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18/19 April 1944 Lancaster Mk II - LL867 A4-J |
Shot down by an intruder (Wolfgang Wenning, Messerschmitt Me 410?)
at 0348 hours over base.
* Claim by Oblt Klaus Bieber 5/KG51 - Cambridge at 02:25.
Aircraft was on approach to land when shot down.
Crashed Beale Farm near RAF Witchford.
Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan. * Info via John Jones.
273 Lancasters (26 a/c 115 Squadron) and 16 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3 and 8 Groups to Rouen.
Bomber Command claimed a concentrated attack on the railway yards, with much destruction.
No aircraft lost.
Source: nationalarchives.gov.uk - Bomber Command - Campaign Diary April 1944.
ORB. 18th APRIL 1944.
27 aircraft (9 from 'A' Flight - 10 from 'B' Flight and 8 from 'C' Flight)
were detailed to attack ROUEN, 1 aircraft failed to take off.
26 aircraft took off between 22.27 hours and 22.55 hours.
In clear weather with some ground haze, the target was identified by red and green target indicators of Path Finder Force.
Some crews were able to identify the target visually by bend in river and lights from street in build up area.
Path Finder Force seemed scattered and also had two destined concentrations.
The master of Ceremonies advised bombing to South East target indicators, and this advise was picked up by many crews and used.
Bombs were dropped from heights varying between 15,500 feet and 15,500 feet.
Many fires and bomb bursts were seen and generally the raid was considered successful.
Aircraft J.LL.867 (Captain F/Lt. C. EDDY) were shot down over base on returning from operations by enemy aircraft.
There were no survivors.
Photographs were taken.
03.48. 23 aircraft had arrived back at base.
Also shot down by an intruder: Lancaster Mk II - LL667 KO-R, 7 KIA.
Eddy Charly - Pilot
F/L - Service No 39003 - MBE - more info on Royal Air Force Commands
Age: 29
RNZAF - 11th operation
Son of Matthew Ernest and Isabella Eddy,
of Hamilton, Victoria, Australia.
Cambridge City Cemetery - grave 13761
Source: CWGC - photo Auckland War Memorial Museum - Find a grave by Len.
Murphy William Leslie - FE
Sgt - Service No 2206546
Age:
RAFVR
Son of William and Annie Murphy, of Liverpool.
Liverpool (West Derby) Cemetery, Lancs. - Sec. C. C. of E. Grave 1359.
Source: CWGC - Photo: Find a grave by PJR..
Smith Albert - Nav
F/O - Service No 132712
Age:
RAFVR
Son of
Queensbury and Shelf (Queensbury) Cemetery, Yorks. - Sec. A. Grave 20.
Source: CWGC - Find a Grave - photo: Memories of RAF Witchford.
Maddox Peter John Edward - WOP
F/S - Service No 1334594
Age: 22 - °1921, Forden, Montgomeryshire.
RAFVR
Son of Herbert William Maddox and Mary Morgan, of Cowes.
Cowes (Northwood) Cemetery, Isle of Wight - Cons. Sec. Grave 9504.
Source: CWGC - photo: Memories of RAF Witchford - Find a grave by FrankGrant .
Pugh Harold Edward George - BA
F/S - Service No 658462
Age: 24 - °9 May 1920,
RAF
Son of Harold Bridger Pugh and Elsie Pugh.
Husband of Olive Edna Pugh (married December 1941), of Hindringham.
Shortly afte his death his wife Olive gave birth to their daughter Carolyn.
Hindringham (St. Martin) Churchyard, Norfolk - grave 95.
Source: CWGC - photo: Memories of RAF Witchford - Find a grave by Ian Gedge.
Langridge Alfred Frank - MUG
Sgt - Service No 1812710
Age: 32
RAFVR
Son of - Husband of Agnes May Langridge, of South Croydon.
Croydon (Mitcham Road) Cemetery - Plot P.P. Grave 40031.
Source: CWGC - photo: Memories of RAF Witchford - Find a grave by julia&keld.
Bennis Henry - RG
W/O II - Service No R178351
Age: 22
RCAF
Son of Jacob Bennis and of Nellie Overkleeft,
of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada.
Sister Nel + March 2005, Medicine Hat General Hospital, age 85.
Cambridge City Cemetery - grave 14161.
Source: CWGC - photo: Memories of RAF Witchford - Find a grave by julia&keld.