attack against eight German fortified field positions outside the French coastal city of Le Havre. Weapons load was 3 x AN M64 1,000lb GP, 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP and 4 x 500lb GP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target at 0753hrs from 10,000ft then returned to Base at 0955hrs.
After the two RAF raids, elements of British 1st Corps (part of Canadian 1st Army, British 21st Army Group launch an assault on the beleaguered German garrison cut-off in Le Harve. The German garrison of about 12,000 men surrendered the next morning.
12Sep44 7th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.63
FLGOFF E. McGindle and crew departed Driffield at 1100hrs as one of sixteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 299 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 75 Lancasters and 22 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for an attack against German synthetic oil plants near Gelsenkirchen in the Ruhr valley. Weapons load was 10 x 500lb GP and 6 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target at 1334hrs from 11,000ft then returned to Base at 1539hrs.
13Sep44 8th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.66
FLGOFF E. McGindle and crew departed Driffield at 1605hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined the main attack force of 98 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 28 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of No.10 Group for an attack against the Nordstern synthetic oil plant near Gelsenkirchen in the Ruhr valley. Weapons load was 10 x 500lb GP, 3 x AN M64 500lb GP and 3 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target at 1831hrs from 17,500ft then returned to Base at 2024hrs. The aircraft was one of eight 462Sqn Lancasters damaged by Flak over the target. Damage was assessed as Cat.A and repaired the following day.
15Sep44 9th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.68
FLGOFF E. McGindle and crew departed Driffield at 2233hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 158 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 310 Lancasters and seven Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 490 strong main force attack on Kiel, Germany. Weapons load was 1 x 2000lb HC bomb, 4 x AN M64 500lb GP bombs and, 6 x Cluster Projectile 500lb No.14 Mk.1 (each with 106 x 4lb incendiary bomblets). The crew bombed the target at 0116hrs/16Sep from 19000ft then returned to Base at 0409hrs.
17Sep44 10th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.69
WOFF D.M Taylor and crew departed Driffield at 0653hrs as one of twelve 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 338 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 370 Lancasters and 41 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 762 strong main force attack on German positions around Boulogne, France in support of Operation Cobra. Weapons load was 6 x 1,000lb MC bombs, 2 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP bombs and 6 x 500lb GP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target at 0854hrs from 9000ft then returned to Base at 1044hrs.
23Sep44 11th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.72
PLTOFF D.J Robertson and crew departed Driffield at 1858hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined the main attack force of 140 Halifaxes, 378 Lancasters and17 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 549 strong aircraft attack against factories at Neuss in the Ruhr Valley, Germany. Weapons load was 4 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP bombs, 2 x AN M44 1,000lb GP bombs and 4 x 500lb GP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew attacked the target and on the homeward leg ran short of fuel and diverted to RAF Sudbury in Suffolk. The aircraft overran the airstrip after touchdown causing the undercarriage to collapse resulting in severe structural damage. Initially assessed as Cat.B but changed to Cat.E
08Oct44 Aircraft struck off charge. While serving with 462Sqn the aircraft flew 11 operational missions and made at least six non-operational flights, plus 11 x 10min pre-operations test flights.
23Sep44 LL600 at RAF Sudbury after the undercarriage collapsed.
The crew for this mission was:
RAAF pilot 419444 PLTOFF D.J Robertson survived the war and resigned from the RAAF on 21Sep45 with the rank of Flying Officer.
RAAF bomb aimer 427636 FSGT P.G Chant survived the war and resigned from the RAAF on 10Oct45 with the rank of Flying Officer.
RAAF navigator 432132 FLGOFF P.A.C Dermond survived the war and resigned from the RAAF on 17Oct45 with the rank of Flying Officer.
RAAF wireless operator/air gunner 419104 FSGT E.D Wilson survived the war and discharged from the RAAF on 03Oct45 with the rank of Warrant Officer.
RAAF mid-upper air gunner 24779 FSGT F.J Randle survived the war and resigned from the RAAF on 03Sep45 with the rank of Flying Officer.
RAAF rear gunner 433588 FSGT G.L Goldstein survived the war and discharged from the RAAF on 18Sep45 with the rank of Warrant Officer.
RAFVR flight engineer 1895266 SGT R.K Daughters survived the war.
LL604
00Aug44 Handley Page Type HP61 Halifax B/A Mk III bomber Serial LL604 was the 32nd of 43 aircraft built in the Serial Range LL573 to LL615 manufactured under license to Contract No. ACFT/637, requisition HA3/E11/40 by Rootes Securities Ltd at their facilities in Liverpool and Blythe Bridge, Staffordshire. The aircraft was built in-line with Handley Pages’ well established and proven split construction and unit assembly methods. The aircraft was divided into twelve major assemblies, which allowed for more tradespeople to work on each assembly than would normally have been possible. Not only did this approach speed up production but it also made transportation and repair much easier. Each of the four major manufacturers used sub-contractors to produce specific sub-assemblies, which were then transported by road to that manufacturer’s main assembly facility where the aircraft was completed and test flown.
Powered by four Bristol Hercules XVI 38-litre, 14-cylinder, twin-row, supercharged, air-cooled radial engines each developing 1,650hp (1,230 kW) driving three-blade de Havilland 55/18 fully feathering wooden propellers. Engines fitted were: port outer A389482; port inner A390346; stbd inner A390040; and, stbd outer A429737.
Defensive armament consisted of nine .303 inch Browning machine guns; one Gimbal mounted Vickers GO in the SRS 1A Type nose; four midships guns in a Bolton Paul A Mk.VIII turret; and, four tail guns in a Bolton Paul E Mk.I turret. Max bomb load, 10,000lb (4,540 kg) in fuselage and 3,000lb (1,362 kg) in wings. The aircraft was painted in the standard RAF Night scheme of matt Dark Green and Dark Earth on the upper surfaces and Night Black on all undersurfaces.
20Aug44 Aircraft delivered by an ATA Ferry Crew to No.578 (B) Sqn RAF at RAF Station Burn, Yorkshire.
22Aug44 Aircraft delivered by an ATA Ferry Crew to No.462 (B) Sqn RAAF at RAF Station Driffield, Yorkshire. Issued to A Flight as Z5-D.
31Aug44 Aircraft made four non-operational flights in August 1944.
01Sep44 1st Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.53
RAAF pilot 207838 SQNLDR E.J McDermott and crew departed Driffield at 0649hrs with LV955 and joined a further 95 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus nine Lancasters and 15 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 121 strong attack on V2 rocket storage sites at Lumbres and La Pourchinte in the Pas-de-Calais. Weapons load was 3 x AN M65 1,000lb GP, 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP and 4 x 500lb GP bombs, which were dropped on target at 0849hrs from 12,000ft. Aircraft and crew returned to Base at 1028hrs.
10Sep44 2nd Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.57
RAAF pilot 426032 PLTOFF R.B Breusch and crew departed Driffield at 1442hrs as one of sixteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 410 Halifaxes, 521 Lancasters and 45 Mosquitos of Nos.1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for a 992 strong attack against eight German fortified field positions around the French coastal city of Le Havre. At 1452hrs the aircraft experienced a significant hydraulic failure so the captain aborted the mission, jettisoned the bombs and RTB.
11Sep44 3rd Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.61
RAFVR pilot 1389580 FSGT J. Carthy and crew departed Driffield at 0650hrs as one of ten 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 95 Halifaxes, 103 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos from Nos.4 and 8 Group for a 218 strong attack against eight German fortified field positions outside the French coastal city of Le Havre. Weapons load was 3 x AN M64 1,000lb GP, 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP and 4 x 500lb GP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target at 0751hrs from 10,500ft then returned to Base at 0946hrs.
After the two RAF raids, elements of British 1st Corps (part of Canadian 1st Army, British 21st Army Group launch an assault on the beleaguered German garrison cut-off in Le Harve. The German garrison of about 12,000 men surrendered the next morning.
12Sep44 4th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.63
RAAF pilot 418452 FLTSGT RT.R Mitchell and crew departed Driffield at 1118hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 299 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 75 Lancasters and 22 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for an attack against German synthetic oil plants near Gelsenkirchen in the Ruhr valley. Weapons load was 10 x 500lb GP and 6 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target at 1336hrs from 20,000ft then returned to Base at 1555hrs.
13Sep44 5th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.66
RAAF pilot 426032 PLTOFF R.B Breusch and crew departed Driffield at 1546hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 87 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 28 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of No.10 Group for a 140 strong main force attack on Nordstern synthetic oil plant at Gelsenkirchen just north of Essen. Weapons load consisted of 8 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs; and, 8 x AN M64 500lb GP bombs. The crew attacked their assigned target at 1340hrs from 17,500ft then returned to Base at 2106hrs.
15Sep44 6th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.68
RAAF pilot 426032 PLTOFF R.B Breusch and crew departed Driffield at 2239hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 158 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 310 Lancasters and seven Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 490 strong main force attack on Kiel, Germany. Weapons load consisted of 1 x 2000lb HC Blockbuster bomb, 4 x AN M64 500lb GP bombs and, 6 x Cluster Projectile 500lb No.14 Mk.1 (each with 106 x 4lb incendiary bombs). The crew attacked their assigned target at 0121hrs/16Sep from 18000ft then returned to Base at 0435hrs/16Sep.
23Sep44 7th Operational Mission. RAAF pilot 411864 FLGOFF W.S Black and crew departed Driffield at 1858hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 139 Halifaxes, 378 Lancasters and 17 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 549 strong main force attack on the German city of Neuss in the Ruhr Valley. Weapons load consisted of 2 x AN M44 1,000lb GP bombs, 4 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP bombs and, 4 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs. The crew attacked their assigned target at 2132hrs from 17,5000ft then returned to Base at 0024hrs/24Sep.
25Sep44 8th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.73
RAAF pilot 411864 FLGOFF W.S Black and crew departed Driffield at 0654hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 383 Halifaxes, 430 Lancasters and 45 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for an 872 strong main force attack on German defensive positions around Calais, France. Weapons load consisted 4 x 1,000lb GP bombs and 16 x 500lb GP bombs. The raid was aborted by the Master Bomber at 0820hrs and the aircraft headed for Base. At 0922hrs 2 x 500lb GP bombs were jettisoned Safe into the Channel before the aircraft landed at 1015hrs.
26Sep44 9th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.75
RAAF pilot 411864 FLGOFF W.S Black and crew departed Driffield at 0800hrs as one of thirteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 276 Halifaxes, 388 Lancasters and 45 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 722 strong main force attack on German defensive positions around Calais and Cap Gris Nez. 462Sqn was part of the 191 aircraft that attacked Cap Gris Nez. Weapons load consisted of 9 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP bombs and, 4 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs, which were dropped on target at 1004hrs from 9000ft. Aircraft and crew RTB at 1205hrs.
30Sep44 10th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.80
RAAF pilot 411864 FLGOFF W.S Black and crew departed Driffield at 0949hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 87 Halifaxes, 21 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of Nos 4 and 8 Groups for a 136 strong main force attack on a synthetic oil plant near Bottrop, Germany. Weapons load consisted of 16 x 500lb MC bombs. The primary target was blocked by heavy clouds so the Master Bomber ordered the force to seek alternate targets. The crew dropped their load on an alternate from 18,000ft at 1135hrs then RTB at 1425hrs.
30Sep44 Aircraft flew 10 operational missions and made three non-operational flights in Sep44 plus 10 short duration pre-Ops test flights.
07Oct44 11th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.84
RAAF pilot 411864 FLGOFF W.S Black and crew departed Driffield at 1136hrs as one of twelve 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 239 Halifaxes, 90 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of Nos 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 351 strong attack on the small German town of Kleve. This mission was to assist the Army defend the vulnerable Allied right flank near Nijmegen after the failure of Operation Market Garden. Weapons load consisted of 9 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP TD and 4 x 500lb GP LD 37A bombs, which were dropped on the target from 13,500ft at 1401hrs. On the return journey the aircraft was diverted to RAF Bungay, Suffolk as Base was closed by weather.
09Oct44 12th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.86
FLGOFF W.S Black and crew departed Driffield at 1742hrs with eight other 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 239 Halifaxes, 90 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for a 435 strong bomber attack on Bochum, Germany. Weapons load was 7 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP TD bombs, 3 x 500lb GP TD with .025sec time delay and 6 x 500lb LD37A bombs. The crew bombed the target and was homeward bound when at 2130hrs the aircraft was hit by cannon fire in the SRS 1A Type nose, navigator’s compartment and fuselage. A ferocious fire took hold and the crew all baled out ENE of Arnhem, four of the crew were captured and three managed to evade capture and with the help from the Dutch resistance returned to Allied lines. The aircraft was shot down by Hauptmann Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer in Bf 110 G-4 G9+EF from Stab IV/NJG 1, who had taken off from Dortmund-Brackel airfield in Germany at 2009 hrs.
