Operation: Juvisy-su-Orge, France

Date: 18th/19th April 1944 (Tuesday/Wednesday)

Unit No: 9 Squadron, 3 Group, Bomber Command

Type: Lancaster III

Serial: LM361

Code: WS:T

Base: RAF Bardney, Lincolnshire

Location: Longjumeau, south of Paris

Pilot: Fg Off. James Arthur Smith 413909 RAAF Age 21. Evader (1)

Flt Eng: Sgt. Ronald Wilson 1676659 RAFVR Age? KiA

Nav: Flt Sgt. Dennis Elvet Moss 1578638 RAFVR Age 21. KiA

Bomb Aimer: Sgt. Charles Henry Theodore Martin 1315761 RAFVR Age 21. Evader (2)

WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. Frank Heath 1337216 RAFVR Age 22. KiA

Air Gnr (Mid Upp): Fg Off. Kevin William Light DFM 402447 RAAF Age 23. Id No 78381 *, PoW No. 8057 ** (3)

Air Gnr (Rear): Sgt. Dudley Clive Bates 426426 RAAF Age 20. KiA

* Buchenwald concentration camp established on Ettersberg hill near Weimer, Germany in July 1937.

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

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the night of the 18th April 1944 LM361 took off from RAF Bardney at 21:11 hrs to join a force of 202 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitoes to bomb the railway facilities at Juvisy-su-Orge in the southern suburbs of Paris.

LM361 was the only aircraft lost on this mission which appeared to be totally successful.

The last contact with the aircraft was when it was heard on the W/T at 23:30 hrs, at which time a plot taken fixed the aircraft 18 km (11 mls) SE of Paris.

The circumstances leading to the loss of the aircraft and crew was provided in the following statement made by Fg Off. Light DFM:

“They had just left the target when a loud explosion was heard and it was presumed that the aircraft had been hit by flak. The Pilot called us the crew on the intercom receiving acknowledgment from all members except Sergeant Bates. Two inboard motors were on fire and the Pilot attempted to extinguish the fire without success. He then instructed the crew to bale out receiving acknowledgement from the navigator and the bomb aimer before the intercom became unserviceable. The Pilot held the aircraft for approximately three minutes when he himself abandoned at a height of 3,000 feet. The aircraft was losing height but was still under control up to the time he left. He saw no members of the crew after he landed and heard no news of their fate from any source”.

Note: Although Sgt. Martin was also of the opinion this was an exploding Flak shell, it was also possible that it was their own photoflash detonating prematurely, which was not uncommon occurrence because of faulty fuses.

The aircraft crashed on the railway line just outside of Longjumeau, a village 20 km (12½ mls) south of Paris.

(1) Fg Off. Smith came down in open country somewhere in the area of Paray-Vielle-Poste, which is some 16 km (10 mls) south of the centre of Paris. He hid his parachute and flying kit and then walked south for about 16 km (10 mls). He then hid in some trees near a farmhouse until noon on the 19th April. He was discovered by a local French woman and after he explained in his schoolboy French who he was she went away and returned with some food. That night the woman returned with more food and he then continued to walk south. After about 15-20 km (9-12 mls) he stopped and slept sleep in a field.

He awoke at dawn the next day and was very hungry and decided to approached the first farmer he came across. The man he approached lived in Saint-Michel-sur-Orge where he was hidden for the next two days.

On the 22nd April his host gave him a ragged coat which he wore over his uniform and was told to take the train to Dourdan, which is some 24 km (15 mls) to the SW as the crow flies. While he was trying to buy a ticket the girl in the booking office asked him to produce his identity card. As he did not possess one he told her that he was in the RAF. She thereupon gave him a ticket free of charge.

The train did not go further than Dourdan. Exiting the station he saw a street sign labelled “ÉTAMPES, 18 km” so he decided to walk there. He passed through La Forêt-Le-Roi but when he reached Étampes he saw that it was full of Germans and decided not to risk the train station. Instead he carried on through the town for a further 20 km (12 mls) and at nightfall slept in a haystack.

