Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | JD207 |
Markings | ZA-V |
Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
Burial/Memorial Place | Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Plot EE. Grave 77.. |
Epitaph |
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 121 |
Service Number | 148756 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 10 |
Trade | Air Bomber |
Country of origin if different | United Kingdom |
Collins W (Sgt) |
Downey G (F/O) |
Hightower C E (P/O) |
Jones W (P/O) |
Start Date | 25-07-1943 |
End Date | 26-07-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Melbourne |
Day/Night raid | Night |
Operation | Essen. 705 aircraft, 26 losses (3.7%). The commander of the American 8th Air Force was an observer in this raid, aboard an 83 Sqn Lancaster. Window was once again used and the raid was a success with much damage to the industrial eastern part of the city. In particular, the Krupps facility was dealt what was probably the worst blow of the war. Dr Krupp suffered a stroke the following morning from which he never recovered (he would otherwise have been charged with war crimes after the war). 51 other industrial buildings and 2852 homes were destroyed. 500 people were killed, including 22 children. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter while homebound and crashed near Oisterwijk, Holland |