LEST WE FORGET

Sergeant Russell Archie JOHNS

Service No: 402710
Born: Sydney NSW, 21 April 1921
Enlisted in the RAAF: 12 October 1940
Unit: No. 460 Squadron, RAF Station Breighton, Yorkshire
Died: Air Operations: (No. 460 Squadron Wellington aircraft Z1343), Germany, 30 July 1942, Aged 21 Years
Buried: Aylesham Cemetery, Kent
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Archie Robert and Elsie May Johns, of Roseville, New South Wales, Australia
Roll of Honour: Sydney NSW
Remembered: Panel 107, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT

Date: 29-30 July 1942
Target: Saarbrucken
Total Force: Dispatched – 291, Attacking – 245
RAAF Force: No. 460 Dispatched – 13, Attacking – 11
Tons of Bombs Dropped: 576
Total Aircraft Lost: 9
RAAF Aircraft Lost: –

Although Saarbrucken is an inland city with no very distinct geographical landmarks, the first of these attacks was extremely successful. Aided by bright moonlight and clear visibility, most of the bomber stream arrived compactly behind the incendiary force, and the absence of decoy sites led to accurate bombing. One crew from No. 50 Squadron RAF, headed by Squadron Leader C E Martin (1), took advantage of the relatively weak opposition to glide down and drop its 4,000-lb bomb from only 3,000 feet. Many sheds in the rolling mills of the Dudelinger iron works were damaged, and almost a quarter of the large Ehrhardt and Schmer engineering works was destroyed, besides extensive destruction to marshalling yards, smaller factories, and commercial buildings . Heavier opposition was met by the bombers during their return flight, and Sergeant Brittingham l of No. 460 was attacked by an Me-110, whose fire severely damaged the Wellington and killed its rear gunner before Brittingham could shake it off.

(1) Squadron Leader Charles Ernest Martin DSO DFC (402059) Discharged from the RAAF: 29 October 1945

Extracts from Herington, J. (John) (406545) Air War Against Germany and Italy 1939-1943, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1954 – Page 330

Wellington Z1343 was detailed to operate against Saarbrucken, Germany on the night of 29th July 1942. It took off from RAF Breighton at 2309 hours and carried a bomb load of 5 x 90 x 4 lb (2 kg) and 4 x 8 x 30 lb (14 kg) incendiaries. Z1343 which was one of 13 aircraft from the Squadron on the raid attacked the target at 0240 hours from a height of 10,000 feet. Many bursts were seen on the target and in the vicinity. While engaged on the operation, Z1343 was engaged by an ME 110 in position 50.04N, 04.48E. A burst of machine gun fire and cannon shell damaged the aircraft and killed the Rear Gunner Sergeant Johns. The aircraft returned safely to the UK and landed at Manston at 0420 hours on 30 July.

The crew members of Z1343 were:

Sergeant Raymond Arthur Brittingham (403160) (Pilot) Killed on Air Operations: 27 January 1943
Sergeant Russell Archie Johns (402710) (Rear Gunner)
Sergeant William Mervyn James Matchett (403396) (Navigator) Killed on Air Operations: 27 January 1943
Sergeant Robert James Rogers (1183329) (RAFVR) (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) Killed on Air Operations: 27 January 1943
Sergeant Norman Henry Simpson (401053) (Bomb Aimer) Killed on Air Operations: 27 January 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
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 163/129/217

Bibliography:

Firkins, P. C. (Peter Charles) (441386) Strike and Return, Westward Ho Publishing City Beach WA, 1985

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