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10/11 August 1943 Lancaster Mk II - DS665 KO-N |
Broke up in mid air at 0430 hours and crashed at East Hall Farm, Boughton, Monchelsea, Kent.
Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan.
653 aircraft - 318 Lancasters, 216 Halifaxes, 119 Stirlings to Nuremberg.
The Pathfinders attempted to ground-mark the city and, although their markers were mostly obscured by cloud,
a useful attack developed in the central and southern parts of Nuremberg.
The Lorenzkirche, the largest of the city's old churches, was badly damaged and about 50 of the houses in the preserved
Altstadt were destroyed. There was a large 'fire area' in the Wöhrd district.
16 aircraft - 7 Halifaxes, 6 Lancasters, 3 Stirlings - lost, 2.5 per cent of the force.
Source: nationalarchives.gov.uk - Bomber Command - Campaign Diary August 1943.
ORB. 10th AUG., 1943.
14 aircraft took off between 21.45 hours & 22.10 hours to attack NUREMBURG.
1 aircraft (M.D.S.684 - Captain S/L. J. R. WATSON) was forced to abandon the sortie due to
Rear Gunner lead to economizer
being unserviceable and returned to Base early after jettisoning his bombs safe.
12 aircraft identified the target by means of red & white flares and green target indicator markers,
on which they dropped their bombs from heights ranging between 15,000 feet and 22,000 feet.
A large explosion was seen (G.D.S.667 - Captain F/S. BLACKWELL. F.) at about 01.30 hours and the fires,
which could be seen over 100 miles away, appeared to be scattered. Photographs were attempted.
One aircraft failed to return from Operations.
A telephone message was received at the station at 18,00 hours on 11th August, 1943 from R.A.F. Statio, DETLING,
stating that this aircraft had crashed 5 miles South East of MAIDSTONE (later given as East Hall Farm, Boughton, Monchelsea, Kent) -
all the Crew being killed.
05.40. 13 aircraft had returned safely to Base.
Erwin John Henry - Pilot
F/O - Service No 125507
Age:
RAFVR
Son of
Maidstone Cemetery, Borough, Kent - plot CC.1. grave 62.
Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by JS
Fannan Lawrence Peter - FE
Sgt - Service No 1673319
Age: 19
RAFVR
Son of Francis and Elizabeth Fannan, of Wibsey, Bradford.
Bradford (Bowling) Cemetery, West Bowling, Metropolitan Borough of Bradford,
West Yorkshire - grave Z.1257
Source: CWGC - Find a Grave.
Chesser Ronald Etheridge - Nav
F/O - Service No 138785
Age: 27
RAFVR
Son of William Etheridge Chesser and Ethel May Chesser,
of Nottingham.
Husband of Margery Florence Chesser.
Carlton Cemetery, Nottingham Unitary Authority, Nottinghamshire -
grave A.M.6.163.
Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Irish
Oliver Gilbert Edward - WOP
Sgt - Service No 1130155
Age: 23
RAFVR
Son of Timothy Edward and Ivy Leah Oliver, of Hackney.
Abney Park Cemetery Stoke Newington, London - grave J.4.59342.
Source: CWGC - Photos on Find a grave
Gardner Norman Philip - BA
F/O - Service No 132378
Age:
RAFVR
Son of Charles and Bertha Gardner.
Husband of Karen M. Gardner, of Alresford.
Winchester (Magdalen Hill) Cemetery Chilcomb, Hants. - grave F.1.105.
Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by julia&keld
Merritt Frederick Henry - MUG
Sgt - Service No 1336498
Age: 21
RAFVR
Son of Frederick George and Edith Merritt, of Hounslow.
Heston (St. Leonard) Churchyard, Heston & Isleworth, Middlesex - Old Ground grave 5.BR.16.
Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by julia&keld
Bettridge Oliver Augustus - RG
F/S - Service No R161867
Age: 21
RCAF
Son of Henry A. Bettridge and Caroline Bettridge,
of Cornwall, Ontario, Canada.
Brookwood Military Cemetery, Woking Surrey - grave 45.E2.
Source: CWGC - photos: Canadian Virtual War Memorial - Find a Grave by Retired QA.