Sgt Francis S C Cook RAFVR and crew – 103 Squadron – RAF Elsham Wolds – 1943
Failed to Return – 26/27th February 1943 – Avro Lancaster I – W4336 – Op Cologne
Francis Cook and his crew were posted to 103 Squadron at RAF Elsham Wolds early 1943. Operations shown below
18-Feb-43 – Wilhelmshaven – Lancaster – W4364 – Sgt FSC Cook
25-Feb-43 – Nuremberg – Lancaster – W4363 – Sgt FSC Cook – Early Return - Unserviceable rear turret.
26-Feb-43 – Cologne – Lancaster – W4336 – Sgt FSC Cook – FTR - Crashed in Germany.
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Sgt Francis Stewart Crichton Cook RAFVR – Pilot – 103 Sqn - Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany
Sgt John Newton Town RAFVR – Flight Engineer - 24 – 103 Sqn - Son of Newton and Ada Eliza Town of Derby - Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany
Sgt Charles Derrick Smith RAFVR – Navigator - 25 – 103 Sqn - Son of Mary Smith; husband of Rosina Edith Smith of Harrow Weald, Middlesex - Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany
Sgt Eric James Davey RAFVR – Air Bomber - 20 – 103 Sqn - Son of Bertram James Davey and Mary Annie Davey of South Tottenham, Middlesex - Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany
Sgt Hugh Woodfield RAFVR ( pictured above ) – Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - 17 – 103 Sqn - Son of Herbert and Annie Woodfield of Sheffield - Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.
Sgt Tom McCall RAF – Air Gunner – 103 Sqn - Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany
Sgt Douglas Reynold South RAFVR – Air Gunner – 103 Sqn - Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany
Hugh Woodfield of Sheffield was a boy of 17 and is certainly the youngest recorded aircrew killed with 103 Squadron.
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26-Feb-43 - Cologne
103 Squadron detailed 12 aircraft for this attack on the German city of Cologne. F/S Austin's “recco” and the reports of other crews confirmed a successful attack. One or two fighters were sighted but no attack developed. Flak was moderate to intense in predicted and barrage form. About 100 searchlights were operating. F/O Lee-Brown returned early due to his mid upper gunner becoming unconscious due to failure of his oxygen supply. Sgt FSC Cook and crew failed to return. About 100 searchlights were operating.
For this attack on Cologne Bomber Command detailed a total of 427 aircraft - 145 Lancasters, 126 Wellingtons, 106 Halifaxes, 46 Stirlings, 4 Mosquitos - bombed Cologne. Most of the bombs from this large raid fell to the south-west of the city and 10 aircraft - 4 Wellingtons, 3 Lancasters, 2 Halifaxes, 1 Stirling - lost, 2.3 per cent of the force.
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Lancaster – W4336
This machine had a short career and was lost on its 6th operation all with different pilots.
11-Jan-43 – Essen – Lancaster – W4336 – Sgt BE Atwood RCAF – Early return - Navigator unconscious when his oxygen failed. 12 Sqn crew
12-Jan-43 – Essen – Lancaster – W4336 – F/S EH Burgess
13-Jan-43 – Essen – Lancaster – W4336 – Sgt A Greig - Combat. Attacked by enemy aircarft. Dinghy became detached and wrapped round tail causing loss of control..
17-Jan-43 – Berlin – Lancaster – W4336 – Sgt EV Laing RAAF – Did not take off – Aircraft unserviceable.
16-Feb-43 – Lorient – Lancaster – W4336 – F/S AD Kemp
26-Feb-43 – Cologne – Lancaster – W4336 – Sgt FSC Cook – FTR - Crashed in Germany.
Item compiled by David Fell. Photo courtesy of the Wilkinson family
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