26 OTU Wellington W5704-or WS704??
 

Hi,

Currently I am busy with the fate of 26 OTU Wellington W5704 shotdown by ObLt Knacke 3 Kms W.of Middelbeers(The Netherlands) in the night 30/31 May 1942(First Thousand Bomber Raid) on Cologne. What puzzles me is, is the serial OK or wrong?? I also found WS704 and WG5704. What's the 26 OTU code and can some one help me with the 26 OTU ORB's for this crew and aircraft?? Further I am eager to get in touch with the following relatives F/O W.R.H.Whiting, Sgt J.H.G.Garrick, and Sgt R.C.Williams. I am in touch with the relatives of Sgts Young and Hall.

Thanks very much,
Adrian

Re: 26 OTU Wellington W5704-or WS704??
 

re the serials: WG5704 is not a serial and WS704 is too late.

26OTU's codes were EU, PB and WG - so I think we can have a good idea about which was on this aircraft.

Re: 26 OTU Wellington W5704-or WS704??
 

The aircraft serial you are after is simply W5704 and the unit code was WG as above (from Jan 1942 to 1946).

The aircraft code was S for Sugar so is was WG-S

From Bomber Command Losses OTUs Volume 7:

Take off Graveley. Shot down circa 0130hrs it is thought by Hptm Werner Streib of I/NJG 1 and crashed at Middelberg (Noord Brabant) Netherlands. Crew are buried in Woensel General Cemetery. Both RNZAF crew members Sgts Hall and Young had been attached to 26 OTU from 27 OTU.

Re: 26 OTU Wellington W5704-or WS704??
 

Crikey Larry-straight back from some boring author talking to 12 OCH! Nice to have put a face to the name!

Re: 26 OTU Wellington W5704-or WS704??
 

Hello,

The correct location for the crash of Wellington W5704, was - near Middelbeers, which is approx.15km west of Eindhoven (roughly the same location as given by Adrian in post #1).

Col.

Re: 26 OTU Wellington W5704-or WS704??
 

Many Thanks Graham, Larry and Col Bruggy for this very usefull info. I thought so that W5704 is the correct serial for this Wellington but read on the BC loss card WG5704 and on www.bansteadhistory.com I read WS704. All bit confusing. ObLt Reinhold Knacke claimed this Wellington at 02.30Hrs 3 Kms W.Middelbeers at 3500m.

Any one who can help me with the 26 OTU ORB's??
Regards and Thanks again
Adrian