Bomber Command Losses attacking the canals
The canals proved a difficult and expensive target to attack. The following lists the aircrew lost during the war attempting to put these vital transport routes out of action but it can be generally assumed that in each instance a Lancaster was destroyed, other members of the crew escaping death to become POWs or being rescued by Allied forces. In some instances crew who had successfully baled out were later murdered by Germans once in captivity.
The information below is based upon "The Bomber Command War Diaries" by Middlebrook and Everitt, "The Nachjagd War Diaries" by Boiten and Mackenzie and the casualty lists in the "Air of Authority" website by Malcolm Barrass.
1940
26 July
Plt Off TWEDDELL, WILLIAM OLIVER DIGBY DFC
Sgt TOWNSEND, DOUGLAS GEORGE JOHN
Sgt JONES, GEOFFREY WYATT
killed whilst flying in Hampden I, L4094 OL-R of No 83 Sqn, which crashed during a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, all buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
12 August
Sgt ABEL, RICHARD
Sgt HILL, STANLEY DENYS
killed whilst flying in Hampden I, P4340 of No 83 Sqn, which was shot down by flak during a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, they are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
13 August
Fg Off ROSS, ELLIS HENRY DFC
Sgt BUCKLEY, RONALD JOHN
Sgt DEWHURST, JOSEPH LANGLEY
Sgt SAYER, KENNETH ANTHONY DFM
killed whilst flying in Hampden I, P4410 OL-H of No 83 Sqn, which was lost without trace on a raid to the Dortmund-Ems Canal, all are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
22 August
Plt Off ROBSON, ANGUS DFC
Sgt WILMOT, ARTHUR ALEXANDER
Plt Off WINGATE, DAVID LESLIE
Sgt CHAMBERS, HUNTER
killed whilst flying in Hampden I, P4360 PL-L of No 144 Sqn, which was lost without trace on a raid to the Mitteland Canal, they are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
1943
There were no further significant operations against the Dortmund-Ems Canal for the next three years but Churchill's personal minute in March 1943 which prompted a return to operations quickly began to exact a heavy toll on the crews of Bomber Command:
14/15 September
The famous 617 squadron of Dambusters fame was entrusted to carry out the new offensive using a 12000lb bomb that had been developed (not the later Tallboy type) however a weather reconnaissance Mosquito reported fog obscuring the target whilst the 8 Lancasters were still over the North Sea, so they were recalled. Flight Lieutenant Maltby, one of the founding 617 squadron members crashed into the sea with the loss of all the crew. There are strong suspicions that Maltby's Lancaster may have collided with a Mosquito from 139 squadron returning from an operation over Germany.
Sqn Ldr MALTBY, DAVID JOHN HATFIELD DSO DFC (60335) RAFVR; age: 23
Fg Off FORT, JOHN (49575) RAF;
Sgt HATTON, WILLIAM (1013557) RAFVR; age: 23
Flt Sgt HILL, VICTOR (1315729) RAFVR;
Flt Sgt NICHOLSON, VIVIAN (1144183) RAFVR; age: 20
Sgt SIMMONDS, HAROLD THOMAS (1248156) RAFVR; age: 22
Flt Sgt STONE, ANTONY JOSEPH (1311959) RAFVR; age: 22
WO WELCH, JOHN LAWRENCE (744932) RAFVR; age: 23
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, JA981 KC-J of No 617 Sqn, which crashed into the North Sea after being recalled from a mission to drop a 12,000lb HC bomb on the Dortmund-Ems Canal.
A day later a further 8 Lancasters took off to carry out the postponed raid, the area was misty and five aircraft were lost to flak including another Dams raid survivor Flt Lt L G Knight.
Flt Lt ALLSEBROOK, RALF ATHELSIE POLE (62267) RAFVR; age: 23
Plt Off BOTTING, NORMAN ARTHUR (51975) RAF; age: 30
Fg Off GRANT, JACOB MAURICE (127489) RAFVR; age: 33
Flt Sgt HITCHEN, SAMUEL (647480) RAF
Sgt JONES, IVOR GLYN (1054939) RAFVR
Flt Sgt LULHAM, REGINALD BERTRAM SIDNEY (1271876) RAFVR;
Flt Sgt MOORE, PHILLIP (570619) RAF
Flt Sgt WALKER, WILLIAM (1371707) RAFVR; age: 21
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, EE130 AJ-A of No 617 Sqn, which was shot down by light flak near Bergeshovede during a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal. All buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
Fg Off DEERING, GEORGE ANDREW (J/17245) RCAF; age: 24
Sqn Ldr HOLDEN, GEORGE WALTON (103484) RAFVR; age: 30
Flt Lt HUTCHISON, ROBERT EDWARD GEORGE (120854) RAFVR; age: 25
Plt Off MEIKLE, THOMAS ALFRED (52913) RAF
Sgt POWELL, DENNIS JOHN DEAN (644741) RAF; age: 21
Fg Off PRINGLE, HENRY JAMES (118900) RAFVR
Fg Off SPAFFORD, FREDERICK MICHAEL (407380) RAAF; age: 25
Flt Lt TAERUM, TORGER HARLO (J/16688) RCAF
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, EE144 AJ-S of No 617 Sqn, which was shot down by light flak near Altendorf during a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal. All buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
Sgt ALLATSON, DANIEL (553739) RAF; age: 19
Sgt BLAKE, ERNEST CECIL ALLAN (548871) RAF; age: 24
Fg Off DIVALL, WILLIAM GEORGE (143890) RAFVR; age: 21
Flt Sgt McARTHUR, ROBERT CAMPBELL (1551189) RAFVR; age: 21
Plt Off MILES, GERALD STANLEY (156040) RAFVR; age: 20
Flt Sgt SIMPSON, JAMES STEVENSON (630257) RAF; age: 23
Fg Off WARWICK, DOUGLAS WILLIAM (J/11112) RCAF
Sgt WILLIAMS, AUSTIN AINSWORTH (1539602) RAFVR; age: 24
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, JA874 KC-E of No 617 Sqn, which was shot down by light flak near Bramsche during a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal. All buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
Fg Off COLES, GEORGE HENRY (J/16476) RCAF; age: 20
Flt Sgt HORNBY, ERIC (1304938) RAFVR
Plt Off JOHNSON, THOMAS WILLIAM (52112) RAF
Sgt KNOX, CLIFFORD MORRELL (1029237) RAFVR
WO I MIEYETTE, LLOYD (R/107619) RCAF; age: 22
Flt Sgt PAYNE, TREVOR HERRINGTON (1257191) RAFVR; age: 23
Fg Off RODGER, JAMES ALEXANDER (121558) RAFVR; age: 32
Flt Lt WILSON, HAROLD SYDNEY (118566) RAFVR; age: 28
Flt Lt KNIGHT, LESLIE GORDON (401449) RAAF; age: 22
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, JA898 KC-X of No 617 Sqn, which was shot down by light flak over the target area during a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal. All buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
Flt Lt KNIGHT, LESLIE GORDON (401449) RAAF; age: 22
The remainder of the crew baled out but Knight was killed on impact as he attempted to land stricken Lancaster III, JB144 KC-N of No 617 Sqn, He is buried in Den Ham General Cemetery
1944
The powers that be licked their wounds for another twelve months before having another crack at the canals, the squadrons of 5 Group based in Lincolnshire being given the dubious honour of "specialists" for this target.
