Operation: Mainz

Date: 11/12th August 1942 (Tuesday/Wednesday)

Unit: No. 150 Squadron (motto: Αιει Φθανομεν - 'Always Ahead') 1 Group

Type: Wellington III

Serial: X3744

Code: JN-?

Base: RAF Snaith,

Location: RAF Coltishall, Norfolk

Pilot: P/O. Roy Charles Munson DFC 112298 RAFVR Age 28. Survived

Obs: Fl/Sgt. Alan Vickery Ritchie DFM Aus/403378 RAAF Age 29. Survived

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Donald William Beattie Aus/408161 RAAF Age 23. Seriously injured

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt, Colin Osborne Chapman DFM Aus/403718 RAAF Age 21. Survived

Sgt. BeattieAir/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Paton Bell Aus/406589 RAAF Age 20. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

The German city of Mainz was bombed in multiple air raids by the Allies during World War II by the Royal Air Force, as well as the United States Army Air Forces. These led to numerous victims and heavy damage throughout the city.

More small raids followed until 11th August 1942 when the RAF Bomber Command launched 158 bombers against Mainz. This raid followed the Area Bombing Directive of the 05th February 1942, Directive No.4, issued by the British Air Ministry. This directive ordered RAF bombers to attack the German industrial workforce and the morale of the German populace through bombing German cities and their civilian inhabitants. During the following night, 200 tons of bombs were dropped, including white phosphorus bombs.

Eight aircraft from 150 squadron were detailed to take part in this operation taking off at 22:15hrs. Weather conditions core he 3/10th to 5/10th cloud tops at 9,000 ft. One aircraft Wellington X3310 flown by Fl/Lt Oliver was forced to return early with an unserviceable rear turret and landed back at RAF Snaith at 23:40 hrs.

Wellington X3744 was hit by flak on the outbound fligh. Despite sustaining damage to the port wing and the fuselage as well as several electric circuits the pilot continued to the target and successfully released the bomb load.

During the return leg it was attacked by a night fighter (as yet unidentified), killing the rear gunner and seriously injured one of the wireless operator/gunner. The the aircraft sustained further damage. The starboard engine was hit and various instruments, including the airspeed indicator, were put out of action. The controls became temporarily jammed but, after a great effort, P/O. Munson managed to free them and decided to make an attempt to fly the Aircraft back. He eventually reached the English coast where he was compelled to effect a crash landing at RAF Coltishall in Norfolk at 04:45hrs.

Burial details:

Fl/Sgt. Paton Bell. Scottow Cemetery. Grave 283. Born on the 29th August 1921 in Perth Wrstern Australia. A farmer prior to service. Enlisted on the 03rd February 1941. Embarked at Sydney for England on the 16th October 1941. Son of Arthur James Bell (died 13th May 1974, age 84) and Mary Elizabeth Bell (née Paton - died 1959, age 65), of Dalwallinu, Western Australia. Father was originally married to a Mary (née Woodward - died 1965, age 75) on the 27th September 1911 at Dayboro, Australia. Epitaph: Our Beloved Son In Whom We Were Well Pleased' (note; Aircrew Remembered visited his grave in 2024)

Details of other crew members:

Roy Charles Munson DFC - an American born on the 23rd December 1914 in Oregon, USA. Transferred to the USAAF later. Son of Charles Waldemar Munson (died on the 31st December 1945, age 61) and Cora Mae Munson (died in 1971, age 75). Husband of Norma Alfreda Munson (née Wright - died in Riverside, California in 1989). Passed away on the 31st May 1997, age 82 at Linn County, Oregon, USA.

Alan Vickery Ritchie DFM - Born on the 21st May 1913 in Strathfield, New South Wales, Australia. Survived the war, and was discharged with the rank of Flight Lieutenant on the 30th April 1944 and awarded the DFM. Passed away on the 15th January 1996, age 82.

Donald William Beattie - Born on the 07th March 1919 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Survived the war. Recovered from his wounds and was eventually repatriated to Australia. He was discharged from the RAAF on the 25th December 1944. He died in Melbourne on the 16th March 1946, age 27. His death was deemed directly attributable to war service. Son of John Milborn Beattie (died 27th April 1965, age 78) and Edith Frances Beattie (née Monk - died April 1981, age 93)

Colin Osborne Chapman DFM - Born on the 30th March 1922 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Enlisted on the 03rd March 1941. Left the RAAF on the 09th November 1945 as a Fl/Lt. Passed away Sydney, New South Wales in 2013, age 91.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the National Archives Kew AIR27-1010-15/16. Paul McGuiness RAAF Archive, Australian Government service records.

Other sources as quoted below:

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