july 1943, Lancasters over north italy

[RossGmann]

Just adding to the pot


Lancaster JA679 Information

Type Lancaster
Serial Number JA679
X1D WS-P
Squadron 9
Operation Reggio Emilia
Date 15th/16th July 1943
The Lancaster casualties this night were from a small force of twenty-four Lancasters, including a dozen crews from No.617 Squadron, who were briefed to continue to airfields in North Africa after attacking targets in Italy. See EE190; DV167 Airborne 2220hrs 15Jul43 from Bardney to attack a transformer station at Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy. Last heard on W/T at 0405 transmitting 'Hit by another aircraft - trying to make base'. This other aircraft is identified as DV183 Lanc.Mk.111/207 Squadron. Shortly afterwards, the Lancaster crashed at Mirandola (Bologna), 30 km NNE of Modena, Italy. Sgt Edwards is buried in Ravenna War Cemetry. F/O Head RNZAF and F/S Merchant RCAF escaped from captivity, the latter being awarded a DFM, which was Gazetted 12Nov43. Both are believed to have got away during the confusion that reigned following Italy's surrender. F/O M.R.Head RNZAF PoW Sgt E.W.Edwards KIA Sgt D.R Walter PoW F/O R.S.Shaw PoW F/S J.F.Merchant RCAF PoW Sgt F.S.Finlay RCAF PoW F/S W.J.McCoombes RCAF Inj Sgt F.S.Finlay was interned in Camps 11A/357, PoW No.140694 with Sgt D.R.Walter< PoW No.140381. F/O M.R.Head and F/S J.F.Merchant both escaped from an Italian PoW Camp No PoW No. (See above). DFM 12Nov43. F/S W.J.McCoombes was confined in Hospital due injuries. No PoW No. F/O R.S.Shaw in Camp L3, PoW No.2599. "


Lancaster DV167
Type Lancaster
Serial Number DV167
X1D VN-M
Squadron 50
Operation Reggio Emilia
Date 15th/16th July 1943

The Lancaster casualties this night were from a small force of twenty-four Lancasters, including a dozen crews from 617 Sqdn, who had been briefed to continue to airfields in North Africa after attacking targets in Italy. See JA679; EE190. Airborne 2225 15Jul43 from Skellingthorpe, tasked to attack a transformer station at Reggio Emiia in Northern Italy, similar to the 9 Sqdn crew. (See JA679 (WS-P) 9 Sqdn). crashed near Traversetolo, 20 km SSE of Parma. Four have no known graves, but both Gunners and Sgt Trowbridge are buried in Milano War cemetery. at 18, Sgt Goff was amongst the youngest airmen killed on Bomber command Operations during 1943. In contrast, Sgt Hood was twice his age. F/L C.H.J.Hunt KIA Sgt W.G.Trowbridge KIA F/O A.D.S.Snell KIA F/S K.A.Barr KIA Sgt W.J.Hood KIA Sgt R.G.W.Goff KIA Sgt R.A.W.wilkinson KIA "

Kind regards

Ross