Kembs Raid Oct 7,1944 Dumbusters
Would like to follow up an older thread due some new evidences . I live some few miles away from event's location and soon there wll be a memorial
dedicated to those RAF aircrews lost on that mission . Therefore would like to address some questions : 1. At which British Museum ( please specify ) is Sqn Ldr Drew Rothwell Cullen Wyness wreck exhibited ? According information from numerous sources the remains were brought in 1946 from France to UK then taken to Royal Aircraft Est .Farnborough . 2. Hugo Gruenner Kreisleiter of Loerrach and Gestapo agent Erich Meissner who murdered four of the crew incl.Sqn Ldr Wyness and Bruce Hosie after having brought them to Bad Bellingen for interrogation have been convicted in 1946 to death . 3. The aircraft was ditched by the crew mid of Rhine River (somewhere near Bad Bellingen or futher North near Chalampe ) on France /German border . Five of the crew boarded the life raft which drifted toward German side of the Rhine .While having noticed German soldiers preparing a boat on the German bank one crew member jummped out of the dinghy and swam to the French side . Also the Germans captured only 4 crew members an other may have reached Nifer and two other may have either evaded also executed elsewhere or died on the wreck . Who were they and is there any final info about them . The four crew members were executed on Rhine River bank by Gruener however other cite German soldiers along with Gruenner and Meissner by orders of Gauleiter Wagner . 4. While Hugo Gruener and Erich Meissner were condamned to death , Gruenner escaped the British camp and may have settled in Argentina a place where an other family member resided overthere , then declared as deceased by his in family only in 1977. Any additional info will be welcomed . 5. As into Howard's crew , except the pilot are there any other crew photos available ? 6. As into the P-51's Polish escort were they also based at Woodhall Spa AB ? 7. Any info on why the raid was named "Kembs Dum raid " by RAF ? The Kembs dum was 10Km further North in Alsace France and still there , the mission was in fact against Maerkt dum at Weil Am Rhein , Germany just at the Swiss border . Alex K |
Re: Kembs Raid Oct 7,1944 Dumbusters
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The remains of the barrage and the plant were blown up by the Germans in April 1945, but soon rebuilt after the war and is still there today as can be seen on Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kr...0525,7.5713762 For comparison see the photos taken during the attack: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205023409 |
Re: Kembs Raid Oct 7,1944 Dumbusters
Thank you for feedback , I am fully aware of all the details because I am reside nearby since many years. Maerkt barrage dum was still under Weil Am Rhein at that time and yet under city of Kembs Alsace electrical plant portofolio , maybe that's why the name .I am also fully aware on the RAF recon photos and many other details which I've gathered throughout the years, thanks in any case . Just in case someone is interested, I am attaching some photos I've taken today .
1 . Maerkt Barrage Dum ,Weil Am Rhein 2. Chalampe (France) ,crash site of Sq/Ldr Wyness and crew 3.Maginot Line era Bunker on other Rhine side of Chalampe 4. Rheinweiler , Sq/Ldr Wyness & crew execution place 5. Maerkt barrage dum recon photo RAF Oct 7,1944 |
Re: Kembs Raid Oct 7,1944 Dumbusters
Quote:
Re: 5. Maerkt barrage dum [sic] recon photo RAF Oct 7, 1944. Actually: 2/10/1944 No.541 Squadron Spitfire PR.XIX RM635 Ops. G3175 - Up:31:75, Down:15:25 (3.50hrs) Pilot: F/L Brian Kenneth Levinge FUGE RAF (+ 19/3/1945 - 541 Sqn - Spitfire PR.XI PL856) Height 2000ft to 200ft. Target Job 714 BC Basle 'Area". Photos of Job 714 BC. Basle Area from N + W much tracer and light flak in target area saw 1 E/A probably FW 190 above 1 mile away diving from 3000ft when leaving target area. Ref: No.541 Sqn ORB - Record of Events - October 1944 - 2 October 1944. http://discovery.nationalarchives.go...ils/r/D8414690 Hit preview an image of this record - see: Image 2 of 10. Col. |
Re: Kembs Raid Oct 7,1944 Dumbusters
As always great help and super hinds since the 10 pages are water marked
I am unable to properly read them , also of great importance to be able to locate and download the recon photos of this Sqd . Is there any way you could help ? The 541 Sqd seems to have shot numerous photos on Oct 2,44 any idea where they could be found ? Finally,according a Swiss Newspaper dated 10.12.44 a Polish escort fighter made an emergency landing nearby at Habsheim in Alsace, any details ? I am not certain that this really happened . Also : Any idea where I could find Polish 133 and 306 P-51 Sqd's mission lists which seems to have escorted the Lancasters ? Best Regards Alex K |
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