Operation: Aachen, Germany

Date: 24th/25th May 1944 (Wednesday/Thursday)

Unit No: 158 Squadron, 4 Group, Bomber Command

Type: Halifax III

Serial: LV918

Code: NP:O

Base: RAF Lissett, Yorkshire.

Location: Thought to be in the vicinity of the target area.

Pilot: Flt Lt. Ralph 'Rev' Reavill 122816 RAFVR Age 27. KiA (1)

Flt Eng: Flt Lt. Cedric Charles Fox DFM, 146839 RAFVR Age 28. KiA (2)

Nav: Fg Off. Walter James 'Wally' Rogers 144769 RAFVR Age 35. KiA

Bomb Aimer: Fg Off. Joseph Edward ‘Joe’ Hounam DFM, 149468 RAFVR Age 23. PoW * (3)

WOp/Air Gnr: Flt Sgt. Robert Edward Hardwick 1325790 RAFVR Age 27. KiA

Air Gnr (Mid Upper): Sgt. Frank Albert Spriggs 1625363 RAFVR Age 19. PoW No: 56 ** (4)

Air Gnr (Rear): Flt Sgt. Donald Alexander ‘Don’ Stewart R176832 RCAF Age 21. PoW No: 57 ** (5)

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

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

Above Fg Off. Walter James Rogers (courtesy Dave Tooley)

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off from RAF Lissett, Yorkshire at 22:55 hrs together with over 440 aircraft to bomb the railway yards at Aachen - an important target as they were the main route between France and Germany.

The aircraft crossed the enemy coast at 19,000 ft, as our bombing height was to be 15,000 ft we commenced our descent. When we were about 30 minutes from the target Fg Off. Rogers informed the pilot that they would be over the target some five minutes before our scheduled bomb time and so advised him to make a dog leg to the target - this they did but they still arrived two minutes before the rest of the bomber stream. As they were starting their bombing run one of the crew noticed sparks coming from the starboard inner engine, then a tremendous belch of flames; the aircraft then went into a dive.

LV918 was coned by Flakscheinw. Rgt. 113. Hit by 3.-6./schw. Flak Abt. 514. 2./schw. Abt. 525 (Eisb) and Schw. Flak Battery z.b.V. 5780. Exploded over Aachen at 00:59 hrs. (Nachtjagd Combat Archives 1944 Part 3 - Theo Boiten).

The pilot, Flt Lt. Reavill announced with no signs of panic "you had better get out chaps, I can’t hold her and unable to jettison the bombs". The aircraft blew up throwing some of the crew out. (Ref 1)

Reports from Aachen state that the targets were hit, one being very badly damaged, however because of the unusually large formation for this type of target many bombs fell in the villages with 14,880 people bombed out of their homes. 259 people on the ground were killed with 120 seriously injured.

Bomber Command suffered badly from this raid. 29 aircraft were lost, 147 crew members killed, 56 taken PoW with 6 more evading capture. 158 Squadron alone lost 5 aircraft:

Halifax III HX320 NP:A - Flown by Plt Off. Marshall Vernon Lawrence J19574 RCAF who along with his crew became PoWs;

Halifax III LW118 NP:X - Flown by Fg Off. Charles Cleveland Price 130644 RAFVR who was KiA along with his crew;

Halifax III LW653 NP:T - Flown by Flt Sgt. John Seymour Macleod Clarke RAFVR (posthumously 177011 Plt Off) who was KiA along with his crew;

Halifax III LW720 NP:W - Flown Flt Sgt. John Meridith Roberts RAFVR (Posthumously 176514 Plt Off) who was KiA together with two others of his crew with four taken PoW.

(1) Flt Lt. Ralph Reavill was severely injured earlier in the year when the Halifax III LW581 being flown by Sqn Ldr. Weller DFC out of RAF Lissett lost a port engine during take off on an air test. The pilot throttled back the engines with the aircraft hitting the ground very hard, losing its undercarriage. Flt Lt. Reavill, who had been in the rear gunners position, suffered a crush fracture of the skull, but recovered and returned to operational flying.

