Operation: Essen

Date: 16/17th September 1942 (Wednesday/Thursday)



Unit: 150 Squadron



Type: Wellington III



Serial: BJ877



Code: JN-Z

RAF Snaith, Yorkshire

Location: South-South East Diest, Belgium

Pilot: Sgt. William Samuel Oliver Randle 1385872 RAFVR Age 21. Evaded capture

Pilot 2: Sgt. Dalton Charles Mounts R/101816 RCAF Age 24. Evaded capture

Obs: Sgt. William 'Scottie' Brazill DFM 1384539 RAFVR Age 28. Evaded capture

WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. Norman M. Graham R/93142 RCAF PoW No: 27166 Camp: Stalag Lamsdorf

WOp/Air Gnr: Flt.Sgt. William W. 'Wally' Dreschsler R/75287 RCAF Age 24. Evaded capture

Air Gnr: Sgt. Robert Frost 1383682 RAFVR Age 19. Evaded capture

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 20:35 hrs from RAF Snaith in Yorkshire, outbound hit by flak.

The crew decided that they could continue to the target, where they released the 4,000 lb 'cookie'. On return they were again hit by flak and then attacked at 2,700 mtrs by Oblt. Walter Barte of 4./NJG1 at 00:55hrs. The crew baled out of the aircraft at 16,000 ft - all surviving, further information below.

None - all survived.

Left: Bill Randle as Air Commodore later in his career.

Further details of the crew:

Sgt. William Randle. Returned to England after 5 months along with Sgt. Robert Frost, as well as with Tadeusz 'Teddy' Jan Frankowski of 305 Squadron (Wellington Z1245 SM-D 3 crew killed - Fl/Sgt. Janik, Sgt. Pytlak and Sgt. Gawlak, 1 PoW - Flt.Lt Kiewerski, He was murdered by the Gestapo after the 'Great Escape') and two other crew members of BJ877. Commissioned on return. Died on August 12th 2012 aged 91. Further comprehensive details can be read here.

Sgt. Dalton Mounts. An American from North Dakota attached to the RCAF returned to England after 5 months with Bill Randle. Evaded with the assistance from the Comet Line via France, Spain and Gibralter arriving at Portreath on the 25th October 1942. Died on August 30th 1994 in California.

Sgt. William 'Scottie' Brazill. Born in Barelly, India. Returned to England after 5 months. Evaded with the assistance from the Comet Line via France, crossing the Pyrennees on 20th December 1942, Spain and Gibralter arriving at Hendon on the 3rd January 1943. Died on April 2nd 2006 in London, England.

DFM was awarded to 1384539 Sergeant William Brazill, No. 150 Squadron on the 2nd April 1943. Gazetted on the 30th March 1943. Citation reads: "One night in September, 1942, Sergeant Brazill was the navigator of an aircraft engaged on an operational mission. In hazardous circumstances his courage, fortitude and devotion to duty were of the highest order".

Promoted to Plt.Off., 146305 on the 10th April 1943, Gazetted 9th July 1943.

Sgt. Norman M. Graham. Gave himself up to protect the Belgian family that had been hiding him.

Flt.Sgt. W.W. 'Wally' Dreschsler. Returned to England after 6 months. Evaded with the assistance from the Comet Line via France, Spain and Gibralter arriving at Portreath on the 24th February 1943.

Sgt. Robert Frost. Returned to England after 5 months with Bill Randle. Evaded with the assistance from the Comet Line via France, Spain and Gibralter arriving at Portreath on the 25th October 1942.

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