07/1945 (July 1945)

With little change to the weather July commenced with occasional fine days in between showers, localised thunder and wider spread thunderstorms. Reconnaissance missions, training exercises and incendiary dropping into the North Sea were the order of the day but were interrupted by Ruhr tours by two Lancasters on 9th July.

One of the crews busy during the month dropping redundant incendiary bombs into the North Sea was that of pilot Jim Dymock and Flight Engineer/Pilot Charles Coombes (one of the new breed of fully pilot trained flight engineers). Crew photo to be inserted

Charles Coombes (extreme left), Jim Dymock (extreme right) photo thanks to Bruce Martins

Later in the month foggy and cloudy weather set in and most training flights were cancelled although on 12th July twelve cross country flights relieved the boredom and two more Ruhr tours were flown with two more following on 16th.

On 18th July the Appendix to the Operations Record Book abruptly reports the names of the aircrew still serving with 630 Squadron when it disbanded, the list is headed:

Commanding Officer              :           Wing Commander FWL Wild

Squadron Adjutant                 :           Flight Lieutenant AHL Britton

“A” Flight Commander          :           Squadron Leader T Forshaw[i]

“B” Flight Commander           :           Squadron Leader IG Fadden DFC BEM[ii]

Training Officer                      :           Flight Lieutenant GA Mitchell[iii]

Gunnery Leader                      :           Flight Lieutenant TL Cass DFM[iv]

Navigation Leader                  :           Flight Lieutenant HTA Evans DFC[v]

Bombing Leader                     :           Flight Lieutenant A Barnard[vi]

Engineer Leader                      :           Flying Officer SA Mitton[vii]

Signals Leader                        :           Flying Officer DW Hobrough[viii]


[i] Terence Henry Trimble Forshaw (39165), RAF. (born 1916 Kent)

[ii] Ian George Fadden DFC BEM (758062, 113490), RAFVR. BEM awarded for bravery crash landing Wellington Z8733 of 148 Squadron in the desert 05/10/41 and then rescuing an injured crew member despite the flames, LG.08/06/42. DFC LG.11/08/44, 61 Sqdn. (born 27/01/1916, resided Harrow, RAF Regular serviceman, 758062 Sgt No. 2 Squadron in 1939, died 17/09/1999 buried Whatlington/Sussex)

[iii] Gerald Arthur Mitchell (1061588, 174328), RAFVR. G.D. Branch (Aircrew).

[iv] Thomas Leonard Cass DFM (745238, 137343),RAFVR. DFM LG.29/12/42, 61 Sqdn. (born 18/11/1918 Lincoln – died 18/05/2001 Lincoln) Pre-war RAFVR No. 745238.

[v] Henry Thomas Alfred Evans DFC (1800700,138089), RAFVR. DFC LG.11/08/44, 550 Sqdn.

[vi] Alfred Barnard (936803, 146025), RAFVR.

[vii] Stanley Allenby Mitton (54000), RAF. Previously 537513, Sergeant.

[viii] David Walter Hobrough (1336831, 184544), RAFVR. Previously 617 Sqdn. (born 1923 Hammersmith – died 2011 Winchester/Hants)

06/1945 (June 1945)

June 1945

June 1945 commenced with showery weather and during the first week crews of Six-thirty flew various Air Tests and on 4th June five of the squadrons aircraft and crews participated in incendiary dropping off the East Coast to dispose of more of the remaining stocks of volatile incendiary bombs.

The 5th and 8th June brought a cross country flight over the Ruhr  On 7th June the squadron despatched seven aircraft to drop incendiaries into the North Sea and on the 9th carried out 48 similar flights and on 14th June two aircraft of 57 Squadron and two of 630 Squadron carried out “Ruhr tours”

Jack Barnes and crew
(photo thanks to Aircrew Remembered)

Croix de Guerre 1939-45 (France)

On 8 June 1945 the award of the French Croix de Guerre was announced to Flight Lieut “Pancho” O’Dwyer who had completed his tour and been posted away from the squadron in January 1945.

Even more wet and windy days followed with occasional training missions until 15th June 1945 when four aircraft were detailed for another round of incendiary dropping.

Sadly one crew failed to return. The last news from the crew was at 11:47 hours when they reported having dropped their incendiaries and that they were turning for home. A search mission followed by 6 aircraft of 630 Squadron supported by 2 Warwicks, 1 Walrus and a Hight Speed Launch of 16 Group, but no trace could be found and no wreckage was seen floating.  That evening a search mission was planned for early the following morning with 13 aircraft of 57 Squadron flying. At 22:05 hours a dinghy search was flown by 280 Squadron.

Lancaster III, PB344  (Codes LE – R)

Pilot                 – F/O George Hamilton Cowan. Age 22                     †

Flight Eng       – F/S David Porter Currie. Age 24                              †

Navigator        – F/S Wilfred Ernest Smith. Age                                †

Bomb Aimer   – F/S Jonah Rhodes.  Age 25                                     †

Wireless Op     – F/S Frederick Reynolds. Age                                   †         

Rear Gunner    – F/S James Porter.  Age 20                                       †

The entire crew are commemorated on Runnymede Memorial.   George Cowan’s operational crew included David Currie, Wilf Smith, Fred Reynolds and Jim Porter, together they had completed 28 operations over enemy territory only to sadly be lost on a bomb disposal flight. Confusingly Jonah Rhodes is shown as a member of 51 Squadron on the Memorial.

David Currie (thanks to Matt Currie, his brother)
Poetry by David Currie (thanks to Matt Currie)

In fine weather on the following day a dinghy search was flown by ten aircraft commencing at 04:50 hours but it was without result. At 09:10 hours ten aircraft from Spilsby commenced a search to the south of the area previously searched, but sighted nothing. Nothing was heard from George Cowan’s crew again but some wreckage was sighted between 12:37 and 15:54 hours in an Air Sea Rescue search 105 nautical miles off Flamborough Head by 44 and 207 Squadron aircraft.

On 18th June a signal was received from HQ No.5 Group that the squadron was to prepare to move to RAF Skellingthorpe, the Advance Party to move on the 24th June, the Main Party on 25th and the Rear Part on 26th, work immediately commenced. The rolling program of training missions continued and on 19th June one aircraft toured the Ruhr Valley, several completed training missions whilst one took aerial photos of East Kirkby airfield. Incendiary dropping into the North Sea re-commenced on 20th and 21st June. After several days of frantic activity it was announced on 22nd June that with packing virtually complete, the move to Skellingthorpe was cancelled. Both squadrons at East Kirkby commenced some elements of training for “Tiger Force”, the RAF Heavy Bomber force expected to be despatched to the Far East.

W/O Bruce Lawton RAAF (WOp in Harry Ramsey’s crew) back in Sydney June 1945
(photo thanks to Ian Lawton)

In thunder storms and generally poor weather the squadron was stood down until 25th June when two further aircraft toured the Ruhr and high level bombing exercises resumed. The remainder of June was rainy, foggy and hazy although training flights continued until the end of the month.  New British personnel continued to arrive to replace the Commonwealth aircrew who were quickly being posted in large numbers to Holding Units pending repatriation to their homes. In early June both flight commanders, Squadron Leaders Marcel Cuelenaere DFC RCAF and Lawrence Pilgrim DFC were posted away, Pilgrim back to 44 Squadron to train for “Tiger Force”.  Their replacements being Squadron Leader Ian George Fadden DFC BEM previously of 61 Squadron who had earned a BEM for gallantry crash landing a Wellington in the Western Desert while serving with 148 Squadron in October 1941 and Squadron Leader Terry Forshaw a pre-war regular pilot.  630 Squadron completed 308.15 non-operational flying hours during the month.

05/1945 (May 1945)

May 1945

On 2nd May 1945 nine aircraft of No. 630 Squadron were detailed to participate in “Operation Exodus” the repatriation by air of liberated British Prisoners of War. Wing Commander Wild joined the pilots participating as did another recent arrival with the squadron F/L Mike Karop[i] a 23 year old married man from Norwich who worked in the Southern Cameroons post-war (and sadly died there in 1959).

RA520-E         F/O JL Bathgate RNZAF

LM216-K        F/L HF Kirkwood

LM680-Z        F/O A McGuffie

NG413-M       S/L MR Cuelenaere RCAF

NN774-L        F/L MC Karop

PB344-R         F/O GH Cowan

PA322-V         W/C FWL Wild

ND412-H        F/O GR Scott RAAF

Due to transportation problems Military authorities had been unable to muster the numbers of former prisoners expected and only two aircraft (S/L Cuelenaere and F/O Cowan) ferried men home, the others returning empty.

British former POW’s begin their journey home aboard Lancasters.
(thanks to Imperial War Museum)

On 4th May both 630 Squadron and 57 Squadron again participated in Operation Exodus each providing 12 aircraft. 57 Squadron repatriated 281 service personnel to Westcott and Six-thirty brought back 287 service personnel and 1 civilian. 630’s “C” (Flying Officer Dobbie) remained at Westcott after the flight as their Gee had become unserviceable.

NG125-F         F/O GR Scott RAAF

PB784-Q         F/O K Hallett RAAF

LM216-P         F/O A McGuffie

LM216-K        F/L HF Kirkwood

NG259 -N       S/L LW Pilgrim

ND412-H        F/O JW Wallace RNZAF

RA520-E         F/O LA Barnes

PB344-R         F/O GH Cowan

RF124-S          F/O AM MacLean

NG413-M       F/L MC Karop

JB290-C          F/O JB Dobbie

NG123-U        Lt MT Ackerman SAAF

On 8th May both squadrons from East Kirkby again flew round trips repatriating former POW’s home from the continent. Returning from Juvincourt, 57 Squadron’s 8 aircraft brought 192 servicemen and 630 Squadron’s 7 brought back 163 servicemen. This time two more recently arrived pilots and their crews participated, 21 year old Warrant Officer Pete Frampton[ii] from Steyning who would become a planter in Malaya after wartime service and Australian F/O Robert “Hammy” Hamilton[iii].

PD253-D         F/O JW Wallace RNZAF

NN702-J         F/O RE Hamilton RAAF

LM216-K        W/O PGS Frampton

NG413-M       F/O WM Taylor

NG259-N        F/S DS Tillett

PB784-Q         S/L LW Pilgrim

ME739-T         F/O JC Clingin RAAF

Back at base the Station Commander called a parade for 14:30 hours so that at 15:00 hours on 8th May the broadcast by the Prime Minister Winston Churchill was heard, war with Germany was over. This was followed by a short service held by the Chaplain Squadron Leader the Rev. George Dunbar[iv].

An “Exodus” operation to Brussels was aborted on 12th May due to lousy weather and re-mounted successfully on 14th when 16 aircraft of 57 Squadron and 13 of 630 Squadron ferried 717 service personnel home safely from Lille-Vendeville.

LM216-K        F/L HF Kirkwood

PA266-P         F/O GH Cowan

NG125-F         F/O GR Scott RAAF

PA322-V         F/O AM MacLean RCAF

PD253-D         F/O LM Duggan RAAF

ME739-T         F/O K Hallett RAAF

RA520-E         F/O LA Barnes

LM680-Z        F/S DS Tillett

ND412-H        F/O JW Wallace RNZAF

RF124-S          W/O R Grange

NG123-U        F/O LW Jacobs RAAF

PB784-Q         S/L LW Pilgrim

NG413-M       F/O JL Bathgate RNZAF

On 15th May the squadron mounted a cross country flight by 4 aircraft, across the Ruhr Valley, 24 year old Section Officer Kay Seward WAAF[v] was one of the Base Staff who flew and decades later vividly recalled the excitement of sitting in a gun turret and sitting beside the pilot of her aircraft. She was a war widow, her husband Flight Lieutenant Fred Seward had been killed on 29th June 1943 flying with 97 Squadron.

Kay Rowland about to fly with the recently arrived crew of Bob Hamilton
(photo thanks to Kay Rowland)

Note:  on 16th May 1945, Lt William Adams USAAF formerly of 630 Squadron but now flying with 617 Squadron crashed Lancaster Mark I PD139 while flying fast and very low near Oberg/Braunschweig clipping the roof of a house while on a training exercise. The entire crew walked away unhurt. One month earlier he’d written off another Lancaster near Lossiemouth, soon afterwards he returned to service with the USAAF.

On 17th May 1945 the recently arrived crew of 24 year old Bernard Hall[vi] crashed while carrying out a routine cross country training flight in RF124.  At 17:15 hours a message was received at East Kirkby to the effect that the aircraft had been seen near Wolverhampton coming out of the clouds apparently out of control and crashing into a roadway near Moat House Farm at Short Heath, Wednesfield. The aircraft was completely destroyed and the whole crew killed. The cause of this accident is not known.

Lancaster I, RF124   (Codes LE – S)

Pilot                 – F/O Bernard Hall. Age 24                                        †

Flight Eng       – F/O Ronald James O’Donnell. Age 21                     †

Navigator        – Sgt Reginald Henry (Reggie) Smith. Age 21           †

Bomb Aimer   – F/O Victor Francis Dobell Meade.  Age 23            †

Wireless Op     – Sgt Gordon Leonard Rabbetts. Age 21                   †

Mid Upper      – Sgt Vincent Reginald Woodburn Southworth.       †

Rear Gunner    – Sgt John Alfred Sills. Age 21                                    †

Vincent Southworth was only 19 years old. The sad loss of this aircraft and crew was the first fatal accident involving a Bomber Command aircraft since the official cease fire at the end of the Second World War on 8th May 1945. Hall was buried at Boulton (St Mary) Churchyard, O’Donnell at Plymouth (Ford Park) Cemetery, Smith at Henley (Reading Road) Cemetery, Meade at Wiveliscombe (St Andrew) Churchyard, Rabbetts at Mangotsfield (Downend) Cemetery, Southworth at Watford North Cemetery and Sills at Cleethorpes Cemetery.

The Hall crew
(photo thanks to Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage, East Kirkby)

On 18th May 1945 Steve Nunns and crew were posted to 617 Squadron.

Steve Nunns DFC AFC
(photo thanks to Brian Lunn)

On 21st May and 28th May in between a continually building program of training exercises 14 aircraft of 630 Squadron were detailed to jettion incendiaries into the North Sea on the first occasion and 12 on the second. The latter half of month was more inclined to thundery showers but training missions continued as rumours abounded concerning “Tiger Force” the expected transfer of heavy bomber squadrons to participate in the war in the Far East.

630 Squadron completed 595.30 non-operational flying hours during the month.


[i] Michael Churchill Karop (150084), RAFVR. Commissioned 1943, formerly 902476. (born 01/07/1921 Bromley/South London – died 01/07/1959, Bota/Southern Cameroon)

[ii] Peter Geoffrey Selwyn Frampton. (1217271,198535). RAFVR

[iii] Robert Edward Hamilton (A424035), RAAF.

[iv] Rev. George Alban Charles Dunbar (184661), RAFVR.

[v] Edith Kathleen Mary Seward, nee Curtis (5574), WAAF, Later re-married (Rowland).

[vi] Bernard Hall (168650), RAFVR. KIFA (see text)

04/1945 (April 1945)

An American aircraft reported as a “Vengeance” crash landed in the funnel of the main runway at East Kirkby on Sunday 1st April, its 4 USAAF crew members walked away unhurt.

On Monday 2nd April at 11:50 the squadron was ordered to stand-by for a mining mission that night but the order was cancelled at 15:18 hours. The following day at 14:07 an order was received to prepare for a night attack on Nordhausen, flight planning commenced at 16:30 hours, aircrew were briefed from 18:00 to 19:00 hours and at 19:40 the attack order was cancelled. Air Commodore Louis Dickens DFC AFC[i] took over command of No. 55 Base.

Wednesday 4th April 1945 – crews were awoken to attend an 02:30 hours briefing to attack Nordhausen in daylight. 243 Lancasters and 1 Mosquito of 5 Group attacked troop concentrations and military barracks at the town of Nordhausen. 17 aircraft and crews of 630 Squadron were detailed for Ops, these were each armed with 1 x 4000lb HC and 14 x 500lb AN-M64 bombs, 9 aircraft attacked the barracks and the remaining 8 attacked the town of Nordhausen.

4th April 1945                         Daylight Bombing Attack on Nordhausen

Take Off: at 06:16 hours Tom Baker and crew (PD237) with a Second Dickie aboard, were first away.

  • RF192-A         F/O LW Jacob RAAF
  • JB290-C          F/O CRM Richardson RAAF
  • PD253-D         F/O LM Duggan RAAF
  • RA520-E         F/O LA Barnes
  • NG125-F         Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF
  • ND412-H        F/L HF Kirkwood       
  • NN702-J         F/O JL Bathgate RNZAF
  • LM216-K        Capt DS Turner SAAF
  • NN774-L        F/O GR Scott RAAF
  • NG413-M       F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • NG259-N        F/L NG Roberts RAAF
  • PA266-P         F/O K Hallett RAAF
  • PB344-R         F/S DS Tillett
  • RF122-S          F/O RJ Sassoon
  • ME739-T         F/O AV Cameron RAAF
  • NG123-U        Lt MT Ackerman SAAF
  • PD254-W        F/O AM MacLean RCAF
  • PD327-Y         F/L TB Baker RAAF                          (P/O FA Robinson)
  • ND949-Z        F/L LF Ovens

PA266 “P-Peter” returned early as its rear turret went unserviceable the Hallett crew jettisoned their Cookie and landed back at East Kirkby at 09:36 hours. Desmond Reynolds’ NG125 “F-Fox” suffered an engine failure as it crossed the French coast at 10,000 feet on the way out, with at least six hours flying ahead and their port inner engine out of action he decided to press on and risk straggling.  

Des Reynolds SAAF (photo thanks to Di Thompson)

The outward leg of the sortie was accomplished without problem and on arrival. Crews had little difficulty in identifying the barracks but the target was soon covered in smoke and dust due to explosions on target and crews attacking after the first 2 minutes had to estimate the position using the road and railway lines. Several sticks of bombs were definitely seen to fall across the barracks. No opposition was encountered from the ground or in the air. Crews bombing the town did so on the Red TI’s which were placed in the centre of the town. The Master Bomber reported he was quite satisfied with the attack, the barracks and town were severely damaged. “Barney” Barnes and crew were the last to land back at base at 13:01 hours.

Nordhausen seen from 630/F flown by Des Reynolds SAAF (thanks to his daughter and family)

Desmond Reynolds and crew had completed their tour, they were promptly posted and their captain would receive a DFC for his leadership. Also completing their tour that night were Doug Turner and crew, two of the squadron’s South African pilots would be returning home.

Doug Turner SAAF (standing left) Alf Hughes (standing right) Jack Key RNZAF (seated right) Photo tanks to Jack Key’s sons

Back in South Africa, Des Reynolds receives a hard earned DFC

At 16:40 hours that same afternoon aircraft were bombed-up in readiness for an army support attack if required but the operation was not ordered. On the morning of Thursday 5th April at 10:25 hours a preliminary warning for Ops was received but the projected operation was cancelled at 15:50 hours.

Saturday 7th April 1945 – at 09:45 hours a warning was received to prepare for a night attack on Molbis. At 10:39 a further instruction arrived to ready 3 aircraft for mining in Kiel Bay.  The mining mission was confirmed at 11:12 but then cancelled at 12:55 hours but at 14:05 an instruction was received to bomb up the aircraft which had been detailed for mining, they were to join the attack on Molbis. Flight Planning commenced at 14:30 hours, briefings at 16:30 hours.   At 17:05 the order to reduce the number of aircraft operating by one third came in.  In the end 5 Group despatched 175 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitoes to the benzol refinery plant, electricity power station and tar refinery at Molbis near Leipzig. 11 aircraft of the squadron participated, these were all armed with 1 x 4000lb HC and 12 x 500lb AN-M64 bombs.

7th/8th April 1945                    Night Bombing Attack on Molbis

Take Off: at 18:11 hours Wing Commander Grindon was the first airborne.

  • RA520-E         F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • ND412-H        F/L H Thompson                     (F/S RF Mercer)
  • NN702-J         F/O RJ Sassoon
  • NN774-L        F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • NG259-N        W/C JE Grindon
  • PA266-P         F/O K Hallett RAAF
  • ME739-T         F/O AV Cameron RAAF
  • ND949-Z        F/O JC Clingin RAAF
  • NG123-U        F/L RG Waterfall (Group Capt Casey)
  • NG413-M       F/L GE Stemp
  • PD327-Y         F/L TB Baker RAAF              (F/O FA Robinson)

ND949 “Z-Zebra” returned early landing on 3 engines at 21:42 hours with the port inner unserviceable. It is unclear if “Z” was flown by F/O Clingin’s crew or by F/L Les Oven’s crew and also unclear if “J-Jig” was flown by the crews of Richard Sassoon or Colin Richardson. Darkness fell as crews crossed the Rhine and with very much stronger head winds than predicted on the outward route resulting in a large number of crews arriving on target late and some not getting a chance to attack before the controller ordered stop bombing at  23:10 hours.  Crews had been unwilling to force the pace upwards (using more fuel) due to fears of diversions as far north a Scotland for landing. Weather was clear in the target area with some ground haze being thickened by a smoke screen.   Based on target photos bombing was very concentrated particularly in southern districts. A huge explosion at 23:10 hours was reported. Several large explosions were noted but some might have been decoys. Intense searchlight activity around target area and heavy flak was moderate but largely inaccurate. The only fighters seen were over the target.

NG123 “U-Uncle” had one engine fail, needing to be feathered just 15 minutes after take off but her pilot Reg Waterfall and crew with Group Captain Bernard Casey (Base Commander) aboard, pressed on and bombed on 3 engines, bringing  “U-Uncle” home safely, the last to land at 03:03 hours. Bombing was so effective that all production at the refinery ceased.

Four of the squadron’s veteran crews made their last op of the war that night, Geoff Stemp’s crew had flown 32 ops, Henry Thompson’s 34 ops, Aussie Tom Baker’s 35 ops and that of Reg Waterfall 32 ops. All four pilots were recommended for DFC’s and later received them.

Sunday 8th April 1945 – A preliminary warning for readiness was received at 10:15 hours, the target was confirmed as Lützkendorf, flight planning commenced at 14:00 and briefings at 15:00 hours. As the Lützkendorf oil refinery had not been destroyed on their previous attack 5 Group sent 231 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitoes to complete the job. 17 of the squadron’s aircraft and crews were detailed to participate and the aircraft were bombed up with 1 x 4000lb HC and 14-16 x 500lb AN-M64 bombs.

8th/9th April 1945                    Night Bombing Attack on Lützkendorf

Take Off: at 18:00 hours Squadron Leader Marcel Cuelenaere in NG413 was the first away.

  • RF192-A         F/O LW Jacob RAAF
  • JB290-C          F/O JW Wallace RNZAF
  • PD253-D         F/O LM Duggan RAAF
  • RA520-E         F/O LA Barnes
  • NG125-F         F/O KO Gibson
  • ND412-H        F/S RF Mercer
  • NN702-J         F/O JL Bathgate RNZAF
  • LM216-K        F/L HF Kirkwood
  • NG413-M       S/L MR Cuelenaere RCAF
  • NG259-N        F/O NG Roberts RAAF
  • PA266-P         F/L LF Ovens                         (F/L JD Richardson)
  • PB344-R         F/S DS Tillett
  • RF122-S          F/O RJ Sassoon   
  • ME739-T         F/O AV Cameron RAAF
  • PD254-W        F/O FA Robinson
  • PD327-Y         F/O JC Clingin RAAF
  • ND949-Z        F/O CRM Richardson RAAF            

Two Lancasters were unable to take off for this attack, “L” (F/O GR Scott) and “U” (W/O R Grange) due to last minute unserviceability. Darkness fell as the formation crossed the Rhine and there was no fighter or flak activity on the route to the target. With approximately 250 miles still to fly to reach the target and at only 5,000 feet the starboard outer engine of “M-Mother” failed but Squadron Leader Cuelenaere decided to press on aware that he would have to attack from lower than the expected bombing height of 8,000 feet. At the target where the weather conditions were hazy but with no cloud, Markers were laid in good time for H-hour (22:45 hours) and the crews were called in to bomb at H -1 from 8,000 to 14,000 feet.

S/Ldr Marcel Cuelenaere DFC RCAF (photo thanks to his sons and daughters)

Crews were able to attack the Red TI’s with an 11 second overshoot. Major explosions followed and a particularly huge explosion was recorded by many crews at 22:52 hours. Consumate team work brought the Cuelenaere crew to the target on time and they attacked successfully from 7,500 feet. Staggered search light batteries were the main ground defences and flak was negligible. Some combats were however reported. The oil refinery was comprehensively put out of action. Aircraft were diverted to Honeybourne on their return due to nasty weather conditions over base. The last of Six-thirty’s aircraft to return safely was LM216 (Harold Kirkwood) at 03:37 hours.

ND949 – Z (Photo thanks to Norm Maconachie)

At 03:10 hours ND949 “Z-Zebra” with it’s “Almost – All Australian” crew had crashed at Foxton near Market Harborough before reaching the diversion airfield and sadly all of the crew were killed.

Colin Richardson RAAF.
(photo thanks to S Richardson & National Archives Australia)

Lancaster III, ND949   (Codes LE – Z)

  • Pilot                 – F/O Colin Robert Moore Richardson RAAF. Age 23         †
  • F/Eng-Pilot      – Sgt Bernard Gibbons. Age 21                                              †
  • Navigator        – F/S Herbert Eric Burton RAAF. Age 25                              †
  • Bomb Aimer   – F/O Robert Martin RAAF. Age 23                                     †
  • Wireless Op     – F/O William Forrester RAAF. Age 20                                 †
  • Mid Upper      – F/S Anthony Ellis Bowman RAAF. Age 23                        †
  • Rear Gunner    – F/S Fredrick James Howlett RAAF. Age 29                       †

Four of Colin Richardson’s crew were buried at Oxford (Botley) Cemtery, Sgt Gibbons a qualified pilot was flying as F/Eng and is buried at Norton (St Nicholas) Churchyard, Letchworth, F/O Robert Martin RAAF who had served at Tobruk with the Australian Army before transferring for aircrew duty was buried by family members at Sunderland (Southwick) Cemetery and F/S Howlett RAAF is at Cambridge City Cemetery.

Memorial at Foxton.
(photo thanks to Tony Hibberd)

Tuesday 10th April 1945. At 10:45 hours the crews at Honeybourne were ordered to prepare to return to East Kirkby about 13:00 hours. The Station had already been advised to provide 10 aircraft and crews from each squadron for a night attack. At 11:20 the decision was made to detail experienced crews only and at 12:00 the route was received. Flight planning commenced at 12:10 hours.In an operation in support of ground troops 76 Lancasters and 19 Mosquitoes fo 5 and 8 Groups were sent to attack the Wahren railway marshalling yards near Leipzig. Briefing was held at 16:00 hours for the crews of the 11 aircraft of Six-thirty detailed to participate, their arcraft were each armed with 10 x 1000lb MC bombs.

10th/11th April 1945                Night Bombing Attack on Leipzig-Wahren

Take Off: at 18:20 hours Squadron Leader Marcel Cuelenaere in NG125 was the first off the deck.

  • RF192-A         F/O PS Weston RNZAF
  • JB290-C          F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • PD253-D         F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • NG125-F         S/L MR Cuelenaere RCAF
  • ND412-H        F/O LA Barnes
  • NG259-N        F/L NG Roberts RAAF 0317
  • PB344-R         Lt MT Ackerman SAAF
  • ME739-T         F/O AV Cameron RAAF             
  • RF122-S          F/O RJ Sassoon                    
  • LM680-Z        F/L LF Ovens
  • NN702-J         F/L OJS Atkinson RAAF

The outward journey in excellent weather was uneventful but on arrival over the target area lack of flak suggested that fighter activity would be intense. Marking was completed punctually and accurately after which crews were ordered to attack the south western edge of the concentration of red and yellow TI’s. Most crews visually identified the marshalling yards and bombing from 11,200 to 14,000 feet appeared well concentrated with a large explosion at 23:00 hours. The lower level attack was carried out by Neil Roberts and crew who attacked on 3 engines after their starboard inner engine failed. A large number of decoy TI’s were lit by the Germans south of the target. Fighters were active over the target probably working with the searchlights but did not seem to follow the main force homeward.  Once clear of the target the 5 Group “rapid let down” to 3,000 feet was again deployed and fighter interference escaped on the route homeward.  

Les Ovens crew aboard the brand new “Z-Zebra” (LM680) were unable to attack as its bomb doors would not open after a hydraulics failure. Half of the railway yard was assessed as destroyed.

Harry Ramsey and crew with D-Dog (Les Duck first left) Photo thanks to Les Duck and Richard Gold.

Harry Ramsey’s “D-Dog” (PD253) had received the attentions of German nightfighters, over the target a Fw190 attacked at high speed with machineguns and cannons but with warning given Ramsay was able to throw the Lancaster into a violent corkscrew as Sergeant Matt Barry in the mid-upper turret and Sergeant HL “Mac” McDonald in the rear turret opened fire. The single engined fighter broke up in the air before their eyes. Leaving the target area another Fw190 was sighted, before it could manoeuvre to attack Matt Barry raked it with machinegun fire and it burst into flames spiralling into the ground where it exploded. Two Fw190’s destroyed within minutes.

The last of the squadron’s crews to return safely was unsurprisingly that of Neil Roberts crew in NG259 “N-Nan” which landed still on three engines at 03:17 hours. 

Two of the seven crews who Failed To Return from the attack were from Six-thirty.

Lancaster I,  ME739  (Codes LE – T)

  • Pilot                 – F/O Angus Vernon Cameron RAAF.  Age 24    Prisoner Of War
  • Flight Eng       – Sgt Reginald William Beardwell. Age            Prisoner Of War
  • Navigator        – Sgt George Stanley W Hooper. Age                   Prisoner Of War
  • Bomb Aimer   – F/S Grenville Gould.  Age 22                       Evaded
  • Wireless Op     – F/S John Edward Hogan RAAF. Age 21   Prisoner Of War
  • Mid Upper      – Sgt John Radford Dicken. Age 19                           †
  • Rear Gunner    – Sgt Gerald George E Bourner. Age 23        Evaded

ME739 crashed at Zwochau just north west of Leipzig and is almost certainly the bomber claimed as shot down by Hauptmann Ernst-Georg Drünkler of 1/NJG 5 over Leipzig at about 23:05 hours, his 42nd victory. All of the crew baled out but the Sergeant Dicken’s canopy caught fire and he fell to his death.

Later an American Graves registration unit searching Zwochau for the crew of a missing B-17 located his grave and reburied him at Choloy in France as per the US policy of routinely moving casualties from within Germany for re-burial on friendly soil.

