Stirling Mk.III BK776

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wayne
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Stirling Mk.III BK776

Post by wayne »

Hi all,

In my continuing research into 75 (NZ) squadron I would like any information on the loss of BK776.
All I have at the moment is; Took off from Newmarket at 22:09 hours. Crashed at Odenspiel.
I do have crew names, but not their service numbers.
Any other details are most welcome.

Thanks,
Wayne.
Bob Wilton
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Re: Stirling Mk.III BK776

Post by Bob Wilton »

Hi Wayne,

I have managed to find the following numbers for you.

The Aircraft was Stirling III BK776 JN-B Operation Wuppertal
29/30th May 1943.

P/O. Bennett 415282 Age 29
F/S. Norman 416145 Age 23
Sgt. Harrison 1052293 Age ? POW 106 (Or 10646) Luft 357 *
F/S. Davidson 411864 Age ? POW 111 Luft 357
F/S. Bandy 1318948 Age ?
W/O. Kavanagh 403579 Age 24
F/S. Pirie R108000 Age 22
Sgt. Middleton 413337 Age ? POW 212 Luft 357

I have a POW number for a C.P. Middleton being 10646 but I am not to sure
if he is C.P.F. Middleton and he was with the R.N.Z.A.F. and a POW in
the same camp as the other two crew members. Maybe is POW No is 106
or he brought his 10646 number from another camp.


Best regards

Bob
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wayne
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Re: Stirling Mk.III BK776

Post by wayne »

Thanks for your help Bob.
Do you have any idea of the cause of loss ?

Thanks again,
Wayne.
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Re: Stirling Mk.III BK776

Post by K4KittyCrew »

Hi Wayne,
Chorleys RAF Losses 1943, volume 4, page 169, give no further details, sorry mate.
John
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wayne
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Re: Stirling Mk.III BK776

Post by wayne »

Thanks John,

BK776 was on her 11th op when lost, but thats all I have at the moment.
I'll have another dig around and if I find anything I'll post back here.

Wayne.
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Re: Stirling Mk.III BK776

Post by Edwin »

Wayne
The crew members to my understanding had been together since leaving No. 1651 Conversion Unit December 1942. First operation with 75(NZ) Squadron was January 14, 1942. The op. to Wuppertal was their 25th. The info I have suggests that this was the 7th. op. for this crew in BK776. Four crew members are buried in Reichwald Forest British Cemetery: NZ Sgt.Norman 2nd. Pilot; RAF F/S Bandy Air Bomber; NZ W/O Kavanagh Wireless Operator/Air Gunner & RCAF F/S Pirie Mid Upper Gunner. NZ P/O Bennett is buried Rheinburg British Military Cemetery. Survivors NZ F/S Davidson POW # 111, L6/357, Navigator; RAF Sgt. Harrison Flight Engineer POW #10646,L3; & NZ F/S C.P.F Middleton POW # 212 L6/357 Air Gunner (Rear). Lost Bombers - WW2 Lost Bombers suggest that 'BK776 was shot down at 0054 by a night fighter, giving the crash site near Roermond'. Michael J.F. Bowyer - 'The Stirling Bomber' P 200 App. 4 also suggests BK776 was shot down near Roermond. I'm trying to get a copy of 'Nachtjagd War Diaries' Vol 1 An Operational History of the German Night Fighter Force in the West. Sept. 1939-March 1944 by Theo Boiten to check for any info. there. I will post more info. that I have later.

Edwin
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Re: Stirling Mk.III BK776

Post by K4KittyCrew »

Hi Edwin and welcome to the forum,

Here is a link from our forum that will help you. Just scroll down to the desired date.
John
http://books.google.com/books?id=_AP4Qk ... CE0Q6AEwAQ
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Re: Stirling Mk.III BK776

Post by Oggie2620 »

I think I may have sent pics of some of the crews graves to my friend Glen Turner in New Zealand. One of my Aussie friends visited there and took pics of Kiwis though not other countries. I intend at some point to go back and get the rest to complete his photo archive. :)
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Re: Stirling Mk.III BK776

Post by Edwin »

Oggie 2620
I have a photograph taken at Riechwald Forest Cemetery some years back of James Allan Pirie's grave marker. I recall that Raymond Norman and Fredrick Bandy's grave markers are right next to Allan Pirie's They, including Stanley Kavanagh are all listed as Coll. Grave 31.B.15-17. All were initially buried at Odenspiel and then reinterred at Riechwald. The Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenetaph data base has a picture of Raymond Fraser Norman's grave marker and some related information on him.
Edwin
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Re: Stirling Mk.III BK776

Post by 149NUTS »

Hi Edwin,

There is no Stirling BK776 mentioned in the Nachtjagd Diaries for 29/30 May 43. There is claims for other 75 Sqn aircraft, EF398 and EH881 on that night.

Hope this helps.

Alan F
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