Operation: Duisburg

Date: 06/07th September 1942 (Sunday/Monday)

Unit: No. 75 (NZ) Squadron (motto: Ake ake kia kaha - 'For ever and ever be strong'). 3 Group

Type: Wellington III

Serial: BJ765

Code: AA-L

Base: RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk

Location:

Pilot: Sgt. George William Sharman NZ/412746 Age 27. Killed

Obs: Sgt. Norman Priestly Saul NZ/411730 RNZAF Age 30. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: P/O. George William Alfred Mills NZ/411769 RNZAF Age 27. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Claude Joseph Frederick Jarvis NZ/411722 RNZAF Age 22. Killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Thomas Edward Coles NZ/40161 RNZAF Age 28. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Cloud and haze were present and the bombing was not concentrated. But Duisburg reports its heaviest raid to date, with 114 buildings destroyed and 316 seriously damaged, 86 people were killed.

During the return trip understood to have been shot down by Hptm. Walter Ehle but also claimed by Ofw. Wilhelm Beiert, both of 9./NJG2 flying the Me110 over Tilburg at 04:53 hrs. (Information courtesy Theo Boiten - other publications describe they crashed at holterhof)

The squadron lost another crew on this operation; Wellington X3867 Flown by 31 year old, Fl/Sgt. William Ronald Parkes NZ/403822 RNZAF - all five New Zealand crew killed.

Burial and personal details details:

Sgt. George William Sharman. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 16.F.12. Born on the 23rd February 1915 at Huntly. Worked as a plumber for G. C Richards of Whangarei. Enlisted at Levin on the 04th May 1941. Initial training at No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School joining on the 14th June 1941 then to No. 3 Flying Training School on 26th July 1941. Pilots badge awarded on the 18th October 1941 and promoted to sergeant.

Embarked for England on the 17th November 1941. After serving with various units joined 11 Operational Training Unit on the 24th March 1942. Joined 75 squadron on the 12th August 1942. Son of George Edward Sharman (died 31st May 1980), and of Ada Helen Sharman (nee Carseldine - died 23rd August 1958), of Whangarei, Auckland, New Zealand. A total of 294 flying hours logged and on his 04th operational sortie.

Sgt. Norman Priestly Saul. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 16.F.8-10. Born on the 12th August 1912 at Transvaal, South Africa. Worked as a surveyor/draughtsman for Public Works Department at Whangarei. Enlisted on the 16th March 1941 at Levin. Embarked for Canada on the26th May 1941. Awarded observer badge and promoted to sergeant on the 25th October 1941.

Embarked for England 08th July 1942. After serving with various units joined 11 Operational Training Unit on the 12th May 1942. Joined 75 squadron on the 12th August 1942. Son of Walter Saul (died 16th June 1947, age 66), and of Eleanor Louisa Saul (née Holton - died 23rd December 1985, both buried at Maunu Cemetery, Whangārei), of Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa. Later of Whangarei, Auckland, New Zealand. A total of 230 flying hours logged and on his 04th operational sortie.

P/O. George William Alfred Mills. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 16.F.8-10. Born on the 11th August 1915 at Rauaroa. Worked as a self employed labourer in the Danneville area. Member of Wairarapa and obtained his 'A' licence on the 24th February 1938. Enlisted at 15th March 1941 at Levin. Embarked for Canada on the 29th April 1941. Awarded his air gunner badge on the 24th November 1941 and his commission.

Embarked for England on the 13th December 1941. After serving with various units joined 11 Operational Training Unit on the 13th May 1942. Joined 75 squadron on the 12th August 1942. Son of William George Thomas Mills (died 26th April 1970, age 85) and of Caroline Helen Mills (née Hall - died 04th October 1978, age 89 - both buried at Mangatera Cemetery, Dannevirke), of Dannevirke, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. A total of 106 flying hours logged and on his 04th operational sortie.

Sgt. Claude Joseph Frederick Jarvis. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 16.F.8-10. Also remembered on family grave at Taita Old Cemetery, Naenae. Born on the 19th June 1920 at Hastings. He had been picked as Captain to the NZ Under 21 Team to Australia when war intervened. Worked as a compositor for Whitcombe and Tombs in Wellington. Enlisted on the 15th March 1941 at Levin. Embarked for Canada on the 26th May 1941. Awarded air gunner badge and promoted to sergeant 22nd November 1941.

Embarked for England on the 13th December 1941. After serving with various units joined 11 Operational Training Unit on the 15th May 1942. Joined 75 squadron on the 12th August 1942. Son of Frederick Joseph Jarvis (died 10th October 1964, age 75), and of Blanche Jarvis (née Ball - died 21st April 1971, age 79 - both buried at Taita Old Cemetery, Naenae), of Hastings, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. A total of 95 flying hours logged and on his 03rd operational sortie.

Sgt. Thomas Edward Coles. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 16.F.11. Born on the 09th July 1914 at Wellington. Worked as a warehouseman for Joseh Lucas at Auckland. Enlisted on the 12th January 1940. Initial training at No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School joining on the 01st March 1940. Embarked for Canada on the 18th June 1941. Awarded air gunner badge and promoted to sergeant 16th March 1942.

Embarked for England on the 01st April 1942. After serving with various units joined 11 Operational Training Unit on the 28th April 1942. Slightly injured in aircraft crash when Wellington IC X3173 stalled and came down near Ashwell, Hertfordshire on the 29th June 1942 (3 crew killed). Joined 75 squadron on the 12th August 1942. Son of Thomas (died 22nd April 1961, age 85) and Margaret Ann Joseph Coles (née De Freitas - died 25th May 1955 - both buried at Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson), of Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand. A total of 66 flying hours logged and on his 02nd operational sortie.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. Theo Boiten 'Nachtagd Combat Arcive The Early Years, Part 3'. Kieran Williams for photo, 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

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