Stirling BF327 - Operation 'Kassel'

[K4KittyCrew]

This query comes from the Guestbook section.

To Richard (Beusichem, Netherlands)

These details come Chorleys BC Losses 1942, vol. 3. page 192.

15 Sqn - Stirling I - BF327 - LS-D - Operation Kassel

Take off 20:45 from Bourn, shot down by a night-fighter and crashed at Beusichem ( Gelderland )on the south bank of the river Lek, 28 klm WSW of Ede, Holland. All are buried in the Amersfoort ( Oud Leusden ) General Cemetery. Although he was serving in the RCAF, P/O Masur's parents' lived in Johannesburg, South Africa. Crew listed .........

P/O J.R. Thornton +
Sgt. W. R. Hopkins +
Sgt. H. Clegg +
P/O J. W. Frazer +
Sgt. M. H. Burtt +
Sgt. E. W. Margetts +
P/O D. S. Masur RCAF +

These details come the Bomber Command 60th Anv. site

http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/aug42.html

27/28 August 1942
Kassel

306 aircraft of 5 types. 31 aircraft - 21 Wellingtons, 5 Stirlings, 3 Lancasters, 1 Halifax, 1 Hampden - lost, 10.1 per cent of the force. 142 Squadron, based at Grimsby, lost 5 of its 15 Wellingtons taking part in the raid. Many of the casualties were attributed to night-fighter action.

There was only a little cloud over Kassel and the Pathfinders were able to illuminate the area well. Widespread damage was caused, particularly in the south-western parts of the city. Kassel reports that 144 buildings were destroyed and 317 seriously damaged. Several military establishments were hit and the number of dead soldiers, 28, exceeded the number of civilians killed, 15. 187 civilians and 64 soldiers were injured. Among the buildings severely damaged were all three of the factories of the Henschel aircraft company.

Further details ........ http://aces.safarikovi.org/luftwaffe.wa ... redits.htm

Nightfighter Pilot Hptm. Erich Simon, Staffel Stab III, Unit NJG2, Location 5212 H2 3500m
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Hope these details are of some help.
John