Halifax LW647 MP-W

[David P. Williams]

I am currently attempting to trace a former member of 76 Squadron who was shot down during the raid against Nuremberg on 30/31 March 1944.

He was Pilot Officer Tony (Anthony) Monk who was the flight engineer on the aircraft and was only one of two to get out before it exploded.

Does anyone know if he is still alive, and if so, does anyone have any contact details.

many thanks in advance,

David.

[Icare9]

There is still an active 76 squadron Association, plus various others such as ex PoW's and caterpillar Club for those who took the silk..
Try here for useful addresses and contacts
http://www.lancaster-archive.com/research_adds.htm

[David P. Williams]

Hi Icare9,

Great link! Thanks very much indeed.

Does anyone else out there know this former flight engineer?

Many thanks,

David.

[Icare9]

David, I'm sure you know most or all of this, but just in case...
Extract from Bomber Command Campaign Diary:- 30/31 March 1944

This would normally have been the moon stand-down period for the Main Force, but a raid to the distant target of Nuremberg was planned on the basis of an early forecast that there would be protective high cloud on the outward route, when the moon would be up, but that the target area would be clear for ground-marked bombing. A Meteorological Flight Mosquito carried out a reconnaissance and reported that the protective cloud was unlikely to be present and that there could be cloud over the target, but the raid was not cancelled.

795 aircraft were dispatched - 572 Lancasters, 214 Halifaxes and 9 Mosquitos. The German controller ignored all the diversions and assembled his fighters at 2 radio beacons which happened to be astride the route to Nuremberg. The first fighters appeared just before the bombers reached the Belgian border and a fierce battle in the moonlight lasted for the next hour. 82 bombers were lost on the outward route and near the target. The action was much reduced on the return flight, when most of the German fighters had to land, but 95 bombers were lost in all - 64 Lancasters and 31 Halifaxes, 11.9 per cent of the force dispatched. It was the biggest Bomber Command loss of the war.

Most of the returning crews reported that they had bombed Nuremberg but subsequent research showed that approximately 120 aircraft had bombed Schweinfurt, 50 miles north-west of Nuremberg. This mistake was a result of badly forecast winds causing navigational difficulties. 2 Pathfinder aircraft dropped markers at Schweinfurt. Much of the bombing in the Schweinfurt area fell outside the town and only 2 people were killed in that area. The main raid at Nuremberg was a failure. The city was covered by thick cloud and a fierce cross-wind which developed on the final approach to the target caused many of the Pathfinder aircraft to mark too far to the east. A 10-mile-long creepback also developed into the countryside north of Nuremberg. Both Pathfinders and Main Force aircraft were under heavy fighter attack throughout the raid. Little damage was caused in Nuremberg.

LW649 Airborne 2211 30th Mar 44 from Holme-on-Spalding Moor. Outbound, shot down by a night-fighter, crashing at Nieder-Moos, 6 km NNW of Greiensteinau. Those killed were buried 1st April 44 at Nieder-Moos, Germany, about 90 miles short of Nuremburg. Their graves are now located in the Durnbach War Cemetery.
F/O G.C.G. Greenacre KIA
P/O A. Monk PoW
F/O A. Thorpe KIA
F/S A.S. Arnell KIA
Sgt J.A. Henthorn PoW
P/O A.D. Maw RCAF KIA
P/O A.H. Death RCAF KIA
Sgt J.A. Henthorn was interned in Camps L6/357, PoW No.3430.
P/O A. Monk in Camp L1. No PoW No.

It is unusual for P/O Monk not to have a PoW number and I suggest it might be that he was badly wounded or injured and was actually in hospital, perhaps until release. He would have to be made of very strong stuff if still around, but like old soldiers the ones around tend to stay around!
There may be a Report by Sgt Henthorn which may give some details, an alternative route might be to contact the RCAF records for the files of one or both RCAF crew as sometimes they include what is in the RAF files plus other useful info...

[David P. Williams]

Thanks once again for the information. I know from correspondence with the 76 Squadron Association that he was still alive back in 2003, but no address etc was forthcoming.

I'll keep digging and try the Association again, perhaps with a little more luck.

Many thanks,

David.

[S.Monk]

Hello David
I,m the nephew of Tony Monk he is made of stronge stuff he is sill around.

[David P. Williams]

Hi,

Brilliant news, i'll send you a PM,

many thanks,

David.

[PRITCHIE]

RE TONY MONK - halifax crew member
can anyone please tell me in what he was held as a pow

[Icare9]

see post #4:-
P/O A. Monk in Camp L1. No PoW No.

[PRITCHIE]

THANKS