23/24 September
Fg Off SWEETMAN, JOHN EDWIN (179538) age: 21 RAFVR
Flt Sgt HOBBS, EDWARD GEORGE(1587621) age: 23 RAFVR
Flt Sgt JOHNSTONE, ANDREW (659129) RAFVR
Flt Sgt WILCOX, WILLIAM ROLAND (1583103) age: 20 RAFVR
Sgt GULLY, ERNEST GORDON (1627470) RAFVR
Sgt KEENS, GEORGE ARCHER (1892749) RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, LM212 VN-L of No 50 Sqn, which came down near Zelham during a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, buried in Zelhem General Cemetery. Shot down by Heinz Schnaufer of Stab IV/NJG1 at 23.10, his 96th victory.
Fg Off DUNSMUIR, JOHN MURRAY (J/21396) age: 26 RCAF
Fg Off HARVEY, ANGUS BEVERLY (J/38162) age: 25 RCAF
Flt Sgt LARCOMBE, RAYMOND (1332939) age: 21 RAFVR
Flt Sgt TUNNELL, ERIC HENRY (1395660) age: 23 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, ME700 VN-V of No 50 Sqn, which came down near Nieuwebrug during a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, buried in Dalfsen General Cemetery. Possibly shot down by Hptm Schmidt of 8./NJG1 at 23.31.
Fg Off ALDRED, NORMAN FREDERICK (183600) age: 23 RAFVR
Fg Off BURNS, WILLIAM STIRLING (J/22423) age: 23 RCAF
Flt Lt STONE, DONALD EDWARD ROSS (152068) age: 21 RAFVR
Flt Sgt HILL, ERNEST (1436352) RAFVR
Flt Sgt MATTHEWS, PHILLIP MARCUS (1204048) RAFVR
Sgt SCALES, FREDERICK ARTHUR (1629785) age: 20 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, ME732 QR-P of No 61 Sqn, which came down near Almelo during a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, buried in Almelo General Cemetery. Possibly shot down by Hptm Greiner of 11./NJG1 or Ofw Breitenfelder of 5./NJG2.
Flt Sgt TWYNEHAM, GEORGE(991577) age: 24 RAFVR
Sgt JENNINGS, HERBERT WILLIAM (411560) age: Unknown RAF
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, LM718 QR-K of No 61 Sqn, which came down near Deurne during a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, buried in Venray War Cemetery
Fg Off CAMPBELL, IAN MELVILLE(426213) age: 23 RNZAF
Flt Sgt WICKLAND, SAMUEL VERNON (640170) age: 23 RAF
Sgt COLE, RICHARD DERRICK (1486632) age: 23 RAFVR
Flt Sgt MILN, MONTAGUE JOHN (427508) age: 24 RNZAF
Sgt HOAD, JOHN NORMAN (1175274) age: 23 RAFVR
Sgt McCABE, JOHN (1348047) RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, ND988 QR-E of No 61 Sqn, which came down near Wechte during a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
Fg Off WILLIAMS, VICTOR GEORGE(169155) age: 23 RAFVR
Flt Lt BLACK, THOMAS WILSON (168636) age: 22 RAFVR
Flt Sgt CHALMERS, DAVID (984297) age: 24 RAFVR
Flt Sgt COWAN, JOHN EDWARD (1803789) RAFVR
Plt Off GIBSON, THOMAS HERBERT (187030) age: 35 RAFVR
Sqn Ldr HIGGS, RICHARD MARCELLUS (53148) RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, PB409 OF-F of No 97 Sqn, which came down near Burgsteinfurt during a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Shot down by Heinz Schnaufer of Stab IV/NJG1 at 22.53, his 95th victory.
Fg Off ISAAC, JAMES (183398) age: 31 RAFVR
Fg Off BRYAN, GERALD GEORGE(J/29589) age: 23 RCAF
Flt Sgt CLARKE, JOHN FREDERICK WILLIAM (R/192643) age: 22 RCAF
Plt Off LEVENE, DAVID (184303) age: 36 RAFVR
Plt Off McLAUGHLIN, KENNETH ALEXANDER (J/89163) age: 21 RCAF
Plt Off SHEPHERD, HENRY IAN (J/89184) age: 21 RCAF
Sgt JULIAN, RICHARD HENRY (1581666) age: 21 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, ND868 ZN-Q of No 106 Sqn, which came down near Schierloch during a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Possibly shot down by Hptm Greiner of 11./NJG1.
