Davies, George Edward
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | George Edward |
Surname | Davies |
Gender | M |
Age | |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 25-09-1943 |
Next of Kin |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling III |
Serial Number | EH944 |
Markings | WP-A |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Hanover War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 16. H. 9. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 153 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1312886 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 90 |
Trade | WOp |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | St. Mary's Church, West Wickham, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Framed inscribed Scroll & Roll of Honour |
Memorial Text | This Book of Remembrance was dedicated on 28th May 1989 to commemorate those who lost their lives during WWII whilst serving at RAF West Wickham / Wratting Common |
Location | Weston Woods Farm, Wratting Common, Cambridgshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone, Inscribed Metal Plaque & Info Boards |
Memorial Text | RAF Wratting Common. Dedicated to the men and women who served here during WWII and to those who gave their lives "Lest We Forget" |
Location | Roadside location, Tilbury Juxta Clare, Essex |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Marble Memorial |
Memorial Text | In memory of the Airmen of XC Sqn, No 3 Bomb Group flying operations from here with the Mk 1 Stirling Bomber December 1943 until May 1943 |
Location | St. Mary & All the Saints Church, Little Walsingham, Norfolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Tablet |
Memorial Text | In loving memory of Henry Philip Lee Warner AFC DFC. Only Son of Philip Henry & Mary King Lee Warner. Actg S/L RAFVR killed in action over Germany Aug 26th 1944 in his 32nd year |
Location | Village Green, Tuddenham, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Memorial atopped with Inscribed Silver Sun-Dial |
Memorial Text | For all those who served their country as part of XC Sqn RAF |
Location | St. Mary's Church, Tuddenham, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Framed Sqn Roll of Honour |
Memorial Text | They grow not old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the Sun and in the morning, we will remember them |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/731/24 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/731/23 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 22-09-1943 |
End Date | 23-09-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Wratting Common |
Day/Night Raid | (34% moon) |
Operation | Hanover- the first of four large raids. 711 aircraft, 26 losses (3.7%). Five American B-17s also took part. Visibility was good but strong winds hampered the marking efforts and consequently the bombing by the main force. No local report is available but it is unlikely that significant damage was caused. |
Reason for Loss | Attacked by a Ju.88 over the target and immediately caught fire. The rear gunner, Sgt. W. A. Morgan, was killed. The pilot, W/O R. F. Denton, suffered severe leg injuries, the navigator, Sgt. R. W. Suddens, was injured in one hand by shrapnel, and Sgt. O. N. Jones, the flight engineer, received minor injuries. Two of the engines failed and the pilot ordered the two uninjured crew members, the bomb-aimer, 1231049 Sgt. John William Purcell, and wireless operator, 1312886 Sgt. George William Davies, to bail out. As the pilot could not operate the rudder pedals unaided, Sgt. Jones helped him while at the same time struggling to maintain power on the two serviceable engines. By the time the English coast was first sighted, fuel was running low and the three men, badly fatigued, realised that the most difficult job, landing safely, was yet to come. Most of the electrical system had failed, the radio was out of action, and the landing gear could not be lowered except by hand, an impossible task in the circumstances. Soon the lights of Wratting Common's runway were spotted, but, being unable to make contact with the aircraft, the airfield controller suspected a German intruder and switched the lights off. The fuel gauges told the three crew members that they had very little time left and they began looking for a more hospitable airfield. A few minutes later they saw one and made a straight-in approach to a successful crash landing. Only after they were rescued from the crippled aircraft did they discover that they were at RAF Lakenheath. Sadly, William Davies did not survive the parachute drop and is buried in Hanover War Cemetery. Sgt. Purcell was incarcerated in Stalag Luft VI with PoW number 652. |