LEST WE FORGET
Air Operations (No. 466 Squadron Wellington aircraft HE153), England, 15 February 1943
Date: 14-15 February 1943
Target: Cologne
Total Force: Dispatched – 243, Attacking – 207
RAAF Force: No. 466 Dispatched – 9, Attacking – 8
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 513
Total Aircraft Lost: 9
RAAF Aircraft Lost: 1
This table does not include the loss of No. 466 Squadron Wellington aircraft HE153.
On 14th-15th February while the Lancasters were at Milan, No. 466 flew with the remainder of Bomber Command to Cologne in bright moonlight. This gave good opportunities for enemy fighters which were out in strength, but watchful crews were able to see them in time to dive into the tops of cloud for protection. Warrant Officer Booy (1) outmanoeuvred a Ju-88 which twice attacked his Wellington, and his gunners finally drove it off after they had caused an explosion in the fighter. The protective cloud, however, totally obscured Cologne and another sky-marking attack was necessary. No assessment of the damage had been attempted before 26th-27th February when cloudless weather favoured a full-scale attack by Bomber Command.
(1) Flying Officer Frank Edward Booy (141711) (RAF) Killed in Air Operations No. 466 Squadron Wellington HE506: 10 April 1943
Extracts from Herington, J. (John) (406545) Air War Against Germany and Italy 1939-1943, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1954 – Pages 467-8
Wellington HE153 took off from RAF Leconfield at 1825 hours on the night of 14/15th February 1943 to bomb Cologne, Germany. The aircraft bombed the target at 2020 hours from a height of 14,000ft. On its return HE153 crashed at Warter Priory near RAF Pocklington at 0001 hours due to a fuel shortage because of difficulty manipulating the fuel cock. Sergeant Robson the Rear Gunner was killed in the crash and the other members of the crew survived but were injured and hospitalised. Sergeant Robson is buried in the Winlaton (St Patrick) Churchyard and Hookergate Cemetery, Durham, UK.
The crew members of HE153 were:
Sergeant B D Hall (1179843) (RAFVR) (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) Injured
Pilot Officer H J S Harmer (125642) (RAFVR) (Navigator) Injured
Sergeant J F Loudon (1554367) (RAFVR) (Second Pilot) Injured
Flight Sergeant William Richard Martin DFC (404837) (Pilot) Injured, Discharged from the RAAF: 3 July 1945
Sergeant Joseph Jeffrie Robson (1109207) (RAFVR) (Rear Gunner)
No. 466 Squadron lost Wellington HE164 (Flight Lieutenant William John Rennie Kirk (42007) (RAF) (Pilot)) on 14 February 1943.
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
Department of Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll