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26/27 March, 1944; ESSEN: Harris surprised
the German night fighters when he suddenly switched his attention
to the Ruhr. Over 700 bombers set out on this Sunday evening
led by 'Oboe' equipped PFF Mossies, which marked the target well.
Subsequent reports confirmed that the raid had been successful
and the loss of 9 aircraft and crews, represented just 1.3 per
cent of the force.
Of the 17 aircraft sent on this operation
15 made it safely home to Fiskerton although F/Lt Healey and
crew were shot at by a fighter over the target, and P/O Dickinson
(JB399) and crew had a large hole punched in the leading edge
between the fuselage and starboard inner engine. P/O J. Jones
(ND473) was slightly injured by a piece of shrapnel which pierced
the perspex at the left of his cockpit.
One of the two overdue aircraft, P-Peter, failed to return and
was presumed missing; in fact P/O Harold Hodgson age 22, and
his crew had all been killed over Germany and are now buried
in the Rheinberg War Cemetery. They were flying only their second
trip having been to Aulnoye the night before.
Lancaster JB680 (EA-P)
P/O H.S. Hodgson Pilot (Killed)
Sgt R.W.
Beresford F/E (Killed)
F/S P.H. Simonson RCAF NAV (Killed)
Sgt C. Bailey W/OP (Killed)
Sgt R. Millns
A/G (Killed)
P/O G.E.
Chute RCAF A/B (Killed)
Sgt W.P.
Larvin A/G (Killed)
Crew on their 2nd operation
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