420 Squadron Crew Information
This section provides specific information of aircrews that served with 420 Squadron
Below is information I have researched from the squadron records related to specific air crews. The information includes postings (if available), mission date, plane flown, target, any unusual/exciting details recorded about the mission and screening (tour completion) date (if available).
Russel McKay has written an account of his tour as a pilot with 420 Squadron from January 26 to August 2, 1944 entitled "One Of The Many".
Aircrew Flight Records
F. Way Crew: pilot-Fred Way(#4), M. Geisel, ba-AW Swainson (#2) , FC Avery, N Boulet. (ba- Walton and J. Worth also flew with the crew for a couple of missions).
Mission Record
Posted into 420 Squadron March 10, 1943.
Mar 28/29 F. Way flew with the S. Dunn crew as second dickey (pilot) for an attack on St. Nazaire.
Mar 29/30 HE555 (Wellington X). Bochum target area-A. Primary not attacked. Bombs jettisoned 5 miles to the nw of target. Plane hit by heavy flak damaging rear turret. Crew thought they saw some enemy aircraft closing in on them. Flak appeared to be fired into cones of search lights.
Apr 4/5 HE417-L. Kiel target area-B.
Apr 14/15 HE417-L. Stuttgart target area-C. Diverted to Oulton.
Apr 16/17 HE417-L. Attacked Homburg 10 miles ne of primary Mannheim. Flew into a wind shift resulting in a delay over primary target so bombed alternate. Diverted to Westcott.
Squadron was sent to North Africa.
Jun 27/28 HE524. Marshalling yards and ferry slips at San Giovanni.
Jun 30/Jul 1 HE524. Cagliari railway yards.
Jul 3/4 HE975. Trapani.
Jul 5/6 HE524. Gerbini aerodrome and satellites.
Jul 7/8 HE524. Catania aerodrome.
Jul 9/10 HE524. Catania.
Jul 12/13 HE524. Enne, Sicily.
Jul 15/16 HE524. San Giovanni.
Jul 17/18 HE524. Monte Corvino aerodrome.
Jul 19/20 HE524. Capodichino aerodrome.
Jul 21/22 HE524. Capodichino landing ground.
Jul 23/24 HE524. San Giovanne.
Aug 2/3 HE524. Naples.
Aug 3/4 HE524. Paola.
Aug 5/6 HE524. Torre ?
Aug 9/10 HE524. Cap Polero.
Aug 11/12 HE524. Messina/Peloro.
Aug 15/16 LN430. Viterbo Was entrusted with a single 4000 lb cookie.
Aug 17/18 HE259. Pizzo.
Aug 20/21 LN430. Villa Leterno 4000 lb cookie.
Aug 23/24 HZ552. Bagnalli.
Aug 25/26 HZ552. Taranot.
Aug 28/29 HZ552. Taranto.
Aug 31/Sep 1 HE552. Salerno.
Sep 4/5 HZ552. Grazzanise.
Sep7/8 HE524. Viterbo.
Sep 11/12 HZ552. Frasinone.
Sep 13/14 JA125. Pompei Road One 500 lb bomb hung up and was jettisoned over the Med. Sea.
Sep 14/15 HZ552. Battapaglia/Eboli.
Sep 16/17 HE259. Cisterna Airfield.
Sep 19/20 HE259. Benevento.
Sep 21/22 LN348. Bomber/Illuminator Target Bastia. 54 flares were dropped from 8000 feet at times ordered.
Sep 23/24 HZ552. Pisa Airfield.
Sep 24/25 LM430. Nickelling Renevento area. 500,000 German nickels dropped.
Sep 29, 1943. Way crew screened and posted to No 2 BPD Tunis.
Aircrew: Pilot J.G Ward, ba P. Sisco, nav J. Barclay, wop R Freeman, gun E. Bates, mug F. Beach, under gunner, A. Read and eng F. Jones
Mission Record
The Ward crew arrived at 420 Squadron in the first few days of January 1944.
Mar 22/23 LW427. Frankfort
Mar 24/25 LW783. Berlin
Mar 26/27 LW427. Essen
Mar 30/31 LW427. Nuremburg Landed at Cranwell- crew safe.
Apr 9/10 LW421-K. but had to change planes. Flew ??-P Villeneuve St George
Apr 18/19 MZ540-H. Noisy Le Sec
Apr 20/21 MZ540-H. Lens
Apr 22/23 MZ540-H. Dusseldorf
Apr 24/25 MZ540-H. Karlshruhue. Diverted to Eastmoor.
Apr 27/28 MZ540-H. Auloyne
Apr 30/May 1 MZ540-H. Somain
May 1/2 MZ540-H. Ghilsein
May 12/13 MZ540-H Louvain
May 19/20 MZ540-H Merville Fronville
May 22/23 MZ540-H. Le Mans. MZ540-H, piloted by WO2 Ward, collided with another Halifax at 2:30 at 7800 feet on the way to target. Damage to the port outer, upper turret, the starboard rudder and fin assembly caused handling problems with the aircraft. Stayed on route and jettisoned bombs. The crew of H were able to get the plane back to England where they landed at Ford airbase.
May 27/28 LW676-Y. Bourg-Leopold
May 21/Jun1 LW676-Y. Au Fevre
Jun 5/6 LW676-Y. Houlgate
Jun 6/7 LW676-Y. Coutances. Landed at Wellesbourne
Jun 9/10 LW676-Y. Le Mans
Jun 12/13 LW575-F. Cambrai Jctn. Engine over reving and so made an early return with full bomb load.
