Brown, Joseph Henry
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Joseph Henry |
Surname | Brown |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 08-10-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Arnold and Catherine Anne Brown, of Boston, Lincolnshire. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
Serial Number | JB174 |
Markings | OF-S |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 144. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 137 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1138903 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 8 |
Squadron | 97 (Straits Settlements) |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Church of the Holy Spirit, RAF Coningsby, Coningsby, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window |
Memorial Text | A stained glass window remembering 97 Sqn in the Church of the Holy Spirit, RAF Coningsby |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/767/20 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/767/19 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 08-10-1943 |
End Date | 09-10-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Bourn |
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 | Flak damage, leading to a violent explosion, which tore the nose and outer part of the port wing away and led to a fierce fire in the fuselage. The aircraft went into a spin as the pilot Lost control. He was unable to issue to order to bale out since his helmet was torn off in the explosion |