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Crew 27, Pilot Russell William Sanderson – 462 Squadron RAAF

 

Sanderson Crew, of 462 Squadron, Driffield, 1944; Myles Joseph Kane; A C Stephenson; Donald Kennedy; R Rowe; C R Lynch; Russell William Sanderson; D L Baverstock.
From the 466-462 Squadrons' Association, Sydney

Sanderson Crew, of 462 Squadron and 466 Squadron, Driffield, 1944, identification below at right.

 

Crew 27, 462 Squadron, Driffield, Yorkshire

Pilot: Russell William SANDERSON, 428797 RAAF
Bomb Aimer: Colin Ronald LYNCH, 1578063 RAF (VR?)
Navigator: Donald Leighton BAVERSTOCK, 1655437 RAFVR
Wireless Operator: Myles Joseph KANE, 429578 RAAF
Rear Gunner: Donald KENNEDY, 436467 RAAF
Mid-Upper Gunner: A C STEPHENSON, 1592780 RAF (VR?)
Flight Engineer: R ROWE, 1059639, RAF (VR?)

When 462 Squadron relocated to Foulsham in late December 1944, the SANDERSON crew remained at Driffield, having been posted to 466 Squadron to carry out 3 Ops and thus complete their Tour.

Links to Additional Crew Information; and Crew Ops at 462 Squadron;
Crew Ops at 466 Squadron; