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26/27 August 1944 Lancaster Mk I - HK560 A4-K |
Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan.
372 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3 and 8 Groups despatched to Kiel.
The Pathfinder marking was hampered by smoke-screens but the local report tells of a very serious raid with heavy bombing
in the town centre and surrounding districts and widespread fires fanned by a strong wind.
The Rathaus was completely burnt out and many other public buildings were destroyed or seriously damaged.
17 Lancasters lost, 4.6 per cent of the Lancaster force.
Source: nationalarchives.gov.uk - Bomber Command - Campaign Diary August 1944.
ORB. 26th Aug. 1944.
23 aircraft were detailed to attack KIEL, but one failed to take off.
The remainder took off between 20.09 hours and 20.45 hours.
3 aircraft
H.LM.127 Captain P/O. J. MORGAN, Lancaster Mk I LM127 KO-H, 7 KIA
F.HK.556 Captain F/O. F. HOLDER NZ.421053, Lancaster Mk I HK556 A4-F, 7 KIA and
HK.560 Captain F/S. BRAUN, H.)
failed to return from Operations - no news being received.
2 aircraft were forced to abandon the sortie due to
port outer engine being unserviceable (B.NN.706 Captain P/O. T. W. ELLISON)
and rear turret (C.ME.836 Captain F/O. A. J. OSBORNE) being unserviceable respectively
and both returned to Base early after jettisoning their bomb load, one live and the other safe.
17 aircraft identified the target visually and by P.F. flares and bombed red and green markers from heights ranging
between 16,000 feet and 19,000 feet.
Bombing was well concentrated and many fires with much smoke and explosions were seen. Photographs were attempted.
Searchlights and heavy Flak were very active.
One aircraft (Z.LL.944 Captain F/S. BODEN J.)* was damaged by heavy Flak.
* Damage to H2S scanner, rudder control bar, ammo. container to rear turret, flare chute and No.2 port tank.
02.05. 19 aircraft had returned safely to Base.
Braun Howard Charles - Pilot
P/O - Service No J88272
Age: 26 - °19 May 1918.
RCAF
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Braun,
of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. One sister Katharine.
Runnymede Memorial - panel 249
Source: CWGC - photo Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Leighton Peter James - FE
Sgt - Service No 1819797
Age: 20
RAFVR
Son of Peter James Leighton and Alice Adelaide Leighton, of Pasadena, California, U.S.A.
Runnymede Memorial - panel 233
Source: CWGC.
Morton Frank Ernest - Nav
P/O - Service No J92620
Age: 29 - °1 January 1915
RCAF
Son of Frank Reginald and Elizabeth Morton,
of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Runnymede Memorial - panel 252
Source: CWGC - photo and more info on Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Seviour Albert - WOP
Sgt - Service No 1585006
Age: 26
RAFVR
Son of Frederick and Florence Seviour, of Dilton, Wiltshire.
Runnymede Memorial - panel 237
Source: CWGC.
Newnam Leonard Edward - BA
F/S - Service No 1318514
Age: 23
RAFVR
Son of Horace Caselton Newnam and May Greenfield Newnam, of Hendon, Middlesex.
Runnymede Memorial - panel 221
Source: CWGC.
Langrill William Arthur - MUG
P/O - Service No J90933
Age: 22
RCAF - USA Los Angeles, Ca.
Son of Richard G. and Nellie May Langrill.
Runnymede Memorial - panel 251
Source: CWGC.
Bradford James Gibson - RG
Sgt - Service No 1897114
Age: 20
RAFVR
Son of James Gibson Bradford and Jane Cant Robertson Bradford, of Liff, Angus.
Runnymede Memorial - panel 225
Source: CWGC.