10-16 June 1944

Posted on by propatria27

Overview

Wickenby continued to provide support to the landings in Normandy but also carried out one attack to Gelsenkirchen, where an experienced crew was lost. That attack was to knock out the Nordstern synthetic oil plant and was very successful due to a more advanced version of Oboe being used to obtain more accurate bombing.

Extract from Station Diary

Pilot Officer Albert Williams DFC, aged 23, and his crew, who were all killed during the attack on Gelsenkirchen (it is believed the person front extreme left is a member of groundcrew). The bodies of only 5 crew members were initially found, until the crash site was excavated by the Dutch air force in 1989 when the remains of the final 2 crew were discovered and interred. The body of Sgt Thomas Gribben was found still in the mid-upper turret.
Sgt Raymond Barber, the Wireless Operator in PO Williams’ aircraft. His wife, LACW Lilian Barber, was also stationed at Wickenby, but was discharged on compassionate grounds following the death of her husband.

Extract from 12 Sqn Appendix to Operational Record Book

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