Personnel Index - Detail
Propaganda photograph taken inside Stalag V111B. There appears to be an an extra PoW included in the picture!
More images are in the WW2....Gallery 10
2/3 February, 1943; COLOGNE:
On the night of Tuesday 2 February, 7 Lancasters climbed out of Fiskerton through layers of thick cloud. Over the North Sea they were still in cloud at 21,000ft with temperatures down to -40 degrees.
A force of 161 four-engined bombers converged over a cloud-covered Cologne where Pathfinders had dropped markers by using both Oboe and H2S. Damage reports show that the city sustained bombing over a wide area, but with no serious concentration. Bomber Command lost 5 aircraft in total; 3 Lancasters, 1 Halifax and 1 H2S equipped Pathfinder Stirling. The Stirling, along with its secret H2S set had literally 'fallen' into the Germans hands. Eventually the Germans were able to develop a device which enabled their night fighters to home in on a bomber using H2S. The squadron suffered the loss of a crew this night; F/Lt Bob Jackson (ED440) and crew had taken-off at 18.51hrs flying their first operation from Fiskerton. Their aircraft was shot down by a night fighter and crashed between Kessel and Helden in Holland. Six of the crew are buried in Nijmegen Cemetery.
The crew were on their first operation and the Lancaster Mk III, ED440 (EA-L) was flying its 4th operation.
The full story of Sgt J.R. McMahon and additional details of the crash can be read in "Almost a Lifetime" by John McMahon.
F/L R.A Jackson Pilot (Killed)
F/S H.M. Magder RCAF NAV (Killed)
F/O E.J.F Dunand RCAF W/AG (Killed)
Sgt A.J. Clover A/G (Killed)
P/O A.W. Lane B/A (Killed)
Sgt J.R. McMahon F/E (P.o.W.)
Sgt L.G. Alexander A/G (Killed)
The crash site of ED440
The house where Paddy was given shelter
The handkerchief given to Paddy McMahon by his PoW friend.
Click for a larger view in a new window.
Mike Alexander (son of Leopold Alexander) flew from Australia to meet Paddy McMahon (Flight Engineer and only survivor).
Click this link to read the complete story (opens in a new window)
'Posted out'.........April 2017.
Image and text from "Jimmie Mac"......Paddy's son.
The flag at half mast for Paddy Mac at the "Royal Canadian Legion" where we had his celebration of life.
The flag was down for two weeks until we placed his ashes.
That's me "Jimmie Mac" fogging up the lens.
A Blessing for Papa John
As we say goodbye to this wonderful man, I want to say that I feel so blessed and honored I had such a special and rich father and son relationship.
- I believe we chose this relationship long before this life. As I’m sure you all feel blessed for his friendship and love.
- I ask you all to put your hand on your heart and wish him well on his magical journey.
- Until we meet again, let your light shine on all who love you Papa John.
- Take good care.
For those uncertain about names:
- My father, my greatest friend.
- I would call him “Jack Mac” and he liked that.
- I’d also call him Paddy Mac, Papa John, Jack.
- Some people would ask: What’s your dad’s real name?
- Oh .........John!
The following moving image is entitled "Paddy Mac's Last Flight"............
Image courtesy of Jim & Annie McMahon