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30/31 January 1944 Lancaster Mk II - LL648 KO-B |
Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan.
534 aircraft - 440 Lancasters, 82 Halifaxes, 12 Mosquitos - to Berlin.
There were no preliminary diversions on this night and the attempt by the German controllers to
intercept the bomber stream over the sea failed.
The bombers were, therefore, well on the way to Berlin before meeting any fighters but the Germans
were then able to follow the bomber stream until well into the return flight.
33 aircraft - 32 Lancasters and 1 Halifax - lost, 6.2 per cent of the force.
Source: nationalarchives.gov.uk - Bomber Command - Campaign Diary January 1944.
ORB. 30th January, 1944.
14 aircraft (5 from "A" Flt., 5 from "B" Flt., & 4 from "C" Flt.)
were detailed to attack BERLIN, but 3 failed to take off.
11 aircraft took off between 17.15 hours & 17.30 hours.
1 aircraft failed to return from operations and no messages were received.
1 aircraft (A/C. C.D.S.728 - Captain S/L. J. R. GRANT) was forced to abandon the sortie
due to failure of constant speed unit & returned to base early after jettisoning his 4,000 lb H.C.,
but bringing back his incendiaries.
The remaining 9 aircraft identified the target by means of sky markers on which they dropped their
bombs from heights ranging between 16,000 feet & 21,500 feet.
No results were observed due to 10/10 cloud but the glow of fires were seen reflected on the cloud.
there was much smoke & a large explosion was observed at 22.28 hours.
Photographs were attempted.
There was much fighter opposition in the target area.
One aircraft (A/C. N.L.L.626 - Captain S/L. C H. BAIGENT) was damaged by fire from a M.E.210.
00.56. 10 aircraft had returned safely to base after operations.
Hicks Harold George - Pilot
F/L - Service No 411405
Age: 28
RNZAF
Son of George Augustus Hicks and of Irene Harriet Jones,
of Wanganui, Wellington, New Zealand.
Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery - grave 5.J.18.
Source: CWGC - Photo Auckland War Memorial Museum - Find a grave by Uwe.
Elms Arthur Ernest - FE
Sgt - Service No 1521641
Age: 21
RAFVR
Son of Arthur and Elizabeth Stone Elms, of Liverpool.
Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery - grave 7.E.2.
Source: CWGC - Photo: Find a grave by Uwe.
Beer Bernard Arthur William - Nav
F/O - Service No 126822 - DFC
Age: 29
RAFVR
Son of Lieut-Comdr. Hedley Beer and Mrs. Beer
Husband of Kathleen E. Beer, of Worthing, Sussex.
Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery - grave 7.F.21.
Source: CWGC - Photo and more info Aircrew Remembered -
Find a grave by Uwe.
Farquharson Charles Frederick - WOP
P/O - Service No 404170
Age: 25
RNZAF
Son of Lowther Farquharson and of Eliza Annie Hicks,
of Invercargill, Southland.
Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery - grave 5.J.16.
Source: CWGC - Photo: Auckland War Memorial Museum - Find a grave by Uwe.
Todd Alan Walter - BA
F/S - Service No 421338
Age: 22
RNZAF
Son of - from W(h)anganui.
Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery - grave 7.D.26.
Source: CWGC - Photo: Auckland War Memorial Museum - Find a grave by Uwe.
McLoughlin James Archibald - MUG
P/O - Service No 415269
Age: 23
RAAF
Son of James Archibald and Violet Minnie McLoughlin,
of Mount Lawley, Western Australia.
Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery - grave 7.F.22.
Source: CWGC - Photo: Find a grave by Uwe.
Gladwell Michael George - RG
F/O - Service No 141116
Age: 23
RAFVR
Son of Ernest George and Laura Gladwell.
Husband of Patricia Mary Gladwell, of Lympstone, Devon.
Runnymede Memorial - panel 206
Source: CWGC.