Operation: Stuttgart
Date: 28/29th July 1944 (Friday/Saturday)
Unit: No. 103 Squadron
Type: Lancaster III
Serial: PB147 (To be confirmed - new evidence shows this as the incorrect number)
Code: PM-C
Base: RAF Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire
Location: Charmes (Vosges - France)
Pilot: F/O. Joseph Barker Moss 159579 RAFVR Age 32. Killed
Fl/Eng: Sgt. Ronald Redfern Hardey 1402410 RAFVR Age 21. Killed
Nav: F/O. Michael Richard Frewin Oliver J/28500 RCAF Age 25. Killed
Air/Bmr: Fl/Sgt. Stanley James Honour 1319886 RAFVR Age 23. Killed
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Neville Bradshaw 1216161 RAFVR Age 21. Killed
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Clement Basil Osborne 1875824 RAFVR Age 19. Killed
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Arthur Woodrow Crooke 143915 RAFVR Age 20. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off at 21.10 hrs from RAF Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire, joining 494 Lancasters and 2 Mosquitoes to bomb the German city of Stuttgart - the third of a series of bombing operations on the city.
The Luftwaffe night fighters numbering over 200, aided by a bright moon intercepted the bomber stream on the outward flight over France.
The city was devastated with these raids. Over 1,100 people killed on the ground, 1,6000 injured with most of the cites buildings destroyed.
40 Lancaster's were lost during the raid and 203 aircrew killed with a further 50 made P.O.W's. 24 evaded capture.
103 Squadron lost no less than 5 aircraft on this operation:
Lancaster I ME799 Flown by F/O. Robert Armstrong, killed with 2 other crew, 2 evaded capture and 2 made pow.
Lancaster III LM538 Flown by F/O. Arthur West, killed with all 6 other crew members.
Lancaster III NE117 Flown by Fl/Lt. Eric Broadbent, killed with all 7 other crew members.
Lancaster III PA985 Flown by F/O. L.J.L. Green all crew surviving a crash landing in England.
Left: memorial inscription - mouse over image
Burial details:F/O. Joseph Barker Moss. Charmes Military Cemetery. Plot 2. Row A. Coll. Grave 18-19. Son of Ernest and Annie Moss, of Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, England. Grave inscription reads: ‘Deep in our hearts, Your memory we keep.’
Sgt. Ronald Redfern Hardey. Charmes Military Cemetery. Plot 2. Row A. Grave 17. Son of Francis Albert and Eva Lavinia Hardey, of Town Hill, Swansey, Wales. Grave inscription reads: - not visible
Right: newspaper article regarding memorial - mouse over image
Fl/Sgt. Stanley James Honour. Charmes Military Cemetery. Plot 2. Row A. Coll. Grave 18-19. Son of Percy Eli and Amy Elizabeth Honour, of Corfe Castle, Dorsetshire, England. Grave inscription reads: ’The Lord is my shepherd.’ Remainder not visible.
Sgt. Neville Bradshaw. Charmes Military Cemetery. Plot 2. Row A. Coll Grave 18-19. Son of Albert and Lizzie Bradshaw, of Bulwell, Nottingham, England.
Sgt. Clement Basil Osborne. Charmes Military Cemetery. Plot 2. Row A. Coll Grave 18-19. Son of Mrs. H. J. Pointer, of Murrow, Cambridgeshire, England. Grave inscription reads: - not visible
Sgt. Arthur Woodrow Crooke. Charmes Military Cemetery. Plot 2. Row A. Grave 16. Son of Thomas J. Crooke and Edith A. Crooke, of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Grave inscription reads: ‘Your memory will linger forever with us until we meet again.’
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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