No 15 Squadron Stirling
 

Hi all on forum,
On the night of August 27th 1942 a No 15 Squadron Stirling (L-SE 7624) took off from Bourn in Cambs its target was Kassel. It was shot down over Holland by a Nightfighter and crashed near Bentelo in Holland.
The crew of W7624 were
Pilot Flight Sergeant Hugh Barton-Smith aged 26
Navigator Flight Sergeant Kenneth Wakefield aged 20
Bomb Aimer Sergeant Leonard Moss aged 28
Flight Engineer Sergeant John Victor Robinson aged 23
Wireless Operator Sergeant Peter Sharman aged 20
Mid-Upper Gunner Flight Sergeant Edward Frederick Talbot aged 30
Rear-Gunner Flight Sergeant Glen Allen Smith aged 24


In 2006 the crew and bomber were the source of much press and media coverage as the wreckage, bombs were excavated and some of the missing crew members remains were uncovered and reburied. Currently I am completing a book on Cambridgeshires aviation history and am covering this incident. Does anyone know any sources from which I might locate a photograph of this Stirling crew?
Kind regards Julian
As always I can be contacted on j.evenhart@ntlworld.com as well

Re: No 15 Squadron Stirling
 

Hi Julian

there were portrait photos of all the crew members in the following news story. You maybe able to find the originals through the paper:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1770

A

Re: No 15 Squadron Stirling
 

Hi AMRIT1 that is really superb thanks ever so much, I have just Emailed newspaper to see if originals can be traced. Its always intriguing to see the faces of crews I research. I live in Herts England, if ever you believe I can assist you with any research, please get in touch.
Kind regards...Julian

Re: No 15 Squadron Stirling
 

Hi Julian,
According to Martyn Ford-Jones' book 'Oxford's Own' by Schiffer publishing page 113, this Stirling was shot down by Oberleutnant Viktor Bauer from III./NJG 1. It crashed at Bentelo near Hengelo having taken part in a raid against Kassel. Short Stirling W7624 LS-E.
Hope this helps, David.

Re: No 15 Squadron Stirling
 

Hi David, thanks every little detail helps build up the bigger picture. As an author Im always grateful to everybody who comes forward because without guys like you research work is incredibly difficult...what a fantastic medium this Internet is eh?
Kind regards Julian