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10/11 April, 1942; ESSEN:
Despite forecasts of clear weather conditions over the target,
a main force consisting of over 250 bombers, found Essen covered
in cloud. 49 Squadron had 13 Hampdens airborne of which 8 attacked
the primary target but were unable to see the results.
Bomber Command suffered the loss of 14 aircraft on the Essen
raid, mainly due to the heavy flak defences in the Ruhr. Of the
5 Hampdens reported missing, 2 were from 49 Squadron: F/O Reg
Worthy (AE421) and crew were shot down by a night fighter flown
by Reinhold Knacke of 2/NJG.1. The combat took place over Holland,
with the doomed Hampden falling into the Ijsselmeer. The body
of F/O Worthy was recovered from the water’s edge on 22nd
May and that of Sgt Anthony Considine, at Laaxum four days later;
his watch had stopped at 02.16hrs. Sgt John Wilkinson is buried
in Stavanger, Norway whilst the body of the fourth crew member,
Sgt Tom McGrenery was never found; he is remembered at Runnymede.
Hampden AE421 (EA-P)
F/O R.P. Worthy Pilot (Killed)
Sgt A.T.P.
Considine A/OB (Killed)
Sgt J.W. Wilkinson A/G (Killed)
Sgt T.H. McGrenery W/Ag
(Missing)
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