The next day, on the 23rd April, he followed the main road to Méréville and spent that night in the open. The following morning he bought a train ticket and took a train to Vierzon. Arriving there he walked round the town for some time asking various people where the Demarcation Line was but did not get an answer.

The Demarcation Line was the border between German occupied France and the Vichy controlled “Free Zone” of France.

He was just about to take a drink from a tap when a woman came out of the house. He asked her if she minded him taking a drink to which she beckoned into her house. There he met her 19 year old son who immediately recognised who he was. He brought out a bottle of wine, provided him with a meal, and offered him a bed.

His hostess told him that she knew someone in Paris whom she thought could get him back to the UK. He was told that he would be leaving in 12 days time. On about the 9th day his hostess’s son was on a bus on the way to market when he saw four people whom he thought were British airmen. He approached one of them and asked if he in the RAF. This man turned out to be a Canadian Flt Lt. (name unknown) who admitted that he and his three companions were all aviators. The boy then told them about Fg Off. Smith and asked them if they could help. The Flt Lt. said that he would and added that the would come for him in 2 days time and also send a telegram. After 3 days neither the Flt Lt. nor the telegram had arrived, so the boy and Fg Off. Smith went out to try and get in touch with him again.

They were unsuccessful but on their way home they ran into the unnamed Canadian Flt Lt. who was coincidently on his way to collect him. He took him back with him to Orville, which is some 66 km (41 mls) south of Paris, where he met Plt Off. Hoare, a Lt. Swanson from the USAAF and Plt Off. Murphy. Fg Off. Smith and Plt Off. Hoare remained together from this point forward.

Plt Off. Ronald George Hoare 53948 RAFVR and Plt Off. David Raymond Murphy 169196 were the Flight Engineer and Bomb Aimer respectively from 12 Sqn, Lancaster III JB650 which was lost on a mission to Berlin on the night of the 27/28.01.1944 (4 Evd, 3 PoW). Plt Off. Hoare successfully evaded with Fg Off. Smith but Plt Off. Murphy was captured near Tourbes in Southern France on the 12th May 1944 and sent to Stalag Luft 1, Barth;

1st Lt. Donald E. Swanson O-748270 USAAF was the pilot from 333rd Bombardment Sqn (H), 94th Bombardment Group (H), B-17G 42-31946 'Esky' lost on 20th April 1944 on a mission to bomb V-1 sites on the Pas-de-Calais (9 PoW, 1 Evd). He was captured and sent to Stalag Luft 3, Sagan-Silesia.

The details of their journey through France, across the frontier into Spain and onto Gibraltar are not known. However, what is know was that they left Gibraltar by air on the 24th June 1944 and arrived at RAF Whitchurch the next day. They were interviewed on the 25th June 1944.

Upon his return to the UK Fg Off. Smith was posted onto 608 (North Riding) Sqn flying Mosquitos.

On the 5th October 1944 flying Mosquito B.XX KB350 6T:B (to be confirmed) on a mission to Berlin his Mosquito was hit by Flak disabling an engine. He was awarded an immediate Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his action in returning to RAF Downham Market. London Gazette 19th December 1944.

Citation: "One night in October, 1944, this officer piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Berlin. After bombing the target his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. Extensive damage was sustained. The starboard engine was put out of action. The windscreen on the port side was shattered. The air speed indicator and most of the navigational aids were rendered unserviceable. The hydraulic system was damaged whilst the fuselage was riddled by fragments of shrapnel. Control was temporarily lost and much height was lost before Flying Officer Smith succeeded in levelling out. Even then, the aircraft was very difficult to control but this determined pilot flew it to this country and effected a successful crash landing. Flying Officer Smith displayed skill, courage and devotion to duty of a high order".

On the 10th October 1944 he was flying Mosquito B.XXV KB404 6T:T on a mission to Köln. Shortly after take off from RAF Downham Market at 18:12 the port engine failed at 100 feet. Exercising considerable skill Fg Off. Smith force-landed in a field at 18:14 hrs. He and his Navigator Sgt. John Burchell RAFVR 508278, emerged unscathed.