In a 1945 report the then Flight Lieutenant Black stated “The aircraft was hit in the nose, navigator’s position and fuselage by flak. The bale out order was given on the intercom and acknowledged. The Call light was unserviceable. The Navigator, Bomb Aimer and WOP were injured but baled out. All were out before me including Shoemaker. I baled out at 10,000 feet. The aircraft was in control but burning inside and outside the fuselage. The aircraft crashed in Holland probably somewhere near Giesbeek. All the crew were accounted for and returned safe to the UK. I contacted the Dutch underground but was evidently seen before by Quislings and the Dutch said they had no alternative but to hand me over. Was taken to the Germans by police. Released by Russians on 22/4/45.”
The then Warrant Officer Marris reported “One or two bursts of flak hit the aircraft blowing out the nose and starting fires in the fuselage. Attempts by the Engineer and Mid Upper to put out the fire unsuccessful. Verbal bale out order given at 11,000 feet. All out successfully. Aircraft partially in control but burning fiercely about bomb bay. Aircraft crashed some 20/30 miles north of Arnhem. I was taken prisoner by German soldiers billeted in a farmhouse near where I landed. Released by Russians. Returned to UK 14/5/45.”
00Oct44 Aircraft struck off charge. While serving with 462Sqn the aircraft flew 12 operational missions and made at least nine non-operational flights, plus 12 short duration pre-Ops test flights.
RAAF pilot 411864 Flying Officer William Stowell Black (26) of Randwick in Sydney New South Wales baled out of the aircraft and made contact with the Dutch Underground. However, he had been seen and reported by a Quisling meaning the underground had no option but to hand him over to the Dutch Police. He was then given to the Germans and taken to the Luftwaffe Dulag Luft in Frankfurt for interrogation. He was given POW No.1544 and transported to Stalag III Belaria 100kms south-east of Berlin where he remained until February 1945. His next camp was Stalag IIIA (Luchenwalde) 52kms south of Berlin where he was released by the Russian Army on 22April 1945 and returned to the UK. He stayed in the UK until his repatriation to Australia on 8th August 1945. William Black discharged from the RAAF on 30th October 1945 with the rank of Flight Lieutenant
RAAF Navigator 428535 FSGT William John Marris (21) of Sydney, New South Wales baled out and was quickly captured. Following interrogation at the Luftwaffe Dulag Luft in Frankfurt he was given POW No.1073 and sent Stalag Luft VII near Bankau in Silesia, Germany. He was released by the Russian Army in April 1945 and returned to the UK. He stayed in the UK until his repatriation to Australia. William Marris discharged from the RAAF on 26th November 1945 with the rank of Warrant Officer.
RAAF Bomb Aimer 428719 Flying Officer Frank Land (31) of Bondi in Sydney, New South Wales sustained injuries to his left arm and buttocks during the attack but managed to bale out. He was captured by the Germans and treated for his wounds in a German Army Field Hospital where he was held for another three weeks undergoing recuperation. Land was then taken to Oflag79 at Brunswick before being taken to the Dulag Luft in Frankfurt for interrogation. He was given POW No.6365 and sent to Stalag Luft I at Barth in Western Pomerania. On the 1st of May 1945 the prisoners awoke to find all the German guards had fled during the night and a hand sewn Stars and Stripes had replaced the Swastika flag on the flagpole. The following day the Red Army arrived and ‘liberated’ the American and British prisoners. Land was returned to the UK where he remained until his repatriation to Australia in July 1945. Frank Land discharged from the RAAF on 13th of November 1945 with the rank of Flying Officer.
RAAF Wireless Air Gunner 426957 FSGT Cecil Bruce Palmer (22) of Condong, New South Wales baled out and was captured. Following interrogation at the Luftwaffe Dulag Luft in Frankfurt he was given POW No118982 and sent Stalag Luft VIIIC near Sagan in Lower Silesia, Germany. He was released by the US 14th Armored Division in April 1945 and returned to the UK. He stayed in the UK until his repatriation to Australia. Cecil Palmer discharged from the RAAF on 8th November 1945 with the rank of Warrant Officer.
RAFVR Flight Engineer 1590729 SGT Norman Henry MacPherson baled out and evaded capture with the help from the local resistance leader. Over ensuing days McPherson continually moved locations and eventually joined a small group of British Paratroop Officers who had participated in the ill-fated Market Garden operation and were now in the throes of organizing an escape that would later be known as Pegasus 1. This group made further location changes until they arrived at the village of Renkum on the banks of the Rhine River where on the night of 22Oct44 they were ferried across the Rhine in small boats by the Dutch Resistance and hidden in a farm near Randwijk then taken to Nijmegen. Macpherson arrived back in England a little more than two weeks after baling out of his stricken Halifax and, following survivors leave and debriefing was returned to 462Sqn where he remained until the end of the war.
RAFVR Mid Upper Gunner 1534164 SGT Kenneth Buckley baled out and landed on the south bank of the Ijssel River near Lathum, Holland. He hid overnight in a haystack before unsuccessfully approaching locals for help before he was picked up by a local resistance man. Soon after he participated in the mass escape called Pegasus 2, which proved unsuccessful and Buckley was forced to run for his life until he was located by the Resistance. For the remainder of the War he made two more futile escape attempts and was moved around constantly by the Resistance. When the Germans surrendered Buckley was repatriated back to the UK.
RCAF Rear Gunner J/87246 PLTOFF William Stuart Shoemaker baled out and landed a few kilometers southeast of Doetinchem on the south bank of the Ijssel River. The next day he was luckily found by a sympathetic gamekeeper (Jan Wolsink) and taken to his farm. The gamekeeper told Shoemaker the local Hummelo area had a very heavy Wehrmacht presence and movement of any kind was too dangerous. As it happened Shoemaker was force to remain with Jan Wolsink and his family on the farm for the next six months until Hummelo was liberated by the Canadian Army of 2 April 1945.
LL610
00Aug44 Handley Page Type HP61 Halifax B/A Mk III bomber Serial LL610 was the 38th of 43 aircraft built in the Serial Range LL573 to LL615 manufactured under license to Contract No. ACFT/637, requisition HA3/E11/40 by Rootes Securities Ltd at their facilities in Liverpool and Blythe Bridge, Staffordshire. The aircraft was built in-line with Handley Pages’ well established and proven split construction and unit assembly methods. The aircraft was divided into twelve major assemblies, which allowed for more tradespeople to work on each assembly than would normally have been possible. Not only did this approach speed up production but it also made transportation and repair much easier. Each of the four major manufacturers used sub-contractors to produce specific sub-assemblies, which were then transported by road to that manufacturer’s main assembly facility where the aircraft was completed and test flown.
Powered by four Bristol Hercules XVI 38-litre, 14-cylinder, twin-row, supercharged, air-cooled radial engines each developing 1,650hp (1,230 kW) driving three-blade de Havilland 55/18 fully feathering wooden propellers. Engines fitted were: A389482, A390346, A390040 and A429737.
Defensive armament consisted of nine .303 inch Browning machine guns; one Gimbal mounted Vickers GO in the SRS 1A Type nose; four midships guns in a Bolton Paul A Mk.VIII turret; and, four tail guns in a Bolton Paul E Mk.I turret. Max bomb load, 10,000lb (4,540 kg) in fuselage and 3,000lb (1,362 kg) in wings. The aircraft was painted in the standard RAF Night scheme of matt Dark Green and Dark Earth on the upper surfaces and Night Black on all undersurfaces.
28Aug44 Aircraft delivered by an ATA Ferry Crew to No.462 (B) Sqn RAAF at RAF Station Driffield, Yorkshire where it was taken on charge and issued to B Flight as Z5-U
31Aug44 Aircraft flew two non-operational missions in August 1944.
10Sep44 1st Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.57
RAAF pilot 413028 PLTOFF W.B Cookson and crew departed Driffield at 1448hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 410 Halifaxes, 521 Lancasters and 45 Mosquitos of Nos.1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for a 992 strong attack against eight German fortified field positions around the French coastal city of Le Havre. Weapons load was 3 x AN M65 1,000lb GP, 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP and 4 x 500lb GP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target at 1708hrs from 10,000ft then returned to Base at 1900hrs.
12Sep44 2nd Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.63
RAAF pilot 405578 FLGOFF D.L Evans and crew departed Driffield at 1117hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 299 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 75 Lancasters and 22 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for an attack against German synthetic oil plants near Gelsenkirchen in the Ruhr valley. Weapons load was 10 x 500lb GP and 6 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target at 1336hrs from 20,000ft then return to Base at 1555hrs.
13Sep44 3rd Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.66
RAAF pilot 413028 PLTOFF W.B Cookson and crew departed Driffield at 1546hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 87 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 28 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 140 strong main force attack on the Nordstern synthetic oil plant at Gelsenkirchen just north of Essen, Germany. Weapons load consisted of 8 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs; and, 8 x AN M64 500lb GP bombs. The crew attacked their target at 1340hrs from 17,500ft then returned to Base at 2106hrs.
15Sep44 4th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.68
RAAF pilot 405578 FLGOFF D.L Evans and crew departed Driffield at 2239hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 158 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 310 Lancasters and seven Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 490 strong main force attack on Kiel, Germany. Weapons load consisted of 1 x 2000lb HC Blockbuster bomb, 4 x AN M64 500lb GP bombs and, 6 x Cluster Projectile 500lb No.14 Mk.1 (each with 106 x 4lb incendiary bombs). The crew attacked their assigned target at 0121hrs/16Sep from 18000ft then returned to Base at 0435hrs/16Sep.
17Sep44 5th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.69
RAAF pilot 405578 FLGOFF D.L Evans and crew departed Driffield at 0659hrs as one of thirteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 338 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 370 Lancasters and 41 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 762 strong main force attack on German positions around Boulogne, France in support of Operation Cobra. Weapons load consisted of 4 x 1,000lb GP bombs; 4 x 1,000lb AN M59 SAP bombs; 3 x 500lb GP bombs; 3 x AN M64 500lb GP bombs. The crew attacked their assigned target at 085ohrs from 9000ft then returned to Base at 1030hrs.
23Sep44 6th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.72
RAAF pilot 405578 FLGOFF D.L Evans and crew departed Driffield at 1847hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 139 Halifaxes, 378 Lancasters and 17 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 549 strong main force attack on the German city of Neuss in the Ruhr Valley. Weapons load consisted of 2 x AN M44 1,000lb GP bombs, 4 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP bombs and, 4 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs. The crew bombed their target at 2130hrs from 17,5000ft then returned to Base at 0012hrs/24Sep.
25Sep44 7th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.73
RAAF pilot 405578 FLGOFF D.L Evans and crew departed Driffield at 0653hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 383 Halifaxes, 430 Lancasters and 45 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for an 872 strong main force attack on German defensive positions around Calais, France. Weapons load consisted 4 x 1,000lb GP bombs and 16 x 500lb GP bombs. The raid was aborted by the Master Bomber at 0820hrs and the aircraft headed for Base. At 0922hrs 2 x 500lb GP bombs were jettisoned Safe into the Channel before the aircraft landed at 1015hrs.
26Sep44 8th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.75
RAAF pilot 405578 FLGOFF D.L Evans and crew departed Driffield at 0756hrs as one of thirteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 276 Halifaxes, 388 Lancasters and 45 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 722 strong main force attack on German defensive positions around Calais and Cap Gris Nez. 462Sqn was part of the 191 aircraft that attacked Cap Gris Nez. Weapons load consisted of 9 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP bombs and, 4 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs, which were dropped on target at 1003hrs from 9000ft. Aircraft and crew RTB at 11565hrs.
27Sep44 9th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.77
RAAF pilot 415859 PLTOFF N.E Marchant and crew departed Driffield at 0931hrs as one of seven 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 77 Halifaxes, 222 Lancasters and 35 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 341 strong main force attack on German defensive positions around Calais. Weapons load consisted of 9 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP bombs and, 4 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs, which were dropped on target at 1101hrs from 5,300ft. Aircraft and crew RTB at 1300hrs.
30Sep44 10th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.80
RAAF pilot 427482 PLTOFF F.H James and crew departed Driffield at 0951hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 87 Halifaxes, 21 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of Nos 4 and 8 Groups for a 136 strong main force attack on a synthetic oil plant near Bottrop, Germany. Weapons load consisted of 16 x 500lb MC bombs. The primary target was blocked by heavy clouds so the Master Bomber ordered the force to seek alternate targets. The crew dropped their load on an alternate target from 18,000ft at 1138hrs then RTB at 1414hrs.
30Sep44 Aircraft flew 10 operational missions and made at least 2 non-operational flights, plus 10 x 10min pre-Ops test flights in Sep44
06Oct44 11th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.82
RAAF pilot 421196 FLGOFF W.D Friend and crew departed Driffield at 1432hrs with 15 other squadron aircraft then joined with a further 239 Halifaxes, 46 Lancasters and 20 Mosquitos of 4 and 8 Groups for an attack on synthetic oil plants at Sterkrade and Scholven/Buer, Germany. Weapons load was 16 x 500lb GP bombs set with .025sec time delay, which were dropped on the Sterkrade plant from 17,000ft then RTB at 1933hrs.
07Oct44 12th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.84
RAAF pilot 425654 FLGOFF R.R Hickey and crew departed Driffield at 1150hrs as one of twelve 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 239 Halifaxes, 90 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of Nos 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 351 strong attack on the small German town of Kleve. This mission was to assist the Army defend the vulnerable Allied right flank near Nijmegen after the failure of Operation Market Garden. Weapons load consisted of 9 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP TD and 4 x 500lb GP LD 37A bombs, which were dropped on the target from 13,100ft at 1405hrs. On the return journey the aircraft was diverted to RAF Bungay, Suffolk as Base was closed due to thick fog.
09Oct44 13th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.86
RAAF pilot 427482 PLTOFF F.H James and crew departed Driffield at1742hrs with eight other 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 239 Halifaxes, 90 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for a 435 strong bomber attack on Bochum, Germany. Weapons load was 7 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP TD bombs and 6 x 500lb GP TD bombs all with .025sec time delay. At approximately 1910hrs the starboard inner engine began to leak oil and by 1940hrs the pilot was forced to shut down the overheated engine and feather the propeller. The Weapons load was then jettisoned into the sea and the aircraft returned to Base without further problems at 2143hrs
14Oct44 On 13 October, Sir Arthur Harris received the directive for Operation Hurricane: 'In order to demonstrate to the enemy in Germany generally the overwhelming superiority of the Allied Air Forces in this theatre. The intention is to apply within the shortest practical period the maximum effort of the Royal Air Force Bomber Command and the VIII United States Bomber Command against objectives in the densely populated Ruhr.' The city selected for the operation was Duisburg in the North Rhine-Westphalia district of Germany.
14th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.88
RAAF pilot 413028 PLTOFF W.B Cookson and crew departed Driffield at 0644hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that took part in Operation Hurricane. The Squadron joined a further 519 Lancasters, 463 Halifaxes and 20 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4, 6 and 8 Groups to make a 1,013 strong area attack on Duisburg. Weapons load was 7 x 1,000lb MC bombs, 2 x 500lb GPTD bombs and 4 x 500lb GPLD37A bombs. The crew bombed the target at 0909hrs from 20,000ft before returning to Base at 1130Hrs. Overall, the attacking force dropped 3,574 tons of High Explosives and 820 tons of Incendiaries on Duisburg.
15Oct44 15th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.91
RAAF pilot 427482 PLTOFF F.H James and crew departed Driffield at 0017hrs as one of thirteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 498 Lancaster, 456 Halifax and 39 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for a second attack on Duisburg by 1,005 bombers as part of Operation Hurricane. Weapons load was 7 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP TD bombs, 2 x AN M64 500lb GP TD bombs and 4 x 500lb GP LD 37A bombs. The crew bombed the target at 0325gra from 20,000ft before returning to Base at 0558hrs. This second attack saw 4,040tons of High Explosives and 500 tons of Incendiaries dropped on Duisburg.
23Oct44 16th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.96
RAAF pilot 427482 PLTOFF F.H James and crew departed Driffield at 1636hrs as one of sixteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 561 Lancaster, 447 Halifax and 31 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for a 1,055 strong bomber attack on Essen, Germany. Weapons load consisted of 1 x 2,000lb HC; 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP; and, 4 x 500lb GP bombs, which were dropped on the target from 19,00ft at 1941hrs.This was the heaviest raid on Essen so far in the war and the number of aircraft dispatched was also the greatest number to any target so far; 4,538 tons of bombs were dropped and more than 90 per cent of this tonnage was high explosive (and included 509 x 4,000lb Cookies). Aircraft and crew returned to base at 2229hrs.
28Oct44 17th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.100
RAAF pilot 423361 FLGOFF D.G Uther and crew departed Driffield at 1001hrs as one of thirteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 142 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 86 Lancasters and 36 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 277 strong bomber attack on five gun emplacements on Walcheren Island. 462Sqn was part of the force that attacked the emplacement at Oostkapelle W.19. Weapons load was 1 x 2,000lb HC, 7 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP; and, 4 x 500lb GP bombs which were dropped on target from 4,000ft at 1142hrs. The aircraft and crew returned to base at 1312hrs.
30Oct44 18th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.104
RAAF pilot 415196 PLTOFF D.M Taylor and crew departed Driffield at 1737hrs as one of thirteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 425 Halifaxes, 435 Lancasters and 32 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 905 strong bomber attack on Cologne, Germany. Weapons load was 1 x 2,000lb HC, and 12 x Small Bomb Carriers (each with 30 x 4lb and 60 x 4lb X filled incendiaries). The crew bombed their target from 19,000ft at 2118hrs then returned to base at 2328hrs.
31Oct44 Aircraft flew nine operational missions and four non-operational flights, plus 9 x 10min pre-Ops test flights in October 1944.
02Nov44 19th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.110
RAAF pilot 426609 FSGT R.V Jubb and crew departed Driffield at 1627hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 385 Halifaxes, 561 Lancasters and 31 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 992 strong bomber attack on Düsseldorf, Germany. Weapons load was 1 x 2,000lb HC bomb and 11 x 500lb Cluster Projectile No.14 Mk.1 (each Cluster holding 106 x 4lb incendiary bomblets). The aircraft failed to return and was listed as MIA.
Two days later word was received that FSGT Jubb was alive and well with American forces near Aachen. Jubb reported that they had bombed Dusseldorf and were homeward bound at 14,000ft when the aircraft was attacked by a night fighter that ignited the port wing petrol tanks and destroyed the port outer engine. Realising their predicament Jubb ordered the crew to bale out, with Jubb being the last man out. After landing safely Jubb set out to walk to south west toward Aachen which he knew was now in Allied hands. Amazingly, he bluffed his way through German lines by posing as a drooling idiot and entered US Army lines near Aachen at 1600hrs on 3rd November.
18Nov44 Aircraft struck off charge. While serving with 462Sqn the aircraft flew 19 operational missions and made at least five non-operational flights, plus 19 x 10min pre-operations test flights.
RAAF pilot 426609 Flying Officer Robert Venters Jubb DFC (22) of Brisbane, Queensland baled out and evaded capture. Upon his return to the UK Jubb was classified as Tour Expired and posted to No.1 Personnel Holding Unit at RAF Morecombe, Lancashire until transport back to Australia could be arranged. He arrived back in Australia in February 1945 and remained in the RAAF until he elected discharge on 31 August 1945 with the rank of Flying Officer.
RAAF wireless air gunner 434238 Flight Sergeant Peter Brabazon Brett (22) of Cloncurry, Queensland baled out and was captured. After initial interrogation at the Dulag Luft in Frankfurt he was sent to Stalag Luft L7 Bankau near Kreuzburg, Upper Silesia and then at Stalag 3A near Luchenwalde, Germany where he remained until released by the Russian Army in May 1945. He was then returned to the UK and repatriated back to Australia. Peter Brett elected discharge on 27th October 1945 with rank of Warrant Officer.
RAAF air gunner 423486 Pilot Officer Bruce Theodore Sharpe (20) of Lane Cove in Sydney, New South Wales baled out and was captured. After initial interrogation at the Dulag Luft in Frankfurt he was issued POW No.1166 and sent to Stalag Luft L7 Bankau near Kreuzburg, Upper Silesia. He was Stalag 3A near Luchenwalde, Germany where he remained until released by the Russian Army in May 1945. He was then returned to the UK and repatriated back to Australia, arriving Sydney on 9th September 1945. Bruce Sharpe elected discharge on 31st October 1945 with rank of Flying Officer.
RAFVR navigator 1581371 Sergeant Hugh James Burden baled out and was captured. He spent the rest of the war as POW No.1131 in Stalag Luft L7 Bankau near Kreuzburg, Upper Silesia and then Stalag 3A near Luckenwalde, Germany where he remained until released by the Russian Army in May 1945.
RAFVR flight enginee1035149 Sergeant Hugh Brydon RAF baled out and was captured. He spent the rest of the war as POW No.1130 in Stalag Luft L7 Bankau near Kreuzburg, Upper Silesia and then Stalag 3A near Luckenwalde, Germany where he remained until released by the Russian Army in May 1945.
RAFVR bomb aimer 1527066 Sergeant RD Eadie baled out and was captured. He spent the rest of the war as a POW in Stalag Luft L7 Bankau near Kreuzburg, Upper Silesia and then Stalag 3A near Luckenwalde, Germany where he remained until released by the Russian Army in May 1945.
RAVR air gunner 1819753 Sergeant H Christensen baled out and was captured. He spent the rest of the war as a POW in Stalag Luft L7 Bankau near Kreuzburg, Upper Silesia and then Stalag 3A near Luckenwalde, Germany where he remained until released by the Russian Army in May 1945.
Note: Information concerning RAFVR crew members was not located on any database searched by the author. However, the Repatriated POW Statement made by PLTOFF Sharpe at No.11 PDRC on 10July 1945 clearly states that he met up with all crew members (except for the pilot) in the stipulated POW Camps at the times and locations given.
MZ296
00May44 Handley Page Type HP61 Halifax B Mk III bomber Serial MZ296 was the 15th of 40 aircraft built in the Serial Range MZ282 to MZ321 manufactured under license to Contract ACFT/2595, requisition HA10/E11/42, by the London Aircraft Production Group (a subsidiary of the London Passenger Transport Board) in their factories at Aldenham, Chiswick and White City in Greater London. The aircraft was built in-line with Handley Pages’ well established and proven split construction and unit assembly methods. The aircraft was divided into twelve major assemblies, which allowed for more tradespeople to work on each assembly than would normally have been possible. Not only did this approach speed up production but it also made transportation and repair much easier. Components were all transported to Leavesden Aerodrome for final assembly and flight testing.
Powered by four Bristol Hercules XVI 38-litre, 14-cylinder, twin-row, supercharged, air-cooled radial engines each developing 1,650hp (1,230 kW) driving three-blade de Havilland 55/18 fully feathering wooden propellers. Engines fitted were: A389482, A390346, A390040 and A429737.
Defensive armament consisted of nine .303 inch Browning machine guns; one Gimbal mounted Vickers GO in the SRS 1A Type nose; four midships guns in a Bolton Paul A Mk.VIII turret; and, four tail guns in a Bolton Paul E Mk.I turret. Max bomb load, 10,000lb (4,540 kg) in fuselage and 3,000lb (1,362 kg) in wings. The aircraft was painted in the standard RAF Night scheme of matt Dark Green and Dark Earth on the upper surfaces and Night Black on all undersurfaces.
14May44 Aircraft delivered by an ATA Ferry Crew to No.466 Sqn RAAF at RAF Station Leconfield, Yorkshire. Taken on charge and issued to B Flight as HD-R, later moved to A Flight as HD-L.
24May44 1st Operational Mission with 466Sqn. FSGT R.J Thomas and crew departed Leconfield at 2247hrs with eleven other Squadron aircraft and joined a further 202 main stream bombers to attack coastal gun positions in the Pas-de-Calais region of France The specific target for 462Sqn aircraft was a gun battery at Collene Beaumont which was successfully attacked with all aircraft returning to Base.
31May44 Aircraft flew two operational missions and made three non-operational flights in May44.
03Jun44 Aircraft moved to new operating base at RAF Station Driffield, Yorkshire
30Jun44 Aircraft flew 16 operational missions and made 17 non-operational flights in Jun44.
31Jul44 Aircraft flew 11 operational missions and made 14 non-operational flights in Jul44.
24Aug44 Aircraft flew 12 operational missions and made 14 non-operational flights in Aug44.
24Aug44 41st Operational Mission (and last) with 466Sqn. RAAF pilot 418205 PLTOFF R.J Thomas and crew departed Driffield at 1006hrs with six other Squadron aircraft and joined 46 other Halifax bombers of No.4 Group to attack shipping and docks in Brest Harbour, France.
MZ296 the "Lili Marlene" is shown taxying back after the crew completed their 27th and last trip with 466Sqn, in this aircraft, on 24Aug44. The inscription 'OUR LAST' on the bomber's left fin indicates their last trip and the nose art depicts the seven crew members with "Lili Marlene".
24Aug44 Aircraft delivered by PLTOFF R.J Thomas and crew to No.462 Sqn RAAF at RAF Station Driffield, Yorkshire where it was taken on charge and issued to B Flight as Z5-N. PLTOFF Thomas and crew were posted to 462Sqn wef this day to complete their tour of operations (30 missions).
25Aug44 1st Operational Mission (with 462Sqn).RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.46
PLTOFF R.J Thomas and crew departed Driffield at 1819hrs as one of nine 462Sqn bombers that joined a further 131 Halifaxes from No.4 Group plus 16 Lancasters and five Mosquitos from No.8 Group to attack five rocket launching and storage sites near Watten, France. Weapons load consisted of 3 x 1,000lb AN M65 GP bombs, 6 x 1,000lb AN M59 SAP bombs and, 2 x 500lb MC .025sec time delay bombs. The crew bombed their assigned target area at 2032hrs from 14,000ft and RTB safely at 2145hrs.
27Aug44 2nd Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.48 This historic mission was the first major daylight raid by Bomber Command to Germany since 12 August 1941.
PLTOFF R.J Thomas and crew departed Driffield at 1133hrs as one of ten 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 206 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 13 Lancasters and 14 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 243 strong attack on the Rheinpreussen synthetic-oil refinery near Homberg, Germany. The bombers were escorted by nine squadrons of Spitfires on the outward flight and seven squadrons on the withdrawal. Weapons load was 16 x 500lb MC 025sec time delay bombs, which were dropped by the crew on their target at 1402hrs from 19,000ft at and RTB safely at 1552hrs.
Note: This was the 30th mission flown by PLTOFF R.J Thomas and his crew, and completed their Tour of Operations. The missions were all flown in MZ296 between 24May and 27Sep 1944.
31Aug44 3rd Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.51
PLTOFF A.J Rate and crew departed Driffield at 1251hrs as one of eight 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 139 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 418 Lancasters and 36 Mosquitos Nos 1 and 8 Group for a 601 strong attack on V2 storage sites in the Pas de Calais area of northern France. 462Sqn was one of the squadrons tasked to attack the sites near La Pourchinte. Weapons load was 16 x 500lb MC 025sec time delay bombs. Because of adverse weather conditions the Master Bomber aborted the mission and the aircraft and crew returned safely to Base at 1618hrs.
31Aug44 Aircraft flew 12 operational missions and made three non-operational flights, plus 12 x 10min pre-Ops test flights in Aug44 with 466 Sqn.
Aircraft flew three operational missions and made four non-operational flights, plus three short duration pre-Ops test flights in Aug44 with 462Sqn.
03Sep44 4th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.54
RAAF pilot 425654 FLGOFF R.R Hickey and crew departed Driffield at 1552hrs as one of ten 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 305 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 348 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 675 strong attack against six German airfields in Southern Holland. 462Sqn was one of the squadrons tasked to attack the airfield at Soesterberg in Utrecht province. Weapons load was 3 x AN M65 1,000lb GP, 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP and 4 x 500lb GP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target at 1729hrs from 16,000ft then returned to Base at 1926hrs.
09Sep44 5th Operational Mission. RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.56
RAAF pilot 425834 PLTOFF R.R Hickey and crew departed Driffield at 0635hrs as one of twelve 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 218 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 22 Lancasters and 20 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 272 strong attack against German fortified field positions outside against the French coastal city of Le Havre. Weapons load was 3 x AN M65 1,000lb GP, 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP and 4 x 500lb GP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. Because of adverse weather conditions the Master Bomber aborted the mission and the aircraft and crew returned to Base at 1054hrs after jettisoning the bombs at sea.
10Sep44 6th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.57
RAAF pilot 425834 PLTOFF R.R Hickey and crew departed Driffield at 1440hrs as one of sixteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 410 Halifaxes, 521 Lancasters and 45 Mosquitos of Nos.1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for a 992 strong attack against eight German fortified field positions around the French coastal city of Le Havre. Weapons load was 3 x AN M65 1,000lb GP, 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP and 4 x 500lb GP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target at 1708hrs from 10,000ft then returned to Base at 1858hrs.
11Sep44 7th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.61
RAAF pilot 425834 PLTOFF R.R Hickey and crew departed Driffield at 0609hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 95 Halifaxes, 103 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos from Nos.4 and 8 Group for a 218 strong attack against eight German fortified field positions outside the French coastal city of Le Havre. Weapons load was 3 x AN M64 1,000lb GP, 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP and 4 x 500lb GP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target at 0753hrs from 10,000ft then returned to Base at 0957hrs.
After the two RAF raids, elements of British 1st Corps (part of Canadian 1st Army, British 21st Army Group launch an assault on the beleaguered German garrison cut-off in Le Harve. The German garrison of about 12,000 men surrendered the next morning.
12Sep44 8th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.63
RAAF pilot 425834 PLTOFF R.R Hickey and crew departed Driffield at 1115hrs as one of sixteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 299 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 75 Lancasters and 22 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for an attack against German synthetic oil plants near Gelsenkirchen in the Ruhr valley. Weapons load was 10 x 500lb GP and 6 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target at 1335hrs from 11,000ft then returned to Base at 1620hrs.
15Sep44 9th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.68
RAAF pilot 425834 PLTOFF R.R Hickey and crew departed Driffield at 2234hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 158 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 310 Lancasters and seven Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 490 strong main force attack on Kiel, Germany. Weapons load was 1 x 2000lb HC Blockbuster bomb, 4 x AN M64 500lb GP bombs and, 6 x Cluster Projectile 500lb No.14 Mk.1 (each with 106 x 4lb incendiary bombs). The crew bombed the target at 0118hrs/16Sep from 19000ft then returned to Base at 0419hrs.
17Sep44 10th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.69
RAAF pilot 425834 PLTOFF R.R Hickey and crew departed Driffield at 0700hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 338 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 370 Lancasters and 41 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 762 strong main force attack on German positions around Boulogne, France in support of Operation Cobra. Weapons load was 6 x 1,000lb MC, 2 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP and 6 x 500lb GP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target at 0851hrs from 9000ft then made a return to Base at 1031hrs.
23Sep44 11th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.72
RAAF pilot 22873 FLGOFF A.W Lane and crew departed Driffield at 1850hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 140 Halifaxes, 378 Lancasters and17 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 549 strong aircraft attack against factories in Neuss in the Ruhr Valley, Germany. Weapons load was 4 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP, 2 x AN M44 1,000lb GP and 4 x 500lb GP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed their assigned target from 17,500ft at 2130hrs then returned to Base at 0007hrs/24Sep
25Sep44 12th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.73
RAAF pilot 22873 FLGOFF A.W Lane and crew departed Driffield at 0636hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 383 Halifaxes, 430 Lancasters and 45 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for an 872 strong main force attack on German defensive positions around Calais, France. Weapons load consisted 7 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP, 2 x 1,000lb GP bombs and 4 x 500lb GP bombs. The raid was aborted by the Master Bomber at 0820hrs and the aircraft headed for Base. At 0922hrs 2 x 1,000lb GP and 4 x 500lb GP bombs were jettisoned Safe into the Channel before the aircraft landed at 1036hrs. The seven AN M59 bombs were returned to Base.
26Sep44 13th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.75
RAAF pilot 22873 FLGOFF A.W Lane and crew departed Driffield at 0751hrs as one of thirteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 276 Halifaxes, 388 Lancasters and 45 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 722 strong main force attack on German defensive positions around Calais and Cap Gris Nez. 462Sqn was part of the 191 aircraft that attacked Cap Gris Nez. Weapons load consisted of 9 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP bombs and, 4 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs, which were dropped on target at 1004hrs from 9,500ft. Aircraft and crew returned to Base at 1158hrs.
30Sep44 14th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.80
RAAF pilot 405579 FLGOFF D.L Evans and crew departed Driffield at 0951hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 87 Halifaxes, 21 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of Nos 4 and 8 Groups for a 136 strong main force attack on a synthetic oil plant near Bottrop, Germany. Weapons load consisted of 16 x 500lb MC bombs. The primary target was blocked by heavy clouds so the Master Bomber ordered the force to seek alternate targets. The crew dropped their load on an alternate from 18,000ft at 1135hrs then returned to Base at 1423hrs.
30Sep44 Aircraft flew 11 operational missions and made three non-operational flights, plus 11 short duration pre-Ops test flights in September 1944.
14Oct44 On 13 October, Sir Arthur Harris received the directive for Operation Hurricane: 'In order to demonstrate to the enemy in Germany generally the overwhelming superiority of the Allied Air Forces in this theatre. The intention is to apply within the shortest practical period the maximum effort of the Royal Air Force Bomber Command and the VIII United States Bomber Command against objectives in the densely populated Ruhr.' The city selected for the operation was Duisburg in the North Rhine-Westphalia district of Germany.
15th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.88
RAAF pilot 413028 PLTOFF W.B Cookson and crew departed Driffield at 0006hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that took part in Operation Hurricane. The Squadron joined a further 519 Lancasters, 463 Halifaxes and 20 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4, 6 and 8 Groups to make a1,013 strong area attack on Duisburg. Weapons load was 6 x 1,000lb MCTD bombs, 1 x AN M65 1,000lb GPTD bomb, 2 x 500lb GPTD bombs and 4 x 500lb GPLD37A bombs. At 0417hrs the Hull D/F Station received an emergency call from the aircraft but was unable to establish contact, nothing further was heard after the initial message. The aircraft failed to return and was listed as MIA.
A few days later HQ 4 Group learned that heavy flak over the target area damaged the fuel system but the pilot pressed on and bombed the target then set course for Brussels. When the aircraft reached the town of Louvain, Belgium at approximately 0430hrs/16Oct the captain gave the order to bale out and all the crew safely egressed the dying aircraft. Cookson was over Brussels when he baled out and saw the aircraft crash behind 'Wijnegemhof', a small 18th century castle located at Erps-Kwerps, Belgium situated halfway between the cities of Brussels and Leuven.
MZ296 landing at Driffield, early October 1944 (possibly after a test flight on 09Oct)
Nose art reads “THOMAS’S MOB ON OP’S AGAIN”
18Oct44 Aircraft struck off charge. While serving with 462Sqn RAAF the aircraft flew 17 operational missions and made at least 22 non-operational flights. In addition, the aircraft flew 41 operational missions and made at least 48 non-operational flights while serving with 466Sqn RAAF, giving a total of 58 missions and 70 non-operational flights. Total accumulated flight time was 399.10 hours.
RNZAF pilot NZ413028 &130552 Flying Officer William Bolton Cookson DFC (25) of Rotorua, New Zealand survived the ordeal and reported back to the Squadron where he completed his tour of duty. Cookson survived the War and returned to New Zealand where he discharged from the RNZAF with the rank of Flight Lieutenant. William Bolton Cookson passed away in Auckland on 29th September 1979 aged 61 years.
RNZAF navigator NZ425934 Flying Officer Owen Dallas Pratt (33) born 12 Sep 1911 in Invercargill, New Zealand was injured and initially admitted to No.8 RAF General Hospital in Brussels hospital before being moved back to London for further treatment after which he returned to active duty and completed his tour. Pratt survived the War and returned to New Zealand and discharged from the RNZAF on 25th May 1946. Owen Pratt died on the 22nd of February 1999 aged 88 years and is buried at St Peters Anglican Church in Upper Riccarton, Christchurch.
RAAF bomb aimer 427168 Flight Sergeant Wilfrid Henry Tolhurst of (23) of Nedlands, West Australia survived the ordeal and reported back to the Squadron where he completed his tour of duty. Tolhurst survived the War and returned to Australia where he discharged from the RAAF on 18th December 1945 with the rank of Flying Officer. Wilfrid Tolhurst died on 30th May 1986 aged 64 years and is interred in the Karrakatta Crematorium in Nedlands City, Western Australia.
RAAF wireless air gunner 436481 Flying Officer Leslie John Power of ‘Calarie’ via Forbes, New South Wales survived the ordeal and reported back to the Squadron where he completed his tour of duty. Power survived the War and returned to Australia where he discharged from the RAAF on 3rd December 1945 with the rank of Flight Lieutenant.
RAAF wireless air gunner 435209 Flight Sergeant Neville Owen Reed of Glass House Mountains, Queensland was injured and initially admitted to No.8 RAF General Hospital in Brussels hospital before being moved back to London for further treatment. Reed returned to duty and survived the War. He was repatriated back to Australia and discharged from the RAAF on 8th March 1946 with the rank of Warrant Officer. Neville Reed died in Perth, Western Australia on 20th October 1990 aged 68 years.
RCAF air gunner R219749 Flight Sergeant R D Elliott of Toronto, Canada survived the ordeal and reported back to the Squadron where he completed his tour of duty. Elliott survived the War and returned to Canada.
RAFVR flight engineer 1896549 Sergeant Leonard Henry Jones of Margate, Kent survived the ordeal and reported back to the Squadron where he completed his tour of duty. Jones survived the War.
MZ370
00Jul44 Handley Page Type HP61 Halifax B Mk III bomber Serial MZ370 was the 37th of 45 aircraft built in the Serial Range MZ334 to MZ378 manufactured under license to Contract ACFT/2595, requisition HA10/E11/42, by the London Aircraft Production Group (a subsidiary of the London Passenger Transport Board) in their factories at Aldenham, Chiswick and White City in Greater London. The aircraft was built in-line with Handley Pages’ well established and proven split construction and unit assembly methods. The aircraft was divided into twelve major assemblies, which allowed for more tradespeople to work on each assembly than would normally have been possible. Not only did this approach speed up production but it also made transportation and repair much easier. Components were all transported to Leavesden Aerodrome for final assembly and flight testing.
Powered by four Bristol Hercules XVI 38-litre, 14-cylinder, twin-row, supercharged, air-cooled radial engines each developing 1,650hp (1,230 kW) driving three-blade de Havilland 55/18 fully feathering wooden propellers. Engines fitted were: A389482, A390346, A390040 and A429737.
Defensive armament consisted of nine .303 inch Browning machine guns; one Gimbal mounted Vickers GO in the SRS 1A Type nose; four midships guns in a Bolton Paul A Mk.VIII turret; and, four tail guns in a Bolton Paul E Mk.I turret. Max bomb load, 10,000lb (4,540 kg) in fuselage and 3,000lb (1,362 kg) in wings. The aircraft was painted in the standard RAF Night scheme of matt Dark Green and Dark Earth on the upper surfaces and Night Black on all undersurfaces.
