Operation: Gelsenberg-Benzin Works, Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Date: 12th/13th June 1944 (Monday/Tuesday)

Unit No: 115 Squadron, 3 Group, Bomber Command

Type: Lancaster I

Serial: HK545

Code: KO:E

Base: RAF Witchford, Cambridgeshire

Location: NW of Duisburg, Germany

Pilot: Sqn Ldr. Wallace Gordon Shadforth DFC, 61040 RAFVR Age 25. KiA

Flt Eng: Sgt. Alfred Joseph Veale DFM, 1853807 RAFVR Age 26. KiA

Nav: Flt Sgt. Ronald Parkyn 1393242 RAFVR Age 22. KiA

Bomb Aimer: Fg Off. Gordon Christopher Townend 422765 RAAF Age 32. KiA

WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. Robert Walter Thomas Weir DFM, 1370487 RAFVR Age 24. KiA

Air Gnr (Mid Upp): Fg Off. Ian William Entwistle 41400 RNZAF Age 22. KiA

Air Gnr (Rear): Flt Sgt. Anthony Frederick William Farley 1382100 RAFVR Age 23. KiA

Above: The Aviator Certificate and his image from the Royal Aero Club of Great Britain for Sqn Ldr. Wallace G Shadforth DFC

Above left to right: Fg Off. Gordon C. Townend (from his Service Record), Fg Off. Ian W. Entwistle, Flt Sgt. Anthony F.W. Farley

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took-off at 23:32 hrs from RAF Witchford, Cambridgeshire to attack the Nordstein Oil plant at Gelsenkirchen. Part of a force of 286 Lancasters and a further 17 Mosquitos.

Very heavy losses received on this raid with 17 Lancasters lost. Crew killed: 108, PoW: 6, Evaded capture: 6. Damage inflicted was huge - 1,500 bombs hit the target owing to the fine work from the pathfinders. The plant was damaged to the extent that oil production ceased for several weeks with the loss of 1,000 litres of precious aviation fuel every day. 270 were killed during the attack both at the plant and nearby Horst.

HK545 was claimed by Hptm. Enst-Wilhelm Modrow from 1./NJG1, his 20th Abschuss and 2nd of three this night, NW of Duisburg at 01:31 hrs. Probably also claimed by Flak but no record has been found. (Nachtjagd Combat Archive (12 May 1944 - 23 July 1944) Part 3 - Theo Boiten)

Maj. Modrow survived the war and was credited with twenty-eight (28) confirmed Abschüsse with five (5) awaiting confirmation. (Nachtjagd Combat Archive - Biographies - Theo Boiten)

The DFC for Sqn Ldr. Shadforth and the DFMs for Sgt. Veale and Sgt. Walker were awarded for the operation on the 24th April 1944 to bomb targets at Karlsruhe. Lancaster I ND800, KO:C, captained by Flt Lt. Shadforth took-off at 22:00 hrs on the 24th April 1944. The aircraft sustained damage as a result of Flak and an enemy night-fighter. Three crew were injured but the aircraft was successfully brought back and landed at RAF Manston.

The DFC for Sqn Ldr. Shadforth and the DFMs for Sgt. Veale and Sgt. Walker were awarded for the operation on the 24th April 1944 to bomb targets at Karlsruhe. Lancaster I ND800, KO:C, captained by Flt Lt. Shadforth took-off at 22:00 hrs on the 24th April 1944. The aircraft sustained damage as a result of Flak and an enemy night-fighter. Three crew were injured but the aircraft was successfully brought back and landed at RAF Manston.

The following Citation was promulgated in the London Gazette on the 9th June 1944:

“This officer and these airmen were pilot, flight engineer and wireless operator (air) respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Karlsruhe one night in April, 1944. Early on the outward flight some navigational equipment became useless. This did not deter Flight Lieutenant Shadforth who continued to the target and executed a successful attack. On the return flight the aircraft was attacked by a fighter and sustained much damage.

