Date: 2/3rd June 1942
Unit: No. 75 Squadron
Type: Wellington Mk III
Serial: X3408
Code: AA-Q
Base: Feltwell, Norfolk
Location: Aalst-Waalre, just south of Eindhoven, Holland
Pilot: P/O Cecil William Phair Carter NZ/41874 R.N.Z.A.F. Injured POW No: 545 Stalag Luft Sagan and Belaria
Obs: Sgt Jack Lawrence Coy NZ/403616 R.N.Z.A.F. Injured POW No: 402 Stalag Kopernikus
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt Herbert Ives NZ/391384 R.N.Z.A.F. POW No: 423 Stalag Kopernikus
W/O/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Jack Robert Mayall NZ/404081 R.N.Z.A.F. POW No: 435 Stalag Kopernikus
Air.Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Philip Newbury Howard NZ/391384 R.N.Z.A.F. POW No: 419 Stalag Luft Sagan and Belaria
REASON FOR LOSS:
Took off at 00.11 Hrs. from Feltwell, Norfolk. 195 Aircraft took part - 97 Wellington's, 38 Halifaxes, 27 Lancaster's 21 Stirlings and 12 Hampden's took part in the second night in succession bombing Essen. The attack was widely scattered and records show that only 3 high explosive and 300 incendiary bombs hit the city with no serious damage or injuries.
The RAF however lost 14 aircraft! 68 crew members were killed and a further 15 made P.O.W's.
Wellington X3408 was shot by Flak at 10,500 feet - resulting in a controlled crash landing when all the crew were made P.O.W's.
Crew of Wellington X3408 (Courtesy of Raimondo Bogaars)
Above left: P/O Cecil William Phair Carter. Right: Sgt Herbert Ives (Courtesy of Raimondo Bogaars)
Essen
