Black, John
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | John |
Surname | Black |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 09-10-1943 |
Next of Kin |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington X |
Serial Number | LN451 |
Markings | QO-W |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Hanover War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave 2. B. 8-12. |
Epitaph | NOT JUST TO-DAY BUT EVERY DAY IN SILENCE WE REMEMBER |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 131 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1331729 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 432 (Leaside) |
Trade | WOp/AG |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Miscellaneous Information
The last Wellington to be Lost in main force operations |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1860/12 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1860/11 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 08-10-1943 |
End Date | 09-10-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Skipton on Swale |
Day/Night Raid | Night (74% moon) |
Operation | Hanover. 504 aircraft and the last to include Wellingtons, none of which were Lost 27 Lancasters and Halifaxes were Lost (5.4%). The Germans had correctly assumed that Hanover was the target and there was much night-fighter activity as a result. The conditions were clear and both marking and the subsequent bombing were accurate and concentrated, with little creepback. The electrical, water and telephone services were destroyed in what was Hanover's worst attack of the war. An impressive marshalling regime on the ground concentrated the public into areas between the fires, saving many lives. Even so, 1200 people were killed and 3345 injured. almost 4000 buildings were destroyed amongst which were the Continental rubber factory and Hanomag machine works. |
Reason for Loss |