(2) Flt Lt. Fox, then a Sgt, was shot down over Belgium on the 6th/7th August 1942 during an operation to Duisburg whilst aboard 158 Sqn aboard Halifax II W7750 NP:M.

The pilot was Flt Lt. Jeffrey Peter Meurisse Haydon 402352 RAAF. He and three of the crew evaded capture, one became a PoW and two KiA.

The three evaders escaped with the assistance of the Jam/Liège Line via Spain and Gibraltar. Leaving on HMS Malaya on the 30th September arriving in the UK on the 5th October 1942:

Sgt. Alfred Beber 1282540 RAFVR - Comet No. 45;
Fg Off. Ivan Henry Davies 400528 RAAF - Comet No. 47;
Sgt. Cedric Charles Fox 1018963 RAFVR - Comet No 48.

Sgt. Basil Wallace Shearer 1058346 RAFVR PoW No: 25660, Stalag 8B, Lamsdorf.

Sgt. Harold Huddless 1050628 RAFVR KiA;
Sgt. Wilfred John Gray 405484 RNZAF KiA.

(3) Fg Off. Hounam DFM evaded the enemy over the next day and night in an attempt o reach Holland but was captured in Aachen on the 26th May 1944.

Above courtesy of The Cumberland News, dated 3rd June 1944

Note. There are a number of documents that have the alternative spelling of his name as “Hounan”

He was then transferred to Dulag Luft, Oberursel where he was held in solitary confinement and interrogation for the next thirteen (13) days. In June he was then transferred to Stalag Luft 3 (Belaria), Sagan-Silesia.

The Belaria compound was opened in January 1944 and was situated about 5 km (3 mls) west of Stalag Luft 3 on a grassy hill overlooking Sagan. Around the 1st January some 500 British prisoners from the East and Centre Compounds of Stalag Luft 3 were sent to Belaria.

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. He was amongst the last PoWs who were sent to Stalag 3A (also Oflag 3-6) Luckenwalde, Brandenburg.

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. Fg Off. Hounam DFM was interviewed on the 21st May 1945.

Joseph Edward Hounam was born on the 29th May 1910 in Canonbie, Dumfries-shire, Scotland. He was an accountant prior to enlisting in the RAFVR on the 21st October 1940.

Sgt. Hounam was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) whilst with 10 Sqn (London Gazette 14th May 1943).

Citation: “Awarded for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations”.

1065852 Sgt. Hounam was appointed to a commission and promoted to 149468 Plt Off. effective 21st June 1943 (London Gazette 14th September 1943). Promoted to Fg Off. effective 21st December 1943 (London Gazette 24th December 1943). Promoted to Flt Lt. effective 21st June 1945 (London Gazette 13th July 1945).

On the 21st May 1947 he was transferred to the Secretarial Branch as a temporary Flt Lt. (London Gazette 1st July 1947). He was granted the substantive rank of Flt Lt. effective 11th June 1947 (London Gazette 13th January 1948).On the 9th February 1949 he was appointed to a Short Service Commission (5 years on the active list and 4 years on the reserve) and reverted to the substantive rank of Fg Off. (London Gazette 8th March 1949).

He was promoted to Flt Lt. effective 4th January 1951 (London Gazette 10th April 1951).

His period of service on the active list was extended to 6 years effective 9th February 1949 (London Gazette 20th October 1953).

He was transferred to the reserve on the 13th March 1955 (London Gazette 22nd March 1955). He relinquished in commission retaining the rank of Flt Lt. on the 9th February 1959 (London Gazette 12th May 1959).

Joseph passed away during 2004 in Hawick, Roxburghshire, Scotland

The BBC People's War Archives printed this back in November 2003. Mr. John Horton sent it in to us with the hope that relatives of Fg Off. Joseph Edward Hounam DFM will make contact as he is researching the period he spent with 10 Squadron.

