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NICHOLSON JE 467
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NICHOLSON, Jack

Aircraft Information
Aircraft Short Stirling III
Serial Number BF564
Markings JN-W
Memorial information
Burial/Memorial Country Germany
Burial/Memorial Place Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery
Grave Reference Coll. grave 6. E. 12-19..
Epitaph TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WE LOVE IS NOT TO DIE
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase 2
Panel Number 219
Enlistment information
Service Number 1800467
Service Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Group 3
Squadron 75 (NZ)
Trade Air Gunner
Country of origin if different United Kingdom
Last Operation information
Start Date 23-08-1943
End Date 24-08-1943
Takeoff Station Mepal
Day/Night raid Night
Operation Berlin. 727 aircraft, 56 losses (7.9%)- the greatest loss in a single raid so far in the war. Sequential marking was used to keep the main force on course. A Master Bomber approach was also used (W/C J E [Johnny] Fauquier). PFF were unable to locate the centre of Berlin using H2S and instead marked the southern suburbs. The main force arrived late and many cut a corner, making their arrival point incorrect. As might be expected for Berlin, the flak and fighter defences were formidable. Nevertheless, this was the most serious raid on Berlin so far in the war. Much of the government district was badly damaged and 20 ships were also sunk. 854 people were killed, many of whom had failed to take refuge in air raid shelters.
Reason for Loss Crashed at Märtensmühle, SE of Potsdam, Germany