Howard Edward Johnson was an American from Clawson, Michigan, who joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was an air gunner on Wellington DV941 of the 26 Operational Training Unit (O.T.U.), stationed at Little Horwood.  This Wellington was paid for by the island of Trinidad, as part of the island's contribution to the war effort.

F/S Johnson and his crew were sent on several operational missions during their stay at 26 O.T.U. The crew were involved in an attack on 13 September to Bremen. On this raid, the supply of oxygen was nearly expended halfway to the Dutch coast and they were forced to return early.

On 16 September, F/S Johnson and his crew were scheduled to fly a mission against the German city of Essen. His crew consisted of:

Sgt Lawrence Streeter RNZAF
Sgt William Archer RAF
Sgt Alexander Bartlett RAF
F/S Douglas White RCAF
F/S Howard Johnson RCAF

This raid also proved troublesome. The plane failed to climb above 10,000 feet. However, the crew reported having dropped their bombs on an aerodrome in the target area.

On the way to their base, the plane crashed into the North Sea, the exact cause of their demise is unknown. The bodies of two of the crew washed ashore and are buried in The Netherlands. Sgt Streeter is buried in Noordwijk.The others are commemorated at the Runnymede Memorial.

F/S Johnson is buried at Amsterdam New Eastern Cemetery, Plot 69. Row D. Joint grave 10.

 

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

See also:
Sgt Lawrence Streeter
Sgt William Archer
Sgt Alexander Bartlett
F/S Douglas White
 

Sources:
Mr. Jerome Lee (caribbeanaircrew-ww2.com and Caribbean Roll of Honour)
Wings Over Wing, Michael Warth, The Book Castle: Dunstable, 2001

Directions to Nieuwe Oosterbegraafplaats

Updated 19 November 2005
Updated 18 October 2011

If you have any suggestions, comments or additional information, please contact me.

This website is dedicated to the men and women who died and/or are buried in The Netherlands during World War II.

 

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