Sgt P J Scholes RAFVR and crew – 103 Squadron – RAF Elsham Wolds – 1943
Failed to Return – 11/12th June 1943 – Avro Lancaster III – ED914 – Op Dusseldorf
Sgt Scholes and crew were transferred to 103 Squadron at RAF Elsham Wolds probably early May 1943. They were lost on their second operation. See below.
29-May-43 – Wuppertal – Lancaster - ED751 – Sgt PJ Scholes
11-Jun-43 – Dusseldorf – Lancaster – ED914 – Sgt PJ Scholes – FTR – Night fighter victim. Crashed at Heeten, Holland.
Reportedly shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant Hans-Heinz Augenstein of the 7/NJG1.
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Sgt PJ Scholes RAFVR – Pilot – 103 Sqn – POW - Camps L6/357 - POW no 19
Sgt Alexander Cook RCAF ( pictured below ) – Air Gunner - 103 Sqn - Raalte General Cemetery, Netherlands
F/O William John Harding-Haydon RAFVR – Navigator - 103 Sqn – Raalte General Cemetery, Netherlands
Sgt KW Woodcock RAFVR – 103 Sqn – POW – Camp L6/357 – POW no 22
Sgt Reginald Watkinson RAFVR – Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - 20 - 103 Sqn - Son of Edward and Agnes Watkinson, of Southampton – Raalte General Cemetery, Netherlands
F/S G Price RAFVR – 103 Sqn – Camp L6/357 – POW no 454
Sgt Emrys Russell RAFVR – Air Gunner - 21 – 103 Sqn - Son of Jonah Bertie and Blodwen Russell, of Priddy, Somerset – Raalte General Cemetery, Netherlands
Sgt Alexander Cook RCAF
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11-Jun-43 - Dusseldorf
103 Squadron detailed 28 aircraft for this attack on the German city of Dusseldorf. After a somewhat bad start because the PFF was late the target was well blitzed. Outbound cloud was 10/10ths with bad icing up to 24,000 ft. Bombing heights varied from 18,500 ft to 23,500 ft. PFF used sky and ground marking. After the late start the attack picked up and a good concentration of bombing developed. Defences were moderate with some barrage fire. In the bright moonlight there were several sightings of enemy aircraft. Sgt Davidson's mid upper gunner fired one burst at a twin engined aircraft which had turned to attack but was lost after the burst. One aircraft failed to take off and 4 returned early due to various failures. Sgt Scholes and crew failed to return. All others returned to base except Sgt Moore who landed at Binbrook.
For this attack on Dusseldorf Bomber Command detailed a total of 783 aircraft - 326 Lancasters, 202 Halifaxes, 143 Wellingtons, 99 Stirlings, 13 Mosquitos. The Pathfinder marking plan proceeded excellently until an Oboe Mosquito inadvertently released a load of target indicators 14 miles north-east of the target area. This caused part of the Main Force to waste its bombs on open country. But the main bombing caused extensive damage in the centre of Düsseldorf, where 130 acres were claimed as destroyed, and this proved to be the most damaging raid of the war for this city. 38 aircraft - 14 Lancasters, 12 Halifaxes, 10 Wellingtons, 2 Stirlings - lost, 4.9 per cent of the force.
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Lancaster – ED914
This machine had a short career being lost on its 6th operation.
12-May-43 – Duisburg – Lancaster – ED914 – F/S AD Kemp
13-May-43 – Bochum – Lancaster – ED914 – F/S AD Kemp
23-May-43 – Dortmund – Lancaster – ED914 – Sgt AC Wishart
25-May-43 – Dusseldorf – Lancaster – ED914 – Sgt AC Wishart
29-May-43 – Wuppertal – Lancaster – ED914 – F/S AD Kemp
11-Jun-43 – Dusseldorf – Lancaster – ED914 – Sgt PJ Scholes – FTR - Night fighter victim. Crashed at Heeten, Holland.
Item compiled by David Fell. Photo courtesy of the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.
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