8-14 June 1943

Posted on by propatria27

Overview

A very bad week for 12 Sqn, with 6 aircraft lost and 38 aircrew being killed and 4 becoming prisoners of war. 5 aircraft was lost during the attack on Dusseldorf on 11/12 June, the highest loss rate in a single night for the squadron for the whole of 1943 (20.83%). Other attacks were made on Bochum and Oberhausen.

The attack on Dusseldorf was the most successful of the war. German reports state that the fire area measured 8km by 5km with no less than 8,882 separate fire incidents recorded or which 1.444 were classified as large. 1,292 people were killed and 140,000 were bombed out of their homes.

Extract from Station Diary

Sgt William Frank Biggs, aged 23, the son of Walter Seth Biggs & Helen Amelia Biggs of Reading, Berkshire. He was the flight engineer on the crew of Flt Lt Doel, who were shot down on their first mission.
Sgt Thomas Robert Pagett, the Rear Gunner on Flt Lt Doel’s crew. He has no known grave.
Sgt William Edward Cunliffe, aged 28, the son of Edwin & Minnie Cunliffe. He was the navigator on the crew of FS Shepherd. This crew were also all killed on their first mission.

Extract from Appendix to 12 Sqn Operational Record Book

Leave a comment