Curle, Robert
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Robert |
Surname | Curle |
Gender | M |
Age | 20 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 02-12-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Alexander and Christina Curle, of Falkirk, Stirlingshire. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster II |
Serial Number | DS738 |
Markings | JI-J |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 146. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 151 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1568236 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 514 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Church of St. John the Evangelist, Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Memorial and RoH |
Memorial Text | Roll of Honour and memorial to the members of 514 Sqn who served at RAF Waterbeach 1943-1945 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 02-12-1943 |
End Date | 03-12-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Waterbeach |
Day/Night Raid | Night (34% moon) |
Operation | Berlin. 458 aircraft, 40 losses (8.7%). No diversionary raids and the force took a direct route to Berlin. The German controller anticipated Berlin as the target 18 minutes before zero hour and had amassed a considerable number of night-fighters in good time. An incorrect weather forecast caused difficulties in marking the target and the unexpectedly high winds also scattered the main force, allowing many to be picked off by the night-fighters, particularly on the home leg. Nonetheless, two Siemens factories were badly damaged along with a ball-bearing factory and some railway assets. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night fighter over Potsdam approaching target area, possibly tby Lt. Alfred Koerver of Stab.II or 7/JG302 at 2011 hours. According to the Bomb Aimer, F/Sgt. John David Alford RAAF, the port fin and rudder were shot away, port wing petrol tank set on fire, undercarriage hydraulics damaged and there was possibly damage to the rear turret. It is thought that the Rear Gunner, Sgt R. Curle, was killed as he did not respond to the order to bale out. The port wing was on fire and the aircraft entered a dive. It is thought that the pilot, F/L Guy Hinde, from Rhodesia, was thrown clear. All crew survived as PoW except for Sgt Curle. |