26Jul44 Aircraft delivered by an ATA Ferry Crew to No.466 Sqn RAAF at RAF Station Driffield, Yorkshire.
09Aug44 1st Operational Mission with 466Sqn. FLGOFF W.J Mullen and crew departed Driffield at 1829hrs with eight other Squadron aircraft and joined 293 main stream bombers to attack V1 Sites at Coquereaux and a V1 storage site at Fort-d’Englos near Lille, France The aircraft bombed the assigned target and returned safely to Driffield.
31Aug44 Aircraft flew seven operational missions, at least one non-operational flight and one short duration pre-Ops test flight in August 1944
30Sep44 Aircraft flew eleven operational missions and at least two non-operational flight, plus eleven short duration pre-Ops test flights in September 1944
15Oct44 Aircraft flew three operational missions and at least three non-operational flights in October 1944. While serving with 466Sqn the aircraft flew 21 operational missions and made at least four non-operational flights, plus 21 short duration pre-Ops test flights.
16Oct44 Aircraft taken on charge with No.462 Sqn RAAF at RAF Station Driffield. Issued to A Flight as Z5-L.
21Oct44 1st Operational Mission with 462Sqn.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.94
RAAF pilot 425654 FLGOFF R.R Hickey and crew departed Driffield at 1607hrs with six other aircraft and joined 250 more Halifaxes from No.4 Group for an attack on Hannover. One hour after departure the raid was cancelled because of weather and all aircraft returned to Base.
23Oct44 2nd Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.96
RAAF pilot 417687 FLGOFF P.D Wilson and crew departed Driffield at 1632hrs as one of sixteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 447 Halifaxes, 561 Lancasters and 31 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for a 1,055 strong bomber attack on Essen, Germany. Weapons load was 1 x 2000lb HC; 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP; and, 4 x 500lb GP bombs (all bombs set for 0.025sec time delay). The crew bombed the target and returned to base at 2216hrs.
Note: This was the heaviest raid on Essen so far in the war and the number of aircraft dispatched was also the greatest number to any target so far; 4,538 tons of bombs were dropped and more than 90 per cent of this tonnage was high explosive (including 509 x 4,000lb Cookies).
25Oct44 3rd Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.98
RAAF pilot 417687 FLGOFF P.D Wilson and crew departed Driffield at 1236hrs as one of sixteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 235 Halifaxes, 508 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitos of Nos.1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for a 771 strong bomber attack on Essen, Germany. Weapons load was 7 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP TD; 4 x 500lb GPLD37B bombs; and, 2 x 500lb MCTD bombs, all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target from 19,000ft at 1543hrs and returned to base at 1735hrs.
29Oct44 4th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.101
RAAF pilot 418452 FSGT R.R Mitchell and crew departed Driffield at 1014hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 113 Halifaxes, 194 Lancasters and 36 Mosquitos of Nos. 1,3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 358 strong bomber that attacked various targets on Walcheren Island. Weapons load was Weapons load was 1 x 2,000lb HC bomb; 7x AN M59 1,000lb SAP TD bombs; and, 4 x AN M58 500lb GP TD bombs all set for a three second time delay, all set for a three second time delay. The crew bombed Westkapelle from 19,000ft at 1216hrs and returned to base at 1343hrs.
30Oct44 5th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.104
RAAF pilot 412294 FLTLT P.H Finley DFC and crew departed Driffield at 1737hrs as one of thirteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 424 Halifaxes, 435 Lancasters and 32 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 905 strong bomber attack on Cologne, Germany. Weapons load was 1 x 2,000lb HC bomb; 12 x 250lb Small Bomb Containers (each with 50 x 4lb incendiaries and 40 x 4lb X filled incendiaries). The crew bombed the target from 19,000ft at 2118hrs and returned to base at 2328hrs.
31Oct44 Aircraft flew five operational missions and made 5 x 10min pre-Ops test flights in Oct44.
02Nov44 6th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.110
RAFVR pilot 1389580 FSGT S.J Carthy and crew departed Driffield at 1623hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 386 Halifaxes, 561 Lancasters and 31 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 992 strong attack on Düsseldorf, Germany. Weapons load was 1 x 2,000lb HC bomb and 10 x Cluster Projectile 500lb No.14 Mk I (each containing 106 x 4lb incendiary bomblets). The crew bombed the target from 17,000ft at 1926hrs and returned to base at 2151hrs.
04Nov44 7th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.111
RAAF pilot 428848 FSGT G.M Langworthy and crew departed Driffield at 1722hrs as one of thirteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 372 Halifaxes, 336 Lancasters and 29 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for a 749 strong attack on Bochum, Germany. Weapons load was 1 x 2,000lb HC bombs; 6 x 1,000lb MC bombs; and, 4 x 500lb GP bombs. The crew bombed the target from 17,000ft at 1938hrs and returned to base at 2245hrs.
06Nov44 8th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.112
RAAF pilot 428848 FSGT G.M Langworthy and crew departed Driffield at 1144hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 369 Halifaxes, 324 Lancasters and 31 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for a 738 strong attack on Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Weapons load was 1 x 2,000lb HC bomb; 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP TD bombs; and, 4 x 500lb LD TD37A bombs. The crew bombed the target from 12,000ft at 1402hrs and during the bomb run the aircraft sustained Cat.A damage from Flak, but returned to base without incident at 1719hrs.
16Nov44 9th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.115
RAFVR pilot 1389580 FSGT S.J Carthy and crew departed Driffield at 1306hrs as one of sixteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 400 Halifaxes, 78 Lancasters and 17 Mosquitos for three simultaneous attacks on three towns near the German front lines between Aachen and the Rhine River. 1,188 Bomber Command aircraft attacked the towns of Düren, Jülich and Heinsburg in order to cut communications behind the German lines. 462 Sqn was tasked to attack Jülich with another 397 Halifaxes, 17 Lancasters and 17 Mosquitos of Nos.4, 6 and 8 Groups. Weapons load was 1 x 2,000lb HC; 7 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP TD; and, 5 x 500lb GP TD bombs. The crew bombed the target from 13,000ft at 1532hrs and returned to base at 1807hrs.
Along with the RAF component, a force of 1,239 USAF heavy bombers also made raids in the same area. In total, more than 9,400 tons of high-explosive ordnance were dropped by the combined bomber forces.
18Nov44 10th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.116
RAAF pilot 419444 FLGOFF D.J Robertson and crew departed Driffield at 1224hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 352 Halifaxes, 94 Lancasters and 18 Mosquitos of Nos.4, 6 and 8 Groups for a 479 strong attack on Münster, Germany. Weapons load was 16 x 500lb MC TD bombs. The crew bombed the target from 18,500ft at 1505hrs and returned to base at 1737hrs.
21Nov44 11th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.119
RAAF pilot 428848 FSGT G.M Langworthy and crew departed Driffield at 1722hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 217 Halifaxes, 18 Lancasters and 20 Mosquitos of Nos.4 and 8 Groups for a 270 strong attack on the synthetic oil refinery at Sterkrade, Germany. Weapons load was 15 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs and 4 x 500lb GP LD37 bombs. The crew bombed the target from 19,000ft at 2105hrs and during the bomb run the aircraft sustained Cat.A damage from Flak, but returned to base without incident at 2349hrs.
29Nov44 12th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.121
RAAF pilot 428848 FSGT G.M Langworthy and crew departed Driffield at 0235hrs as one of sixteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 253 Halifaxes, 32 Lancasters and 14 Mosquitos of Nos.1, 4 and 8 Groups for a 316 strong bomber force attack on the Essen, Germany. Weapons load was 1 x 2000lb HC; 1 x 1,000lb MC; and, 10 x Cluster Projectile 500lb No.14 Mk.1 (each containing 106 x 4lb incendiary bomblets). The crew bombed the target from 20,200ft at 0538hrs and to base without incident at 0855hrs.
30Nov44 13th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.123
RAAF pilot 428848 FSGT G.M Langworthy and crew departed Driffield at 1636hrs as one of sixteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 406 Halifaxes, 126 Lancasters and 25 Mosquitos of Nos.1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for a 576 strong bomber force attack on the Duisburg, Germany. Weapons load was 16 x 500lb GP bombs. The crew bombed the target from 19,000ft at 1939hrs and to base without incident at 2216hrs.
30Nov44 Aircraft flew eight operational missions, three non-operational flights plus 8 x 10min pre-Ops test flights in November 1944.
02Dec44 14th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.124
RAAF pilot 428848 FSGT G.M Langworthy and crew departed Driffield at 1754hrs as one of seventeen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 379 Halifaxes, 87 Lancasters and 23 Mosquitos of Nos.1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for a 504 strong bomber force attack on the industrial complex in the German town of Hagen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Weapons load was 1 x 2000lb HC; 2 x 1,000lb MC; 4 x 500lb MC bombs; and, 3 x Cluster Projectile 500lb No.14 Mk.1 (each containing 106 x 4lb incendiary bomblets). The crew bombed the target from 19,000ft at 2105hrs and to Base at 0116hrs/02Dec.
12Dec44 15th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.130
RAAF pilot 428848 FSGT G.M Langworthy and crew departed Driffield at 1615hrs as one of eleven 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 152 Halifaxes, 349 Lancasters and 28 Mosquitos of Nos.1, 4 and 8 Groups for a 540 strong bomber force attack on Essen, Germany. Weapons load was 1 x 2000lb HC; 3 x 1,000lb MC TD bombs; and, 8 x 500lb GP TD bombs. The crew bombed the target from 19,000ft at 1941hrs and returned to base without incident at 2226hrs.
Note: This was the last heavy night raid of the war by Bomber Command on Essen.
21Dec44 16th Operational Mission.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.135
RAAF pilot 412294 FLTLT P.H Finley DFC and crew departed Driffield at 1517hrs as one of eleven 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 43 Halifaxes, 67 Lancasters and 15 Mosquitos of Nos. 4, 6 and 8 Groups for a 136 strong bomber force attack on the important Cologne/Nippes marshalling yards which were being used to serve the German offensive in the Ardennes. Weapons load was 1 x 2000lb HC; 3 x 1,000lb HC; 5 x 500lb MC bombs. The crew bombed the target from 18,000ft at 1852hrs and returned to base without incident at 2115hrs.
Note: This was the last purely bombing mission of the war carried out by 462Sqn.
21Dec44 462 Squadron was stood down from operations and ordered to move from No.4 Group to No.100 Group where it became a Special Duties squadron.
29Dec44 Aircraft moved from RAF Driffield to RAF Station Foulsham, Norfolk.
31Dec44 Aircraft flew three operational missions, five non-operational flights plus 3 x 10min pre-Ops test flights in December 1944.
06Jan45 17th Operational Mission. RAAF pilot 415196 FLGOFF D.M Taylor and crew departed Foulsham at 1635hrs as one of twelve 462Sqn Halifaxes for a Windows Spoof raid in support of the Main Force attack on Hannau, Germany. Approximately, one hour after departure the Captain aborted because of engine problems and returned to Base.
17Jan45 18th Operational Mission. RAAF pilot 423892 FLTLT A.J Rate and crew departed Foulsham at 1633hrs with seven other Halifaxes for a Windows Spoof raid in support of the Main Force attack on Bochum, Germany. The crew completed the mission and RTB at 2133hrs
28Jan45 19th Operational Mission. RAAF pilot 428848 PLTOFF G.M Langworthy and crew departed Foulsham at 1716hrs as one of eight 462Sqn Halifaxes for a Windows Spoof raid in support of the Main Force attack on Mainz, Germany. In addition to the normal load of windows and jamming equipment, the aircraft carried 2 x 500lb GP bombs which the crew dropped, then RTB at 2345hrs
31Jan45 Aircraft flew three operational missions, one non-operational flight plus 3 x 10min pre-Ops test flights in January 1945.
01Feb45 20th Operational Mission. RAAF pilot 427373 FLGOFF L. Britt and crew departed Foulsham at 1637hrs as one of thirteen 462Sqn Halifaxes tasked for a Windows Spoof raid in support of the Main Force attack on Mannheim, Germany. The crew dropped window foil and 2 x 500lb GP bombs then headed home. The aircraft was diverted to RAF Carnaby, Yorkshire because of defective brakes and landed there without problem at 2301hrs.
03Feb45 21st Operational Mission. RAAF pilot 419444 FLTLT D.J Robertson departed Foulsham at 1659hrs with eight other Halifaxes for a Windows RCM flight and Windows Spoof raid in support of the Main Force attack on Mainz, Germany. The crew dropped window foil and 4 x 500lb GP bombs then RTB at 2131hrs
10Feb45 22nd Operational Mission. RAAF pilot 415196 FLTLT D.M Taylor departed Foulsham at 0154hrs with seven other Halifaxes for a Windows RCM flight and Windows Spoof raid raid in support of the Main Force attack on several targets in the Ruhr Valley, Germany. The crew dropped window foil then RTB at 0500hrs
13Feb45 23rd Operational Mission. RAAF pilot 415196 FLTLT D.M Taylor departed Foulsham at 1847hrs as one of nine 462Sqn Halifaxes tasked for a Windows Spoof raid in support of Operation Thunderclap against Dresden, Germany. For this mission the aircraft was loaded with 4 x Incendiary Clusters 750lb No.15 Mk.1 each containing 158 x 4lb incendiary bomblets. The crew dropped windows foil and the incendiaries then returned to Base at 0016hrs/14Feb.
