LEST WE FORGET
Air Operations (No. 466 Squadron Wellington aircraft HE471), North Sea, 30 January 1943
Wellington HE471 took off from RAF Leconfield at 1114 hours on the 30 January 1943 to carry out a daytime bombing mission against, Emden, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Eight aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and two of these including HE471 failed to return. On 25 February 1943 Sergeant Beath’s remains were found on Malmo Island, and he is buried in the Esbjerg (Fourfelt) Cemetery. No trace of the other four members of the crew could be found and their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.
The crew members of HE471 were:
Sergeant Leslie Frederick Axby (1335145) (RAFVR) (Pilot)
Sergeant James Hay Armstrong Beath (655653) (RAF) (Bomb Aimer)
Sergeant Donald Durham (413702) (RNZAF) (Navigator)
Flight Sergeant Wilfred Jackson (1379812) (RAFVR) (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Flying Officer Terrance George Watson (119462) (RAFVR) (Air Gunner)
The Operations Record Book records the following by crews who returned from the raid “The bombing was made under cloud cover from a low level. On the way out CU and SCU 8/10ths, base at 2,500 feet to 6,000 feet with occasional rain showers. Base falling to 700 feet tops to 6,000 feet over target. Visibility good below cloud. Sharp and accurate bursts of light flak experienced.”
No. 466 Squadron lost Wellington HE397 (Flight Lieutenant Cyril John Simmonds (115545) (RAFVR) (Pilot)) on 30 January 1943.
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