Jun 14/15 LW676-Y. St Pol
Jun 15/16 LW676-Y. Boulogne
Jun 17/18 NA528-G. Disenpont/Neuville-au-bois
Jun 21/22 LW676-Y. St. Martin L'Hortier. 5x500 lbs hung up and had to be brought back to base.
Jun 23/24 LK803-Z. Bientque.
Jul 12 MZ587-C. Thiverny.
Jul 17 MZ540-H. Caen A1 (Target area 1)
Jul 20 MZ540-H. Ferme du Forestel
Jul 25/26 MZ540-H. Stuttgart. Hydraulics u/s (unserviceable). Landed at Fairford.
Jul 30 MZ540-H. Amye sur Seulles
Jul 31/Aug 1 MZ540-H. Ouef en Ternois
Aug 3 MZ540-H. Foret de Nieppe
Aug 4 MZ540-H. Bois de Cassan
Aug 5 MZ540-H. St Lieu D' Esserrent Defences heavy. Heavy flak caused some damage to the aircraft.
Aug 7/8 MZ540-H. La Hogue Master Bomber instructed bombers to abandon the attack Crew jettisoned 3x1000 lb bombs to reduce landing weight. Landed at Tilstock.
Aug 9/10 MZ540-H. Foret de Nieppe
On Aug 10, 1944 the crew was screened after completing their first tour.
The Bennett Crew: pilot CE Bennett, ba L Goodman, nav p/o J29411-JO Mears, wop LJF Danis, mgun CR Gordon, rgun LW Johnson, eng A Berry (RAF).
Mission Record
The entire Bennett crew was posted to 420 Squadron from 61 Squadron (a service Squadron in 5 Group) Base wef on May 29, 1944.
Jun 5, pilot CE Bennett flew as second "dickey" with the Dangaard crew.
Jun 8/9, LW645-T, (mugun W Johnson), Mayenne. Diverted to ??? This appears to be the crew's first mission.
Jun 10/11, LW645-T, (mugun W Johnson), Versaille-Matelots.
Jun 12/13, LW645-T, (mugun CS Batt), Cambri Jctn.
Jun 14/15, LW645-T, (mugun CS Batt), St Pol.
Jun 16/17, LW645-T, (mugun CS Batt), Saturecourt.
Jun 17/18, LW645-T, (mugun CS Batt), Oisemont/Neovule-au-Bois.
Jun 21/22, LW393-P, (no mugun), St Marin L'Hortier. Had to make one orbit in target area prior to dropping bombs.
Jul 3, 1944, LW645-T (mugun CS Batt)
Jul 4, LW386-A, (mugun A Berry) daylight attack on Biennais
Jul 5, LW645-T (pilot CE Bennett's 9 op), Daylight attack on Biennais. Landed at Mildenhall.
Jul 6, NA509-V (mugun E Snelling), Coquereaux.
Jul 12, LK803-Z (no mugun), Thiverny.
Jul 15, LK803-Z (no mugun), Nucourt.
Jul 17/18, LW645-T, (mugun R Wallace), Caen A1.
Jul 20, LW645-T, (mugun R Wallace), Ferme du Forestel.
Jul 25/26, LW645-T, (mugun CL Springstein), Stuttgart. Landed at Beaulieu.
Jul 28/29, MZ625-Q, (mugun ES Neill), Hamburg. API went u/s over target.
Aug 3, MZ505-X, (mugun NE Price), Foret de Nieppe.
Aug 4, MZ505-X, (mugun A Evens), Bois de Cassan.
Aug 5, MZ505-X, (ba GB Walker, mugun A Price), St Lieu d'Esserent. Defences quite heavy.
Aug 8/9, MZ505-X, (ba GB Walker, mugun J Brillinger), Foret de Chantilly.
Aug 9/10, MZ713-U, (mugun E Snelling), Foret de Nieppe. 1x1000 hung up over target and jettisoned.
Aug 10/11, NA509-V, La Pallice.
Aug 12, MZ505-X, (mugun MR Baird), Foret de Montritchard.
Aug 14, MZ505-X, Bons Tassilly.
Aug 16/17, MZ505-X, (mugun P Fimio), Kiel. 8x50 IP hung up over target. Jettisoned on return flight.
Aug 18/19, MZ505-X, (eng J McArdle,mugun P Fimio) Connatre. Landed at Coningsby.
Sep 3, NA509-V, (mugun ??), Volkel, Holland.Landed at Little Snoring.
Sep 6, MZ505-X, (mugun BL Martin), Emden. Aircraft damaged in nose, fuselage and perspex of mid upper gun turret by heavy flak.
Sep 9, NA509-V, (mugun AK Cooper), La Havre. Aborted mission as ordered by Master Bomber. Bombload returned to base.
Sep 10, MZ505-X, (mugun BL Martin), La Havre.
Sep 11, MZ505-X, (mugun BL Martin), Gastrop-Rauxel.
Sep 12, MZ505-X, (mugun BL Martin), Wanne Eickel. This appears to be the last mission the crew flew with 420 Squadron as a unit. On Sep 30 the pilot Bennett was posted to OTU86 squadron and Oct 23 nav Maers was posted to "R" Depot wef.
The Heimpel Crew: pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav R Thom(p)son (JE Hamilton-Jones), wop BS King, mgun T Beresford, rgun GA Orbeck, eng J Miller (JL Moore).
Mission Record
The Heimpel crew was posted to 420 Squadron on March 14, 1944 from 61 Base (Training Unit). The pilot and crew, with some changes in members, flew 33 missions with 420 squadron until they were screened from operation on Sep 29 and formaly posted out of the squadron on Nov 3, 1944.
