O'Dowda, John Frederick
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | John Frederick |
Surname | O'Dowda |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 15-03-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Robert T. C. O'Dowda and Hermina I. O'Dowda, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | LW497 |
Markings | MH-W |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Durnbach War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave 4. F. 2-5. |
Epitaph | GOD BE WITH YOU TILL WE MEET AGAIN. GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 220 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/19976 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 51 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | O’Dowda Lake, Manitoba; Close to the southern perimeter of Caribou River Park Reserve |
Country | Canada |
Memorial Type | Lake |
Memorial Text |
Location | RAF Snaith Memorial Gardens, Pollington, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | In memory of the crew of LW497. Ops Stuttgart 15th March 1944 |
Location | RAF Snaith Memorial Gardens, Pollington, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Marble Monument, Bench & Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | In memory of the airmen of R.A.F. 51 Sqn. (687) and 150 Sqn. (205) between 1941 - 1945 |
Location | Village Hall, Pollington, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaque on external wall |
Memorial Text | 51 Sqn RAF Snaith Oct 1942 - Apr 1945 |
Location | St. John the Baptist Church, Pollington, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Sqn Crest & Roll of Honour |
Memorial Text | 51 Sqn Roll of Honour |
Location | RAF Snaith Memorial Gardens, Pollington, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Marble Monument, Multiple Inscribed Metal Plaques, Propeller Unit |
Memorial Text | In memory of the 687 airmen of 51 Sqn, 4 Gp, Bomber Command who lost their lives flying Halifax bombers Mks 2 and 3 at RAF Snaith between October 1942 and April 1945 |
Location | Stn Church, RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Roll of Honour in Wooden Case |
Memorial Text | Roll of Honour of 51 Sqn |
Location | Grounds of Selby Abbey, Selby, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Memorial Stone |
Memorial Text | 51 Sqn RAF. In proud and undying memory of all ranks killed or missing 1939 - 1945 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/493/6 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/493/5 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 15-03-1944 |
End Date | 16-03-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Snaith |
Day/Night Raid | Night (69% moon) |
Operation | Stuttgart. 863 aircraft, 37 losses (4.3%). The bomber stream made its approach through France, crossing the German border as late as possible, delaying the point at which the German fighters were able to enter the stream. PFF marking was well short of the target, possibly due to the strong winds as the conditions were clear. Although some of the early bombing fell in the city, much of the later bombing fell outside. Damage was light- 88 deaths and 203 injuries. |
Reason for Loss | Hit by flak over the target and crashed SE of Stuttgart |