115 Squadron

26/27 March 1942

Wellington Mk III - X3589 - KO-F

T/O Marham 1935. Target: Essen, Germany.
Crashed at Uedem, 7 km ESE of Goch, Germany.

Leutnant Wilhelm Johnen (°9 October 1921 / +7 February 2002),
gained his first victory on 26/27 March 1942 when,
with Bordfunker Gefreiter Risop, he claimed Wellington bomber X3589 'KO-F. Infowikipedia

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

104 Wellingtons and 11 Stirlings. 10 Wellingtons and 1 Stirling lost.
The bombing force encountered heavy Flak at the target and many night fighters on the routes.
Hits on the Krupps works and fires in Essen were claimed but the raid was actually another failure on this difficult target.
Only 22 high-explosive bombs were counted in Essen, with 2 houses destroyed, 6 people killed and 14 injured.
The bombers had suffered nearly 10 per cent casualties.

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

ORB. 26th. March, 1942.
15 aircraft (7 from 'A' Flight and 8 from 'B' Flight)
took off between 1940 and 1959 hours to attack target ESSEN
and found weather over the target to be excellent.
Bombs were released by visual observation from heights ranging between 14000 and 18000 feet
and although one or two fires were started several fires were observed in the target area.
Photographs were attempted.
A/C. F.X.3589 (Captain Sgt. TAYLOR) and
A/C. Y.X.3604 (Captain P/O. SOAMES) Wellington Mk III X3604 KO-Y, 6 KIA,
failed to return to base from operations.

0125. All the remaining aircraft had returned safely to Base after Operations.

(A/C. H.X.3635 - Captain F/L. SWORD - dropped his flares and bombs at OBERHAUSEN).
(A/C. P.X.3662 - Captain F/L. PATERSDON - HAMSLEDE aerodrome was machine gunned from 1000 feet on return journey).