Mar 18/19, LW373-W, pilot ES Heimpel flew as second dickey with the HR Walker crew. Frankfort.
Mar 25/26, LW386-A, (nav R Thompson, eng Mills), Aulnoye.
Mar 26/27, LW386-A, Essen.
Mar 30/31, LW590-R, Nuremburg. Crew was an early return due to u/s hydraulics.
Note: wop BS King flew two missions with the R McKay crew in MZ505-X on Apr 9, 1944, to Villieneux marshalling yards and again on Apr 10 to Ghent. McKay's usual wop was getting married. R McKay in his book "One of the many" mentions this "other wop" in the entry for Apr 10, 1944.
Apr 22, LW590-R, Dusseldorf. (mugun GP Surles) Ran low on petrol so landed at Coningsby.
Apr 24/25, MZ505-X, Essen. Diverted to Eastmoor.
Apr 26/27, LW590-R, (mugun C Campbell), Essen.
Apr 27/28, LW645-T, Aulonye.
May 1/2, MZ569-R,(eng FR Hynes, mugun R White), Ghislein.
May 10/11, MZ625-Q,(eng FR Hynes, mugun WF Johnson), Ghent.
May 12/13, MZ569-R,(eng FR Hynes), Louvain.
May 19/20, MZ569-R, (eng FR Hynes, mugun CS Batt), Mervilles. Early return. Starboard ourter engine u/s and feathered. Starboard inner running rough. Port outer emitting sparks and vibrating badly. Returned to base with full bombload.
May 22/23, MZ505-X, (eng JW Hedgson, mugun CS Batt), Le Mans.
May 27/28, MZ569-R, (eng JW Hedgson, mugun CS Batt), Bourg-Leopold. No flak but many fighters.
Jun 15/16, LW393-P, (nav RE Knight, rgun ?A Johnston, Boulogne. 1x1000 hung up over target and brought back to base.
Jun 16/17, LW393-P, Sautrecourt.
Jul 6, LW393-P, (pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav RE Knight, wop BS King, mgun T Beresford, rgun GA Orbeck, eng J Miller.) Coquereaux.
Jul 15/16, LW393-P, (pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav CW Way, wop BS King, mgun T Beresford, rgun GA Orbeck, eng J Miller.), Nucourt.
Jul 17/18, LW393-P, Caen A1.
Jul 18/19, LW393-P, Wesseling.
Jul 28/29 1944, LW393-P, Hamburg. Gee, Monica and Mandrel all u/s. Defences moderate heavy flak.
Aug 10, LW393-P, (pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav CW Way, wop BS King, mgun T Beresford, rgun GA Orbeck, eng JL Moore), La Pallice
Aug 12/13, LW574-T, (pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav ?, wop BS King, mgun T Beresford, rgun GA Orbeck, eng JL Moore), Falatre.
Aug 16/17, LW393-P, (pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav JE Hamilton-Jones (Hamilton-Jones became the regular nav for the Heimpel crew after his normal crew, the Trickett crew crashed on Jul24/25 into the English Channel returning from an attack on Ferfey, France. Hamilton-Jones missed this flight due to a broken leg sustained in a motorcycle accident), wop BS King, mgun T Beresford, rgun GA Orbeck, eng JL Moore, mugun TJ Bibby), Kiel.
Aug 18/19, LW393-P, (pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop BS King, mgun T Beresford, rgun GA Orbeck, eng JL Moore), Connantre Marshalling Yards. Landed at Tangmere.
Aug 25, LW393-P, (pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop BS King, mgun T Beresford, rgun GA Orbeck, eng JL Moore), Brest. Diverted due to poor weather at base. Landed at Boscombe.
Aug 27, NA509-V, (pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop BS King, mgun T Beresford, rgun GA Orbeck, eng JL Moore, mugun AK Cooper), construction at Marquise/Miemyecques.
Aug 31, MZ747-O, (pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop BS King, mgun T Beresford, rgun GA Orbeck, eng JL Moore, mugun FV Harvey), Ile De Cezembre.
Sep 3, MZ747-O, Volxel, Holland. Aircraft diverted.
Sep 5, the Heimpel crew acted as the standby crew.
Sep 9, MZ747-O, (pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop BS King, mgun T Beresford, rgun GA Orbeck, eng JL Moore, mugun P Fimio.) Le Havre 9. Mission was aborted on orders of Master Bomber. Brought back bomb load.
Sep 10, MA953-P, (pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop BS King, mgun T Beresford, rgun GA Orbeck, eng JL Moore), La Havre. 1x1000 hung up over target was jettisoned on return flight.
Sep 16, LW393-P,(pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop BS King, mgun T Beresford, rgun GA Orbeck, eng JL Moore). The crew, along with the Jones crew, was detailed to fly a sea search mission to try and locate the location of the VG Motherwell crew who radioed in the early morning that they were having to ditch on returning from a mission. (The cause of the ditching was loss of all hydraulic systems resulting in the deployment of undercarriage, flaps and bomb bay doors.) The search planes flew at 300 feet abreast. The dinghy was sighted after about two hours of searching 70 miles off the coast of England. Flares were dropped near the dinghy and the plane climbed to gain height to transmit the location. They then flew to contact rescue launches. Then flew back and forth between dinghy and launches to ensure location. All the crew were successfully rescued at 20:00 hours.
Sep 17, MA953-P, (pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop BS King, mgun T Beresford, rgun GA Orbeck, eng JL Moore, mugunner WJ Byers), Boulogne.
