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4/5 April 1945 Lancaster Mk I - HK555 KO-E |
Collided with Lancaster RA533 of 186 Sqn over Giesh.
This was the last operational casualty of 115 Sqn.
Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan.
327 Lancasters and 14 Mosquitos of Nos 3, 6 and 8 Groups attacked the synthetic-oil plant at Leuna.
The target was cloud-covered, the bombing was scattered and only minor damage was caused.
2 Lancasters lost.
Source: nationalarchives.gov.uk - Bomber Command - Campaign Diary April 1945.
ORB 4th April 1945.
21 aircraft were detailed to attack LEUNA.
All took off (between 1843 and 1911 hour) and completed their duty except two -
one failed to return (F/O. O'HALLORAN) and one
(A/C. (IL)K.PR.666 - Captain F/O. F. H. GRAHAM) returned to Base due to unserviceability of rear turret.
Bombing was on P.F.F. and was considered successful. P.F.F. were late but skymarkers were well concentrated.
Large explosions, small fires, bomb flashes and a yellowish glow on the cloud were observed.
1 ME.110, 1 jet fighter and two other fighters seen.
Decoy was seen burning to Nothern end of target. NORDHAUSEN was burning fiercely.
Moderate heavy Flak barrage over target and Flak from LEIPZIG. Searchlights from target and MERSEBERG.
0322. All our aircraft but one returned safely to Base.
O'Halloran Thomas Anthony - Pilot
F/L - Service No 183181
Age:
RAFVR
Son of
Rheinberg War Cemetery - grave 14. A. 17.
Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Des Phillipet
Luxton Eric Laurence - 2nd Pilot
P/O - Service No J94582
Age: 33
RCAF
Son of George Luxton and Mary Yemen, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Rheinberg War Cemetery - grave 14. A. 12.
Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Operation:PictureMe
Marchant Charles Edward - FE
F/S - Service No 1604373
Age: 22
RAFVR
Son of Charles and Florence Marchant.
Husband of Jennie Donkin Marchant, of Hendon, Sunderland, Co. Durham.
Nederweert War Cemetery, Netherlands - IV. C. 6.
Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Des Philippet
Carr Wilfred Gordon - Nav
F/S - Service No 1683518
Age: 22
RAFVR
Son of Wilfrid and Catherine Elizabeth Carr.
Husband of Georgina B. A. Carr, of Hallatrow, Somerset.
Rheinberg War Cemetery - grave 14. A. 14.
Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Des Philippet
Saville Gordon Reginald - WOP
W/O - Service No 428798
Age: 24
RAAF
Son of Ernest Saville and Edith Blanche Scoble.
Husband of Audrey Hilda Saville, of Punchbowl, New South Wales, Australia.
Rheinberg War Cemetery - grave 14. A. 15.
Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Des Philippet
Adams Albert Edward - BA
F/O - Service No 149989
Age:
RAFVR
Son of
Rheinberg War Cemetery - grave 14. A. 11.
Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Des Philippet
Sheavills Ernest - MUG
Sgt - Service No 651465
Age: 24
RAF
Son of - Husband of Joyce Sheavills, of Bradford, Yorkshire.
Ernest and Joyce (nee Long) were married in Bradford in early 1945,
it is unknown when he came to Bradford.
His eldest brother John and wife Jane can be found on the 1938 electoral roll and the 1939 register living on Hazelhurst, Queensbury. Source: Queensbury remembers.
Rheinberg War Cemetery - grave 14. A. 13.
Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Des Philippet
Buckley John Thomas - RG
Sgt - Service No 1690398
Age:
RAFVR
Son of
Rheinberg War Cemetery - grave 14. A. 16.
Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Des Pilippet