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25/26 June 1943 Lancaster Mk II - DS666 KO-J |
Lost without trace.
Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan.
473 aircraft ordered to Gelsenkirchen - 214 Lancasters, 134 Halifaxes, 73 Stirlings, 40 Wellingtons, 12 Mosquitos.
This was the first raid to the city since 1941, when it had been one of Bomber Command's regular 'oil targets', although,
being in the middle of the Ruhr, this town had often been hit when other targets were attacked.
30 aircraft - 13 Lancasters, 7 Halifaxes, 6 Stirlings, 4 Wellingtons - were lost, 6.3 per cent of the force.
The raid was not a success. The target was obscured by cloud and the Oboe Mosquitos, for once,
failed to produce regular and accurate marking since 5 of the 12 Oboe aircraft found that their equipment was unserviceable.
33 aircraft were sent minelaying in the Frisians and off French ports.
1 Lancaster lost.
Source: nationalarchives.gov.uk - Bomber Command - Campaign Diary June 1943.
ORB. 25th June, 1943.
12 aircraft took off between 23.54 hours & 00.23 hours to attack target GELSENKIRCHEN.
1 aircraft failed to return from Operations & another (L.D.S.662 - Captain F/S. PEATE. R.)
was forced to abandon the sortie due to starboard outer engine trouble & returned to Base early
after jettisoning his 4,000 lb. H.C. safe but bringing back his incendiaries.
1 aircraft (D.D.S.629 - Captain F/L. J. B. STARKY) collided with a believed Lancaster aircraft over ENSHEDE &
jettisoned his bombs live, damage being sustained to starboard wing.
The remaining nine aircraft located the target by means of tracking flares & release point flares on which they
dropped their bombs from heights ranging between 18,000 feet and 21,000 feet.
Glow of fires could be seen through the clouds.
1 Captain (X.D.S.664 - Captain Sgt. WOLFSON. F.) reported a large explosion at 02.40 hours.
(Z.D.S.631 - Sgt. HOWELL. A. - Aircraft received 2 holes in nacelle due to fighter attack).
2 aircraft took off on MINELAYING OPERATIONS (Area LA ROCHELLE) at 10.50 hours &
one of them (Lancaster Mk II DS663 KO-C, 7 KIA) failed to return from Operations.
The other successfully dropped its mines in the allotted area by pinpoint of POINT DE LA PAYRE from a height of 700 feet.
04.50. 12 aircraft had returned safely to Base.
Rashley Ronald Frederick - Pilot
Sgt - Service No 1336977
Age:
RAFVR
Son of
Runnymede Memorial - panel 162
Source: CWGC - photo Aircrew Remembered courtesy Ellin Bessner.
Beeston Frank Lynford - FE
Sgt - Service No 1425681
Age: 21
RAFVR
Son of William and Florence Edith Beeston, of Chilwell, Nottinghamshire.
Runnymede Memorial - panel 142
Source: CWGC.
Sibbald Clyde Maxwell - Nav
Sgt - Service No 1049563
Age: 23
RAFVR
Son of John Patrick and Carlotta Sibbald, of Wallsend, Northumberland.
Runnymede Memorial - panel 164
Source: CWGC - Photo via Aircrew Rembered courtesy Chris Sibbald.
Corns Alexander - WOP
Sgt - Service No 1131924
Age:
RAFVR
Son of
Runnymede Memorial - panel 146
Source: CWGC.
Davidson Gideon - BA
Sgt - Service No J20818
Age:
RCAF
Son of Jacob Davidson (mother +) of 2509 West 18th Avenue, Vancouver.
Runnymede Memorial - panel 173
Source: CWGC - Photo via Aircrew Remembered - courtesy Ellin Bessner -
Canadian Virtual War Memorial.
Green Ernest - MUG
Sgt - Service No 1581444
Age: 21
RAFVR
Son of Frederick and Sabina Green, of Braunstone, Leicestershire.
Runnymede Memorial - panel 151
Source: CWGC.
Worsdale Albert - RG
Sgt - Service No 1577574
Age: 21
RAFVR
Son of John Edward and Bertha Worsdale, of Lincoln.
Runnymede Memorial - panel 170
Source: CWGC.