John Keith Douglas DFC AFC RAAF and crew – 103 Squadron – 1942/43
John Keith Douglas was born in Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia 17th July 1945 the son of Dr Thomas and Marion Jones of Manley NSW. He attended Knox Grammar School and Scots College and later became a salesman for David Jones.
Douglas enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in February 1941 at the age of 19. He showed a great aptitude for flying in his training in Australia and in Canada where he was sent as a part of the Empire Air Training Scheme - No 8 Elementary Flying Training School. He was posted to the UK in early 1942.
He was posted to 103 Squadron Conversion Flight at RAF Elsham Wolds in July 1942 to train on the 4 engined Handley Page Halifax and then to 103 Squadron at the same airfield.
His crew at this time was as follows :-
P/O J K Douglas
Sgt K F Hynes
Sgt J Sandiland replaced by Sgt A G Rusling
Sgt R L May
Sgt A Ryan
Sgt H Cornforth
Sgt L Brettell replaced by Sgt E J Cook for one op
Their tour was as follows :-
28-Aug-42 – Nuremberg - Point of Aim - Halifax - W1223 – P/O JK Douglas – Did not take off – Aircraft unserviceable.
01-Sep-42 – Saarbrucken - Point of Aim - Halifax – W1223 – P/O JK Douglas
02-Sep-42 – Karlsruhe - Point of Aim - Halifax – W1223 – P/O JK Douglas
04-Sep-42 – Bremen - Point of Aim - Halifax – W1223 – P/O JK Douglas
07-Sep-42 – Duisburg - Point of Aim - Halifax – W7772 - P/O JK Douglas
08-Sep-42 - Frankfurt - Point of Aim - Halifax – W1223 - P/O JK Douglas - Hit by flak. All instruments fused and unserviceable. Bombs jettisoned to gain height. Both inner engines hit and leaking badly.
10-Sep-42 – Dusseldorf - Point of Aim - Halifax – W1223 - P/O JK Douglas
02-Oct-42 – Krefeld - Point of Aim - Halifax – W1223 - P/O JK Douglas
05-Oct-42 – Aachen - Point of Aim - Halifax – W1223 - P/O JK Douglas
06-Oct-42 – Osnabruck - Point of Aim - Halifax – W1223 - P/O JK Douglas
13-Oct-42 – Kiel - Point of Aim - Halifax – W1223 - P/O JK Douglas
15-Oct-42 – Cologne - Point of Aim - Halifax – W1223 - P/O JK Douglas
21-Nov-42 – Minelaying - Biarritz/Biscay coast - Mine laying - Lancaster – W4363 - F/O JK Douglas
28-Nov-42 – Turin - Point of Aim - Lancaster – W4363 - F/O JK Douglas
02-Dec-42 – Frankfurt - Point of Aim - Lancaster - W4363 - F/O JK Douglas
06-Dec-42 – Mannheim - Point of Aim - Lancaster – W4363 – F/L JK Douglas
08-Dec-42 – Minelaying - Helsingborg/Kullen Sound - Mine laying - Lancaster – W4363 – F/L JK Douglas
20-Dec-42 - Duisburg - Point of Aim - Lancaster – W4363 – F/L JK Douglas
21-Dec-42 – Munich - Point of Aim - Lancaster – W4363 – F/L JK Douglas - Combat with twin engined night fighter. Both gunners returned fire. Claimed as probable.
09-Jan-43 – Essen - Point of Aim - Lancaster – W4363 – F/L JK Douglas
11-Jan-43 – Essen - Point of Aim - Lancaster – W4363 – F/L JK Douglas – Early return - Engines overheating, rear turret + trimmer tabs iced up and one supercharger unserviceable.
12-Jan-43 – Essen - Point of Aim - Lancaster – W4363 – F/L JK Douglas – Did not take off - Faults arising on running up engines.
13-Jan-43 – Essen - Point of Aim - Lancaster – W4821 – F/L JK Douglas
16-Jan-43 – Berlin - Point of Aim - Lancaster – W4363 – F/L JK Douglas
17-Jan-43 – Berlin - Point of Aim - Lancaster – W4363 – F/L JK Douglas - Diverted to Croft.
30-Jan-43 – Hamburg - Point of Aim - Lancaster – W4363 – F/L JK Douglas.
John Douglas and his crew were screened at the end of January 1943 and he was posted to 1662 Heavy Conversion Unit at RAF Blyton. Several experienced crews were screened at this time due to the shortage of instructors on 4 engined bombers.
He was awarded a DFC during his tour with 103 Squadron which was gazetted in January 1943. Citation below :-
Acting Flight Lieutenant John Keith DOUGLAS
(Aus 7403564), Royal Australian Air Force, No 103 Squadron
Flight Lieutenant Douglas has taken part in many operational sorties On one occasion when on a mine-laying operation much flying in cloud was necessary and his blind flying instruments became unserviceable Nevertheless he pressed on with his mission which he achieved successfully On a later occasion this officer was detailed to attack Munich When approaching the target area his aircraft was attacked by an enemy night fighter His skilful evasive tactics enabled his gunners to destroy the enemy aircraft after which the target was attacked successfully Flight Lieutenant Douglas has proved to be a most determined and successful captain of aircraft whose quiet confidence and keen spirit have been an inspiration to all
John with his uncle and aunt, Dr Randolph and Mrs Douglas, of Greenock, outside Buckingham Palace after being decorated by King George VI
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He was awarded the Air Force Cross for his work with 1662 HCU.
In May 1944 he was posted to 460 Squadron as OC for whom he flew six operations.
In October 1944 he was posted to 467 Squadron as OC. He flew a further six operations.
On the 8th of February 1945 and his crew flew a sortie against the Dortmund-Ems Canal. Between After leaving the target, the Lancaster bomber gave a great lurch and had probably been hit by an enemy night fighter. Soon the port wing was on fire and Douglas gave the order to bail out. Four of his crew jumped successfully – three were made prisoners of war and one managed to evade capture and returned to England. Three of the crew were killed including John Douglas. The bodies of Douglas, his bomb aimer and his navigator were recovered by the Germans and buried. They now lie in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. John Douglas was just 23 years old.
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The Sydney Morning Herald – Saturday, 21 April, 1945
"ROLL OF HONOUR
DOUGLAS.—Aus. 7403564, Wing-Commander John Keith Douglas, D.F.C., A.F.C., R.A.A.F., previously posted missing, now officially reported to have lost his life, result of operations over Germany, February 7-8, 1945, dearly loved second son of Dr. and Mrs. T. S. Douglas, Tamworth, and loved brother of Lindsay (ex R.A.A.F.), Ruth (W.R.A.N.S.) and Norman, aged 23 years."
W/C John Keith Douglas DFC AFC RAAF – Pilot - 23 – 467 Sqn - Son of Dr. and Mrs. T. S. Douglas, Tamworth, NSW. Australia – Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.
Compiled by David Fell. Photos courtesy of the Australian War Memorial
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