115 Squadron

22/23 September 1943

Lancaster Mk II - DS675 KO-E

T/O little Snoring 1918 - Target Hanover, Germany.
Subjected to a concerted attack by two night fighters over the target.
After the fourth attack the Navigator and Bomb Aimer managed to bale out at low altitude.

Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan.

711 aircraft - 322 Lancasters, 226 Halifaxes, 137 Stirlings, 26 Wellingtons -
on the first major raid to Hannover for 2 years; this was the first of a series of 4 heavy raids on this target.
5 American B-17s also took part in the raid, their first night raid on Germany.

26 aircraft - 12 Halifaxes, 7 Lancasters, 5 Stirlings, 2 Wellingtons - lost, 3.7 per cent of the force.

Visibility in the target area was good but stronger winds than forecast caused the marking and the
bombing to be concentrated between 2 and 5 miles south-south-east of the city centre.

21 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitos of No 8 Group carried out a diversionary raid at Oldenburg,
dropping much 'Window' and many flares and target indicators to simulate the arrival of a larger force.
The losses on the Hannover raid, lower than the recent average, may indicate that this tactic was partially successful.
No aircraft were lost on the diversionary raid.

12 Mosquitos on a further diversion to Emden, 4 Stirlings minelaying in the Frisians, 7 OTU sorties. No losses.

Source: nationalarchives.gov.uk - Bomber Command - Campaign Diary September 1943.

P/O. Pipe later reported "On the night of 22/23rd September 1943, DS 675 was attacked but the gunner managed to beat it off.
I spoke over the intercom to W/O. Goldsmith congratulating him on his action, in fact all members spoke to each other.
Later we were attacked again and one of the engines made unserviceable.
I called up Goldsmith but received no reply but I heard very faintly Sgt. Cowling who was at the flare hatch at the back of the aircraft.
He said he would ascertain if Goldsmith was OK. I also received no reply from the mid upper gunner.
Soon after we were attacked again and the aircraft was raked from the front to the rear position, after which the Captain ordered abandon.
I went up to P/O. Fuggle the WAG to go up to our bale out position, when I was suddenly flung forward.
I found myself on the forward escape hatch.
As I was lying on the hatch I saw the pilot start to leave his seat.
I then baled out followed by Sgt. Heath. I did not notice anyone else leave the aircraft on the way down.
I landed a short distance from the aircraft.
Later I saw Sgt. Heath and he told me that the second pilot had baled out before us, but neither of us knew his fate.
Sgt. Heath told me that when he left the aircraft was at a very low altitude and it is very impossible that the
Captain escaped from the aircraft before it crashed.
I did not know the fate of any other member of the crew."

Source: awm.gov.au

ORB. 22nd Sept., 1943.
7 aircraft took off between 19.18 hours & 19.30 hours to attack HANOVER.
1 aircraft (G.D.S.667 - Captain F/S. MILGATE, R.) was forced to abandon the sortie due to Rear Gunners
intercommunication being unserviceable and returned to Base early after jettisoning his bombs safe.
5 aircraft identified the target by means of green target indicator markers on which they dropped
their bombs from heights ranging between 10,500 feet & 20,000 feet.
Well concentrated fires with thick black smoke could be seen 150 miles away.
Photographs were attempted.
1 aircraft failed to return from operations.

24.15. 6 aircraft had returned to Base safely by marginally given time.

O'Farrell Patrick Thomas - Pilot

F/O - Service No 409216

Age: 21

RAAF

Son of Francis Stewart O'Farrell and Kathleen Harriet O'Farrell, of Northcote, Victoria, Australia.

Hanover War Cemetery - grave 11. G. 11.

Source: CWGC - Find a Grave by Honour those who fell & Wouter van Dijken.

His cousin John "Jack" McLeod flew with the Shearer Crew 576 Squadron.
He was Patrick's younger cousin and was killed over France (6/7 May 1944)
8 months after Patrick.