Fg Off McCALL, CYRIL (434227) age: 28 RAAF
Fg Off STAPLES, SYDNEY JOHN (422310) age: 23 RAAF
Flt Sgt DAVIS, LAWRENCE ARTHUR (8905) age: 27 RAAF
Flt Sgt HURST, NORMAN GEORGE(432190) age: 23 RAAF
Sgt GEIKIE, WALTER GEORGE MCDONALD (404416) age: 24 RAAF
Sgt LEDGER, ANTHONY (1593894) age: 21 RAFVR
WO STINSON, JOHN BUXTON (420783) age: 21 RAAF
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, LM223 JO-P of No 463 Sqn, which collided with Lancaster LM309 during a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, all are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
To read more about the fate of these two Lancasters refer to the previous sub-section headed "Attacks", 1944.
Flt Sgt HASELHURST, ARTHUR WILFRED (418273) age: 29 RAAF
Flt Sgt HURSTWAITE, FRED JOSEPH (432076) age: 19 RAAF
Flt Sgt SCHULTZ, WILLIAM AMBROSE(432343) age: 27 RAAF
Sgt PERRING, ARTHUR (1809153) age: 32 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, LM309 JO-V of No 463 Sqn, collided with LM223 and which came down near Laggenbeck during a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, buried in Rheinburg War Cemetery
Fg Off GRAHAM, CLYDE EUAN MILES (159937) age: 23 RAFVR
Flt Lt STOUT, GEOFFREY STEVENSON (145510) age: 23 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, NF923 KC-M of No 617 Sqn, which was shot down by a night fighter near Lochem in Holland on its return from a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, buried in Lochem New General Cemetery. Shot down by Heinz Schnaufer of Stab IV/NJG1 at 23.10, his 97th victory at 23.15hrs.
Fg Off MACLEAN, IAN HECTOR (J/26546) age: 22 RCAF
Fg Off WALKER, WALLACE(J/28784) age: 20 RCAF
Fg Off FROST, KENNETH (423784) age: 22 RAAF
Fg Off LOPEZ, ROBIN HENRY (421603) age: 24 RAAF
Plt Off GIRLING, CLYDE JOSEPH (419466) age: 30 RAAF
Sgt STROWGER, JAMES (1806766) age: 22 RAFVR
WO SHARPE, GRANVILLE SIDNEY (1337744) RAFVR
Sgt BUCHAN, FRANK (1572193) age: Unknown RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, PA974 OF-B of No 97 Sqn, which probably came down in the North Sea off Heacham in Norfolk on its return from a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, buried in Holm Parish Churchyard
4/5 November
Fg Off BAILY, GEORGE HADLEY (427055) age: 21 RAAF
Fg Off MOTTERAM, HARRY LAWRENCE(427533) age: 29 RAAF
Fg Off BERRY, ROYSTON WILLETT (173187) age: 28 RAFVR
Fg Off MORONEY, WILLIAM JOHN (173188) RAFVR
Fg Off TALBOT, DERRICK (152410) age: 22 RAFVR
Flt Sgt SPEAK, LESLIE GEORGE(436108) age: 25 RAAF
Sgt CRAWSHAW, STANLEY RAYNOR (1593188) age: 18 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, PB370 EA-F of No 49 Sqn, which was lost on a raid against the Dortmund-Ems Canal, buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Sgt BECKLEY, MAURICE GEORGE(710131) age: 21 RAF
Sgt FARLEY, ERNEST RICHARD (1728946) age: 19 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, PB192 KM-F of No 44 Sqn, which was lost on a raid against the Dortmund-Ems Canal, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Fg Off HOWARD, BERT CHARLES (423536) age: 22 RAAF
Fg Off REILLY, KEVIN WILLIAM (424799) age: 21 RAAF
Flt Sgt FRYER, ARTHUR DAVID (430750) age: 20 RAAF
Flt Sgt BATTYE, REGINALD HAROLD (442415) age: 19 RAAF
Flt Sgt HALL, RONALD NORMAN (432181) age: 20 RAAF
Sgt JONES, ROBERT WILLIAM (1694037) age: 20 RAFVR
WO MacKENZIE, ALLAN RICHARD (423797) age: 21 RAAF
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, NE133 JO-X of No 463 Sqn, which was lost on a raid against the Dortmund-Ems Canal, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
6/7 November
The Nachtjagd force of elements of NJG1, 2, 3 and 4 caught the bombers as they approached the target area. Only 31 Lancasters bombed due to target marking difficulties but a short intense battle lasting about 20 minutes took place as the bomber force started to return home, Nachtjager claiming at least 11 kills including the possible destruction of 214 squadron Fortress III engaged on an electronic screening mission. With Lancasters falling by the minute it's not surprising that Nachtjager claims for individual aircraft are confusing.
Fg Off NEALE, CONRAD DENIS (182745) age: 24 RAFVR
Flt Sgt HARDY, WALTER (1323620) age: 23 RAFVR
Flt Sgt HILDER, SYDNEY NAPIER (1520932) age: 22 RAFVR
Sgt ARMSTRONG, ROBERT LIONEL (1674487) age: 22 RAFVR
Sgt CLYDE, WILLIAM (1798065) age: 20 RAFVR
Sgt CROLL, JAMES MACGREGOR (1825824) age: 21 RAFVR
Sgt McINTYRE, WILLIAM MEIKLE(1785330) RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, LL953 ZN-O of No 106 Sqn, which was lost on a raid to Gravenhorst, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Probably shot down by Hptm Modrow of 1./NJG1 at 19.24.
Fg Off HORNING, FREDERICK ARTHUR (J/36835) age: 23 RCAF
Fg Off RENNIE, ROBERT EDWARD (J/25818) age: 23 RCAF
Fg Off TERRIS, GEORGE THOMPSON GILBERT (J/36306) age: 23 RCAF
Flt Sgt COOK, MICHAEL ARTHUR (R/263352) age: 21 RCAF
Flt Sgt DOWLING, RALPH ANDREW (R/270087) age: 19 RCAF
Plt Off DUNKELMAN, GEORGE AMOS (J/95289) age: 21 RCAF
Sgt DARBY, WILLIAM (1737140) age: 20 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, LM628 VN-M of No 50 Sqn, which came down near Heerde during a raid to Gravenhorst, buried in Heerde General Cemetery. Probably shot down by Lt Fries of 2./NJG1 at 19.35.
