Operation: Tobruk, Libya

Date: 18th/19th September 1942 (Friday/Saturday)

Unit No: 37 Squadron, 231 Wing, Middle East Air Force

Type: Wellington Ic

Serial: HD963

Code: LF:Q

Base: Abu Sueir, Egypt.

Location: Approximately 70 mls south of Mersa Matruh, Egypt

Pilot: Flt Lt. Thomas Robert Nelson 70811 RAFVR Age 27. PoW No. 774 * (1)

2nd Pilot: Sgt. Leslie Birrell Brown 656363 RAFVR Age 25. PoW No. 221250 ** (2)

Navigator: Sgt. R. Goldsworthy PoW Unknown camp (3)

Air Gnr (Front): Sgt. Harry Barber 553585 RAFVR Age 19. PoW No. 27244 ** (4)

WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. Arthur Victor Rimes 1166705 RAFVR Age 29. PoW No. 229157 *** (5)

Air Gnr (Rear): Flt Sgt. Joseph Anthony Gordon R91186 RCAF Age 20. PoW No. 334 **** (6)

* Stalag Luft 3, Sagan-Silesia, Germany, now Żagań in Poland.

** Stalag 8B, Lamsdorf, now Łambinowice, in Silesia.

*** Stalag 4B, Mühlberg, Sachsen, Germany.

**** Stalag Luft 7, Bankau nr. Kreuzburg, Upper Silesia, now Bąków nr. Kluczbork in Poland.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Above Vickers Wellington Mark IC, T2837 'LF:E', of 37 Squadron RAF based at Shallufa, Egypt, in flight, photographed from another aircraft of the Squadron.(Courtesy of the Imperial War Museum)

On the night of the 18th/19th September 1942 the Sqn detailed six (6) aircraft which took-off from Abu Sueir, Egypt at 19:00 hrs to attack the jetties in Tobruk harbour in Libya.

En route to the target approximately 70 mls south of Mersa Matruh the Port engine caught fire and the aircraft could not maintain altitude. At about 22:00 hrs the aircraft height had fallen to about 600 ft and the crew were ordered to baled out. The Flt Lt. Nelson flew on and forced-landed the aircraft which was destroyed by fire.

(1) Flt Lt. Nelson survived the force-landing and started walking east. Whilst evading in the desert between Sidi-Barrani and El Alamein he found and disconnected several field telephones. In attempting to cross battle lines south of El Alamein on the 6th October he was captured.

He was transported to El Darba arriving there on the 7th October. On the 10th October he was transported to Dulag Luft, Oberursel arriving there 17th October. On the 9th November he was transferred to Stalag Luft 3, Sagan arriving there on the 11th October.

Flt Lt. Nelson and Jens Muller were instrumental in designing and building the air pumps for the three tunnels. (Ref 1, p 117).

2nd Lt. Jens Einar Müller, MC N1107 RNoAF was one of the three (3) who made a "Home Run". On the 19th June 1942 whilst on a "Roadstead" mission flying Spitfire V AR298 from 331 (Norwegian) Sqn, he was shot down by Oblt. Hans Ehlers and crashed into sea in the Westerschelde estuary off the SW coast of Walcheren, Zeeland. He was washed up on the coast of Belgium after 66 hrs in the sea and became a PoW.

On the night of the 24th/25th March 1944, seventy-six (76) officers escaped from the north compound of Stalag Luft 3 which, at that time, held between 1000 and 1500 RAF PoWs. The escape was made by the means of a tunnel. At about 05:00 hrs on the 25th March the 77th PoW was spotted by guards as he emerged from the tunnel.

Flt Lt. Nelson was the forty-fifth (45th) officer in the tunnel and pulled twenty (20) through before following the sixty-fourth (64th) out of the tunnel. He then joined his party led by Flt Lt. Grisman. The party walked west for 2 km and before splitting into smaller groups. He and Flt Lt. Churchill teamed up and headed south through the woods until dawn and about 05:00 hrs on the 26th hid in a barn. They were exhausted from walking through heavy snow and floods and remained there for the rest of the day and the next night. (Ref 2 p 207)

Flt Lt. Grisman was one of the fifty (50) officers murdered by the Gestapo. Flt Lt. Churchill was returned to Stalag Luft 3.

The following afternoon they were discovered by local citizens who were searching the area and taken to a local inn and handed over to the Burgermeister (Mayor) of Halbau. They were then driven to the police station at Sagan where they were interrogated. (Ref 2 p 207)

Here they met Flt Lt. Williams, Flt Lt. Birkdale, Flt Lt. Street, Flt Lt. Milford, Flt Lt. Broderick. Later they were joined by Flt Lt. Magill and Lt. McGarr. (Ref 2 p 207)

Flt Lt. Williams, Flt Lt. Birkdale, Flt Lt. Street, Flt Lt. Milford, Flt Lt. Magill and Lt. McGarr were six (6) of the fifty (50) officers were murdered by the Gestapo;

Flt Lt. Broderick was returned to Stalag Luft 3.

