1 March 1941 - 61 Squadron, RAF Hemswell – Handley Page Hampden I - AD723 – Sgt Kingsley Gerard Cooper - Ops Cologne.
Approximate location – Caistor area.
Took off at 2001 on the 1st March 1941 from RAF Hemswell. Crashed in foggy weather on return at 0500 on the 2nd March 1941. This raid on Cologne in the German industrial heartland was conducted by 131 aircraft of Bomber Command. Blenheims, Hampdens, Wellingtons and Whitleys. Significant destruction was caused around the port area of Cologne and the attack was a moderate success. 6 aircraft were lost on the raid and a further 14 crashed in the bad weather they encountered on return. The loss of 20 aircraft out of 131 was a high price to pay for the night's work
Sgt Kingsley Gerard Cooper RAFVR - Pilot - 23 - 61 Sdn - Ilford Buckingham Road Cemetery, Essex
Sgt Henry Windle RAF - Observer - 24 - 61 Sqn - Son of George and May Windle, of Leeds - Leeds Armley Cemetery, Yorkshire
Sgt Maurice Gough RAF - Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - 19 - 61 Sqn - Son of Sarah Alice Gough and stepson of Ernest Harrison, of Dodworth - Dodworth Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Sgt George Hall RAFVR - Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - 61 Sqn - Brighton Lewes Road Borough Cemetery, Sussex
Compiled by David Fell with photo from my archive.
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