Fg Off COOPER, JOSEPH ARTHUR GORDON (26756) age: 28 RAAF
Fg Off DRAYSEY, LLOYD (417817) age: 30 RAAF
Flt Sgt BROWN, BRUCE HAROLD (429645) age: 20 RAAF
Flt Sgt HESFORD, BRIAN (427118) age: 21 RAAF
Sgt BEACH, ALFRED KENNETH (907053) age: 20 RAFVR
Sgt SAVILLE, GERALD (1593727) RAFVR
Sgt SLOANE, FREDERICK JOHN (3005474) age: 19 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, LM624 DX-A of No 57 Sqn, commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Probably shot down by Hptm Baake of Stab 1./NJG1 at 19.23.
Fg Off ADAMS, JOSEPH EDWARD (178513) age: 29 RAFVR
Flt Sgt EWING, LESLIE ERNEST (1613477) age: 22 RAFVR
Plt Off BIRCH, SIDNEY HAROLD (187731) age: 36 RAFVR
Plt Off SUMMERS, KENNETH JAMES (188029) age: 30 RAFVR
Plt Off WICKENS, T R (186429) age: 31 RAFVR
Sgt MACKINNON, KENNETH EWAN (1569752) age: 23 RAFVR
Sgt STEVENS, WILLIAM HARRY READ (1897046) age: 31 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, ND555 EM-D of No 207 Sqn, which was lost on a raid to Gravenhorst, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Probably shot down by Lt Prieze of 3./NJG1 at 19.37.
Fg Off JACKSON, JOHN MALCOLM SHAND (171668) age: 21 RAFVR
Flt Sgt BARTLETT, RODNEY CLAUDE(1850398) age: 26 RAFVR
Flt Sgt POLLARD, HERBERT CLARE(1109146) RAFVR
Plt Off HARDIE, DAVID (184768) RAFVR
Plt Off HARDING, WILLIAM RALPH (184635) RAFVR
Sgt FLETCHER, KENNETH JOSEPH (1880697) RAFVR
Sgt KELLY, ERNEST GEORGE(1875358) age: 19 RAFVR
Sgt MADGWICK, NORMAN VICTOR (1606117) age: 20 RAFVR
WO BRIGHT, KEITH MORTIMER (426496) age: 21 RAAF
WO I PICCIANO, RAYMOND DANIEL (R/140622) age: 21 RCAF
killed whilst flying in Fortress III, HB788 BU-B of No 214 Sqn, which was lost whilst providing Jostle support to a raid on Gravenhorst, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Probably shot down by Oblt Forster of 11./NJG3 at 19.28.
Sgt SUNDERLAND, CECIL (1624631) age: 28 RAFVR
He was killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, NF990 JO-Q of No 463 Sqn, which was lost on a raid to Gravenhorst. He is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
Fg Off AUSTIN, JAMES (419452) age: 24 RAAF
Fg Off ELLENS, HERBERT VINCENT (424397) age: 21 RAAF
Fg Off RODGERS, STANLEY (153910) age: 22 RAFVR
Flt Sgt TONKS, KENNETH (1569087) age: 21 RAFVR
Sgt BAGGALEY, JOSEPH (1492185) age: 21 RAFVR
Sgt HOLMES, DENNIS AUBREY (1576329) RAFVR
Flt Sgt AMEYE, EMILE RENE LUCIEN MARIA (1424918) RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, NG191 JO-A of No 463 Sqn, which was lost on a raid to Gravenhorst, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Fg Off BOWELL, PETER JOHN (422394) age: 23 RAAF
Flt Sgt BUTCHER, WALTER HARVEY JAMES (432749) age: 19 RAAF
Flt Sgt DUTFIELD, IAN DAVID (433096) age: 19 RAAF
Sgt FORSTER, WILLIAM (1593433) age: 28 RAFVR
WO PETERSEN, ERNEST ARTHUR (418873) age: 32 RAAF
WO PLUMB, WILLIAM (427348) age: 28 RAAF
WO WILLIAMS, JOHN ROBERT (421398) age: 24 RAAF
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, PD311 JO-O of No 463 Sqn, which was lost on a raid to Gravenhorst, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Probably shot down by Maj Schnaufer of Stab NJG4 at 19.41.
Flt Sgt TEMPLETON, REX BERNARD (428079) age: 25 RAAF
Sgt NORRIS, ALICK CLEM (1589308) age: 20 RAFVR
Sgt WOOD, EDWARD FREDERICK (1816621) age: 20 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, LM742 PG-S of No 619 Sqn, which was lost on a raid to Gravenhorst, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Probably shot down by Hptm Modrow of 1./NJG1 or Lt Fries of 2./NJG1 at 19.28.
Sgt HOGG, ROBERT JOHN (2211120) RAFVR
Flt Sgt HARRISON, JAMES ARTHUR (1582271) age: 23 RAFVR
Flt Sgt MORTON, CLIFFORD KEITH (1575470) age: 22 RAFVR
Plt Off WEBSTER, JOHN LAYARD BUTLER (188178) age: 24 RAFVR
Sgt BICKNELL, EDWARD STANLEY (1893452) age: 21 RAFVR
Sgt BRODIE, BASIL HUBERT (1862111) age: 20 RAFVR
Sgt KENNEDY, LESLIE(1784070) age: 21 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, NN723 PG-J of No 619 Sqn, which came down in the North Sea during a raid to Gravenhorst. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial
21 November
Fg Off HAYWARD, HUGH WALTER (152993) age: 22 RAFVR
Fg Off VERRIER, ALFRED REGINALD (155333) age: 21 RAFVR
Flt Sgt TELFORD, PHILLIP (1592342) age: Unknown RAFVR
Plt Off BISHOP, ALFRED WILLIAM (178508) age: 24 RAFVR
Sqn Ldr KELLY, PHILIP (130515) age: 34 RAFVR
Fg Off WOODING, FREDERICK ARTHUR (160618) age: 24 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, PB300 EA-K of No 49 Sqn, which was lost on a raid against the Mittland Canal at Gravenhorst, all are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Fg Off MAUL, EDWIN CHARLES (179277) age: 22 RAFVR
Flt Sgt JACKSON, ARTHUR LESLIE(1324269) age: 22 RAFVR
Plt Off WILLIAMS, IVOR GORDON (188534) age: 22 RAFVR
Sgt BATTYE, EDMUND (1593800) age: 19 RAFVR
Sgt BOLTON, SIDNEY DAVID (1890153) age: 20 RAFVR
Sgt COOPER, WILLIAM (1489922) age: 22 RAFVR
Sgt HOUGHTON, JOHN (2205576) age: 19 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, PB354 EA-G of No 49 Sqn, which was lost on a raid against the Mittland Canal at Gravenhorst, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
This was to be the last operation against the canals for 1944, the New Year was to see a renewed determination to put the canal irrevocably out of action once and for all.
