Batten, Hector Austin Charles
Personal Information
Rank | F/L |
Forename(s) | Hector Austin Charles |
Surname | Batten |
Gender | M |
Age | |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 31-05-1942 |
Next of Kin |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington IA |
Serial Number | N2894 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
Burial/Memorial Place | Apeldoorn (Ugchelen-Heidehof) General Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Plot 4. Grave 138. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 128 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 61948 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | |
Squadron | CGS |
Trade | Observer |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 30-05-1942 |
End Date | 31-05-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Feltwell |
Day/Night Raid | Night (99% moon) |
Operation | Cologne. 1047 sortie raid- the first of the 1000 Bomber Raids. 1455 tons of bombs dropped, one third being incendiaries. Local reports state that there were 1700 large fires but no firestorm unlike Rostock and Lubeck since Cologne was a modern city with buildings not constructed of wood. Over 300 firms reported significant loss of production, 36 of which were considered large companies. The only military target hit was a flak barracks. Around 480 deaths reported and over 45000 bombed out. A further 130-150000 fled the city. 41 aircraft lost- approx 4% |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed at Klarenbeek, Holland |