Wellington BJ710 27/28 August 1942

Wellington Mk III - BJ710 - KO-L

T/O Marham 2038. Target Kassel, Germany.

Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan.

306 aircraft of 5 types.

There was only a little cloud over Kassel and the Pathfinders were able to illuminate the area well.
Widespread damage was caused, particularly in the south-western parts of the city.
Kassel reports that 144 buildings were destroyed and 317 seriously damaged.
Several military establishments were hit and the number of dead soldiers, 28, exceeded the number of civilians killed, 15.
187 civilians and 64 soldiers were injured.
Among the buildings severely damaged were all three of the factories of the Henschel aircraft company.

142 Squadron, based at Grimsby, lost 5 of its 15 Wellingtons taking part in the raid.
Many of the casualties were attributed to night-fighter action.

Source: nationalarchives.gov.uk - Bomber Command - Campaign Diary August 1942.

OBR. 27th. August, 1942.
15 aircraft (8 from "A" Flight & 7 from "B" Flight) took off for operations between 20.58 (20.38) and 20.58 hours to attack the target KASSEL.
15 aircraft successfully located and bombed target from heights ranging between 5,500 and 8,500 feet, observing bursts in centre
of town which caused a large explosion followed by a huge fire.
Many more bursts were seen on and around aiming point and in the marshalling yards. Many fires were started all over the town.
One aircraft (A/C. F.X.3447 - Captain Sgt. PATE) was forced to abandon the sortie and returned to base early bringing back its bombs,
owing to port engine trouble.
One aircraft failed to return.

0234. All the remaining aircraft had returned safely to base after operations.

Wellington BJ710Skelton Walter Allen Skelton Walter Allen - Pilot

F/O - Service No 45435

Age: 23

RAFVR

Son of Harry and Annie Skelton, of Epsom, Surrey.

Reichswald Forest War Cemetery - 9. H. 12.

Source: CWGC - Photo via online-begraafplaatsen.nl - Find a Grave.

Wellington BJ710Graham Wilfred Graham Wilfred - Observer

F/S - Service No 912104

Age: 25

RAFVR

Son of Morton and Florence Olga Bettsworth Deryer Graham, of Pembury, Kent.

Reichswald Forest War Cemetery - 9. H. 13.

Source: CWGC - Photo via online-begraafplaatsen.nl - Find a Grave.

Morgan Donald Edward Morgan Donald Edward Morgan Donald Edward - W.Op.

F/S - Service No 906071

Age: 26 - 20th August 1916 in Claydon, Suffolk, England.*

RAFVR

Son of Winfred Edward Mosart Morgan and Mary Brewer Andrew Morgan.*
Husband to Mary Lowman Wilde of Dudley, Staffordshire, England.*

Reichswald Forest War Cemetery - 9. H. 14.

Source: CWGC - Photo and info thanks to Mike Hillier* - online-begraafplaatsen.nl - Find a Grave.

Middleton J Middleton J. W. - FG

F/S - Service No 937840

Age:

RAFVR

POW - No 26857 Stalag VIIIB (344).

Source:

Wellington BJ710Bingham John Bingham John - RG

Sgt - Service No 1365002

Age:

RAFVR

Son of

Reichswald Forest War Cemetery - 9. H. 15.

Source: CWGC - Photo via online-begraafplaatsen.nl - Find a Grave.