Rear gunner Gerald Bourner, who had celebrated his 23rd birthday just 2 days previously, later recalled that on their bombing run there were sudden loud bangs in “T-Tare” and the fuselage was immediately ablaze. He heard the order to bale out as the flames spread and promptly did so, landing with a thump in a plouged field some time after 23:00 hours. The Bournemouth former draftsman hid his chute in a ditch and headed westwards meeting his bomb aimer Grenville Gould a former engineer from Leamington Spa, as he went. As dawn broke they hid-up in a haystack where they were found by two Polish force labourers who gave them food. Moving on at midday they trudged towards Lansberg where they met two British prisoners of war from a nearby work camp who had been in a working party which had scattered when caught in an air attack and were resting up. Deciding to hide-up in plain sight the two airmen arrange to meet the soldiers that night at the perimeter of their camp, managing to sneak inside where they received military uniform, boots and could be fed. On 13th April the camp was evacuated by the Germans who were unwilling to march far for fear of marching towards the rapidly approaching Russians rather than falling into the hands of US forces. Eventually camping at a farm at Mutzchlena they were liberated by the US Army on 19th April. Grenville Gould recalled that he landed by parachute about 4-5 miles North of Leipzig before 23:30 hours, buried his parachute and harness and walked westwards for about an hour before joining Bourner. Just four days later Angus Cameron celebrated his 25th birthday.

Angus Cameron RAAF
(photo thanks to National Archives Australia)

Lancaster I, RF122   (Codes LE – S)

  • Pilot                 – F/O Richard Joseph Sassoon. Age 2 1                       †
  • Flight Eng       – Sgt Stanley Charles Walton. Age                              †
  • Navigator        – P/O John Hopwood. Age 32                                             †
  • Bomb Aimer   – F/O Patrick Francis Fleming.Age 22            Prisoner Of War
  • Wireless Op     – F/S Murray Swanson Munro. Age 24                        †
  • Mid Upper      – Sgt William Howard Roger Jenkins. Age 22            †
  • Rear Gunner    – F/S Ivor Lancelot Lynn.  Age 37                  Prisoner Of War
(thanks to Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre and Jadot/Morgana)
The remains of Lancaster RF122 photo taken by survivor Richard Fleming.
(photo thanks to Richard Fleming and Joanna Sassoon)

RF122 was shot down by a night fighter and crashed at Glebitzsch, 11km eastwards from Bitterfeld where the dead airmen were initially buried, they were later moved to Berlin War Cemetery. It is very possible that Ernst-Georg Drünkler (see above) who is considered to have shot down ME739 next attacked RF122 also shooting that down although the loss might also be attributed to pilots of NJG100 who were also operating in the area and did make claims.

Ivor Lynn, 37 year old former Tank Corps soldier and now rear gunner
(photo thanks to Thérèse  Jeffery, granddaughter)

Ivor Lynn was possibly the oldest member of aircrew to serve with 630 Squadron, he was born 5 September 1908 in Newport, Monmouthshire and had been a Brewers Drayman in Oxford prior to joining the RAF. He had previously served in the Tank Corps from 1927 to 1933 including a tour in India with 15/19 Hussars, he’d lied about his age to join up under age. Known as “Pop” to his crew as the result of the age difference he recalled their Lancaster being hit hard in the mid-section from below, the explosion causing his chin to impact the breech of the .303 Browning machineguns in front of him. The force was so great it propelled him up head first through the Perspex which shattered. Fearing possibly being machine gunned in his parachute Lynn delayed deploying his chute on the way down, he saw the Lancaster spiralling down and a lone fighter circling down after it. He sprained his ankle on landing and paused to brush slivers of perspex out from around his neck. Hearing animals running around the field Lynn didn’t move until daylight wary of the possibility of attack dogs and knowing that the live bomb load was still in the plane. Discounting the possibility of evasion due to his damaged ankle Lynn waited for dawn before hobbling into a nearby village on his damaged ankle and surrendered to the postman. He was very fortunate, in multiple incidents captured aircrew were very badly beaten or even lynched by crowds led by local Nazi Party district or block leaders while the authorities turned a blind eye.

Pjotr Forkasiewicz superb illustration of a Lancaster hit from below by a JU88 nightfighter armed with Schraege-musik (Jazz music) upward firing cannons.

Original grave records for the Sassoon crew
(photo thanks to Commonwealth War Graves Commission)

 “Barney” Barnes had flown the last op of the second half of his tour, which had been delayed for some months after he was shot down over occupied Europe and returned after evading capture. He remained with the squadron until it was disbanded. Post-war he became manager of the Priting Department of Williams & Glyns Bank being awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list of 1980 [London Gazette 14 June 1980].

Taken about the time of Len Barnes completing his tour. (back l to r) Geoff Cohen (Rear Gunner), Cec Lawlan (Flight Eng) and (front l to r) Ken Clarke (Navigator), Len Barnes (Pilot), Cyril Holmes (Wireless Op). (Photo thanks to Sue Reid, daughter of Geoff Cohen)

At 10:10 on Wednesday 11th April orders were received for an attack on Leuna/Merseberg to commence at 22:30 hours, the route arrived at 11:10 and flight planning commenced at 14:00 hours.  As the first aircraft took off at 17:45 hours a cancellation order was received from SHAEF. At 18:25 that evening a 158 Squadron Halifax code “N” from Lissett which was on an attack against Nuremburg landed at East Kirkby due to a hydraulic leak. The Station’s ground crews worked to repair the visitor’s problem. Flying was restricted by several days of cloudy or foggy weather when even the best weather conditions always seemed to include a haze.

Jeff Bignell RAAF and crew arrived at East Kirkby on 12 April and were soon in action.

Jeff Bignell RAAF (Australian Official)

Friday 13th April 1945 – a “Raid Assessment Meeting” was held for both 57 and 630 Squadrons in the 630 Squadron Captain’s briefing Room” starting at 09:30 but during this at 10:05 a preliminary warning was received for a Gardening mission in Kiel Bay that night, expected H-hour 22:45 hours. Four of the squadron’s Lancasters (and two of 57’s) were detailed for mining and each armed with 6 x Mk.VI mines. Briefing for Navigators commenced at 14:00 hours, for Captain’s at 14:30 and the main briefing at 15:00 or 16:30 hours by which time H-hour had been amended to 23:30 hours.

13th/14th April 1945                Night Minelaying – Kiel Bay area

Take Off: at 20:30 hours George Cowan and crew in NN774 were the first away from East Kirkby.

  • RA520-E         F/O PS Weston RNZAF
  • NN774-L        F/O GH Cowan
  • NG123-U        W/O R Grange
  • PA266-P         F/L NG Roberts RAAF

The crew of “L-Love” had to abort their task over the target area due to faulty H2S equipment however the others successfully laid mines in their allotted positions using H2S and without opposition. The last to return was Neil Roberts’ PA266 at 02:12 hours.

On Sunday 15th April warning was received at 10:20 hours for an attack on Pilsen, expected H-hour at 22:30, but the order was cancelled at 16:05 due to poor weather in the target area after completion of the aircrew briefings and five aircraft had to be de-bombed to participate in training flights. On Monday morning the College of Arms returned the crest and motto of 630 Squadron to 5 Group HQ complete with royal approval.

Monday 16th April 1945. At 10:10 hours the squadron was ordered to prepare to attack Pilsen at 22:45 that night, aircraft were to be fuelled with 2,000 gallons of fuel, the route was received at 11:35 and flight planning commenced at 13:00 however an instruction was received to change H-hour to 04:00 so flight planning re-commenced at 16:30 with briefing times adjusted to 20:30 for navigators, and 21:00 for Captain’s and main briefing.  5 Group despatched 222 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitoes to attack the railway marshalling yards at Pilsen. 14 aircraft and crews of Six-thirty were detailed to participate in the attack, each was armed with 1 x 4000lb HC and 14 x 500lb AM-N64 bombs,

16th/17th April 1945                Night Bombing Attack on Pilsen

Take Off: at 23:36 hours the first away was RA520 flown by Ken Gibson. Four crews had Second Dickies aboard to gain operational experience.

  • RF192-A         F/O PS Weston RNZAF                     (P/O JT Bignell RAAF)
  • JB290-C          F/L JD Richardson RAAF
  • RA520-E         F/O KO Gibson      
  • NG125-F         F/O LM Duggan RAAF  
  • ND412-H        F/O JW Wallace RNZAF
  • NN702-J         F/S RF Mercer
  • LM216-K        F/L HF Kirkwood
  • NN774-L        F/O LW Jacob RAAF
  • NG413-M       F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF                   (F/O JB Dobbie)
  • NG259-N        W/C JE Grindon                                 (F/L J Barnes)
  • PA266-P         F/L OJS Atkinson RAAF
  • PB344-R         F/S DS Tillett                                     
  • RF124-S          F/O FA Robinson
  • NG123-U        Lt MT Ackerman SAAF                     (F/OWM Taylor)
  • LM680-Z        F/L LF Ovens

The outward journey was uneventful and until navigation lights were switched off at the English coast the stream appeared very well concentrated. Over the target marking was punctual and assessed as being within 50 yeards of the aiming point, the attack opened at H-1. Crews were instructed to attack the north western tip of the red and yellow TI’s from 03:58 and then at 04:03 hours to attack the north western tip of the Red TI’s overshooting by 6 seconds. The attack, from 11,900 to 14,000 feet was quickly assessed as successful. Several large explosions were reported including a particularly big one at 04:00 hours.  Search lights seemed to concentrate some 2,000 – 3,000 feet above the main force. Ground defences were slight and fighter activity on a small scale confined mainly to the TA and the first 50 miles of the route home. PB344 “R-Robert” was originally reported “Overdue” from this operation but after landing at Juvincourt at 06:30 hours Don Tillett brought his crew back to base safely. At 08:18 hours “H-How” touched down, the last to land.

LF “Jim” Ovens and crew in 1945 (photo thanks to Stu Hablethwaite)

Clear evidence that the air war was coming to a close is found in the number of the squaron’s experienced crews who flew their last op against Pilsen, some had completed their tours but others had their routine pattern of leave due and on their return there were no more ops.  “Olly” Atkinson and “Jim” Ovens crews were both tour expired and screened on their return, their captains recommended for DFC’s which were later received, Harry Ramsey and Marthinus Ackerman were not to fly again on ops, both also later received DFC’s, the OC Wing Commander John Grindon flew his last op with 630 Squadron, in July he would be awarded a DSO in recognition of his exceptional leadership of 630 Squadron, he was posted to 617 Squadron, the Dam Busters, in command.

The Distinguished Service Order
Harry Ramsey DFC – tour over (photo thanks to Peter & Gael Ramsey)
Bombing up

At 17:40 hours on the evening of  Tuesday 17th April 1945 as preparations were underway for an attack on a target near the German/Czech border, bombing-up was almost complete when fire broke out, it has been speculated from a petrol spillage, on the dispersal used by 57 Squadron’s “U-Uncle” close to Hagnaby Grange farm house and buildings. The ever efficient fire crew turned out with the tender arriving at the moment that two 1,000 lb bombs exploded. An RAF fire fighter and a soldier of the Pioneer Corps who had been employed on runway repairs but was keen to help were killed instantly. Fireman LAC William Thaxton was wounded but managed to carry his badly injured Corporal away from the worst of the fire and explosion as others began to fight the fires. Very quickly however the fires had spead to two more of 57 Squadron’s Lancasters and quite quickly their bomb loads also began to explode. Fortunately the dispersal was on the far side of the station distant from the village. The Station Fire Officer, F/O Grebby arrived just after an ambulance attendant and one of the groundcrew had been killed.

The citations for gallantry awards later published in the London Gazette [27 November 1945] tell the story of what followed.

The KING has been graciously .pleased to give orders for the following appointments to the Most Excellent Order of lie British Empire and to approve the following awards of the British Empire Medal: —

To be Additional Members of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire:

Flying Officer John Aidan Hastings Gott, G.M. (154963), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Flying Officer Courtenay Cecil GREBBY (133289), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division).

916695 Corporal Raymond Graham FORSTER, Royal Air Force.

1184210 Corporal Leslie John Daniel FRISWELL, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

1863590 Leading Aircraftman Frederick Phillip BROWN, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

1037853 Leading Aircraftman William Edward THAXTON, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Station Fire Officer Courtenay Grebby MBE (thanks to Jerry Monks)
Two views of the scene of devastation, the remains of a Lanc in the right foreground on the top photo.
(with thanks to TL Redding)

On the evening of 17th April, 1945, an explosion occurred in an aircraft which was being prepared for operations on the airfield at East Kirkby. A number of airmen and soldiers working in the vicinity were injured, two of them fatally. Two, and eventually three, aircraft already fully bombed up on adjacent dispersal positions caught fire, and shortly afterwards the bombs on these aircraft started to explode. Flying Officers Gott and Grebby went to the scene immediately after the first explosion. They found a soldier lying near the blazing wreckage with his clothing on fire, put out the flames and rendered first aid to his wounds. These officers then proceeded to extinguish fires which had taken hold of the tyres of some loaded bomb trolleys. Next, in spite of further explosions of bombs, they helped to remove wounded men to places of safety. Explosions were now occurring at frequent intervals, causing further casualties, some fatal. Orders were given to evacuate the area but Flying Officer Grebby continued to help with the wounded and asked permission to remove a body lying by the burning wreckage of an aircraft. At that moment a further bomb exploded and Flying Officer Grebby sustained a deep wound in the thigh. When in great .pain, and lying on a stretcher, he asked to be assured that no injured persons were being left in danger while he was being given a place in the ambulance.

Flying Officer Gott was the last to leave the scene, taking with him in his car the last of the injured men. Corporal Forster, who was in charge of the airmen engaged in servicing the aircraft in which the initial explosion occurred, was in a hut some 50 yards away. Although injured and severely shaken, he immediately went to the scene and assisted Flying Officers Gott and Grebby in their rescue work. After having removed one injured man to safety,

Corporal Forster returned to the aircraft and continued to render assistance until he was instructed to leave the area. Corporal Friswell was in charge of a party of airmen engaged in servicing an aircraft a short distance away. When the explosion occurred he was thrown to the ground and sustained slight injuries. Before he could reach safety a further explosion occurred and several men sustained injuries. Corporal Friswell went to the scene of the accident, removed one man to safety and arranged for his conveyance to sick quarters. Corporal Friswell then returned to the aircraft and continued the rescue work until he was ordered to retire. Leading Aircraftman Brown was in a flight hut some 50 yards away when the first explosion occurred and was knocked down by the blast. Leading Aircraftman Brown quickly extricated himself from the wreckage of the hut, and then proceeded to the scene of the accident. Soon 4 aircraft were ablaze and, although further explosions and fires were occurring, Leading Aircraftman Brown made every endeavour to help the injured personnel and also assisted in extinguishing isolated fires. Leading Aircraftman Thaxton, a member of the Station fire party, was injured by the explosion of a bomb as he arrived on the scene; his corporal was thrown to the ground and severely injured. Leading Aircraftman Thaxton carried the corporal to safety and then returned to the scene of the explosion. Despite the intermittent explosions which were still occurring this airman assisted in the rescue work and was instrumental in evacuating many of the injured personnel. Throughout the incident these officers and airmen displayed outstanding courage and initiative which resulted in the saving of many lives.

Losing blood at a terrific rate from his leg wound F/O Grebby’s life was saved by a tourniquet made from Group Captain Bernard Casey OBE’s braces (Station Commander). The station commander and F/L Jim MacBean, Station Armament Officer had arrived on the scene just as Lancaster LM673 blew up killing Corporal Dixon (Ambulance) and a fireman. Group Captain Casey ordered the evacuation of the vicinity and as explosions and fires continued, the evacuation of the station. The casualties were moved clear as the fourth Lancaster caught fire just as the fire tenders arrived from neighbouring Coningsby and Spilsby.

Group Capt Bernard Casey OBE (National Portrait Gallery)

At 09:30 hours the following morning another bomb exploded as the Bomb Disposal Squad waited to commence work and they had to remain clear until later that afternoon after the remaining aircraft had been de-bombed. They carried out controlled explosions on a number of bombs in dangerous condition wherever they had been thrown across the airfield by the explosions and rendered the area safe so that the airfield could resume duties. The fire had completely burned out.

PD347 of 57 Squadron, her nose riddled by shrapnel. (with thanks to TL Redding)

Four of 57 Squadron’s Lancasters had been destroyed, 10 seriously damaged and six more lightly damaged. The Incendiary Hangar/Store beside the dispersal was extensively damaged and the dispersal hard-standings were cratered as was a section of the track. Flight dispersal huts were blown flat and damage was done to two of the unoccupied houses of Hagnaby Grange on the aerodrome.  Inn that aftermath it was discovered that 9 x 1,000 lb and 34 x 500 lb Medium Capacity bombs had exploded.

Those killed were –

  • 1009063 Corporal Thomas Stanley Dixon RAFVR, age 30 of Dukinfield.
  • 1048598 LAC Arnold Price RAFVR, age 24 of Chorlton-cum-Hardy.
  • 1018928 Corporal George William Johnson RAFVR, age 33 of Wombwell.
  • 13062628 Corporal Matthew Bulmer, 829 Company Pioneer Corps, age 29 of Prendergast, Pembrokeshire (a Sunderland man).

Corporal Dixon was buried at Marple (All Saints) Churchyard, LAC Dixon at Manchester Southern Cemetery, Corporal Johnson at Wombwell Cemetery in Yorkshire and Corporal Bulmer at Lincoln (Newport) Cemetery.

The names of those recorded as injured were –

  • LAC A Daley RAFVR           RAF East Kirkby
  • F/O CC Grebby RAFVR        RAF East Kirkby
  • Cpl RJ Piper RAFVR             RAF East Kirkby
  • Pte E Turner (Army)               829 Company Pioneer Corps
  • Cpl Dougherty RAFVR         RAF East Kirkby
  • LAC F Challis RAFVR          RAF East Kirkby
  • Cpl J Martin RAFVR             RAF East Kirkby
  • LAC R Stubbs RAFVR         RAF East Kirkby
Following the explosion (with thanks to TL Redding)

On Thursday 19th April Flight Sergeant Maxwell Hartcher RAAF, bomb aimer in Keith Hallett’s recently arrived Aussie crew was receiving treatment at the RAF Hospital Rauceby for injuries and he was later repatriated to Australia. At this stage nothing else is known but his crew flew no further ops and survived the war.

Exercises were the routine for several days although at 18:20 hours on Friday 20th April the squadron received preliminary warning for an Op on the 21st, but it did not take place and on Sunday 22nd at 19:00 hours another warning was received for a daylight attack on the following day.

(photo thanks to Aircrew Remembered)

Above – (front row) PWH Reynolds (F/Eng & 2nd Pilot), Jack Barnes (Skipper), Alf Manser (Nav). (back row) Marshall (bomb aimer), unknown, GDE Worsford (wireless op) and George Thornborrow (rear gunner)

Four new crews were on the Battle Order for the next op, they were captained by Flight Lieutenant Jack Barnes[ii] from 1660 CU heading a crew including some pre-war RAF regular service airmen commencing their second tours, Aussie F/O Jeff Bignell RAAF[iii]  with his mainly British crew on their first tour, 25 year old Flying Officer John Dobbie[iv] a recently married Glaswegian pre-war Regular airman with his crew of British NCO’s and finally the crew of British NCO’s headed by 31 year old Flying Officer Mick Taylor[v] a veterinary surgeon from Codsall in Staffordshire.

George Dobbie’s crew
(back, l to r) Gaze, Courtnay, Telling, Constable (front, l to r) Cruickshank, Dobbie, Turner
(photo tanks to Neale McCarthy)

Monday 23rd April 1945. At 04:00 hours the planned attack was postponed due to poor weather in the Target Area but at 10:00 hours the operation was back “On”now planned for 17:30 hours. Briefings commenced at 11:00 and at 12:10 H-Hour was put back until 18:30 but the Op was confirmed “On”. 5 Group despatched 148 Lancasters to attack the railway yards at Flensburg on the North German coast with shipping in harbour as alternative. The 12 Lancasters of 630 Squadron were each bombed up with 14 x 1000lb AN-M65 bombs.

23rd April 1945                       Daylight Bombing Attack on Flensburg

Take Off: at 15:06 hours Squadron Leader Marcel Cuelenaere and “Jake” Jacobs led the squadron away.

  • RF192-A         F/O JB Dobbie 
  • NG125-F         F/O LW Jacobs RAAF
  • NN702-J         F/S RF Mercer
  • NN774-L        F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • NG413-M       S/L MR Cuelenaere RCAF
  • NG259-N        F/L NG Roberts RAAF
  • PA266-P         F/O JT Bignell RAAF
  • RF124-S          F/O WM Taylor
  • NG123-U        F/L J Barnes
  • ND412-H        F/O KO Gibson
  • PB784-Q         F/L JD Richardson RAAF
  • PA322-V         F/O FA Robinson
  • LM680-Z        F/O A McGuffie

Climbing through a thin sheet layer of cloud the squadron joined the “gaggle” on time and in position. Cloud began to break on leaving the English coast and near the enemy coast it had cleared completely. Over the target however the Controller ordered the force to “abandon attack” as a solid layer of cloud covered the target at 6,000 to 8,000 feet. No ground opposition was encountered and there were only one or two sightings of enemy aircraft but none attacked. All aircraft returned safely, Neil Roberts in NG259 “N-Nan” being the last to land at East Kirkby at 21:06 hours.

Log book page of George Turner (Flight Engr/2nd Pilot) George Dobbie’s crew
(copy thanks to Neale McCarthy, nephew of George Turner)

About to fly his first op with 630 Squadron was recently arrived replacement B-flight commander, 23 year old Squadron Leader Lawrence Pilgrim DFC[vi] until recently a long serving flight commander at 1660 HCU, heading a veteran crew comprising Australians, British and a New Zealander. Pilgrim had flown a successful first tour with 44 Squadron.   

Wednesday 25th April 1945. In the early hours crews prepared for briefings which commenced at 01:00 hours. The Op was declared definitely “On” at 03:05 hours. 359 Lancasters and 16 Mosquitoes of 1, 5 and 8 Groups were despatched to bomb Hitler’s personal “Eagles Nest” chalet complex and the adjoining SS Barracks at Berchtesgaden. 5 aircraft of 630 Squadron participated each armed with 12 x 1000lb AN-M59 bombs.

The attack on Berchtesgaden seen from a Lancaster

25th April 1945           Daylight Bombing Attack on Berchtesgaden

Take Off: at 04:15 hours aboard NG125 Ken Gibson’s crew were the first airborne.

  • RA520-E         F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • NG125-F         F/O KO Gibson
  • NN702-J         F/O GR Scott RAAF
  • PA322-V         S/L LW Pilgrim
  • PB784-Q         F/O GH Cowan

The bombers took off and made their ways individually to the rendezvous point at St Quentin where the group formed up in the early morning light. Other sections of the formation joined up later. Weather at the target was clear with excellent visibility although low cloud hung in many of the deep valleys. The expected Red TI’s were not seen. The attack took place from 16,000 to 16,500 feet between 09:00 to 09:03 hours. Several crews reported seeing the barracks rectangle which was quickly obscured by bomb bursts. It is noted that overshoots were observed and that some aircraft attacked the railway bridge north of the target whilst others bombed the village itself.  High mountains on the run in prevented several crews from seeing the target until the last minute with mist in the valleys making map reading difficuly. F/O GR Scott’s crew had an unsuccessful op receiving no bombing instructions. No enemy fighters were seen but moderate heavy flak was met at the target and from Salzburg. Amongst the force were 16 Lancasters of 617 Squadron dropping their last “Tallboy” bombs. The mission was assessed as accurate and effective. George Cowan was the last of the squadron to return to base at 12:54 hours. Jack Hoare’s crew had flown their 30th and last Op, they had survived.

Jack Hoare (standing left) and crew (thanks to D Brown)

25th April 1945. After an initial signal that the Squadron would not be required for Ops that night – a mining operation in Oslofjord was ordered. Briefings commenced at 18:00 hours and the 4 Lancasters detailed for the mining mission were each armed with 6 x Mk.VI mines

25th/26th April 1945                Night Minelaying – “Onions”

Take Off: at 20:09 hours aboard NN774 “Jake” Jacobs and crew were the first of the “All Commonwealth” force to leave East Kirkby.

  • RF124-S          F/O AM MacLean RCAF
  • NN774-L        F/O LW Jacobs RAAF
  • RF192-A         F/O PS Weston RNZAF
  • NG123-U        F/O JL Bathgate RNZAF

All mines were laid in the allotted positions using H2S equipment. Scanty light flak was encountered from Horten area but no other opposition. Four searchlights were active in the garden area. Determination to be as accurate as possible shows clearly as Albert MacLean’s crew aborted their first run and made a second to ensure that their “Vegetable” was correctly “planted” and Phil Weston’s crew did not release until their 4th run. “Jake” Jacobs’ crew were the last to return landing at 02:53 hours being the last of Six-thirty’s crews to participate in an operational attack in the Second World War. Note – one record states that the crew of F/O Jim Bathgate flew this op aboard a 57 Squadron Lancaster “X-X ray”.

On 26th April 1945 Wing Commander Frederick “Jimmy” Wild[vii] took command of 630 Squadron. He was an adventurous 33 year old Bradford man, who had been a Cadet in the Merchant Navy at the age of 16 and worked in the USA and Canada in the late 1920’s before returning to the UK to take up a regular commission in the RAF in 1931. Having served in the Middle East pre-war and then flying from North Africa to bomb Italian targets with 38 Squadron (Wellington bombers) in late 1940/early 1941, he was a highly respected officer. Postwar Wild returned to Canada where he settled and became a citizen.

Wing Commander Wild (3rd from left) flanked by his flight commanders.

The out-going CO Wing Commander John Grindon was recommended for a DSO for his outstanding leadership and bravery whilst in command of 630 Squadron, he was posted to command 617 Squadron. The month closed with several days of cloudy weather

The remaining days of April and those of May were mainly fair but with occasional showers and Six-thirty were kept busy with high level bombing exercises, fighter affiliation missions and occasional Air to Sea firing.


[i] Louis Walter Dickens DFC AFC (16108), RAFVR. AFC LG. 06/06/39. DFC LG. 31/05/40, 139 Sqdn. Sir Louis, KB DFC AFC DL. MinD LGs. 14/01/44, 01/01/45, 01/01/46.

[ii] Jack Barnes (144021), RAFVR.

[iii] Jeffrey Thompson Bignell (1385810, 182601), RAFVR.

[iv] John Basil Dobbie (550970, 56478), RAF.

[v] Walter Michael Taylor (156945), RAFVR.

[vi] Lawrence William Pilgrim (122092), RAFVR. DFC LG. 12/10/43, 44 Sqdn.

[vii] Frederick William Lyder Wild (32115), RAF.

03/1945 (March 1945)

W/Cdr John Grindon and crew, (standing l to r) RE Holding (WOp), JE Brown (Nav), Grindon, Tom Cass (R/G), (front l to r) Joe Pappin RCAF (MU/G), PJ Hollands (F/E), GL Mortiboys (A/B)
(photo thanks to Tom Cass DFM)

Saturday 3rd March 1945. 630 Squadron were detailed to participate in a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal at Ladbergen on 1st March but the attack was cancelled, however the Ladbergen Aqueduct on the canal was the target for 5 Group when 630 Squadron flew next. 212 Lancaster and 10 Mosquitoes were flying. 13 aircraft of the squadron were detailed and each armed with 13 x 1000lb MC bombs except ND412 which carried 12 x 1000lb MC bombs.

3rd/4th March 1945                 Night Bombing Attack on Ladbergen

Take Off: at 18:31 hours Wing Commander Grindon was first airborne in NG259.

  • PD253-D         F/O JW Wallace RNZAF
  • RA520-E         F/S R Grange
  • NG125-F         F/O EJ Monk
  • ND412-H        F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • RF122-I          F/L H Thompson
  • NN774-L        F/L GE Stemp
  • NG259-N        W/C JE Grindon
  • LM287-O        F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF
  • ME845-Q        W/O GH Cowan
  • LM260-S         S/L MA Eyre
  • ME739-T         R/O RA Stone RNZAF
  • NG123-U        F/L EC Harris RNZAF
  • PD254-W        F/O AM MacLean RCAF

8/10ths cloud covered the target but the flares and TI’s went down on time although the Red TI’s were rather scattered and couldn’t always be seen through clouds. The Controller ordered main force to bomb north-west of the red TI and later instructed to overshoot this TI by 3 seconds. Many crews reported that fighters were active during the run in and there was some light flak at target. Some fighter activity had been encountered approaching target and fighters were also active on the route homeward to about 0530E. No combats were reported by the squadron. PD254 reached the target too late and had to abort.  The aqueduct was breached in 2 places and put completely out of action.

At East Kirkby landings were almost complete after 10 of Six-thirty’s Lancasters landed successfully by 00:12 hours when “bandits” arrived on the circuit and all airfield lights were switched off, the remaining 2 were diverted without problem and after being engaged by a fighter PD253 (Jimmy Wallace) diverted and landed safely at Deighford.  A JU88 night fighter made a low diving attack on East Kirkby shooting up mainly the 57 Squadron side of the airfield with cannon and machine gun fire using incendiary and tracer rounds. Only superficial damage was caused to the MT Section and 57’s briefing room but a debriefing team comprising 4 RAF officers and Squadron Officer Beth Hayward the WAAF CO were injured. Sadly 22 year old Flying Officer Arthur Heeley[i] (57 Squadron) the Signals Analysis Officer, died later that day of his injuries.

Unternehmen (Operation) Gisela was in full swing, almost 200 Luftwaffe fighter crews had been briefed to cross the North Sea and patrol the East Coast from the Thames Estuary to the North Yorkshire Moors where they shot down both returning bombers and a number of Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft on night flying exercises.

3rd/4th March 1945                 Night Minelaying – “Onions”

2 aircraft were detailed for minelaying each carrying 6 x Mk.1V mines. Reg Waterfall took off in LM216 just minutes before “Jim” Ovens.

  • NG413-M       F/L LF Ovens
  • LM216-K        F/L RG Waterfall

LM216’s sortie was aborted and they landed at Bitteswell at 01:51 hours. At about 20:57 hours from 10,000 feet NG413 planted vegetables in the allotted garden utilising H2S, no enemy aircraft were seen but a little heavy flak was experienced in the garden area. The weather was reported to be clear and visibility excellent. One source suggests that “Jim” Ovens flew “Y-Yoke” and not “M-Mother”.

Monday 5th March 1945.  Ensuring that what remained of Hitler’s Germany was utterly starved of the oil which it desperately needed if it were to continue fighting, 5 Group despatched 248 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitoes to bomb a synthetic oil refinery. 17 aircraft of Six-thirty were detailed for Ops, each with 1 x 4000lb HC, 1 x 500lb MC and 11 x 500lb AN-M64, except ND412 and ND949 which carried 1 x 4000lb HC, 1 x 500lb MC and 8 x 500lb AN-M64 and NN774 and PD237 which carried 1 x 4000lb HC and 12 x 500lb AN-M64 bombs. Preliminary warning of the attack was received at 10:15 and flight planning and briefings commenced 13:30 hours.

5th/6th March 1945                 Night Bombing Attack on Böhlen

Take Off: at 16:56 hours in RA520 Wing Commander Grindon was first off the deck.  “Jerry” Monk and Neil Roberts’ crews had Second Dickies aboard for the mission.

