Bennett, William Gerald
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | William Gerald |
Surname | Bennett |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 07-02-1945 |
Next of Kin | Son of William G. and Dora Annie Bennett, of West Croydon, Surrey. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | NP973 |
Markings | NP-P |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Reichswald Forest War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave 17. D. 12-15. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 130 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 189802 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 158 |
Trade | Navigator |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | St. James of Compostola Church, Lissett, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone & Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | Memorial to 158 Sqn, RAF Lissett 28th February 1943 - 17th August 1946 |
Location | St. James of Compostola Church, Lissett, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window & Inscribed Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | A stained glass window in memory of 158 Sqn RAF |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1050/10 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1050/9 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 07-02-1945 |
End Date | 08-02-1945 |
Takeoff Station | Lissett |
Day/Night Raid | Night (26% moon) |
Operation | Goch- to bomb enemy troops stationed around Goch in preparation for a ground attack by British XXX Corps. 464 aircraft, 2 losses. The Master Bomber ordered to main force to bomb from below the cloud ceiling- only 5000', so bombing opened accurately. Smoke eventually made control of the raid impossible and the Master Bomber called it off after the 155th bomber had dropped its bomb load. Considerable damage was caused and the death toll was low (30), suggesting that most of the locals had left the town. Many forced labourers who had been drafted in to fortify the town died, however. |
Reason for Loss | Reached the target but the Master Bomber called off the raid. Collided with a 77 Sqn Halifax (MZ689 KN-Z) whereupon the pilot ordered the crew to bale out. Only three were able to do so before the aircraft crashed between Lüllingen and Geldern, Germany |