Date: 22/23rd June 1943
Unit: No. 78 Squadron
Type: Halifax II
Serial: W7930
Code: EY-?
Base: Breighton, Yorkshire
Location: Renswoude
Pilot : Fl/Sgt. Ernest Arthur Tipler 656206 R.A.F. Age 24. Killed
Fl/ Eng: Sgt. Leslie David Lingwood 573996 R.A.F. Age ? Killed
Nav: Sgt. James Ernest Woodward 1333246 R.A.F.V.R. Age 21. Killed
Air/Bmr: Sgt. Walter A. Anderson 1219022 R.A.F.V.R. Age 22. Killed
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Charles Phillip Johns 1332379 R.A.F.V.R. Age 21. Killed
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Thomas Hylton Bell 1163588 R.A.F.V.R. Age 22. Killed
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Douglas Eric Tuddenham 1398791 R.A.F.V.R. Age 19. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Took off at 23.16 hrs from Breighton, Yorkshire to attack Mülheim together with 557 aircraft. A devastating raid on the city with a reported 64% destruction of the city with 578 people killed on the ground, 1,174 people injured, 1.135 homes destroyed and a further 12,637 damaged. Buildings - 41 public buildings, 27 schools, 17 churches and 6 hospitals also hit. It was reported that the only access to the city was on foot and not even cyclists could get out of the city.
The Mülheim raid cost the allies 3 aircraft with many of the aircrew being killed or taken P.O.W.
Halifax W7930 is reported to have been bought down by the heavy flak. All crew killed. However, we have discovered that according to the superb latest research by Theo Boiten it was claimed (and accepted) that it was shot down by Uffz. Georg Kraft of 12./NJG1 1 km South West of Renswoude with combat taking place at 5.000 mtrs at 01.20 hrs.
Sgt. James Ernest Woodward (Courtesy RAF Museum)
Uffz. Georg Kraft of 12./NJG1 (Courtesy M. Harrison)
Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery (Courtesy C.W.G.C)
Burial details:
Fl/Sgt. Ernest Arthur Tipler. Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery Plot 13. Row 8. Collective grave 147-149
Son of Ernest Frank and Florence Edith Tipler, of Forest Gate, Essex.
Sgt. Leslie David Lingwood. Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery Plot 13. Row 8. Collective grave 147-149
Son of Henry Alfred and Frances Elizabeth Lingwood, of Little Dumnow, Essex.
Sgt. James Ernest Woodward. Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery Plot 13. Row 8. Collective grave 147-149
Son of James and Casserear Ethel Woodward, of Addlestone, Weybridge, Surrey.
Sgt. Walter A. Anderson. Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery Plot 13. Row 8. Collective grave 147-149
Son of Stanley and Clara Anderson, of Leeds, Yorkshire.
Sgt. Charles Phillip Johns. Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery Plot 13. Row 8. Collective grave 147-149
Son of Charles and Charlotte Gladys Johns, of Newhaven, Sussex.
Sgt. Thomas Hylton Bell. Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery Plot 13. Row 8. Collective grave 147-149
Son of Thomas William and Florence Elisabeth Bell, of Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia.
Sgt. Douglas Eric Tuddenham. Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery Plot 13. Row 8. Grave 151
Son of Eric A. and Ethel K. Tuddenham, of Felixstowe, Suffolk.
Researched by: Melvin Brownless and Kelvin T. Youngs (A.R. Society) for relatives of the crew.
Acknowledgments: With thanks to the following (Purchase them "HERE"): Bill Chorley - "Bomber Command Losses", Theo Boiten - "German Nightfighter War Diaries", Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt "Bomber Command War Diaries". The superb work of the C.W.G.C.