20Feb45 24th Operational Mission. RAAF pilot 423892 FLTLT A.J Rate and crew departed Foulsham at 2222hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn Halifaxes tasked for a Windows Spoof raid on Heilbronn in support of the Main Force attack on Dortmund, Germany. The crew dropped window foil and 4 x 500lb GP bombs then returned to Base at 0444hrs.
21Feb45 25th Operational Mission. RAAF pilot 423892 FLTLT A.J Rate and crew departed Foulsham at 1742hrs as one of three 462 Halifaxes for a Windows Spoof raid in support of the Main Force attack on the Ruhr area, Germany. The crew dropped window foil and 30 x 4.5 inch Illumination Parachute Flares then RTB at 2203hrs.
22Feb45 26th Operational Mission. RAFVR pilot 116056 FLTLT J.S Tootal and crew departed Foulsham at 1758hrs with seven other Halifaxes for a Windows Spoof flight in support of the Main Force attack on Neuss in the Ruhr Valley, Germany. The crew dropped window foil then RTB at 2341hrs.
24Feb45 27th Operational Mission. RAAF pilot 428848 PLTOFF G.M Langworthy and crew departed Foulsham at 1714hrs as one of ten 462Sqn Halifaxes for a Windows Spoof raid in support of the Main Force attack on Neuss, Germany. The crew dropped window foil on the inward and outward tracks. They also conducted a Windows Spoof raid dropping 1 x 500lb GP bomb and 3 x 750lb No.15 Mk.1 Incendiary Clusters each containing 158 4lb incendiary bomblets. The crew RTB at 2210hrs but this was a disastrous raid for the Squadron. Four of the ten Halifaxes dispatched were shot down, a loss rate of 40%. Sadly 31 of the 32 crew were KIA, the other was taken prisoner.
28Feb45 Aircraft flew eight operational missions, two non-operational flights plus 8 x 10min pre-Ops test flights in February 1945.
03Mar45 28th Operational Mission. RAAF pilot 428848 PLTOFF G.M Langworthy and crew departed Foulsham at 1923hrs with seven other 462Sqn Halifaxes for a Windows Spoof flight in support of the Main Force attack on the Ladbergen aqueduct on the Dortmund-Ems Canal (the aqueduct was breached in 2 places and put completely out of action). The crew dropped window foil and 10 x 75lb Flare Clusters then returned to Base at 2350hrs.
05Mar45 29th Operational Mission. RAAF pilot 428848 PLTOFF G.M Langworthy and crew departed Foulsham at 1709hrs as one of seven 462Sqn Halifaxes tasked for a Windows Spoof raid in support of the Main Force attack on Mannheim, Germany. The crew dropped window foil on the inward and outward tracks. They also conducted a Windows Spoof raid dropping 4 x Incendiary Clusters 750lb No.15 Mk.1 each containing 158 x 4lb incendiary bomblets. The crew RTB safely at 2314hrs
07Mar45 30th Operational Mission. RAAF pilot 424925 WOFF B.A Simms and crew departed Foulsham at 1835hrs as one six 462Sqn Halifaxes for a Windows Spoof flight in support of the Main Force attack on Rostock, Germany. The crew dropped window foil then returned to Base at 0044hrs/08Mar.
08Mar45 31st Operational Mission. RAAF pilot 427482 FLTLT F.H James and seven crewmen departed Foulsham at 1801hrs on a Windows Spoof flight and Spoof raid in support of the Main Force attack in the Dortmund area of Germany. The aircraft was loaded with window foil and 4 x Incendiary Clusters 750lb No.15 Mk.1 each containing 158 x 4lb incendiary bomblets. The aircraft failed to return and was listed as MIA.
The fate of the aircraft and crew came to light in late March 1945 when FLTLT James was returned to the UK. James reported that after bombing the target area from 15,000ft he turned the aircraft for home but flak hit both starboard engines, the outer was feathered but the inner could not be feathered and the aircraft rapidly dropped to 11,000ft. With damaged flight controls, and on two engines, James ordered the crew to bale out near the town of Hattingen, Germany then, when he was sure they had all got out, baled out himself at 5,000ft. James and three other crewmen were captured and taken to Blankenstein Police Station where they were held for five days before moving to a Luftwaffe station near Dortmund, then on to the Dulag Luft at Wetlar. James was considered unfit for further travel and remained at Wetlar while the others were moved to Nuremberg.
On March 9th James and Teede met up at the Hattingen prison and were taken to Blankenstein where they met up with Calman, Hutton, and Rother. The five airmen stayed four days at Blankenstein before being transported to Dortmund Aerodrome for another two days. On March 15th all five departed Dortmund and arrived four days later at Dulag Luft Wetzlar on 21st March, where they reunited with Ledwith. On March 25th a group of 120 POWs including Calman, Ledwith & Hutton departed Wetzlar with 200+ guards on a march to Nuremburg, followed on the 27th by a second batch of 80+ POWs that included Teede, James was left behind at Wetzlar because of his head injury. The first column of POWs marched NE toward Nuremburg stopping for rest on the 28th and moving on again on the 29th March. The following day the column was overtaken by lead elements of the 4th American Armoured Division and the prisoners all rescued. James was also liberated by the Americans on March 29 at Wetzlar and reunited with some of his crew before they all proceeded back to the UK via Hannau, Oberursel, Stenay and Paris where they emplaned for England arriving on 4th April 1945.
WOFF J.D Fraser baled out of the stricken aircraft and landed behind German lines. After orientating himself he set out for allied lines, travelling at night and hiding by day. After a week of struggle through heavy snows and freezing conditions he was captured by German troops 8km SW of Wuppertal and at the time was suffering from a bad case of frost bite. The Germans placed him in the Langenburg Military Hospital for 34 days where they amputated his right foot and four toes off his left foot.
23Mar45 Aircraft struck off charge. While serving with 462 and 466Sqns RAAF the aircraft flew 52 operational missions, made at least 12 non-operational flights plus 52 short duration pre-Ops test flights.
RAAF pilot 427482 Acting Flight Lieutenant Frank Herbert James (23) of Subiaco in Perth Western Australia successfully baled out of his stricken aircraft. He was captured immediately and spent a short time as a POW before liberation by US Troops on 29 March 1945. Upon return to the UK he was posted to No. 11 RAAF Personnel Receiving and Despatch Centre in Brighton, Sussex. He was then posted to RAF Gamston, Nottinghamshire where remained until his repatriation back to Australia on 22Dec45. Frank James discharged from the RAAF in Perth, Western Australia on 16th January 1946 with the rank of Flight Lieutenant. Frank Herbert James died in Fremantle, Western Australia on the 18th of April 1970 aged 68 years young and is buried in the Margaret River Cemetery. His name is etched upon the Granite Wall of the Australian ex-Prisoners of War Memorial in Ballarat, Victoria.
RAAF navigator 436224 Flight Sergeant Neville Hamlin Teede (21) of Bunbury, Western Australia successfully baled out of his stricken aircraft but sprained his ankle upon landing and was captured immediately and spent four days in Dulag Luft Wetzlar hospital. He was liberated by the 4th American Armoured Division on 29 March 1945. Upon return to the UK he was posted to No. 11 RAAF Personnel Receiving and Despatch Centre in Brighton, Sussex before repatriation back to Australia in September 1945. Neville Teede discharged from the RAAF in Perth, Western Australia on 20th December 1945 with the rank of Warrant Officer. Neville Teede went on to lead a very successful and rich life as an actor and singer who performed in the UK, Europe and Australia. He also served two tenures as a University tutor then as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Western Australia. Neville Teede died of cancer on 10th November 1992 in Perth and was cremated then interred in the Karrakatta Cemetery, Karrakatta, Western Australia. His name is etched upon the Granite Wall of the Australian ex-Prisoners of War Memorial in Ballarat, Victoria.
RAAF navigator 417654 Warrant Officer Trevor Hector McFarlane (31) of North Adelaide, South Australia successfully baled out of his stricken aircraft. He was captured immediately and spent the rest of the war as a POW Stalag VIIIa near Görlitz in Lower Silesia. He was liberated in May 1945 and returned to the UK and posted to No. 11 RAAF Personnel Receiving and Despatch Centre in Brighton, Sussex before repatriation back to Australia in August 1945. McFarlane discharged from the RAAF on 10th October 1945 with the rank of Flying Officer. His name is etched upon the Granite Wall of the Australian ex-Prisoners of War Memorial in Ballarat, Victoria.
RAAF wireless operator 436322 Warrant Officer John Donald Fraser (21) of Collie, Western Australia successfully baled out of his stricken aircraft. He avoided the Germans for eight days until he was captured by German troops 8km SW of Wuppertal and at the time was suffering from a bad case of frost bite. The Germans placed him in the Langenburg Military Hospital for 34 days where they amputated his right foot and four toes off his left foot. He was liberated in April 1945 and admitted to American Army Hospital 4123 on 22Apr45 then transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, England. He was repatriated back to Australia in July 1945 and admitted to No.6 RAAF Hospital at Heidelberg in Melbourne, Victoria where he underwent several surgeries until his discharge on 02 December 1946. John Donald Fraser died on 5th September 1964 aged 60 years and is buried in the Collie Cemetery, Western Australia. His name is etched upon the Granite Wall of the Australian ex-Prisoners of War Memorial in Ballarat, Victoria.
RAAF air gunner 423631 Warrant Officer Harold William Calman (22) of Maitland, New South Wales successfully baled out of his stricken aircraft. He was captured immediately and spent the rest of the war as a POW in Stammlager VI D at Dortmund. He was liberated in May 1945 and returned to the UK and posted to No. 11 RAAF Personnel Receiving and Despatch Centre in Brighton, Sussex before repatriation back to Australia in August 1945. Calman was discharged from the RAAF on 30th October 1945 with the rank of Warrant Officer. His name is etched upon the Granite Wall of the Australian ex-Prisoners of War Memorial in Ballarat, Victoria.
RAAF air gunner 38427 Flight Sergeant Thomas Patrick Ledwith (30) of Narrogin, Western Australia successfully baled out of his stricken aircraft and after landing quickly set out for the Rhine River but was captured while walking along a creek bed just south of Dusseldorf. The next day he was transported to a cell in Manheim (Essen) where he awaited transfer to Dulag Luft Wetzlar. After interrogation he was given POW No.145498 and sent to Stalag Luft VIIA, Moosburg. He was liberated in May 1945 by troops from the US 3rd Army and returned to the UK. Posted to No. 11 RAAF Personnel Receiving and Despatch Centre in Brighton, Sussex before repatriation back to Australia in August 1945. Ledwith was discharged from the RAAF on 5th December 1945 with the rank of Warrant Officer.
Thomas Patrick Ledwith died on 3rd February 1986 in Kulin, Western Australia aged 70 years and was buried in the Dudinin Cemetery. His name is etched upon the Granite Wall of the Australian ex-Prisoners of War Memorial in Ballarat, Victoria.
RAAF wireless operator (WOP-Special Duties) 434743 Flight Sergeant Peter William Clayton Hutton (24) of Maidenhead, Hampshire in England successfully baled out of his stricken aircraft. He was quickly captured and eventually sent to Dulag Luft Wetzlar on 21st March. On 25th March he left Wetzlar with 120 other POWs on a forced march to Nuremberg. On 30th March the column was overtaken by lead elements of the 4th American Armoured Division and the prisoners all rescued and returned to the UK then posted to No. 11 RAAF Personnel Receiving and Despatch Centre in Brighton, Sussex before repatriation back to Australia in December 1945.
Peter William Clayton Hutton died 12th August 1994 at Erlangen in Bavaria, Germany aged 73 years. His name is etched upon the Granite Wall of the Australian ex-Prisoners of War Memorial in Ballarat, Victoria.
No Known Photograph
RAFVR flight engineer 3030064 Sergeant Stanley George Rother (20) of Lewes, Sussex successfully baled out of his stricken aircraft. He was quickly captured and after initial interrogation was sent Stammlager VI D at Dortmund. It is believed Rother survived the War and was returned to the UK. He reportedly died in 2015.
MZ400
00Jul44 Handley Page Type HP61 Halifax B Mk III bomber Serial MZ400 was the 11th of 46 aircraft built in the Serial Range MZ390 to MZ435 manufactured under license to Contract ACFT/2595, requisition HA10/E11/42, by the London Aircraft Production Group (a subsidiary of the London Passenger Transport Board) in their factories at Aldenham, Chiswick and White City in Greater London. The aircraft was built in-line with Handley Pages’ well established and proven split construction and unit assembly methods. The aircraft was divided into twelve major assemblies, which allowed for more tradespeople to work on each assembly than would normally have been possible. Not only did this approach speed up production but it also made transportation and repair much easier. Components were all transported to Leavesden Aerodrome for final assembly and flight testing.