Sep 25, MA953-P, (pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop BS King, mgun T Beresford, rgun GA Orbeck, eng JL Moore, mugnun WEP Thompson), Calais.
Sep 27, MA953-P, (pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop BS King, mgun T Beresford, rgun GA Orbeck, eng JL Moore), Bottrop.
Sep 28, MA953-P, (pilot ES Heimpel (33), ba WE Jarvie, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop BS King, mgun D Finley, rgun GA Orbeck, eng JL Moore), Gap Gris Nez. The mission was aborted on bomb run as instructed by Master Bomber. 2x1000 were jettisoned on return flight.
Sep 29, The crew of ES Heipel (pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop BS King, mgun D Finley, rgun GA Orbeck, eng JL Moore) were screened from operations.
Nov 3, 1944: The crew of ES Heimpel (pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop BS King, mgun D Finley, rgun GA Orbeck, eng JL Moore) were posted from 420 Squadron. wop F/O BS King was posted to RCAF "?" wef.
F/Sgt Philip Fimio R.273806 (mid under gunner)
Mission Record
Posted from 61 RCAF BASP 1666 Conversion Unit wef on August 5, 1944 to 420 Squadron. He completed 31 missions (one abortive), sixteen with the McCutcheon crew, as mid under gunner in B-Flight. In January 16, 1945 F/Sgt P Fimio was posted from 420 squadron to RCAF "R" depot wef.
Aug 12/13, LW380-B, Johnston Crew: (Pilot EG Johnston, TJ Sexton, J Montgomery, WC McCormick, EH Talson, AE Howell, P Fimio) Palaise.
Aug 15, LW645-T, McKeown Crew: (Pilot EH McKeown, JR McMorland, GG Walker, RT La Rose, VE Anglin, JW Clifton, AG Goodall, P Fimio) Brussels/Melsbroek airfield. DR compass u/s. Small flak holes in perspex of mid-upper gunner turret. Moderate heavy flak. A good trip.
Aug 16/17, MZ505-X, Bennett Crew: (pilot CE Bennett, ba L Goodman, nav p/o J29411-JO Mears, wop LJF Danis, mgun CR Gordon, rgun LW Johnson, eng A Berry (RAF)(mugun P Fimio), Kiel. 8x50 IP hung up over target. Jettisoned on return flight.
Aug 18/19, MZ505-X, Bennett Crew: (pilot CE Bennett, ba L Goodman, nav p/o J29411-JO Mears, wop LJF Danis, mgun CR Gordon, rgun LW Johnson, eng J McArdle,mugun P Fimio) Connatre. Landed at Coningsby.
Aug 25/26, LL580-U, McAdam crew (Pilot WD McAdam DFC, NE Ranson DFC, ME Pett, F Pollock, RP Waddell C Campbell, S Clements, P Fimio), Brest. Landed at Boscome Down.
Sep 3, LW676-Y, McCutcheon crew; (pilot EB McCutheon, ba JG Welk, nav DW Ritchie, wop JG Skidmore, mgun CA Haacke, rgun DO Mackey, eng BA Wylie, mugun P Fimio.) Volkel, Holland. Landed at Little Snoring.
Sep 6, LW645-T, McCutcheon crew; (pilot EB McCutheon, JG Welk, DW Ritchie, JG Skidmore, CA Haacke, DO Mackey, BA Wylie, P Fimio.) Emden, Germany.
Sep 9, MZ747-O, (pilot ES Heimpel, ba WE Jarvie, nav G Hamilton-Jones, wop BS King, mgun T Beresford, rgun GA Orbeck, eng JL Moore, mugun P Fimio.) Le Havre 9. Mission was aborted on orders of Master Bomber. Brought back bomb load.
Sep 10, LW645-T, McCutcheon crew; (pilot EB McCutheon, JG Welk, DW Ritchie, JG Skidmore, CA Haacke, DO Mackey, BA Wylie, P Fimio.) Le Havre.
Sep 11, LW645-T, McCutcheon crew; (pilot EB McCutheon, JG Welk, DW Ritchie, JG Skidmore, CA Haacke, DO Mackey, BA Wylie, P Fimio.) Castro-Rauxel.
Sep 12, LW645-T, McCutcheon crew; (pilot EB McCutheon, JG Welk, DW Ritchie, JG Skidmore, CA Haacke, DO Mackey, BA Wylie, P Fimio.) Wane Eikel.
Sep 13, LW645-T, McCutcheon crew; (pilot EB McCutheon, JG Welk, DW Ritchie, JG Skidmore, CA Haacke, DO Mackey, BA Wylie, P Fimio.) Osnabruck.
Sep 15, LW645-T, McCutcheon crew; (pilot EB McCutheon, JG Welk, DW Ritchie, JG Skidmore, CA Haacke, DO Mackey, BA Wylie, P Fimio.) Kiel.
Sep 17, LW645-T, McCutcheon crew; (pilot EB McCutheon, JG Welk, DW Ritchie, JG Skidmore, CA Haacke, DO Mackey, BA Wylie, P Fimio.) Boulogne.
Sep 25, LW645-T, McCutcheon crew; (pilot EB McCutheon, JG Welk, DW Ritchie, JG Skidmore, CA Haacke, DO Mackey, BA Wylie, P Fimio.) Calais.
Sep 26, LW645-T, McCutcheon crew; (pilot EB McCutheon, JG Welk, DW Ritchie, JG Skidmore, CA Haacke, DO Mackey, BA Wylie, P Fimio.) Calais.
