Askwith, Robert
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Robert |
Surname | Askwith |
Gender | M |
Age | |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 24-08-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of John Henry and Sarah Askwith, of High Throston, Co. Durham. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | JD305 |
Markings | EY-C |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 140. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 124 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 989186 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 78 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Miscellaneous Information
Sgt G E Russell, the sole survivor, was awarded a DFM in recognition of the assistance provided to the injured crew members whilst awaiting rescue |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/660/76 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/660/75 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 23-08-1943 |
End Date | 24-08-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Breighton |
Day/Night Raid | Night (37% moon) |
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 | Very badly shot about by night-fighters, causing much damage to the engines. F/O Austin made a valiant attempt to reach land but crashed into the North Sea. The surviving crew clambered aboard a fuel tank which had broken free of the fuselage but Sgt Winn fell into the water and drowned Sgt Rowen and Sgt Thewlis both died of their injuries after being picked up by an air sea rescue launch some 16 hours later. |