Date: 20th September 1940
Unit: No. 75 Squadron
Type: Wellington
Serial: T2463
Coded: E-AA
Location: Ostend
Pilot: P/O. Michael Ryves Braun 42390 R.A.F. Age 19. Killed
Pilot: Sgt. Alfred Joseph Green 741824 R.A.F.V.R. Age 31. Killed
Obs: Sgt. Lindsay Douglas Anderson NZ391321 R.N.Z.A.F. Age 20. Killed
Obs: Sgt. Joseph Edward McCormick 580801 R.A.F. Age 25. Killed
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Lewis Alan White (D.F.M.) 62613 R.A.F. Age 20. Killed
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Norman McDonald 755134 R.A.F.V.R. Age 24. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
The aircraft took off at 21.15 hrs from Feltwell, Norfolk to bomb the invasion barges moored in channel ports. The aircraft was hit by A.A fire from Alpha battery sited west of Ostend. As a result of which the aircraft caught fire and crashed in flames at 23.00 hrs that evening.
The son of Sgt. Green, Michael, takes up the story:
Sgt. Alfred Joseph Green was 2nd pilot of Wellington T2463, E-AA, on the night of 19th September 1940.
The pilot and captain that night, Plt.Off. Michael R Braun (Austrian extraction) alone baled out and landed within the small town of Leffinge, just West of Ostend.
He was severely wounded, apparently, according to locals who recall the incident, by small arms fire from the occupying forces. He died from his injuries in Ostend Municipal Hospital that same night.
The other 5 crew, consisting of distressingly few physical remains, were buried in one coffin in Leffinge churchyard. The costs for all that was involved to attempt recovery and organise a funeral as best they were able, were totally borne by the local people of Leffinge (Michael Green has copies of the invoices).
This painting of E-AA was commissioned by Michael Green and the aviation artist, Maurice Gardner painted it.
Sgt. Lewis Alan White D.F.M. is shown on the extreme right - other crew members awaiting positive identification. This was Alan White's usual crew but he was "borrowed" by the T2463 crew because of his excellent gunner skills.
Left above, Sgt. Alfred Joseph Green - Co-pilot with his son, Michael Green. Right, shows the pilot of T2463, P/O. Michael Ryves Braun
Left picture, Sgt. Norman McDonald shown in the centre - other crew members awaiting positive identification. Middle picture show Sgt. Lindsay Anderson on the extreme left, with 2nd from the right Joe Gaunt (from another crew) during training with the N.Z.A.F. The final picture shown is also Sgt. Lindsay Anderson.
The original grave marker in Leffringe churchyard
In 1957, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission exhumed the grave and reburied the 5 remains in Adegem Canadian Commonwealth War Cemetery, in 5 plots with headstones. Michael Braun remains where he was interred in 1940, in Ostend Municipal Cemetery.
Burial details:
P/O. Michael Ryves Braun Oostende New Communal Cemetery Plot 9. Row 4. Grave 3.
Son of Walter W and Mariquila (nee Ryves) Wimbledon, Surrey.
Sgt. Alfred Joseph Greeen Adegem Canadian War Cemetery. Coll. grave XII. H. 1-5.
Son of Mary and Thomas, husband of Agnes Theresa of New Costessey, Norwich, father of Michael Francis Bernard Green and Phillppa Mary
Sgt. Lindsay Douglas Anderson Adegem Canadian War Cemetery Coll. grave XII. H. 1-5.
Son of Robert Douglas and Stella Margaret of Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Sgt. Joseph Edward McCormick Adegem Canadian War Cemetery Coll. grave XII. H. 1-5.
Son of Joseph and Emily of Southsea, Hampshire
Sgt. Lewis Alan White (D.F.M.) Adegem Canadian War Cemetery Coll. grave XII. H. 1-5.
Son of Mr and Mrs H.C. White of Derby.
Sgt. Norman McDonald Adegem Canadian War Cemetery Coll. grave XII. H. 1-5.
Son of Charles and Margaret of Dundee, scotland.
With thanks to the following: Bill Chorley - "Bomber Command Losses Vol 1", The C.W.G.C.
Please support our work and visit our Archive section