Sep 27, LW645-T, McCutcheon crew; (pilot EB McCutheon, JG Welk, DW Ritchie, JG Skidmore, CA Haacke, DO Mackey, BA Wylie, P Fimio.) Bottop/Willeim.
Oct 12, MZ595-M, McCutcheon crew; (pilot EB McCutheon, JG Welk, DW Ritchie, JG Skidmore, CA Haacke, DO Mackey, BA Wylie, P Fimio.) Wanne Eickel. Pilot reported the formation did not work and the met was wrong with winds not as predicted. This made the crew late for bombing the target. Port wheel cowling u/s. Landed at Thorpeabbets.
Oct 14, MZ595-M, McCutcheon crew; (pilot EB McCutheon, JG Welk, DW Ritchie, JG Skidmore, CA Haacke, DO Mackey, BA Wylie, P Fimio.) Take off time was 6:46 and returned at 12:03. Duisburg.
Oct 14/15, MZ595-M, McCutcheon crew; (pilot EB McCutheon, JG Welk, DW Ritchie, JG Skidmore, CA Haacke, DO Mackey, BA Wylie, P Fimio.) Take off time was 22:25. Landed at 4:27. Duisburg.
Oct 15, LL580-U, Glover crew (pilot VR Glover, ab VL McKinnon, nav JR Gordon, wop DF Broadfoot, mgun HE Mackenzie, rgun JM Kastner, eng HW Slipper, mugun P. Fimio) Wilhelmshaven. Lande at Foulsham.
Oct 21, NA630-N, McCutcheon crew; (pilot EB McCutheon, JG Welk, DW Ritchie, JG Skidmore, CA Haacke, DO Mackey, BA Wylie, P Fimio.) Hannover. Recalled to base 85 minutes into op. 11x500 sap jettisoned. 1x2000 brought back to base.
Oct 23, NA630-N, McCutcheon crew; (pilot EB McCutheon, JG Welk, DW Ritchie, JG Skidmore, CA Haacke, DO Mackey, BA Wylie, P Fimio.) Essen. 1x2000 hung up over target. Jettisoned.
Oct 25, LL605-K, Dailey crew (pilot TD Dailey, ab GW Ayres, nav HE Campbell, wop ?E Faucher, mgun GG Hastings, rgun GV Tennyson, eng GW Walker, mugun P Fimio) Homburg.
Oct 28, MZ951-G, Dailey crew (pilot TD Dailey, ab GW Ayres, nav HE Campbell, wop ?E Faucher, mgun GG Hastings, rgun GV Tennyson, eng GW Walker, mugun P Fimio) Cologne. 1x500 sap hung up over target. Jettisoned.
Nov 1, MZ747-O, Asher crew (pilot HD Asher, ab KV Aro, nav DS Wadley, wop JE Beaudin, mgun ED McMaster, rgun WJ Byers, eng WH Main, mugun P Fimio) Obenhasen.
Nov 2, MZ953-P, Asher crew (pilot HD Asher, ab KV Aro, nav DS Wadley, wop JE Beaudin, mgun ED McMaster, rgun WJ Byers, eng WH Main, mugun P Fimio) Dusseldorf.
Nov 4, MZ940-H, MacDonald crew (pilot WHK MacDonald, ab ETL Cantell, nav JH Fitzpatrick, wop CA Minary, mgun GW Wilkins, rgun WJ Sherin, eng RW Shepherd, mugun P Fimio), Bochum.
Nov 6, MZ747-O, Asher crew (pilot HD Asher, ab KV Aro, nav DS Wadley, wop JE Beaudin, mgun ED McMaster, rgun WJ Byers, eng WH Main, mugun P Fimio) Gelsenkirchen. Fair attack. Rhine defenses fairly active.
Nov 16, MZ952-I, Bonner crew (pilot JP Bonner, ab ? Geary, nav AJ Bettridge, wop BIL Thibert, mgun WE Burrell, rgun GC Bragg, eng MT McMunn, mugun P Fimio) Julion.
Nov 21, MZ940-H, MacDonald crew (pilot WHK MacDonald, ab ETL Cantell, nav JH Fitzpatrick, wop CA Minary, mgun GW Wilkins, rgun WJ Sherin, eng RW Shepherd, mugun P Fimio) Castro-Rauxel. Landed Middleton St George.
Jan 16, 1945, F/Sgt P Fimio was posted from 420 squadron to RCAF "R" depot wef.
Trickett crew (pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun GA Kent, eng EW Walton).
Left to right: F/L John E. Hamilton-Jones, Navigator, RCAF; Flt Sgt Ernie Walton, Flt Eng, RAF; F/O Ernie Monk, WAG, RCAF; Flt Sgt Bill Sutherland, Mid-Upper Gunner, RCAF; F/O Ken Heron, Bomb Aimer.(Image provided by J Grimm.)
Mission Record
Apr 19, LW392-S. pilot DH Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun GA Kent, eng EW Walton. Sea Search.
Apr 20/21 MZ503-L. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun GA Kent, eng EW Walton. Lens.
Apr 22/23 LW676-Y. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun JOB Masse, mugun GA Kent, eng EW Walton. Dusseldorf.
Apr 24/25, MZ502-U (or LW392-S). pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun JOB Masse, mugun GA Kent, eng EW Walton. Karlsruhue. 90x4 hung up. Diverted to Eastmoor.
Apr 26/27, LW676-Y. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun GA Kent, eng EW Walton, mugun RG Lewis. Essen.
