warshipbuilder
Posts: 1960
Joined: 2/23/2013 From: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh Status: offline
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The Channel Dash 419 Sqn RCAF(Mildenhall – Wellington IC) 12.2.42 Three crews took part in a raid on enemy warships. Wing Commander FULTON and crew returned with bombs after an unsuccessful search. Two other crews failed to return. Names of the missing:- Captain F/Sgt. Vezina, 2nd Pilot P/O. Anderson, Observer Sgt. Thomas, W/Op/A.G. F/Sgt. Reid, W/Op/A.G. F/Sgt. Williamson, A.G. Sgt. Roche. Captain P/O. Laing, 2nd Pilot Sgt. Ross, Observer P/O. Bond, W/Op/A.G. F/Sgt. Poirier, W/Op/A.G. Sgt. Howsell, A.G. P/O. Armstrong. ADDENDUM – Wellington IC, Z1091 VR-A. Crew, F/Sgt.JFP Vezina RCAF, P/O. HG Anderson RCAF, Sgt. TJ Thomas RCAF, F/Sgt. MA Reid RCAF, F/Sgt. N Williamson RCAF, Sgt. JJ Roche. T/o Mildenhall 1700. Lost without a trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Wellington IC, Z1146 VR-E. Crew, P/O. RA Laing RCAF, Sgt. GHS Ross RCAF, P/O. WF Bond RCAF, F/Sgt. JW Poirier RCAF, Sgt. H Howsell, O/O. GK Armstrong RCAF. T/o Mildenhall 1700. Presumed lost off the Dutch coast. The body of P/O Armstrong was found later that day, in the aircraft’s dinghy, floating off Callantsoog, and he is presumed to have died of exposure. On 12 July the remains of F/Sgt. Poirier were washed onto the Dutch coast. Both were first buried in Huisduinen Military Cemetery, but since the war, their bodies have been exhumed and taken to Bergen op Zoom War Cemetery. Their companions are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Base Changes 92 Sqn (Non-Op) left for North Africa First and Last Operational Missions 75 Sqn (Mildenhall) flew its first OM in the Wellington III 88 Sqn (Attlebridge) flew its first OM in the Boston III 101 Sqn (Bourn) flew its first OM in the Wellington III 218 Sqn (Marham) flew its last OM in the Wellington IC and its first OM in the Stirling I
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