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10/11th August, 1943; NUREMBURG:
Over 650 heavy bombers made a successful attack on the centre
and southern areas of the city. 49 Squadron sent 12 aircraft
on the raid... 11 made good their attacks, but the twelfth never
made the target: ED625 B-Baker being flown by P/O Johnny Moss
and crew was on course for Nuremburg when disaster struck.
Sgt Len Bradfield, bomb aimer, recalls the Lancaster’s final
moments:
"We were on time and flying at 21,000 feet when attacked
by two JU 88s. The first came in from 4 o'clock high hitting
and setting fire to the port outer engine; the second came from
astern, 6 o'clock level. He raked the fuselage and during this
action, the cannon fire may have killed both our gunners, Terry
Wood in the mid upper turret and Ronnie Musson in the rear. The
bomb bay was set on fire and Johnny immediately ordered the crew
to bale out. At the time, Sammy Small our wireless/op had gone
back to see if he could help the gunners. I went out through
the nose hatch as the remainder made their way into the nose
behind me."
As Len left the stricken bomber he could see enemy tracer still
striking the Lancaster... then suddenly, the bomb load exploded
in a blinding flash. Seconds later, the pilot found himself floating
to earth on an open parachute. His last recollections were of
holding the aircraft steady as the navigator and flight engineer
climbed down into the nose to bale out; at that moment the aircraft
must have exploded. Sadly just two members of the crew, Len Bradfield
and Johnny Moss survived the ordeal with their lives.
Pilot, Johnny Moss became a prisoner (Luft 3) but managed to
make his escape later in the war, joining up with American Infantry
troops.
The remaining squadron aircraft all returned
safely, but Bomber Command had lost 16 aircraft.
Lancaster ED625 (EA-B)
P/O J.H. Moss Pilot (P.o.W.)
Sgt E.H.
Roden F/E (Killed)
Sgt D.G.
Jones Nav (Killed)
Sgt R.J.
Small W/AG (Killed)
Sgt T.A.
Wood A/G (Killed)
Sgt
L.F. Bradfield B/A (P.o.W.)
Sgt C.R. Musson A/G (Killed)
Crew on their 16th operation
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