Australian Aircrew Crew Losses - WW2 Files

Bob Wilton
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Posts: 404
Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2010 10:39 pm

Re: Australian Aircrew Crew Losses - WW2 Files

Post by Bob Wilton »

Short Stirling & RAF Bomber Command Forum


Lancaster I R5493 KM-M RAF 44 Squadron
Operation Gardening24/25th March 1942

The crew of this Lancaster took off from RAF Conningsby at 1950 hours from
RAF Waddington. A Frenchman, Pierre Penhoet,who was attached to the
Royal Navy M.T.B. Flotilla,observed R5493 being hit by flax,and then explode
in mid air,and crashing into the sea in the vicinity of the north east coast of
the Isle de Groix.

A young French boy in a canoe found the wallet beloning to Sergeant Clifford,
which he found in a part uniform pocket.In the wallet he found snapshots,and
a RAF Form 1250.

Pierre Penhoet who was on leave in Brittany at the time was given the wallet
and its contents,which he handed over to his Royal Royal Navy Officer when
he returned to duty.Who then forwarded them to Air Ministry.

The remains of Sergeant Clifford were buried on the Island,and some kind
villagers placed flowers on his grave,and for their humanity were given six
months imprisonment by the Germans.

As for the opther seven members of this crew,their bodies were never found.
found.

After the war the grave of Sergeant Clifford could not be located and he and
his fellow crew members are all remembered with honour on The Air Forces
Memorial Runnymede.


The crew:

Flight Sergeant L. Warren-Smith RAFVR +
Sergeant R.A.Marston RAFVR +
Sergeant A.F.Murdock RAFVR +
Sergeant C.E.W. Clfford RAAF +
Sergeant J.Boyd RAFVR +
Sergeant E.B.Cluff RAFVR +
Sergeant W.H.Flower RAFVR +
Flight Sergeant J.McN. Davidson RAFVR +


We Shall Remember Them
Dicam ex animo. Sed nostri evocatis, ut debemus eis libertatem.
Bob Wilton
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Posts: 404
Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2010 10:39 pm

Re: Australian Aircrew Crew Losses - WW2 Files

Post by Bob Wilton »

SHORT STIRLING AND RAF BOMBER COMMAND FORUM


Wellington IV Z1254 UV-L RAAF 460 Squadron RAF Breighton
Operation Stuttgart Germany 16/17th May 1942

On the night of Wednesday 6th May 1942, the crew of Wellington Z1254 took off at 2131 hours from RAF Breighton on a bombing operation to the German city of Stuttgart.

On arriving over the target area the aircraft was caught in a beam of a searchlight ,and soon afterwards was hit by anti aircraft fire. The front gunner reported that flames were quickly spreading forward on the port side. In no time the aircraft was engulfed in flames, and the order was given to abandon. The second pilot made his way forward to assist the front gunner in getting out. At this time Warrant Officer Lake was donning his parachute preparing to bale out. Because of the flames, his only option was to bale out of the turret. He left the burning aircraft at approximately 11,000 feet,and as he did so the Wellington flew on straight and level and then exploded,and gave the rest of his crew chance to bale out.He landed safely in a small field near a village at approximately 0130 hours. For a short while he managed to evade capture but,at first light he was captured by local police. He then was held captive at Stalag Luft 6 at Heydekrug. Prisoner of war number 66.

The Crew:

S/L C.L.Gilbert RAAF +
Sgt R.H.Murphy RAAF +
Sgt J.R.Shearer RAAF +
Sgt C.N.Dixon RAFVR +
Sgt K.A.Fogg RCAF +
Sgt J.G.Lake RAAF POW

We Shall Remember Them
Dicam ex animo. Sed nostri evocatis, ut debemus eis libertatem.
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