Operation: Aalborg

Date: 13th August 1940 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 82 Squadron

Type: Blenheim IV

Serial: R3904

Code: UX-F

Base: RAF Watton, Norfolk

Location: Target area - Aalborg, Denmark

Pilot: P/O. Ben Totham Jervois Newland 42634 RAF Age 23. PoW No: 1617 Camp: Stalag Sagan

Obs: Sgt. George Cyril Ankers 581136 RAF Age 24. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Edward Victor Turner 937492 RAFVR Age 20. Killed (1)

REASON FOR LOSS:

The squadron were ordered to bomb the German airfield at Hamstede, Holland. All 12 aircraft took off at 08:40 hrs from Watton in Norfolk. Sadly only one aircraft was to return home. Another devastating raid for 82 squadron as earlier in the year on the 17th May they lost 12 aircraft also on a single operation!

R3904 was first hit by German flak and then attacked by fighters. He was wounded in his shoulder and knew that the other crew members were either also wounded or dead, he ordered them to bale out and as he opened the escape hatch he was pulled out with the slipstream.

The following were also lost this day from 82 squadron:

R2772 UX-T Flown by Sgt. D. Blair 742018 RAFVR - all 3 crew taken as PoW
R3800 UX-X. Flown by Fl/Lt. T.E. Syms 37515 RAFVR - pilot and observer PoW, the air gunner killed.
R3802 UX-A. Flown by Fl/Lt. R.A.G. Ellen 39973 RAFVR - pilot and observer PoW, the air gunner killed.
R3821 UX-N. Flown by P/O. E.R. Hale 42219 RAF - all crew killed.
R3829 UX-S. Flown by Sq/Ldr. R.N. Wardle 37140 RAF - Pilot PoW, the other 2 crew members killed.
R3913 UX-M. Flown by C.W. Wigley 79536 RAFVR - all crew killed.
R1827 UX-H. Flown by Sq/Ldr. N.C. Jones 33061 RAF - pilot and observer killed, the air gunner PoW.
T1889 UX-L. Flown by Sgt. J.E. Oates - pilot repatriated in 1943, remaining crew PoW.
T1933 UX-C. Flown by P/O. D.A.J. Parfitt 42875 RAF - all crew killed.
T1934 UX-R. Flown by W/Cmdr. E.C. de V Lart DSO 05102 RAF (2) - all crew killed.

(1) Sgt. Edward Victor Turner was a former pupil of Moseley Grammar school (Now secondary/grammar school. We have been working very closely with the school's historians to remember all the ex pupils who died whilst serving with the RAF and recorded on the school memorial.

(2) The family of 39 year old, W/Cmdr Edward De Virac Lart DSO. also lost his brother. 40 year old, Cpt. John Floyer Lart 231988 RAMC killed on 05th January 1944 and buried at Cassino War Cemetery, Italy.

Burial details:

Sgt. George Cyril Ankers. Vadum Cemetery Coll. Grave C. Son of George and Ann Ankers, of Wombwell, Yorkshire, England.

Sgt. Edward Victor Turner. Vadum Cemetery Coll. Grave C. Son of Mr. W.V. Turner of 75, Hazlehurst Road Kings Heath, Birmingham, England.

Researched for relatives of the crews. With thanks to the following: Keith Townsend historian of Moseley Secondary/Grammar school memorial records, Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses', Theo Boiten - 'German Nightfighter War Diaries', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt 'Bomber Command War Diaries', the C.W.G.C.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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