Operations Manna and Chowhound losses

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by Pieter F, Apr 29, 2013.

  1. Pieter F

    Pieter F Very Senior Member

    During the period of 29 April - 7 May operations Manna and Chowhound were carried out. I read three aicraft were lost due to a collision and engine fire. Can someone supply me more details on these three crashed aircraft?
     
  2. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    Hi Pieter,

    The following from RAF Bomber Command Losses Vol.6 - W R. Chorley

    2-3 May 1945

    199 Squadron
    Halifax III RG373 EX-T
    Op. Bomber Support

    Took off from North Creake at 2050 hours tasked for Mandrel screening duties over Kiel. Believed to have collided with another Squadron Aircraft while preparing to make a bombing run, both machines crashing at Meimsdorff east of the Eider and about 4 to 5 km south south west from the centre of Kiel.

    Crew.

    F/L. W E. Brooks +
    W/O. W F. Bolton +
    F/S. J R. Lewis +
    W/O. K A C M. Gavin +
    F/O. K N J. Croft +
    F/S. D. Wilson +
    F/O. A S J. Holder DFC +
    P/O. K N. Crane. Evaded

    ......................................

    2-3 May 1945

    199 Squadron
    Halifax III RG375 EX-R
    Op. Bomber Support

    Took off from North Creake at 2054 hours similarly tasked and lost in the manner described above.

    Crew.

    F/L. L H. Currell RAAF. PoW
    Sgt. W H V. Mackay +
    F/S. A A. Bradley +
    Sgt. F T. Chambers +
    F/S. J. Loth +
    W/O. R H A. Pool +
    F/S. D. Greenwood +
    F/S. R. Hunter. PoW
     
  3. Harry Ree

    Harry Ree Very Senior Member

    .As regards the RAF,it would appear that apart from interrogating relevant squadron ORBs, given that a lost/incident aircraft's squadron can be identified,there is little possibility of this information being accessed.Apparently,there were so many aircraft movements during this period that they were not included in statistical returns.One method of research might be to check the CWGC records, as far as Bomber Command were concerned,for casualties during this period, assuming that there were casualties involved.Then trace the casualty back to a squadron.

    BC used No 1,3 and No 8 PFF Groups for Operation Manna.The 8th USAAF Bomb Groups and their squadrons have the operations detail recorded including the drop areas.This information can be referenced in the Mighty 8th War Diary by Roger Freeman.

    The Kiel operation was to counter the possibility of the Wehrmacht reinforcing Norway as a last stand...the Allies seemed to have a suspicion that the Germans intended to create Redoubts during their demise,something that never materialised.
     
  4. Pieter F

    Pieter F Very Senior Member

    Thanks for the replies guys.
     

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