AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
Check our Research databases: Database List

.

We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.

105 Squadron crest
11.04.1943 No. 105 Squadron Mosquito IV DZ536 GB-S F/O. Polglase

Operation: Hengelo

Date: 11th April 1943 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 105 Squadron. 2 Group (motto: Fortis in Proeliis - 'Valiant in battles')

Type: Mosquito IV

Serial: DZ536

Code: GB-S

Base: RAF Marham, Norfolk

Location: Metelerkamps Bauernhof 4, Bentheim, Germany

Pilot: F/O. David Polglase NZ/415714 RNZAF Age 27. Killed.

Nav: Sgt. Lesley Charles Lampem 1311504 RAFVR Age 23. Killed.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took-off at 19:10 hrs from Marham for mission to the Stork Diesel Works at Hengelo, shot down in a running fight with six FW190s, though Uffz. Werner Wiegand of 2./JG1 is credited with the victory.

Out of control, the Mosquito crashed at Metelerkamps Bauernhof, at Bentheim. Both airmen were buried on 14th April at Lingen (Ems) though their graves are now in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.

105 Squadron Mosquitos preparing to take-off from RAF Marham on an operation and insert David Polglase. (Flight photo/Auckland Cenotaph)


The remains of DZ536 were scattered over a wide area, here Luftwaffe personnel can be seen loading the wreckage onto a trailer, one of the aircraft’s propellers in the foreground. (King/Poelchau)


Second photo of the recovery it is interesting to note that the vehicle being used for this operation is a British Scammell Pioneer, most likely captured during the fall of France in 1940.


Grave at Reichswald Forest.

Burial details:

F/O. David Polglase. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Plot 15. Row G. Grave 1. Born on the 15th August 1915 at Takaka, the son of George Davis Polglase and Gertrude Ellen Polglase , of Takaka, Nelson, New Zealand. Husband of Olive May Polglase (née Langford), of Takaka. On arrival in UK hospitalised with appendicitis. Prior to service worked for Richmond Borough Council as a clerk/treasurer. A total of 313 flying hours logged and having completed 7 operational sorties.

Sgt. Leslie Charles Lampen. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Plot 15. Row F. Grave 18. Son of Charles Albert John and Daisy Katherine Lampen, of Plymouth, England. Grave inscription: 'Too Dearly Loved To Be Forgotten. Duty Nobly Done. Mam And Dad'.

Researched for relatives of the crew. With thanks to Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Gert Poelchau, Auckland Cenotaph, Flight, Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

KTY Updated 24.08.2019

Pages of Outstanding Interest
History Airborne Forces •  Soviet Night Witches •  Bomber Command Memories •  Abbreviations •  Gardening Codenames
CWGC: Your Relative's Grave Explained •  USA Flygirls •  Axis Awards Descriptions •  'Lack Of Moral Fibre'
Concept of Colonial Discrimination  •  Unauthorised First Long Range Mustang Attack
RAAF Bomb Aimer Evades with Maquis •  SOE Heroine Nancy Wake •  Fane: Motor Racing PRU Legend
Acknowledgements
Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and MWO François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
Click any image to enlarge it

Click to add your info via ticket on Helpdesk •Click to let us know via ticket on Helpdesk• Click to buy research books from Amazon •Click to explore the entire site
If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2024
Last Modified: 25 March 2021, 14:43

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor