170 Sqdn 9/10 April 1945
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170 Sqdn 9/10 April 1945
I'd appreciate advice regarding records for 170 Sqdn on 9/10th April 1945, in particular the circumstances of the loss of a Lancaster in which F/O John Wotherspoon, 165703, was crew.
Any pointers gratefully received.
Sandy Young.
Any pointers gratefully received.
Sandy Young.
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Sandy
According to Chorley in Bomber Command Losses...
Lancaster PB704 TC + R Op: Keil
Took off from RAF Hemswell at 1932. Lost without trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Crew
FS RA Thorpe
FS HV Blakey
FO Wotherspoon
Sgt FWR Goodenough
Sgt AA Jarvis
Sgt RJ Harford
Sgt LA Hill
The last 3 were all aged 19.
Panel 268 of the Runnymede Memorial
Although officially listed as lost with no trace, this site says
That site also has a photo of the crew
According to Chorley in Bomber Command Losses...
Lancaster PB704 TC + R Op: Keil
Took off from RAF Hemswell at 1932. Lost without trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Crew
FS RA Thorpe
FS HV Blakey
FO Wotherspoon
Sgt FWR Goodenough
Sgt AA Jarvis
Sgt RJ Harford
Sgt LA Hill
The last 3 were all aged 19.
Panel 268 of the Runnymede Memorial
Although officially listed as lost with no trace, this site says
it is known that this Lancaster PB704 was intercepted and shot down by probably Hptm. Franz-August von Tesmar (1) of 11./NGJ3 - but no records at this stage of the war were found.
(1)Hptm. von Tesmar (2 kills) aircraft was hit by debris from this Lancaster and was forced to ditch into the sea. His crew were all killed but he was picked up and rescued. - See more at: Thorpe Roland
(1)Hptm. von Tesmar (2 kills) aircraft was hit by debris from this Lancaster and was forced to ditch into the sea. His crew were all killed but he was picked up and rescued. - See more at: Thorpe Roland
Crew of Lancaster LB704 Back Row L-R: Sgt. Harford , Middle Sgt. Jarvis, Sgt. Hill.
Front Row L-R: Sgt. Goodenough, F/O. Thorpe, F/O. Wotherspoon (Courtesy Una Barrett via Linda Ibrom)
Front Row L-R: Sgt. Goodenough, F/O. Thorpe, F/O. Wotherspoon (Courtesy Una Barrett via Linda Ibrom)
Last edited by November4; 17th Jun 2013 at 10:30.
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In The Bomber Command War Diaries, Middlebrook and Everitt record
On flickr there is this photo of the Admiral Scheer after the raid.
9/10 April 1945
Kiel
591 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitoes of 1, 3 and 8 Groups. 3 Lancasters lost.
This was an accurate raid, made in good visibility on two aiming points in the harbour area. Photographic reconnaissance showed that the Deutsche Werke U-boat yard was severely damaged, the pocket battleship Admiral Scheer was hit and capsized, the Admiral Hipper and the Emden were badly damaged, The local diary says that all 3 shipyards in the port were hit and that the nearby residential area were severely damaged. 81 civilians were killed; there were probably naval casualties as well.
Kiel
591 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitoes of 1, 3 and 8 Groups. 3 Lancasters lost.
This was an accurate raid, made in good visibility on two aiming points in the harbour area. Photographic reconnaissance showed that the Deutsche Werke U-boat yard was severely damaged, the pocket battleship Admiral Scheer was hit and capsized, the Admiral Hipper and the Emden were badly damaged, The local diary says that all 3 shipyards in the port were hit and that the nearby residential area were severely damaged. 81 civilians were killed; there were probably naval casualties as well.
Last edited by November4; 17th Jun 2013 at 10:32.
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November 4,
Thanks for these posts.
John Wotherspoon was in a reserved occupation but left that to serve, a decision which cost him his life. His widow, Scotland's oldest practising bookseller, ran a bookshop in Campbeltown for many years until her death in October 2000.
(Incidentally, November 4 was the callsign of a Met Police car in the mid-sixties).
Kind regards,
Sandy.
Thanks for these posts.
John Wotherspoon was in a reserved occupation but left that to serve, a decision which cost him his life. His widow, Scotland's oldest practising bookseller, ran a bookshop in Campbeltown for many years until her death in October 2000.
(Incidentally, November 4 was the callsign of a Met Police car in the mid-sixties).
Kind regards,
Sandy.
