The graves of the R. A. F. crew of the Lancaster II DS740, QO-Z
432 (R. C. A. F.) Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
14 January 1944 |
 |
Leaving RAF East Moor, Yorkshire at 17:02 hrs. Each aircraft from 432 Squadron loaded with a 4,000 lb. "Cookie" and 2 x 1,000 lb. GP. bombs and 10 x containers of incendiary bombs. Part of a force of 498 aircraft targeting the aircraft component and other armament manufacturing facilities in and around the city of Brunswick (Braunschweig).
Flying almost due east, the bomber stream crossed the North Sea and entered enemy held territory over North Holland. The Germans thouight that Berlin was the intended target. Turning south east toward Brunswick. Most of the combats took place after the bombing run had been completed and they were on the homeward trip. The bombers were met by many German night fighters infiltrating the stream. Although 10 were shut down before the target had been reached. The returning crews reported at least 50 combats on the bombers by night fighters.
In all, 38 aircraft were lost during the raid which turned out to be very unsuccessful in terms of damage to the target and the loss of so many aircrews.
No details of claims for DS740, indeed 25 of all the losses were confirmed as that by action from the night fighters, but no details available which aircraft such was the ferocity of the action.
Being an important industrial area the target was heavily defended by flak installations and Luftwaffe night fighters. Although weather played an important part in the failure of the operation, with low cloud, full moon and icing on the bombers. Reports state that only ten houses were destroyed, with 14 fatalities on the ground. The majority of the bombs dropped in open countryside.
Bomber Command lost 41 Lancaster and a Mosquito on this operation, either due to fighters, flak or crashing on return. 233 aircrew were killed, 43 taken PoW, 1 evaded capture with one being injured.
Please see "Aircrew Remembered" for more information and pictures. |
| Kenneth Edgar Evans | Geoffrey Vernon Holmes |
 |
Rank:
Service No.:
Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Age:
Regiment:
Grave:
Add. Information: |
Sergeant (Flight Eng.)
1605227
abt. 1925
14 January 1944
19
432 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn. R. A. F. V. R.
1. F. 3-4. Coll. Grave
Son of Edgar Edward Evans,
and of Lilian Maud Evans,
of Romford, Essex. |
Flying Officer (Navigator)
129368
abt. 1922
14 January 1944
22
432 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn. R. A. F. V. R.
1. F. 3-4. Coll. Grave
Son of Charles and
Dora Marguerite Holmes,
of Sale, Cheshire. |
To the top
| Edward Frederick Howe |
 |
Rank:
Service No.:
Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Age:
Regiment:
Grave:
Add. Information: |
Flight Sergeant (Wireless Op./Air Gunner)
1380267
abt. 1923
14 January 1944
21
432 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn. R. A. F. V. R.
1. F. 3-4. Coll. Grave
Son of Percy James Howe and Florence Mary Howe,
of Gidea Park, Romford, Essex. |
To the top
| David Thomas Lyng | Donald Arthur Rae |
 |
Rank:
Service No.:
Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Age:
Regiment:
Grave:
Add. Information: |
Pilot Officer (Navigator)
J/19590
14 January 1944
19
432 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn. R. A. F. V. R.
1. F. 3-4. Coll. Grave
|
Pilot Officer (Pilot)
J/17895
abt. 1923
14 January 1944
21
432 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn. R. A. F. V. R.
1. F. 3-4. Coll. Grave
Son of William and Elsie Rae,
of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. |
To the top
| Two further crew members were killed and are interred in the Hanover War Cemetery: |
| Charles Francis Tarr |
|
Rank:
Service No.:
Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Age:
Regiment:
Grave:
Add. Information: |
Sergeant (Air Gunner)
1068226
abt. 1915
14 January 1944
21
432 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
1. F. 1.
Son of Alfred and Harriet Evelyn Tarr,
of Gorton, Manchester,
husband of Doris Tarr. |
To the top
| Willard Henry Hoppus |
|
Rank:
Service No.:
Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Age:
Regiment:
Grave:
Add. Information: |
Warrant Officer Class II (Air Gunner)
R/105586
abt. 1918
14 January 1944
21
432 Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force
1. F. 2.
Son of Clarence Leroy Hoppus and Lottie Amanda Hoppus,
of Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. |
To the top
|