  • PD253-D         F/O JW Wallace RNZAF
  • RA520-E         W/C JE Grindon
  • NG125-F         F/O EJ Monk                          (F/O LM Duggan RAAF)
  • ND412-H        F/O LW Jacob RAAF
  • RF122-I          F/O DA Clifford
  • LM216-K        Capt DS Turner SAAF
  • NN774-L        F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • NG413-M       F/O PS Weston RNZAF
  • NG259-N        F/S R Grange
  • LM287-O        F/O A McGuffie
  • LM260-S         F/O KO Gibson
  • ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF
  • NG123-U        F/L EC Harris RNZAF
  • PD254-W        F/O AM MacLean RCAF
  • NN703-X        F/O NG Roberts RAAF         (F/O JC Clingin RAAF)
  • PD327-Y         W/O DI Plumb
  • ND949-Z        F/L LF Ovens

The squadron flew below the clouds from base, between 2,000 to 3,000 feet to Reading and then re-joined the bomber stream. 9/10ths to10/10ths cloud was encountered in the target area. 8 aircraft were seen going down in flames between 08°East and 1130°East. Near the target area the result of a collision was observed with parts of a wing falling to earth. Sky markers were all that could be seen for the most part and due to density of cloud they were sometimes obscure.  Most crews bombed the sky markers although a few reported seeing TI’s on the ground through slight breaks in the cloud. Three crews report that this TI was on the oil plant and that bombs were bursting amongst the buildings with a large oil tank on fire. Several heavy explosions were noted with a particularly large one at 21:53 hours. Moderate flak was encountered over the target and considerable fighter activity on the outward journey and over the target, but none on the homeward route. Combats began at 0800E. On the outward journey persistent contrails were seen above 14,000 feet. Homeward all crews reported moderate icing in cloud between 6,000 to 12,000 feet.  The average airborne time was 10.20 hours. Warrant Officer Don Plumb flying PD237 brought the last of the squadron’s aircraft safely home at 03:43 hours. Despite the cloud cover damage was caused to the production capability of the refinery and to some storage sections. Jerry Monk and crew had flown their last op together, their tour was over and they were screened. Within just a week or so they had been posted away, their captain dashed down to Wimbledon in South London on leave and a week later married his sweetheart Olive.

Tuesday 6th March 1945.  5 Group were ordered to attack the small port of Sassnitz on the Baltic island of Rügen, 191 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitoes were despatched. Preliminary warning for both of the attacks came in at 10:40 hours and flight planning and briefings commenced at 14:30 hours. 630 Squadron crews were specifically briefed to attack shipping inside and outside the harbour. 11 Lancasters of 630 Squadron were detailed armed with a total of 96 x 1000lb AN-M65 TD .025 bombs. The squadron also provided one aircraft and crew for a night minelaying operation which was also conducted.  

6th/7th March 1945                 Night Bombing Attack on Sassnitz

Take Off: at 18:02 hours Wing Commander Grindon was first away, in RA520,

  • PD253-D         F/O DA Clifford
  • ND412-H        F/L H Thompson
  • RA520-E         W/C JE Grindon
  • NG125-F         Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF
  • NN774-L        F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • LM287-O        F/O A McGuffie
  • PA266-P         F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF
  • ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF
  • NG123-U        F/L EC Harris RNZAF
  • PD254-W        S/L MA Eyre
  • ND949-Z        F/L LF Ovens

Aside from a cold front the outward trip was in excellent weather conditions right up to the last sea crossing from Sweden to the target.  Over the port 7/10ths to 9/10ths cloud obscured the visibility. Several crews attacked a large liner about 1 mile east of harbour breakwater but no results could be assessed due to cloud. Considerable light flak was fired from shipping but no fighters were seen. Aboard RA520 ”E” Gordon Mortiboys, Wing Commander Grindon’s bomb aimer, had a faulty bombsight so they attacked the town of Sassnitz dropping 10 x 1000lb from 9,500 feet.   Kiwi Ron Stone was the last of the squadron to land back at base at 03:40 hours. Three ships were sunk in harbour and the massive 22,117 ton troop transport “Hamburg” was sunk just off shore, obviously the liner attacked by Six-thirty.

ME739 “T for Tare” regular mount of Ron Stone RNZAF and crew. (Photo thanks to Frank Cummings – Wireless Op aboard for the entire tour of ops)

The attack on Sassnitz was the last op flown with 630 Squadron by flight commander Squadon Leader Malcolm Eyre who was recommended for a DFC and posted shortly afterwards. His crew was dispersed, mostly posted over the following months, rear gunner George Arrowsmith and flight engineer John Nelson were recommended for DFC’s and both later received them.

6th/7th March 1945                 Night Minelaying in “Willow” area

Take Off: at 18:09 hours Reg Waterfall’s crew lifted off with a payload of 6 x Mk.VI mines.

  • NG259-N        F/L RG Waterfall  

Having successfully laid 6 mines in the allotted position in excellent visibility and without opposition, NG259 touched down back at East Kirkby at 03:25 hours.

Wednesday 7th March 1945 – a warning was received from Group at 10:00 hours to prepare for an attack on Lutzkendorf but at 12:35 the target was changed to Harburg and at 14:15 hours flight planning and briefings commenced. The oil plant at Harburg was identified by intelligence reports as operating at a substantial capacity and passed to 5 Group for “attention”. 234 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitoes were promptly despatched. 15 Lancasters of the squadron were detailed for Ops, eah armed with 1 x 4000lb HC and 15 x 500lb MC bombs.

7th/8th March 1945                 Night Bombing Attack on Harburg

Take Off: at 18:10 hours recently arrived Ken Gibson (ND412) was first away.

  • PD253-D         F/O GR Scott RAAF
  • JB290-C          F/O JL Bathgate RNZAF
  • RA520-E         F/L GE Stemp         
  • NG125-F         F/O PS Weston RNZAF     
  • ND412-H        F/O KO Gibson      
  • LM216-K        Capt DS Turner SAAF
  • NN774-L        S/L MR Cuelenaere RCAF
  • NG259-N        F/L RG Waterfall
  • LM287-O        W/O DI Plumb
  • PB344-R         F/S R Grange
  • NG123-U        F/L H Thompson
  • NG413-M       F/O NG Roberts RAAF
  • PD327-Y         F/L TB Baker RAAF
  • ND949-Z        F/O LW Jacob RAAF
  • PA266-P         F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF

Several days of changeable weather followed during which more exercises were flown and an Op planned for Friday 9th March was cancelled whilst the aircrew were being briefed.  Two replacement crews had been posted to 630 Squadron early in the month, both crews consisted mainly of British lads captained by Aussie Pilot Officers Jim Clingin[ii] a 32 year old from Camperdown, Victoria and Laurie Duggan[iii] respectively.

Due ti a last minute problem George Cowan’s crew in “W-William” were unable to take off from East Kirkby. Light ground haze or smoke hung over the target but the weather was clear below 14,000 feet although cloudy above. Most crews arrived early due to incorrectly forecast wind conditions and had to orbit whilst the Markers went to work. The marking was accurate and the attack started early as both the river and docks could clearly be seen by most crews, as the result the bombing was extremely accurate with sticks of bombs repeatedly seen to fall across the target. Large fires and explosions giving off volumes of black smoke were reported by most crews. Heavy flak was less than expected but light flak was intense and some searchlights were active but ineffective. Fighters were encountered over the target and on the homeward route as far as 0630E with several bombers seen to be shot down in flames. Over the target “Jake” Jacob’s bomb aimer aboard “Z-Zebra” Sgt FA Lawton “hit the tit” only to find that his bomb release switch was not working so the crew jettisoned their bomb load over the target. The crews of Gordon Stemp and Phil Weston were the last of the squadron to return safely when they landed almost simultaneously at 01:28 hours. German reports state that the oil refinery was damaged and an adjacent synthetic rubber factory was seriously damaged. Records are contradictory and some show the aircraft flown by the Thompson and Roberts crews transposed.

Sunday 11th March 1945. In the last of many attacks on Essen Bomber Command sent a record number of bombers to raid industrial Essen, 1079 aircraft (750 Lancasters, 293 Halifaxes and 36 Mosquitoes). 15 Lancasters of 630 Squadron were detailed for Ops and bombed up with 1 x 4000lb HC, 4 x 500lb MC and 12 x 500 AN-M64 except JB290, ND412 and ND949 which carried 1 x 4000lb HC, 7 x 500lb MC and 9 x 500lb AN-M64 bombs

11th March 1945                    Daylight Bombing Attack on Essen

Take Off: at 11:49 hours Wing Commander Grindon was the first airborne.

  • JB290-C          F/O LW Jacob RAAF
  • PD253-D         F/O PS Weston RNZAF
  • RA520-E         F/L GE Stemp
  • ND412-H        F/O JW Wallace RNZAF
  • RF122-I          F/L H Thompson
  • LM216-K        Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF
  • NN774-L        F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • NG413-M       S/L MR Cuelenaere RCAF
  • NG259-N        W/C JE Grindon
  • LM287-O        F/O A McGuffie
  • PA266-P         F/L EC Harris RNZAF
  • LM260-S         F/O AM MacLean RCAF
  • ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF
  • PD327-Y         F/L TB Baker RAAF
  • ND949-Z        W/O DI Plumb

Aircraft formed up over base and joined the main force at Reading, on arrival over the target 10/10ths cloud blanketed the area with excellent visibility above. The PFF Master Bomber directed bombing onto various Oboe directed red and blue smoke sky markers. Flak was negligible and no fighters were seen. On leaving target black smoke was climbing through the clouds at 2000 feet and clouds were becoming discoloured. 4,661 tons of bombs fell on Essen in an accurate attack in a giant blow which virtually paralysed Essen and was followed up by the taking of the city by the US Army shortly afterwards. Don Plumb brought ND949 “Z-Zebra” home at 17:30 hours. Two more of 630 Squadron’s stalwart crews completed their tours in the attack on Essen, that of Cornish born New Zealander Eric Harris who was recommended for a DFC and his countryman Ron Stone and crew, both crews were dispersed as they received their next postings in early April.

Ron Stone during his early training (RNZAF official)

Tom Lockett who had flown as mid upper gunner in the Harris crew throughout their tour joined the Manchester City Police post-war and during that service was awarded a George Medal for his bravery tackling an armed robbery brandishing a pistol. (London Gazette 22 November 1957). Tom’s biography “For King and Country” is available from the author who can be contacted carole3567@hotmail.com

Tom Lockett GM
(photo thanks to 57/630 Sqdn Association website & Carole Widdicombe)

That evening 2 aircraft and crews joined a minelaying force, each with a payload of 6 x Mk.VI mines.

11th/12th March 1945             Night Minelaying “Onions”

Take Off: at 17:42 hours “Jim” Ovens and crew in PD344 were the first away.

  • PD254-W        F/L RG Waterfall
  • PB344-R         F/L LF Ovens 

Both Lancasters planted their “vegetables” as detailed utilising H2S. Both light and heavy flak was encountered in the garden area from the expected localities. An explosion was seen on the Northern most garden as mines were laid. Reg Waterfall returned 13 minutes after his squadron mate and landed at 00:37 hours. The 630 Squadron “Operations Record Book” details F/O Alex McGuffie and crew flying PD254 “W-William” as Reg Waterfall’s gardening partner although the McGuffie crew had only landed from the Essen attack 20 minutes before the “gardeners” took off. “W-Whisky” was apparently flown by the Waterfall crew and “R-Robert” was flown by “Jim” Ovens’ crew as confirmed by the list of ops in the recommendation for Ovens’ DFC..

Three recently arrived crews were preparing for ops, two were straight from training, the almost all entirely Aussie crews of F/O Keith Hallett RAAF[iv] with its token Englishman flight engineer Sgt W Cash, and from No. 75 Base (RAF Wigsley) after training at 27 OTU (Lichfield) 23 year old F/O Colin Richardson RAAF[v] with its English flight engineer Sgt Bernard Gibbons.

Colin Richardson RAAF
(the D Richardson family, Australia)

The other was captained by a 28 year old South African officer of the Southern Rhodesian Reserve, Squadron Leader Stan Flett[vi], a married man with two young sons who was returning to ops as B-Flight commander after a tour as an instructor.

Monday 12th March 1945. Setting an even greater record for the number of aircraft despatched, Bomber Command sent 1,108 bombers to Dortmund, also setting a tonnage record of bombs dropped (4,851 tons). Crews were briefed from 10:00/11:00 hours. 16 of the squadron’s aircraft participated, each carrying 1 x 4000lb MC and 16 x 500lb MC bombs.

12th March 1945        Daylight Bombing Attack on Dortmund

Take Off: at 13:29 hours Wing Commander Grindon and Captain Desmond Reynolds SAAF took off at the head of the squadron.

  • JB290-C          F/O LW Jacob RAAF
  • PD253-D         F/O PS Weston RNZAF
  • RA520-E         F/O KO Gibson
  • ND412-H        F/O JW Wallace RNZAF
  • RF122-I          F/O DA Clifford
  • LM216-K        F/O GR Scott RAAF
  • NN774-L        F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • NG413-M       Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF
  • NG259-N        W/C JE Grindon
  • LM287-O        F/O A McGuffie
  • PA266-P         F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF
  • PB344-R         W/O GH Cowan
  • LM260-S         W/O DI Plumb
  • ME739-T         F/O RJ Sassoon
  • PD254-W        F/O AM MacLean RCAF
  • ND949-Z        F/O JL Bathgate RNZAF

A large number of aircraft were by necessity concentrated into a small area during the second stage of the outward journey but flew in a very disciplined formation. Dortmund was blanketed by 10/10ths cloud at 6,000 feet with excellent visibility above. Just before bombing a Lancaster was seen hit in the port wing by flak, it went into a spin and was lost from view as it went down. The Master Bomber gave clear bombing instructions based on blue and green smoke sky markers which were constantly visible. A mass of dark smoke approximately 2 miles wide billowed through the cloud layer but no results could be seen. Flak was negligible and only one fighter was seen near the target. All of Six-thirty’s aircraft returned safely, LM216 being the last to touch down at 19:38 hours. The post-war British bombing survey reported that this attack stopped war production so effectively that it would have been many months before any substantial recovery could have occurred.

A planned attack on Lützkendorf was cancelled on Tuesday 13th March.

Wednesday 14th March 1945. 244 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitoes of 5 Group penetrated deep into Germany to attack Winterhall synthetic oil refinery at Lützkendorf. Preliminary warning was received at 10:00 and briefings commenced at 13:30 hours. 15 aircraft of Six-thirty were detailed for Ops and each bombed up with 1 x 4000lb HC and 12 x 500lb MC except ND412, PB344 and ND949 which carried 1 x 4000lb HC and 9 x 500lb MC. 

14th/15th March 1945             Night Bombing Attack on Lützkendorf

Take Off: at 16:46 hours Wing Commander Grindon led the squadron from East Kirkby.

  • PD253-D         F/O GR Scott RAAF
  • RA250-E         F/O JL Bathgate RNZAF
  • ND412-H        F/O JW Wallace RNZAF
  • RF122-I          F/O DA Clifford
  • LM216-K        F/O KO Gibson
  • NN774-L        F/L H Thompson
  • NG413-M       F/L GE Stemp
  • NG259-N        W/C JE Grindon
  • LM287-O        F/O A McGuffie
  • PA266-P         F/O AV Cameron RAAF
  • PB344-R         W/O GH Cowan
  • ME739-T         F/O JC Clingin RAAF
  • PD254-W        F/O AM MacLean RCAF
  • ND949-Z        F/L LF Ovens
  • PD327-Y         Lt MT Ackerman SAAF
  • LM260-S         W/O DI Plumb

Phil Weston’s crew were unable to take off in “A-Able” as servicing had not been completed, “C-Charlie” was unserviceable preventing “Jake” Jacob and crew from flying. Henry Thompson and crew had to “boomerang” about 19:00 hours when the rear turret went unserviceable and jettisoned their Cookie and one 500 lb bomb over the North Sea at 19:09 hours. The force flew in clear conditions from base to the target area. Over the Lützkendorf the weather was clear but conditions for marking were difficult due to an attempted smoke screen coupled with a thick ground haze. Flak was moderate to heavy in the TA but directly over the target things were quieter and no searchlights were reported. The Germans deployed fake markers and all Reds had to be confirmed with a Yellow for the attacking force. F/O Clingin’s crew were unable to attack after their bomb release failed. All aircraft were diverted to Bruntingthorpe on the return but on arrival there the conditions were equally bad so they were re-diverted on to Bourne where all landed safely except for “I-Item” and “O-Oboe” which landed at Molesworth. ME739 (F/O Clingin) was the last to land at 03:15 hours. Photo reconnaissance showed that some sections of the refinery had been damaged..

Friday 16th March 1945. 630 Squadron next participated in a 5 Group attack by 225 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitoes against Würzburg. Preliminary warning for an attack on Wurzburg was received at 10:10, flight planning and briefings commenced at 13:00 hours. 18 of the squadron’s aircraft were detailed, each armed with 1 x 4000lb HC and 1,800 x 4lb incendiaries except JB290, ND412, PB344 and ND949 which carried 1 x 4000lb HC and 1,350 x 4lb incendiaries.

16th/17th March 1945             Night Bombing Attack on Würzburg

Take Off: at 17:37 hours the first airborne was ND949 (Richard Sassoon). Three crews were accompanied by Second Dickies, the crew of Steve Nunns had newly arrived Flight Commander Stan Flett aboard.

  • RF192-A         F/O PS Weston RNZAF
  • JB290-C          F/O LW Jacob RAAF
  • RA520-E         F/O JL Bathgate RNZAF
  • NG125-F         F/L SA Nunns                         (S/L SE Flett)
  • ND412-H        F/O JW Wallace RNZAF
  • RF122-I          F/O DA Clifford
  • LM216-K        F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • NN774-L        F/O KO Gibson
  • NG413-M       F/O GR Scott RAAF
  • NG259-N        F/L RG Waterfall                    (F/O CRM Richardson RAAF)
  • PA266-P         F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF
  • PB344-R        W/O GH Cowan                     (F/O K Hallett RAAF)
  • LM260-S        W/O DI Plumb                                   
  • ME739-T         F/O AV Cameron RAAF
  • NG123-U        F/O LM Duggan RAAF
  • PD254-W        F/O AM MacLean RCAF
  • PD327-Y         F/O JC Clingin RAAF
  • ND949-Z        F/O RJ Sassoon 

PD327 “Y-Yoke” returned early due to a fire in Sgt RW Loudon’s rear turret, landing back at East Kirkby at 21:43 hours.Arriving over the target the bombers found the weather clear with some ground haze. The attack opened approximately 1 minute early with markers well placed and observed by all crews in good visibility. Incendiaries were well spread across the town. Some large explosions were seen and fires took a firm hold. Flak was light with only occasional bursts of heavy calibre being noted. Considerable fighter activity was encountered in the target area and on the homeward route. Several combats were observed and one bomber was seen to go down in flames. A collision was observed in the target area. Fighter flares were dropped on the homeward track as far as the front lines. 630 Squdron de-briefing reports stated that incendiaries were still being jettisoned on track at several points between the target and the Rhine. It was a tremendous blow by 5 Group with 1,127 tons of bombs dropped in 17 minutes with great accuracy. A post war survey records that 89% of the city was destroyed. On their first op, the crew of Lawrence Duggan RAAF were preparing to make their bombing run, the last by 630 Squadron in the attack, when the instruction was given not to attack and return to base. NG413 (Scott) was the last to return safely to base at 02:15 hours but one aircraft and crew Failed To Return.

Lancaster I,  LM260  (Codes LE – S)

  • Pilot                 – W/O Donald Ivor Plumb. Age 24                            †
  • Flight Eng       – Sgt Peter Ackland. Age 21                                        †
  • Navigator        – F/S Arthur Michaels. Age 24                                    †
  • Bomb Aimer   – F/S John Harold Croucher. Age 21                        †
  • Wireless Op     – Sgt Roy Jeffery. Age 23                                            †
  • Mid Upper      – Sgt Kenneth Howard Greenfield. Age 19               †
  • Rear Gunner    – Sgt John David Baker. Age 19                                 †

LM260 was shot down by a night fighter and crashed at Moos, 11km south of Würzburg. The greater possibility is that it was shot down at 21:43 hours by either Haptmann Wilhelm Johnen of Staff Flight, III Gruppe/NJG6 or approximately 21:44 hours by Oberleutnant Eric Jung of 5/NJG2, both claiming to have shot down Lancasters in the vicinity. The crew are buried together at Durnbach War Cemetery.

Don Plumb (photo thanks to Angela Plumb, his neice)
The official letter to Don Plumb’s family (thanks to Angela Plumb)
Donald Pumb’s crew were originally buried by the Germans in four graves (copy -Commonwealth War Graves Commission)

Several days of exercises followed, high level bombing, minelaying, fighter affiliation and similar. Replacement crews continued to arrive and prepare for ops, this late in the war the majority of new crews reaching 630 Squadron comprised British NCO airmen and three of these were entirely British. The all NCO crew of 21 year old Flight Sergeant Don Tillett[vii] of Edmonton, North London who had joined the General Post Office as a boy Postman and been promoted to Sorter shortly before he joined the RAF, that captained by 21 year old Flight Sergeant Ron Mercer[viii] of Woolwich, South London his crew also being all NCO. Ron Mercer made a career with the RAF post-war, gaining a Permanent Commission and serving until June 1975. The third was captained by Pilot Officer Fred Robinson[ix] also British and heading a crew which was all NCO aside from himself. At about the same time 35 year old RAAF regular serviceman Flying Officer James Richardson[x] also arrived with his Aussie/British crew, Richardson who had flown Dakotas in India had originally enlisted in December 1929 and served until 1948.

JD Richardson RAAF (Australian Official)
Jack Hoare RAAF in “L-Love” (thanks to D Brown)

Tuesday 20th March 1945. Intelligence reports stated that Böhlen synthetic oil plant had been repaired and was able to achieve a level of meaningful production so 5 Group despatched 224 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitoes and also sent 12 Lancasters in a feint to Halle to confuse the night fighter defences. Warning to prepare for the attack was received at 10:40 hours, flight planning took place from 18:00 and briefings commenced at 22:00 hours.  16 Lancasters were detailed for Ops armed with 1 x 4000lb HC and 14 x 500lb MC or AN-M64 except for JB290, ND412, PB344 and ND949 which carried 1 x 4000lb and 12 x 500lb MC bombs.

20th/21st March 1945              Night Bombing Attack on Böhlen

Take Off: at 23:16 hours PD237 (Colin Richardson) was the first to take off.

  • RF192-A         Capt DS Turner SAAF
  • JB290-C          F/O LM Duggan RAAF
  • PD253-D         F/L SA Nunns                                     (S/L SE Flett)
  • RA520-E         F/O NG Roberts RAAF
  • NG125-F         Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF
  • ND412-H        F/O JW Wallace RNZAF
  • NN702-J         F/O JL Bathgate RNZAF
  • LM216-K        F/S R Grange
  • NN774-L        F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • NG259-N        F/O A McGuffie
  • PA266-P         F/O RJ Sassoon
  • PB344-R         F/O JC Clingin RAAF
  • ME739-T         F/O K Hallett RAAF
  • NG123-U        Lt MT Ackerman SAAF
  • PD254-W        F/O AM MacLean RCAF
  • PD327-Y         F/O CRM Richardson RAAF

A thin layer of cloud hung at 6,000 to 7,000 feet over the target leaving visibility moderate. The Germans may have lit some decoy red TI’s to the south of the target and others during the run up but crews attacked the correct red, green and yellow TI’s and several large explosions were reported in the TA. Moderate to intense heavy flak was encountered as the attack commenced but it died down during the attack, numerous very active searchlights were present. Crews attribute the 9 casualties suffered by the attacking force to heavy flak from known defended localities on or near the route and round the target. There was little evidence of night fighters and few sightings at the target. Dawn was breaking as the aircraft crossed the Rhine on their route for home. PB344 (Clingin) was the last aircraft to return at 08:35 hours.The oil plant was completely put out of action and it remained inactive until it was captured by US forces some weeks later. It is believed that Steve Nunns crew with new flight commander Stan Flett in “D-Dog” and Colin Richardson’s in “Y-Yankee” flying their first op both brought their bomb loads back to base after an ordnance problem, Steve Nunns reported that his bombs “went safe of their own accord”. Nunns who had already received a DFC and crew were screened from ops on their return, tour expired. Nunns joined 617 Squadron the following month in the expectation of flying with “Tiger Force” in the Far East and remained in the RAF post-war, receiving the AFC (London Gazette 13 June 1957) as a Squadron Leader and finally retiring as Squadron Leader in October 1963.

John Black who normally flew with Len Barnes made his last op that night as mid-upper gunner with Alex McGuffie’s crew and completed his second tour, he was recommended for a DFC.

Three of Six-thirty’s aircraft and crews participated in the diversionary attack each armed with 1 x 4000lb HC and 14 x 500lb MC or AN-M64 bombs. 

20th/21st March 1945              Night Diversionary Attack on Halle

Take-Off: at 23:17 hours “Jim” Ovens in ND949 was the first to get off the deck.

  • RF122-I          F/L H Thompson
  • ND949-Z        F/L LF Ovens
  • NG413-M       F/L GE Stemp

Halle was masked by a thin layer of cloud at 6,000-7,000 feet. The markers were seen as expected but some crews, including “Jim” Ovens’, lost sight of them and bombed on ETR results. Bombs were believed by the returning crews to have fallen on a built up area. Ground defences were active throughout the attack.”S-Sugar” was the last of the three diversionary attackers to return at 08:00 hours.

Wednesday 21st March 1945. 5 Group’s next target was the Deutsche Erdölwerke oil refinery at Hamburg. Originally the target advised at 10:40 hours was Hallendorf however at 11:30 it was changed to Hamburg, flight planning started at 17:30 hours and briefings commenced at 22:00 hours. 16 of the squadron’s Lancasters were detailed and bombed up with 1 x 4000lb HC and 16 x 500lb MC except RF192, PA266 and NG123 which carried 1 x 4000lb HC and 16 x 500lb AN-M64.

21st/22nd March 1945             Night Bombing Attack on Hamburg DPAG

Take Off: at 01:20 hours Alex McGuffie in NG259 was the first airborne.

  • RF192-A         F/O PS Weston RNZAF
  • PD253-D         F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • RA520-E         F/O GR Scott RAAF
  • NG125-F         F/L H Thompson
  • ND412-H        F/O JW Wallace RNZAF
  • RF122-I          F/O DA Clifford
  • NN702-J         F/O JL Bathgate RNZAF
  • NN774-L        F/S R Grange
  • NG413-M       F/L GE Stemp
  • LM216-K        Capt DS Turner
  • NG259-N        F/O A McGuffie
  • PA266-P         F/O JC Clingin RAAF
  • PB344-R         W/O GH Cowan
  • NG123-U        Lt MT Ackerman SAAF
  • PD254-W        F/O K Hallett RAAF
  • PD327-Y         F/O RJ Sassoon

Crossing the North Sea at 3,000 feet the formation climbed to 12,000 to cross the enemy coast. Defences around Helgoland were very active and quite accurate with some aircraft sustaining flak damage. There was no cloud over the target but some ground haze possibly supplement by a smoke screen. The Markers were intent on accuracy and there was some delay before permission was given to attack. A well concentrated attack developed with a very large explosion at 04:11 hours causing a lot of black smoke. Flak was moderate in barrage form at the target and searchlights were active. Some fighters were seen in the target area and fighter flares follwed the main force accurately on the route homeward until about 0530E. Several reports of red and green TI’s 20-30 miles south of the target and one crew reported a red and yellow TI near Altone but these were likely decoys.  It is possible that German counter-measures attempted VHF jamming in the target area. On leaving TA the force made a rapid descent to 3,000 feet until clear of the Kiel Canal where defences were as usual very active. “U-Uncle” NG123 (Lieutenant Marthinus Ackerman SAAF) was the last to return at 07:30 hours. The attack was accurate, 20 huge storage tanks were destroyed and the refinery was put out of action for the remainder of the war. Another of 630 Squadron’s veteran crews had completed their tour on this attack, “Cliff” Clifford and crew had survived. Quite slowly the crew dispersed in later April and May 1945 to their next postings.

Lancasters over Hamburg. Painting is CHOPBURG by Paul Couper AGAvA

Friday 23rd March 1945. The last raid against Wesel was carried out by 5 Group with 195 Lancasters and 23 Mosquitoes. The squadron were notified to begin preparations to attack Wesel at 10:54 hours, flight planning began at 14:30 and briefings t 16:30 hours. 17 Lancasters of Six-thirty participated, each armed with 13 x 1000lb MC and 1 x 500lb MC except JB290, ND412, PB344 and ND949 which carried 11 x 1000lb MC and 3 x 500lb MC bombs.

23rd/24th March 1945             Night Bombing Attack on Wesel

Take Off: the South African Captains Des Reynolds and Doug Turner led the squadron from East Kirkby at 19:02 hours. This attack demonstrates very clearly the part played by Commonwealth airmen in Bomber Command at this stage of the war, 6 of the crews were headed by Australians, 4 were headed by New Zealanders, 3 by South Africans, 1 by a Canadian and 3 by British pilots.

  • RF192-A         F/O PS Weston RNZAF
  • JB290-C          F/O LM Duggan RAAF
  • PD253-D         F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • RA520-E         F/O LA Barnes
  • NG125-F         Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF
  • ND412-H        F/O JW Wallace RNZAF
  • RF122-I          F/O GR Scott RAAF
  • NN702-J         F/O JL Bathgate RNZAF
  • LM216-K        Capt DS Turner SAAF
  • NN774-L        F/L HF Kirkwood
  • NG413-M       F/S R Grange
  • NG259-N        F/L NG Roberts RAAF
  • PA266-P         S/L SE Flett
  • PB344-R         F/O K Hallett RAAF
  • ME739-T         F/O JC Clingin RAAF
  • NG123-U        Lt MT Ackerman SAAF
  • PD254-W        F/O AM MacLean RCAF
  • PD327-Y         F/L TB Baker RAAF
  • ND949-Z        F/O CRM Richardson RAAF

RA520 “E-Easy” returned early due to an unserviceable bomb sight, this was a tactical target and accurate bombing a pre-requisite. Over the target the weather was clear with excellent visibility. Green TI’s were accurately placed on aiming point by Mosquitoes and the target could also be visually identified. The attack commenced and a good concentration of bombing was seen on the north-western districts of Wesel with some bombs to the south of the main concentration. No enemy action reported apart from slight ineffective heavy flak at the target.  Lieutenant Marthinus Ackerman SAAF in NG123 was the last to return at 01:35 hours. Wesel claims to be the most intensively bombed town of its size in Germany as 97% of the buildings in the main town were destroyed during the war. Neil Roberts’ crew participated in this attack in NG259 “N-Nan”, records are contradictory however crew log boks and other contemporary sources support this and the recommendation for his DFC specifically states “in an attack on Wesel on the night of the 23rd/24th March 1945 he orbited for over 15 minutes, being determined to make a perfect bombing run on a target which had to be attacked with extreme accuract..

On both Sunday 25th and Wednesday 28th March the squadron were warned for operations against a tactical target and an undisclosed target but both were scrubbed. A quiet week followed with occasional training, high level bombing and fighter affiliation in the main. A mining mission was expected to be mounted on the night of Friday 30th March but it was cancelled as was a possible daylight attack on Saturday 31st March.


[i] Arthur Heeley (157528) RAFVR, Killed at East Kirkby 04/03/45.

[ii] James Carlisle Clingin (A.410306), RAAF. Discharged from RAAF on 29/11/1945. (born 24/10/1912 Camperdown, Victoria – died 22/09/1972 Eildon, Victoria)

[iii] Lawrence Michael Duggan (A.429868), RAAF.

[iv] Keith Hallett (A.414228) RAAF.

[v] Colin Robert Moore Richardson  (A.412697), RAAF. KIA (see text)

[vi] Stanley Edward Flett (80042), RAF. Posted to command 44 Sqdn.

[vii] Donald Stanley Tillett (1802895), RAFVR

[viii] Ronald Frank Mercer (1800, 196951), RAFVR

[ix] Frederick Albert Robinson (186955), RAFVR.

[x] James Douglas Richardson (A.403377), RAAF.

02/1945 (February 1945)

Thursday 1st February 1945. 5 Group despatched 271 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitoes to attack the railway marshalling yards at Siegen. 19 aircraft of the squadron were detailed and bombed up with 1 x 4000lb HC and 2,100 x 4lb incendiaries.

1st/2nd February 1945                        Night Bombing Attack on Siegen

Take Off: at 15:23 hours Reg Waterfall was the first away in ME845 “Q-Queenie”.

  • JB290-C          F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • ND554-E        F/O RB Knight RNZAF
  • PD253-D         F/O PS Weston RNZAF 
  • NG125-F         Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF
  • NN702-J         F/L H Thompson                     (F/O JW Wallace RNZAF)
  • LM216-K        Lt DS Turner SAAF
  • NN774-L        F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • NG413-M       F/L GE Stemp                         (F/L HF Kirkwood)
  • NG259-N        F/O RJ Sassoon
  • LM287-O        F/O A McGuffie
  • LL966-P          F/O EJ Monk
  • ME845-Q        F/L RG Waterfall
  • PB344-R         W/O GH Cowan
  • LM260-S         F/O AM Maclean RCAF
  • NG123-U        Lt MT Ackerman SAAF
  • PD254-W        F/O M Miller
  • NN703-X        F/O NG Roberts RAAF
  • PD327-Y         Lt GR Lacey SAAF
  • ND949-Z        F/L LF Ovens                         (F/O AV Cameron RAAF)

Phil Weston’s crew in PD253 “D-Dog” returned early when a starboard engine went unserviceable (the “Operations Record Book” states starboard inner, the “Ops Record” states starboard outer).  Window was dropped from 7° East on the outward leg until 5° East on the return. On arrival the target area was covered with 10/10ths cloud and the Controller had difficulty marking so crews had to orbit the target 2 or 3 times waiting. Between 19:19 and 19:34 hours from 8,200 to 12,000 feet crews either bombed the glow of the TI’s below the cloud or the glow of the fires below. Ground defences were quite low key although there was a little heavy flak to the starboard side over the target. Some fighters were seen and the Germans made an attempt to mark the direction of the homeward route for about 30 miles aided once again by jettisoned incendiaries.

Flying at 6,000 feet at 19:45 hours aboard South African Doug Turner’s LM216 “K” the mid-upper gunner Flight Sergeant Moorcroft saw a twin engined JU88 fighter on their port beam and called a warning as the fighter dived beneath the Lancaster. Moorcroft requested a banking search to port and then just as they changed to starboard Flight Sergeant Bell in the rear turret sighted the fighter on the port quarter beam as it opened fire, he couldn’t depress his guns far enough to return fire. Moorcroft was dazzled by the flash of the German’s guns. Diving into a corkscrew to port Turner made to evade the fighter as Bell opened fire with a burst of 200 rounds. The JU88 backed off to starboard and wasn’t seen again. No claim was made.

Flight Sergt Moorcroft (mid upper) trained at Moffat (Rhodesia) AGS, 29 OTU and 1660 HCU.

Flight Sergt Bell (rear gunner) trained at Moffat (Rhodesia) AGS, 29 OTU and 1660 HCU.

At 20:11 hours LM260 “S-Sugar” flown by Canadian Albert Maclean was attacked at 6,000 feet after leaving the target area against the backdrop of searchlights to starboard. Sergeant Cook (rear gunner) sighted an unidentified twin engined fighter at about 250 yards range, starboard down and immediately opened fire instructing a corkscrew to port, continuing to fire as Sergeant Priest the mid-upper struggled to get his guns sighted. Coming out of the manoeuvre Sergeant Cook applied deflection to his shooting and the fighter flew straight through his fire before diving vertically down into the cloud and not being seen again. The rear gunner fired 800 rounds from 250 down to 100 yards range.

Sergeant Priest (mid upper) trained at 17 OTU and 1654 HCU.

Sergeant Cook (rear gunner) trained at 17 OTU and 1654 HCU

At base a Gale Warning was received at 22:05 hours but all squadron aircraft landed safely. Touching down at 23:03 hours New Zealanders Bob Knight (ND554) and Phil Weston (PD253) were the last of the squadron’s crews to return. Some damage was caused to the railway yards but a strong wind and German decoys caused some of the bombing to fall in the open countryside outside Siegen.  Matt Miller and crew had flown the last op of their tour, they were screened. South Londoner Des Brunwin their wireless op who had celebrated his 21st birthday only days earlier recalled the relief of having “made it through” and then of the crew being confounded at being asked if any of them would like to be commissioned. They all declined and over the next few weeks went on their separate ways still as Flight Sergeants. Fellow South Londoner Vic Larrett was then the 23 year old rear gunner who had married his sweetheart Joyce very shortly before they commenced their tour, had the same feelings at surviving his tour “unbelievable luck”. Both men were baffled at the lack of a DFC for their captain. 

On Friday 2nd February, Flying Officer GD Thompson (Provost Marshal, Inspectorate) carried out an inspection of RAF Police at East Kirkby.

Friday 2nd February 1945. The 5 Group attack on Karlsruhe was the last major attack of the war against the town and for the German’s it was fortunate that the raid by 250 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitoes was a failure. 16 aircraft of 630 Squadron participated each armed with 1 x 4000lb HC and 2,100 x 4lb incendiaries except for ND554 and JB290 which both carried 1 x 4000lb HC and 1,800 x 4lb incendiaries.

2nd/3rd February 1945                       Night Bombng Attack on Karlsruhe

Take Off: at 19:56 hours South African Gordon Lacey in LM260 was away first.

  • JB290-C          F/O PS Weston RNZAF
  • PD253-D         F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • ND554-E        F/O RB Knight RNZAF
  • NG125-F         F/L SA Nunns  
  • NN702-J         F/O EJ Monk
  • LM216-K        Lt DS Turner SAAF
  • NN774-L        F/L HF Kirkwood
  • NG413-M       F/L GE Stemp
  • NG259-N        F/O RJ Sassoon
  • LM287-O        F/O A McGuffie
  • LL966-P          F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF
  • ME845-Q        F/O AV Cameron RAAF
  • LM260-S         Lt GR Lacey SAAF
  • NG123-U        W/O DI Plumb
  • NN703-X        F/O NG Roberts RAAF
  • PD327-Y         F/L TB Baker RAAF
Don Plumb’s map for the Karlsruhe attack, found amongst his effects after he Failed to Return in March 45. (thanks to Angela Plumb)

Albert MacLean’s crew in “W-William” had last minute technical problems and couldn’t take off. The plan called for crews to fly below 6,000 feet across the continent to a position 6° East then to climb through the cloud into the clear at 13,000 feet. Arriving in the target area they found 10/10ths cloud over Karlsruhe. The Controller ordered sky marking and instructed the crews to bomb the southern end of the glow from the floating green TI’s which were cascading in cloud. Large fires were seen by many crews when they broke cloud at 6,000 feet after leaving the target area. Once again incendiaries were being jettisoned on the homeward route particularly in the Strasbourg area. Ground defences were slight but fighters were active over the target with several combats observed and aircraft seen going down in flames. Steve Nunns brought up the rear when he landed NG125 at 03:56 hours.

Saturday 3rd February 1945 was a training day with a fighter affiliation exercise, three high level bombing exercises and an Air to Sea firing exercise.

Distinguished Flying Cross
(photo thanks to Jon Evans)

Sunday 4th February 1945, Lieutenant Ackerman SAAF was advised of an immediate award of the DFC.

Distinguished Flying Cross.

Lieutenant Marthinus Theron Ackermann (32’8473V), S.A.A.F., 630 Sqn.

One night in January, 1945, this officer was pilot and captain of an aircraft detailed to attack a target far into enemy territory. Whilst on the outward flight, the starboard inner engine became troublesome and later, Lieutenant Ackermann was forced to feather the propeller. Nevertheless, ‘Lieutenant Ackermann, continued on 3 engines and eventually pressed home his attack at a height lower than that which was originally planned. He afterwards successfully completed the long flight home. This officer, who has completed numerous sorties displayed a very high standard of determination and devotion to duty.

Poor weather for several days resulted in greatly reduced flying although a preliminary warning for night operations was received at 10:29 hours on Monday 5th February, the target was confirmed at 11:20 hours, preparations were completed, flight planning and aircrew briefings were held from 16:00 to 17:30 hours but the attack was called off at 19:30 hours.

Wednesday 7th February 1945. Back to the Canals again, 177 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitoes of 5 Group attacked the stretch of the Dortmund-Ems Canal near Ladbergen. Briefing for the 630 Squadron crews was at 16:00 hours, 12 aircraft were detailed and armed with 12 x 1000lb HC (1 hour Delayed Action).  At the same time 3 Lancasters of Six-thirty participated in a minelaying mission in the Kiel area each with 6 x Mk.VI mines.

7th/8th February 1945            Night Bombng Attack on the Dortmund-Ems Canal

Take Off: at 20:38 hours Flight Commander, Squadron Leader Malcolm Eyre in LM260 took off at the head of the squadron.

  • ND554-E        F/O LA Barnes  
  • NN702-J         F/O EJ Monk                          (F/O JL Bathgate RNZAF)
  • LM216-K        Lt DS Turner SAAF
  • NN774-L        F/O GR Scott RAAF
  • LM287-O        F/O A McGuffie
  • NG259-N        Lt MT Ackerman SAAF
  • LL966-P          F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF
  • ME845-Q        F/O AV Cameron RAAF
  • PB344-R         W/O GH Cowan  
  • LM260-S         S/L MA Eyre
  • ME739-T*       F/O NG Roberts RAAF
  • ND949-Z        W/O DI Plumb

*Note – records are contradictory as to who flew “T-Tare” on this attack, the 630 Squadron “Operations Record Book” states that it was Lieutenant Lacey and crew but the “Ops Record” details F/O NG Roberts RAAF, this being supported by his Wireless Op’s log book and also the list of completed ops in the recommendation for Robert’s DFC. We are grateful for confirmation from Ken Wallwork that the Flying Log Book of his Uncle, Albert Wallwork who was Bomb Aimer in the Lacey crew, shows that he did not fly on that night – further confirming that ME739 “T” was flown by the Roberts crew.

Neil Roberts RAAF and crew (thanks to Kay Rowland)

Weather was clear until well over the continent when two layers of cloud were encountered and 10/10ths cloud cover was found on arrival at Ladbergen. The target was punctually marked but the TI’s were rather scattered in the prevailing weather conditions and crews found it difficult to determine which TI they were to attack. Attacking from 9,200 to 11,500 feet between 23:59 and 00:13 hours the majority of crews bombed the glow on the cloud from the Red TI’s or the TI itself if it was momentarily visible but some crews did see sticks of bombs appearing to straddle the canal through gaps in the cloud. The ground defences were more active than on recent attacks and fighters were very active in the target area and on the track homeward as far as 0500E.  The attack was not a success and little damage was caused. Malcolm Eyre had been the first to take off and was also the last to return to base at 03:31 hours, his crew and that of George Cowan had been unable to attack..

7th/8th February 1945                        Night Minelaying in “Forget-Me-Nots” area

Take Off: Steve Nunns in PD253 was the first off at 19:18 hours.

  • PD253-D         F/L SA Nunns
  • NG413-M       F/O PS Weston RNZAF
  • NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF

Mines were planted in the allotted positions from 15,000 feet between 22:22 and 22:57 hours without any opposition, no fighters were seen and Eric Harris landed back at base last, at 02:09 hours.

Thursday 8th February 1945. Lack of oil supply was crippling the Third Reich and the Synthetic Oil Plant at Pölitz was again the target for 475 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitoes of 1, 5 and 8 Groups. Briefing was at 13:00 hours for the crews of Six-thirty’s 19 Lancasters detailed to operate, each was carrying 1 x 4000lb HC and 12 x 500lb AN-M64, except JB290, ND554, PB344 and ND949 which carried 1 x 4000lb HC and 9 x 500lb AN-M64 and ME739 which carried 1 x 4000lb HC and 11 x 500lb AN-M64.

8th/9th February 1945                        Night Bombing Attack on Pölitz

Take Off: South African Doug Turner in LM216 was the first airborne at 16:49 hours.

  • JB290-C          F/O JL Bathgate RNZAF
  • PD253-D         F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • ND554-E        F/O RB Knight RNZAF                    
  • NG125-F         Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF
  • NN702-J         F/O PS Weston RNZAF
  • LM216-K        Lt DS Turner SAAF
  • NN774-L        F/O JW Wallace RNZAF
  • NG413-M       F/L GE Stemp
  • NG259-N        F/O RJ Sassoon
  • LM287-O        F/O A McGuffie
  • LL966-P          F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF
  • ME845-Q        F/O AV Cameron RAAF
  • PB344-R         W/O GH Cowan
  • LM260-S         Lt GR Lacey SAAF
  • ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF
  • PD254-W        F/O AM MacLean RCAF
  • NN703-X        F/O NG Roberts RAAF
  • PD327-Y         F/L TB Baker RAAF
  • ND949-Z        W/O DI Plumb

The attack was planned to take place in two waves, the first marked by 5 Group, the second by Pathfinders of 8 Group. Weather was clear with 3/10ths cloud at 4,000 – 6,000 feet and excellent visibility.

Flying at about 13,000 feet in clear visibility at 20:51 hours Jimmy Wallace’s NN774 “L-Love” was closing on the target when Sergeant John Albers (rear gunner) sighted a Lancaster about 800 yards astern suddenly catch fire and in the glow saw a single engined fighter on their port quarter level. He instructed a corkscrew to port and opened fire with a 200 round burst as the fighter passed astern and was lost to sight. It did not attack them and no definite result of his fire could be observed by him or by the mid-upper gunner.

Sergeant Willing (mid upper) trained at 16 OTU and 1661 HCU.

Sergeant Albers (rear gunner) trained at 16 OTU and 1661 HCU

At 21:09 hours while orbiting the target at 12,400 feet waiting to attack, Sergeant Priest the mid upper gunner aboard PD254 “W-William” flown by Albert Maclean, saw two fighter flares about two miles astern of their Lancaster and in their light a JU88 flying on their port beam only 100 yards away on a parallel course. The German crew had apparently not seen their Lancaster and Sergeant Priest opened fire scoring hits immediately on the JU88’s starboard engine and fuselage. Sergeant Cook in the rear turret was unable to bring his guns to bear as the JU88 flew ahead of the Lancaster into the fire of Ron Norgrove the bomb aimer who was manning the nose gun turret and at only 75 yards range saw his burst of machine gun bullets strike both engines and the fuselage, the JU88 bank and crossed the nose of the bomber to starboard as Norgrove continued to fire into it. Albert Maclean slowed their airspeed and turned to starboard into the fighter to enable both his mid-upper and nose gun turrets to maintain fire on the night fighter which inexplicably banked to port exposing its upper surfaces to both gunners who poured fire into it until it fell away diving towards the ground. Making its bombing run the bomb aimer and rear gunner both reported an aircraft crashing beneath them.

JU88 claimed as Destroyed.

Pilot Officer Norgrove (bomb aimer) trained at 31 B&GS, 17 OTU and 1654 HCU.

Sergeant Priest (mid upper) trained at 7 AGS, 17 OTU and 1654 HCU.

Sergeant Cook (rear gunner) trained at 8 AGS, 17 OTU and 1654 HCU

Marking was punctual and accurate and the Controlling was excellent. Crews had no difficulty in making a bombing run on well concentrated markers, attacking between 21:15 and 21:29 hours from 12,000 to 13,000 feet. Many sticks of bombs were seen to fall across the target. A series of violent explosions particularly at 21:18 and 21:23 hours were reported. By the end of the attack smoke totally covered the target except for the tall chimneys. Early in the attack predicted heavy flak was accurate and a serious opposition, but as the attack developed it died away. Searchlights were few and ineffective and light flak was slight. 

Crews were briefed to descend on leaving the target to cross the Baltic at 1,000 to 3,000 feet climbing to cross Sweden at 4,000 to 6,000 feet where much light flak was seen before descending again to cross the North Sea under the weather fronts. Bombing by the entire force was rated as extremely accurate and German records show that the synthetic oil plant was put out of action for the remainder of the war, a total success. JB290 “C-Charlie” was the last to return at 03:17 hours.

Fighters encountered in the target area, one of the squadron’s Lancasters Failed To Return and without any clues as to its fate the seven crew were commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Lancaster III,  ND554  (Codes LE – E)

  • Pilot                 – F/O Robert Baines Knight RNZAF. Age 25           †
  • Flight Eng       – Sgt Arthur Ronald Newby. Age 28                         †
  • Navigator        – F/S James Montague. Age 27                                   †
  • Bomb Aimer   – F/S Norman Eric A Sharpe. Age 29                †
  • Wireless Op     – F/S John Lamont RNZAF. Age 28                          †
  • Mid Upper      – Sgt Leon Young. Age 20                                          †
  • Rear Gunner    – Sgt Stanley Laidler Cameron. Age 19                     †

Recent work on the victory claims by Luftwaffe night fighter crews shows that ND554 might have been the aircraft claimed as shot down at 22:03 hours over Stettin by Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer) Rudolf Mangelsdorf of 9/NGJ2 (9th Squadron of Night Fighter Group 2). The crew included John Lamont from Ballymoney, Northern Ireland who had emigrated to New Zealand at an early age where he found employment as a timber worker in Auckland. Arriving back in the UK after training in Canada he had crewed up at OTU with New Zealander Bob Knight and South Londoner Norman Sharpe a married man with a young daughter who had been a successful builder and decorator.

Bob Knight RNZAF (thanks to Roy Calvert DFC)
Norman Sharpe (thanks to the Sharpe family)
Politz Oil Refinery devastated by RAF attacks. (Thanks to Australian War Memorial)

Rainy drizzly days followed until Bomber Command and the USAAF commenced Operation Thunderclap, a series of attacks on Dresden, Chemnitz and Leipzig designed to dove-tail with Soviet military strategy, the targets situated just behind German lines on their Eastern Front.

Tuesday 13th February 1945. 796 Lancasters and 9 Mosquitoes were despatched in two distinct raids, the first by 5 Group using their own low-level markers. The 244 Lancasters on the first wave found some cloud cover over the target and their bombing was reportedly moderately successful. The second wave of 529 Lancasters of 1, 3, 6 and 8 Groups found the clear visibility and were able to bomb with great accuracy. Briefing for 630 Squadron was at 14:00 hours, 17 aircraft and crews were detailed for Ops and the bomb load was 1 x 4000lb HC and 12 x M.17 cluster incendiaries, except for NN774 and NN703 which carried 1 x 4000lb HC and 12 x Mk14 clusters and ND412 which carried 1 x 2000lb HC and 14 x M.17 clusters.

13th/14th February 1945        Night Bombing Attack on Dresden

Take Off: at 17:40 hours Squadron Leader Marcel Cuelenaere RCAF was first away in NG413.

  • NG125-F         Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF
  • ND412-H        F/O LA Barnes
  • RF122-I          F/O DA Clifford
  • NN702-J         F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • LM216-K        F/O GR Scott RAAF
  • NN774-L        F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • NG413-M       S/L MR Cuelenaere RCAF
  • NG259-N        F/O RJ Sassoon
  • LM287-O        W/O DI Plumb
  • LL966-P          Lt GR Lacey SAAF       
  • ME845-Q        F/O AV Cameron RAAF
  • LM260-S         Lt MT Ackerman SAAF
  • ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF
  • NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF
  • NN703-X        F/O NG Roberts RAAF
  • PD327-Y         F/L TB Baker RAAF
  • JB290-C          F/O JL Bathgate RNZAF

Crews took off in good visibility climbed to operational height forming up at 18:26 hours to set course.  A gradual climb to 10,000 feet by the course change point was followed by a climb to bombing height between 14,000 to 15,000 feet flying towards the continent above the 10/10ths cloud. Flak was seen bursting either side of the bomber stream over the Ruhr Valley. Wanganuis with red and green stars were dropped ahead at Magdeburg before turning toward the target. A combat occurred in the Leipzig are on the route out but no results could be determined. Arriving over the target the squadron’s crews reported 10/10ths cloudbase at 15,000 feet. The marking was punctual and accurate, crews being ordered to attack the glow from the Red TI’s at 22:12 hours as planned. Attacking from 12,500 to 14,900 feet the squadron was leaving the target area by 22:23 hours, diving rapidly to 2,000 feet as planned and flak was seen off track to starboard. Results were difficult to assess through the clouds but generally it was believed the attack went according to plan and the glow from the fires could be seen from 150 miles away on the return. Again reports of incendiaries jettisoned on the route home. No trouble was experienced from flak over the Ruhr Valley or the target area and very few fighters were seen. ME739 (RA Stone) was the last to return, landing at 04:04 hours.  311 heavy bombers of the USAAF pounded Dresden again during the following day returning two or three times in the following days and weeks.

Illustrative of the bombing of Dresden (thanks to J Cromarty)

Wednesday 14th February 1945. Next the Synthetic oil plant at Rösitz near Leipzig was again the target for 224 Lancasters and 5 Mosquitoes of 5 Group in an attempt to destroy any remaining oil reserves. Briefing for 630 Squadron crews was at 13:00 hours, 14 aircraft were despatched each carrying 1 x 4000lb HC and 12 x 500lb AN-M64, except JB290 and ND412 which carried 1 x 4000lb HC and 9 x 500lb AN-M64.

14th/15th February 1945        Night Bombing Attack on Rösitz

Take Off: at 16:44 hours newly promoted Captain Doug Turner SAAF in LM216 was the first airborne.

  • JB290-C          F/O JL Bathgate RNZAF
  • NG125-F         F/O EJ Monk
  • ND412-H        F/O LA Barnes
  • RF122-I          F/O DA Clifford
  • LM216-K        Capt DS Turner SAAF
  • NN774-L        F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • NG413-M       F/O GR Scott RAAF
  • NG259-N        F/O RJ Sassoon
  • LM287-O        F/O A McGuffie
  • LL966-P          Lt GR Lacey SAAF            
  • ME845-Q        F/O AV Cameron RAAF
  • LM260-S         Lt MT Ackerman SAAF
  • ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF
  • PD254-W        F/O AM MacLean RCAF
  • NN703-X        W/O DI Plumb
  • PD327-Y         F/L TB Baker RAAF

Different parts of the force were to attack different sectors of the target.  No. 55 Base (57, 207 and 630 Squadron) were to attack the most westerly sector of the plant from a height of 8,000 to 10,000 feet. Aircraft took off and immediately climbed to 7,000 feet, the weather was clear with a new moon until dusk at about 20:00 hours. At the target there was 6/10ths to 10/10ths cloud at 6,000 – 8,000 feet with a thin layer higher above. Marking at the oil plant was punctual and the attack went as planned. Attacking from 7,200 to 14,000 feet between 21:01 and 21:12 hours most crews saw the green and red TI’s through gaps in the clouds or saw the glow below and every crew reported large explosions in the target area and a particularly large one at 21:06 hours at the north-western end of the works. Thick black smoke rose above the target. Ground defences were slight but fighters were seen in the target area. On the route home aircraft let down to 3,000 feet and flew home in clear visibility.  “Cliff” Clifford’s crew participated in this attack aboard RF122 “I-Item” although they are not listed in the “Operations Record Book”, the fact is confirmed by the log book of the pilot and the DFC recommendation for Flying Officer Gordon Mortiboys[i] (Deputy Bombing Leader) who flew with the crew on this occasion. NG413 (Aussie George Scott) was the last to return to East Kirkby at 02:49 hours. One crew Failed to Return.

Lancaster I,  LL966  (Codes LE – P) “Prunes Pride”

  • Pilot                 – Lt Gordon Ramsey Lacey SAAF. Age                    †
  • Flight Eng       – Sgt Duncan Kennedy Watson Mayes. Age 24         †
  • Navigator        – F/O Robert Edward Proudley. Age 21                    †
  • Bomb Aimer   – F/O Albert Wallwork RAAF. Age 24                     †
  • Wireless Op     – F/S Kevin Gregory Fogarty RAAF. Age 21                        †
  • Mid Upper      – Sgt Alexander Carson. Age                                      †
  • Rear Gunner    – Sgt Herbert George Davies. Age                              †

In 1948 it was established that Lancaster LL966 was shot down by anti-aircraft fire 2 kilometres east of Rositz and crashed at Zschernitzsch, nearly 36 kilometres south of Leipzig.  The rear gunner, Sgt. Davies parachuted from the blazing aircraft and was captured but it is believed that he was murdered by German civilian police and his body was later located buried in Berlin.  Gordon Lacey apparently stayed with his aircraft until it crashed, exploding on impact and scattering burning wreckage over a wide area.  His body was recovered and buried but later located and exhumed by an American Graves Inspection Team and he now rests in the Heverlee War Cemetery, Leuven, Belgium. The remains of the other crew members were never found and they are all commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial for Missing Airmen at Surrey, United Kingdom.

Gordon Lacey in the centre of his crew
Robert Proudley with his brother in 1944
(thanks to Linda Deakin)
Gordon Lacey SAAF
(photo thanks to D Jadot/Morgana)
F/O Albert Wallwork RAAF (photo thanks to his nephew Ken)

It was planned for 2 Lancasters of Six-thirty to participate in a mining operation on Thursday 15th February, both D and I were loade with Mk.VI mines and their crews briefed but they did not take off as the weather closed in.  Several hazy, misty overcast days followed with intermittent light rain – no flying was possible.Two new crews were posted to the squadron captained by 22 year old Aussie Leslie “Jake” Jacob[ii] and 23 year old Lincoln born Ken Gibson[iii].

Les Jacob and crew (thanks to Kay Rowland)

Monday 19th February 1945. To attack Böhlen 5 Group sent 254 Lancasters and 6 Mosquitoes led by the veteran 25 year old Master Bomber, Wing Commander Eric Benjamin DFC & Bar (627 Squadron). 15 aircraft of Six-thirty each carrying 1 x 4000lb HC and 12 x 500lb AN-M64, except JB290 and ND412 which carried 1 x 4000lb HC and 9 x 500lb AN-M64.

19th/20th February 1945        Night Bombing Attack on Böhlen

Take Off: at 23:30 hours Squadron Leader Marcel Cuelenaere led the 630 squadron Lancasters from East Kirkby.

  • JB290-C          F/O JL Bathgate RNZAF
  • PD253-D         F/L SA Nunns
  • NG125-F         Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF
  • ND412-H        F/O LA Barnes
  • RF122-I          F/O GR Scott RAAF
  • LM216-K        Capt DS Turner SAAF
  • NN774-L        F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • NG413-M       S/L MR Cuelenaere RCAF
  • NG259-N        F/O RJ Sassoon
  • LM287-O        F/L LF Ovens
  • ME845-Q        F/O EJ Monk
  • LM260-S         F/O AV Cameron RAAF
  • ME739-T         F/L RA Stone RNZAF
  • NG123-U        F/L EC Harris RNZAF
  • PD254-W        W/O DI Plumb
  • NN703-X        F/O NG Roberts RAAF

RF122 ”I-Item” returned early after its front escape hatch came loose and was lost. Many aircraft flew below the cloud until crossing into enemy territory, after 530°East the force climbed to 7,000 feet to cross the battlefront.  From 0800°East to 1100°East height was maintained at 5,000 to 7,000 feet thereafter climbing to bombing height. 10/10ths cloud in layers between 7,000 to 1,400 feet blanketed the target on arrival. The Master Bomber’s Mosquito was quickly shot down by flak (Wing Commander EA Benjamin DFC & Bar with F/O JE Heath DFM as navigator, both killed). Instructions were to bomb the glow of Red TI’s and crews did that even if it took 2 or 3 bombing runs. About H+4 a strange voice was heard on VHF directing crews to bomb the green TI’s which had appeared about 10 miles distant. Nobody was misled by the German attempt to confuse bombing. Ground defences were not heavy and there was fighter activity in the TA and homeward to about 0700E. After attacking the target at 9,000 to 14,000 feet the force let down rapidly to 1,500 to 3,000 feet above the ground and headed for home. Richard Sassoon (NG259) was the last of the squadron to return and landed at 08:15 hours.

Tuesday 20th February 1945. Not letting up the pressure on the German inland waterway system 5 Group despatched 154 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitoes to the section of the Mitelland Canal near Gravenhorst. 11 Lancasters of the squadron were detailed to participate each carrying 13 x 1000lb MC except ND412 which carried 12 x 1000lb MC.

20th/21st February 1945         Night Bombing Attack on Mittelland Canal

Take Off: at 21:43 hours Lieutenant Ackerman SAAF lifted off ahead of the squadron.

  • PD253-D         F/O LA Barnes
  • NG125-F         F/O JL Bathgate RNZAF
  • RF122-I          F/L H Thompson
  • NN774-L        F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • NG413-M       F/O GR Scott RAAF
  • LM287-O        F/O NG Roberts RAAF
  • ME739-T         F/O AV Cameron RAAF
  • NG123-U        Lt MT Ackerman SAAF
  • PD254-W        W/O DI Plumb
  • PD327-Y         F/L TB Baker RAAF
  • ND412-H        F/O RJ Sassoon

All aircraft remained below 4,000 feet to 4° East crossing the front line above cloud at 5,000 feet.  10/10ths cloud covered the target as the bombers arrived. Red TI’s were observed and an attack commenced on the starboard side followed by further flares but at 01:00 hours crews were told by the Controller to abandon mission and return to base. Fighters were active on both outward and homeward routes and 2 inconclusive combats took place. All crews returned safely with full bomb loads, the last to land being Neil Roberts and crew aboard “O-Oboe” at 04:56 hours.

Wednesday 21st February 1945. 5 Group returned to the Mittelland Canal at Gravenhorst with a force of 165 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitoes. 630 Squadron crews were briefed at 13:30 hours, 13 aircraft were to attack, each carrying 13 x 1000lb MC Long Delay bombs.

21st/22nd February 1945        Night Bombing Attack on Mittelland Canal

Take Off: at 17:05 hours PD253 (Steve Nunns) was first to get airborne.