1945
By the end of December 1944 the Allies were starting to get the upper hand in the battle against the Nachtjagd, the latter suffering a greater percentage of operational losses (5.4%) than Bomber Command (1.7%) - the hunters had become the hunted.
During this period and for the remainder of the war most of the Nachtjagd's victories were claimed by experienced crews. This was for a number of reasons: the loss of territory to the advancing Allied forces denied the Luftwaffe ground controllers early warning information so that the Nachtjagd fighters couldn't be positioned ready to intercept the bombers, the fuel shortage had become critical and had to be rationed, new crews were sent to the Geschwaders having received inadequate training and were therefore less operationally effective, the increased effectiveness of Bomber Command's tactics including counter-measures and finally the Mosquito intruder policy which took its toll of German night fighters.
Nonetheless, those experienced crews reaped their rewards, as did the flak regiments on the ground so the canals still were to prove a daunting target for the Lancaster crews of 5 Group.
1stJanuary
Plt Off BATES, EDWARD PERCY (189351) age 31; RAFVR
Flt Sgt CURRIGAN, STANLEY WILLIAM GUY (1800502) age 23 RAFVR
Fg Off REAKS, PETER WILLIAM (182747)
Sgt SCOTT, THOMAS (1569472) age 19 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I NG223 WS-D of 9 Sqdn which was lost on a raid against the Dortmund-Ems canal, buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
8 February
Plt Off ANSELL, GERALD (198616); age 29 RAFVR
Flt Lt BOYLE, JOHN (184181); age 24 RAFVR
Sgt HOGGETT, STANLEY (1569216); RAFVR
Sgt JONES, PETER RICHARD (1808439); RAFVR
Flt Sgt RODWELL, DERYCK GRENVILLE (1333583); age 23 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, PD316 VN-A of No 50 Sqn, which was lost on a raid to the Dortmund-Ems Canal, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Flt Sgt JACKSON, REGINALD JOHN HARRIS (1853612); RAFVR
Flt Sgt LAUTHER, JOHN DENNIS (1578136); age 21 RAFVR
Flt Sgt LONSDALE, GILBERT HUGH (1487790); age 21 RAFVR
Flt Sgt SCULL, LIONEL FRANK FREDERICK (1602122);RAFVR
Flt Sgt STAZAKER, JAMES WILLIAM (1149349); age 23 RAFVR
Flt Sgt SUMMERS, GORDON (1851198); RAFVR
Flt Sgt THORN, ERNEST STANLEY (1801024); age 21 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, PB181 OL-C of No 83 Sqn, which collided with Lancaster ND961of No 97 Sqn near Best during a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, buried in Nederweert War Cemetery
Lt McGREGOR, CHARLES WILLIAM (31794V); age Unknown SAAF
Flt Sgt CHEATLE, RAEY HILTON (432755); age 20 RAAF
Flt Lt JOHNSON, GERARD STANSFIELD (50002); age 23 RAF
Flt Sgt CANNON, PERCIVAL GEORGE (1801327); age 34 RAFVR
Sgt LENNIE, DAVID STRANG (1824951); age 19 RAFVR
Fg Off NORTON, ARTHUR JOSEPH (154646); age 22 RAFVR
Sgt SHIELD, JONATHAN (1777165); age 22 RAFVR
Flt Lt SMALLEY, ROBERT CECIL (J/25766); age 30 RCAF
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, ND961 OF-U of No 97 Sqn, which collided with Lancaster PB181of No 83 Sqn near Best during a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, buried in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery.
Wg Cdr DOUGLAS, JOHN KEITH (403564); age 23 RAAF
Plt Off NANSCAWEN, JOHN BARRIE (419332); age 29 RAAF
Plt Off STUART, HENRY MONTGOMERY STANBROOK(410113); age 33 RAAF
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, NG455 PO-H of No 467 Sqn, which was lost on a raid to the Dortmund-Ems Canal, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
An extract above from the Adjutant's monthly summary records the loss of 467 squadron's CO Wg Cdr Douglas. It reads: "Our bad luck seems to be like a snowball - rolling on and getting bigger every day. From last night's raid AUS403564 W/Cdr J. K. DOUGLAS, our Commanding Officer, was reported missing. With his crew was CAN/J.35083 F/O L. W. E. ROGERS acting as 2nd Air Bomber. W/Cdr DOUGLAS was on his thirteenth trip of his second tour. With the Squadron Commander, "A" Flight Commander and Gunnery Leader reported missing this month, it will be realised that we have taken a severe mauling."
W/Cdr Douglas was probably shot down by Hptm Gerhardt Raht of Stab1./NJG2, one of six claims that he made that night. Having bombed the target, Douglas's Lancaster was attacked from below whilst flying straight and level, the night fighter emerging from cloud below. With the port wing in flames, Douglas ordered the crew to bale out but only three did so before the Lancaster crashed 2.5km north-west of Horstmar. (Source: The Nachtjagd War Diaries)
21st/22nd February
An expensive night for Bomber Command, three major targets were attacked (Worms, Gravenhorst and Duisburg) for the loss of 45 aircraft. 13 of those were lost attacking the Dortmund-Ems canal at Gravenhorst and all of those were destroyed by two Nachtjagers, Major Schnaufer and Hptm Rokker. It is extremely difficult to match most of the losses to specific claims by Schnaufer and Rokker because of the inaccuracy of the claims locations submitted by both pilots, which began to drift westwards from the actual crash sites, however from known details from primary sources and in geographical order this is how the losses occurred:
1. unidentified Lancaster: crashed at Steinfurt, SW Gravenhorst at 20.30 hrs.