If anyone has anything further we would appreciate contact with Aircrew Remembered and we will forward details on to John

"This story was taken from a journal that my father-in-law kept - he is still alive at 93 but can't remember which unit he belonged to. He was a bomb aimer in a Halifax bomber and on the night of 24th May 1944 he was shot down over Aachen. We don't have all of his journal, as it was lost when he was taken hostage during the Suez crisis. The night in question was his 39th trip - 15th in his second tour. The pilot was "Rev" and "Wally" the navigator." (note: now identified in this report)

"That night had been ideal for a bombing run, he had checked over his bomb switch panel, set up his bomb light and was all set to release his load as soon as the PFF marker flares appeared in line with the graticule, when the plane was hit. One wing was on fire and there was no hope of putting it out.

The command was given to get parachutes ready and jettison the load. With the load gone they baled out.

The following explosion blew the plane apart propelling jock far enough to allow him to open his parachute. When he landed, he was in an already burnt out building and was able to "enjoy" the next 5-10 minutes of a night bombing raid.

He tried to make his way in a westerly direction towards holland. He found a railway line but to his consternation target indicator flares started to drop and he deduced that the railway he had crossed was probably part of the nights pickings for Butch Harris's boys.

He spent the next 30 hours travelling and hiding, living on the chocolate from his pandoro and the occasional yeast tablet. There was a small compass in the escape kit but it wasn't functioning properly and by the time he had used his last purifying pellet he reckoned he must be in Holland.

He found himself on the edge of a village and thinking he was safe walked through the streets. He was soon the centre of attention and ended up at the police station, a small affair but it seemed like quite an event to receive a PoW.

A motorbike and sidecar transferred him to a Luftwaffe camp where he was questioned and informed that another airman had been brought in. It was the rear gunner (Don Stewart) of his crew but they endeavoured to show no signs of recognition.

They were taken a railway station, he thought near Gladbach and from there to Cologne, and an aerodrome a few miles away. Here they were given quarters in an old carpenters shed. It had been equipped with several 3 tier beds. 6 USAAF men were already there as, to jock and Don’s surprise their other gunner. They were permanently guarded here, and were taken to be interrogated by the officers in charge.

They stayed for two days before being taken to Cologne station where they journeyed south along the rhine towards Frankfurt and their final destination a Dulag Luft. They seemed to have adequate German rations and were able to view the holiday makers making the most of the fine warm weather.

Dulag was a mile or so walk from the train - this was the last time he would see his companions. He was put in a cell with a member of the Fleet Air Arm - they held a guarded conversation until they realised they were in the same boat. There was only one paillasse (mattress) in the cell so they took turn about between it and the floor. Jock was taken for interrogation and put into solitary confinement. He spent at least 11 days there and was described by the senior intelligence officer as the most stubborn Scotsman he had met.

On the thirteenth day he was released from the cell and with a batch of about a hundred PoW’s transferred to a transit camp near Wetzler where they were each provided with a suitcase marked red cross - this was like receiving a birthday present or Christmas present, for it contained many of the things they had gone without. They were able to have a shower and shave on entering the compound and accommodation was in tents. PoW kitchen staff provided food, an assortment of potatoes, tinned meat, prunes, raisin stew, biscuits, cheese, jam, coffee and the American favourite chocolate and raisin pie.

They learned they would stay at this camp until sufficient PoW officers arrived to move them to their final destination. Seven days of rest and good food went a long way to restoring their physical state. They needed it, for their next journey was to Sagan and the camp to which they were destined".

“This is where the surviving bit of the journal comes to an end. This is very much an abbreviated version and we don't know anything about the rest of the story as Jock didn't speak about the war”.

Flt Sgt. John Howard ‘Jack’ Reavill DFM 1185888 flew his first Tour on 10 Sqn with Sqn Ldr. Stanley A. Somerscale DFC. Sgt. Joseph Edward ‘Joe’ Hounam was on his crew. His second Tour pilot was with Flt Lt. Ralph 'Rev' Reavill, who was Flt Sgt. John H. Reavill’s cousin.

