115 Squadron

25/26 April 1942

Wellington Mk III - X3633 - KO-Y

T/O Marham 2223. Target: Rostock, Germany.
(Fourth raid). Route - North Walsham - Sylt - 55N 10E - Rostock.
Return by the same route.
Shot down by a night fighter from the II./NJG3, guided to the target by a searchlight.

Crashed 0200 at a cross roads W of Neder Jerstal, 3 km SW of Over Jerstal Denmark.
Crew buried on 6 May 1942 by German naval chaplain Graumann from Flensburg.
A stone memorial was erected near the cross roads by local people in 1947.
More info and crashphoto's on: Airwar over Denmark

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

106 or 109 aircraft (there are conflicting figures) of 7 different types,
approximately half to the town and half to the Heinkel factory.
Successful bombing was recorded by both parts of the force.

The 4 raids in this series resulted in the destruction of 1,765 buildings and serious
damage to 513 more buildings in Rostock.
Bomber Command estimated that 130 acres were destroyed, 60 per cent of the main town area.
Casualties were 204 people killed and 89 injured.

3 aircraft - 1 Stirling, 1 Wellington, 1 Whitley - lost.

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

ORB. 25th. April, 1942.
12 aircraft (7 from "A" Flight and 5 from "B" Flight)
took off between 2213 and 2229 hours to attack target ROSTOCK.
1 aircraft (A/C. B.X.3750 - Captain P/O. PATTERSON - port engine failure and pump supply in the rear turret)
was forced to return early owing to engine trouble.
10 aircraft successfully identified the target by visual observation and in good weather.
Bombing from heights ranging between 9000 and 11500 feet bombs were dropped which were seen to fall in target area.
Many bursts were observed and large fires seen.
A/C. Y.X.3635 (3633) (Captain Sgt. FONE) failed to return from operations.
Leaflets were dropped and photographs attempted.

0539. All the remaining aircraft had returned safely to Base after operations.