Wellington BK274 17 December 1942

Wellington Mk III - BK274 - KO-T

T/O East Wretham 1733 - target Fallersleben, Germany.
A/C. crashed at Wettbergen, 20.01, cause of loss: Flak. Germany.

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

Minor Operations: 27 Lancasters of 5 Group were sent on raids to 8 small German towns
and 16 Stirlings and 6 Wellingtons of 3 Group attempted to attack the Opel works at Fallersleben.
This type of limited operation proved to be a costly failure.
9 of the 27 Lancasters were lost and, at Fallersleben, only 3 aircraft bombed the target, in cloud conditions,
and 6 Stirlings and 2 Wellingtons were lost from this part of the night's operations.

Total losses for the night: 18 aircraft out of 104 dispatched, 1.3 per cent.

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

ORB. 17th Dec. 1942.
6 aircraft took off on operations between 17.30 hours and 17.45 hours to attack target FALLERSLEBAN.
Two aircraft failed to return from operations. Wellington Mk III BK336 KO-D, 5 KIA.
One aircraft (A/C. N.B.J.990 - Captain P/O. FARQUHARSON) attacked the primary target and
bombing from a height of 3,000 feet, dropped his bombs in the vicinity of the "PEOPLES CAR" Factory.
The remaining three aircraft were unsuccessful in locating the primary target and
one (A/C. G.Z.1694 - Captain S/L. CHILTON) dropped its bombs from a height of 2,000 feet on a built up area
believed to be RHANDERFELIN (Handerfeld?),
another (A/C. S.B.K.275 - Captain Sgt. PLUM - Nienburg - Port wing & propeller holes by either Flak or fighters)
bombed NEINBURG from a height of 2,000 feet and observed its bombs bursting,
and the other (A/C. Q.B.J.756 - Captain Sgt. FINNERTY) bombed the UTZE AREA from a height of 4,000 feet
and observed five of its bombs bursting.
The latter aircraft returned with Flak or fighter damage and damage due to striking tree tops.

23.45 4 aircraft had returned safely to base after operations.

Campbell Alexander Bruce Campbell Alexander Bruce - Pilot

F/O - Service No J10769

Age: 22

RCAF

Son of Alexander Bruce Campbell and Dora Helen Campbell,
of Willowdale, Ontario, Canada.

Hanover War Cemetery - grave 12. F. 3.

Source: CWGC - photo via David MacLellan, Thanks - Find a Grave by Wouter van Dijken.

Bugden Eric TheodoreBugden Eric Theodore Bugden Eric Theodore - Observer

F/O - Service No 128029

Age: ° December 1920 Burgeo, Newfoundland, Canada

RAFVR

Son of Theodore Bugden and Agnes Jane.
Two sisters, Claudine °1918 and Lelia

Hanover War Cemetery, Seelze, Region Hannover,
Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen - grave 12. D. 16.

Source: CWGC - more info Our Family History - photo Find a Grave by BobB.

Sotkowy Stanley WalterWellington BK274 Sotkowy Stanley Walter - WOP

F/S - Service No R102246

Age: 21

RCAF

Son of Walter and Tillie Sotkowy,
of Summerberry, Saskatchewan. Canada.

Hanover War Cemetery - grave 12. F. 6.

Source: CWGC - Photo: Find a grave project, Operation: Picture Me - and by Wouter van Dijken.

Woodman James DonaldWellington BK274 Woodman James Donald - BA

F/O - Service No J11232

Age: 23

RCAF

Son of Samuel Edward Leslie and Minnie Ellen Woodman,
of Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada.

Hanover War Cemetery - grave 12. F. 2.

Source: CWGC - Photo: Canadian virtual war memorial - Find a Grave by Wouter van Dijken.

Emery Trevor GeorgeEmery Trevor George Emery Trevor George - RG

Sgt - Service No 1321172

Age: 19

RAFVR

Son of George William and Georgina Lily Emery, of Shirrell Heath, Hampshire.

Hanover War Cemetery - grave 12. D. 12.

Source: CWGC - photo Find a grave by BobB.