Personnel Index - Detail
Images via Alain Trouplin
20/21 December, 1942; DUISBURG:
After the frustration of no less than 8 scrubbed operations (all due to bad weather), the squadron eventually contributed 11 aircraft to the Main Force attack on Duisburg. Scampton's Lancasters began marshalling for take-off shortly before 18.00hrs. Over 230 bombers were sent to attack the town and dock areas. Several of 49's crews navigated to the target by following the River Rhine. They arrived over a well marked target, where an excellent raid soon developed.
By 23.00hrs, nine of the unit's aircraft had landed back at base.
Just one overdue... the time continued to slip agonisingly by, until reluctantly a corporal chalked the words 'missing without trace' against the names of Sgt Edward Johnston RCAF and crew. Unknown at the time, the unfortunate 21 year old pilot and his crew, had been hit by flak as they made their way home across Holland. The mortally damaged Lancaster smashed onto the Dutch coastline, just south of Ijmuiden... there were no survivors.
Lancaster R5762
Sgt E.I. Johnston Pilot (Killed)
Sgt F.W. Morris F/E (Killed)
Sgt G.A. Wainwright NAV/B (Killed)
Sgt A. Howison W/AG (Killed)
Sgt S.J. Wick A/G (Killed)
Sgt M. MacClellan B/A (Killed)
Sgt R.A. Bignell A/G (Killed)
Crew on their 4th operation