Date: 27th August 1942
Unit: No. 15 O.T.U. (1 Overseas air delivery unit)
Type: Wellington MK. X
Serial: HX566
Code: ?
Base: Portreath
Location: Between Tarifa and Algeciras (To be further researched)
Pilot: Sgt. Leonard Sutherland 1075478 R.A.F.V.R. Age 21. Killed
Pilot (2): Sgt. Michael Hardwick Riddell 1306083 R.A.F.V.R. Age 19. Killed
Obs: P/O. Edgar Whitaker 118618 R.A.F.V.R. Age 30. Killed
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Gordon Peter Taylor 962315 R.A.F.V.R. Age 25. Killed
W/Op/Air/Gnr: W/O. Rodney Webber R/106709 R.C.A.F. Age 20. Interned (1)
Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Charles Wesley Buchner R/109346 R.C.A.F. Age ? Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
It is thought that HX566 had just refuelled in Gibraltar and taken off for the final leg to Cairo. Flying in a low mist and hugging the Spanish coast for protection prior to crossing the Mediterranean, the aircraft is reported to have crashed between Tarifa and Algeciras hitting a hill. W/O. Rodney Webber was rescued from the wreckage by Spanish soldiers and spent some 6 weeks in hospital and then released.
Further research is being undertaken with this loss. We are in contact with relatives of the pilot: Sgt. Leonard Sutherland and the article will be updated.
Sample photo Wellington Mk. X being loaded with incendiaries - location unknown. (A.R. Society archives)
(1) W/O. Rodney Webber was interned in Spain after being freed from the wreckage of HX566 and then repatriated to England. He then joined 158 Squadron. On the 3rd April 1943 he joined the crew of Halifax II DT795 NP-N piloted by another Canadian Fl/Sgt Frederick Henry Blake. The mission: To bomb Essen. Take off time: 19.41 hrs from Lissett, Yorkshire. 225 Lancaster's, 113 Halifax's and 10 Mosquitoes took part. They were met with a formidable effective Luftwaffe night-fighter force and 14 Halifax's together with 9 Lancaster's failed to return.
A reference source quotes that this Halifax was hit by flak but it is also reported in another source that it had been claimed to have been shot down by Uffz. Emil Heinzelmann of 8./NJG1 over Wapenveld following combat at 4.600 mtrs at 23.50 hrs.
Gibralter (North Front) Cemetery (Courtesy C.W.G.C.)
Burial details:
Sgt. Leonard Sutherland. Gibralter (North Front) Cemetery Plot 2. Row D. Joint grave 6.
Son of John William and Helen Sutherland, of Stromness, Orkney.
Sgt. Michael Hardwick Riddell. Gibralter (North Front) Cemetery Plot 2. Row D. Joint grave 5.
Son of Donald Hardwick Riddell, and of Beatrice Mary Riddell, of Anerley, London.
P/O. Edgar Whitaker. Gibralter (North Front) Cemetery Plot 2. Row D. Joint grave 5.
Son of Arnold Whitaker, and of Ida E. Whitaker, of Alton, Hampshire.
Sgt. Gordon Peter Taylor. Gibralter (North Front) Cemetery Plot 2. Row D. Joint grave 4.
Son of Joseph Cornelius and Edith Annie Taylor; husband of Nancy Margaret Taylor, of Bromley, Kent.
Fl/Sgt. Charles Wesley Buchner. Gibralter (North Front) Cemetery Plot 2. Row D. Joint grave 6.
No further details as yet.
(1) W/O. Rodney Webber. Amersfoot (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery. Plot 13. Row 5. Grave 96.
Son of Fred W. and Onia Webber. Of Bellingham, Washington, U.S.A.
Researched by: David King and Kelvin T. Youngs (A.R. Society) For relatives of the crew.
With thanks to the following (Purchase them "HERE"): Keith Janes and Oliver Clutton-Smith for information on the last moments of HX566, Bill Chorley - "Bomber Command Losses", Theo Boiten - "German Nightfighter War Diaries", The superb work of the C.W.G.C.
