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10th/11th September 1942. Op= Dusseldorf. Wellington Ic DV867 –E

Sgt A I L Downs R.A.A.F. (Killed)

Sgt J J Kearns R.A.F. (Killed)

Sgt R H Kirkpatrick R.A.F. (Killed)

Sgt J W Rowling R.A.F. (Killed)

Sgt T P Allenby R.C.A.F. (Killed)

Took-off 2100hrs from RAF Wing armed with 4 x 500lb GP bombs. Attacked and shot down by a night-fighter at 0032hrs, aircraft flown by Uffz Fritz Schellwatt, NJG1, crashing between Stramproy and Hunsel (Limburg), two small villages 8km south-south-east and 10km south-east respectively of Weert, Holland. All were laid to rest at Venlo, Jonkerbos War Cemetery. Sgt Allenby R.C.A.F. was an American from Saratoga Springs in New York State. Sgt Kearns had previously served in the army.

Photo of pilot Sgt Kearns and his grave at Jonkerbos War Cemetery, along with his service record which shows him joining 26 O.T.U. on the 26th June 1942, and just 77 days later reported missing on the 10th September 1942.

10th/11th September 1942. Op= Dusseldorf. Wellington Ic DV703 –C

Sgt C C Ogilvie R.A.A.F. (Killed)

W/O L Hedley R.A.F. (POW)

P/O J M’Ilveen R.A.F. (Killed)

Sgt J W Gardner R.A.F. (Killed)

F/S J B Higginson R.C.A.F. (Killed)

Took-off 2056hrs from RAF Wing armed with 4 x 500lb GP bombs. Attacked from below by a night-fighter whose cannon shells severed petrol and oil pipes and set light to the fuselage. Communication between the crew was impossible as the blaze immediately destroyed the intercom system. W/O Hedley managed to speak to his skipper, who told him to bale out. He did so, though lost consciousness in the process. Out of control, the Wellington hit the ground at around 0015hrs, some 500 metres North-West of Overhetfeld, on the North-West side of Niederkruchten.

Eventually taken to Stalag VIIIB, W/O Hedley gave a statement on 30th April 1943, to RSM S Sherriff, the Camp Leader, outlining his recollections of the last moments of this sortie.

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10th/11th September 1942. Op= Dusseldorf. Wellington Ic DV867 –E

10th/11th September 1942. Op= Dusseldorf. Wellington Ic DV703 –C

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