Operation: Bremen

Date: 29/30th June 1942 (Tuesday/Wednesday)

Unit: No. 15 Squadron

Type: Stirling I

Serial: N3757

Code: LS-G

Base: RAF Wyton, near St. Ives, Cambridgeshire

Location: Hartward, Germany

Pilot: Sq/Ldr. Ian Gordon Richmond DFC. MiD. 39898 RAF PoW No: 478 Camp: Stalag Luft Sagan (L3) (note)

Fl/Eng: Sgt. Basil Bernard Finn 568958 RAFVR PoW No: 24966 Camp: Stalag Lamsdorf (344)

Nav: P/O. Francis Edward Scott 123193 RAFVR PoW No: 479 Camp: Stalag Luft Sagan (L3)

Air/Bmr: Sgt. V.H. Rainbow 1266932 RAFVR PoW No: 24996 Camp: Stalag Lamsdorf (344)

W/Op/Air/Gnr: F/O. R.W. Smith 642180 RAFVR PoW No: 2362 Camp: Stalag Kopernikus (357)

Air/Gnr: Sgt. A. McLeod 1022755 RAFVR PoW No: 24939 Camp: Stalag Kopernikus (357)

Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. N.G. Potter 744931 RAFVR PoW No: 24968 Camp: Stalag Lamsdorf (344)

We understand that this Sirling was partially recovered in or around 1982 and that personal items were recovered belonging to Sq/Ldr. Richmond - the family would appreciate any further details of this?

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off from RAF Wyton joining 252 other aircraft (107 Wellingtons, 64 Lancasters, 47 Stirlings, 34 Halifaxes). This was the first time that 4 engined bombers made up more than half of the force on a major raid.

48 houses were destroyed and 934 damaged. “Extensive damage” was caused to 5 important war industries including the Focke-Wulf factory and the A.G. Weser U-boat construction yard. Also damaged were the local gas works, a museum and a merchant navy college. Most of this damage was caused by fire. The casualties in Bremen are not mentioned.

Understood to have been hit by anti-aircraft fire crashing at Hartward in Germany.

(note)

Mention in Despatches Citation London Gazette 11.06.1942:

"For distinguished service. Served as OC 1501 BAT Flight RAF (Oxford) mid-1941-May 1942".

DFC Citation London Gazette 24.07.1941:

"This officer has served with his squadron since 1938 and for the past year has commanded a flight with conspicuous keenness and leadership. On the night of the 7th May, 1941, he dived through heavy and accurate flak to obtain a direct hit on the Gneisenau at Brest. He has, at all times, provided an example of efficiency, courage and devotion to duty".

Ian Gordon Richmond DFC. MiD. Sadly passed away on Tuesday 8th June 1982 age just 66.

Burial details:

None - all crew survived as Pow's.

Researched for Jenifer Everett who contacted Aircrew Remembered January 2018. Page dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to sources as shown below.

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