Above Sgt. Hounam DFM sent to Flt Sgt. ‘Jack’ Reavill DFM in August 1943 (Courtesy of Paul Markham)

(4) Sgt. Spriggs was captured in Aachen that day and was then transferred to Dulag Luft, Oberursel where he was held in solitary confinement and interrogation for the next ten (10) days. On the 6th June he was transferred to Stalag Luft 7, Bankau nr. Kreuzburg.

On the 19th January 1945, he was amongst the 1,500 prisoners were 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 10th February they reached Stalag 3A located 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 was interviewed on the 22nd May 1945.

Frank Albert Spriggs was born on the 27th September 1924in Barnet, Hertfordshire. He was employed as a Toolmaker Improver prior to enlisting in the RAFVR on the 6th May 1943. He emigrated to the United States on the 20th December 1955. Frank passed away on the 8th March 1955 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, United States.

(5) Flt Sgt. Stewart was captured in Aachen on the 27th May 1944 after hiding in haystacks for 2 days. He was then transferred to Dulag Luft, Oberursel where he was held in solitary confinement and interrogation for the next nine (9) days. On the 6th June he was transferred to Stalag Luft 7, Bankau nr. Kreuzburg.

On the 19th January 1945, he was amongst the 1,500 prisoners were 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 10th February they reached Stalag 3A located 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 was interviewed on the 23rd May 1945.

Flt Sgt. Stewart was appointed to a commission and promoted to J86835 Plt Off. and then to Fg Off.

Donald Alexander Stewart was born on the 29th May 1922 in Nova Scotia, Canada. He was a farmer prior to enlisting in the RCAF on the 19th August 1942. No further information found on-line.

Burial Details:

Some of the crew originally buried at Field 38 in the Military Cemetery, Aachen. Reinterred in March 1949 in the CWGC Cemetery at Rheinberg.

Flt Lt. Ralph 'Rev' Reavill. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 31.G.6. Grave Inscription: “NEVER WAS SO MUCH OWED BY SO MANY, TO SO FEW”. Born on the 30th January 1917 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire. Son of John and Florence Margaret (née Bailey) Reavill of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England.

Flt Lt. Cedric Charles Fox DFM. Rheinberg War Cemetery. Grave 6.A.10. Born on the 25th June 1915 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire. Son of Charles Robinson and Frances Mary (née Maude) Fox of the Bromley Arms (Licenced Victualler) in Fiskerton, Nottinghamshire, England.

Fg Off. Walter James 'Wally' Rogers. Rheinberg War Cemetery. Grave 6.A.1. Born on the 25th June 1914 in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Son of Walter and Bessie Ottaway (née Hood) Rogers of Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Husband to Dorothy Julia (née Tooley) Rogers of Orpington, Kent, England.

Father to Colin Howard Walter Rogers who later served in the RAF as a Flight Engineer aboard the Maritime Nimrod MR.

Flt Sgt. Robert Edward Hardwick. Rheinberg War Cemetery. Grave 6.A.2. Born in April 1917 in Ledbury, Herefordshire. Son of William Charles and Rhona Emily (née Griffiths) Harwick of West Malvern, Worcestershire. Husband to Glenis May (née Gardner) Harwick of Upton, Worcestershire, England.

Researched for relatives of the crew with thanks for additional information to Dave Tooley, from California for detailed information and photographs on the navigator, Fg Off. Wally Walters. Also to John Horton for information and support. David Brown for the Memorial photograph at Lissett. Thanks to John Jones for the Nachtjagd Combat Archives information. Other updates by Aircrew Remembered (Nov 2020). Reviewed and updated by Aircrew Remembered with new information and images (Jul 2025).

Other sources listed below:

References:

1. The Long Road: Trials and Tribulations of Airmen Prisoners from Bankau to Berlin, June 1944-May 1945 by Oliver Clutton-Brock, Ray Crompton: Published by Grub Street 2013. ISBN No: 978-1909166202.

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