  • PD253-D         F/L SA Nunns
  • RA520-E         F/L H Thompson
  • NG125-F         F/O EJ Monk
  • RF122-I          F/O GR Scott RAAF
  • NN774-L        F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • NG413-M       F/L GE Stemp
  • NG259-N        F/L RG Waterfall
  • LM287-O        F/L LF Ovens
  • ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF
  • NG123-U        F/L EC Harris RNZAF
  • PD254-W        F/S R Grange
  • PD327-Y         F/L TB Baker RAAF
  • LM260-S         F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF

Weather was clear with slight ground haze. Take off was good in almost perfect weather but a nearly full moon made perfect conditions for fighters. Marking was punctual and accurate and crews were instructed to bomb the northern most of the three red TI’s which were well placed by the canal. The attack took place between 20:36 to 20:43 hours frim 8,600 to 11,000 feet. The results could not be assessed due to the nature of the bombs but two which exploded prematurely were well placed inbetween the Red TI’s. Flak was only light in the TA but intense light flak was experienced on the homeward route and fighters were active over the target and as far as the Rhine afterwards when they infiltrated the bomber stream, three bombers were seen shot down in flames. RA520 (Henry Thompson) was the last of Six-thirty’s aircraft to return safely at 23:46 hours. The stretch of canal was utterly destroyed in this attack draining many miles of connected inland waterway.

The Court Martial of an airman was held at East Kirkby and attended by various officers from Skellingthorpe and Group HQ was the primary cause of interest around the station.

Friday 23rd February 1945. Just 2 Lancasters of 630 Squadron were required to participate in a minelaying operation, both were probably armed with 6 x MkVI mines.

23rd/24th February 1945                    Night Minelaying – “Onions”

Take Off: at 17:22 hours in RF122 Reg Waterfall was first off the deck.

  • RF122-I          F/L RG Waterfall
  • NG123-U        F/L EC Harris RNZAF

Between 20:43 and 20:48 hours the mines were planted in the allotted positions from 13,500 feet without difficulty, several fighters were seen but no combats occurred. RF122 landed after NG123, at 00:08 hours.

Saturday 24th February 1945. Unsurprisingly 5 Group were scheduled to attack the inland waterways again for their next operation and 166 Lancasters and 4 Mosquitoes set off to attack the Dortmund-Ems Canal at Ladbergen. Briefing was held at 10:30 hours for the crews of the 13 aircraft, each bombed up with 14 x 1000lb MC bombs.

24th February 1945    Daylight Bombing Attack on Dortumund-Ems Canal

Take Off: at 13:44 hours Wing Commander Grindon (NG259) was first away.

  • JB290-C          F/O JW Wallace RNZAF
  • PD253-D         F/L SA Nunns
  • RA250-E         F/O RJ Sassoon
  • NG125-F         F/O EJ Monk
  • ND412-H        F/L H Thompson
  • LM216-K        F/O PS Weston RNZAF
  • NN774-L        F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • NG413-M       F/L GE Stemp
  • NG259-N        W/C JE Grindon
  • LM287-O        F/L LF Ovens
  • LM260-S         F/S R Grange
  • ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF
  • PD327-Y         F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF

Forming up over the base the squadron set course at 14:57 hours, contact was made with 57 and 207 Squadrons over Hunstanton and Cromer and they joined the Group formation at 030° East. The weather was clear to the Dutch coast where cloud was encountered. The planned bombing height of 13,000 to 16,000 feet was attained but 10/10ths cloud covered the target area. There were no instructions from the Controller, no markers visible. No attack was made although the squadron over flew the target and some heavy flak was encountered in the TA.  All aircraft returned with complete bomb loads except ND412 “H-How” and NG259 “N-Nan” which had to jettison their loads as both were on only three engines and Wing Commander Grindon had another engine running very rough. Ron Stone and crew board “T-Tare” were the last to return to base landing at 19:15 hours.

The remainder of the month and early March was taken up with a series of fighter affiliation, high level bombing, cross country, air to sea firing, and minelaying exercises.

Some interesting figures are recorded for the East Kirkby Base staff as at 28th February 1945. These do not include 630 or 57 Squadron aircrew and total only Station staff and ground crews:

Officers:         

  • RAF                            41                                WAAF                        4
  • RNZAF                       1
  • RCAF                         2
  • RAAF                         1

RAFAirmen:  

  • W/O’s                          7                                  WAAF                                    0
  • SNCO’s                      112                              SNCO’s                      8
  • Cpls & AC’s               886                              Cpls & ACW’s            217
  • RCAF                         7

Younger aircrew flying in 1945 usually received these medals.

[i] Gordon Louis Mortiboys (851377, 147124), RAuxAF. DFC LG. 04/12/45, 630 Sqdn.

[ii] Leslie Warren Jacob (A.417750), RAAF.

[iii] Kenneth Osborn Gibson (1436400, 185972), RAFVR.

01/1945 (January 1945)

Monday 1st January 1945. 102 Lancasters and 2 Mosquitoes of 5 Group were despatched to attack the section of the canal near Ladbergen which had been recently repaired. 10 aircraft of 630 Squadron were bombed up with 14 x 1000lb MC (30 mins delay).

1st January 1945        Daylight Bombing Attack on Dortmund-Ems Canal, Ladbergen

Take Off:  following Henry Archer in NN703 at 07:45 hours.

  • PB880-B         F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • NG125-F         Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF
  • NN702-J         P/O EJ Monk
  • LM216-K        F/O GR Scott RAAF
  • NG259-N        F/O LA Barnes
  • LM287-O        F/O A McGuffie
  • LL966-P          Lt GR Lacey SAAF
  • ME845-Q        F/O NG Roberts RAAF
  • PD254-W        F/O AM Maclean RCAF
  • NN703-X        F/L HD Archer

Weather at target area was clear with excellent visibility and all bomb aimers saw the target clearly and identified the aiming point. The Red TI’s straddled the aiming point about 300 yards to the north and south. The squadron’s crews attacked from 9,200 to 10,000 feet between 11:16 and 11:18 hours and the bombing was later assessed as very good with a very large number of bombs landing in the vicinity of the aiming point. Results were not observed due to the delayed action bombs. No fighters were seen but some heavy flak was accurate and some aircraft damaged. NN703 had been the first to take off and was also the last to land when it touched down at 13:45 hours.Post-raid photo reconnaissance showed that the canal had been breached again and was drained of water for some distance. One of the two 5 Group Lancasters lost was a 9 Squadron aircraft (Flying Officer RFH Denton) which was hit by flak shortly after bombing. The aircraft caught fire and the Wireless Operator Flight Sergeant George Thompson suffered severe burns as he rescued both gunners who were trapped by the blaze. Denton managed to crash land the aircraft but the Mid Upper gunner (Sgt EJ Potts) died later due to his burns and three weeks later George Thompson died of burns, he was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

630 Squadron dispersal -Jan 1945 (thanks to Mike Garbett & Brian Goulding)

That same evening a second attack was planned to maintain the pressure on the inland waterways system so vital to German war production 5 Group returned to the canals again that night attacking the Mittelland Canal at Gravenhorst with 152 Lancasters and 5 Mosquitoes. 6 Lancasters of Six-thirty participated, each armed with 14 x 1000lb (30 mins delay). 

1st/2nd January 1945    Night Bombing Attack on Mittelland Canal, Gravenhorst

Take Off: 17:03 hours PD253 and ND554 (Steve Nunns and Jack Hoare) were the first airborne.

  • PD253-D         F/L SA Nunns
  • ND554-E        F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • PB344-R         W/O GH Cowan
  • ME739-T         F/O RJ Sassoon
  • PD327-Y         F/O TB Baker RAAF
  • ND949-Z        Lt MT Ackerman SAAF

Weather conditions at East Kirkby were very poor and the Lancasters took off from base into 600 feet of haze. Crossing the North Sea the conditions were better but at 18:38 the force had to climb at the Dutch Coast due to heavy cloud, reaching the pre-designated height for the wave at 9,600 feet they reached the target without opposition. Henry Archer’s crew flew lead aircraft for No. 55 Base. Flares were already going down on arrival and a string of Red and Green TI’s went down across the aiming point. At 19:03 hours the Controller confirmed that the markers were accurate and over the R/T ordered the main force to attack. 630 Squadron attacked between 19:14 hours and 19:20 hours from 9,600 to 12,000 feet and bombing appeared to be vey accurate, some bombs exploded in the TA despite being set with delays. A few scattered bursts of heavy flak were encountered and heading for the French coast there were scattered concentrations of search lights which seemed unable to cone any of the bombers and finally heavy flak near the enemy front line. On return East Kirkby was still shrouded in haze and all aircraft landed at Kinross in Scotland, Steve Nunns landed the last at 00:14 hours.The attack was accurate, a half mile stretch of banks were badly pitted with bomb craters and there were some breaches which allowed the water to escape.

ND554 was apparently re-coded from “A-Able” to “E-Easy” in late December 1944, the 630 Squadron “Operations Record Book” shows crews flying ND554 who are recorded in parallel within the 630 Squadron “Ops Record” as flying “E”.

At 09:15 hours the following morning all aircraft and crews were ordered to return to base from Scotland, to land after midday, it was expected that they would be participating in an attack later that day. The first aircraft to return to East Kirkby landed at 13:30 hours with others touching down through the afternoon. At 17:30 the squadron was stood down. On Wednesday 3rd January with a westerly gale forecast all projected operations were cancelled however at 11:00 on the next morning preliminary warning was received for an operation that night with a projected H-hour of 04:00 on the morning of 5th January.

Thursday 4th January 1945 .At 17:00 hours flight planning commenced and aircrew briefings took place at 21:00 hours. Royan is a town situated at the mouth of the River Gironde which was well garrisoned with a strong force of German soldiers. Two Fortresses Gironde Mündung Nord (north, at Royan) and Gironde Mündung Süd (south, at La Point de Grave) were holding out long after the liberation of the remainder of the country and were besieged by 12,000 French Resistance fighters under control of the Free French Army under General de Laminat and General de Gaulle and without sufficient heavy artillery little progress was being made. Following a meeting between US and French military authorities a request for a heavy bomber attack was processed through SHAEF (Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Forces) and passed to Bomber Command.

347 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitoes of 1, 5 and 8 Groups attacked in the early hours of 5th January 1945 with 1,576 tons of high explosive bombs including 285 x 4,000lbers. Eighteen aircraft of 630 Squadron were detailed, each armed with 1 x 4000lb HC Minol and 16 x 500lb MC (.025),

4th/5th January 1945              Night Bombing Attack on Royan

Take Off: at 00:42 hours South African Marthinus Ackerman was first away.

  • PB880-B         F/O GR Scott RAAF
  • PD253-D         F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • ND554-E        F/O H Thompson
  • NG125-F         F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • PD317-G         F/O EJ Monk
  • LM216-K        Lt DS Turner SAAF
  • NN702-J         F/O DA Clifford
  • NG259-N        F/O LA Barnes
  • LM287-O        F/O NG Roberts RAAF
  • LL966-P          Lt GR Lacey SAAF
  • ME845-Q        F/O RG Waterfall
  • PB344-R         Lt MT Ackerman SAAF
  • ME739-T         Lt W Adams USAAF
  • NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF
  • NG413-V        R/O RJ Sassoon
  • PD254-W        F/O M Miller
  • NN703-X        F/L HD Archer
  • PD327-Y         F/O TB Baker RAAF
  • ND949-Z        F/O LF Ovens

The weather was clear but with some haze or smoke in the later stages of the attack. The squadron attacked between 04:04 and 04:15 hours from 8,250 to 9,000 feet. Many aircraft had to make 2 bombing runs as the initial markers were found to be inaccurate and had to be re-done.  Some crews evidently misunderstood the bombing instructions however a good spread of bombing was achieved. There was some flak in the target area but no fighters reported. Crews reported “scarecrow flares” thought to be fired up to simulate the orange glow of burning bombers falling to earth. In fact the Germans had no such device and what the crews were seeing were actually bombers being shot down in flames. The last to return were Richard Sassoon and crew at 08:04 hours. The German garrison eventually surrendered on 18th April 1945.

Jerry Monk’s crew (Joe Baldwin 2nd from left) with Lancaster PD317 “LE – G”. (Photo thanks to Bob Baldwin, writer and producer of “Wireless Operator”, son of Joe Baldwin)

After five straight months operational service with 630 Squadron deputy flight commander Henry Archer’s crew landed to receive confirmation that their tour was completed, their captain was recommended for a DFC and he in turn strongly recommended Rees Rawlings his Welsh navigator just a week or two short of his 25th birthday and Stan Spencer his bomb aimer for awards, sadly the latter two did not apparently get through the system. Henry Archer’s crew are not shown in the 630 Squadron “Operations Record Book” F541 as participating in the Royan attack however his Mid-Upper gunner advised that they did fly and this is confirmed by the recommendation for Archer’s DFC which lists this attack amongst his total of 30 and is also now confirmed by Henry Archer’s own logbook.

Henry Archer DFC

The attached USAAF pilot Bill Adams had completed 30 ops with 630 Squadron at this stage but rather than complete their tour and settle to instructing his crew opted to “extend” and transferred to 617 Squadron (effective 16th January) continuing to fly operationally. During the day the new Chaplain, Squadron Leader The Rev. WJ Mulholland[i] arrived from 2 FIS at Montrose to take up his duties at RAF East Kirkby.

Friday 5th January 1945 – 5 Group mounted another attack on the German supply bottle-neck at Houffalize in the Ardennes, this time despatching 131 Lancasters and 9 Mosquitoes. At briefing the aircrew were told very clearly that due to the close proximity of Allied ground forces any crew who were unable to make a satisfactory identification of the target were not to make a second bombing run or orbit to await an opportunity, but they were to turn for home and bring their payload home. It is uncertain if 12 or 9 aircraft were scheduled to participate however 9 Lancasters and crews of the squadron were tasked and bombed up with 11 x 1000lb HC Minol (fused tail .025).

5th/6th January 1945              Night Bombing Attack on Houffalize

Take Off: at 00:06 hours Squadron Leader Marcel Cuelenaere (Flight Commander) was first airborne in NG125.

  • PB880-B         F/O GR Scott RAAF 
  • ND554-E        F/O H Thompson
  • NG125-F         S/L MR Cuelenaere RCAF
  • NN702-J         F/O EJ Monk
  • ME845-Q        F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • NG259-N        F/O LA Barnes
  • PB344-R         F/O JW Langley
  • NN703-X        F/O NG Roberts RAAF
  • PD327-Y         F/O TB Baker RAAF

10/10ths cloudwas encountered over the target but visibility above the clouds was good.  The TI’s were seen as expected cascading and glowing below the cloud, green TI’s in close proximity to the red were the aiming point. A good concentration of bombing was reported when the squadron attacked between 03:01 and 03:06 hours from 9,750 to 12,000 feet. No fighters and little heavy flak were encountered but the flak which was active was very accurate and 2 aircraft were damaged. The attack was rated as very accurate.  The last to return was Len Barnes (NG259) at 06:05 hours. Four additional crews did not take off for the attack, Matt Miller’s (in “P-Peter”), Eric Harris’ (in “U-Uncle”), Richard Sassoon’s (in “V-Victory”) and “Jim” Ovens’ (in “Z-Zebra”) the reason for these being scrubbed is not recorded.

Saturday 6th January 1945 – notification of a mining mission was received at 10:10 hours, the details followed at 10:55 and crews were briefed at 13:45 hours, taking off at 16:05 only to be ordered to return to bases. Visibility over East Kirkby was very poor and crews had to divert to Strubby until base was again fit to land at 23:00 hours.

The mining operation went ahead later that night and 3 Lancasters from Six-thirty participated each carrying 6 x Mk.IV mines

6th/7th January 1945              Night Minelaying in “Spinach” area

Take Off: at 01:39 hours flying LL966 Reg Waterfall and crew were first away

  • NG125-F         F/L SA Nunns
  • PD317-G         Lt DS Turner SAAF
  • LL966-P          F/O RG Waterfall

There was no fighter opposition and little flak although fighter flares were seen over Denmark. Mines were laid between 20:41 and 20:53 hours all from 14.750 feet in allotted positions, crews able to be certain based on visual identification of Hel Point but backed up with H2S.  Despite some considerable light flak of great accuracy fired from Sweden all three aircraft returned safely, Steve Nunns being the last to touch down at 10:01 hours.

Sunday 7th January 1945. The last of the aircraft which had landed at Strubby were flown bacl to East Kirkby during Sunday 7th January in preparation for a night operation. At 13:00 hours the flight planning and navigation briefing commenced, followed 30 minutes later by the pilot’s and crews briefing. At 15:30 hours a warning of expected snow during the next 24 hours was received.

Bomber Command made its last major attack on Munich with 645 Lancasters and 9 Mosquitoes of 1, 3, 5, 6 and 8 Groups. 14 aircraft of Six-thirty were detailed for operations and each bombed up with 1 x 4000lb HC Minol and 10 x No.14 Cluster incendiaries.

7th/8th January 1945              Night Bombing Attack on Munich

Take off: at 16:39 hours Wing Commander John Grindon (NG259) and John Langley (LM216) were the first airborne.

  • PB880-B         F/O DA Clifford
  • PD253-D         F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • ND554-E        F/O LA Barnes
  • LM216-K        F/O JW Langley
  • NG259-N        W/C JE Grindon
  • LM287-O        Lt MT Ackerman SAAF
  • PB344-R         F/O NG Roberts RAAF
  • ME739-T         S/L MA Eyre
  • NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF
  • NG413-V        F/O RJ Sassoon
  • PD254-W        F/O M Miller
  • NN703-X        Lt GR Lacey SAAF
  • PD327-Y         F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • ND949-Z        F/O LF Ovens
  • PD317-G         F/O GE Billing       

Henry Thompson and cre in “J-Jig” were unable to take off due to technical problems and Reg Waterfall in “Q-Queen” had to abort their take off due to a burst tyre. Len Barnes in “E-Easy” returned early when the rudder control bar seized solid and John Langley in “K-King” with engine failure, both jettisoned their 4000 pounders at sea and returned with their load of incendiaries. Thin cloud was encountered over the target but it broke at 16,500 to 18,500 feet and some crews climbed above the cloud to bomb, all crews saw the green TI’s and attacked as instructed. The squadron attacked between 20:31 and 20:40 hours from 15,700 to 18,000 feet. Bombing was well spread over the northern districts and at 20:52 hours when the last aircraft bombed, the north of the city seemed to be a mass of flames. A very large explosion was reported at 20:45 hours.  Ground defences were negligible and few enemy aircraft seen. One combat took place over the target but was inconclusive. The last of the squadron to return safely was NN703 (Gordon Lacey) at 02:35 hours.

PD317 “G-George” took off at 16:45 hours but apparently lost its port inner engine almost immediately after take off, the crew jettisoned their 4000lb HC(M) into the sea and arrived back over base at 17:45 hours. Making a circuit approach on 3 engines the Lancaster bounced badly and cartwheeled across the field onto it’s port wing tip, crashing.

Lancaster I,  PD317  (Codes LE – G)

  • Pilot                 – F/O George Ernest Billing. Age 24               inj
  • Flight Eng       – Sgt Sidney Harris. Age                                    inj
  • Navigator        – F/S Arthur Hobson. Age 23                          †
  • Bomb Aimer   – F/O Leonard Knowles. Age                          inj
  • Wireless Op     – Sgt John Williamson Duncan. Age               inj
  • Mid Upper      – Sgt Denis Albert Holloway. Age 27             †
  • Rear Gunner    – F/S David Gordon Todd RAAF. Age 20       inj

24 year old “Billy” Billing was thrown clear of the wreckage still strapped into his seat but sustaining injuries which resulted in the loss of an arm, he also suffered a fractured skull and burns, Len Knowles and John Duncan had burns to their hands and faces and flight engineer Sergeant Harris had a lacerated scalp, all were transferred to RAF Hospital Rauceby by ambulance. Flight Sergeant Dave Todd in the rear turret sustained damage to the bones of his legs and left knee which resulted in him being hospitalised on 8th January and repatriated to Australia for convalescence. Sadly their navigator and mid-upper gunner were killed, they were later returned to their home towns of  Barnsley and Coventry for burial and cremation respectively. The wounded all recovered from their injuries, some later returning to operations with 630 Squadron.

Dave Todd (Rear Gunner in the Billings crew) thanks to JM Todd

On Tuesday 9th January during a lull in Ops another new crew arrived, that of Bob Knight[ii] a keen deer stalker and fisherman from Waiuku, NZ where he’d grown up on his father’s farm. He volunteered for aircrew duty and trained in New Zealand and the UK. Bob Knight had survived a mid-air collision at 3 EFTS (the junior pilot of the other Tiger Moth and his instructor were both killed). At 10 OTU the crew had survived when they crashed on take off in Whitley (Z6499) at Stanton Harcourt on 31st July 1944 whilst flown by another pilot. On the night of 23rd August, still with 10 OTU, having been promoted Flight Sergeant, he was pilot of Whitley BD215 on a cross country training flight when he made a heavy landing on return to base. Attempting to go around again the port engine cut out and the bomber swung ending up in a quarry 200 yards beyond the runway. All of his crew escaped unhurt apart from the rear gunner (Sergeant Cameron) who was injured. The entire crew, plus their flight engineer, joined Six-thirty intact to commence their tour of Ops.

In a series of days marked by very poor weather the squadron was stood down day after day and maximum effort was given by the ground crews to ensuring the serviceability of every single aircraft and to various escape drills and trade proficiencies by the aircrews On 12th January the Station Dental Officer, Flying Officer JW Price took up his post..

Saturday 13th January 1945.  218 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitoes of 5 Group attacked the oil plant at Pölitz near Stettin.15 Lancasters of Six-thirty were detailed for Ops, ten carrying 1 x 4000lb HC and 8 x 500lb M64 (.025) and 1 x 500lb MC LD 6 hours and five carried 1 x 4000lb HC and 11 x 500lb M64 (.025) and 1 x 500lb MC LD 6 hours. A mining operation was also carried out in the area code-named “Geranium”.

13th/14th January 1945                                  Night Bombing Attack on Politz

Take Off: at 16:04 hours Squadron Leader Marcel Cuelenaere (NG125) was the first away.

  • PD253-D         F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • PB880-B         F/O JW Langley                     
  • NG125-F         S/L MR Cuelenaere RCAF
  • ND412-H        F/O H Thompson
  • NN702-J         F/O DA Clifford
  • LM216-K        F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • NG259-N        S/L MA Eyre
  • LM287-O        Lt MT Ackerman SAAF
  • LL966-P          F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF
  • PB344-R         F/O LA Barnes
  • ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF
  • NG123-U        F/O A McGuffie
  • PD254-W        F/O NG Roberts RAAF
  • PD327-Y         F/O AM Maclean RCAF
  • ND949-Z        F/O LF Ovens

F/O Albert MacLean RCAF landed “Y-Yoke” at Carnaby at 02:00 hours after their port outer engine failed.   Expecting to carry out a blinb bombing attack due to forecast weather conditions the force arrived over the target to find some visibility. Low level ground marking was carried out and crews instructed to bomb concentration of Red TI’s ignoring the more isolated ones. The Controller was heard to comment on the accuracy of the bombing and the attack was a success. The squadron attacked between 22:15 and 22:25 hours from 14,500 to 18,250 feet. Several heavy explosions were noted particularly at 22:17 hours just as “Olly” Atkinson and “Cliff” Clifford’s crews were bombing, it gave off thick dense smoke and the shock wave was felt by crews up to 18,000 feet. Clifford’s crew attacked despite their bomb aimer being taken ill. 50-80 search lights were active but flak was slight. No fighters were found over the target but there were three combats which produced no claims. Photographs showed the oil plant reduced to scrap metal. “Jim” Ovens (ND949) was the last to return to base at 03:30 hours. One of the squadron’s Lancasters Failed To Return.

Lancaster I,  PB880  (Codes LE – B)

  • Pilot                 – F/O John William Langley . Age 23                         interned
  • Flight Eng       – Sgt Joseph R Thomas. Age                                       interned
  • Navigator        – F/S George Bernard Gaughan. Age 21                    interned
  • Bomb Aimer   – F/S Ivor James Penglase RAAF. Age 24                interned
  • Wireless Op     – W/O Sydney Harold Potter RNZAF. Age 34          interned
  • Mid Upper      – W/O Ernest James Edwards. Age                            Died of injuries
  • Rear Gunner    – F/S Thomas William Panting RCAF. Age 19           interned

On the outbound flight the starboard outer engine began to play up and whilst passing over Denmark at about 20:15 hours it caught fire. Despite great efforts the fire could not be put out nor the prop feathered so reaching the coast of Sweden the crew identified Bastad 20 miles north of Halsingborg and baled out at 8,000 feet . Sadly W/O Edwards hit the tail plane and suffered fatal head wounds, he died the following day and was buried at municipal cemetery Halsingborg (Palsjo). The remaining crew had all landed safely on the outskirks of the town and within an hour were mustered in the sitting room of a local home. By 01:00 hours they had been collected by the Swedish Army and taken to a local military camp ready to be moved again at 14:00 hours to a detention barracks at Halsingborg. They were quizzed by a Swedih Army officer and at 21:00 on the 15th January moved to an Internment Camp at Falun (120 miles north of Stockholm). The crew remained there together until 13th March when they were taken to Stockholm and at 19:00 on the following day were flown back to the UK.

On the same night as the attack on Pölitz the squadron provided three aircraft for a minelaying operation in the Pomeranian Bay off Swinemünde each carrying six MkIV mines.

13th/14th January 1945          Night Minelaying in “Geranium” garden

Take Off: at 16:11 hours ME845 (Reg Waterfall) was the first off the deck.

  • NG413-M       F/O GE Stemp
  • ME845-Q        F/O RG Waterfall
  • NN703-X        F/O M Miller

One fighter was seen in the area but there was no flak opposition and the mines were planted from 15,000 feet between 21:54 and 22:03 hours in their required positions despite some cloud. At 21:54 hours Geoff Stemp’s crew in “M-Mother” had to “plant” their “vegetables” without the benefit of Loran or H2S both of which failed. Her crew were the last of the three to return to base, landing at 02:42 hours. On returning Matt Miller’s crew reported that two of the static lines for the mine parachutes were badly worn and frayed.

Sunday 14th January 1945. At 09:54 hours warning was received from Group of a Maximum Effort attack, route planning and operational plans arrived at 10:37 and at 13:00 flight planning and Navigators briefing commenced, the Pilot’s briefing was at 13:30 and main briefing at 14:00 hours.  573 Lancasters and 14 Mosquitoes of 1, 5, 6 and 8 Groups carried out 2 attacks separated by three hours on the Leuna synthetic Oil Plant near Merseburg. 13 aircraft of the squadron were detailed, briefing was at 13:30 hours and the Lancasters were armed with 1 x 4000lb MC M2 NInst and 11 x 500lb MC .025 and 1 x 500lb MC LD (12 hours).

14th/15th January 1945          Night Bombing Attack on Leuna near Merseburg

Take Off: at 16:107 hours “Jim” Ovens (ND949) was the first away.

  • JB290-C          F/O PS Weston RNZAF
  • PD253-D         F/O LA Barnes
  • NG125-F         F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • ND412-H        F/O H Thompson
  • NN702-J         F/O EJ Monk
  • NG413-M       F/O GE Stemp
  • LL966-P          F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF
  • ME845-Q        Lt MT Ackerman SAAF
  • PB344-R         F/O A McGuffie
  • ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF
  • NN703-X        F/O NG Roberts RAAF
  • NG123-U        F/O DA Clifford
  • ND949-Z        F/O LF Ovens

Leuna was reached without opposition, the marking was on time and assessed as very accurate and the resulting bombing very concentrated. The squadron attacked from 14,100 to 17,000 feet between 21:02 and 21:11 hours. A large concentration of search lights were active in the target area but they were ineffective although there was considerable flak opposition. Weather was very poor on returning to base and all aircraft were diverted to Tholthorpe. Len Barnes landed PD253 at 02:30 hours, the last of the squadron to touch down. Crews returned to East Kirkby throughout the day and were de-briefed for a second time on arrival. Albert Speer mentioned during his post-war interrogations that this raid was one of the most damaging of a series against the synthetic oil industry. The F541 for this night transposes the aircraft flown by Neil Roberts and Deryk Clifford (confirmed by Clifford’s own Flying Logbook and the “Ops Record” held at RAF Museum Hendon).

On 16th January 1945 Lieutenant Bill Adams and his crew transferred to 617 Squadron after a party in the mess.

Tuesday 16th January 1945. The emphasis of Bomber Command was very much on oil and 1 and 5 Group despatched 231 Lancasters and 6 Mosquitoes to the synthetic oil plant at Brüx in western Czechoslovakia. 15 aircraft and crews of the squadron were detailed and each Lancaster bombed up with 1 x 4000lb HC N Inst M2 and 9 x 500lb MC TD 025.

16th/17th January 1945          Night Bombing Attack on Brüx

Take Off: at 17:45 hours Squadron Leader Marcel Cuelenaere (NG259) was the first away.

  • JB290-C          F/O JW Hoare RAAF
  • PD253-D         F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF
  • ND554-E        F/O LA Barnes
  • NG125-F         F/O PS Weston RNZAF
  • ND412-H        F/O H Thompson
  • NN702-J         F/O DA Clifford
  • NG413-M       F/O GE Stemp
  • LM287-O        W/O GH Cowan
  • NG259-N        S/L MR Cuelenaere RCAF
  • LL966-P          F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF
  • ME845-Q        F/O RA Stone
  • NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF
  • PD254-W        F/O M Miller
  • NN703-X        F/O A McGuffie
  • ND949-Z        F/O LF Ovens

On arrival over the target the Controller instructed crews to hold for 2 minutes but at 22:31 hours gave the order to attack the green and red TI’s. The latter being regarded as close to the chimneys at the southern end of the target.The squadron attacked between 22:31 and 22:37 hours from 14,200 to 16,750 feet. Bombing was reported to be concentrated and a pall of black smoke was seen above the cloud layer after the attack concluded. Moderate heavy flak was encountered in the TA and several fightrs were seen some of which may have tried to follow the bombers on the route home. A FW190 was seen at 23:19 hours. There were 2 combats in the TA.

Harry Ramsey and crew with D-Dog (thanks to Peter & Gael Ramsey)

Aboard Harry Ramsey’s PD253 “D-Dog” which was making its bombing run the rear gunner Sergeant HL McDonald sighted a JU88 nightfighter which both gunners poured fire into, Sergeant Matt Barry the mid-upper gunner commented that the German fighter staggered and fell away shedding pieces before it crashed in flames. It was claimed as destroyed.

Bruce Lawton (Wireless Op/Air Gunner in Harry Ramsey’s crew)
(photo thanks to Ian Lawton)

Albert Speer’s interrogations post-war also specifically mention this attack as a particularly severe set-back to German oil production. NN703 “X-X ray” was the last to return to base at 04:04 hours.

Crews posted to 630 Squadron at around this time were those captained by Canadian trained New Zealander Jim Bathgate[iii] from Outram,

The Bathgate crew (rear, l to r, Pat Crowley, Reg Winson, Chris Christopher, Duncan Paterson and front, l to r, Jim Doyle, Jim Bathgate and Chas Roper). Photo thanks to Pat Crowley’s son, Pat.

arriving from No. 5 L F S were 24 year old Aussie Angus Cameron[iv] and 28 year old Belfast man Harold Kirkwood[v] who had returned to the UK from his studies in the USA just before the outbreak of war to join up. Warrant Officer Don Plumb[vi] a 22 year old married man from Norwich was posted in with his all NCO crew as were the crew of New Zealander Jimmy Wallace[vii]. Not long afterwards Flight Sergeant Richard Grange[viii] and crew joined the squadron.

