Bland, Leonard Alvin
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Leonard Alvin |
Surname | Bland |
Gender | M |
Age | |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 15-03-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Frederick Robert and Margaret Bland, of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | LW542 |
Markings | LK-S |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Durnbach War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 4. F. 32. |
Epitaph | DEEP IN OUR HEARTS HE LIVETH YET, WE LOVED HIM TOO DEARLY TO EVER FORGET |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 132 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/24016 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 578 |
Trade | Air Bomber |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Adjacent to A19, Burn, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Memorial Stone |
Memorial Text | For all who served in 578 Squadron Royal Air Force Burn 1944 - 1945 |
Location | Methodist Church, Burn, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text |
Location | Selby Abbey, Selby, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | RoH in Glass topped wooden cabinet |
Memorial Text | In memory of all 578 Sqn Aircrew who failed to return from Ops at RAF Burn |
Miscellaneous Information
Sgt D J Salt, the wireless operator, was very badly injured but was found lying in snow by three German girls who insisted that the authorities render first aid before he was taken into custody. He was repatriated in February 1945 aboard the Arundel Castle and arrived in Liverpool on 6 February 1945. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2052/7 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2050/5 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 15-03-1944 |
End Date | 16-03-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Burn |
Day/Night Raid | Night (69% moon) |
Operation | Stuttgart. 863 aircraft, 37 losses (4.3%). The bomber stream made its approach through France, crossing the German border as late as possible, delaying the point at which the German fighters were able to enter the stream. PFF marking was well short of the target, possibly due to the strong winds as the conditions were clear. Although some of the early bombing fell in the city, much of the later bombing fell outside. Damage was light- 88 deaths and 203 injuries. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a Ju 88 and crashed 4 km North East of Wurmlingen, West of Tübingen (Baden-Württemberg). The victory was attributed to Fw. Helmut Bunje of 4./NJG6 - East of Wurmlingen: 6,100m at 23:19. |