Bombing raid on Kiel Naval Base

I am trying to trace any information on my Cousin Pilot Officer George Peter Wise D.F.M. who went missing on a raid on the naval Base at Kiel on the night of 24/25 July 1941. Nothing was heard or the aircraft or it's crew. I would like to know what type of aircraft and his role on board. I do not even know the base he took off from. Can anyone help me. Thanks.

 

Vic,

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I do not think that you will have long to wait for your answers knowing our experts in this field.

Regards
Tom

 

The CWGC says that he was on 61 Sqn. At that point the Sqn were flying Manchesters out of North Luffenham (they had only just moved there). Try this site for some information Sqn Histories 61-65_P If you contact 50 Squadron Gerry Collins, 35 Wetherby Crescent, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 8SY: tel 01522-681482 as they are listed as looking after 61 Sqn....

 

Just to correct Oggie on one point, 61sqdn were operating Hampdens at the time.

 

Hampden AE189 Information

Type Hampden Serial Number AE189 Squadron 61 X1D QR-? Operation Kiel Date 1 24th July 1941 Date 2 25th July 1941
Further Information

"Serial Range AE184 - AE203. 20 HP52 Hampden Mk.B.1. Part of a batch of 425 Hampden B.1. AD719-AD768; AD782-AD806; AD824- AD873; AD895-AD939; AD959-AD988; AE115-AE159; AE184-AE203; AE218- AE267; AE286-AE320; AE352-AE401; AE418-AE442. Delivered by The English Electric Co.(Preston) between Oct40 and Oct41. AD743; AD908; AD977; AE194; AE231; AE307; AE310; AE263 were converted to Hampden TB (Torpedo Bomber) and transferred to the USSR. Airborne 2304 24Jul41 from North Luffenham. shot down by a night- fighter and crashed 0105 25Jul41 into the sea off the Dutch port of Den Helder. F/S Hill is buried in Westerschelling General Cemetery, Terschelling, and Sgt Waugh is buried in Kiel war Cemetery. The other two two crew members have no known graves and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. F/O M.Parry KIA P/O G.P.Wise DFM KIA F/S A.f.Hill KIA Sgt I.F.Waugh RNZAF KIA "

Regards
Torben

 

Both No 61 and No 144 Squadrons equipped with Hampdens were initially Hemswell squadrons,having been based there since the station was opened prewar.As Oggie states No 61 Squadron had had just been posted to N.F. No 144 Squadron along with No 61 Squadron were transferred to N.F from 17 July 1941 to accomodate elements of the PAF to operate out of Hemswell.

No 144 Squadron later became one of those B.C squadrons loaned to Coastal Command, despite objections from Harris.

 

Just to correct Smudger Jnr on one point, 61sqdn were operating Hampdens at the time.


I never quoted a squadron

Regards
Tom

 

24 July 1941

61 Squadron.
Hampden I AE189 QR-
Op. Kiel.

The aircraft took off from North Luffenham at 2340 hrs and was shot down by a night-fighter and crashed AT 0105 hrs into the sea off the Dutch port of Den Helder.

Crew

F/O. M. Parry +
P/O. G P. Wise DFM +
F/S. A F. Hill +
Sgt. I F. Waugh RNZAF +

Bomber Command Losses Vol.2 - W R. Chorley

 

Not that it answers your question, however my father's log book states.......


24th July 1941. NORTH SEA SEARCH

Take off time 1100 from Swinderby.
Hampden 927. Crew Pilot F/Lt Fox, Sgt Layne (Rear Gunner) rest of the crew are unknown.
Classified as an operation of 4.30 hours in duration and logged as “North Sea Search, Unsuccessful.”


Perhaps they were searching for this aircrat.

 

I never quoted a squadron

Regards
Tom
Apologies Tom, i must have had one eye on Oggies reply, while the other was on your username, will amend post.
Alan.

 

Thanks to all for the superb information.
One last question, was p/o wise the pilot ?

 

Many thanks for your replies. One last question. Was P/O Wise the Pilot ?

 

F/O M. Parry was the pilot.

 

Thanks for the super information

One Question, Was P/O G.P. Wise the Pilot ? the navigator/bombaimer ?

 

Vic,
F/O M. Parry, Pilot.
P/O G.P. Wise DFM, Observer, (Observers later redesignated as Navigators)
F/Sgt A.F. Hill, W/Op-A/G.
Sgt I.F. Waugh, RNZAF, A/G.

 

Alan W,

Many thanks again for your very quick reply.

 

Can anyone remember a British Bulldog called Simon Churchill Demontforte Known as Simon being a mascot for a Canadian regiment based in UK during WW2 ?

Possibly the Calgary highlanders ????

 

Can anyone remember a British bulldog called Simon Churchill Demontforte, Known as Simon, who was a mascot for a Canadian Regiment (Calgary Highlanders ???) in UK during WW2. The dog was left behind when the Regiment returned to Canada, as it could not be taken with them.

 

Both No 61 and No 144 Squadrons equipped with Hampdens were initially Hemswell squadrons,having been based there since the station was opened prewar.As Oggie states No 61 Squadron had had just been posted to N.F. No 144 Squadron along with No 61 Squadron were transferred to N.F from 17 July 1941 to accomodate elements of the PAF to operate out of Hemswell.

No 144 Squadron later became one of those B.C squadrons loaned to Coastal Command, despite objections from Harris.

My fathers brother was navigator in a Hampden of 144 Sqdn. Aircraft was lost night of 10/11 August 1940. Got letters from him to my father and parents and some photographs of crew and aircraft.

 

This is a bit of a long shot as this post does go back some years.If however you still need more details I can give you more details of the pilot (M Parry) of this aircraft as I know both his daughter and grandson (best friends from school).Anyway please reply and happy to help.