2. PB814 of 207 squadron: believed to have exploded over the target.
3. PB804 of 463 squadron: crashed in a forest close to Mehringen at 21.35.
4. PB690 of 227 squadron: crashed near Ochtrup 15 minutes after bombing.
5. NG321 of 189 squadron: crashed at Epe, 3km SW of Gronau.
6. PB666 of 227 squadron: crashed at Het Woold near Winterswijk.
7. PB295 of 207 squadron: crashed near Bocholt.
8. NG327 of 49 squadron: crashed at Mehr 12 km SW of Wesel.
9. NE165 of 83 squadron: crashed near Rips, 12 km NE of Helmond.
10. NG329 of 463 squadron: crashed near Vredepeel at 21.15 hrs.
11. LL741 of 50 squadron: crashed at Deurne at 21.15 hrs.
12. LM548 of 463 squadron: exploded in mid-air and crashed at Hushoven c. 21.15 - 21.20 hrs.
13. PB568 of 49 squadron: shot down 24 km inside German occupied territory at 21.15 hrs.
Plt Off McCARTHY, ERIC JOSEPH FRANK (190699); RAF
Sgt BURRIDGE, COLIN FREDERICK PETER (1867170); age 19 RAFVR
Flt Sgt NEWBY, JOSEPH (1684756); age 22 RAFVR
Plt Off SIMPSON, ROBERT JOHN (J/95493); age 20 RCAF
Fg Off SMITH, EDWARD PERCIVAL (428798); age 27 RNZAF
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, NG327 EA-K of No 49 Sqn, which was shot down near Mehr during a raid against the Mitteland canal near Gravenhorst, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Flt Sgt GASCOYNE, JOHN PATRICK (1868804); age 23 RAFVR
He was killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, PB568 EA-Y of No 49 Sqn, which was lost during a raid against the Mitteland canal near Gravenhorst. He is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Sgt LANGTON, FRED SEDDON (1043747); age 23 RAFVR
Flt Sgt McCAULEY, DENIS ALPHONSUS (1394837); age 22 RAFVR
Fg Off ANDERSON, PETER GORDON (J/36360); age 21 RCAF
Plt Off CAMPBELL, ROY (J/94275); age 22 RCAF
Plt Off SOUTHCOTT, WARD REX (J/94334); age 21 RCAF
Plt Off McFAYDEN, DONALD ALEXANDER (J/94252); age 21 RCAF
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, LL741 VN-X of No 50 Sqn, which was lost during a raid against the Mitteland canal near Gravenhorst, buried in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery.
Grp Capt EVANS-EVANS, ANTHONY CARON (19018); age 43 RAF
Flt Sgt TAKLE, RICHARD JAMES (638924); age 27 RAF
Fg Off BALL, DESMOND ARTHUR JOHN WILLIAM (171305); age 24 RAFVR
Fg Off COOMBES, CLIFFORD (160156); age 22 RAFVR
Flt Lt FITCH, WILLIAM CROSS (143764); RAFVR
Fg Off MARSH, SIDNEY (159890); RAFVR
Sqn Ldr WISHART, WILLIAM GEOFFREY (147583); age 22 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, NE165 OL-Y of No 83 Sqn, which was shot down by a night fighter near Rips in Holland during a raid against the Mitteland canal near Gravenhorst, buried in Mierlo War Cemetery.
Fg Off GLENVILLE, PATRICK (158304); age 23 RAFVR
Flt Sgt HARPER, LEONARD STANLEY (1620623); age 21 RAFVR
Sgt MOORE, LAWRENCE (1258843); age 21 RAFVR
Sgt PALLISTER, FRANK (1594310); age 20 RAFVR
Plt Off PERRY, TREVOR JOHN (191460); RAFVR
WO GALLAGHER, CYRIL JOHN (426079); age 22 RNZAF
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, NG321 CA-V of No 189 Sqn, which was lost during a raid against the Mitteland canal near Gravenhorst, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Plt Off GRUNDY, ERIC (195679); age 33 RAFVR
Plt Off OAK, ALBERT ALFRED (191818); RAFVR
Sgt O'SHEA, FRANCIS CROHANE (17980); age 22 RAFVR
Sgt WINNING, HECTOR (1821317); RAFVR
Flt Sgt DAVEY, JIM BOYCE (R/224874); age 20 RCAF
Fg Off PHELAN, TERENCE BENEDICT (J/17869); age 24 RCAF
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, PB814 EM-T of No 207 Sqn, which was lost during a raid against the Mitteland canal near Gravenhorst, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Sgt LUPTON, JOHN THOMAS (1590635); RAFVR
Flt Sgt GARDINER, JOHN (R/179735); age 23 RCAF
WO II GRANBOIS, MAURICE EMERSON (R/181811); age 23 RCAF
Flt Sgt MacNICOLL, ROBERT CAMPBELL (R/224743); age 20 RCAF
Flt Sgt SWIHURA, ANDREW ANTHONY (R/135291); age 22 RCAF
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, PB295 EM-I of No 207 Sqn, which came down near Bocholt during a raid against the Mitteland canal near Gravenhorst, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Sgt EDWARDS, FREDERICK GEORGE (1049072); age 32 RAFVR
Fg Off GREEN, PETER ISAAC (183823); age 21 RAFVR
Sgt PIPER, HARRY ROBERT (3030989); age 22 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, PB666 9J-J of No 227 Sqn, which came down near Wintersijk during a raid against the Mitteland canal near Gravenhorst, buried in Winterswijk Cemetery.