Powered by four Bristol Hercules XVI 38-litre, 14-cylinder, twin-row, supercharged, air-cooled radial engines each developing 1,650hp (1,230 kW) driving three-blade de Havilland 55/18 fully feathering wooden propellers. Engines fitted were: A389482, A390346, A390040 and A429737.
Defensive armament consisted of nine .303 inch Browning machine guns; one Gimbal mounted Vickers GO in the SRS 1A Type nose; four midships guns in a Bolton Paul A Mk.VIII turret; and, four tail guns in a Bolton Paul E Mk.I turret. Max bomb load, 10,000lb (4,540 kg) in fuselage and 3,000lb (1,362 kg) in wings. The aircraft was painted in the standard RAF Night scheme of matt Dark Green and Dark Earth on the upper surfaces and Night Black on all undersurfaces.
13Aug44 Aircraft delivered by an ATA Ferry Crew to RAAF No.466 (B) Sqn RAAF at RAAF at RAF Station Driffield, Yorkshire.
23Aug44 Aircraft allocated to RAAF No.462 (B) Sqn RAAF at RAAF at RAF Station Driffield, Yorkshire.
24Aug44 First and only operational fight with 466Sqn. FLGOFF T.E Evans and crew departed Driffield at 1106hrs with six other squadron aircraft and a further 46 Halifaxes from No.4 Group to attack shipping in Brest Harbour and the port facilities at Brest Docks.
After returning from the mission the aircraft was handed over to No.462 Sqn at Driffield where it was taken on charge and issued to A Flight as Z5-J.
25Aug44 1st Operational Mission (with 462Sqn).RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.46
418734 FLTLT J.T Brophy and crew departed Driffield at 1837hrs as one of nine 462Sqn bombers that joined a further 131 Halifaxes from No.4 Group plus 16 Lancasters and five Mosquitos from No.8 Group to attack five rocket launching and storage sites near Watten, France. Weapons load consisted of 3 x 1,000lb AN M65 GP bombs, 6 x 1,000lb AN M59 SAP bombs and, 2 x 500lb MC .025sec time delay bombs. The crew bombed their assigned target at 2033hrs from 13,000ft then returned safely to Base 2155hrs.
27Aug44 2nd Operational Mission RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.48 This historic mission was the first major daylight raid by Bomber Command to Germany since 12 August 1941.
FLTLT J.T Brophy and crew departed Driffield at 1131hrs as one of ten 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 206 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 13 Lancasters and 14 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 243 strong attack on the Rheinpreussen synthetic-oil refinery near Homberg, Germany. Weapons load was 16 x 500lb MC 025sec time delay bombs. The bombers were escorted by nine squadrons of Spitfires on the outward flight and seven squadrons on the withdrawal. The crew bombed their assigned target area at 1401hrs from 20,000ft at and RTB safely at 1601hrs.
Note: This historic mission was the first major daylight raid by Bomber Command to Germany since 12 August 1941.
31Aug44 3rd Operational Mission RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.51
SQNLDR J.T Brophy and crew departed Driffield at 1252hrs as one of eight 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 139 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 418 Lancasters and 36 Mosquitos Nos 1 and 8 Group for a 601 strong attack on V2 storage sites in the Pas de Calais area of northern France. Weapons load was 16 x 500lb MC 025sec time delay bombs. 462Sqn was one of the squadrons tasked to attack the sites near La Pourchinte however, adverse weather conditions caused the Master Bomber to abort the mission and the aircraft and crew returned safely to Base at 1604hrs.
31Aug44 Aircraft flew four operational missions, made two non-operational flights plus 4 x 10min pre-Ops test flights in August 1944.
03Sep44 4th Operational Mission RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.54
FLTLT P.H Finley DFC and crew departed Driffield at 1550hrs 1543hrs as one of ten 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 305 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 348 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 675 strong attack against six German airfields in Southern Holland. 462Sqn was one of the squadrons tasked to attack the airfield at Soesterberg in Utrecht province. Weapons load was 3 x AN M65 1,000lb GP, 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP and 4 x 500lb GP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. At 1620hrs the aircraft experienced significant control problems, which forced the pilot to abort, jettison the bomb load and RTB at 1713hrs.
09Sep44 5th Operational Mission RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.56
FLGOFF A.G Cuttriss and crew departed Driffield at 0624 as one of twelve 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 218 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 22 Lancasters and 20 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 272 strong attack against German fortified field positions outside against the French coastal city of Le Havre. Weapons load was 3 x AN M65 1,000lb GP, 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP and 4 x 500lb GP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. Because of adverse weather conditions the Master Bomber aborted the mission and the aircraft were ordered to RTB. On the homeward trip the pilot experienced engine problems so he diverted to RAF Woodbridge after jettisoning the bomb load at sea.
10Sep44 6th Operational Mission RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.57
SQNLDR J.T Brophy and crew departed Driffield at 1437hrs as one of sixteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 410 Halifaxes, 521 Lancasters and 45 Mosquitos of Nos.1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for a 992 strong attack against eight German fortified field positions around the French coastal city of Le Havre. Weapons load was 3 x AN M65 1,000lb GP, 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP and 4 x 500lb GP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target at 1707hrs from 10,800ft then RTB at 1858hrs.
11Sep44 7th Operational MissionRAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.61
FLGOFF A.G Cuttriss and crew departed Driffield at 0613hrs as one of ten 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 95 Halifaxes, 103 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos from Nos.4 and 8 Group for a 218 strong attack against eight German fortified field positions outside the French coastal city of Le Havre. Weapons load was 3 x AN M64 500lb GPTD bombs; 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP TD bombs; and 4 x AN M64 500lb GPTD bombs. Pilot aborted the mission at 0800hrs with engine problems, jettisoned the bomb load and RTB.
After the three RAF raids, elements of British 1st Corps (part of Canadian 1st Army, British 21st Army Group) launched an assault on the beleaguered German garrison cut-off in Le Harve. The German garrison of about 12,000 men surrendered the next morning.
12Sep44 8th Operational MissionRAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.63
FLTLT P.H Finley DFC and crew departed Driffield at 1104hrs as one of sixteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 299 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 75 Lancasters and 22 Mosquitos of No.8 Group to attack synthetic oil plants near Gelsenkirchen in the Ruhr valley. 462Sqn was one of the squadrons tasked to attack the Scholven/Buer refinery. Weapons load was 16 x 500lb GP TD bombs. The crew bombed the target at 1335hrs from 18,500ft then RTB at 1537hrs.
13Sep44 9th Operational MissionRAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.66
WOFF D.M Taylor and crew departed Driffield at 1610hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined the main attack force of 98 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 28 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of No.10 Group for an attack against the Nordstern synthetic oil plant near Gelsenkirchen in the Ruhr valley. Weapons load was 10 x 500lb GP, 3 x AN M64 500lb GP and 3 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target at 1732hrs from 17,500ft then RTB at 2052hrs.
15Sep44 10th Operational Mission RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.68
SQNLDR J.T Brophy and crew departed Driffield at 2225hrs as one of fifteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 158 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 310 Lancasters and seven Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 490 strong main force attack on Kiel, Germany. Weapons load was 1 x 2000lb HC bomb, 4 x AN M64 500lb GP bombs and, 6 x Cluster Projectile 500lb No.14 Mk.1 (each with 106 x 4lb incendiary bomblets). The crew bombed the target at 0115hrs/16Sep from 19,000ft then returned to Base at 0553hrs.
23Sep44 11th Operational MissionRAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.72
WNGCDR D.S Shannon and crew departed Driffield at 1904hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined the main attack force of 140 Halifaxes, 378 Lancasters and 17 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 549 strong aircraft attack against factories at Neuss in the Ruhr Valley, Germany. Weapons load was 4 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP bombs; 2 x AN M44 1,000lb GP bombs; and, 4 x 500lb GP bombs all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed the target at 2130hrs from 17,500ft then returned to Base at 0016hrs/24Sep.
25Sep44 12th Operational Mission RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.73
FLGOFF G. Coleman and crew departed Driffield at 0646hrs as one of fourteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 383 Halifaxes, 430 Lancasters and 45 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for an 872 strong main force attack on German defensive positions around Calais, France. Weapons load consisted 4 x 1,000lb GP bombs and 16 x 500lb GP bombs. The raid was aborted by the Master Bomber at 0820hrs and the aircraft headed for Base. At 0922hrs 2 x 1,000lb GP and 4 x 500lb GP bombs were jettisoned Safe into the Channel from 4,000ft before the aircraft landed Base at 0955hrs.
26Sep44 13th Operational Mission RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.75
FLGOFF A.G Cuttriss and crew departed Driffield at 0812hrs as one of thirteen 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 276 Halifaxes, 388 Lancasters and 45 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for a 722 strong main force attack on German defensive positions around Calais and Cap Gris Nez. 462Sqn was part of the 191 aircraft that attacked Cap Gris Nez. Weapons load consisted of 9 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP bombs and 4 x AN M58 500lb SAP bombs, which were dropped on target at 1002hrs from 9,000ft. Aircraft and crew RTB at 1213hrs.
30Sep44 Aircraft flew 15 operational missions, five non-operational flights and, made 10 x 10min pre-Ops test flights in September 1944.
06Oct44 14th Operational Mission RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.82
PLTOFF T.W Triggs and crew departed Driffield at 1411hrs with 15 other squadron aircraft then joined with a further 239 Halifaxes, 46 Lancasters and 20 Mosquitos of 4 and 8 Groups for an attack on synthetic oil plants at Sterkrade and Scholven/Buer, Germany. Weapons load was 16 x 500lb GP bombs set with .025sec time delay, which were dropped on the Sterkrade plant from 16,500ft then RTB at 1938hrs.
09Oct44 15th Operational Mission RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.86
RAAF pilot FLGOFF G. Coleman and crew departed Driffield at 1730hrs as one of nine 462Sqn aircraft that joined a further 365 Halifaxes, 40 Lancasters and 20 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for a 435 strong attack against Bochum in Westphalia, Germany. Weapons load was 7 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP TD bombs and 6 x 500lb GP TD bombs all with .025sec time delay. After bombing the target the aircraft was homeward bound when, at some time between 2000 and 2100hrs, the aircraft was hit by flak which caused the aircraft to catch fire and eventually disintegrate. The main wreckage crashed to earth in the district of Bredenscheid and all the crew’s bodies were recovered and taken to the Bredenscheid-Neiderstüter cemetery eight kilometers SW of Bochum. After the war the crew was reinterred in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
23Oct44 Aircraft struck off charge. While serving with 462 and 466 Sqns RAAF the aircraft flew 15 operational missions, six non-operational flights and, made 15 x 10min pre Ops test flights.
RAFVR pilot 178780 Pilot Officer Gerald Coleman (24) of Tooting, Surrey was KIA and was initially buried in Row G, Grave 4 of the Bredenscheid-Neiderstüter cemetery in Westphalia, Germany. On 12 June 1946 he was reinterred in Plot XXVIII, Row G, Grave 7 of the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. He is commemorated on Panel 146 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire.
RAFVR bomb aimer 1581798 Sergeant Alan James Ward (21) of Birmingham, England was KIA and was initially buried in Row G, Grave 10 of the Bredenscheid-Neiderstüter cemetery in Westphalia, Germany. On 12 June 1946 he was reinterred in Plot XXVIII, Row G, Collective Grave 8-13 of the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. He is commemorated on Panel 259 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire.
RAFVR flight engineer 1892044 Sergeant Ronald Charles Stopp (19) of Enfield, Middlesex was KIA and was initially buried in Row G, Grave 9 of the Bredenscheid-Neiderstüter cemetery in Westphalia, Germany. On 12 June 1946 he was reinterred in Plot XXVIII, Row G, Collective Grave 8-13 of the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. He is commemorated on Panel 248 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire.
RAFVR air gunner 1378208 Sergeant Archibald James Mouat (33) of Wimbledon, London was KIA and was initially buried in Row G, Grave 8 of the Bredenscheid-Neiderstüter cemetery in Westphalia, Germany. On 12 June 1946 he was reinterred in Plot XXVIII, Row G, Collective Grave 8-13 of the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. He is commemorated on Panel 216 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire.
RAFVR air gunner 1590607 Sergeant Denis Roy Muxlow (19) of Deeping High Bank, Lincolnshire was KIA and was initially buried in Row G, Grave 7 of the Bredenscheid-Neiderstüter cemetery in Westphalia, Germany. On 12 June 1946 he was reinterred in Plot XXVIII, Row G, Collective Grave 8-13 of the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. He is commemorated on Panel 217 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire.
RAAF wireless operator 424477 Flight Sergeant John Newton Tresidder (20) born 20 July 1924 in Ryde, Sydney, New South Wales the son of Frederic Harry and Vera Constance Tresidder of Kanwal, New South Wales. John was KIA and initially buried in Row G, Grave 6 of the Bredenscheid-Neiderstüter cemetery in Westphalia, Germany. On 12 June 1946 he was reinterred in Plot XXVIII, Row G, Collective Grave 8-13 of the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. He is commemorated on Panel 255 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire. He is also commemorated on Panel 109 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT; and, on the Roll of Honour at Ryde, Sydney.
