Date: 23/24th August 1943
Unit: 149 Squadron
Type: Stirling III
Serial: EE894
Coded: OJ-R
Location: Hannover
Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Arthur Ernest May 656422 R.A.F.V.R. Age; 24, Killed
Nav: Sgt. Jack Allen Hobbs 1600365 R.A.F.V.R. Age; 20, Killed
Fl/Eng: Sgt. W.A. Long P.O.W.
W/Op: Sgt. Frederick William Robert Day 1333356 R.A.F.V.R. Age; 22, Killed
Bmr: Fl/Sgt. Herbert John French 1337669 R.A.F.V.R. Age; 22, Killed
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Thomas James Lucy 1812408 R.A.F.V.R. Age; 19, Killed
Air/ Gnr: Sgt. Richard Albert Freeman 1389597 R.A.F.V.R. Age; 20, Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Took off from Lakenheath at 20.35 hrs. Part of a huge raid on Berlin on which 710 Lancaster's, Halifax's and Stirlings took part plus a further 17 Mosquito's. A total of 56 Aircraft failed to return, 31 came down over the target area. 4 claimed by German Flak and 51 claimed by the German night fighters. EE894 was shot down by one of these night fighters and crashed near Hannover. all but one of the crew were killed, Sgt. Long bailed out and became a P.O.W.
EE894 during an earlier refueling session
Burial Details:
Arthur Ernest May Runnymede War Memorial. Panel 138
Son of Sidney Henry Julian and Louisa, husband of Doris Maud, of Canonbury, London.
Jack Allen Hobbs Runnymede War Memorial. Panel 153
Son of Henry Charles and Eva Hobbs, of Twickenham, Middlesex.
Frederick William Robert Day Runnymede War Memorial. Panel 147
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Thomas, of Belvedere, Kent; husband of E. E. Day, of Belvedere.
Herbert John French Runnymede War Memorial. Panel 136
Son of Albert Ernest and Ada Matilda, of Wokingham, Berkshire.
Thomas James Lucy Runnymede War Memorial. Panel 157
Son of Thomas J. and Mary Lucy, of Islington, London.
Richard Albert Freeman Runnymede War Memorial. Panel 150
Son of Richard C. T. and Annie E. Freeman, of East Ham, Essex.
With thanks to the following: Bill Chorley - "Bomber Command Losses Vol 3", Theo Boiten - "German Nightfighter War Diaries Vol 2", Martin Middlebrook "Bomber Command War Diaries". The C.W.G.C.
