Personnel Index - Detail

Name
SPEAK
First Names
Leslie George
Rank
F/Sgt
Service
RAAF
Service Number
436108
Crew Position
Wireless Operator
Age
25
Date of Death
04/11/1944
Cemetery

 

Photographed by Malcolm Brooke

49Sqn Association
 

49Sqn Association

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



The list of postings that led to 49Sqn and his death. He had been with the squadron for just over one month.

Information via Dom Howard.