Date: 3/4th February 1943
Unit: No. 75 Squadron
Type: Stirling I
Serial: R9250
Code: AA-W
Base: Newmarket, Suffolk
Location: Ingen, Holland
Pilot 1: P/O. Kenneth Edward Blincoe D.F.C. 412194 R.N.Z.A.F. Age 33. Killed
Pilot 2: P/O. Andrew James Newell Scott 414685 R.N.Z.A.F. Age 21. Killed
Fl/Eng: Sgt. Desmond David Hayward 651764 R.A.F. Age 20. Killed
Nav 1: Sgt. Frank Arthur Boese 1293282 R.A.F.V.R. Age 22. Killed
Nav 2: Sgt. George Wood Cook 412514 R.N.Z.A.F. Age 25. Killed
W/Op/Air/Gnr: F/O. Harold Lowe D.F.C. 115129 R.A.F.V.R. Age 23. Killed
Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Edward McDermott R/96960 R.C.A.F. Age 19. Killed
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Desmond Clearwater 412314 R.N.Z.A.F. Age 24. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Took off at 18.21 hrs from Newmarket, Suffolk to bomb Hamburg. 263 bombers took part in the operation made up from 84 Halifax's, 6 Stirling's, 62 Lancaster's and 51 Wellington's. Poor icy conditions forced many aircraft to return early and the pathfinders were unable to produce concentrated marking and consequently the main bombing was scattered.
The results of the raid was disappointing 45 large fires, 2, in some oil depots and another in a warehouse. 53 people on the ground were killed and another 40 injured.The operation cost the allies a loss of 16 aircraft with 90 aircrew losing their lives an a further 28 being made P.O.W.'s.
Above left: P/O. Blincoe D.F.C. Right: Sgt. Clearwater
Stirling R9250 was intercepted at 3,500 metres and shot down by Hptm. Reinhold Knacke of 1./NJG1 at 19.46 hrs. over Ingen 5km south of Amerongen. Hptm. Knacke who was already a very high scoring ace (43) was shot down and killed after being hit from return fire by one of the other bombers (unidentified) which he also shot down on this raid. His regular Bordfunker, Uffz. Bundrock escaped out of the Bf110 F-4 by bailing out. It is understood that Hptm. Knacke also baled out but the aircraft was too low for survival.
Above left: Hptm. Knacke. Right: Uffz. Bundrock (A.R.Society Archive)
Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery (C.W.G.C)
Burial details:
P/O. Kenneth Edward Blincoe D.F.C. Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery Plot 13. Row 13. Grave 212.
Son of Francis Blincoe and of Ruth Blincoe (nee Packer), of Nelson, New Zealand; husband of Ida Annie Blincoe, of Murchison, Nelson.
P/O. Andrew James Newell Scott. Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery Plot 13. Row 5. Grave 91.
Son of William Lorimer Scott and Marian Phebe Scott, of Mataura, Southland, New Zealand.
Sgt. Desmond David Hayward. Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery Plot 13. Row 5. Grave 90.
Son of William John and Lydia Hayward, of Lower Edmonton, Middlesex.
Sgt. Frank Arthur Boese. Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery Plot 13. Row 5. Grave 92.
Son of Arthur and Carrie Boese, of East Ham, Essex; husband of Irene Emily Boese (nee Middleton), of East Ham.
Sgt. George Wood Cook. Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery Plot 13. Row 13. Grave 211.
Son of Samuel Arthur and Eva Harriette Cook, of Otorohanga, Auckland, New Zealand.
F/O. Harold Lowe D.F.C. Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery Plot 13. Row 13. Grave 213.
Son of Harold and Priscilla Lowe, of Horsham, Sussex; husband of Chrissie Lowe, of Horsham.
Fl/Sgt. Edward McDermott. Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery Plot 13. Row 5. Grave 93.
Son of Mrs. D. Hastings, of London, Ontario, Canada.
Sgt. Desmond Clearwater. Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery Plot 13. Row 5. Grave 89.
Son of Irwin Clearwater and of Jacobina Manson Clearwater (nee Bain), of Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand.
Researched by: Kelvin T. Youngs / Melvin Brownless / David King (A.R. Society) For Richard van de Velde (Researcher) and the relatives of the crew.
With thanks to Bill Chorley - Bomber Command Losses Vol 3, Theo Boiten - Nightfighter claims, Martin Middlebrook Bomber Command War Diaries - C.W.G.C.
