Personnel Index - Detail
4/5 November, 1944; LADBERGEN (DORTMUND-EMS CANAL):
This proved to be another successful attack by 5 Group, with both branches of the canal being breached, leaving many barges stranded. It prevented much needed smelting coke reaching important steelworks near Brunswick and Osnabrück.
2 Mosquito Pathfinders had led 174 Lancasters (including 12 from 49 Squadron). Three aircraft failed to return. For the second raid in succession, 49 Squadron suffered the loss of a crew. F/O Derrick
Talbot, a 22 year-old pilot and his crew, which contained 3 Australians, were flying on only their 5th operation together. Sadly, all were killed and are buried in the Reichswald Cemetery, Germany.
Lancaster PB370
F/O D. Talbot Pilot (Killed)
Sgt S.R. Crawshaw F/E (Killed)
F/O G.H. Baily RAAF NAV (Killed)
F/S L.G. Speak RAAF W/OP (Killed)
F/O W.J. Moroney A/G (Killed)
F/O H.L. Motterham RAAF A/B (Killed)
F/O R.W. Berry A/G (Killed)
Crew on their 5th operation