LEST WE FORGET
Air Operations: (No. 462 Squadron Halifax aircraft BB412), Mediterranean, 12 October 1943
Halifax BB412 captained by Flight Sergeant Marsh (RAF) was one of five aircraft that took off during the night of 12/13th October 1943 from Terria detailed to attack Maritza aerodrome, Rhodes. Eight aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and of these BB412 and BB417 failed to return . After making one circuit on take off the aircraft gradually lost height and crashed approx west north west of the aerodrome. The bombs exploded on impact and the aircraft burnt out very quickly. All the crew members were killed and they are buried in the Benghazi War Cemetery, Libya.
The crew members of BB412 were:
Sergeant Ian William Colvin (1575088) (RAFVR) (Air Bomber)
Sergeant Thomas James Kelly (1016325) (RAFVR) (Rear Gunner)
Flight Sergeant Kenneth Ernest Mark Marsh (1386008) (RAFVR) (Pilot)
Flight Sergeant Mitchell Ridland (421941) (RNZAF) (Observer)
Sergeant Edward James Stickland (1800355) (RAFVR) (Flight Engineer)
Sergeant Sydney Ernest Tilley (1331844) (RAFVR) (Wireless Air Gunner)
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records