On cessation of hostilities he returned to Australia and continued serving in the RAAF.

As a Flt Lt. he was awarded the French Croix de Guerre. Promulgated in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on the 16th March 1950.

Promoted to Wg Cdr. (post WW2 service number O22022) and was appointed as the Commanding Officer of 11 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond.

11 Sqn was operating the Lockheed P-2 Neptune maritime reconnaissance aircraft with the last flight of the type in late 1967. The squadron moved to RAAF Base Edinburgh to be re-equipped with the Lockheed P-3B Orion aircraft. He was discharged from the RAAF as a Wing Commander on the 30th June 1967.

James Arthur Smith was born on the 4th November 1922 in Chatswood, New South Wales. He passed away on the 3rd August 1982.

(2) Sgt. Martin baled out at 4000 feet. About 10 seconds later and before he had landed the aircraft hit the ground. He doubted that all of the crew managed to bale out in time.

By the 20th April he was in contact with the Resistance and spent the next 5½ weeks hiding in southern suburbs of Paris. His helpers had told him that air passage to the UK had been arranged for him on the 20th May. However, on the day the guide failed to arrive and he remained in hiding. He was later informed that the reason for the cancellation was that the invasion was imminent.

On the 29th May he was moved to Paris and on the 10th June to a block flats where he met Fg Off. Croquet and Flt Sgt. L.N. Clay. The following morning the three airmen were taken to the Gare d’Austerlitz railway station where two American airmen, Flight Officer (FO) Barr and S/Sgt. Sidders joined the party along with two guides who told them that they were going to a camp in Châteaudun.

Fg Off. Jean L.J.C. Croquet 159234 RAFVR who was lost on a Ramrod 545 to France on the 11th February 1944, flying Spitfire VB, AB175 GE:U of 349 (Belgian) Sqn;

Flt Sgt. Lawrence N. ‘Larry’ Clay 157438 RAFVR was the Tail Gunner from Stirling III, EH942 HA:M of 218 Sqn which was shot down on the night of the 22nd/23rd April 1944 (2 KiA, 5 Evd);

FO. Stuart K. Barr T-61270 USAAF was the Co-Pilot from B-24H #42-64447 of the 714th Bombardment Squadron (H), 448th Bombardment Group (H) which was lost on the 20th March 1944 (9 PoW, 1 Evd);

S/Sgt. Robert E. Sidders 18017557 USAAF was the Radio Operator from B-17G #42-37984 of the 326th Bombardment Squadron (H), 92 Bombardment Group (H) which was shot down on the 8th February 1944. (1 PoW, 9 Evd).

The party caught the train to Dourdan, arriving there on the 14th June, and were met by a truck which took them to the camp.

Note: This was an Allied camp in the Forêt Fréteval near Châteaudun and was part of ‘Operation Marathon’ which was a plan to hide evading Allied airmen in secret camps in France and Belgium. The Forêt Fréteval camp was code named ‘Operation Sherwood’ and eventually held more than 130 Allied airmen. The camp was scheduled to be liberated on the 11th August 1944.

On the 13th August Sgt. Martin along with a 2nd Lt. Boggan and Sgt. McCarthy left to find their own way to the Allied lines. They made contact with US Forces the next day. It was not until the 18th August that they managed to get on an airlift to the UK. Sgt. Martin was interviewed on the 20th August 1944.

2nd Lt. Thomas L. Boggan O-691612 USAAF was the Bombardier from B-24H #42-95043 of the 328th Bombardment Squadron, 93rd Bombardment Group. (6 Rtd, 2 PoW, 1 Evd);

Sgt. N.J. McCarthy 1455735 RAFVR was the Flight Engineer from Halifax III LV973 of 429 (Bison) Sqn, RCAF lost on the 10th June 1944 on a mission to Versailles. (1 KiA, 6 Evd).

Charles Henry Theodore Martin was born on the 13th January 1923 in Cardiff. He passed away on the 13th January 2008 in Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales.

