Sergeant John Charles Brittain was born in 1921 and was from Buxton in Derbyshire. He came to 97 Sqn in March 1942, while the squadron was still in its training fase and not yet operational.

Sgt Brittain and his crew was lost on the squadron's second operation, which was flown on the night of 17/18 January 1943. Target was Berlin. A total of 170 Lancasters and 17 Halifaxes went to Berlin. 11 of the Lancasters were from 97 Sqn. Two aborted the mission prematurely.

The Pathfinders were unable to mark the centre of the city and bombing fell mainly in the southern area. There was no important damage in any part of Berlin on this raid.  23 aircraft were lost and another crashed on landing.

97 Sqn RAF

The Lancaster lost from No 97 Sqn was R5575 (OF-L) piloted by SGT G.H. Rowson and crashed into the Waddensee. All seven crew members were killed.

Sgt Brittain washed ashore on the Groningen coast. He is buried at Ulrum General Cemetery. The other members of his crew are still missing and commemorated at the Runnymede memorial.
 

(picture by Wim Bastiaanse)

Ulrum, The Netherlands

Sources:
Heather Birchin's 97 Sqn Website

Acknowledgements:
RAF Squadron crest © Crown Copyright is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office

Directions to Ulrum General Cemetery

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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