The graves of three members of the crew of the
166 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Lancaster ED 372, coded AS-)
27 September 1943 |
Took off at 19:21 hrs to bomb Hanover. On board the aircraft and in addition to the seven crew members, were two members of the RAF Film Unit, Fl/Lt. James Hill who was also a navigator and Norwegian Air Force "Fendrik" or Second Lieutenant, Finn Bergan who was also an air gunner.
Whilst 27 aircraft of No. 8 Group made a feint attack on Brunswick and 9 Oboe Mosquitoes undertook a range test on Emden a force of 687 aircraft were despatched on a mission to bomb Hanover. Comprising 312 Lancasters, 231 Halifaxes, 111 Stirlings and 24 Wellingtons the force was accompanied by 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses of the United States Bomber Command.
Weather over the bases was fine at take off with little cloud but over the North Sea there was convection and layer cloud tops occasionally to 19000 ft. Inland over the continent the cloud broke the small amounts and over the target area it was cloudless with good visibility but with no moon.
Zero hour was 22:00 hrs and the Blind Markers were to commerce the attack at 21:56. The main force was to bomb in 6 waves beginning at Z + 2 until Z + 23.
The timing of the Blind Markers was good but the majority of them dropped their yellow TIs and flares 1 to 6 miles north of the aiming point leaving the target area insufficiently illuminated for the visual markers to identify the aiming point.
There were few reports of ground defences outside the target area apart from those aircraft well off course. Reports indicated an increase in defences at Hanover. Flak was mainly barrage and many searchlights were in operation with intense fire directed at any aircraft that was coned.
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| Joseph Rosario Arthur R. Coulombe |
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Flight Sergeant (Wireless Operator)
R/96684
abt. 1920
03 February 1943
23
106 (R.A.F.) Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force
11. F. 15.
Son of Joseph and Lorenza Coulombe,
of Berthier-enbas, Montmagny Co., Province of Quebec, Canada. |
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| Kenneth Loach |
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Sergeant (Air Gunner)
983952
abt. 1920
03 February 1943
23
106 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
11. F. 16.
Son of John William and Mary Eveline Loach,
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. |
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| Arthur William Thomas |
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Sergeant (Air Gunner)
1437035
abt. 1924
03 February 1943
19
106 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
11. F. 17.
Son of Arthur and Esther Thomas,
of Erdington, Birmingham. |
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| Philip Noel Reed |
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Sergeant (Pilot)
1098655
abt. 1920
03 February 1943
23
106 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
11. F. 19.
Son of Alfred and Mary Reed,
of Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire. |
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