|
 |
|
|
| Name | WHITFIELD |
| First names | George Clive |
| Rank | Sgt |
| Service | RAF |
| Service number | 1166974 |
| Crew position | Wireless operator/Air Gunner |
| Age | 32 |
| Date of death | 06/06/42 |
| Cemetery | Sage War Cemetery Oldenburg Germany |
     |
|
| 6/7 June, 1942; EMDEN: In good weather conditions, a main force of 233 aircraft set out to attack the German town of Emden. With only a slight ground haze over the target, successful bombing results were achieved by the crews. 49 Squadron detailed 7 aircraft for the operation, but only 5 managed to become airborne from Scampton by 23.30hrs. The price of success was paid for in the loss of 9 crews out of the total force - 3 Manchesters, 3 Wellingtons, 2 Stirlings and 1 Halifax failed to return. Tragically, two extremely experienced aircraft captains and their crews from 49 Squadron were amongst those reported missing: Five crew members of the aircraft piloted by S/Ldr Peter De Mestre DSO DFC (L7469) were killed and the captain plus two others were reported missing. Manchester L7469 S/L P.M. De Mestre DSO DFC Pilot (Missing) Sgt A.F. Buttel RAAF 2nd Pilot (Killed) P/O R.H.J. Thorndyke A/OB (Missing) F/S M.E. Whitehill RAAF A/G (Killed) Sgt G.C. Whitfield W/AG (Killed) Sgt L.J. Jones W/AG (Missing) Sgt D.S. Halliday W/AG (Killed) |
|