(3) Fg Off. Light DFM in his own words: ”Shot down on 19th April 1944. Escaped and wandered around France till July 7th 1944 when I was arrested by the Gestapo”.

On this day, along with S/Sgt. John Hanson and FO. Jack Chalot he was picked up at La Prélude, Picadilly Hotel in Paris, by Desoubrie.

Desoubrie was Jean-Jacques was a Belgian traitor named Jaques Desoubrie (Jean-Jacques, Jean Masson, Jean Decan and Pierre Boulain were aliases) who had infiltrated the Réseau Comète (Comet Line) escape route in Brussels and Paris. He was responsible for the Nazis rounding up dozen of members of the Réseau Comète and Allied airmen. He was finally captured and stood accused at a French military trial in Lille. He was convicted and condemned to death for having participated in the capture and assassination of members of the resistance and for sending Allied military to their deaths in violation of the Geneva convention. He was executed by firing squad;

S/Sgt. John P. Hanson 32518092 USAAF was the Togglier from B-17G #42-31295 lost on a Mission to Frankfurt on the 4th February 1944 (7 PoW, 3 Evd);

Flight Officer (FO) John Andre Chalot T-223068 USAAF was the Pilot from P-51B #43-6554 shot down on the 11th March 1944.

They were then transferred to Fresnes prison which was located to the south of Paris and was where French political prisoners were held and ordinarily Allied airmen, after questioning, were moved to a PoW Camp. In the summer of 1944, with the Allies having liberated Paris and closing in, the Gestapo guards started reducing the prison population by execution, and then relocating surviving prisoners to various concentration camps east of France. On the 15th August 1944 they was amongst 169 Allied PoWs and hundreds of French men and women who were packed into a freight train and transported to Buchenwald concentration camp on a journey lasting five days. Buchenwald was located 8 km (5 mls) north of Weimar, in the German province of Thüringen. It was established and administered by the Schutzstaffel (SS).

Fg Off. Joel Mathews ‘Tex’ Stevenson C27788 RCAF, the pilot of 419 (Moose) Squadron, RCAF Lancaster X KB727 VR:H escaped from the train and successfully evaded.

Sqn Ldr. Lamason and Fg Off. Chapman succeeded in getting all but two of the Allied PoWs transferred to Stalag Luft 3. Two airmen, 1st Lt. Levitt Clinton Beck Jr. O-736945, US AAF and Fg Off. Philip Derek Hemmens, 152583, RAFVR died in the sick barrack.

Recognition:

For decades the International Red Cross (IRC) had stated that there were no military personnel in Buchenwald despite the overwhelming documentary and anecdotal evidence. It was not until 1988 that the IRC eventually confirmed the airmen were illegally held at Buchenwald.

The Australian, New Zealand and Canadian governments also consistently denied that any of their service personnel were ever held in concentration camps and refused to investigate the claims made by a 'mere’ handful of men.

Reparations were made to the British airmen who had been illegally held at Buchenwald in 1965. Eventually in 1988 the Australian, New Zealand and it is believed the Canadian governments acknowledged that their airmen had been illegally held in concentration camps.

American airmen were among those receiving compensation and the US Air force have acknowledged the Buchenwald airmen with an exhibit at the Air Force Museum, albeit the airmen are shown in uniform rather than in civilian attire. Furthermore, there is no mention of decades-long denial of their experiences by other branches of the government.

Fg Off. Light DFM was transferred to Stalag Luft 3, East Compound over the period 15th to 20th October 1944.

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.

Fg Off. Light DFM joined PoWs from the North, East and remaining West compound PoWs and sent to the Marlag und Milag Nord PoW camp at Westertimke in Lower Saxony.

Marlag is an acronym for Marinelager (naval prisoner of war camp), Milag is short for Marine-Internierten-Lager (naval internment camp), and Nord is German for ‘north’.

On the 2nd April 1945 the Commandant announced that he had received orders to leave the camp with most of his guards, leaving only a small detachment behind to hand over the camp to Allied forces, who were already in Bremen.

