Wellington Bomber X3664 RNZAF

[Peter Brown]

Whilst visiting Becklingen War Cemetery Germany, amongst the many graves I was drawn to this group of seven. 

The 1st is the grave of Flight Sergeant G.M. Clark Wireless Operator Air Gunner Royal Canadian Air Force.

The Next 6 are the crew of Wellington X3664, 75 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Flight Lieutenant Wilson's Crew were formed 26th March 1942 and shot down 28/29th July 1942 whilst on mission to bomb Hamburg.

Robert Hylton Brisco Sergeant, Air Observer, aged 26.

Gordon Edwin Caitcheon Sergeant, Air Gunner, aged 28

Alan Campbell Flight Sergeant, Air Gunner, aged 22

Ronald Frazer Davis Flight Sergeant, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, aged 22

Victor Kenneth Westerman Flight Sergeant, Pilot, aged 24.

Peter John Wilson Flight Lieutenant, Pilot , aged 22.

From the Records of 75 Squadron RAF Feltwell.

OPERATIONS 28-7-42, ATTACK AGAINST HAMBURG.
Seventeen aircraft were detailed to carry out an attack on the above target. Bomb load of 4000lbs, 30lb and 4lb incendiaries was droped in target area and bursts were seen in dock area. A.A. fire was very accurate, light heavy predicted. Searchlights in cones were numerous. One JU88 was seen near target. There was 10/10 cloud in parts but clear over target.. Navigation by TR and DR was good. Six aircraft failed to return.

One of these being X3664

“When you go Home, tell them of us and say,
 For your Tomorrow, we gave our Today”

[timjonheath@gmail.com]

1 hour ago, Peter Brown said:

Whilst visiting Becklingen War Cemetery Germany, amongst the many graves I was drawn to this group of seven. 

The 1st is the grave of Flight Sergeant G.M. Clark Wireless Operator Air Gunner Royal Canadian Air Force.

The Next 6 are the crew of Wellington X3664, 75 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Flight Lieutenant Wilson's Crew were formed 26th March 1942 and shot down 28/29th July 1942 whilst on mission to bomb Hamburg.

Robert Hylton Brisco Sergeant, Air Observer, aged 26.

Gordon Edwin Caitcheon Sergeant, Air Gunner, aged 28

Alan Campbell Flight Sergeant, Air Gunner, aged 22

Ronald Frazer Davis Flight Sergeant, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, aged 22

Victor Kenneth Westerman Flight Sergeant, Pilot, aged 24.

Peter John Wilson Flight Lieutenant, Pilot , aged 22.

From the Records of 75 Squadron RAF Feltwell.

OPERATIONS 28-7-42, ATTACK AGAINST HAMBURG.
Seventeen aircraft were detailed to carry out an attack on the above target. Bomb load of 4000lbs, 30lb and 4lb incendiaries was droped in target area and bursts were seen in dock area. A.A. fire was very accurate, light heavy predicted. Searchlights in cones were numerous. One JU88 was seen near target. There was 10/10 cloud in parts but clear over target.. Navigation by TR and DR was good. Six aircraft failed to return.

One of these being X3664

“When you go Home, tell them of us and say,
 For your Tomorrow, we gave our Today”

Six aircraft failing to return-still a heavy price in brave aircrews-a very poignant post this.

[Peter Brown]

Yes the successes of Bomber Command were purchased at terrible cost.

Of every 100 airmen who joined Bomber Command, 45 were killed, 6 were seriously wounded, 
8 became Prisoners of War, and only 41 escaped unscathed (at least physically). Of the 120,000 who served, 55,573 were killed.
Of those who were flying at the beginning of the war, only ten percent survived.

Only the German U-Boat force suffered a higher casualty rate.

And all that for a government who until recently could not distance themselves any further! 

Edited March 3, 2016 by Peter Brown