Wg Cdr FORBES, WILLIAM ALEXANDER (414219); age 25 RAAF
Fg Off McLEOD, WILLIAM (182488); RAFVR
WO NORMAN, ARTHUR JACK (1380254); RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, PB804 JO-A of No 463 Sqn, which was lost on a raid against the Mitteland canal near Gravenhorst, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Wing Commander Bill Forbes was a very much liked and respected CO of 463 squadron. It is very possible that he was Heinz Schnaufer's 110th victim, shot down at 20.44 hrs north-north-west of Munster. Ironically this was to scheduled to be the last operation of his second tour of operations, he completed his first with 467 squadron. Later PRU photographs showed the banks of the canal had not been hit, the bombs having fallen into nearby fields.
Flt Sgt GOULD, FRANCIS EDWIN (433522); age 28 RAAF
Fg Off PEDERSEN, LAWRENCE ROY (426237); age 20 RAAF
Flt Sgt SUMNER, EDWARD THOMAS (433169); age 20 RAAF
Sgt HARKNESS, LESLIE (1593024); RAFVR
WO HEEL, ROWLAND (954030); age 25 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, LM548 JO-P of No 463 Sqn, which was shot down by flak near Weert a raid against the Mitteland canal near Gravenhorst, buried in Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery.
Fg Off Dixon was bomb-aimer in this crew. He reported that the aircraft was hit under the mid-upper gunner's position, the flak causing a fire in the fuselage. Dixon was putting "window" out of the chute in the nose of the aircraft at the time and did not hear an order to bale out. He thought the intercom was damaged. The aircraft went into a shallow dive about two minutes after the fire was reported, he faintly heard the skipper say "Bale out." The aircraft was full of smoke as he removed the front hatch (in the floor of the bomb-aimer's compartment). The aircraft went into a steeper dive which made it difficult to bale out. As he was about to jump he heard another member, whom he could not identify, scream "Get out." As far as he knew he was the first to get out, his parachute opened successfully and he landed three miles from Weert and was taken in hand by Dutch civilians and later by the Army. They took him to the hospital where he stayed overnight. Whilst there Sergeant Freeman was brought in suffering from severe injuries. He was told by the Army that the aircraft exploded in the air and only two parachutes were seen leaving the plane. (Source: Press on Regardless by Brian Milton Fallon)
Flt Sgt DALBY, WILLIAM EDWIN (1622283); age 21 RAFVR
Sgt DOLAN, WILLIAM (1826350); age 34 RAFVR
Fg Off HATCHER, PAUL HERBERT (186516); age 27 RAFVR
Flt Sgt PARKIN, K (1623792); RAFVR
Sgt SHEARER, JOHN (1566269); RAFVR
Flt Sgt WOODHOUSE, JAMES (907425); age 23 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, RF138 VN-D of No 50 Sqn, which was lost during a raid against the Mitteland canal near Gravenhorst, buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
3rd March
Sgt FOX, ALVIN CLARKE (2221839); age 31 RAFVR
Fg Off LACEY, ARTHUR NORMAN (163717); RAFVR
Fg Off LEISK, COLIN MURRAY (157930); age 25 RAFVR
Fg Off MILLER, HERBERT VICTOR (55237); age 28 RAFVR
Sgt SAMUELS, JOHN JOSEPH (1523568); RAFVR
Flt Sgt JOHNSTON, ALEXANDER (R/276317); age 25 RCAF
Flt Sgt PHILLIPS, GORDEN JAMES (R/276302); age 21 RCAF
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, NG204 EM-M of No 207 Sqn, which was lost on a raid against the Dortmund-Ems canal, see map below. All are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
From the service file of Alexander Johnston RCAF: there is a letter from the UK Air Ministry to the Canadian Dept of National Defense dated 29th April 1946 stating:
Sir,
CAN.R.276317 F/Sgt. JOHNSTON A.
I am directed to inform you that a report has been received from No.2001 A.D. Wing, Royal Air Force, through
No.1 Missing Research and Enquiry Unit which establishes that fate of the above-named R.C.A.F. member and the
remainder of the crew of Lancaster NG204 in which he was flying as air gunner.
The aircraft crashed on the night of 3rd March, 1945 in the vicinity of Havixbeck, near the Catholic
Hospital at Tilbeck, 8 miles west of Munster, Western Germany. The Director of the hospital states that all
the crew were killed outright, the bodies being brought into the hospital mortuary prior to burial in Havixbeck
Cemetery
The whole crew are buried in a Comrades' Grave which has been well kept, and is marked with a small
metal cross painted white.
Graves registration Authorities are being informed and a post presumption memorandum is in preparation.
Flt Sgt ELLIOTT, OSRIC BROWNRIGG (432217); age 21 RAAF
Flt Lt HOWELLS, FRANCIS JOHN (419044); age 20 RAAF
Flt Sgt BARLOW, PHILIP TYERS (1802589); age 21 RAFVR
Sgt BATES, DOUGLAS (1594894); age 19 RAFVR
Sgt BILLARD, CHARLES EDWARD (1595492); age 27 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, NG469 JO-D of No 463 Sqn, which was lost near Mesum whilst returning from a raid against the Dortmund-Ems canal, all are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Frank Howells and, above his medals which his sister Joy Dewar donated to Point Cook Museum in 1994.
Fg Off CAMERON, CHARLES JACKSON (434868); age 31 RAAF
Wg Cdr LANGLOIS, ERIC LE PAGE (416685); age 31 RAAF
Fg Off PATTEN, EVAN CHARLES (409437); age 23 RAAF
Fg Off REID, ALAN FRANK (421050); age 29 RAAF
Flt Sgt SCOTT, JOHN (1591065); age 20 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, PB806 PO-W of No 467 Sqn, which was lost on a raid against the Dortmund-Ems canal, all are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Wg Cdr Langlois had only recently taken over command of 467 squadron following the loss of the previous CO Wg Cdr Douglas also attacking the Dortmund-Ems canal.
The following extract is from the website "ANZAC Sons" written by Kerry Barnes, the nephew of Wg Cdr Langlois:
On the final approach to Ladbergen, W/C Langlois' plane was in a lead position and was attacked by a pair of ME110's. Rear-gunner Taylor opened fire on one of the ME110's and claims that he managed to destroy it, however, the gunfire pinpointed their position for the second enemy aircraft. The second ME110 pilot, Major Wolfgang Schnaufer, opened fire and hit PO-W in the bomb bay and it immediately caught fire. W/C Langlois ordered 'parachutes on' and all of the crew acknowledged. The fire immediately intensified and W/C Langlois ordered the crew to 'bail out'.
