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20/21 October 1943 Lancaster Mk II - DS725 KO-F |
Believed to have come down at Engersen, 12 Km ESE of Klotze.
Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan.
358 Lancasters of 1, 5, 6 and No 8 Groups.
This was the first serious attack on this distant German city.
Weather conditions were very difficult - Bomber Command records describe them as 'appalling' - and the bombing was very scattered.
16 Lancasters lost, 4.5 per cent of the force.
Source: nationalarchives.gov.uk - Bomber Command - Campaign Diary October 1943.
ORB. 20th Oct., 1943
14 aircraft were detailed to attack Leipzig,
1 failed to take off due engine trouble.
The remainder took off between 18.10 hours and 18.25 hours.
1 failed to return from operations.
2 were forced to abandon the sortie,
the first (L.D.S.680 - Captain P/O. R. E. PEATE) due to D.R.Compass being unserviceable and engine trouble,
and the other (C.D.S.777 - Captain S/L. R. H. ANNAN) due to "GEE" being unserviceable,
and both returned to base early after jettisoning their bombs live and safe respectively.
2 aircraft (D.D.S.720 - Captain F/S. BLACKWELL, F.) - (J.D.S.678 - Captain P/O. H. G. HICKS)
were forced to jettison their bombs live over ULZER due to severe icing and electric storms.
The remainder bombed the target mainly on estimated time of arrival from heights ranging between 20,500 feet and 23,000 feet.
The attack was very poor owing to impossible weather conditions, and fires were very scattered.
Photographs were attempted.
00.35. 12 aircraft had returned safely to base.
Anderson John Thomas - Pilot
F/L - Service No 127890
Age: 26
RAFVR
Son of Thomas Anderson, and of Agnes Anderson, of Shield Row,
Stanley, Co. Durham.
Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery - grave 9. E. 10.
Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Uwe
Clements Ronald Cyril Saville "Ron"- 2nd Pilot
F/O - Service No 134106
Age: 27 - °1916
RAFVR
Son of Frank and Olive Clements.
Husband of Gertrude Muriel Kelly, of Sale, Cheshire x16 June 1983.
Sister lived at The Avenue, Sale.
Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery - grave 9. E. 11.
Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Martin Carrack and Uwe
Batten Gilbert Herbert McDonald - FE
Sgt - Service No 621459
Age: - °1919, Thanet, Surrey.
RAF
Son of Gilbert Batten, °January 1897, Bareneed, New foundland (+1985), Ipswich
and Jessie Winifred Palmer, °1899, Islington, London.
Brother to Sgt. Harold Roystan, +11th November 1943, age: 21
Serv. No 1333486 RAFVR 161 Squadron.
Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery - grave 9. E. 5.
Source: CWGC - Photo and more info on Ipswich War Memorial - Find a grave by Uwe.
Horn Derrick Leslie Walter - Nav
F/S - Service No 1387726
Age: 20
RAFVR
Son of Walter and Elsie May Horn, of Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire.
Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery - joint grave 9. E. 7-8.
Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Uwe
Boston Douglas James - WOP
F/O - Service No 132413
Age: 23
RAFVR
Son of Arthur Henry Eaton Boston, and of Florence Elizabeth Boston,
of Greenford, Middlesex.
Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery - grave 9. E. 9.
Source: CWGC - Photo, With thanks to Royal Air Force Marham Aviation Heritage Centre. -
Find a grave by
Andrews Frank George - BA
F/O - Service No 134073
Age: 20
RAFVR
Son of Albert George and Louisa Marion Andrews,
of Moordown, Bournemouth, Hampshire.
Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery - grave 9. E. 4.
Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Uwe
Gibbs Ernest Alfred - MUG
Sgt - Service No 1577754
Age: 22
RAFVR
Son of William Thomas Gibbs and Maud Gibbs,
of Winson Green, Birmingham.
Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery - grave 9. E. 6.
Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Uwe
Cowie Frank Norman Simpson - RG
F/S - Service No 1252153
Age: 24
RAFVR
Son of William Anson Cowie and Ida Isobel Cowie.
Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery - joint grave 9. E. 7-8.
Source: CWGC - Photo via Find a grave, by Michel Beckers and Uwe