Apr 27/28, LW676-Y. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun GA Kent, eng EW Walton, mugun LM Metcalfe. Auloyne. 1x1000 hung up.
Apr 30/May 1, LW389-N. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, eng EW Walton, rgun K Jacobs. Somain.
Apr May 1/2, LW389-N. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, eng EW Walton, rgun K Jacobs. St Ghislein.
May 12/13, MZ625-Q. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun GA Kent, eng EW Walton, mugun Brillinner. Louvain.
May 19/20, MZ625-Q. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun GA Kent, eng EW Walton, mugun D Finlay. Merville. Drift cable on computer box of bomb sight u/s.
May 27/28, MZ625-Q. pilot D Trickett(10.5 missions), ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun GA Kent, eng EW Walton, mugun D Finlay. Bourg-Leopold.
May 31/Jun 1, MZ625-Q. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun GA Kent, eng EW Walton, mugun CS Batt. Au Fevre. DR compass u/s. 3x500 hung up over target and brought back to base.
Jun 2/3, MZ625-Q. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun GA Kent, eng EW Walton, mugun CS Batt. Neufchatel.
Jun5/6, MZ625-Q. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun GA Kent, eng EW Walton, mugun JCB Masse. Houlgate. DR compass u/s. Icing over England.
Jun 6/7, MZ625-Q. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun GA Kent, eng EW Walton, mugun M Cohen. Couteances. Landed at Wellesborune.
Jun 8/9, MZ625-Q. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun GA Kent, eng EW Walton, mugun M Cohen. Mayenne. Landed at Harden.
Jun 10/11, MZ625-Q. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun GA Kent, eng EW Walton, mugun D Finlay. Versaille-Matedots. API u/s
Jun 14/15, MZ625-Q. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun GA Kent, eng EW Walton, mugun D Finlay. St. Pol.
Jun 16/17, MZ625-Q. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun GA Kent, eng EW Walton, mugun D Finlay. Sautrecourt.
Jun 21/22, MZ625-Q. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun GA Kent, eng EW Walton, mugun D Finlay. St. Martin L'Hortier. Had to make one orbit at target.
Jun 23/24, MZ625-Q. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav JE Hamilton-Jones, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, rgun GA Kent, eng EW Walton, mugun D Finlay. Bientque.
Jul 24/25, MZ713-U. pilot D Trickett, ab K Heron, nav Knight, wop E Monk, mgun J Sutherland, mgun N Cushman, mugun HR Hebert, eng EW Walton. Ferfey, France. Reported missing. All were killed in a crash into the English Channel.
Lapointe crew (pilot PJ Lapointe, ab RJ Monaghan, nav E Michie, wop G Beer, mgun J MacDougall, rgun W Stobbart, eng G Ellwood). (Images provided by G. Beer.)
Left to right: Beer, Unknown, Lapointe, Unknown, Stobbart (This is image is likely the original Wellington members of the Lapointe crew. The unknowns are likely Monaghan and Michie.)
Lapointe crew in front of "C".
The Lapointe crew joined 420 in North Africa. They only flew a single mission before the squadron returned to England. After conversion training they completed fourteen missions over Europe before being killed in a training crash flying MZ596-F on May 3/4, 1944.
Mission Record
September 26, 1943. pilot PJ Lapointe, ab RJ Monaghan, nav E Michie, wop G Beer, rgun W Stobbart arrived at 420 Squadron based at Hani East in the Kairouan Area, N. Africa.
September 29/30. Pilot Lapointe was "second dickey" in JA125 flown by the CH Tucker crew on a mission to bomb Formia.
October 4/5. Wellington X-HZ414. pilot PJ Lapointe, ab RJ Monaghan, nav E Michie, wop G Beer, rgun W Stobbart. Formia Roads. Bombs fell slightly north of target. (This appears to be the only operative mission the crew flew in North Africa as 420 squadron ceased operations in North Africa the following day and began preparations to return to England.)
Jan 29, 1944. Lapointe's crew returned from 1659 Conversion Unit. The crew now included mgun J MacDougall and eng G Ellwood.
Feb 20/21. LW377. pilot PJ Lapointe, ab RJ Monaghan, nav E Michie, wop G Beer, mgun J MacDougall, rgun W Stobbart, eng G Ellwood. Stuttgart.
Feb 25/26. LW386-A. pilot PJ Lapointe, ab RJ Monaghan, nav E Michie, wop G Beer, mgun J MacDougall, rgun W Stobbart, eng G Ellwood, mugun ??. Augsburg. A few fighters were seen in the target area.
March 1/2. LW476. pilot PJ Lapointe, ab RJ Monaghan, nav E Michie, wop G Beer, mgun J MacDougall, rgun W Stobbart, eng G Ellwood, Stuttgart.
March 13/14. LW386-A. pilot PJ Lapointe, ab RJ Monaghan, nav E Michie, wop G Beer, mgun J MacDougall, rgun W Stobbart, eng G Ellwood. Lemans.
March 15/16. LW386-A. pilot PJ Lapointe, ab RJ Monaghan, nav E Michie, wop G Beer, mgun J MacDougall, rgun W Stobbart, eng G Ellwood. Stuttgart.
March 18/19. LW386-A. pilot PJ Lapointe, (G Pritchard-second "dickey"), ab RJ Monaghan, nav E Michie, wop G Beer, mgun J MacDougall, rgun W Stobbart, eng G Ellwood. Frankfort.
March 22/23. LW386-A. pilot PJ Lapointe, ab RJ Monaghan, nav E Michie, wop G Beer, mgun J MacDougall, rgun W Stobbart, eng G Ellwood, mugun? Fenton. Frankfort.
