49
Squadron's history Dogs At War describes the
mission:
"After the frustration of no less than 8 scrubbed
operations (all due to bad weather), the squadron
eventually contributed 11 aircraft to the Main Force
attack on Duisburg.
Scampton's Lancasters began marshalling for take-off
shortly before 18.00hrs, F/O Jeffreys and crew
(ED318) being the first away. As the take-offs
continued the sky to the south of Lincoln suddenly
erupted with a blinding flash. Personnel at Scampton
and on the other bomber stations that surrounded the
city knew instantly what had happened. They had all
been reluctant witnesses of a collision between two
Lancasters. Both aircraft (W4182/9 Sqdn & W4259/44
Sqdn) had been gaining height over their Waddington
base when the disaster happened. Full of fuel,
incendiaries and 'cookies', death must have been
instantaneous for the 14 crew members. The remains
of men and bombers fell to earth near the top of
Canwick Hill and towards Bracebridge Heath.
Over 230 bombers were sent to attack the town and
dock areas. Several of 49's crews navigated to the
target by following the River Rhine. They arrived
over a well marked target, where an excellent raid
soon developed.
49 Squadron's effort can be best summed up by the
de-brief given by F/Lt Neil Green and crew (ED310):
"Attacked primary at 19.57hrs from 11,000 feet. No
cloud underneath, thin layer 8/10ths at about
14/15,000 feet. Bends of Rhine and docks clearly
visible on run up. A large fire was burning in
centre of town and against this, a largish factory
with tower and chimney. This target was so clear as
to be irresistible although it was actually on the
edge of the target area. Bombs seen to explode on
and near the factory alongside dock area - landed
22.21hrs."
A
total of 12 aircraft failed to return; 6 Lancasters,
4 Wellingtons and 2 Halifaxes.
By 23.00hrs, nine of the unit's aircraft had landed
back at base; then at 23.15hrs, F/O Armstrong
(W5773) called up, asking for permission to land.
Just one overdue... the time continued to slip
agonisingly by, until reluctantly a corporal chalked
the words 'missing without trace' against the names
of Sgt Edward Johnston RCAF and crew. Unknown at the
time, the unfortunate 21 year old pilot and his
crew, had been hit by flak as they made their way
home across Holland. The mortally damaged Lancaster
smashed onto the Dutch coastline, just south of
IJmuiden... there were no survivors."
The
crew was on its 4th mission.
Sgt
Wick is
buried in Amsterdam, Plot 69. Row D. Coll. grave
ll-13.
A Son is Kind
A Brother so True
The One we Loved, Dear
Sid
was you