Jimmy Wallace RNZAF and crew (thanks to Kay Rowland)

Application had been made for an official crest for the Six-thirty and on 18th January the Chester Herald of the College of Arms recorded “630 Squadron wishing to include a Lancaster rose in its badge in refence to the aircraft with which it is equipped. The ogress has reference to night operations on which the unit is mostly engaged and may also be taken as symbolic of the bombs dropped. The argent (or white) fimbration is indicative of the duties carried out in daylight. The motto may be translated as Death By Night.

The latter half of January 1945 was a period of inactivity for 630 Squadron and for East Kirkby generally, the squadron was repeatedly stood-down and even training flying was not possible for several days. A terrific gale blew across many of the bomber bases on 19th January during which Lancasters on the ground were damaged at Coningsby, Binbrook, Skellingthorpe and Fulbeck. On the morning of Wednesday 24th January a mining operation was planned, from 13:15 hours mines were loaded aboard the aircraft and crew briefings planned but the operation was then scrubbed. On the next day a member of Station Staff, Flight Lieutenant Dave Timmins[ix], the Gunnery Analysis Officer at RAF East Kirkby (formerly with 630 Squadron flying with Roy Calvert and Bob Hooper) was despatched to No.1 CMB in London for a Medical Board.

Attacks were planned for Sunday 28th, Monday 29th and Tuesday 31st January but on each occasion the squadron were stood down when preparations were well underway and briefings fully scheduled.

S/Ldr Marcel Cuelenaere DFC RCAF A-Flight Commander

A note in the records for January 1945 reveals that the highly popular Flight Lieutenant “Peter” Docherty who completed a tour as a pilot with 630 Squadron had returned to the Staff of RAF East Kirkby because he was mentioned as returning to duty at East Kirkby from RAF Hospital Loughborough.


[i] The Rev. William Joseph Mulholland, B.A. (148781), Chaplains Branch, RAFVR.

[ii] Robert Baines Knight (NZ.422292), RNZAF. KIA (see text)

[iii] James Lewis Bathgate (NZ.416195), RNZAF.

[iv] Angus Vernon Cameron  (A.429171), RAAF. POW (see text)

[v] Harold Francis Kirkwood (104544), RAFVR.

[vi] Donald Ivan Plumb (1334292, 196398), RAFVR. KIA (see text)

[vii] James William Wallace (NZ.428771), RNZAF.

[viii] R. Grange (1425529), RAFVR

[ix] David Loudon Timmins (755329, 134659), RAFVR.

12/1944 (December 1944)

December 1944

At 10:15 hours on 2nd December a night operation was announced and with all aircraft airborne on exercises the Station pulled out all of the stops to prepare. By 13:00 all aircraft were ready and crews briefed. At 15:45 hours with twenty crews in their aircraft, engines running and ready for take off, the Op was cancelled.

Monday 4th December 1944. Sited on the main north-south railway line Heilbronn had little other importance and as such escaped a serious attack until the railway network in the area increased in priority as a target and 5 Group despatched 282 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitoes. 20 aircraft and crews of 630 Squadron armed with 1 x 4000lb HC and Mk.14 Incendiary clusters.

NG125 “F – Fox”
(photo thanks to Geoff Copeman)

4th/5th December 1944           Night Bombing Attack on Heilbronn

Take Off: at 16:04 hours Wing Commander Grindon and crew in NG259.were first away.

ME312-A        F/O JW Langley

NG258-B        F/O GE Stemp

PD253-D         F/O A Stockill

NG125-F         Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF

PD317-G         F/O GE Billing

ND412-H        F/O H Thompson

NN702-J         F/O GR Scott RCAF

LM216-K        Lt DS Turner SAAF

NG259-N        W/C JE Grindon

LM287-O        F/O A McGuffie

ME845-Q        F/O RG Waterfall

PB344-R         W/O GH Cowan

LM260-S         Lt W Adams USAAF

ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF

NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF

LM637-V        Lt GR Lacey SAAF

PD254-W        F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF

NN703-X        F/O AM Maclean RCAF

PD327-Y         F/O TB Baker RAAF

ND949-Z        F/O LF Ovens

The target was punctually and accurately marked and the attack went as planned between 19:30 and 19:40 hours from 11.000 to 12,000 feet. Massive areas of fire were seen across the town with heavy explosions between them. On the homeward track incendiaries were again reported being jettisoned offering assistance to enemy fighters searching for the bombers. Considerable fighter opposition was encountered mainly within 25 miles of the target.

Aboard Eric Harris’ NG123 “U-Uncle” mid-upper gunner Sergeant Tom Locke and rear gunner Sergeant Lewis were involved in two decisive combats with both resulted in JU88’s being damaged. Sadly the combat reports can no longer be traced. (Note:  the Station ORB records the Lncaster as “G-George” but that is considered to be a typing error).

Severe icing in thick cloud was encountered on the homeward flight shortly after leaving the target and it proved hard to climb clear of the cloud.  NN703 flown by the Canadian Albert Maclean was the last to return to base at 23:47 hours. The post war British Bombing Survey reported that after the 1,254 tons of bombs fell within just minutes the resulting fires destroyed 351 acres of the town, 82% of the built up area.  It is likely that a true firestorm developed and burned the town. Records are contradictory on this night and it is possible that the aircraft flown by the Thompson and Scott crews have been transposed.

Wednesday 6th December 1944. In 5 Group’s next attack their 255 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitoes were split to attack two different aiming points, 168 aircraft bombing the town centre and 87 the railway yards. Six-thirty provided 16 Lancasters each armed with 1 x 4000lb HC and Mk.14 Incendiary clusters.

6th/7th December 1944           Night Bombing Attack on Giessen

Take Off: at 16:46 hours “Cliff” Clifford and crew were first away from base.

ME312-A        F/O JW Langley

NG258-B        F/O GE Stemp

PD317-G         F/O PS Weston RNZAF

ND412-H        F/O JW Hoare RAAF

NN702-J         F/O DA Clifford

NG259-N        F/O GE Billing

LM287-O        F/O FE Millar RNZAF

LL966-P          F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF

ME845-Q        F/O RG Waterfall

PB344-R         F/O A McGuffie

LM260-S         S/L MA Eyre

ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF

NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF

LM637-V        F/L RF Lewis

PD254-W        W/O GH Cowan

NN703-X        Lt GR Lacey SAAF

PD327-Y         F/O TB Baker RAAF

ND949-Z        F/O LF Ovens

“G-George” flown by Phil Weston and “H-How” by Jack Hoare took off but both abandoned their missions after engine failures, neither are listed in the 630 Squadron Operations Record Book but they are detailed in the 630 Squadron “Ops Record” held at the RAF Museum, Hoare jettisoned his complete bomb load over the North Sea while Weston jettisoned his Cookie and some incendiaries. Weather made the flying tricky for long stretches of both the outward and homeward routes and arriving over the target crews found patchy cloud but had clear visibility of the aiming point. The Controller had the markers placed accurately and on time and gave clear instructions for the attack. The squadron attacked from 20:15 until 20:19 hours from 9,800 to 12,000 feet and was well concentrated in the town with fires spread over a large area.  Fighters were first encountered over the target and followed the home route for 15 minutes.

 “V-Victor” flown by Rendel Lewis was in combat with a JU88 which was claimed as destroyed by his gunners Sergeants Reg Bennett (mid-upper) and Joe Morgan (rear gunner). No combat report has been located.

Several reports speak of jet propelled fighters operating and bombers were seen to be shot down. At 23:57 hours Geoff Stemp touched down at base, the last of the squadron’s aircraft to return. Severe damage was caused at both targets, the raid being a total success.

Friday 8th December 1944. Crews were called from their beds at 03:45 in the morning and briefings started at 05:00 hours. 14 aircraft of 630 Squadron were detailed for Ops and bombed up with 14 x 1000lbHC TD .025.  They were part of a force of 205 Lancasters of 5 Group attacking the Urftdam as a previous raid by 8 Group had failed to destroy it. The Germans were using the dam to release substantial amounts of water when US Forces attempted to advance down river.

8th December 1944                 Daylight Bombing Attack on Heimbach-Urftdam

Take Off: at 08:13 hours Squadron Leader Marcel Cuelenaere DFC RCAF, flight commander, led the squadron from East Kirkby.

ME312-A        F/O JW Langley

NG125-F         S/L MR Cuelenaere RCAF

NN702-J         F/O DA Clifford

LM216-K        Lt DS Turner SAAF

NG259-N        W/C JE Grindon

LM287-O        F/O A Stockill

LL966-P          F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF

PB344-R         W/O GH Cowan

LM260-S         Lt W Adams USAAF

ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF

LM637-V        F/L RF Lewis                             

PD254-W        Lt GR Lacey SAAF

PD327-Y         F/O TB Baker RAAF

ND949-Z        F/O GR Scott RAAF

Despite 9/10ths cloud all crews identified the target visually, the attack ran from 10:48 to 11:14 hours bombing from 8,000 to 10,000 feet and one stick of bombs was seen to straddle the aiming point, other bombs were seen in the right location but prevailing weather conditions prevented proper assessment. 630 Squadron crews attacked between 10:47 and 10:58 hours from 8,200 to 9,500 feet. There were no ground defences and no fighter opposition. One Lancaster was seen to lose its tail fin and rudder before diving into the ground after only two of its crew escaped by parachute, sadly it was a Six-thirty crew. All aircraft were diverted to Tarrant Rushton on return due to very poor weather conditions at base. Ron Stone landed at 13:56 hours, the last to return safely. Lieutenant Lacey in“W-William” landed at Manston short of fuel. Crews were ordered to remain where they had landed until 09:30 on the 9th.  The Squadron Bombing Leader F/L George Arkieson is reported to have flown on this attack, it is suspected that he flew as a supernumerary with a crew but was not recorded in the ORB. Rendel Lewis and crew had Failed To Return.

Lancaster III,  LM637  (Codes LE – V)

Pilot                 – F/L Rendel Forrest Lewis. Age 29                           †

Flight Eng       – Sgt Leslie Oyston. Age 24                                       †

Navigator        – F/S Kenneth Frank Lenton. Age 18                         †

Bomb Aimer   – F/O Reginald Harold William Usher. Age 21          †

Wireless Op     – Sgt Cyril Cook. Age 19                                             †

Mid Upper      – F/S Reginald Joseph Bennett . Age 25                     †

Rear Gunner    – Sgt Joseph Anthony Morgan. Age 19          Prisoner Of War

Sadly LM637 collided with another Lancaster in the target area around 11:00 hours, losing its tail fin and rudder it crashed on the western bank of the Urftalsperre near Schleiden/Eifel. Those who died are buried at Rheinberg War Cemetery.  F/L Rendel Lewis was was a Barrister at Law and had been a Navigation Instructor at the RAF College Cranwell his navigator Ken Lenton was only 18 years old. Joe Morgan the 19 year old Rear Gunner from Crook, Co.Durham suffered a broken leg due to flak splinters and parachuted into captivity in agony. His leg was not properly treated and was left to set itself as he passed through a succession of 6 different prison camps.

Cyril Cook, aged 19
(photo thanks to Bob Wilson, cousin)

The post-war RAF investigation concluded that “following collision Lancaster LM637 fell directly into the lake at a steep angle”.  In 1959 the wreckage of the aircraft and remains of the crew were found when part of the Heimbach-Urftdam Schwammeauel lake scheme was drained. The aircraft was positively identified and the crew were buried at Rheinberg War Cemetery, previously they had been commemorated on Runnymede Memorial.

Graves registration for the Lewis crew updated in 1960.
(thanks to Commonwealth War Graves Commission)

Sunday 10th December 1944. An early morning attack against the Heimbach-Urftdam was launched with 16 Lancasters of the squadron participating fully bombed up with 14 x 1000lbHC TD .025 bombs. They took off about 04:00 hours to attack at 07:00 hours but were all recalled and returned to base at about 06:00 hours.

ME312-A        P/O A Stockill

NG258-B        F/O GE Stemp

JB290-C          F/O GR Scott RAAF

NG125-F         F/O JW Hoare RAAF

PD317-G         F/O PS Weston

ND412-H        F/O H Thompson

NN702-J         F/O DA Clifford

LM216-K        Lt DS Turner SAAF

NG259-N        F/O GE Billing

LL966-P          F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF

PB344-R         F/O A McGuffie

LM260-S         F/O AM Maclean RCAF

NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF

ME739-T         F/O RG Waterfall

PD327-Y         F/O TB Baker RAAF

ND949-Z        F/O LF Ovens

This was not counted as an attack and as such not recorded in the 630 Squadron Operations Record Book or permitted to count towards the number of ops required towards tour completion by the airmen.

Monday 11th December 1944 – 5 Group were returning to the Urftdam with 233 Lancasters and 5 Mosquitoes of 8 Group. The squadron’s aircraft were each bombed up with 14 x 1,000 lb T.D. (.025) bombs.

11th December 1944               Daylight Bombing Attack on Heinbach-Urftdam

Take Off: at 12:21 hours PD317 Phil Weston and crew were first airborne..

ME845-Q        P/O A Stockill

NG258-B        F/O GE Stemp

JB290-C          F/O GR Scott RAAF

NG125-F         F/O JW Hoare RAAF

PD317-G         F/O PS Weston

ND412-H        F/O H Thompson

NN702-J         F/O DA Clifford

LM216-K        Lt DS Turner SAAF

NG259-N        F/O GE Billing

LL966-P          F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF

PB344-R         F/O A McGuffie

LM260-S         F/O AM Maclean RCAF

NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF

PD327-Y         F/O TB Baker RAAF

ND949-Z        F/O LF Ovens

Conditions were quite cloudy in the target area however bombing was generally reported as being in the correct location, the squadron’s crews attacked between 14:45 and 14:56 hours from 8,000 to 10,000 feet several sticks of bombs were seen to straddle the spillway and an experienced crew reported craters on the spillway and the dam. Most crews had to make 2 or 3 bombing runs before they could get a clear enough view to attack the slipway due to drifting clouds and the smoke from bomb bursts. Attacking at 14:56 hours “C-Charlie” had one bomb hang-up, it later dropped clear over France on the flight home. Some light flak was experienced from the dam and some heavy flak from the neighbouring village of Heinbach. “Billy” Billing’s crew in NG259 did not attack as the crew could not identify the target in the cloud and smoke. Aboard LM216 “K” the Squadron Bombing Leader  Flight Lieutenant George Arkieson persuaded his pilot Lieutenant Doug Turner SAAF to orbit the target for 20 minutes until the cloud had drifted past enabling him to identify the dam and execute a pinpoint attack. All aircraft of the squadron had returned by the time that “Jim” Ovens and crew in ND949 touched down at 17:49 hours. Photo reconnaissance confirmed hits on the dam but still no major breaches.

Tuesday 12th December 1944 – preparations were made for a daylight bombing attack with an expected take off at midday. At 11:25 hours with all crews in their Lancasters ready to take off the operation was scrubbed.

At lunch-time a Lancaster (JA908) of 1668 Heavy Conversion Unit on a training sortie from Bottesford lost its port outer engine and was ordered to divert to East Kirkby. Arriving in a period of poor visibility they touched down but bounced back into the air losing their starboard main wheel in the process. The aircraft was unwilling to climb leaving F/O LJ Richer RCAF, it’s pilot, no alternative but to force land in the circuit at 13:09 hours. The Lancaster skidded to a halt and caught fire, seven of the eight aircrew aboard being slightly injured. The flight engineer had a fractured left leg.

S/Ldr Cuelenaere, W/Cdr Grindon and S/Ldr Eyre (in the snow)
(photo thanks to J Grindon)

On Wednesday 13th December 1944 preparations were made for a daylight bombing attack with an expected take off about midday for an attack at 15:00 hours. Brieifings commenced at 09:00 and At 12:00 hours, just 15 minutes before take off, with all crews in their Lancasters ready to take off the operation was scrubbed and carried forward for the next day. At 17:10 hours the squadron were advised that they should prepare for a morning take off and to attack at 13:00 hours.

Thursday 14th December 1944 – Preparations were made and crews stood by for briefing at 09:20 hours when word was received a one hour postponement. At 10:06 hours two crews of Six-thirty were detailed to join two of 57 Squadron in a minelaying operation. Nine minutes later the remainder of the crews were told that their mission was cancelled but to prepare for a night bombing attack that night. At 13:15 hours the night bombing attack was cancelled but the briefing for the minelaying crews went ahead at 13:30. Two Lancasters were detailed to plant mines in the u-boat passage routes of the Kattegat.

14th December 1944               Night Minelaying Mission “Silverthorne”

Take Off: at 15:27 hours Bill Adams (LL966) took off before Ed Thomas and returned after he had landed, at 22:05 hours. Both squadron aircraft had to be diverted to Spilsby on return.

NN702-J         W/O EA Thomas

LL966-P          Lt W Adams USAAF

In the “Silverthorne” area visibility was good and from 15,000 feet the 2 Lancasers planted their mines between 18:05 and 18:35 hours in the allotted positions without difficulty. Some heavy flak was encountered from a flak ship in the vicinity and a JU88 was seen but there were no combats.

Preparations were made for an attack during Friday 15th but it was cancelled at 17:00 hours, put off until the following day when at 10:15 hours warning was received for a maximum effort raid. Full preparations were made, flight planning took place at 15:30 and aircrew briefing at 17:10 for a 22:00 hours attack. H-hour was delayed till 22:30 then 06:00 before the Op was scrubbed 45 minutes before take off.

Sunday 17th December 1944. At 10:30 a maximum effort attack was announced with flight planning commencing at 13:30 hours for an attack on the town centre and railways yards of Munich, 5 Group sent 280 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitos. 17 aircraft of Six-thirty were detailed each armed with 1 x 2000lb HC bombs and Mk.14 Incendiary clusters.

17th/18th December 1944       Night Bombing Attack on Munich

Take Off: at 16:01 hours flight commander Squadron Leader Malcolm Eyre in LM260 and Bill Adams in ND949 were the first away.

ME312-A        F/O H Thompson

NG258-B        F/O A Stockill

LL949-E         F/O GR Scott RAAF

NG125-F         Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF

PD317-G         F/O PS Weston RNZAF

NN702-J         F/O LA Barnes

LM216-K        F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF

NG259-N        F/O GE Billing

LL966-P          F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF

ME845-Q        F/O RG Waterfall

PB344-R         Lt GR Lacey SAAF

LM260-S         S/L MA Eyre         

ME739-T         F/O RJ Sassoon

NG123-U        F/O NG Roberts RAAF

PD254-W        Lt MT Ackerman SAAF

PD327-Y         F/O TB Baker RAAF

ND949-Z        Lt W Adams USAAF

En-route for the target all radio navigational aids aboard LM260 “S-Sugar” became unserviceable but Flight Lieutenant George Arkieson (Squadron Bombing Leader) assisted  Flight Lieutenant Bert Hewitt to ensure a successful attack. Arriving over the target the attacking force found the weather clear with some smoky haze low down. The markers were well concentrated and were believed to have been accurately placed. 630 Squadron attacked from 13,300 to 15,000 feet between 22:02 and 22:11 hours the target appeared well bombed. Again there were reports of incendiary clusters being dropped along the route home as far west as the Rhine. Heavy flak and search lights were active but there were no fighters in the TA. There was Intense light flak between Basle and Mulhaus. Neil Roberts RAAF flying MG123 was the last of the squadron to return at 02:17 hours. Bomber Command recorded severe and widespread damage in the city centre and in the marshalling yards.

Photograph of the attack taken from Henry Thompson’s Lancaster (photo thanks to Keith Arscott)
Harry Ramsey RNZAF (pilot) (photo thanks to Peter & Gael Ramsey)

Monday 18th December 1944. The next attack involving the squadron was a 5 Group raid on Gdynia far across the Baltic Sea. The cruiser “Lützow” was in port and was a prime target. 13 aircraft of 630 Squadron were detailed to participate in the attack and were bombed up with 9 x 1000lb HC.  At the same time the squadron was instructed to provide aircraft and crews for a minelaying operation.

18th/19th December 1944                   Night Bombing Attack on Gdynia

Take Off: at 16:53 hours Steve Nunns and crew in NG125 were first away.

ME312-A        F/O PS Weston RNZAF

JB290-C          F/O HA Ramsey

LL949-E         F/O GR Scott RAAF     

NG125-F         F/L SA Nunns

PD317-G         F/O EJ Monk

LM216-K        Lt DS Turner SAAF

LL966-P          Lt MT Ackerman SAAF

ME845-Q        F/O RG Waterfall

PB344-R         W/O GH Cowan

LM260-S         F/O A McGuffie

ME739-T         F/O RJ Sassoon

NG123-U        F/O NG Roberts RAAF

ND949-Z        Lt W Adams USAAF

“B-Baker” was unserviceable at the last moment leaving Geoff Stemp’s crew unable to take off. Over the harbour the warship designated as Six-thirty’s aiming point was clearly seen in the expected position but it proved hard to get good bombing runs. Attacking from 11,600 to 14,000 feet between 22:01 and 22:08 hours, bombs were seen to straddle the ship and jetty and there was a large explosion on the jetty followed by an oil fire. George Radley, bomb aimer aboard Mathinus Ackerman’s “P-Prune” found at the critical moment that the bomb release “tit” did not work and they had to orbit to make a second run effectively jettisoning their load over the red marker, “U-Uncle” also had technical problems, Neil Roberts’ bombs landed between the railway tracks and the docks. German records confirm damage to shipping, dockyard installations and housing in the town. Numerous searchlights were in action as were some single engined fighters over the target. Only Bill Adams and crew in “Z-Zebra” landed back at base in thick fog, the Scott crew aboard “E-Easy” landed at Strubby, all other crews landed at Woodbridge. South African Marthinus Ackerman was the last of the squadron to touch down at 03:59 hours. 

Simultaneously three of the squadron’s Lancasters laid mines, all 3 aircraft were armed with 6 x Mk.IV mines.

18th/19th December 1944       Night Minelaying Mission “Spinach South”

Take Off: at 03:02 hours NN703 (Frank Millar) was the first to take off.

NN702-J         W/O EA Thomas

PD254-W        F/L M Miller

NN703-X        F/O FE Millar RNZAF

Weather was clear and no opposition was encountered when mines were laid from 14,000 feet at 21:55 hours by Matt Miller’s crew and 15,000 feet at 22:07 by Ed Thomas’ crew. A JU88 was seen but it did not attack. NN703 “X-X ray” brought it’s mines back as their H2S failed and planting would not have been reliable. Thomas and Millar landed at Woodbridge on their return in very poor weather conditions Frank Millar being the last down at 03:02 hours.

On Tuesday 19th December 1944 an op was planned to attack Kaiserslautern, with preparations nearing completion and the aircrew briefing in progress news was received at 14:05 hours to scrub the mission due to bad weather in the target area. Poor weather then descended on East Kirkby preventing any further flying.

Thursday 21st December 1944 – 207 Lancasters and 1 Mosquito of 5 Group attacked the Synthetic Oil Plant at Pölitz. 6 aircraft of 630 Squadron were detailed for the attack and bombed up with 1 x 4000lb HC Minol and 12 x 500lb (Tail Inst) bombs.

21st/22nd December 1944                   Night Bombing Attack on Pölitz

Take Off: at 16:55 hours NN703 (Henry Archer) took off from East Kirkby first.

NG258-B        F/O A Stockill

NG259-N        F/O GE Billing

LM287-O        F/O FE Millar RNZAF

PD254-W        F/O M Miller

NN703-X        F/L HD Archer

PD327-Y         P/O TB Baker RAAF

The attack was late to start as crews had to orbit whilst the placement of the markers was assessed. The red and green TI’s were found to be 300 yards north of the target and with an adjustment for that the Controller ordered the attack to commence. The attack took place between 22:04 and 22:11 hours from 15,500 to 18,000 feet and some good fires and large explosions were seen. There were numerous searchlights but very little flak and very few sightings of enemy fighters. On return “W-William” was diverted to Kinloss, “X-X ray” to Carnaby, “B-Baker” and “Y-Yoke” to Strubby.

Lancaster I,  NG258  (Codes LE – B )

Pilot                 – F/O Arnold Stockill. Age 31                                                †

Flight Eng       – Sgt James Duffett. Age 21                                       †

Navigator        – F/O William McPherson James. Age 31                   †

Bomb Aimer   – Sgt Raymond Athol Bruck. Age 22                        †

Wireless Op     – Sgt James Stuart Bain . Age 20                                †

Mid Upper      – Sgt John Henry Quinlivan .Age 20                          †

Rear Gunner    – Sgt Leslie George Pooley. Age 19                           injured

Diverted to Strubby due to weather conditions at base “B-Baker” crashed at 03:20 hours at Scrafield Farm between Scrafield and Mareham-on-the-Hill. The dead were buried near to their home towns or relatives across the country. Stockill was cremated at Darlington, Duffett buried at Colchester, James at Stockton-on-Tees (Oxbridge Road) Cemetery, Bruck at Tankersley (St Peter) Churchyard, Bain at Edinburgh (Liberton) Cemetery and Quinlivan Park Cemetery, London. Their teenage rear gunner Les Pooley from Wisbech survived injured and was taken to Woodhll Spa Hospital where he recovered.

Ray Bruck in 1939 as a Constable (thanks to his family)
Jonny Quinlivan (thanks to his family)

Aircraft diverted to other stations were ordered to remain there until the weather cleared and due to persistent fog were away until after Christmas. Post raid photo reconnaissance showed that the chimneys of the power station serving the plant had collapsed and that other damage had been caused.  The return to Eask Kirkby of “O – Oboe” was certainly in filthy weather however her crew were elated, New Zealander Frank Millar’s lads had never missed an op together and had completed their tour, they were screened and their pilot recommended for a DFC.

Frank Millar DFC RNZAF
(photo thanks to Richard Millar)

Tuesday 26th December 1944. After several days of filthy weather the conditions suddenly improved and Bomber Command supported ground actions in the fighting in the Ardennes.  A mixed group mission comprising 294 aircraft attacked Wehrmacht positions near St. Vith. Six-thirty were ordered to provide 2 aircraft armed with 14 x 1000lb bombs. It was decided to detail aircraft which had been waiting to return to base from stations which they had been diverted to.

(thanks to B Jadot/Morgana)

26th December 1944                           Night Bombing Attack on St. Vith

Take Off: at 13:15 hours LM287 was the first of the two to take off and also coincidentally would be the last to land at 18:10 hours.

NG259-N        F/O EJ Monk

LM287-O        F/O NG Roberts RAAF

Aircraft climbed to bombing height and encountered no flak until the target was reached where moderate flak came up. Crews were briefed to bomb the Red TI’s and as the target was well marked and visibility good, a good concentration of bombing was observed. The 630 Squadron pair attacked from 13,200 to 13,900 feet at 15:31 and 15:33 hours. Jerry Monk later recalled that they attacked in brilliant sunshine beneath a formation of hundreds of Halifaxes which bombed for six thousand feet above, with thousand pounders and window falling all around. Both aircraft were diverted again on their return, this time to St.Eval a Coastal Command station in Cornwall where the visiting crews reported feeling less than welcome. Two days later when the weather cleared in Lincolnshire and they were able to escape, they roared off the end of St.Eval’s cliff top runway and Jerry Monk turned back to “beat up” the airfield before making a low run past the Flting Control with his cre all making the less polite V for Victory towards their former hosts. Back at East Kirkby Jerry was hauled before the OC who had received a colourful telephone call from his opposite number at St.Eval. With hindsight it was speculated that this incident on an otherwise spotless operational record could be the reason that Jerry Monks did not receive a DFC on completion of his tour.

Jerry Monk and crew (thanks to Jerry Monk)

With training flights scheduled an order was received for an op and Six-thirty detailed aircraft X, Y, E and R which were on the deck at Strubby. The Lancasters were bombed up and their crews briefed at Strubby. As the day commenced the squadrons’ aircraft which had been sitting on other bases all returned, N and O from St Eval, J from Spilsby, C, F, G, K, Q, T, P and U from Swinderby and Z from Woodbridge.

Thursday 28th December 1944. 5 Group mounted a raid comprising 67 Lancasters and 1 Mosquito to attack a “large naval unit” – the cruiser “Köln” and nearby shipping off Horten in Oslofjord. Four aircraft were detailed but only three took off each armed with 13 x 1000lb bombs. As mentioned above the crews took off from Strubby where they had been diverted.

28th/29th December 1944      Night Bombing Attack on shipping in Oslofjord

Take off: at 19:39 hours Warrant Officer George Cowan and crew (PB344) led the section. “E-Easy” (McGuffie) did not take off due to brake pressure problems.

PB344-R         W/O GH Cowan

PD327-Y         P/O TB Baker RAAF

NN703-X        F/L HD Archer

630 Squadron crews attacked between 23:49 and 23:59 hours from 7,500 to 8,000 feet bombing visually by moonlight but Wanganui and sea markers were used as proximity markers. A thin layer of cloud obscured the moon and made identification of the ships difficult. The Kriegsmarine cruiser “Köln” could not be found and despite crews remaining over the target area in the face of intense light flak for 31 minutes it was impossible to gain any hits on the target vessels however U-735 was bombed and sunk, her commander and over half of her crew killed. Squadron aircraft landed back at East Kirkby, where Tom Baker (PD327) as the last to touch down at 02:51 hours.

Friday 29th December 1944 – at 10:55 hous on 29th the squadron were warned of a minelaying Op and crews were briefed at 14:15. Two aircraft were despatched with mines.

29th /30th December 1944                  Night Minelaying “Onions Area”

Take off: at 15:57 hours Matt Miller in PD254 was first away followed a minute later by Steve Nunns in NG125.

NG125-F         F/L SA Nunns

PD254-W        F/O M Miller

At 19:06 and 19:09 hours from 12,000 feet both crews planted their vegetables in position using H2S and available landmarks. Slight heavy flak emanated from Oslo and some light flak from ships in the fjord but thankfully no fighters were seen. At 22:45 hours NG125 touched down at base 4 minutes after PD254.

Saturday 30th December 1944. Scheduled to participate in a daylight attack 630 Squadron carried out flight planning and aircrew briefings from 08:45 hours. Aircraft were taxying around the perimeter towards the runway to take off when the mission was cancelled at 11:23 hours. Just over an hour later orders were received to prepare for a night attack. At mid-day on Saturday 30th December a B-17 Flying Fortress of 8th USAAF crashed in flames at East Kirkby while trying to land in bad visibility, sadly the entire crew were killed.

During the afternoon aircraft were prepared and their crews briefed at 22:10 hours. 5 Group carried out an attack using 154 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitoes against an identified German military supply bottle-neck in a narrow valley at Houffalize. 12 aircraft of 630 Squadron were detailed to participate and were bombed up with 6 x 900lb and 12 x 1000lb

30th /31st December 1944                  Night Bombing Attack on Houffalize

Take Off: at 02:12 hours Desmond Reynolds in NG125 was first off the deck.

