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KELLY FC
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KELLY, Francis

Aircraft Information
Aircraft Avro Lancaster I
Serial Number LM303
Markings ZN-M
Memorial information
Burial/Memorial Country Germany
Burial/Memorial Place Sage War Cemetery
Grave Reference 4. B. 9..
Epitaph IN PROUD MEMORY OF OUR ONLY SON. FONDLY REMEMBERED ALWAYS
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase 2
Panel Number 192
Enlistment information
Service Number 569345
Service Royal Air Force
Group 5
Squadron 106
Trade Flight Engineer
Country of origin if different United Kingdom
Last Operation information
Start Date 11-02-1943
End Date 12-02-1943
Takeoff Station Syerston
Day/Night raid Night
Operation Wilhelmshaven. 177 aircraft, 3 Lancasters lost (1.7%). Complete cloud cover in the target area left PFF with no choice but to use sky-marking using H2S. It was, however, very accurate leading to concentrated bombing. Crews reported a huge explosion, visible through the thick cloud that lasted over 10 minutes. Later reports indicated this was in fact the Mariensiel naval ammunition depot. The explosion devastated more than 120 acres of ground with widespread damage to the docks. This was, therefore, the first H2S success with complete cloud cover.
Reason for Loss Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed off Borkum