Operation: Anti-Submarine Patrol, Bay of Biscay

Date: 1st/2nd May 1944 (Monday/Tuesday)

Unit No: 58 Squadron, 19 Group, Coastal Command

Type: Halifax GR.II

Serial No: HR741

Code: BY:H

Location: Bay of Biscay

Base: RAF St. Davids, Pembroke

Pilot: Flt Lt. Douglas Edward Taylor 120861 RAFVR Age 27. MiA

2nd Pilot: Fg Off. Derek Cecil Noel Sullivan 51116 RAF Age 23. MiA

Flt Eng: Flt Sgt. George James Stoddart 615715 RAF Age 24. MiA

Navigator/Bomb Aimer: Flt Lt. Stephen Tebbett Geary DFM 135470 RAFVR Age 24. MiA (1)

WOp/Air Gnr: Flt Sgt. Bernard Joseph Forsyth 1168184 RAFVR Age 23. MiA

WOp/Air Gnr: Flt Sgt. Mostyn Charles Escott Lewis 967482 RAFVR Age 25. MiA

Air Gnr (Mid Upp): Sgt. Leonard Victor Ashton 1271044 RAFVR Age? MiA

Air Gnr (Rear): Sgt. Victor John Douglas Riddel 655722 RAF Age 24. MiA

Above: Stephen Tebbett Geary DFM as a Plt Off. (Courtesy of Claire Jenkins-Robinson)

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the 1st May 1944 at 20:44 hrs HR741 took off from RAF St. Davids in Pembroke on an Anti-Submarine patrol in area No 4.

No message was received from HR741 during the sortie and it was presumed to have ditched. However, Flt Lt. Edward B.A LeMaistre C89545, the Captain of 53 Sqn, Liberator GR.V, BZ873 “S”, reported sighting in patrol area No 4 flares followed by Flak and a dull red explosion at sea level. The after action report reads as follows:

At 01:12 hrs on the 2nd May three flares were sighted at 10 miles range and 10 degrees to Starboard of the aircraft. A radar contact at the same bearing and distance was obtained at the same time and the Captain altered course to put the contact in the moon path for the approach. Flak was seen going up from sea level towards the flares. A further contact had also been obtained in the area. The flares disappeared and a dull red explosion was seen at sea level.

On reaching the area, burning wreckage was found with clouds of black smoke from oil or petrol. A marine marker was dropped and BZ873 remained in the area, but the radar contacts disappeared. The wreckage was identified as that of an aircraft and after a report was sent BZ873 began to carry out homing procedures until radar contacts indicated the presence of several other aircraft. At 02:34 hrs the flames had subsided and the marker was renewed. There was no further incident.

Note: Liberator GR.V, BZ873 “S” flown by a different crew failed to return, with the loss of all 10 crew, from an Anti-submarine patrol in the Bordeaux area on the 21st May 1944.

Jan Lettens from the Wreck Site reported that U-846 was the submarine that was engaged by HR741 and subsequently shot down the aircraft with the loss of all crew.

On the 4th May 1944, north of Cape Ortegal, Spain, following radar contact, the U-846 was detected while running on the surface by a Wellington "M" aircraft of the 407th RCAF squadron. The submarine was attacked with guns in the bright moonlight and the plane also dropped six depth charges, which finally sank the submarine. All 57 on board died when the U-846 sank to the 4500 meters deep abyss of the Atlantic Ocean. (Courtesy of Jan Lettens - Wreck Site)

Note: The 407 Sqn aircraft was Leigh Light equipped Wellington XIV HP134 LI:M flown by Fg Off. Lorenzo John Bateman C22661 RCAF. For this action he was awarded the DFC. Citation: “This officer has invariably displayed a high degree of skill and courage in the course of his attacks on the enemy. Recently he executed a most determined attack on a U-boat. Despite intense opposing fire, the attack was pressed home with great skill and resulted in the destruction of the vessel. This officer has completed many sorties and has set an excellent example of keenness and devotion to duty”. (London Gazette 9th September 1944).

