20 February 1944 Lancaster Mk II - LL729 A4-B |
On return journey at 0645 hours the a/c crashed, through cause unknown,
at Shillington, Beds killing all crew.
Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan.
598 aircraft - 460 Lancasters, 126 Halifaxes, 12 Mosquitos - to Stuttgart.
The North Sea sweep and the Munich diversion successfully drew the German fighters
up 2 hours before the main bomber force flew inland.
9 aircraft - 7 Lancasters and 2 Halifaxes - were lost, 1.5 per cent of the force.
4 further Lancasters and 1 Halifax crashed in England.
Source: nationalarchives.gov.uk - Bomber Command - Campaign Diary February 1944.
ORB. 20th Feby. 1944.
20 aircraft (6 from "A" Flight, 7 from "B" Flight and 7 from "C" Flight)
were detailed to attack STUTTGART but 2 failed to take off.
18 aircraft took off between 00.01 and 00.31 hours.
1 aircraft (A/C. G.LL.730 - Captain. W/C. ROBBINS. P.) was forced to abandon the sortie
due to port outer and starboard inner and outer revolutions fluctuating,
and oxygen supply being unserviceable.
Bombs and incendiaries jettisoned.
The remaining 17 aircraft identified the target by means of sky markers, target indicators,
and red and green stars on which they dropped their bombs from heights varying
from 19,000 to 23,000 feet.
Many large fires were seen, glow of which could be seen up to 250 miles away.
PFF was well concentrated.
In some cases bomb bursts were clearly seen.
Attack successful. Photographs attempted.
1 aircraft after attacking the target, crashed at 06.45 hours on 2.-2-44 at
SHILLINGTON, BEDFORDSHIRE.
Cause of crash unknown. All the crew were killed.
07.18. 17 aircraft had returned from operations.
F/S - Service No 28031
Age: 28
RAAF
Son of Harold Robert and Mary Belle Wood.
Cambridge City Cemetery - grave 14355.
Source: CWGC - Photo: Honour those who fell Find a grave by Len.
Sgt - Service No 1581875
Age: 21
RAFVR
Adopted son of Oliver and Florence A. Rees, of Rugby.
Rugby (Hillmorton) Cemetery, Warwickshire - grave B48.
Source: CWGC - Photo: Find a grave by julia&keld.
F/S - Service No 423326
Age: 21 - °8 Apr 1922 Rozelle NSW
RAAF
Son of John Howie Paton and Dorothy Annie Magdalene Paton,
of Eastwood, New South Wales, Australia.
Cambridge City Cemetery - grave 14354.
Source: CWGC - Photo via David Barlow RAAFDB.Com - Find a grave by Len.
Sgt - Service No 1577288
Age:
RAFVR
Son of John William and Ethel Emily Melton, of South Collingham.
South Collingham (St. John the Baptist) Churchyard, Notts.
Source: CWGC - Photo: Find a grave by S. C. Smith
Sgt - Service No 967597
Age:
RAFVR
Son of
Ashton-under-Lyne (Hurst) Cemetery, Lancs. - grave P.113.
Source: CWGC - Photo: Find a grave by Kaycee.
Sgt - Service No 1852744
Age: 19
RAFVR
Son of Frederick and Louisa Hosgood, of St. Judes, Plymouth.
Plymouth (FORD PARK) Cemetery, Devon - K.3.68.
Source: CWGC - Find a Grave.
Sgt - Service No 924350
Age: 24
RAFVR
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Edward Edwards,
of Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire.
Ludgershall (St. James) Churchyard, Wilts. - grave 5.5.
Source: CWGC - Photo: Find a grave by julia&keld.