LEST WE FORGET
Air Operations: (No. 460 Squadron Lancaster aircraft ND860), France, 4 May 1944
Other attacks designed to cripple German potential in subsequent battles (following the D-Day landings) were, however, in progress at the same time, and during May Bomber Command made heavy attacks on two of the largest German military camps in western Europe. Thus on 3rd-4th May 338 heavy bombers, including 17 from No. 460, 12 from No. 463 and 10 from No. 467 raided Mailly-le-Camp, a tank depot and park then housing considerable elements of the 21st Panzer Division, the main training centre in France for German armoured units. To ensure good results, a calculated risk was taken in dispatching this force in good visibility and bright moonlight. The Luftwaffe reacted promptly, and in very heavy engagements 42 bombers, including seven (1) from the RAAF squadrons were shot down. The bombing from between 5,000 to 8,000 feet was very efficient, however, and the damage inflicted was on a tremendous scale. In one section of the camp, out of 47 buildings housing the transport section and barracks, 34 were totally destroyed and the others severely damaged, while in another large group of barrack buildings almost all were heavily hit. The report of the commander of the 21st Panzer Division stated:
The main concentration was accurately aimed at the most important permanent buildings, the ammunition stores and an anti-aircraft battery . . . in that part of the camp which was destroyed, concentration of bombs was so great that not only did the splinter proof trenches receive direct hits, but even the bombs which missed choked them up and caused the sides to cave in . . . .
(1) Eight Lancaster aircraft from RAAF Squadrons were lost on 4 May 1944, but No. 460 Squadron Lancaster ND860 was crewed by members of No. 101 Squadron (RAF) who were from the RAFVR.
Extract from Herington, J. (John) (406545) Air War Over Europe 1944-1945, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1963 – Page 37
Lancaster ND860 took off from RAF Binbrook on the night of 3/4th May 1944 to bomb military installations in Mailley-Le-Camp, France. The aircraft was manned by a crew from No. 101 Squadron RAF. The aircraft failed to return from the mission. Post war it was established that the aircraft was shot down exiting the target and crashed in the St Remy-sous-Barbuise (Aube) area, 22 kms north of Troyes, France. All the No. 101 Squadron crew members were killed in the crash and they are buried in the St Remy–sous-Barbuise Cemetery, France.
The crew members of ND860 were:
Pilot Officer Cyril Atkinson (169678) (RAFVR) (Wireless Operator Air)
Flight Sergeant Eric Bailey (1060826) (RAFVR) (Air Gunner)
Flight Sergeant Frederick Joseph Bell (1115123) (RAFVR) (Flight Engineer)
Flight Sergeant James Charles Earl (1415516) (RAFVR) (Air Gunner)
Flight Lieutenant William Edgar Hull (125522) (RAFVR) (Pilot)
Flying Officer William Henry Widger DFM (158672) (RAFVR) (Bomb Aimer)
Flying Officer Ronald Douglas Wilson DFM (149138) (RAFVR) (Navigator)
No. 460 Squadron lost Lancaster ME740 (Flight Sergeant Herbert James George Fry (416945) (Pilot)) on 4 May 1944.
No. 460 Squadron lost Lancaster ND630 (Pilot Officer Joseph William Smart (409760) (Pilot)) on 4 May 1944.
No. 460 Squadron lost Lancaster ME728 (Pilot Officer Norman David Livingstone Lloyd (414050) (Pilot)) on 4 May 1944.
No. 460 Squadron lost Lancaster JB741 (Flying Officer Francis William Baker (54076) (RAF) (Pilot)) on 4 May 1944.
No. 460 Squadron lost Lancaster LM531 (Warrant Officer George Kenneth Gritty (1375424) (RAFVR) (Pilot)) on 4 May 1944.
No. 463 Squadron lost Lancaster LM439 (Flying Officer Graham Fryer (420654) (Pilot)) on 4 May 1944.
No. 467 Squadron lost Lancaster JA901 (Pilot Officer Colin Dickson (422038) (Pilot)) on 4 May 1944.
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Bibliography:
Firkins, P. C. (Peter Charles) (441386) Strike and Return, Westward Ho Publishing City Beach WA, 1985