Above: Marriage photograph of Flt Lt. Stephen Tebbett Geary and Doris Elizabeth Potter on the 28th February 1944 at the Northwich Parish Church. (Courtesy of Claire Jenkins-Robinson)

Ian Nutt has contacted Aircrew Remembered and has informed us that the officer on the right of Flt Lt. Geary is his father, Capt. Oliver William Nutt MBE(M) 151727 of the Royal Signals Regiment. Oliver was Stephen’s close friend and Best Man. Both attended the Burton-upon-Trent Grammar School.

(1) The Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) was awarded to 751052 Flt Sgt. Geary on the 15th May 1942 whilst serving with 148 Sqn. The recommendation for the award of the DFM reads:

“This airman has participated in over 80 raids on targets in Lybia, Syria, Albania, and Greece, over 70 of the raids being in daylight. During an attack on shipping in Benghazi harbour, his bombs scored hits on a vessel which was set on fire. In spite of being involved in a serious accident in which other members of the aircrew were seriously injured. Flight Sergeant Geary's keenness for operational flying remains unabated. He has always shown great courage and is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal”.

WO. Geary was appointed to a commission and promoted to 135470 Plt Off. on the 18th October 1942. He was promoted to Fg Off. on the 18th April 1943. His Service Record documents that he was appointed as a temporary Flt Lt. with effect from the 2nd August 1943.

Burial Details:

Above: The Runnymede Memorial

Flt Lt. Douglas Edward Taylor. Runnymede Memorial, Panel 203. Born in 2nd Qtr of 1916 in Chertsey, Surrey. Son of Samuel Matthews and Emilie Rhoda (née Simpson) Taylor of Exmouth, Devon. Husband of Norah (née Ellis) Taylor of Exeter, Devon, England.

Fg Off. Derek Cecil Noel Sullivan. Runnymede Memorial, Panel 209. Born on the 9th December 1920 in Thornton Heath, Croydon. Husband to Minnie L. (née Harrup) Sullivan of Wandsworth, London.

Flt Sgt. George James Stoddart. Runnymede Memorial, Panel 222. Born on the 31st August 1920 in Hornsey, Middlesex. Son of George James and Harriet Elizabeth (née Law) Stoddart. Husband of Ellen M. (née Wood) Stoddart of Tottenham, Middlesex, England.

Flt Lt. Stephen Tebbett Geary DFM. Runnymede Memorial, Panel 202. Born on the 8th February 1920 in Burton, Staffordshire. Son of Walter and Emily (née Tebbett) Geary. Husband of Doris Elizabeth (née Potter) Geary, of Northwich, Cheshire, England.

Flt Sgt. Bernard Joseph Forsyth. Runnymede Memorial, Panel 217. Born in the 3rd Qtr of 1920 in Northampton. Son of Edward Bernard and May (née Leach) Forsyth of Northampton, England.

Flt Sgt. Mostyn Charles Escott Lewis. Runnymede Memorial, Panel 220. Born in the 1st Qtr of 1919 in Cardiff, Glamorganshire. Son of Joseph and Alice Mary (née Escott) Lewis. Husband of Annie Irene (née Howes) Lewis of Staines, Middlesex, England.

Sgt. Leonard Victor Ashton. Runnymede Memorial, Panel 224. No further details found

Sgt. Victor John Douglas Riddel. Runnymede Memorial, Panel 237. Born on the 13th July 1919 in Aston, Warwickshire. Son of John Maud Clara (née Upton) Riddel of Blackpool, Lancashire, England.

Researched by Ralph Snape for Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with additional thanks to Claire Jenkins-Robinson, a cousin of Flt Lt. Geary, for the photographs (Sep 2023). Thanks to Ian Nutt for the information and identification of his father, Capt. Oliver William Nutt (Jun 2024).

Other sources listed below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2026 Last Modified: 12 June 2024, 06:26