20 February 1944

Lancaster Mk II - LL729 A4-B

T/O Witchford 0017 - target Stuttgart, Germany.
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.

Wood William KennethWood William Kenneth Wood William Kenneth - Pilot

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.

Batchelor Christopher RichardBatchelor Christopher Richard Batchelor Christopher Richard - FE

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.

Paton John HowiePaton John Howie Paton John Howie - Nav

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.

Lancaster LL729Melton Ronald Melton Ronald - WOP

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

Hulley GeorgeHulley George Hulley George - BA

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.

Hosgood Frederick Ernest Hosgood Frederick Ernest - MUG

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.

Lancaster LL729Edwards Walter Victor Lawrence Edwards Walter Victor Lawrence - RG

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.