37 Squadron - Wellington LN855 - "A".

[dripfedgray]

Dear All,

Im wondering if anyone can help. I am trying to find out what happend to my great uncle William Hewson and the plane he was fying in the 21/22nd September 1944

The Plane I am interested in came from 37 Squadron - Wellington LN855 - "A". It was manned by the following crew.

F/O Derek Brown, RAF - pilot, age 20
Sgt. Reginald George Tucker, RAF - navigator, age unknown
Sgt. George Harry Hughes, RAF - wireless operator, age 20
Sgt. Denys Osmond Gilbert Coote, RAF - air bomber, age 22
Sgt. William Hewson (pictured), RAF - air gunner, age 26

William Hewson was my Great uncle and I have spent a lot of time researching him but have no idea what happened to him before ending up in a Budapest war cemetery.

The aircraft was lost on a mission to bomb Hegyeshalom rail yards on September 21/22 1944 from Italy. but was I think shot down by a JU88 ( there were many seen in the area)

If you can help point me in the direction of how I might go about trying to find out where it came down, I would be very grateful. I realise that some helpful members of the forum have in the past consulted Hungarian Police records on crash sites so any help would be great.

Many thanks.

Graham Hewson

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Graham,

The only claim I discovered so far for that night is that of Oblt Wilhelm Johnen:
Night: 21-22. September 1944
JaFü 8. Jagddivision/Lfl. Reich:
21.09.44 Oblt. Wilhelm Johnen 8./NJG 6 Halifax �� 14 Ost N/NU-73: 2.500 m. [W. Senta] 20.32 Film C. 2027/II Anerk: Nr.24
Supplemental Claims from Sources : NJG 6

Night: 20-21. September 1944
20.09.44 Oblt. Günther Bertram 4./NJG 100 DB-3F �� BL-47/25 Ost: at 300 m. 23.40 Film C. 2035/II Anerk: Nr. 59
20.09.44 Oblt. Rudolf Thun 9./NJG 6 Mitchell �� N.E. Debrecen: at 3.300 m. 21.46 Film C. 2035/II Anerk: Nr. -
20.09.44 Oblt. Dörscheln II./NJG 101 DB-3F �� EE [24 N]: no height 22.25 Film C. 2035/II Anerk: Nr. -

I am sure that there are people here with more knowledge than me...they certainly will try to enhance and answer you properly.

Yours

Adriano

[kaki3152]

Here's a link to the loss
http://natureonline.com/37/28-op18.html

[dripfedgray]

thanks both,

It was very helpful. I have since found the claims for night fighters and have the below for the 4 wellingtons that did not return from the operation including William Hewson

Night: 20-21. September 1944

JaFü 8. Jagddivision/Lfl. Reich:
20.09.44 Oblt. Josef Kraft 7./NJG 6 Wellington £ 14 Ost N/HO-2: 3.000 m. [Szombathely] 23.08 Film C. 2027/II Anerk: Nr.23
20.09.44 Oblt. Josef Kraft 7./NJG 6 Wellington £ 14 Ost N/GO-5: 2.800 m. [Szombathely] 23.12 Film C. 2027/II Anerk: Nr.24
20.09.44 Fw. Josef Brunner 10./NJG 6 Wellington £ 14 Ost N/FO-5: 2.000 m. [Szombathely] 23.23 Film C. 2027/II Anerk: Nr.4
20.09.44 Maj. Herbert Lütje Stab IV./NJG 6 Wellington £ 14 Ost N/EP: 2.000 m. [Hegyeshalom

Does anyone know if the night fighter pilots filed reports on the plans they downed not just the basic details above? Also does anyone know if it is possible to get copies of Hungarian police reports to see if i can pinpoint where these planes came down?

thanks

Graham Hewson