Personnel Index - Detail
3/4 November, 1943; DÜSSELDORF:
It wasn't until 3rd November that Bomber Command was able to send a large force out again, when almost 600 bombers were sent against the German city of Düsseldorf. The 'rest' period had enabled most squadrons to replenish their establishment of aircraft and 49 was no exception. Now re-settled back at Fiskerton (from Dunholme Lodge), the unit was able to provide 18 aircraft for the evening’s operation. The raid was successful with many fires reported but Command did lose 18 aircraft and crews.
For the second raid in succession 49 Squadron lost two aircraft. The experienced crew skippered by F/Lt Cecil Thomas were on their 20th op, and carrying a 'second dickie' pilot, P/O Teager. A night fighter got them, with only three crew members able to escape before the aircraft exploded near Cologne.
Lancaster ED438 (EA-R)
F/L C.G. Thomas Pilot (Killed)
P/O J.E. Teager 2ndPilot (P.o.W.)
Sgt N.D. Panter F/E (P.o.W.)
F/S W.G. Clutterbuck NAV (Killed)
Sgt W.A. Payne W/AG (P.o.W.)
Sgt H. Minns A/G (Killed)
F/O C.P. Ross B/A (Killed)
Sgt G.E. Boxer A/G (Killed)
Crew on their 20th operation
Unfortunately, the original photograph of the 'Thomas Crew' is somewhat blurred - crew and groundcrew photographed on a bomb trolley
Image courtesy of Gerry Panter (son of F/E Sgt Norman Panter)