April 9/10. LW386-A. pilot PJ Lapointe, ab RJ Monaghan, nav E Michie, wop G Beer, mgun J MacDougall, rgun W Stobbart, eng G Ellwood. Villenueve St George.
April 10/11. LW386-A. pilot PJ Lapointe, ab RJ Monaghan, nav E Michie, wop G Beer, mgun J MacDougall, rgun W Stobbart, eng G Ellwood. Ghent.
April 18/19. LW386-A. pilot PJ Lapointe, ab RJ Monaghan, nav E Michie, wop G Beer, mgun J MacDougall, rgun W Stobbart, eng G Ellwood. Noisy Le-Sec.
April 20/21. LW386-A. pilot PJ Lapointe, ab RJ Monaghan, nav E Michie, wop G Beer, mgun J MacDougall, rgun W Stobbart, eng G Ellwood. Lens.
April 22/23. LW386-A. pilot PJ Lapointe, ab RJ Monaghan, nav E Michie, wop G Beer, mgun J MacDougall, rgun W Stobbart, eng G Ellwood. Dusselldorf. Aircraft was damaged by flak but returned safely to base. (The plane was considered unrepairable with routine maintenance.)
April 30/May 1. LW421-K. pilot PJ Lapointe, ab RJ Monaghan, nav E Michie, wop G Beer, mgun J MacDougall, rgun W Stobbart, eng G Ellwood. Somain. Orbitted on instructions from Master Bomber..
May 1/2, LW421-K. pilot PJ Lapointe, ab RJ Monaghan, nav E Michie, wop G Beer, mgun J McDougall, rgun W Stobbart, eng G Ellwood. Ghilsein.
May 3/4. MZ596-F. pilot PJ Lapointe, ab RJ Monaghan, nav E Michie, wop G Beer, mgun J McDougall, rgun W Stobbart, eng G Ellwood, mugun HE Simmons. Did not return from a night cross-country astrolab training flight. Nothing was heard from the crew after takeoff. No crash site or remains have ever been found. It is still a mystery where and why the plane and crew disappeared.
Beall crew (pilot G Beall, ba F/O J Robinson, nav F/O E Andrews, wop DE Woolley, ag Sgt W Stainton, ag P/O A Goodall, eng Sgt W Hickox).
It appears the crew never flew an operational mission in N Africa prior to the squadron returning to England. Beall became squadron leader without flying a single mission with 420 Squadron. This suggests that he likely was on his second tour when he joined the squadron. On the fifteenth mission, while flying in MZ502-U, on May 27/28 for an attack on Bourg-Leopald the crew was shot down by a nightfighter. There were no survivors.
Oct 3, 1943, Flight Lieutenant GS Beall (C.1344) and crew arrived at 420 Squadron. It appears they never flew an operational mission in North Africa.
Sometime in Nov 1943 Beall became the leader of 420 Squadron's "B" Flight.
Dec 9, 1943. S/Ldr Beall and crew departed to 1659 Conversion Unit at Topecliffe to convert to Halifax III's.
Jan 12. S/Ldr G Beall went to Leeming to attend a meeting regarding the plans for the downward vision blister.
Jan 21. S/Ldr Beall with F/L E. Northern departed to Linton Airbase to fly as second dickeys against Mageeburg.
Jan 30. S/Ldr Beall went to Bomber Command to attend a Tactical Course. Beall took with him the squadron crest to have 500 copies made.
Mission Record
Feb 24/25,1944. LW426-Q. (pilot S/Ldr G Beall, ba F/O J Robinson, nav F/O E Andrews, wop DE Woolley, ag Sgt W Stainton, ag P/O A Goodall, eng Sgt W Hickox). Schweinfurt.
Feb 25/26. LW389-N. (pilot S/Ldr G Beall, ba F/O J Robinson, nav F/O E Andrews, wop DE Woolley, ag Sgt W Stainton, ag P/O A Goodall, eng Sgt W Hickox). Augsburg.
Mar 1/2. LW590-R. (pilot S/Ldr G Beall, ba F/O J Robinson, nav F/O E Andrews, wop DE Woolley, ag Sgt W Stainton, ag P/O A Goodall, eng Sgt W Hickox). Stuttgart. Early return due to oxygen u/s. Bombs brought back to base.
Mar 15/16. LW389-N. (pilot S/Ldr G Beall, ba F/O J Robinson, nav F/O E Andrews, wop E Parks, ag Sgt W Stainton, ag P/O A Goodall, eng Sgt W Hickox). Stuttgart.
Mar 22/23. LW389-N.(pilot S/Ldr G Beall, ba F/O J Robinson, nav F/O E Andrews, wop DE Woolley, ag Sgt W Stainton, ag P/O A Goodall, eng Sgt W Hickox). Frankfort.
Mar 24/25. LW389-N.(pilot S/Ldr G Beall, ba F/O J Robison, nav F/O E Andrews, wop DE Woolley, ag Sgt W Stainton, ag P/O A Goodall, eng Sgt W Hickox). Berlin.
Mar 26/27. LW389-N.(pilot S/Ldr G Beall, ba F/O J Robinson, nav F/O E Andrews, wop DE Woolley, ag Sgt W Stainton, ag P/O A Goodall, eng Sgt W Hickox). Essen. Returned early due to engine malfunction.
Mar 30/31. LW389-N.(pilot S/Ldr G Beall, ba F/O J Robinson, nav F/O E Andrews, wop DE Woolley, ag Sgt W Stainton, ag P/O A Goodall, eng Sgt W Hickox, mugun D Brickett). Nuremburg. Landed at Thorney Island.
