Bennett, Michael John Died
Personal Information
| Rank | F/S |
| Forename(s) | Michael John |
| Surname | Bennett |
| Gender | M |
| Age | 26 |
| Date of Death | 09-04-1943 |
| Next of Kin | Son of John and Annie Louise Bennett. Husband of Beatrice Adelaide Bennett, of Coventry. |
Aircraft Information
| Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
| Serial Number | ED618 |
| Markings | SR-X |
Memorial Information
| Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
| Burial/Memorial Place | Doornspijk General Cemetery |
| Grave Reference | Coll. grave 2-5. |
| Epitaph | ALL THAT THEY HAD, THEY GAVE. - THEY GAVE - IN SURE AND SINGLE FAITH |
IBCC Memorial Information
| Phase | 2 |
| Panel Number | 130 |
Enlistment Information
| Service Number | 957663 |
| Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
| Group | 1 |
| Squadron | 101 |
| Squadron Motto | Mens agitat molem (Mind over matter) |
| Trade | Navigator |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
| Location | St. Mary & St. Peter's Church, Ludford Magna, Lincolnshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Sqn Standard & Roll of Honour in wooden bookcase |
| Memorial Text | In memory of 101 Squadron 1943-45 based at RAF Ludford Magna |
| Location | Village Centre, Ludford Magna, Lincolnshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Pillar & Brass plaque on adjacent bench |
| Memorial Text | In memory of 101 Squadron 1943-45 based at RAF Ludford Magna |
| Location | The White Hart PH, Ludford Magna, Lincolnshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal on external wall of PH |
| Memorial Text | In memory of the men and women of 101 Squadron 1943-45 |
| Location | The National Aboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Monument |
| Memorial Text | This memorial is dedicated to all those who served on 101 Squadron, and honours those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We will remember you. |
| Location | In front of the mess esplanade, Mailly-le-Camp, 10 - Aube Prefecture |
| Country | France |
| Memorial Type | Stone memorial sculpture, inscribed marble tablets and inscribed metal plaque |
| Memorial Text |
En souvenir des heros de la RAF. Qui ont participe au bombardment du camp de Mailly. Unites de la RAF engagees dans le raid sur Mailly-le-Camp, la nuit du 3 au 4 May 1944. N° 9-12-44-49-50-57 61-83-97-100-101 Special Duties Flight-103-105-106-166- 169-192-207-460 (RAAF)-463 (RAAF)-467 (RAAF)-550-576-617- 619-625-626-627-640
Translation "In memory of the RAF heroes who took part in the bombing of Mailly Camp. RAF units engaged in the raid on Mailly-le-Camp, the night of 3-4 May 1944. Squadrons that took part: N° 9-12-44-49-50-57 61-83-97-100-101 Special Duties Flight-103-105-106-166- 169-192-207-460 (RAAF)-463 (RAAF)-467 (RAAF)-550-576-617-619-625-626-627-640" |
Miscellaneous Information
| Born 21 May 1916, at Birmingham. He and his wife resided at 307 Green Lane, Coventry and Michael was employed as a Departmental Manager at John Nicks Ltd. until enlisting on the 19 April 1940. |
The National Archives
| Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/802/32 |
| Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/802/32 |
Fellow Servicemen
Please note that this list gives all the losses aboard the quoted aircraft and occasionally these may have occurred on an earlier date when the aircraft was not itself lost. Please check the dates of death carefully.
| Name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Gould D (Sgt) | Died |
| Hence J (Sgt) | Died |
| O'Brien W D G (Sgt) | Died |
| Ritchie N J (F/O) | Died |
| Steele J D (W/O) | Died |
| Grundy S (F/S) | Died |
Last Operation Information
| Start Date | 09-04-1943 |
| End Date | 10-04-1943 |
| Takeoff Station | Holme-on-Spalding-Moor |
| Day/Night Raid | Night (26% moon) |
| Operation | Duisburg. 392 aircraft, 19 losses (4.8%). Thick cloud again hampered PFF marking activities and as a result the bombing was scattered. Only moderate damage reported |
| Reason for Aircraft Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter and exploded with such force that the debris also downed the night-fighter and killed the pilot (Lt Oskar Kostler) |