Hello ,

Wondering if any one good help , some how i have been roped in to find details of a friends uncle who was killed in action while serving with 148 squadron on halifax's .

His name was Fredeick Harris 1836450 We know part of his crew were the following from letters we have .

Edward George Lee 410502
Bernard Hough 1146101

After checking the war graves we belive but are not certin that the rest of the crew were

Nairine Edwin 650338
Percy Mann 412601
Ian McGugan 414720
James Palmer 1802051

They were all killed on the 11/02/1944 .
Any help in pointing me in the right direction as to finding out what aircraft they went down in.
And also any books that contain any information .

Sorry bomber squadrons are not my area so having to start at the begining again .

Many thanks for all of your help

Hi Trev,

Here is some information and a couple of websites to look at.

http://www.airforce.ca/canraf/CANRAF.M-R.html

PLAXTON, Sergeant Mairne Edwin (650538) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.178 Squadron - awarded as per London Gazette dated 17 August 1943. Born in Victoria, 1914; home in British Columbia; former market gardener. Enlisted 1937; killed in action 11 February 1944 over Yugoslavia. DHist file 181.005 D.270 does not list him, but DHist file 181.005 D.271 does; as of late 1940 he was an Aircraft Hand (Flight Mechanic) with No.1 Wing, Hednesford. Air Ministry Bulletin 11132 refers.

...night in June 1943, Flight Engineer of aircraft attacking airfield at Comiso. Aircraft hit by flak, two of crew injured, fire near entrance hatch. Plaxton quelled flames, rendered efficient first aid to wounded comrades; also freed rear gunner who was trapped in turret. By his initiative and promptitude contributed materially to safe return.

NOTE: Ian Tavender records his recommendation, found in Public Record Office Air 2/4995, in his book The Distinguished Flying Medal Register for the Second World War (London, Savannah Publications, 2000). Name give as Nairne Edward Plaxton.

Sergeant Plaxton, on the night of 22nd/23rd June 1943, was detailed to fly as Flight Engineer to Sergeant Tattersall in Halifax BB357 "J", scheduled to attack Comiso aerodrome. The aircraft was hit and severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire over the target, a fire breaking out near the oxygen storage forward of the entrance hatch and two crew members were injured. Sergeant Plaxton, having first turned off the oxygen supply, went back and extinguished the fire. He then went forward again and attended to the wounded men, applying a tourniquet to 1116779 Sergeant J. Houston and making the other man as comfortable as possible. As contact had been lost with the rear gunner, Sergeant Plaxton went aft to investigate and found the doors of the turret had been damaged and were jammed. He successfully forced open the doors and helped the rear gunner out. The presence of mind and coolness, together with courage under exceptionally trying circumstances, which Sergeant Plaxton displayed was undoubtedly largely responsible for enabling his captain to pilot the aircraft to a safe landing.



http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/

Keep an eye out for a book entitled:- RAF Bomber Losses - Middle East & Mediterranean; vol 2. by D. Gunby (Author), P. Temple (Author)

But I don't think that it has been published yet.

Paul(MZ924)

Hi Trev

The aircraft you seek is JN959 which went down at Bjelosi, Jugoslavia.

With four Australians in the crew take a look at the National Archives of Australia website. By searching on their service numbers you will find all the information you need.

One name missing from your list is 1817239 F/Sgt. A.E. Elkes who was reported safe.

The book mentioned by Paul will not be published until about July next year

Cheers

Eddie

Many thanks for all the help guys ,
My friend was told about one person surving , but i left this bit out of the infomation so as i could double check info , so that is good news ,
thanks for the tips on where else to carry on serching.
If any more info becomes avaiable please post .
and thanks again for the help .

10/11.2.44: Aircraft: Halifax Mk II, JN959-N, NNuts
F/Sgt. Ian McGugan, R.A.A.F. Pilot.
F/Sgt. Nairne Edwin Plaxton, D.F.M. R.A.F. Flight Engineer.
F/Sgt. Bernard Austin Hough, R.A.A.F.
F/Sgt. Percy Garfield Mann, R.A.A.F.
F/Sgt. Edward George Lee, R.A.A.F.
Sgt. James Palmer, R.A.F.V.R. Air Gunner.
Sgt. Frederick Moses Cyril Henry Harris, R.A.F.V.R. Air Gunner.
All buried at Belgrade War Cemetery, Yugoslavia

Thanks for that info , sorry in late reply been away digging up some one else's past .

Hi Trev
Did you get any more details of this crew and crash ?
I'm researching the Squadron with others on a dedicated yahoo group started by Terry Maker who replied to this thread.
Would dearly love tocontact the relation you helped to get them onto the group.
All the Best
Steve