NG125-F         Capt DCB Reynolds

NN702-J         F/O EJ Monk

LM216-K        F/O JW Hoare RAAF

NG259-N        F/O LA Barnes

LM287-O        F/O RJ Sassoon

LL966-P          Lt GR Lacey SAAF

ME845-Q        F/O NG Roberts RAAF

ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF

PD254-W        F/O AM Maclean RCAF

NN703-X        F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF

PD327-Y         F/O TB Baker RAAF

ND949-Z        W/O GH Cowan

The squaron’s crews attacked between 05:00 and 05:05 hours from 5,000 to 11,500 feet. Solid cloud lay over the target with occasional breaks and crews who bombed saw the TI’s cascading on the ground through patches of thin cloud and often only at the last minute.  Jack Hoare’s crew descended below the clouds to 5,000 feet and bombed in clear visibility observing that a good concentration of bombing was falling around the TI’s. The crews of F, J, N T and Z did not bomb. No fighter opposition was fielded by the Luftwaffe. Len Barnes (NG259) was the last to return to base at 07:56 hours.

Confusion exists in the records over who flew ND949-Z in this attack, the F541 states that it was W/O Cowan however the logbooks of F/O Ramsey and also two of his crew record that they flew ND949, so likely the Cowan crew flew NN703-X which the F541 shows to have been taken by Ramsey’s crew.

Sunday 31st December 1944. At 10:40 hours an order was received for a minelaying mission, aircrew briefing commenced at 13:00 hours. 2 Lancasters of Six-thirty participated in a small scale mining operation, each carrying 6 x Mk.IV mines in u-boat transit channels in the Kattegat area.

31st December 1944/1st January 1945          Night Minelaying in “Yew Trees” area

Take Off: at 16:20 hours PB894 (Ed Thomas) was the first to take off.

PB894-A         W/O EA Thomas

LM287-O        F/O M Miller

Mines were planted at 20:24 hours from 15,000 feet by Matt Miller in LM287 which returned to base at 23:08 hours. Night fighters are known to have been active in the area and Ed Thomas’ crew Failed To Return.

Lancaster I,  PB894  (Codes LE – A)

Pilot                 – W/O Edward Ainsley Thomas. Age 26                    †

Flight Eng       – Sgt David Daniel Jones. Age 31                              †

Navigator        – F/S William Henry McDonald Marshall. Age 23     †

Bomb Aimer   – F/S Eric Leese. Age 23                                            †

Wireless Op     – F/S Joseph Henry Jones. Age 23                              †

Mid Upper      – Sgt Bernard John Phillips. Age 30                           †

Rear Gunner    – Sgt George Rex Boden. Age 22                              †

It is believed that PB894 was the Lancaster claimed by Hauptmann Eduard Schröder of 3/NJG 3 at 2,800 metres altitude over the sea 50 km north-west of Hanstholm at about 21:00 hours, it was his 18th victory. The crew are commemorated on Runnymede Memorial

11/1944 (November 1944)

November 1944

Wednesday 1st November 1944.  226 Lancasters and 2 Mosquitoes of 5 Group supported by 8 Mosquitoes of 8 Group attacked the Meerbeck Synthetic oil plant at Homberg. 19 aircraft of Six-thirty were detailed for Ops, each armed with 11 x 1000lb AN-M65 (.025) and 4 x 500lb AN-N64 (.025) bombs.

1st November 1944                 Daylight Bombling Attack on Homberg

Take Off: at 13:26 hours in LM260 Wing Commander Grindon was first away.

PD253-D         F/O SA Nunns

LL949-E         F/O GR Flood RNZAF

ND412-H        F/O H Thompson

NG145-I         F/O DA Clifford

NN702-J         F/O GE Stemp

LM216-K        Lt DS Turner SAAF

LM287-O        F/O FE Millar RNZAF

LL966-P          F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF

ME845-Q        F/O JW Langley

PB344-R         F/O GE Billing

LM260-S         W/C JE Grindon

ME739-T         F/O A McGuffie        

NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF

LM637-V        F/L RF Lewis

PD254-W        F/O TB Baker RAAF

NN703-X        F/O JW Hoare RAAF

PD327-Y         F/O DA McGillivray RNZAF

ND949-Z        F/S GH Cowan

PD317-G         F/O H Grayson

Arriving in the target area heavy cloud hung over the synthetic oil plant. The early wave of the main force bombed before the markers went down, others arrived just as the markers were dropped directly in front of them. The force leaders were east of the track approaching the target area and the majority of crews reported attacking the markers between 16:08 and 16:12 hours from 17,000 to 18,000 feet. Four crews of 630 Squadron bombed Mors, the built up area south of the target, as they could not identify the primary and “D-Dog” (Steve Munns) bombed Krefeld for the same reason. Moderate to intense accurate flak was encountered over the target and many aircraft returned with flak damage, Wing Commander Grindon’s aircraft was holed in 33 places by flak, the hydraulics were shot away, the main rudder controls and elevator controls were damaged. Some like Henry Thompson’s crew found their aircraft to be “like a sieve” when they inspected it later, Jack Hoare’s “X-Xray” was quite badly damaged by flak but no enemy fighters were seen. ME739 (Alex McGuffie) was the last to return to base at 18:50 hours.

Thursday 2nd November 1944. Bomber Command launched its last major attack of the war against Dusseldorf with 992 bombers. 14 Lancasters of Six-thirty participated, each bombed up with 1 x 4000lb HC, 6 x 1000lb AN-M59, 4 x 500lb GP (.025) and 2 x 500lb GP 53 (LD ½ hour) bombs.

2nd/3rd November 1944                      Night Bombing Attack on Dusseldorf

Take Off: at 16:21 hours the recently promoted Captain Desmond Reynolds of the SAAF took off ahead of the squadron.

PD253-D         F/O H Thompson 

LL949-E         F/O GR Flood RNZAF          (F/S GR Scott RAAF)

NG125-F         Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF

PD317-G         F/O H Grayson

LM287-O        F/O FE Millar RNZAF (F/O RJ Sassoon)

LL966-P          F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF

ME845-Q        F/O JW Hoare RAAF

PB344-R         F/O JW Langley

NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF

LM637-V        Lt W Adams USAAF             (F/O AM MacLean RCAF)

PD254-W        F/O A McGuffie

NN703-X        F/L HD Archer                       (Lt MT Ackerman SAAF)

PD327-Y         F/O TB Baker RAAF

ND949-Z        F/S GH Cowan          

Weather conditions were clear at the target with good visibility and ground defences were not troublesome with flak bursting clear of the bombers and the searchlights ineffective in the moonlight. The target was marked punctually with Red TI’s which were quickly assessed as accurate when compared with the bends in the River Rhine and the inland waterway dock yards. Minutes later the reds were backed up with green TI’s which fell slightly to the east.  The squadron attacked between 19:17 and 19:36 hours from 17,400 to 21,000 feet. Throughout the attack the ground markers were clearly seen and experienced crews rated the concentration of bomber as excellent. The Germans set some decoy red TI’s 3 – 4 miles north west of the target and a slight delay in setting the green markers might have caused some confusion.  Large fires were soon burning with a thick pall of smoke over the town, the fires could be seen for 100 miles on the return flight. Fighters began to appear over the target about half way through the attack and continued to attack the main force as it flew home until about 0430East. 6 combats took place with night fighters.  PD254“W” arrived 12 minutes late and did not attack. The bombing fell mainly on the northern half of the city where more than 5,000 houses were destroyed or badly damaged and 7 factories were destroyed and a further 18 seriously damaged including some steel production plants vital to the German war effort. Bill Adams and crew were the last to return to base at 22:04 hours in LM637.

On 4th November Harry Grayson’s crew (7 ops) and that of New Zealander Don McGillivray (4 ops) were posted to 189 Squadron to provide further crews with some operational experience amongst a squadron which had been formed mainly from sprog crews directly from training.

MacLean’s crew. (standing l to r) Joe Cook (R/G), JH “Mick” Mitchell (F/E), S “Jock” Cruickshank (WOp), SCH “Titch” Priest (MU/G) and (front row l to r) EHO “Sandy” Saunders (Nav), AM “Mac” MacLean RCAF, Ron Norgrove (A/B).
(photo thanks to Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage, East Kirkby)

A number of crews recently arrived from training were preparing for ops in early November, they included Canadian Albert “Mac” MacLean’s[i] crew of British lads from 1654 HCUand LFS, 21 year old Richard Sassoon[ii] the son of a retired Army officer from Roehampton and his all British crew, the crews of 26 year old New Zealander Harry Ramsey[iv] from Auckland, his countryman Phil Weston[v] from Hunterville, NZ and Australian Neil Roberts[vi] from Healesville, Victoria. Arnold Stockill[vii] and crew were amongst the most recent arrivals, their captain was a 31 year old married man with two small children, originally from Darlington but resident in Wallasey.

Arnold Stockill (thanks to G Copeman)
Harry Ramsey and crew at 5 LFS (Les Duck 1st right) Photo thanks to Les Duck and Richard Gold

Saturday 4th November 1944. 174 Lancasters and 3 Mosquitoes of 5 Group were despatched to bomb the section of the Dortmund-Ems Canal near Ladbergen, north of Munster, just repaired by the Germans. 13 Lancasters of 630 Squadron participated in the attack, each armed with14 x 1000lb AN-M (.025) bombs.

4th/5th November 1944                    Night Bombing Attack on Ladbergen

Take off: at 17:34 hours in sequence behind Desmond Reynolds (NG125). One of the aircraft carried Neil Roberts RAAF a new pilot making a Second Dickie trip, sadly the ORB does not show which aircrew he flew with. UPDATE – the logbook of F/O FEH Millar DFC records that he flew with a 2nd Dickie, Neil Roberts RAAF.

LL949-E         F/O GE Billing

NG125-F         Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF

PD317-G         F/O EJ Monk

LM216-K        Lt DS Turner SAAF

LM287-O        F/O FEH Millar RNZAF (P/O NG Roberts RAAF)

LL966-P          F/S EA Thomas

ME845-Q        S/L MA Eyre

PB344-R         F/S GH Cowan

NG123-U        F/O LA Barnes

LM637-V        F/O A McGuffie

NN703-X        Lt W Adams USAAF

PD327-Y         F/O TB Baker RAAF

ND949-Z        F/O LF Ovens

Weather at the target was clear and visibility good and the marking was punctual and accurate after which the controller ordered the force to bomb the southern of the two lots of red TI’s. The distance between both lots was less than 150 yards and both lay between the two branches of the canal junction. The squadron’s attack took place from 10,200 to 13,000 feet between 19:30 and 19:34 hours and bombing was reported to be very concentrated with multiple sticks of bombs straddled the canal junction. Ground defences were negligible although fighter flares were seen repeatedly between the Dutch coast and the target but few fighters were seen.  German decoy interference included W/T messages such as 19:32 hours “Return to Base”, repeated at 19:34 hours and at 19:35 hours “Flare force return to base” but as crews had satisfactory VHF reception they followed the Controllers orders and ignored the interference.

The banks of both branches of the inland waterway were breached again letting the water drain off and leaving large cargo carrying barges stranded. Post war a report by Industry Production Minister Speer which had been prepared for Hitler recorded that the bombing of the canal prevented delivery of smelting coke from the Ruhr to 3 important steelworks, 2 near Brunswick and 1 near Osnabruck. In post-war interrogations Speer revealed that these raids on the Dortmund-Ems Canal together with attacks on the German railway system produced more serious set backs to German war production than any other bombing. At 22:23 hours Len Barnes flying “U-Uncle” was the last of the squadron to land back at base.

Records contradict themselves as to whether the Adams crew or the McGuffie crew flew “V” or “X” respectively.

Wednesday 6th November 1944. Continuing the campaign, 235 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitos of 5 Group attempted to cut the Mittelland Canal at its junction with the Dortmund Ems Canal near Gravenhorst. Detailed to participate were 17 aircraft of Six-thirty each with a load of 13 x 1000lb AN-M65 bombs.

Mittelland Canal is bombed

6th/7th November 1944           Night Bombing Attack on Gravenhorst

Take Off: at 16:08 hours NG125 (Desmond Reynolds) and his SAAF colleague Douglas Turner (flying LM216) were the first away. Frank Millar (LM287) had another recently arrived SAAF pilot (Gordon Lacey) aboard as Second Dickie.

PD253-D         F/O GR Scott RAAF

LL949-E         F/O GE Billing

NG125-F         Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF

PD317-G         F/O EJ Monk

NN702-J         W/O EA Thomas

LM216-K        Lt DS Turner SAAF

LM287-O        F/O FE Millar RNZAF           (Lt GR Lacey SAAF)

LL966-P          F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF

ME845-Q        F/O H Thompson

PB344-R         W/O GH Cowan

ME739-T         F/O A McGuffie

NG123-U        F/O GE Stemp

LM637-V        F/O RJ Sassoon

PD254-W        F/O LA Barnes

NN703-X        F/O AM MacLean RCAF

PD327-Y         F/O TB Baker RAAF

ND949-Z        F/O LF Ovens

Weather over the target was clear with some slight haze but the flares were so accurately placed by the Mosquito low-level marker (Flight Lieutenant LCE DeVigne) that they fell into the canal and so were almost immediately extinguished. The Controller ordered the force to stand-by but was unable to get adequate illumination of the target and at 19:38 hours after only 31 aircraft had bombed gave the order to abandon the attack and return to base. None of the squadron’s crews were able to attack. Ground defences were negligible but some fighters were observed. The MacLean crew in “X-X ray” were the last to return at 22:35 hours.

The ribbons and medals of RAAF aircrew in Europe serving late in the war

Tuesday 7th November Flying Officer Bill Horsman[viii], who had flown as bomb aimer in “Peter” Docherty’s crew until they completed their tour some weeks earlier, was welcomed back when he joined the staff of RAF East Kirkby as Station Air Sea Rescue officer but was immediately waved off again as he was despatched on a 3 week specialist ASR course at Blackpool.

Saturday 11th November 1944. The squadron participated in two simultaneous missions next as 5 Group attacked Harburg with 237 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitoes and also laid mines off Oslo, in the Kattegat and in the estuary of the River Elbe. 17 aircraft from Six-thirty were tasked to attack the Rehenania-Ossag oil refinery at Harburg, each bombed up with 1 x 4000lb HC and 14 x No.14 incendiary clusters.

11th/12th November 1944       Night Bombing Attack on Harburg & Minelaying

Take Off: at 16:12 hours the recently arrived Flight Commander Squadron Leader Malcolm Eyre led the formation out from North Kirkby.

ME312-A        F/O LA Barnes

NG258-B        F/O GE Stemp

PD253-D         F/O PS Weston RNZAF

NG125-F         Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF

PD317-G         F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF

NN702-J         W/O EA Thomas

LM216-K        F/O GE Billing

NG259-N        F/O H Thompson

LL966-P          F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF

ME845-Q        F/O RG Waterfall

PB344-R         F/O GR Scott RAAF

ME739-T         F/O A McGuffie

NG123-U        F/O AM MacLean RCAF

LM637-V        S/L MA Eyre

PD254-W        F/O TB Baker RAAF

ND949-Z        F/O LF Ovens

PD237-Y         F/O RJ Sassoon

ME312 “A-Able” (Len Barnes) returned early landing at 19:17 hours after his bomb aimer (F/O Derrek Simons) was taken ill and LL966 “P” (Olly Atkinson) had returned early at 18:11 hours when the W/T receiver failed and couldn’t be repaired.

Ground defences lit fighter flares from the coast near Heligoland onwards to the target to draw fighters in to the bomber stream, along the route to the target and even on the homeward route. Marking at the target was a few minutes late but appeared to be accurate and the Controller’s clear instructions avoided confusion when the Germans lit a decoy flare. The squadron attacked between 19:18 and 19:31 hours from 16,250 to 19,000 feet. Smoke from the burning oil tanks obscured the markers later during the attack, several large explosions were seen at 19:18, 19:22 and 19:25 hours and heavy black smoke was rising from the oil depot. Ground defences died down as the attack commenced and search lights were being used to indicate the track of the bombers to night fighters. Few enemy aircraft were seen but there were 2 inconclusive combats with night fighters.  Realising that they would not make it to the target in time after hearing the Controllers instruction cease bombing and return to base the crew of PD237 “Y-Yoke” (Richard Sassoon) jettisoned their bombs on a concentration of search lights and anti-aircraft guns situated at 5340Nx0900E at 19:50 hours from 17,750 feet. Formation leader Squadron Leader Eyre was the last of the squadron’s Harburg force to return to base at 22:08 hours.

Photo taken by the crew of “N for Nan” (Henry Thompson’s boys) Photo thanks to Keith Arscott

On the same night two of the squadron’s Lancasters were involved in a gardening operation each armed with 6 Mark VI mines.

11th/12th November 1944       Minelaying in the “Young Eglantines” area

Take Off: at 16:33 hours Frank Millar was the first off the deck, he was also the last to return to base at 21:05 hours.

LM287-O        F/O FE Millar RNZAF

NN703-X        F/L HD Archer

The two aircraft and crews designated for “gardening” duties planted their “vegetables” at 19:02 and 19:15 hours in the allotted positions using H2S without serious difficulty although some heavy flak was experienced from Heligoland. No enemy fighters were seen but fighter flares were observed near Cuxhaven. The logbook of Henry Archer proves that the details of the two aircraft are transposed in the 630 Squadron Operations Record Book, and are here corrected- Frank Millar and crew flew “O-Oboe” and Henry Archer and crew flew their regular Lanc “X-X ray”.

Next Bomber Command joined the 8th USAAF to attack targets at Düren, Jülich and Heinsberg in preparation for an attack by the American First and Ninth Armies.

Thursday 16th November 1944. The RAF despatched 1,188 bombers to destroy lines of communication and the USAAF sent 1,239 bombers to raid troop positions. 19 aircraft of Six-thirty were despatched to join the force attacking Düren each bombed-up with 11 x 1000lb AN-M65 and 4 x 500lb AN-M64 (.025) bombs.

16th November 1944              Daylight Bombing Attack on Düren

Take Off: at 12:24 hours South African Doug Turner was the first away.

ME312-A        F/O DA Clifford 

NG258-B        F/O GR Scott RAAF

LL949-E         F/O JW Langley

NG125-F         F/O A Stockill

PD317-G         F/L SA Nunns

NN702-J         W/O EA Thomas

LM216-K        Lt DS Turner SAAF

NG259-N        F/O JW Hoare RAAF

LM287-O        F/O FE Millar RNZAF

LL966-P          F/L RF Lewis

ME845-Q        F/O RG Waterfall

PB344-R         F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF

ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF

NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF

PD254-W        F/O AM MacLean RCAF

NN703-X        F/O NG Roberts RAAF

PD327-Y         F/O RJ Sassoon

ND949-Z        F/O LF Ovens

LM637-V        F/O TB Baker RAAF

In a rare moment of awkwardness Steve Nunns’ “D-Dog” went unserviceable at the last moment, Jerry Monk’s crew were taken off the Battle Order making “G-George” available for the Nunns crew.

Steve Nunns and crew
(photo thanks to Brian Lunn)

Although there was a thick haze and dense smoke covering the town the immediate target area was clear and visibility was good. The Controller was considered by the main force to be excellent, giving clear precise instructions although W/T reception was poor at times. He ordered the force down to 10,000 feet, the squadron attacked between 15:34 and 15:39 hours from 9,800 to 12,400 feet and bombing was reported to be very concentrated on the target. One very large explosion was seen at 15:37 hours although no fighters were seen and the flak was moderate. An Air Gunner reported that the Lancaster seen to go down in flames at 15:33 hours was hit in the starboard wing by a Lancaster with a fin and rudder painted yellow. The casualty had a red letter painted on a black fin but its squadron letters could not be seen. Tom Baker was the last to return at 18:38 hours.

John Langley’s crew aboard LL949 “E-Easy” could not attack as their bombs hung-up when the distributor failed to move, the crew managed to jettison two 1000lb bombs over the North Sea but brought the remainder home. The three towns attacked by the RAF were virtually destroyed. Many aircraft had to divert to Strubby due to very poor conditions over base on their return. The weather remainded very poor and an attempt to return on the following day had to be aborted again due to conditions over East Kirkby.

After a heavy rain storm in the early hours of Sunday 19th November a preliminary warning of Ops was received at 10:05 hours – an early take-off was planned and the station put in maximum effort to be ready however the order was later cancelled. The same thing happened the very next day with an 09:40 hours warning, everything was ready for the planned 13:15 hours take off but it was was delayed until 16:25 hours and finally scrubbed at 16:45 hours.

With their pilots each having completed an op as Second Dickie the crews captained by South Africans Gordon Lacey[ix] and Marthinus Ackerman[x] were to be detailed for ops on the next Battle Order.

Lieut Lacey SAAF and Lieut Ackerman SAAF

Tuesday 21st November 1944.  5 Group maintained the pressure on the German inland water transport system returning to the Mittelland Canal near Gravenhorst with 138 Lancasers and 5 Mosquitoes. 21 Lancasters of Six-thirty were bombed with 1000lb GP (.025) bombs.

21st/22nd November 1944       Night Bombing Attack on Gravenhorst

Take Off: at 17:22 hours Squadron Leader Malcolm Eyre in PD254 was first away.

ND949-Z        Lt W Adams USAAF

JB290-C          F/O TB Baker RAAF

ME312-A        F/O DA Clifford

NG258-B        F/O GR Scott RAAF

PD253-D         F/O A Stockill

LL949-E         F/O GR Flood RNZAF

NG125-F         Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF

NN702-J         W/O EA Thomas

PD317-G         F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF

LM216-K        Lt DS Turner SAAF

NG259-N        F/O LA Barnes

LM287-O        Lt MT Ackerman SAAF

LL966-P          Lt GR Lacey SAAF

PD254-W        S/L MA Eyre

ME845-Q        F/O RG Waterfall

ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF

PD344-R         F/O JW Hoare RAAF

NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF

LM637-V        F/L RF Lewis

NN703-X        F/O NG Roberts RAAF

PD327-Y         F/O RJ Sassoon

The marking was punctual but some of the Controllers orders were considered to be confusing. At 20:59 hours some crews were ordered by W/T to descend to 4,000 ft and attack but then received a message by VHF to attack as planned and had to climb  back to their original bombing height. 630 Squadron attacked between 21:03 and 21:12 hours from 3,500 to 9,800 feet and was reported as well concentrated, only a small amount of light flak was experienced and no search lights.  Small scale fighter activity and only in the target area and start of the route homeward. There were five combats in the target area and one on the route home but none were conclusive. The canal banks were successfully breached and later photographs showed that the water drained off over a 30 miles stretch leaving 59 barges stranded in one short section alone. George Scott and crew aboard NG258 were the last to land at 00:11 hours.

Ted Watson with LE-U “Oh U beauty” (thanks to Ted Watson, Flight Engineer)

The Squadron Adjutant, Flight Lieutenant Charles Martin, MM was posted out, an Ealing man, thirty-nine year old former insurance official Flight Lieutenant Alfred Henry Lionel Britton quickly arrived to replace him.

F/Lt Alf Britton (Adjutant)
Marcel Cuelenaere DFC RCAF (photo thanks to his sons and daughters)

In the second half of the month a new flight commander was posted in to replace A-Flight’s Squadron Leader Millichap. Squadron Leader Marcel Cuelenaere DFC RCAF[xi] was a French-Canadian who had completed a tour of 30 ops with 97 Squadron between October 1942 and March 1943 which included some of the very long range missions to bomb Italy (awarded a DFC, London Gazette 15th June 1943). He had been presented with his DFC at Buckingham Palace by HM King George VI at an investiture on 21st March 1944. During a long Instructing tour at 1654 and 1660 HCU he survived injury when the Lancaster (W4937)  in which he was instructor swung and crashed on landing at Swinderby on 26th September 1943, he instructed further at 1668 HCU and finally 5 LFS before joining 630 Squadron. Not surprisingly his crew included second tour veterans such as navigator 36 year old Manx postal telegraphist Bob Corkill DFC formerly of 9 Squadron and wireless op 31 year old Wil MacDonald DFC who had completed his previous tour with 61 Squadron. Both of these two men would go on to have distinguished careers post-war in the Colonial Service, Bob Corkill in the West African Postal Administration and Wil MacDonald as a Superintendent of Police in Kenya.

Doug Turner SAAF and crew aboard LM216 K-Kitty (thanks to Paul and John Key)

Wednesday 22nd November 1944.  171 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitoes of 5 Group were despatched to attacked the u-boat pens at Trondheim. The squadron records do not indicate what bomb load was carried by its 12 Lancasters however LL949 which was lost is reported to have had 17 x 500lb MC (.025) aboard.  

22nd/23rd November 1944      Night Bombing Attack on Trondheim

Take Off: at 15:38 hours Desmond Reynolds (NG125) was first to get airborne.

LL949-E         F/O GR Flood RNZAF         

NG258-B        P/O GR Scott RAAF

ME312-A        F/O JW Hoare RAAF

PD253-D         F/O A Stockill

PD317-G         F/O EJ Monk

NG125-F         Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF

LM216-K        F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF

NN702-J         W/O EA Thomas

PD254-W        F/O RJ Sassoon

ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF

LM637-V        F/L RF Lewis

PD327-Y         Lt W Adams USAAF

NG259-N        F/O LA Barnes

NG259 “N-Nan” (Len Barnes) returned early 20:59 hours as their bomb aimer was ill.

On the outward journey a weather front forecast for 5758N was encountered at 56N and spread over 5° of latitude. At 61N there were breaks in the cloud and the target area visibility was very good. The green proximity marker was clearly seen and the first flares dropped at H -13. Fairly intense light flak came up from the target area and the line of fire gradually lowered to converge at about 1000 feet. The Controller ordered crews to return to base at 21:08 hours. Ten searchlights were active and maintained a steady beam to track aircraft leaving the target area. B, F, G. J. K, T, V, W and Y all returned immediately as instructed. The return flight included 5 hours in solid cloud.  Arnold Srockill in “D-Dog” landed at Thornaby short of fuel and Ed Thomas flying “J-Jig” was the last to return landing at 03:36 hours. One crew Failed To Return.

Lancaster I, LL949   (Codes LE – E)

Pilot                 – F/O George Ross Flood RNZAF. Age 21               †

Flight Eng       – Sgt Leslie Thomas Woodward. Age  20                  Died

Navigator        – F/S Charles Agnew RNZAF. Age 25                      †

Bomb Aimer   – F/S Kenneth James Aspell. Age 26                         †

Wireless Op     – F/S William Richie Ingram RNZAF. Age 22           †

Mid Upper      – Sgt Frederick Hughes. Age                                      †

Rear Gunner    – Sgt Maurice Benjamin Henley. Age 22                    †

Ross Flood (thanks to his family)

Nothing was heard of the aircraft or crew until 26th November when wreckage was found by a farmer on a sandbank near the north bank of Humber off Sunk Islands Sands and reported to Withernsea Police Station. Six members of the crew were found dead but the flight engineer was still alive. Twenty year old Leslie Woodward, a married man from London had survived the crash but was injured and suffering terribly from exposure, sadly he died of his injuries on 1st December. LL949 appeared to have flown into the ground at a shallow angle in a north to south direction while returning from a long distance attack. The crew had operated on the previous night and the Head of the Court of Enquiry believed that fatigue had been a leading factor in the accident after a long range mission flown at low altitude. Amongst the crew was Scots born Charlie Agnew who had emigrated “down under” with his family to Australia as a young child he grew up in Perth, WA, he moved to New Zealand in 1937 and joined the New Zealand Army Department as a Signwriter. The three Kiwis and Sgt Henley are buried in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery, Sgt Woodward is buried at Hampstead Cemetery, Sgt Hughes at Moston (St Josephs) RC Cemetery and Sgt Aspell at Coventry (St Paul’s) Cemetery..

Bill Ingram (thanks to the Flood family)

Several days of filthy weather followed and the Station was stood down.

News reaches home from F/O HB Bryans who had been shot down on 31/03/1944 (thanks to ‘The Brief History Archive‘)
(thanks to ‘The Brief History Archive‘)

Sunday 26th November 1944.  270 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitoes of 5 Group attacked Munich with aiming points in several railway centres. 20 Lancasters of 630 Squadron but 2 returned early. The bomb loads are not recorded however it is known that they comprised 1000lb MC and 4lb incendiaries.  

26th/27th November 1944       Night Bombing Attack on Munich

Take Off: at 10:35 hours LM216 (Phil Weston) took off from East Kirkby leading the squadron.

ME312-A        F/O JW Langley

NG258-B        F/O GE Stemp

PD253-D         F/O H Thompson

NG125-F         F/O GE Billing

PD317-G         F/O EJ Monk

NG145-I         F/O DA Clifford

LM216-K        F/O PS Weston RNZAF

NG259-N        F/O HA Ramsey RNZAF

LM287-O        F/O A McGuffie

LL966-P          F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF

ME845-Q        W/O GH Cowan

LM260-S         Lt W Adams USAAF

ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF

NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF

LM637-V        F/L RF Lewis

PD254-W        F/O M Miller

NN703-X        F/O NG Roberts RAAF

ND949-Z        F/O LF Ovens

JB290-C          F/O RJ Sassoon

PB344-R         F/O JW Hoare RAAF

John Langley’s “A-Able” returned early after it’s starboard inner failed, landing at Manston at 01:50 hours and Billy Billing’s “F-Fox” landed back at base at 03:59 hours with navigational aids, intercom and bomb sight all unserviceable. The target marking was accurate and all crews saw the concentration of TI’s clearly.  To the north there was a single Red TI cancelled by a Yellow and to the west were decoy TI’s set by the Germans which do not seem to have deceived any of the attackers. Large areas of the town were seen to be on fire and the conflagration could be seen 100 miles away. The squadron’s attack took place between 05:00 and 05:24 hours from 15,200 to 17,500 feet and a very large explosion was seen at 05:07 hours just north of the eastern end of the marshalling yards. Ground defences and searchlights were surprisingly light and ineffective. Some fighters attacked and there was 1 combat before reaching the target and 2 combats in the target area. Rendel Lewis brought LM637 in to land at 23:18 hours, the last of the squadron to return to base.

On Thursday 30th November Group Captain Taaffe OBE relinquished command of RAF East Kirkby to Group Captain Bernard Casey OBE[xii] who would remain in command for the next 12 months.

Group Capt Bernard Casey OBE. (National Portrait Gallery)

[i] Albert MacLean (J.28539), RCAF.

[ii] Richard Joseph Sassoon (1802851, 150614), RAFVR.

[iii] George Richard Scott (051658, A.427555), RAAF.

[iv] Harry Alexander Ramsey  (NZ 415017), RNZAF. Later 59606, RAF. DFC LG. 07/12/45, 630 Sqdn.

[v] Philip Samuel Weston  (NZ 425628), RNZAF.

[vi] Neil Geoffrey Roberts (A.409877), RAAF. DFC LG. 04/12/45, 630 Sqdn.

[vii] Arnold Stockill (1044116, 142550), RAFVR. KIFA (see text).

[viii] William Henry Horsman (1578151, 142450), RAFVR.

[ix] Gordon Ramsey Lacey (1105V), SAAF. KIA (see text)

[x] Marthinus Theron Ackerman (328473V), SAAF. DFC LG. 09/03/45, 630 Sqdn.

[xi] Marcel Redmond Cuelenaere  (J.16384), RCAF. DFC LG. 15/06/43, 97 Sqdn. Bar to DFC LG. 04/12/45, 630 Sqdn. (born Leask, Saskatchewan 1918 – died 1995). Postwar he was a successful lawyer.

[xii] Bernard Adolf Casey (29185), GD Branch, RAF. OBE LG. 01/01/1942.

[xiii] Alfred Henry Lionel Britton (107865) A&SD Branch RAFVR. (born 02/12/1905 – died 1970 Wiltshire).

10/1944 (October 1944)

October 1944

In the early days of October an 8th USAAF B-17 Flying Fortress landed at RAF East Kirkby after an attack during which its Ball-Turret gunner had sustained wounds to his leg caused by flak, he was evacuated to RAF Hospital Rauceby before the Americans flew on to their base. 

Thursday 5th October 1944. 227 Lancasters and 1Mosquio of 5 Group were despatched to bomb the important Naval and shipbuilding own of Wilhelmshaven on the north German Baltic coast. 21 Lancasters of 630 Squadron were detailed – all armed with 10 x 1000lb ANM65 (.025) and 4 x 500lb J type clusters.

5th October 1944                    Daylight Bombing Attack on Wilhelmshaven

Take Off: at 07:43 hours Malcolm Eyre was the first airborne.

LM673-B        F/O GE Stemp

LL949-E         F/O GR Flood RNZAF

LM259-F         F/O SID Herbert RNZAF

PD317-G         F/O LF Ovens

NG145-I         F/O DA Clifford

NN702-J         F/O MA Swain

LM216-K        F/O H Grayson

NF961-L         F/S EA Thomas

ND412-H        F/O A Bates

NG125-M       F/O EI Britton

LM287-O        F/O FEH Millar RNZAF

LL966-P          F/S TB Baker RAAF

ME845-Q        F/O RG Waterfall

PB344-R         F/O JO Davies

LM260-S         S/L MA Eyre

ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF

NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF

LM637-V        F/L RF Lewis

PD254-W        F/O M Miller

NN703-X        F/O HD Archer

ND949-Z        W/O HT Ryan RAAF

Arriving over Wilhelmshaven the force encountered 10/10ths cloud which only permitted fleeting glimpses of the coastline to the north of the town. All but seven of the squadron’s crews bombed using H2S although crews unable to get a decent fix attacked ships which could be seen in the harbour. Five attacked by holding formation with other crews and bombing simultaneously. Experienced crews believed bombing might have been to the east of Wilhelmshaven. They attacked between 11:03 and 11:07 hours from 15,000 to 18,000 feet. No fighters were encountered and the flak was reorted to be inaccurate and short. Unable to identify the primary target both “U” bombed Leeuwarden and “K” bombed Jever. NF961 (Ted Thomas) landed at 13:47 hours, the last to touch down.

The 630 Squadron Operations Record Book at the National Archives records “Billy” Billing and crew flying “G-George” however this is contradicted by the RAF Museum’s 630 Squadron “Ops Record” and East Kirkby “Raid Book” which both state that “Jim” Ovens and crew flew “G-George”, both providing precise detail of their attack, bombing time, height course, etc and this is also supported by the listing of ops flown by “Jim” Ovens in the recommendation for his DFC. It has been suggested that it was a last minute change.

Alec Swain DFC
(photo thanks to Peter Swain (son)

Alec Swain and his crew had flown the last op of their tour and were promptly screened from ops as he was recommended for a DFC. Their rear gunner 21 year old Geoff Bate from Aston in Birmingham who had flown some ops before joining the crew had finished his tour and been posted away in August having been recommended for a DFC, the remainder of the crew broke up as they were posted to new duties in the weeks that followed.

Doug Packman (Flight Engineer in Alec Swain’s crew) (thanks to Doug Packman)

Friday 6th October 1944. In the last of 32 major attacks against Bremen 246 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitoes of 1 and 5 Groups set out again for the north German coastline. 18 of Six-thirty’s Lancasters were detailed for the mission – 2 armed with 1 x 4000lb HC and 9 x 1000lb ANM59, each of the others with 3,000 x 4lb incendiaries. A minelaying operation was also detailed.

6th /7th October 1944                          Night Bombing Attack on Bremen

Take Off: at 17:34 hours New Zealander Ross Flood was the first of 630 Squadron to take off .

LM673-B        F/O GE Billing

LL949-E         F/O GR Flood RNZAF

PD317-G         F/O SA Nunns                                    (W/O HT Ryan RAAF)

NG145-I         F/O DA Clifford

NN702-J         F/S EA Thomas

LM216-K        F/O M Grayson

NF961-L         F/O TB Baker RAAF

NG125-N        F/O EI Britton

LM287-O        F/O FEH Millar RNZAF        (F/O LF Ovens)

ME845-Q        F/O RG Waterfall

JB290-C          F/O A Bates

ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF

NG123-U        F/O GE Stemp

LM637-V        F/L RF Lewis

PD254-W        F/O M Miller

NN703-X        F/O HD Archer

PD327-Y         F/O EC Harris RNZAF

LM260-S         S/L MA Eyre

Ross Flood in “E” had to jettison his bomb load over the North Sea and return early with their pitot head unserviceable. Over the target weather conditions were clear with excellent visibility and crews believed that the markers were accurately placed, 1,021 tons of bombs were dropped of which 868 tons were incendiaries. 630 Squadron’s crews attacked the green target indicators between 20:25 and 20:32 hours from 17,750 to 18,500 feet. The attack went as planned aside from serious interference on VHF. Joe Barton, Eric Britton’s bomb aimer aboard “N-Nan” encountered technical problems and the crew jettisoned their bomb load in the target area. A large area of fire was seen on both banks of the river and flak defences were strong, active and accurate with several aircraft sustaining damage, search lights were also reported numerous and active.

Several fighters were in position over the town and “V-Victor” flown by Rendel Lewis was in combat with a JU88 which was claimed as damaged by his gunners Sergeants Reg Bennett (mid-upper) and Joe Morgan (rear gunner). No combat report had been located.

George “Billy” Billing in LM673 was the last of Six-thirty to land at 23:10 hours.

Serious damage was caused in this attack to he AG Weser ship building yards where u-boats and other warships were built, to two Focke-Wulf aircraft factories, the Siemens-Schuckert electrical works and several associated war industries. A German report states that the transport network was seriously disrupted.

On the same night 3 aircraft were detailed to participate in an operation to lay mines in the “Young Yams” area, two carried 6 x G718 mines and one carried 1 x D46, 1 x 406.B230, 1 x G716 variant, 1 x B230, 1 x D406 and 1 x G716.

6th /7th October 1944                          Night Minelaying in “Young Yams”

Take Off: at 17:48 hours Bill Gordon (PB344) was the first of the minelayers to take off and Kiwi Ian Herbert the last of them to return at 22:01 hours.

LM259-F         F/O SID Herbert RNZAF 

LL966-P          F/O JO Davies

PB344-R         F/L WH Gordon

Weather was fine with excellent visibility and coastal features were clearly identified. There was no opposition and between 20:14 and 20:27 the mines were dropped as required from 1,500 feet.

At Bardney on 7th October No.5 Group formed another new Lancaster squadron, actually reforming 227 Squadron which had earlier operated Beaufighters in anti-shipping operations in the Mediterranean and Aegean. The new 227 Squadron was to be immediately operational and as such received 9 Squadron’s “A” Flight and 619 Squadron’s “B” Flight supplemented by experienced crews from elsewhere within the Group. Six-thirty contributed the crews of New Zealanders Tony Wilson (4 ops) and Ian Herbert (21 ops) accompanied by those of Arthur Bates (11 ops) and Eric Britton (8 ops). Both the Britton and Herbert crews were shot down on 4th December and Tony Wilson was shot down on 18th December whilst flying with another crew.

Saturday 7th October 1944. 121 Lancasters and 2 Mosquitoes of 5 Group attacked the sea wall east of Flushingas a part of a tactic to flood the surrounding land which was below sea-level and had been recovered from the sea. 630 Squadron had 16 Lancasters detailed for the operation – all armed with 14 x 1000lb (1 hours).

7th October 1944                    Daylight Bombing Attack on Walcheren Dykes

Take Off: at 11:47 hours the first airborne was Henry Archer in NN703.

NG123-U        F/O GE Billing

LL949-E         F/O GR Flood RNZAF

PD317-G         F/O SA Nunns

ME739-T         W/O HT Ryan RAAF

NG145-I         F/O H Grayson          

NN702-J         F/O EA Thomas

LM637-V        F/L RF Lewis

NN703-X        F/O HD Archer

LL966-P          F/O JO Davies

ME845-Q        F/O LF Ovens

PD327-Y         F/O EC Harris RNZAF

PB344-R         F/O FE Millar RNZAF

NF961-L         F/O A Bates

LM260-S         S/L MA Eyre

LM216-K        F/O SID Herbert RNZAF

PD254-W        F/O M Miller

Conditions for the attack were perfect, the weather was clear and visibility excellent,  red TI’s were accurately placed in the middle of the Dyke on the seaward side. After a first run up the wind estimation was adjusted and later sticks of bombs fell directly across the dyke. Some bombs exploded immediately despite their long delay settings and caused obvious damage, holes could also be seen where LD bombs had gone into the dyke. 630 Squadron’s crews attacked between 12:32 and 12:39 hours from 6,900 to 8,500 feet virtually all making a visual attack. Accurate flak defensive fire came from Flushing and Breekobs, and 16 aircraft showed flak damage. The sea walls were successfully breached. Edward Thomas and crew were the last to return at 14:51 hours.

Photo taken from Jimmy Ovens’ ME845-Q shows (top right) the sea wall being breached.

Wednesday 11th October 1944. 160 Lancasters and 20 Mosquitoes of 1 and 8 Group attacked Fort Frederik Hendrik gun batteries at Breskens on the south bank of the Scheldt whilst 115 more 5 Group Lancasters attacked guns near Flushing on the north bank. 61 more 5 Group Lancasters and 2 Mosquitoes attacked the sea-walls at Veere on he north-east coast of the Island. 15 of Six-thirty’s aircraft and crews were detailed for the operations, 9 to attack Flushing Docks and 6 to attack the sea wall north of Veere – all were armed with 12 x 1000lb AN-M59 and 14 x 500lb ANM64 (.025)  bombs. 

11th October 1944      Daylight Bombing Attack on Walcheren (Docks & Veere)

Take Off: At 13:00 hours Steve Nunns crew in PD253 were the first airborne.

PD253-D         F/O SA Nunns

ND412-H        F/O EJ Monk

NN702-J         F/O HT Ryan RAAF

LL966-P          F/O TB Baker RAAF

ME845-Q        F/O DA McGillivray RNZAF

LM260-S         S/L MA Eyre

ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF

NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF

PD254-W        F/O M Miller

NG145-I         F/O DA Clifford

PB344-R         F/L WH Gordon

LM287-O        F/L RF Lewis

PD327-Y         F/O GE Billing

ND949-Z        F/O JO Davies

LL949-E         F/O GR Flood RNZAF

5/10ths cloud hung over the primary target at 3,000 feet but visibility was good. The squadron’s crews identified the target visually and bombed the sea wall north of Veere from 14:41 to 14:43 hours from 6,000 to 6,800 feet and the sea wall at Flushing between 14:47 and 14:54 hours from 6,800 to 7,800 feet. A good concentration of bomb bursts were evident in the northern part of the dockyards and towards the end of the attack the aiming point was no longer visible due to bomb bursts. Flak was negligible and no fighters were seen. 630/E didn’t see the markers until too late and bombed the dyke visually, south of the canal mouth at Veere. ND412 (“Jerry” Monk) was the last aircraft back to East Kirkby at 16:20 hours.

On 14th October 1944 Wing Commander John Grindon[i] took command of 630 Squadron. A 27 year old from Newquay in Cornwall, Grindon’s father had been killed at Ypres less than a month after his birth, graduating from RAF Cranwell in 1937 he joined 98 Squadron flying Hawker Hinds and shortly before the outbreak of war 150 Squadron flying Fairey Battles. Serving in France during the Phoney War he was posted to the UK on a Navigation course shortly before the Fairey Battle equipped squadrons were annihilated and following that to Canada as an instructor with 34 OTU at Pennfield Ridge, New Brunswick. John Grindon maintained a barrage of requests to return to operational flying until July 1944 when he was posted to 106 Squadron to replace a Flight Commander who had just failed to return. Having flown 13 ops with 106 Squadron and proven himself a very able flight commander he had gained sufficient operational experience to take command of 630 Squadron. Wing Commander Blome-Jones left the station promptly to take up a staff position.

Group Captain John Grindon DSO AFC (thanks to G/Capt John Grindon)

Eric Harris’ crew were allocated NG123 “U-Uncle” as “their own” and immediately commissioned nose art worthy of an 8th USAAF B-17. Adorned with a reclining blonde nude beneath “Oh U Beauty” their Lancaster is recognisable on many photos from that stage onwards.

Welcomed back at East Kirkby with a “bash” in the mess celebrating their successful evasions and time with the French Resistance after being shot down over France in mid March and late July respectively, Len “Barney” Barnes and Bill Adams USAAF arrived back with 630 Squadron. Both quickly re-formed crews from available bods and were soon back on Battle Orders to complete their tours, Barnes immediately opted to make another trip as Second Dickie to “get his hand in” in the light of the changes to ops since he’d last flown. Quickly making friends with Flying Officer John Black[ii] a senior air gunner about to commence his second tour, having no mid-upper gunner for his new crew Barnes was delighted to have Johnny Black join him.

Len Barnes. (photo thanks to Gill Meredith)

Saturday 14th October 1944. 5 Group tried to destroy Brunswick 4 times in 1944 and finally accomplished that aim in its coming operation mounted by 233 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitoes. 20 of the squadron were detailed to participate, all armed with 2 x 1000lb MC and 16 x No.14 Mk.I clusters.

14th/15th October 1944           Night Bombing Attack on Brunswick

Take Off: at 22:25 hours SAAF pilot Desmond Reynolds in NF961 was first to take off from East Kirkby. Ross Flood apparently flew “J” borrowed from 57 Squadron.

PD253-D         F/O GE Billing

ME626-57       F/O GR Flood RNZAF

PD317-G         F/O EJ Monk

ND412-H        F/O H Thompson

NG145-I         F/O GE Stemp

NN702-J         F/S EA Thomas

LM216-K        Lt DS Turner SAAF

NF961-L         Lt DCB Reynolds SAAF

LM287-O        F/O LF Ovens

LL966-P          F/O HT Ryan RAAF

ME845-Q        F/O RG Waterfall

PB344-R         F/L WH Gordon                     (F/O LA Barnes)

LM260-S         S/L MA Eyre

ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF

NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF

LM637-V        F/L RF Lewis

PD254-W        F/O M Miller

NN703-X        F/L HD Archer                       (F/S GH Cowan)

PD327-Y         F/O TB Baker RAAF

ND949-Z        F/O JO Davies

The marking was punctual and red TI’s were assessed as 200 yards west of the aiming point so crews were ordered to bomb the eastern edge of the grouping of red TI’s. A good concentration of bombing resulted in the town being well ablaze by the time the attack ended. Crews of 630 Squadron attacked between 02:26 and 03:38 hours from 18,200 to 19,000 feet and on their return complained that some squadrons had jettisoned considerable quantities of incendiaries along the route home for the first 50 miles which gave great assistance to enemy fighters and ground defences. Two aircraft sustained flak damage over the target and there were 4 combats with enemy fighters but no claims or damage. Ted Thomas landed NN702 at 07:41 hours, the last to touch down. The centre of Brunswick was gutted and German reports state that 150 hectares of the town were hit.

LM216 “K for Kitty” 83 ops (courtesy WL Goodwin)

Sunday 15th October 1944. 630 Squadron were detailed to contribute 2 Lancasters and crews to a minelaying operation in the “Silverthorn” area. Each carried 6 x Mk.IV mines.

15th/16th October 1944                       Night Minelaying in the Kattegat

Take Off: at 18:40 hours Henry Archer was the first away, he landed at 01:00 hours at Syerston, shortly after Bill Gordon touched down at Strubby.

LL966-P          F/L WH Gordon

NN703-X        F/L HD Archer

An unsuccessful sortie as both aircraft had H2S failures and couldn’t identify landmarks visually in 7/10ths cloud cover so returned with their loads intact. One source states that the Archer crew flew “I-Item” on this night.

Twenty-four year old Dennis Brammer[iii] from Stone in Staffordshire and his crew who had recently joined the squadron from training were in the early stages of operational readiness exercises. Brammer went to school at Henley High School and then Alleyne’s Grammar School also in Stone. On leaving school in April 1938 he joined the staff of National Provincial Bank as a probationery clerk at their Worcester branch, being promoted to junior clerk in July 1938 and then to clerk in July 1940. In July 1941 he left the bank to join the RAF and after training in Canada earned his wings and a commission in March 1943.

Tuesday 17th October 1944. 5 Group returned to the sea wall at Walcheren despatching 47 Lancasters and 2 Mosquitoes. 5 aircraft of Six-thirty were detailed, each armed with 14 x 1000lb MC (Delayed fuse).

17th October 1944      Daylight Bombing Attack on West Kapelle Sea Dykes

Take Off: at 12:42 hours Rendel Lewis and crew in NN703 were the first airborne.

JB290-C          F/O LA Barnes

NG145-I         F/O DA Clifford

LM216-K        F/O GE Billing

NG123-U        F/S GH Cowan

NN703-X        F/L RF Lewis

The weather was clear, cloudless and visibility very good. A red TI was accurately placed and crews were able to identify the target visually between 14:00 and 14:15 hours. 630 Squadron attacked promptly between 14:00 and 14:01 hours from 5,000 to 5,700 feet. The majority of bombs fell between the existing breach in the sea dyke and the red TI with several sticks of bombs straddling the dyke. Flak at the target was negligible with only a few light guns and one heavy gun firing from positions north of the town, one aircraft received flak damage, no enemy fighters were seen. “Billy” Billing was the last to touch doen at 15:23 hours.

That night on a routine night cross country navigation exercise a newly arrived crew crashed and sadly were all killed

Lancaster I,  NF961  (Codes LE – L)

Pilot                 – F/O Dennis Archibald Brammer. Age 24                 †

Flight Eng       – Sgt Leonard George Cook . Age 20                         †

Navigator        – W/O Gerald Joseph Davies . Age 34                        †

Bomb Aimer   – Sgt William Albert White. Age 21                          †

Wireless Op     – Sgt Dennis Gordon Holyoak . Age 21                     †

Mid Upper      – Sgt John Christopher Fitzpatrick. Age 21                †

Rear Gunner    – Sgt Clifford John Evans. Age 35                             †

NF961 crashed at approximately 02:35 hours possibly due to icing, on Harfa Bank near Osmotherly about 6 miles north-east of Northallerton.  Four of the crew are buried at Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery, the pilot was buried at Stone Cemetery in Staffs, the wireless operator at Birmingham (Yardley) Cemetery and the rear gunner at Bridgend Cemetery in Wales.

The Brammer crew
(photo thanks to Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage, East Kirkby)
A relic of Lancaster NF961 (thanks to Karen Shortland – specialist researcher)
A relic of NF961 (thanks to Karen Shortland – specialist researcher)

Thursday 19th October 1944. 263 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitoes of 5 Group returned to Nuremburg to attempt the knock out blow on the city which had avoided total destruction on several previous raids. 20 aircraft of 630 Squadron were detailed each armed with 1 x 2000lb HC and 12 x 500lb J-type clusters.

19th/20th October 1944           Night Bombing Attack on Nuremburg

Take Off: 17:18 hours Ross Flood and crew took of in LL949 “E”.

JB290-C          F/O HT Ryan RAAF

PD253-D         F/O GE Billing

LL949-E         F/O GR Flood RNZAF           (W/O JW Langley)

PD317-G         F/O EJ Monk

ND412-H        F/O H Thompson

NG145-I         F/O DA Clifford

NN702-J         F/O GE Stemp

LM216-K        Lt DS Turner SAAF

LM287-O        F/O LF Ovens

LL966-P          Lt DCB Reynolds SAAF

ME845-Q        F/O RG Waterfall

PB344-R         F/L WH Gordon                     (F/O A McGuffie)

LM260-S         Lt W Adams USAAF

ME739-T         F/O RA Stone RNZAF

NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF

LM637-V        F/L RF Lewis

PD254-W        F/O LA Barnes

NN703-X        F/L HD Archer                       (F/O JW Hoare RAAF)

PD327-Y         F/S GH Cowan

ND949-Z        F/O JO Davies

The aiming point had not been marked, almost total cloud cover was over Nuremberg, so the controller ordered the Back Up markers and green and red TI’s, the crews could see the markers clearly and after a 200 yard correction was ordered, a good concentration developed, fires covering a large area. VHF reception was good and the controller’s orders were clear. The squadron attacked between 20:56 and 21:04 hours from 15,600 to 19,000 feet. Ground defences were not strong and light fighter activity was reported over the target.  There were combats but no claims and flak engaged several aircraft over France on the return flight. On the return journey jet propelled fighters were reported south of Stuttgart and one crew identified n Me262. A German report confirmed that bombing destroyed 41 industrial buildings and almost 400 houses in the industrial southern districts.

For three crews it was their last op with 630 Squadron, John Davies’ crew (19 ops) and Aussie Henry Ryan (5 ops) newly formed 189 Squadron on 22nd October and actually went on 23rd, almost a week later on 29th they were followed by Flight Lieutenant Bill Gordon’s crew who had flown 24 ops with 630 Squadron, on arrival Gordon was promoted Squadron Leader and became a flight commander. A week later two more of Six-thirty’s crews would be joining them.

On 22 October Flight Lieut Freddie Spencer, recently awarded the DFC after almost 60 Ops flown during two tours, was posted to Instructional Duties. He had flown on Ops with 630 Squadron from 1 January 1944 through until 17 Sep 1944

Flight Flieut. Freddie Spencer DFC (Flight Engineer Leader)
(photo thanks to Jane Spencer, daughter)
(thanks to John Pollard, son of F/Sgt JW Pollard RAAF (Rear Gunner)

Monday 23rd October 1944. 112 Lancasters of 5 Group were despatched to attack the Flushing coastal gun batteries. 6 aircraft of Six-thirty were detailed, they were bombed-up with 14 x 1000lb AN-M65 (.025) bombs.

23rd October 1944                  Daylight Bombing Attack on Flushing

Take Off: at 15:11 hours Lieutenant Bill Adams USAAF was the first off the deck followed almost immediately by George Cowan.

PD317-G         F/O EJ Monk 

NG145-I         F/O GE Stemp

NN702-J         Lt DCB Reynolds SAAF

LM287-O        F/O LF Ovens

LM637-V        Lt W Adams USAAF

PD327-Y         F/S GH Cowan

Visibility at the target was poor and most crews had to make several orbits before they could identify the aiming points in order to make a satisfactory bombing run. The Controller gave orders to abandon the mission after he had failed to identify the target. The majority of crews did however to make bombing runs and bombs were seen straddling the gun emplacements. All of 630 Squadron crews involved in the attack did bomb between 16:29 and 16:38 hours from 4,000 to 4,800 feet. Some heavy and light flak was encountered on the approach and over the target and 6 aircraft were slightly damaged. No enemy fighters were seen. The last to return to base was PD237 (George Cowan) at 17:51 hours.

Tuesday 24th October 1944. 4 aircraft were detailed for minelaying along the established u-boat transit routes of the Kattegat.  6 x Mk.IV mines were delivered by each of the squadron’s Lancasters.

24th/25th October 1944                       Night Minelaying in the Kattegat

Take Off: at 17:25 hours ME845 (Henry Archer) lifted off from East Kirkby first.

PD253-D         F/L TG O’Dywer

ME845-Q        F/L HD Archer

PB344-R         F/O FEH Millar RNZAF

LM260-S         Lt W Adam USAAF

Millar and O’Dwyer’s mines were released at 21:41 and 21:54 hours both at 7,000 feet and Adama and Archer’s at 21:14 and 21:53 hours both from 12,000 feet. The gardening operation was classified successful. LM260 (Bill Adams) was the last to land at 01:50 hours.

T P “Pancho” O’Dwyer DFC (photo thanks to his friend Claudio Meunier)

On that minelaying sortie “Pancho” O’Dwyer’s crew completed the last op of their tour, their captain was recommended for a DFC, as was George Arkieson (Bombing Leader) who had regularly flown with the crew. The wireless op Len Wood had completed his tour some weeks earlier and had been recommended for a DFC before being transferred as an instructor. Flight Lieutenant Herbert Graham Cawdron DFM, Squadron Signals Leader, who took his place on a regular basis had been awarded his DFM with 9 Squadron in August 1942 on completion of his first tour. Several of the crew including George Arkieson and navigator Tom Collins subsequently joined 617 Squadron in January.

Graham Cawdron DFM (thanks to his family)

The next Battle Order featured the OC Wing Commander Grindon and three recently arrived crews were making their operational debuts after their captain’s had made their flights as Second Dickies. The crews were captained by Australian Jack Hoare[iv] from Shenton Park, Western Australia, John Langley[v] from Eltham in South East London with his all NCO crew and the Scots/English crew of former soldier Alex McGuffie[vi].

Saturday 28th October 1944. Not having flown operationally for several days it seems likely that 5 Group had been awaiting suitable weather conditions to attack the u-boat bunkers at Bergen in Norway. 237 Lancasters and 7 Mosquito markers were despached. 19 aircraft of 630 Squadron participated all armed with 11 x 1000lb AN-M65 bombs.

28th/29th October 1944           Night Bombing Attack on U-boat base at Bergen

Take Off: at 22:15 hours Wing Commander John Grindon flying his first Op with the squadron was the first off the deck.

PD253-D         F/L SA Nunns                         (F/O PS Weston)

LL949-E         F/O GR Flood RNZAF

PD317-G         F/O H Grayston

ND412-H        F/O H Thompson

NG145-I         F/O DA Clifford

NN702-J         F/O GE Stemp

LM216-K        Lt DS Turner SAAF

LM287-O        F/O FEH Millar RNZAF

LL966-P          F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF

ME845-Q        F/O RG Waterfall

PB344-R         W/C JE Grindon

LM260-S         F/O JW Langley

ME739-T         F/O A McGuffie

NG123-U        F/O EC Harris RNZAF

LM637-V        F/L RF Lewis

PD254-W        F/O TB Baker RAAF

NN703-X        F/O JW Hoare RAAF                 

PD327-Y         F/O DA McGillivray RNZAF

ND949-Z        F/S GH Cowan

Clear conditions were expected but cloud covered the target on arrival. The concrete submarine pens were punctually marked and at 02:00 hours the Controller ordered crews to attack from between 5,000 and 8,000 feet and bombing took place between 02:03 and 02:13 hours. Crews made two or three bombing runs but in most cases couldn’t see the red TI’s due to filthy weather. At 02:10 controller ordered “return to base”. The Operations Record Book of 630 Squadron indicates that only one crew of the squadron were able to attack but bombing records show positively that Don McGillivray’s crew bombed Red target indicators at 02:07 hours from 6,000 feet and suggest that Tom Baker and Geoff Stemp’s crews also attacked at 02:05 and 02:15 hours from 5,000 and 5,200 feet as all other crews are clearly marked “did not bomb”. Ground defences in the area of the u-boat bunkers were light but some fighters were seen. All aircraft were diverted to alternative stations on their return and landed all across Yorkshire. Jack Hoare and crew were apparently the last to land safely at 05:59 hours when they touched down at Snaith.  D, I, K, Q and T landed at Burn, E, H, J, O, R, S, U, V, N, W, Z and X landed at Snaith, P landed at Carnaby, G and Y landed at base.

Monday 30th October 1944. 102 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitoes of 5 Group attacked the southern West Kapelle gun batteries in support of the Walcheren campaign and the Opening of the River Scheldt. 12 Lancasters of Six-thirty were detailed for the mission, which were bombed up with 14 x 1000lb MC (1 hour delay) bombs.

30th October 1944                  Daylight Bombing Attack on Walcheren

Take Off : at 10:17 hours ME845 Reg Waterfall took off at the head of 630 Squadron.

PD253-D         F/O GE Billing

LL949-E         F/O GR Flood RNZAF

PD317-G         F/O H Grayson

NG145-I         F/O DA Clifford

NN703-J         Capt DCB Reynolds SAAF

LM216-K        S/L RE Millichap

LL966-P          F/O OJS Atkinson RAAF

PB344-R         Lt DS Turner SAAF

LM260-S         F/O JW Langley

LM637-V        F/O JW Hoare RAAF

PD327-Y         F/O DA McGillivray RNZAF

ME845-Q        F/O RG Waterfall

Weather was clear and visibility good in the target area when the attackers arrived.

The red Target Indicators were assessed as accurate by the Controller and most of the bombing was concentrated on these TI’s. 630 Squadron crews attacked between 12:14 and 21:21 hours from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. Crews reported that the TI’s landed in sand dunes and could be difficult to see. No opposition of any kind was met.  The following day Canadian and Scottish troops accompanied by Commandos sailed their landing craft into the breaches which Bomber Command had created in the sea walls and after a week of fighting the island fell. The last to return to East Kirkby was PD253 flown by “Billy” Billing at 13:51 hours.

Roy Millichap DFC (thanks to Jim Cave)

For the crew of Roy “Chappy” Millichap who had joined the squadron mid-tour when the services of an experienced senior pilot were required as flight commander, they had flown their last op with the squadron. All of their recent 16 ops had been carried out aboard LM216 “K” and they were now split up. Tom Scrivener, navigator and mid upper and rear gunners Eric Darton and David Schwab were promptly posted to training units as instructors, the remainder of the crew trickled away from East Kirkby gradually, their captain’s DFC was announced in early December and finally in January Roy Millichap handed over his position as flight commander and was himself posted. Millichap remained in aviation and post-war attained the position of Flight Superintendent for BOAC’s fleet of Constellations receiving a Queens Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air in the 1957 New Years Honours List for his work in that capacity.

At the end of October 1944 the mixed Australian, Canadian and British crew of 20 year old Flying Officer Richard Scott RAAF were posted to 630 Squadron having been cleared for Ops by S/Ldr Lawrence Pilgrim DFC at No.5 Lancaster Finishing School, he followed them to the Squadron six months later to commence another tour of Ops as Flight Commander.

Richard Scott RAAF (Australian Official)

Richard Scott’s crew cleared by 5 LFS for operations.

[i] John Evelyn Grindon (33206), RAF. DSO LG. 17/07/45, 630 Sqdn.

[ii] John Black (1319289), RAFVR. DFC LG. 26/10/45, 630 Squadron. MinD LG. 08/06/44.

[iii] Dennis Archibald Brammer (1037153, 151568), RAFVR. KIFA (see text)

[iv] Jack William Hoare (A.427473), RAAF. DFC LG. 07/12/45, 630 Sqdn.

[v] John William Langley (1330135, 184936), RAFVR. Interned Sweden 14/01/45 (see text).

[vi] Alexander McGuffie (658409, 179533), RAFVR.