The nine (9) remained there until 02:00 hrs on the 28th March when they were taken to the civil prison in Görlitz, where Flt Lt. Nelson was placed in a cell with Flt Lt. Street and Flt Lt. Broderick. Later that day they were taken separately to the Gestapo HQ in Görlitz and interrogated after which they were returned to the prison. On the 6th April he was one of seven (7) that were returned to Stalag Luft 3 and spent twenty-one (21) days in the “cooler’ after which they were released into the North compound. (Ref 2 p 207)

On the night of the 27th January 1945, with Soviet troops only 26 km (16 mls) away, orders were received to evacuate the PoWs to Spremberg which is to the West in Germany. The PoW’s were informed of the evacuation, which was on foot, at about 22:00 hrs the same night and were given 30 mins to pack and prepare everything for the March. The weather conditions were very difficult, with freezing temperatures, and it was snowing accompanied by strong winds. There was 15 cm (6 in) of snow and 2000 PoWs were assigned to clear the road ahead of the main groups.

After a 55 km (34 mls) march, the PoWs arrived in Bad Muskau where they rested for 30 hours. The PoWs were then marched the remaining 26 km (16 mls) to Spremberg where they were housed in empty garages, storerooms and in military barracks. There they were provided with warm soup and bread.

During next days, PoWs were divided up according to Compounds, and they were led to railway sidings and loaded into tightly packed carriages.

Flt Lt. Nelson was amongst the North, East and remaining West compound PoWs who on the 2nd February were sent Marlag und Milag Nord at Westertimke arriving there on the 4th February.

Marlag is an acronym for Marinelager (naval prisoner of war camp), Milag is short for Marine-Internierten-Lager(naval internment camp), and Nord is German for ‘north’.

On the 2nd April 1945 the Commandant announced that he had received orders to leave the camp with most of his guards, leaving only a small detachment behind to hand over the camp to Allied forces, who were already in Bremen.

However, that afternoon a detachment of over a hundred SS-Feldgendarmerie entered the camp, mustered over 3,000 men including and marched them out, heading east. The next day, at around at 10:00 hrs the column was strafed by RAF aircraft, and two PoWs were killed.

Over the next few days the column was attacked from the air several times. Finally the Senior British Naval Officer (SBNO), who was later killed in a strafing attack by RAF aircraft, offered the Germans the PoW’s parole, in return for being allowed to rest during the day and march at night. The Germans agreed.

On the 9th April 1945 the guards at Marlag-Milag moved out and were replaced by older men, presumably local Volkssturm. Meanwhile, the column slowly headed east, finally crossing the River Elbe, north of Hamburg, on the 18th April.

On the 27th April the camps were liberated by elements of the British Guards Armoured Division. The next day, the 28th April, the column finally arrived at Lübeck on the Baltic coast. They were liberated by the British 11th Armoured Division on the 1st May 1945. Flt Lt. Nelson was interviewed on the 3rd May 1945.

Thomas Robert Nelson was born on the 10th March 1915 in Leeds. His civilian trade was an Engineer in Leeds prior to enlisting in the RAFVR on the 23rd September 1937. Thomas passed away in August 1999 in South Dorset, England.

(2) Sgt. Brown evaded the enemy for three days but was captured on the 21st September and taken to Bengazi where he remained until December. He was then transferred to PG 68, Vetralla near Viterbo in Italy arriving there in January 1943. In March he was transferred to PG 70, Monte Urano near Fermo where he remained until July when he was moved to PG 53, Urbisaglia near Macerata. After a short stay here he was moved to Germany where he was sent to Stalag 344, Lamsdorf, now called Łambinowice in Silesia.

In January 1945, as the Soviet armies resumed their offensive and advanced into Germany, many of the PoWs were force-marched westward in groups of 200 to 300. The lucky ones got far enough to the west to be liberated by the American army. The unlucky ones got liberated by the Soviets, who instead of turning them over quickly to the western Allies, held them as virtual hostages for several more months. It is assumed that Sgt. Brown was liberated by the Americans because he was interviewed on the 18th May 1945.

Leslie Birrell Brown was born on the 13th February 1917. He was a Post Office Engineer and Electrician in Perth, Scotland prior to joining the Territorial Army in June 1939 and transferring to the RAFVR in May 1941.

(3) Flt Sgt. Gordon reported that Sgt. R. Goldsworthy baled out and that he was a PoW. However, no PoW records have been found for this airman and additionally he was not posted as MiA or KiA. Furthermore, no corroborated biographical records for an R. Goldsworthy have been found.