The throttle connections of the 2 outer engines were severed, a portion of the starboard elevator was shot away, the oxygen supply was affected and 3 members of the crew, including Sergeant Weir, were wounded. Nevertheless, Flight Lieutenant Shadforth evaded the attacker and set course for home. Meanwhile, Sergeant Veale went to the assistance of the rear gunner who was trapped in his turret. Despite the lack of oxygen, he worked strenuously to hack away the doors of the turret in order to extricate his wounded comrade to whom he rendered efficient first aid. Despite his injuries, Sergeant Weir remained at his post fully determined to assist his pilot in every way in his endeavours to reach home.

Eventually, Flight Lieutenant Shadforth reached base where he effected a masterly landing. This officer displayed a high degree of skill, courage and resolution. Sergeants Veale and Weir also proved themselves to be a valiant and resolute member of aircraft crew, rendering invaluable 'assistance to his pilot in his endeavours to fly the aircraft home.”

The injured crew were the Bomb Aimer, Fg Off. N. Baker; Mid-Upper Gunner Sgt. T. Sharpe and the Rear Gunner Sgt. W. Bradley, R207257 of the RCAF. The three were stood down for the mission that saw the loss of their former crew.

Above: Flt Sgt. Farley, as a recruit, seated 1st from the left. Also shown below.

We do have a card of the names shown on the upper photograph . If you feel that you recognise them please contact the Help Desk.

Burial details:

Above: Reichswald Forest War-Cemetery (Courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission)

Sqn Ldr. Wallace Gordon Shadforth DFC. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Grave 19.F.16. Grave Inscription: "THEIRS NOT TO MAKE REPLY, THEIRS NOT TO REASON WHY, THEIRS BUT TO DO AND DIE". Son of William and Emily Harriett (née Chamberlain) Shadforth of Romford, Essex, England.

Sgt. Alfred Joseph Veale DFM. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Grave 19.G.17. Grave Inscription: ‘EVER REMEMBERED BY KITTY AND JOHN, HIS LOVING WIFE AND SON’. Son of Joseph and Caroline Veale. Husband of Catherine Veale of Bristol, England.

Flt Sgt. Ronald Parkyn. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Grave 13.C.9. Grave Inscription: ‘IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR SON WHOSE DUTY NOW IS DONE. HE WAS LOVED BY EVERYONE’. Born in 4th Qtr of 1921 in Islington, Middlesex. Son of William James and Naomi (née Sandle) Parkyn of Crouch Hill Middlesex, England.

Fg Off. Gordon Christopher Townend. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 19.G.14. Grave Inscription: ‘HIS DUTY FEARLESSLY AND NOBLY DONE. EVER REMEMBERED’. Born on the 22nd November 1911 in Thornaby-on-Tees, Yorkshire. The son of Sherwood and Elizabeth Mary (née Stockton) Townend of Banbury, Oxfordshire, England.

Sgt. Robert Walter Thomas Weir DFM. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Grave 19.F.17. Grave Inscription: "I HOPE TO SEE MY PILOT FACE TO FACE WHEN I HAVE CROST THE BAR". Son of William and Isabella Weir of Motherwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Fg Off. Ian William Entwistle. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 19.G.18. Born on the 9th December 1921. Son of William and of Ella Margaret (née Townsend) Entwistle of Hawera, Taranaki, New Zealand.

Flt Sgt. Anthony Frederick William Farley. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Grave 13.C.10. Grave Inscription: ‘OUR DARLING SON WHO DIED FOR PEACE. "GOD REST HIS BRAVE SOUL" MOTHER, FATHER AND BROTHER’. Son of William Arthur and Rose Ann Farley of South Lambeth, London, England.

Researched by Kelvin Youngs (Webmaster) and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Amanda McFadgen (née Smart) relative of Fg Off. Entwistle and Terence Farley, relative of Flt Sgt. Farley (Aug 2017). Thanks to Graham Butler for the correction to name of Sqn Ldr. Shadforth (Jun 2020). Thanks to Paul Markham for the PPL images (May 2025). Reviewed and updated by Aircrew Remembered (May 2025).

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