Operation: Barmen-Wuppertal

Date: 29th/30th May 1943 (Saturday/Sunday)

Unit No: 106 Squadron

Type: Lancaster I

Serial: R5677

Code: ZN:A (Admiral Chatanooga)

Base: RAF Syerston, Nottinghamshire

Location: Wuppertal / Düsseldorf area

Pilot: Sgt. Hugh Richard Belcher Whyatt 1314530 RAFVR Age 22. KiA

Flt Eng: Sgt. Louis Thomas Delorme R70694 RCAF Age 22. KiA

Nav: Sgt. Reginald Francis Coverdale 1324110 RAFVR Age 22. KiA

Bomb Aimer: Sgt. Eric William Cosnett 1575352 RAFVR Age 20. KiA

WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. Maurice William Moore 1042799 RAFVR Age 22. KiA

Air Gnr (Mid Upp): Sgt. Anthony William Chapman 1160856 RAFVR Age? KiA

Air Gnr (Rear): Sgt. Joseph Leadbetter 1237320 RAFVR Age 19. KiA

Page dedicated to the memory of Flt Lt. Noel Ernest Burton DFM 778740 (160039) RAFVR who knew some of the crew and flew this aircraft as the pilot prior to its loss. Sadly Noel Burton passed away December 2015 and was unable to read the page. We hope to be able to place a page dedicated to Noel in 2017.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Lancaster R5677 took off from RAF Syerston, Nottinghamshire at 22:45hrs to attack the town of Barmen -Wuppertal.

719 aircraft taking part, bombing the home of the Goldschmitt firm between 00:49 hrs and 01:43 hrs which produced Tego-Film, a wood adhesive used in the production of the HE162 and TA154.

Around 1000 acres were destroyed in the firestorm that followed - 211 industrial buildings and nearly 4,000 houses were totally destroyed. A figure of 3,500 fatalities on the ground has been recorded. Reported that some 1186 high explosive bombs were dropped together with 342,000 incendiaries and 28,454 phosphorous canisters.

33 allied bombers failed to return this night, no claims by night fighters for R5677, it is thought that they were probably hit by anti-aircraft fire over the target area.

Above: Log book entry prior to the night operation for R5677. On the date marked 27 May 1943, 106 Squadron lost Lancaster I W4842 ZN:H Flown by Sgt. E.A. Robbins 1336699 RAFVR taken PoW No. 33 and held at Stalag Kopernikus - all remainder of his crew also made PoW at various camps (details held)

Burial details:

Sgt. Hugh Richard Belcher Whyatt. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 5.F.4. Born in 2nd Qtr 1921 in St. Pancras, London. Son of Charles Eric and Gladys Eleanor (née Rose) Whyatt of Hendon, Greater London. Husband to Freda D (née Ley) Wyhatt of Nottingham, England.

Sgt. Louis Thomas Delorme. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 5.E.17. Born on the 17th October 1920 in Lebret, Saskatchewan. Son of Moses and Adeline (née Racette) of Lebret, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Above: Memorial Plaque to Sgt. Coverdale in the All Saints Church, in Syerston (Courtesy of Paul Richard Markham)

Sgt. Reginald Francis Coverdale. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 5.E.18. Son of Francis Harry and Gladys Mary (née Thwaites) Coverdale originally of Enfield. Born in Jan 1921 Enfield, Middlesex, England

Older Brother of Harry Thwaites Coverdale. His Father a Railway Clerk and the family moved to York, some time during the war and before his death as his address listed as York in 1943.

Sgt. Eric William Cosnett. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 5.F.1. Son of William Lindley Cosnett and Edith Emily Cosnett, of Handsworth, Birmingham, England.

Sgt. Maurice William Moore. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 5.F.3. Inscription reads: "THOUGH ABSENT, YOU ARE ALWAYS NEAR, STILL MISSED STILL LOVED, AND EVER DEAR." Son of William L. L. and Esther Moore, of Coundon, Co. Durham, England.

Sgt. Anthony William Chapman. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 5.F.5. His probate record had him living in Canton, Cardiff in Wales. He left his effects to a William Anthony Chapman. No further details.

Sgt. Joseph Leadbetter. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Grave 5.F.2. Inscription reads: "ETERNAL REST GRANT UNTO HIM, O LORD. MAY HE REST IN PEACE." Son of Henry and Frances Leadbetter, of Bryn, Lancashire, England.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Diana, whose father had been piloting this aircraft prior to its loss and had fond memories of it. Thanks to Paul Richard Markham for the NoK correction for Sgt. Coverdale and for the plaque image (Dec 2022). Further updates to NoK details by Aircrew Remembered (Dec 2022)

Other sources listed below:

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