LEST WE FORGET
Air Operations: (No. 462 Squadron Halifax aircraft MZ370), Germany, 8 March 1945
Halifax MZ370 took off from RAF Foulsham at 1801 hours on the night of 8/9th March 1945 to carry out a windows and incendiary raid in the Dortmund area, Germany. Five aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and of these MZ370 failed to return.
The crew members of MZ370 were:
Warrant Officer Harold William Calman (423631) (Rear Gunner) PoW, Discharged from the RAAF: 30 October 1945
Warrant Officer John Donald Fraser (436322) (Wireless Air Gunner) PoW, Discharged from the RAAF: 2 December 1946
Flight Sergeant Peter William Clayton Hutton (434743) (Special Duties (WOP)) PoW, Discharged from the RAAF: 8 April 1946
Flight Lieutenant Frank Herbert James (427482) (Pilot) PoW, Discharged from the RAAF: 16 April 1946
Flight Sergeant Thomas Patrick Ledwith (38427) (Mid Upper Gunner) PoW, Discharged from the RAAF: 5 December 1945
Warrant Officer Trevor Hector McFarlane (417654) (Navigator) PoW, Discharged from the RAAF: 10 October 1945
Sergeant S G Rother (3030064) (RAFVR) (Flight Engineer) PoW
Flight Sergeant Neville Hamlin Teede (436224) (Bomb Aimer) PoW, Discharged from the RAAF: 20 December 1945
In a later report Flight Lieutenant James stated “After leaving the target the aircraft suffered a direct hit from flak on the starboard engines at 15,000ft. The starboard outer was feathered but was unsuccessful. The aircraft was gradually losing height and the aileron control was unserviceable. At 11,000 feet instructed crew to abandon aircraft, and believe they all had abandoned before I left at 5000 feet. I was rendered unconscious when abandoning from the cockpit and recovered consciousness before landing. Suffered head injuries. Captured on landing. Released by Americans on 29/3/45. Right foot amputated in UK.”
Flight Sergeant Teede reported “Flak damaged the two starboard engines about 12 miles from the target journey out. Losing height the Captain ordered abandon, Captured on landing by Volkstrum. Aircraft crashed near Hattingen, Germany.”
Warrant Officer Fraser reported “Hit by flak and two engines on fire night of 8/3/45. Baled out near Dortmund at 8000 feet. Captain ordered bale out and acknowledged by all crew. Evaded capture and made my way through our lines. Captured on morning of 15th, 5 miles south west of Wuppertal.”
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Department of Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll