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26/27 August 1944 Lancaster Mk I - LM127 KO-H |
Crashed in the North Sea.
Bomb Load: 1 x 4000lbs, 900 x 4lbs incendiaries, 96 x 30lbs incendiaries.
Equipment: H2S - FISHPOND.
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,
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.) Lancaster Mk I HK560 A4-K, 7 KIA,
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.
Morgan James Edward - Pilot
F/O - Service No 182018
Age: 29
RAFVR
Son of Ida Marion Morgan, of Hammersmith, London.
Washed ashore near Vester Vested 11 September 1944
and initially buried on the beach.
He was exhumed on 9 November 1945 and reburied at
Esbjerg (Fourfelt) Cemetery, Denmark - grave A. 13. 14.
Source: CWGC - Photo: flensted.eu.com - Find a Grave.
Coote Kenneth Percy - FE
Sgt - Service No 3000114
Age: 19
RAFVR
Son of Percy Cyril and Olive Beryl Coote, of Bromley, Kent.
Runnymede Memorial - panel 227
Source: CWGC - Photo: Find a grave by Daglish.
Young Eric - Nav
F/S - Service No 1487006
Age: 23
RAFVR
Son of Arthur and Emily Frances Young, of Birmingham.
Husband of Evelyn Blanche Young, of Yardley, Birmingham.
Runnymede Memorial - panel 223
Source: CWGC.
Bell Maurice - WOP
Sgt - Service No 1621754
Age: 21
RAFVR
Son of William Morrish Bell and Harriet Emma Bell, of Castleford, Yorkshire.
Runnymede Memorial - panel 225
Source: CWGC.
O'Sullivan Desmond Francis - BA
F/O - Service No 151430
Age: 27
RAFVR
Son of Michael J. and Mary E. O'Sullivan,
of Camolin, Co. Wexford, Irish Republic.
Washed ashore and buried on 31 August 1944.
Esbjerg (Fourfelt) Cemetery, Denmark - grave A. 12. 9.
Source: CWGC - Photo via airmen.dk - Find a Grave.
Miller Ian Graham Campbell - MUG
F/S - Service No 1552376
Age:
RAFVR
Son of
Runnymede Memorial - panel 220
Source: CWGC.
Yates Tom - RG
P/O - Service No J95439 (R212527)
Age: 26
RCAF
Son of Tom and Janet Yates, of Hamilton, Ontario.
Washed ashore near Zandvoort, Netherland
and was initially buried in the General Cemetery.
Bergen op Zoom Canadian War Cemetery - grave 1. H. 10.
Source: CWGC - Photo: canadian-virtual-war-memorial - flensted.eu.com - Find a Grave.