Personnel Index - Detail
Image via 49 Squadron archives
22/23 April, 1944; BRUNSWICK:
For the first time, 5 Group took its low-level marking method to a heavily defended German target. The Mosquitoes placed their markers accurately but a combination of poor visibility and faulty communications between the bomber controllers saved the city from severe damage. Eighteen Lancasters took off from Fiskerton for Brunswick; the last crew were away at 23.20hrs.
Post-operation reports showed that only a few German fighters contested the 265 strong bomber force, but three crews from the squadron were intercepted.
Another Lancaster touched down with the body of an unfortunate airman on board -P/O Jack Lett landed ND695 at 05.24hrs; over the target, flak had exploded in close proximity to ND695, peppering the fuselage with lethal red hot shell fragments, mortally wounding Gerry Mackew, their 21 year-old bomb aimer; F/Sgt Gerald Victor Mackew now lies at rest in St.Pancras Cemetery, Finchley.
A recently discovered image of the 'Lett crew' with the airmen believed to be (L to R).......
Mac (Sgt GV MacKew - B/A), Jock (Sgt DC Irving - RG), Sgt A Morgan- F/E, Tommy (A choice of six MuGs)), Andy (Sgt PA Andrews- NAV), Sgt F Campbell - W/Op