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21/22 June, 1944; WESSELING: There was
nothing unusual about Wednesday 21 June, 1944; the weather, as
with previous days remained dull and the slight northerly wind
kept temperatures a little chilly.
For aircrew the morning passed slowly, whilst activity on the
airfield indicated that ops were on the menu for that evening.
There had been no operations for the past five days so just after
lunch a small crowd had gathered as an airman pinned up the Battle
Order; twenty aircraft were detailed with the main briefing at
20.00hrs. For those crews listed, the usual pre-operational routine
began, then later, after a noisy meal in the Sgts' Mess and with
coffee flasks filled, crews walked or were ferried over to the
main site for specialist briefings and then the main briefing.
The tape on the wall map showed a route ending just below the
Ruhr... Germany for a change.
Two tortuous hours now for aircrew, as they awaited the take-off
time of 23.00hrs. With oleo legs compressed by their heavy bomb
loads, each Lancaster rumbled around to the active runway threshold;
a flash of green from the control caravan sent the first aircraft
(piloted by F/Lt Johnny Hill) speeding down the concrete strip.
On this, the longest day of the year, daylight still lingered
during double British summertime, even at such a late hour. As
F/Lt Hill's aircraft accelerated past the ever-present group
of well wishers, waves and gestures were exchanged by the smiling
Lancaster crew but this was to be this particular crew’s
final take-off, for within just a few short hours, all seven
members were to perish over Holland, victims of a deadly German
night-fighter.
Lancaster ME675 (EA-R)
F/L J.R. Hill Pilot (Killed)
Sgt G.F.
Witty F/E (Killed)
F/O K.W.
Jones RNZAF NAV (Killed)
Sgt T.B.
Whewell W/AG (Killed)
Sgt T.A.
Hall A/G (Killed)
F/S D.M.F. Bell B/A (Killed)
F/S G.F. Wood A/G (Killed)
Crew on their 9th operation
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