Operation: Hamburg, Germany

Date: 28/29th July 1942 (Wednesday/Thursday)

Unit: No. 115 Squadron (motto: 'Despite the elements') 3 Group

Type: Wellington III

Serial: Z1605

Code: KO-R

Base: RAF Marham, Norfolk

Location: Hohner See, Hohn, Germany

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Alan Campbell Williamson NZ/411487 RNZAF Age 21. Killed

Obs: Sgt. John Lovat Brydon 656407 RAF Age 25. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. William Hallyburton 1066233 RAFVR Age ? Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Robert Getgood McCrory 1024870 RAFVR Age 23. Killed

Air/Gnr: P/O. Harold Douglas John Fitzsimons NZ/39097 RNZAF Age 21. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at at 23:08 hrs as part of a 256 aircraft operation of which 33 failed to return including 6 from 75 squadron.

Poor weather prevented the planned larger force from attacking the German city. The raiders became scattered in worsening weather with only 63 bombers making it to the target. A total of 13 people died in the city with 48 other casualties.

Understood to have been shot down Oblt. Köberich and Uffz. Heidenreich of Stab. II./NJG3 with the aircraft crashing at Hohner See near Hohn at 01:32 hrs. He had been scrambled at 23:42 hrs from Schleswig airfield in his Bf 110E D5+BC.

Burial details:

Fl/Sgt. Alan Campbell Williamson. Kiel War Cemetery. Grave 1. A. 16. Born on the 21st October 1920 in Glasgow, Scotland, emigrating to New Zealand in 1924. Worked as an electrical process worker for the National Electrical Engineering Company in Auckland prior to service. Enlisted in the RNZAF at Levin on the 02nd March 1941 as a pilot under training. Awarded his pilots badge on the 05th July 1941 following training with No. 1 Elementary Flying School. Promoted to sergeant on the 16th August 1941.Joined 115 squadron on the 13th July 1941 after training with No. 20 Operational Training Unit. The youngest son and only living child of Alexander Campbell and Ann Williamson (née Darby) of Holgate Road, Kohimarama. His father had been a pipe major in one of the Highland Regiment's in the South African War. Their daughter died at an early age in Scotland and the eldest son died in a farming accident in New Zealand.

Sgt. John Lovat Brydon. Kiel War Cemetery. Grave 1. A. 15. Son of Catherine Brydon, of Tow Law, County Durham, England. Grave inscription: 'Rest In Peace'.

Sgt. William Hallyburton. Kiel War Cemetery. Grave 1. A. 12. No further details, are you able to assist?

Sgt. Robert Getgood McCrory. Kiel War Cemetery. Grave 1. A. 12. A former Head Teacher at St. John’s School, Kilwarlin, Hillsborough, County Down before joining the Royal Air Force in March 1941. Son of Robert and Margaret Elizabeth McCrory, of Portadown, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland. Grave inscription: 'Faithful Unto Death'.

P/O. Harold Douglas John Fitzsimons. Kiel War Cemetery. Grave 1. A. 14. Born on the 08th September 1920 at Eltham, Taranaki. Worked as a farmer for his father at Motunui prior to service. Enrolled in the RNZAF on the 20th September 1939 after serving two years in the territorial army. Awarded his air gunners badge on the 20th September 1940 and promoted to sergeant the following day. Slightly wounded in combat on the 10/11th July 1941 whilst with 255 squadron flying the Defiant. Awarded his commission on the 06th March 1942 whilst with 115 squadron flying Wellingtons. Son of Harold John and Ada Fitzsimons (née Harrison) of Waitara, Taranaki, New Zealand. Husband of Merle Evelyn Fitzsimons (née Holland - later Moore of Bulls, Wellington, New Zealand.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Jenifer Lemaire and to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Wartime Northern Ireland, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

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