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28/29 March 1942 Wellington Mk III - X3341 - KO-W |
Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan - http://www.avres-neustadt.de/headstone/crashsitesharburg/
234 aircraft - 146 Wellingtons, 41 Hampdens, 26 Stirlings, 21 Manchesters.
This raid was the first major success for Bomber Command against a German target.
The attack was carried out in good visibility, with the help of an almost full moon and, because of the
light defences of this target,
from a low level, many crews coming down to 2,000 ft.
The force was split into 3 waves, the leading one being composed of experienced crews with Gee-fitted aircraft;
although Lübeck was beyond the range of Gee, the device helped with preliminary navigation.
More than 400 tons of bombs were dropped; two thirds of this tonnage was incendiary.
191 crews claimed successful attacks.
German sources show that 1,425 buildings in Lübeck were destroyed, 1,976 were seriously damaged
and 8,411 were lightly damaged; these represented 62 per cent of all buildings in Lübeck.
The casualties in Lübeck were 312 or 320 people killed (accounts conflict), 136 seriously and 648 slightly injured.
12 aircraft - 7 Wellingtons, 3 Stirlings, 1 Hampden, 1 Manchester - lost.
Source: nationalarchives.gov.uk - Bomber Command - Campaign Diary March 1942.
ORB. 28th March, 1942.
15 aircraft (8 from 'A' Flight and 7 from 'B' Flight) took off between 1930 and 2050 hours to attack
target LUBECK and found weather over the target to be excellent.
Bombs were released from heights ranging between 3500 and 16000 feet and all were seen to fall in the
target area starting fires all over the island.
Some bursts were nor seen due to the fires already well alight.
Many photographs were attempted and one very large fire was noticed at the end of the island.
One aircraft (A/C. X.X.3488 - Captain F/S. HYDE) due to taking off too early had to be recalled.
A/C. W.X.3341 (Captain P/O. WELLER) failed to return from operations.
0430. All the remaining aircraft had returned safely to Base after operations.
Ballard William - Pilot
Sgt - Service No 1377131
Age: 30
RAFVR
Son of William and Alice J. Ballard.
Husband of Doris Ballard, of Shepherds Bush, London.
Becklingen War Cemetery, Soltau, Heidekreis, Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) - Coll. grave 13. D. 1-4.
Source: CWGC. - photo Find a Grave by Flipside20.
Weller John Allan - 2nd Pilot
P/O - Service No 404518
Age: 26
RAAF
Son of Harry and Agnes Myrtle Weller, of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Becklingen War Cemetery - Coll. grave 13. D. 1-4.
Source: CWGC - Photo via museum.nudgee.com, St Joseph's Nudgee College - Find a grave by Flipside20.
Maher James Brian - Observer
F/O - Service No 402517
Age: 25
RAAF
Son of James and Ellen Johanna Maher, of Mosman, New South Wales, Australia.
Becklingen War Cemetery - Coll. grave 13. D. 1-4.
Source: CWGC photo Find a Grave by Flipside20.
Lawrence Edward Bolton - W.Op./Air Gnr
Sgt - Service No 1283153
Age: 32
RAFVR
Son of Ernest Edward and Maud Mary Lawrence.
Husband of Kathleen Ruby Lawrence, of Stanmore, Middlesex.
Becklingen War Cemetery - Coll. grave 13. D. 1-4.
Source: GWGC. - photo Find a grave by Flipside20.
Suckling Herbert Lloyd - W.Op./Air Gnr.
Sgt - Service No 1258955
Age:21
RAFVR
Son of Herbert and Mahala M. S. Suckling, of Northolt, Middlesex.
Becklingen War Cemetery - Coll. grave 13. D. 1-4.
Source: CWGC - photo Find a Grave by Flipside20.
Wilson Patrick - RG
Sgt - Service No 619929
Age: 33
RAF
Son of John and Mary Wilson.
Husband of Marjorie Edith Wilson, of Notting Hill Gate, London.
Becklingen War Cemetery - Coll. grave 13. D. 1-4.
Source: CWGC. - photo Find a grave by Flipside20.