Mehden, Leonard Eugene
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Leonard Eugene |
Surname | Mehden |
Gender | M |
Age | 24 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 20-05-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Carl and Letitia Mehden. Husband of Jocelyne Marjorie Mehden, of Kings Cross, New South Wales, Australia. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | HK547 |
Markings | KO-F |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | France |
Burial/Memorial Place | Le Mans (West) Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Plot 38. 1939-45 Row C. Grave 15. |
Epitaph | "AVE MARIA" I SHALL ALWAYS REMEMBER MY DARLING. YOUR WIFE JOCELYNE |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 211 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 423152 |
Service | Royal Australian Air Force |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 115 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Australia |
Other Memorials
Location | Lancaster Industrial Estate, Witchford, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Pillar with inscribed Slate Tablets & Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | In honour of those who served during the Second World War 1939 - 1945 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/891/10 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/891/9 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 19-05-1944 |
End Date | 20-05-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Witchford |
Day/Night Raid | Night (7% moon) |
Operation | Le Mans. 116 aircraft, 3 lost (2.6%). A successful attack with much damage being caused to the yards. The engine sheds were completely destroyed and there was a direct hit on an ammunition train. Downed overhead lines blocked many tracks. Local casualties were mercifully light. The raid was, however, marred by the loss of some of PFF's finest: the crews of W/C Barron and S/L Dennis crashed with all members of both crews killed. Opinion is divided as to whether these aircraft collided or were brought down by flak. |
Reason for Loss | Crashed NW of the local airfield, probably as a result of light flak |