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16/17 March, 1945; WÜRZBURG:
The squadron prepared to send 17 aircraft on the 5 Group attack
to the virgin target of Würzburg. The first aircraft took
off at 17.53hrs. The operation proved to be a devastating attack
for Würzburg, by 225 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitoes of 5 Group.
Post-war reports suggest that almost 90 per cent of the built-up
area was destroyed. 6 Lancasters failed to return, of which 2
belonged to 49 Squadron.
Four members of F/O Doug Whent's (ME454) crew survived being
brought down. Sadly, Sgt Frank Haylock flight engineer, and air
gunner Sgt George Leeke were killed and are now buried in Choley
War Cemetery, France. Sgt Bert Darbyshire has no known grave
but is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial.
Lancaster ME454 (EA-E)
F/O D.I. Whent Pilot
(Survivor)
Sgt F.R. Haylock F/E (Killed)
Sgt F.P. Anderson
NAV (Survivor)
F/S
R.H. Usher W/OP (Survivor)
Sgt G.C.
Leeke A/G (Killed)
Sgt
E.J. Sullivan B/A (Survivor)
Sgt
H. Darbyshire A/G (Missing)
Crew on their 4th operation
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