Robinson, Basil Vernon
Personal Information
Rank | G/C |
Forename(s) | Basil Vernon |
Surname | Robinson |
Gender | M |
Age | 31 |
Decorations | DSO, DFC*, AFC |
Date of Death | 24-08-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Samuel Vernon Robinson, and of Eileen Marjorie Robinson, of Carlisle. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | HR928 |
Markings | TL-R |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 5. L. 11 |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 234 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 34089 |
Service | Royal Air Force |
Group | 8 |
Squadron | 35 (Madras Presidency) |
Trade | Passenger |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Roadside Location, Graveley, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Memorial Stone |
Memorial Text | Graveley Airfield 1942-1945 8 Group Bomber Command 35 Squadron Pathfinder Force 692 Squadron Light Night Striking Force R.A.F. To commemorate this airfield in honour of those who served the nation aircrew, groundstaff & WAFF of United Kingdom Dominions, C |
Location | All Saints Church, Offord Cluny, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window, Sqn Badge & Roll of Honour |
Memorial Text | Remember before God all those airmen and airwomen 3who served with 35 Squadron R.A.F. Graveley 1939-1945 |
Miscellaneous Information
He won his DSO when he flew 500 miles back from Turin in a 35 Squadron Halifax after the other six members of the crew had baled out. Had recently been appointed as station commander at Graveley. A most experienced and highly decorated pilot who came from Tyneside |
DSO Citation, London Gazette, 9 January 1942: "One day in December, 1941, a strong force of bomber aircraft carried out a determined attack on the German warships Gneisenau and Scharnhorst at Brest. The operation was carried out in the face of extremely heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire and determined attacks by enemy fighters. Nevertheless the air crews engaged pressed home their attacks to the utmost and-succeeded in scoring hits on their objectives. Several enemy aircraft were shot down. The success of the operation, which demanded the highest degree of skill and courage, reflects the greatest credit on the efforts of the following officers and airmen who participated in various capacities as leaders and members of aircraft crews". |
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/380/16 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/380/15 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 23-08-1943 |
End Date | 24-08-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Graveley |
Day/Night Raid | Night (37% moon) |
Operation | Berlin. 727 aircraft, 56 losses (7.9%)- the greatest loss in a single raid so far in the war. Sequential marking was used to keep the main force on course. A Master Bomber approach was also used (W/C J E [Johnny] Fauquier). PFF were unable to locate the centre of Berlin using H2S and instead marked the southern suburbs. The main force arrived late and many cut a corner, making their arrival point incorrect. As might be expected for Berlin, the flak and fighter defences were formidable. Nevertheless, this was the most serious raid on Berlin so far in the war. Much of the government district was badly damaged and 20 ships were also sunk. 854 people were killed, many of whom had failed to take refuge in air raid shelters. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed at Wensickendorf, NNW of Berlin. |