Apr 9/10. LW389-N.(pilot S/Ldr G Beall (8 missions), ba F/O J Robinson, nav F/O E Andrews, wop DE Woolley, ag FV Harvey, ag P/O A Goodall, eng Sgt W Hickox). Villenueve St George.
Apr 18/19. LW389-N.(pilot S/Ldr G Beall, ba F/O J Robinson, nav F/O E Andrews, wop DE Woolley, ag FV Harvey, ag P/O A Goodall, eng Sgt W Hickox). Noisy Le Sec.
Apr 20/21. LW389-N.(pilot S/Ldr G Beall, ba F/O J Robinson, nav F/O E Andrews, wop DE Woolley, ag FV Harvey, ag P/O A Goodall, eng Sgt W Hickox). Lens.
May 7/8. MZ595-0.(pilot S/Ldr G Beall, ba F/O J Robinson, nav F/O E Andrews, wop DE Woolley, ag Sgt W Staintong, ag P/O A Goodall, eng Sgt W Hickox). St Valery En Caux.
May 9/10. MZ562-V.(pilot S/Ldr G Beall, ba F/O J Robinson, nav F/O E Andrews, wop DE Woolley, ag Sgt W Staintong, ag P/O A Goodall, eng Sgt W Hickox). Calais.
May 9/10. MZ502-U.(pilot S/Ldr G Beall, second dickey HR Whittall, ba F/O J Robinson, nav F/O E Andrews, wop DE Woolley, ag Sgt W Staintong, ag P/O A Goodall, eng Sgt W Hickox). Louvain. Orbitted before attacking target.
May 27/28, 1944: MZ502-U. (Pilot B-Flight S/Ldr G Beall, nav F/O E Andrews, ba F/O J Robinson, wop F/O D Woolley, ag Sgt W Stainton, ag P/O A Goodall, ag W/O2 J Mohler and eng Sgt W Hickox). Attack on Bourg-Leopald. Took off at 23:34 and was reported missing. It is believed MZ502-U was shot down by a night fighter.
Holloway crew (pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng N Binnie).
The Holloway crew flew nineteen missions before they were lost in LW674-E on June 10/11, 1944 attacking the Versailles rail yards. All were killed including the under gunner JW Chudzik on the mission except N Binnie and BE Brakes who were able to evade capture.
Mission Record
Jan 25 F/S Holloway and two other pilots left for Eastmoor (432 Squadron) for operations briefing. However the ops were called off and they returned to base.
Feb 15/16. LW423 (pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng N Binnie.) Berlin. Aircraft arrived early. Defenses not effective. Diverted.
Feb 24/25. LW377 (pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng N Binnie.) Schweinfurt. Bombing appeared scattered. Heavy flak moderate. Search lights not effective.
Mar 13/14. LW377 (pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng J Tyler.) Lemans. Bombing of target appeared successful.
Mar 15/16. LW419 (pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng NJ Shand.) Stuttgart. Scattered bombing.
Mar 18/19. LW423 (pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng N Binne.) Frankfort. Fire reported on TI's.
Mar 30/31. LW386 (pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng N Binne.) Murenburg. Appeared to be successful attack. Diverted to Thorney Island.
Apr 9/10. LW476-"J".(pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng N Binnie). Villeneuve St. George. Gee u/s. Many bomb bursts seen in target area. Large explosions.
Apr 10/11. LW674-"E".(pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng N Binnie). Ghent. DR compass u/s. Very concentrated attack.
Apr 18/19. LW674-"E".(pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng N Binnie). Noisy le Sec. DR Compass u/s. Good attack. Good PFF.
Apr 20/21. LW674-"E".(pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng N Binnie, ag R White). Lens. Many explosions seen in target area.
May 7/8. LW674-"E".(pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng N Binnie, ag GF Hill). St Valery en Caux. Large explosion seen on bomb run. A good raid.
May 8/9. LW674-"E".(pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng N Binnie, ag GF Hill). Haine St Pierre. Raid looked good but too many illuminating flares.
May 12/13. LW674-"E".(pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng N Binnie) F/O TEC Ainslie flew as second dickey. Louvian. Target not seen so returned to base with bombs as instructed.
May 19/20. LW674-"E".(pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng N Binnie, ag GF Hill). Merville-Ronmselle(?). Bombs seen to straddle target indicators. Successful raid.
May 27/28.LW674-"E".(pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng N Binnie, ag GF Hill). Bourg-Leopold. Target was covered by smoke so bombed to port of TI's as instructed.
May 31/Jun 1. LW674-"E".(pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng N Binnie, ag GF Hill). Au Fevre. Clear with thunderstorms. Bomb bursts to port of TI's.
June 7/8. LW674-"E".(pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng N Binnie, ag GF Hill). Acheres. Cloudy. Route good. Successful raid.
June 8/9, 1944:LW674-"E".(pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng N Binnie, ag GF Hill). Mayenne. Very good attack. Diverted to Harden
June 10/11, 1944: Attack on rail yards at Versailles. LW674-"E". (pilot L. Holloway, ba RM Irwin, nav JD Lancaster, wop BE Brakes, ag H Waller, ag FG Harrrop, eng N Binnie, ag JW Chudzik). The plane crashed at Theuville. The crew members that died were buried in the Theuville Communal Cemetery. Two crew members, N Binnie and BE Brakes were able to evade capture.
