Personnel Index - Detail
28/29 August, 1942; NUREMBERG:
On Friday night, 28 August, the squadron had 10 Lancasters airborne by 21.30hrs all destined for Nuremberg in southern Germany. Over Nuremberg, Pathfinders used 'target indicators' for the first time, to mark the aiming point. Approaching from the south, the squadron's crews were able to make fixes from the river, canal and autobahn which were clearly visible in the bright moonlight. The town received only moderate damage despite the accuracy of the markers. Again, the force suffered heavy losses with the Wellington Squadrons bearing the brunt of the casualties. From the 159 aircraft dispatched, 23 were reported missing - 14 Wellingtons, 4 Lancasters, 3 Stirlings and 2 Halifaxes. Two of the missing Lancasters were from 49 Squadron: F/Sgt Ed Burton (R5897) and crew were all killed when their aircraft was brought down over Germany. All the crew are buried in the Durnbach War Cemetery.
Lancaster R5897
F/S E.G. Burton Pilot (Killed)
Sgt K. Newbery RAAF 2nd Pilot (Killed)
Sgt G.A. Swan RAAF Nav/Ab (Killed)
Sgt J. Breivis RCAF A/G (Killed)
F/S L.J. Capton RCAF A/G (Killed)
Sgt E.C. Ibbotson W/Ag (Killed)
Sgt J.D. Osbaldeston A/G (Killed)