However, that afternoon a detachment of over a hundred SS-Feldgendarmerie entered the camp, mustered over 3,000 men and marched them out, heading east. It is not known if Fg Off. Light was swept up for this forced march or whether he joined those that hid in the camp or in the surrounding woods.

The next day, at around at 10:00 hrs the column was strafed by RAF aircraft, and two PoWs were killed. Over the next few days the column was attacked from the air several times. Finally the Senior British Naval Officer (SBNO), who was later killed in a strafing attack by RAF aircraft, offered the Germans the PoW’s parole, in return for being allowed to rest during the day and march at night. The Germans agreed.

On the 9th April 1945 the guards at Marlag und Milag Nord camp moved out and were replaced by older men, presumably local Volkssturm. Meanwhile, the column slowly headed east, finally crossing the River Elbe, north of Hamburg, on the 18th April.

On the 27th April the camp was liberated by elements of the British Guards Armoured Division.

The next day, the 28th April, the column finally arrived at Lübeck on the Baltic coast. They were liberated by the British 11th Armoured Division on the 1st May 1945. Fg Off. Light. arrived in the UK on the 8th May 1945.

He embarked for Australia on 9th August 1945 arrived in Sydney on the 9th September 1945. He was discharged from the RAAF on the 25th October 1945 upon demobilisation as a Flt Lt.

Kevin William Light was born on the 29th January 1921 in Sydney, New South Wales. He passed away on the 16th July 2008 in Gerringong, New South Wales.

The Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) was awarded to Flt Sgt. Light was whilst with 460 Sqn, RAAF (25th February 1942 to 9th September 1942). Promulgated in the London Gazette 29th December 1944.

Citation: "As Wireless operator/air gunner this airman has participated in attacks targets both in Germany and Germany occupied territory. He has at all times displayed commendable courage devotion to duty whilst his high skill has made him a valuable member of aircraft crew".

He was appointed to a commission and promoted to Plt Off. on the 12th June 1943 and to Fg Off. on the 11th December 1943.

Burial details:

An investigation carried out in Paris by the Missing Research & Enquiry Service (MR&ES) determined that on the 19th April the Germans collected the remains of the 4 aircrew, placed them in 4 coffins and removed them for burial it is said to the Clichy Cemetery, presumably the Ville-de-Paris at Clichy. Photographs of one of the airmen had been found under his remains, one of which was placed in the coffin and the other nailed to the outside.

During the same night a local citizen gathered further remains overlooked by the Germans, placed them in a box and had them buried in an unnamed local cemetery. Thus the remains of these 4 aircrew would undoubtably be buried in 2 cemeteries and all graves makes as "Unknown British Airmen".

Above: The Clichy Northern cemetery (Courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC))

Sgt. Ronald Wilson. Clichy Northern cemetery Plot 16, Row 15, Coll. Grave 16-18. Next of Kin details not found.

Flt Sgt. Dennis Elvet Moss. Clichy Northern cemetery Plot 16, Row 15, Coll. Grave 16-18. Grave inscription: ‘GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS’. Born on the 9th September 1922 in Wolverhampton. Son of John and Nellie (née Brittain) Moss of Willenhall, Staffordshire, England.

Sgt. Frank Heath. Clichy Northern cemetery Plot 16, Row 15, Coll. Grave 16-18. Grave inscription: ‘WAITING TILL THE DAY DAWNS AND THE SHADOWS FLEE’. Born in the 1st Qtr of 1922 in Hambledon, Surrey. Son of Albert James and Mary(née Street) Heath of Witley, Surrey, England.

Flt Sgt. Dudley Clive Bates. Clichy Northern cemetery Plot 16, Row 15, Coll. Grave 16-18. Grave inscription: ‘HIS DUTY TO HOME AND COUNTRY NOBLY DONE’. Born on the 15th October 1923 in Brisbane. Son of William Clive and Mary Elizabeth Bates, of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Researched by Ralph Snape for Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the crew and their families (May 2024).

Other sources listed below:

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