RAAF navigator 429588 Flight Sergeant Philip Hedley Malcolm Levey (20) of Eagle Junction, Queensland was born on 03 January 1924 in Sydney, Australia the son of Francis Philip Levey and Ruth Levey (nee Woulnough) of Sydney. Philip was KIA and initially buried in Row G, Grave 5 of the Bredenscheid-Neiderstüter cemetery in Westphalia, Germany. On 12 June 1946 he was reinterred in Plot XXVIII, Row G, Collective Grave 8-13 of the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. He is commemorated on Panel 198 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire. He is also commemorated on Panel 109 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
MZ401
00Aug44 Handley Page Type HP61 Halifax B Mk III bomber Serial MZ401 was the 12th of 46 aircraft built in the Serial Range MZ390 to MZ435. Manufactured under license to Contract No. ACFT/2595, requisition HA10/E11/42, by the London Aircraft Production Group (a subsidiary of the London Passenger Transport Board) in their factories at Aldenham, Chiswick and White City in Greater London. The aircraft was built in-line with Handley Pages’ well established and proven split construction and unit assembly methods. The aircraft was divided into twelve major assemblies, which allowed for more tradespeople to work on each assembly than would normally have been possible. Not only did this approach speed up production but it also made transportation and repair much easier. Components were all transported to Leavesden Aerodrome for final assembly and flight testing.
Powered by four Bristol Hercules XVI 38-litre, 14-cylinder, twin-row, supercharged, air-cooled radial engines each developing 1,650hp (1,230 kW) driving three-blade de Havilland 55/18 fully feathering wooden propellers. Engines fitted were: Port Outer SS21234/A390232, Port Inner SS23473/A425749, Starboard Inner SS21340/A390338, and, Starboard Outer SS20760/A398758
Defensive armament consisted of nine .303 inch Browning machine guns; one Gimbal mounted Vickers GO in the SRS 1A Type nose; four midships guns in a Bolton Paul A Mk.VIII turret; and, four tail guns in a Bolton Paul E Mk.I turret. Max bomb load, 10,000lb (4,540 kg) in fuselage and 3,000lb (1,362 kg) in wings. The aircraft was painted in the standard RAF Night scheme of matt Dark Green and Dark Earth on the upper surfaces and Night Black on all undersurfaces.
20Aug44 Aircraft allocated to No.51 (B) Sqn at RAF Station Snaith, Yorkshire.
22Aug44 Allocation cancelled, reallocated to No.462 (B) Sqn at RAF Station Driffield, Yorkshire.
23Aug44 Allocation cancelled, reallocated to No.466 (B) Sqn at RAF Station Driffield, Yorkshire.
24Aug44 Aircraft delivered by an ATA Ferry Crew to 466 Sqn and issued to A Flight as HD-D
01Sep44 1st Operational Mission.
PLTOFF A.R Thoms and crew departed Driffield at 0658hrs with five other 466 Squadron aircraft that joined a further 91 Halifaxes, 15 Mosquitos and 10 Lancasters of 4 and 8 Groups and attacked V2 rocket storage sites at Lumbres and La Pourchinte. The crew bombed their assigned target and RTB at 1011hrs.
26Sep44 12th and final 466Sqn Operational Mission. FLGOFF G.B McCosker and crew departed Driffield at 0948hrs with 12 other squadron aircraft that joined a further 388 Lancasters, 274 Halifaxes and 45 Mosquitos of 4 and 8 Groups to attack German troop concentrations in the Cap Gris Nez and Calais areas of northern France.
30Sep44 Aircraft flew 12 operational missions made three non-operational flights and, 12 x 10min pre-OPs test flights in September 1944.
09Oct44 Aircraft allocated to No.462 (B) Sqn at RAF Station Driffield, Yorkshire.
11Oct44 Aircraft taken on charge with 462 Sqn, issued to A Flight as Z5-D
14Oct44 FSGT R.R Mitchell and crew were tasked for a mission to Duisburg, Germany. However, as the aircraft was taxying to the runway the port inner oil pressure dropped to zero so the pilot aborted the mission.
21Oct44 1st Operational Mission with 462Sqn.RAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.94
FSGT R.R Mitchell and crew departed Driffield at 1638hrs for an attack on Hanover, Germany. Approximately one hour after departure the mission was scrubbed by the Master Bomber because of weather over the target area. All bombs were jettisoned in the sea and the aircraft RTB at 1834hrs.
23Oct44 2nd Operational MissionRAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.96
FSGT R.R Mitchell and crew departed Driffield at 1634hrs with 15 other 462Sqn aircraft and joined 561 Lancasters, 448 Halifaxes and 31 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for an attack on Essen, Germany. Weapons load consisted of 1 x 2,000lb HC; 6 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP; and, 4 x 500lb GP bombs. The aircraft reached the target but was forced to abort the mission when the bombs would not release normally nor could they be jettisoned. RTB with bombs aboard.
25Oct44 3rd Operational MissionRAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.98
FSGT R.R Mitchell and crew departed Driffield at 1305hrs with 15 other 462Sqn aircraft and joined 508 Lancasters, 235 Halifaxes and 12 Mosquitos of Nos.1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups for an attack on Essen, Germany. Weapons load was 7 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP TD; 4 x 500lb GPLD37B bombs; and, 2 x 500lb MCTD bombs, all set for 0.025sec time delay. The crew bombed their assigned target at 1542hrs and returned safely to base at 1741hrs.
28Oct44 4th Operational MissionRAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.100
FSGT R.R Mitchell and crew departed Driffield at 0959hrs with 12 other 462Sqn aircraft and joined 142 Halifaxes of No.4 Group plus 86 Lancasters and 36 Mosquitos of No.8 Group for a 277 strong bomber attack on five gun emplacements on Walcheren Island. 462Sqn was part of the force that attacked the emplacement at Oostkapelle W.19. Weapons load was 1 x 2,000lb HC, 7 x AN M59 1,000lb SAP; and, 4 x 500lb GP bombs which were dropped on target from 4,000ft at 1142hrs. The aircraft sustained flak damage to the port side elevator and tail unit, no injuries reported.
29Oct44 Damage was assessed as Cat.A and repairable at the unit.
31Oct44 Aircraft flew four operational missions made two non-operational flights and, 4 x 10min pre-OPs test flights in October 1944.
02Nov44 5th Operational MissionRAF Station Driffield Operations Order No.110
FSGT R.R Mitchell and crew departed Driffield at 1558hrs with 14 other 462Sqn aircraft and joined 561 Lancasters, 385 Halifaxes and 31 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 8 Groups for an attack on Düsseldorf. Weapons load was 1 x 2,000lb HC bomb and 10 x 500lb Cluster Projectile No.14 Mk.1 (each Cluster holding 106 x 4lb incendiary bomblets). The aircraft failed to return and was listed as MIA.
18Nov44 Aircraft struck of charge. While serving with 462Sqn the aircraft flew five operational missions and made at least one non-operational flight, plus 5 x 10min pre-Ops test flights. In addition, while serving with 466Sqn RAAF, the aircraft flew 12 operational missions and made at least three non-operational flights and, made 12 x 10min pre-Ops test flights, giving a total of 17 missions and 15 non-operational flights and, 17 pre-Ops test flights. Total accumulated flight time was 97 hours 15 minutes.
00Dec44 The fate of the crew was learned four weeks later when wireless operator (Warrant Officer Bob Scott) was returned to England and made his report on the day’s events. Scott stated they bombed the target at 1920hrs and set course for home. Approximately 20 miles (32km) south of Cologne the aircraft was attacked by one or more fighters which severely damaged the aircraft in several places. A few minutes later the pilot ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft and after setting the transmitter, Scott baled out immediately after the navigator. As he left the aircraft his head hit the fuselage which knocked him out but, fortunately he regained consciousness in time to make a controlled landing. He reported that five of the crew baled out but the pilot and one other did not.
Scott managed to avoid capture although he was temporarily arrested by a German Officer before escaping at the first opportunity. He then spent the next three days heading west toward allied lines until he was befriended by a local villager who hid Scott for the next 18 days. Finally, he was rescued by American GIs on 26Nov44 and sent back to the UK on 01Dec44.
Later post war investigations determined that it was likely the aircraft was shot down by Major Paul Semrau in a Ju88 of II./NJG 2 based at Cologne/Butzweilerhof.
Crash site MZ401
RAAF pilot 418452 Pilot Officer Robert Richard Mitchell (21) born 07 December 1922 the son Norman St John Mitchell and Gladys Maud Mitchell of South Yarra, Victoria. Robert was KIA and is buried in Joint Grave VI.C.45 of the Hotton War Cemetery south of Liege, Belgium. He is commemorated on Panel 109 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT; and, on Panel 213 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire. He is also remembered on the Town Hall Roll of Honour in Prahran, Melbourne.
RAAF air gunner 436120 Flight Sergeant Albert Eric Thornton (21) born 12 March 1923 the son of Norman Leslie Thornton and Lilian Elsie Thornton, of Inverleigh, Victoria. Albert was KIA and is buried in Joint Grave VI.C.45 of the Hotton War Cemetery south of Liege, Belgium. He is commemorated on Panel 109 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT; and, on Panel 254 on The Walls of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre at Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire. He is also remembered on the Inverleigh War Memorial, Victoria.
RAAF air gunner 430548 Flight Sergeant Terrence Liddell McGuire (21) born 14Dec1923 in Middle Park, Melbourne the son of Thomas Maguire. Maguire baled out and captured soon after landing and sent for initial interrogation at the Dulag Luft in Frankfurt where he was issued POW No.1249 and sent to Stalag Luft VII near Bankau in Silesia, Germany. He was released by the Russian Army in May 1945 and returned to the UK to await his repatriation to Australia. Terry McGuire discharged from the RAAF on 26th November 1945 with the rank of Warrant Officer.
Terrence McGuire passed away on 07 Nov 2000 aged 76 years. He is interred in Wall N Grave 330 of the Creswick Cemetery in Hepburn Shire, Victoria.
RAAF wireless air gunner 418184 (A310601) Warrant Officer Robert Walter Scott (25) born 07Oct1918 in Newport, Victoria the son of Walter Scott. Robert baled out and after a brief detention successfully evade capture. He was rescued by US Army units on 26Nov44 then sent to Brussels and on to London. He was posted to No. 11 RAAF Personnel Receiving and Despatch Centre in Brighton, Sussex where remained until his repatriation back to Australia on 19Jan45, arriving back in Australia on 22Mar45. Scott elected to remain in the RAAF and served with distinction until he resigned as a Warrant Officer on 05April 1957.
RAAF bomb aimer 12060 Flying Officer Ronald James Smith (24) born 24 December 1912 in Goulburn, New South Wales. Husband of Elsie Smith in Paddington, Sydney. Ronald baled out of the aircraft and landed approximately 13km from Cologne (Köln), Germany where he was immediately arrested by German Army personnel. He was taken to a nearby SS Army HQ then to a Luftwaffe airfield the next day. After two days he was flown to Frankfurt to the Luftwaffe Dulag Luft where he was given POW No.8818 and underwent interrogation for the next 11 days before moving to Stalag Luft Sagan. In early February 1945 Ronald was force marched to Stalag 3A near Luckenwalde, Germany where he remained until released by the Russian Army in May 1945. After two weeks as a ‘guest’ of the Russians he became totally disillusioned with the poor food, terrible accommodations and the indifference of the Russians so he simply walked out of the camp and headed West until he met up with Allied troops. He was moved back to the UK and was posted to No.11 RAAF Personnel Receiving and Despatch Centre in Brighton, Sussex where he remained until his repatriation back to Australia on 07 July 1945. Following medical treatment at the Concord Repatriation Hospital in Sydney he was posted to No.2 Personnel Depot until he resigned from the RAAF on 02 February 1946 with the rank of Flight Lieutenant.
RAFVR flight engineer 2205580 Sergeant Albert Kellard (30) born in Chester on 27 March 1914 the son of Isaac Kellard. Albert successfully baled out buy was captured almost immediately upon landing. After interrogation at the Luftwaffe Dulag Luft in Frankfurt he was given POW No.1146 and sent to Stalag Luft L7 near Kreuzburg, Upper Silesia. In early February 1945 Ronald was force marched to Stalag 3A near Luckenwalde, Germany where he remained until released by the Russian Army in May 1945.
RAFVR navigator 1568425 Sergeant William McCorkindale (21) born in Glasgow on 22 March 19123 the son of Jean Kellard. William successfully baled out but was captured almost immediately upon landing. After interrogation at the Luftwaffe Dulag Luft in Frankfurt he was given POW No.1154 and sent to Stalag Luft L7 near Kreuzburg, Upper Silesia. In early February 1945 William was force marched to Stalag 3A near Luckenwalde, Germany where he remained until released by the Russian Army in May 1945. William passed away in 2015 aged 92 years.
PMcG 26 Apr 2024
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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