Breaking formation, his priority was to maintain a level line to allow his crew to escape. The rear gunner, F/O Taylor, escaped by turning the rear turret and dropping backwards out of the turret. The bomb aimer, F/O Willmot, found the forward escape hatch jammed and had to kick it open. He finally was able to drop through the hatch, however he was momentarily stunned when he hit his jaw on the way through. The engineer, Sgt Scott, was right behind Willmot when he left the stricken aircraft. F/O Taylor saw 5 chutes as he descended to earth. F/O Taylor saw one other of the aircrew land and walk away from his chute. Later F/O Taylor was told by French farm workers that five allied aircrew, four Australians and one Englishman, were captured and shot by SS near Dortmund that night.
F/O Taylor was captured at 8am on 4th march by two German Home Guards and taken to the Rhine Airfield Jail. He was then taken to Stalag VIIA until released by the Americans on 11th May 1945.
F/O Willmot injured his leg on landing and went to a farmhouse for assistance. He was then handed over to civil police and taken to Rhine Airfield Jail where he met up with F/O Taylor. F/O Willmot was released from Moosburg by the American Army on 29th April 1945."
The bodies of the five crew members have never been found which is why they are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, their names are also inscribed in the RAF Book of Remembrance in St Clement Danes Church in The Strand, London. .
A fine studio portrait of Eric le Page Langlois (right) and a more informal one relaxing in the Horse and Jockey
Flt Sgt COOK, DAVID FREDERICK (1807509); age 21 RAFVR
Fg Off THOMPSON, PAUL EDWARD (172099); age 23 RAFVR
WO CRAWFORD, JOHN (416818); age 23 RNZAF
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, PA197 CA-B of No 189 Sqn, which came down near Bevergern in the target area during a raid against the Dortmund-Ems canal, all are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Plt Off BUCKMAN, PATRICK JOHN (428753); age 23 RAAF
Fg Off JOHNSTON, JAMES MALCOLMSON (427098); age 22 RAAF
Flt Sgt BINCH, VICTOR HUGH (1580691); age 21 RAFVR
Plt Off ROSS-ROSS, PETER DONALD (J/93595); age 20 RCAF
killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, NG170 9J-S of No 227 Sqn, which was shot down by a night fighter during a raid against the Dortmund-Ems canal, see map below. All are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Below and right: Confirmation of the crash site of NG170 and an account of the events leading to its crash from a surviving crew member.
Flt Sgt CAHILL, CLYDE MCCARTNEY (428103); age 31 RAAF
Fg Off EGGINS, ROBERT BRUCE (424717); age 20 RAAF
Flt Sgt MADDEN, PATRICK JOSEPH (426633); age 21 RAAF
Flt Sgt RICHARDSON, RUSSELL VERNON (428189); age 20 RAAF
Flt Sgt WALKER, ALEXANDER SECK (436305); age 33 RAAF
Flt Sgt PRICHARD, GRAHAM ARTHUR RODNEY (1191010); age 22 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, LM677 PO-V of No 467 Sqn, which came down at Havixbeck near Munster during a raid against the Dortmund-Ems canal, see map below. All are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. See below:
Bobby Eggins and his crew.
Below: Bobby and his crew in January 1945, their Lancaster collided with one from 189 squadron over Cognac and the Eggins' crew survived by baling out. More can be seen elsewhere on this site when available.
Bobby Eggins' obituary.
WO TERRAS, COLIN HILL (432286); age 20 RAAF
Fg Off WARD, ROWLAND TELFORD (428814); age 21 RAAF
Flt Sgt CALLAGHAN, HARRY (1624820); age 20 RAFVR
Sgt CHATTERS, WILLIAM ALBERT ALFRED (1897453); age 20 RAFVR
Sgt DRENNAN, THOMAS EDWARD (1903277); age 22 RAFVR
Flt Sgt SMITH, RONALD VICTOR (1622514); age Unknown RAFVR
Flt Sgt VENTON, MAXWELL (1587088); age 21 RAFVR
killed whilst flying in Lancaster III, ME453 PO-L of No 467 Sqn, see below, which was lost on a raid against the Dortmund-Ems canal, all are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
The dreaded telegram that no parents wanted to receive:
Crash sites of Lancasters approaching the Dortmund-Ems canal on 3 March 1945:
18 miles to target
16 miles to target
12 miles to target
3 miles from target
Of the 7 Lancasters lost that night it is known that 4 of them were shot down during the approach to the target, the graphic above shows the positions of the crash sites as accurately as can be determined from existing records. The positions of NG204, LM677 and NG170 are consistent with the course of the bomber stream approaching from the south-west. The position of ME453 just 3 miles west of the target corroborates an eye witness statement that the Lancaster was in flames as it circled his farmhouse, it had however not reached the target nor dropped its bombs. This will be linked at a later date to other eye witness reports within this website of the demise of ME453.
This was to be the last operation against the Dortmund-Ems canal, the Germans in retreat and chaos finally lacked the manpower and organisation to be able to rebuild the damage. This final chapter over a period of five years had cost the lives of 298 airmen who could be accounted for, others may have been lost in the unforgiving dark waters of the channel as a result of damage sustained during attacks.
POST SCRIPT:
But in any war there are casualties on both sides, many of them innocents. There is a small plaque placed where the R. Glane flows beneath the canal which commemorates the local civilians lost during the raids, It says:
"During the Second World War 1939/45 through the bombing of the Dortmund-Ems-Kanal near Ladbergen some 50 people were killed.
During six major attacks from 23.9.1944 until 3.3.1945 4400 tons of bombs were dropped on this Kanal and the other surrounding area. It changed the surrounding area of the Kanal into a crater landscape."
(With thanks to Neal Marston for the picture and notification of the plaque and Wim Govaerts for the translation.)
