WATSON JA 076
Watson, James Andrew Died
Personal Information
| Rank | F/L |
| Forename(s) | James Andrew |
| Surname | Watson |
| Gender | M |
| Age | 21 |
| Decorations | MiD |
| Date of Death | 28-04-1944 |
| Next of Kin | Son of Robert Scott Watson, M.C., and Mary Kathleen Watson, of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
| Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
| Serial Number | ND781 |
| Markings | GI-R |
Memorial Information
| Burial/Memorial Country | France |
| Burial/Memorial Place | Choloy War Cemetery |
| Grave Reference | 1A. B. 23. |
| Epitaph | IN LIFE, IN DEATH, O LORD, ABIDE WITH ME |
IBCC Memorial Information
| Phase | 2 |
| Panel Number | 261 |
Enlistment Information
| Service Number | J/20076 |
| Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Group | 3 |
| Squadron | 622 |
| Squadron Motto | Bellamus noctu (We wage war by night) |
| Trade | Pilot |
| Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
| Location | Rural location, adjacent to D83, St-Hippolyte, 68 - Haut-Rhin Prefecture |
| Country | France |
| Memorial Type | Memorial stone & inscribed stone tablet |
| Memorial Text |
A la memoire du les A Watson RCAF, Pilote du Lancaster ND781 GI-R, 622 Sqn tombe ici dans la nuit du 27 au 28 Avril 1944. L’aprareil avait decolle de Mildenhall, Suffolk pour une missions de bombardment sur Friedrichshafen attaque par l'aviation Allemande six des sept membres d'equipage purent sauter en parachute avant que le bombardier ne s'ecrase
Translation "In memory of A. Watson, RCAF, Pilot of Lancaster ND781, GI-R, 622 Sqn, who fell here on the night of April 27-28, 1944. The aircraft had taken off from Mildenhall, Suffolk for a bombing mission on Friedrichshafen. Attacked by German Aircraft, six of the seven crew members were able to parachute to safety before the bomber crashed " |
| Location | Church of St. John, Beck Row, Suffolk |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Inscribed Slate Tablet on rear external wall of Church |
| Memorial Text | In remembrance of all who served at RAF Mildenhall and associated aerodromes in the cause of freedom, 1939-1945 |
Miscellaneous Information
| Ron Hayles, surviving mid-upper gunner: "On the 27th of April 1944, 622 Squadron, RAF Bomber Command was detailed to attack Fredrichshafen, Germany, flying at about 20,000 feet and bombing the target with high explosives. The aircraft was approaching our turning point before the run into the target when it was attacked from dead astern under. The attack was a complete surprise, there was no moon, just complete darkness. The aircraft was equipped with H2S radar equipment which transmits pulses and the crew and Intelligence was not aware at the time that the Germans were able to home in on the signal. The first attack came from dead astern and under the tail, by three Junkers 88’s night fighters. As the aircraft was attacked, from the rear thuds were heard at the rear and flashes and the port elevator was badly buckled. The rear gunner was out of communications and could not direct the pilot on evasive maneuvers, so the Mid-Upper Gunner took control of directing the pilot with evasive direction. From the bursts of fire, they were under attack by at least two attacking aircraft and the gunner could not see them, so he decided to have the aircraft keep on course, rather than attempting to dive away from the attacking aircraft, which was what the attackers would be expecting. A second attack from dead astern upper, hit the starboard elevator and starboard inner undercarriage which burst into flames. As the attacking aircraft was coming in closing in from the starboard quarter level and at about 350 yards the pilot was directed to corkscrew to starboard. The immediate evasive action by the pilot, even with the badly buckled port elevator showed that this experienced pilot had the aircraft under full control. His response to evasive direction was magnificent, but the aircraft was hit about the starboard inner engine and a second later this portion of the wing burst into flames. The first impression was that the starboard inner engine was on fire but from dialogue between crew members in the cockpit, it was determined that the fire extinguisher system had been activated. The pilot was in full control of the aircraft, but the fire did not die out as was hoped for by the crew. The danger of flames was increasing all the time and the captain side slipped the aircraft to keep them away as much as possible, as the aircraft kept losing height at the same time. The flames were causing the seam aft of the starboard inner engine to melt and the pilot was informed of this, who then ordered everyone to collect their parachutes. The aircraft continued to lose height and the flames had enveloped most of the wing and half of the seam had melted, the pilot was informed of this and he ordered everyone to bale out. I then plugged into the intercom system and informed the pilot that he was bailing out and that the rear gunner was still in his turret and he would let him know we were getting out. The captain’s last words to me were “Yes, OK, but hurry, we’re at 4,500 feet, if he’s not hit he might make it. So long Ron, good luck.” I then opened the bulkhead door leading to the rear turret and saw the rear gunner turn his head towards me, I patted my parachute to indicate that we were bailing out and he understood. The aircraft was now at about 4,000 feet when I bailed out. The pilot had the aircraft under perfect control, it was still losing height in a sinking fashion and the flames had enveloped the fuselage alongside the burning wing." Ron's son is quoted as saying "Because of James Watson’s sacrifice six families have been able to have had three generations that they never would have had if he had not kept the aircraft aloft that fateful night so long ago". |
| Mention in Despatches published in London Gazette 21/2/1947. It is said that he was recommended for a VC. |
| A memorial was erected in St. Hippolyte in 2009, the dedication service being attended by numerous family members of the crew. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Last Operation Information
| Start Date | 27-04-1944 |
| End Date | 28-04-1944 |
| Takeoff Station | Mildenhall |
| Day/Night Raid | Night (29% moon) |
| Operation | Friedrichshafen. 323 aircraft, 18 Lancasters Lost (5.6%). A highly dangerous raid deep into German territory in bright moonlight and only four weeks after the disastrous raid on Nürnberg, which was still fresh in everybody's minds. The target was of high importance due to its engine and gearbox plants, mainly used for German tanks. Friedrichshafen was, however, further south and barely within reach of German fighter bases. Several diversionary raids assisted with confusing the German Controllers. This was an outstandingly successful raid with excellent marking leading to an estimated 67% of the town being devastated. The gearbox plant was completely destroyed and, according to a German report, the most damaging blow to tank production of the war. |
| Reason for Aircraft Loss | Attacked from all sides by four night-fighters at 17000'. Caught fire and crashed near the railway station at St. Hippolyte, France. The pilot bravely stayed with his aircraft to give the other crew members time to make good their escape from the stricken aircraft. All the other crew members became PoW. |