O'Brien, John Leo
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | John Leo |
Surname | O'Brien |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 30-01-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of James and Martha Catherine O'Brien, of Yargullen, Queensland, Australia. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster II |
Serial Number | DS735 |
Markings | JI-A |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 8. Z. 37. |
Epitaph | WE LOVED HIM IN LIFE, LET US NOT FORGET HIM IN DEATH |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 220 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 425740 |
Service | Royal Australian Air Force |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 514 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Australia |
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
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1979/9 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1977/5 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 30-01-1944 |
End Date | 31-01-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Waterbeach |
Day/Night Raid | Night (36% moon) |
Operation | Berlin. 534 aircraft without diversionary raids. 33 aircraft Lost (6.2%). Initial German attempts to intercept with night-fighters failed and the bomber stream was well on the way to Berlin before they met with any resistance. Complete cloud-cover over Berlin but concentrated damage in the centre nonetheless with additional widely scattered bombs. At least 1000 deaths on the ground, 2 industrial premises completely destroyed and a further 15 seriously damaged. The Propaganda Ministry was hit, as was the railway infrastructure |
Reason for Loss |