(4) Sgt. Barber was captured in Libya on the 21st September and was injured, although the nature of his injuries are not known.

He was transported to Dulag Luft, Oberursel some time during October. He was transferred to Stalag 8B, Lamsdorf, now called Łambinowice in Silesia arriving there on the 18th October 1942.

In 1943, the Lamsdorf camp was split up with many of the PoWs and Arbeitskommando (Working party) were transferred to two new base camps Stalag 8C Sagan (modern day Żagań) and Stalag 8D Teschen (modern day Český Těšín). The base camp at Lamsdorf was renumbered Stalag 344. Whilst at Stalag 344 he was promoted to Warrant officer (WO).

He was on an Arbeitskommando at Neustadt in Air-Raid Shelter Construction from the 26th April 1944. On the 1st June 1944 he escaped from Neustadt by smuggling himself onto a goods train. After about 20 km he fell off the train and was recaptured.

On the 1st March 1945 he was transferred to Stalag 7B at Memmingen in Bavaria arriving there on the 6th March. The camp was liberated by the US 44th Infantry Division and the 10th Armoured Division on the 26th April 1945. He was interviewed on the 9th May 1945.

Liberation of Stalag 7B

Harry Barber was born on the 23rd April 1923 in Wakefield, Yorkshire. He was employed as a clerk in Leeds prior to enlisting in the RAFVR on the 13th February 1939. Harry passed away 28th January 1983 in Wycombe, Buckingham, England.

(5) Sgt. Rimes was captured near Mersa Matruh on the 21st September after which he was held in Benghazi for a day. He was then transferred to Tar Huna, Africa arriving there on the 28th October where he stayed for a month. He was then transferred to Swani Ben Adam, Africa arriving there on the 30th November 1942.

On the 1st January 1943 he was transferred to PG 66, Capua in Italy arriving there on the 6th January 1943. He was then transferred to PG 70, Monerano on the 2nd February 1943 arriving there the next day.

On the 27th September 1943 he was transferred to Stalag 4G, Leipzig in Germany. Whilst he was promoted to Warrant officer (WO). WO. Rimes exchanged identities with Pte. Derrick of the Gloster Regiment and joined Arbeitskommando (Work Camp) No. 67 at Stalag 4G between the 26th April 1944 to 2nd July 1944.

Sgt. Rimes accompanied by LAC. Phipps and five (5) others broke out of the Arbeitskommando by night, but were all were captured within three (3) days.

Pte. Derrick is believed to be Pte. A. Derrick 5182010 of the Gloster Regiment. PoW No. 5326 at Stalag 4B;

LAC. Phipps is believed to be AC1. Stanley Raymond Phipps 1169943 RAFVR. PoW No. 247818 at Stalag 4B.

WO. Rimes and LAC. Phipps were captured after four (4) hours on the run at a Flak post but suffered no punishment. Later escape attempts on the 3rd May 1944 and 10th June 1944 failed as he was leaving the camp. He was punished with three (3) days in prison. He then disclosed his identity and requested to be returned to Stalag 4B at Mülberg arriving there on the 2nd October 1943

Whilst working on machine maintenance at Arbeitskommando No. 67 he added sand to the bearings of rotating machinery not being used that time, but being prepared for later use later.

Stalag 4B was liberated by the Soviet Army arrived on the 23rd April 1945. The camp held some 30,000 and of these 7,250 were British. The Soviet’s held the British and American PoWs in the camp for over a month. Individual soldiers "escaped" from the camp and made their way on foot to the American lines.WO. Rimes was interviewed on the 26th May 1945.

Arthur Victor Rimes was born on the 11th July 1913 in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Prior to enlisting in the RAFVR on the 20th June 1940 he was a Director of the company Provender Miller. Arthur passed away in the 4th Qtr of 2000 in Hereford, Herefordshire, England.

(6) After landing Flt Sgt. Gordon buried his parachute and harness and started walking east. He had lost his shoes and only had his emergency rations but had no water. When he came across buildings at 01:00 hrs on the 8th day and found a store of water. He failed to exercise enough caution and was captured by Italian soldiers whilst drinking.

He was taken by train to Mersa Matruh where he was interrogated and held for ten (10) days. His feet, lips and hands, which had turned septic, were treated and he was provided with food and was generally given very good care. He was then transported by truck to Benghazi where he contracted dysentery. After 2 weeks in the camp he was moved by truck to Tripoli where he remained for a week and then moved again to a camp about 35 miles to the south. After a few more days he was moved to Swani Benadam near the Castel Benito airdrome.

Above: Flt Sgt. Gorden reported missing courtesy of The Toronto Star, dated 15th December 1942

On the 1st January 1943 he was boarded upon a ship and arrived at Panteleria, Sicily on the on 5th January. From there he went by train to Meniva and into PG 66 at Capua where he stayed for about five (5) weeks of which four (4) of which he spent in hospital still suffering from dysentery. He was then sent to Caserta hospital where he remained for about four (4) months, after which he was discharged back to PG 66.

