Richbell, Leonard Edmund
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Leonard Edmund |
Surname | Richbell |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 03-05-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Frederick and Amy Richbell. Husband of Winifred Richbell, of Hither Green, London. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Lockheed Ventura II |
Serial Number | AE956 |
Markings | EG-H |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Hamburg Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 4A. D. 4. |
Epitaph | SUNSHINE PASSES, SHADOWS FALL, BUT LOVE AND REMEMBRANCE OUTLAST ALL |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 232 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 119220 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 2 |
Squadron | 487 (New Zealand) |
Trade | Navigator |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Miscellaneous Information
Operation Rodeo 212 was a diversionary raid by 11 Group, on Vlissingen. It cost 487 Squadron 11 Venturas |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1979/3 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1935/13 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 03-05-1943 |
End Date | 03-05-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Methwold |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Operation Ramrod 16- to attack a power station on the northern outskirts of Amsterdam. An exceptional number of experienced fighter pilots were present at Schipol airfield for a conference and they were scrambled following the earlier Spitfire sweep of the area. Nine of the aircraft were shot down, leaving a sole Ventura to press on and bomb the target (since one had turned back early). The last one was then shot down, meaning a loss rate of 90.9%- the highest of the war. S/L Trent, the pilot of the Ventura that pressed on, was awarded a VC for his bravery. |
Reason for Loss | Presumed Lost over the sea |