LEST WE FORGET
Pilot Officer James Darcy William RENNO DFM
Service No: 411381
Born: Paddington NSW, 7 August 1917
Enlisted in the RAAF: 28 April 1941
Unit: No. 100 Squadron (RAF), RAF Station Grimsby, Lincolnshire
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)
Died: Air Operations: (No. 100 Squadron Lancaster aircraft ED705), North Sea area, 3 August 1943, Aged 25 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Darcy John and Laura Blanche Renno, of East Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Roll of Honour: Sydney NSW
Remembered: Panel 191, Runnymede Memorial, Surrey UK
Remembered: Panel 129, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Drummoyne War Memorial, Drummoyne NSW
Remembered: Manilla and District Soldiers Memorial Hall, Manilla NSW
DFM Citation: One night in May 1943, Flight Sergeant Renno was Wireless Operator/Air Gunner of an aircraft of No. 100 Squadron detailed to attack Bochum. When nearing the target the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. Two engines were put out of action, while other equipment was damaged. Despite this, the pilot Wing Commander McIntyre continued to the target and bombed it. Not until the task was accomplished did Flight Sergeant Renno inform his Captain that he had been wounded in the stomach and thigh. The Captain skilfully flew the aircraft on two engines back to base and effected a crash landing. Despite his injuries Flight Sergeant Renno worked his wireless apparatus on the return flight obtaining bearings which were of great assistance. Both these members of aircraft crew displayed great courage and determination, Wing Commander McIntyre was awarded the DFC.
Lancaster ED705 took off from Grimsby at 2325 hours on the night of 2/3 August 1943 to attack Hamburg, Germany. Nothing further was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Crews reported severe electrical storms in the target area and en route from the target. Several reported severe icing and 10/10ths cloud to a great height. Twenty four aircraft from No. 100 Squadron were on this mission. All returned to base safely except ED 705. Following post war investigations and enquiries, it was established that the bodies of Flying Officer Christie and Flight Lieutenant Howgill had been washed ashore and itt was assumed that other five crew members had lost their lives at sea.
The crew members of ED705 were:
Pilot Officer Charles Henry Best (148464) (RAFVR) (Navigator)
Flying Officer William Douglas Christie (129489) (RAFVR) (Air Bomber)
Sergeant Ernest Edward Gardiner (1313789) (RAFVR) (Air Gunner)
Sergeant Maurice Richard Howe (1175171) (RAFVR) (Flight Engineer)
Flight Lieutenant Richard Raymond Howgill DFC (124407) (RAFVR) (Pilot)
Flight Sergeant Harold Roy Raven (R/108752) (RCAF) (Air Gunner)
Pilot Officer James Darcy William Renno DFM (411381) (Wireless Operator/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
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/35/63
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line