After a couple of weeks he was moved to PG 54 at Fara Sabina and remained there until the 10th September 1943. There was an escape committee there and he worked on a tunnel project which was incomplete when the Italian’s signed the armistice on the 5th September.

The camp leader, Regimental Sgt Maj. (RSM) Sneiman SAP, advised him along with five (5) other Canadians to leave the camp on the 10th September. However, they were captured on the 26th September at Monte Lebreiti by German troops and were transported to Germany.

RSM Sneiman was WO1. L.G. Snyman SAP/196269 PoW No. 132375.

En route on about the 7th October he escaped from freight train near Orte by removing the bars and barbed wire from a window. He was one six (6) of who escaped when they saw German paratroopers descending onto the airdrome the others were Flt Sgt. Bill Guertin, RCAF, Sgt. Gordon Bennett, RAF, Sgt. Gerald LaCoure, RCAF, Sgt. W.L. Smith, RCAF, Sgt. A. Nagy, RCAF and a South African (SA) Pte.

Flt Lt. William Norman ‘Bill’ Guertin R68183 PoW No. 464903, Stalag Luft 6, Heydekrug. 462 Sqn Halifax II DT498: 11th November 1942;

Believed to be Sgt. Gordon Bennett 1063396 RAFVR. No further information found;

LaCoure was actually Sgt. Joseph Gerard Roger LeCours R79289 RCAF, PoW No. 248553, Stalag Luft 6, Heydekrug. 112 Sqn Kittyhawk III FR325: 5th February 1943;

Sgt. Walter Lodington Smith R70871 RCAF, PoW No. 344, Stalag Luft 7, Bankau nr. Kreuzburg. 160 Sqn Liberator II AL620: 14th/15th January 1943;

Sgt. Alexander Joseph Nagy CR68629 RCAF, PoW No. 342, Stalag Luft 7. 69 Squadron "B" (PR) Flight, Baltimore II, AG739: 25th January 1943.

The SA Private (Pte) has not been identified.

He and the Pte. escaped into the hills and joined a band of Italian Rebels. He stayed with them for about three (3) months doing sabotage work in the vicinity.

On the 4th January 1944 he was recaptured by the Germans in the village of Castello St Leo and was returned to PG 54, Fara Sabine. After two (2) weeks he was again sent to Germany and again escaped from the train when the Americans bombed the engine on the 28th January. In the confusion he got away but was wounded in the leg by bomb shrapnel.

About a week later he met an agent of the Vatican at Corechiano who took his name, number and rank and started paying him 1000 lire per month to meet expenses. In all he received 3500 lire and still had 2000 lire when he was recaptured in April.

From January to April 1944 he was working with a band of Italian rebels engaged in some very extensive sabotage work. In April he decided to try to get through the lines but was captured again by the German forces. He was put in a punishment camp for a week, then sent back to PG 54 at Fara Sabina for a couple of weeks before being entrained for Germany.

Escape was impossible this time and he finally arrived at Stalag 7A, Moosburg in Bavaria. After a couple of weeks he was moved to Stalag Luft 7, Bankau nr. Kreuzburg in Upper Silesia where he remained until the 17th January 1945.

On the 19th January 1945, he was amongst 1,500 prisoners marched out of the camp in the bitter cold. They crossed a bridge over the river Oderon the 21st January, reached Goldberg on 5th February, and were loaded onto a train.

On the 8th February they reached Stalag 3Alocated about 52 km (32 mls) south of Berlinnear Luckenwalde, which already held 20,000 prisoners, consisting mainly of soldiers from Britain, Canada, the US and Russia. On the 22nd April 1945 as the Russians approached the camp the guards fled leaving the prisoners to be liberated by the Red Army.

Stalag 3A was turned over to the Americans on the 6th May at which time the Senior American Officers (SAO) took over the running of the camp until all the PoWs were evacuated. He worked as an Italian interpreter for the Russians until about the 20th May and then flew back to England with the USAAF and the RAF.

Joseph Anthony Gordon was born on the 14th March 1922 in Mimico, Ontario. He was a Machine Designer prior to enlisting in the RCAF on the 24th January 1941.

Burial details:

None – crew survived

Researched by Ralph Snape from Aircrew Remembered as dedicated to this crew and their families (Apr 2025).

Other sources listed below:

References:

1. The Great Escape – The full dramatic story with contributions from survivors and their families - Anton Gill - ISBN: 878-0-75531-037-1.

2. Stalag Luft III - An official history of the “Great Escape” PoW Camp - Published by Frontline Books - ISBN: 978-1-47388-305-5.

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