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Operation: Eindhoven (Operation Oyster)
Date: 6th December 1942 (Sunday)
Unit: 464 Squadron
Type: Ventura II
Serial: AJ213
Code: SB:N
Base: RAF Feltwell, Norfolk
Location: Vrouwenpolder (Zeeland)
Pilot: Sgt. Stanley Charles Moss 408513 RAAF Survived/wounded PoW No: 27441. * (1)
Obs: Sgt. Reginald Ambrose Wagner 1293901 RAF Survived/wounded PoW No: 952. **
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. John Albert Wallis 1377049 RAF Survived/wounded PoW No: 954. *
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Frederick George Lindsay 411921 RAAF Survived PoW No: 935. *
* Stalag 344, Lamsdorf (now called Łambinowice) in Silesia
** Stalag Luft 3, Sagan-Silesia, Germany, now Żagań in Poland. (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser, Bavaria)
REASON FOR LOSS:
Took off at 11:20 hrs from RAF Feltwell, Norfolk. A daylight raid on the Philips radio and valve factories in the Dutch town of Eindhoven. The first operation that 464 squadron took part in of the war.
The operation was carried out at very low level and little opposition had been encountered on route to the target. Once crossing the Dutch coast though, things changed quickly with a large amount of light flak. This due to the squadron being slightly off track and crossing an enemy emergency landing ground which was well defended.
Shots taken during the raid (IWM)
The operation was very successful and as the bombing had been planned for a Sunday, reduced civilian casualties were expected.
Severe damage caused to the factory during the raid but a few bombs fell in nearby streets killing some 148 Dutch citizens and a few German soldiers. The factory production was reduced for a further six months.
Left: Crew of Ventura II AJ213 Right: Stan Moss taken during training 1941(Courtesy Stan Moss)
464 Squadron Ventura 'Bombing up' at Feltwell, Norfolk (IWM)
AJ213 was one of the first aircraft hit, but the pilot, Sgt. Moss could not give the order to bale out to the crew as the intercom was damaged. He managed to crash land the aircraft at 12:18 hrs, all the crew were quickly captured and became a PoW for the war.
Ventura II AJ213 in a field at Vrouwenpolder (courtesy Hans van Dam - see link/credit)
A total of sixteen aircraft were lost or written off during this operation, the highest number of casualties from 2 Group in a single raid since the start of the war.
Ventura I AE702 SB:Q piloted by Fg Off. Maurice Gordon Moor J10139 RCAF killed with all four crew after being shot down by flak over the target. See Paradie Canadian Archive
Ventura II AE945 SB:E piloted by Flt Sgt. Beverly Morton Harvey R88469 RCAF killed with all four crew after being shot down by flak over the target. See Paradie Canadian Archive
(1) Stan Moss survived an amazing incident just four months previous to this during training.
Film of the actual raid (courtesy Bomber Guy)
Burial details:
None - all became Prisoners of War.
Researched for Stanley Charles Moss in preparation to his story on his PoW days, another one to be published by Aircrew Remembered.
With thanks to Stanley Moss, Fay and Gerald McPherson, Hans van Dam. Reinstatement of video (Jan 2022).
RS 06.01.2022 - Reinstatement of video.
Original upload detail unknown
RS 06.01.2022 - Reinstatement of video.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 06 January 2022, 06:03