Watson, James Hendry
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | James Hendry |
Surname | Watson |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 07-01-1945 |
Next of Kin | Son of Thomas and Janet Watson, of Largs, Ayrshire. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
Serial Number | PB173 |
Markings | F2-C |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Durnbach War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 9. A. 13. |
Epitaph | IN PROUD AND CHERISHED MEMORY |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 261 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1566050 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 8 |
Squadron | 635 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Miscellaneous Information
The Germans buried six bodies (out of 14 from the two aircraft, which crashed close together) in a communal grave at Germering and the British authorities could only individually identify five of them. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2157/26 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2155/21 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 07-01-1945 |
End Date | 08-01-1945 |
Takeoff Station | Downham Market |
Day/Night Raid | Night (36% moon) |
Operation | München. 654 aircraft, 15 losses. According the Bomber Command itself, this was a successful raid with the central and industrial areas being severely damaged. The last major raid on München |
Reason for Loss | Thought to have collided with a 405 Sqn Lancaster (PB229 LQ-X). A 1948 report based on an inspection of German documents and investigations carried out at the Germering Cemetery, confirmed that the aircraft crashed at Unterphaffenhofen on 7 January 1945. The report adds that the aircraft exploded in the air and that the remains of only 2 members of the crew, Pilot Officer Wiggins and Flight Sergeant Watson were recovered. |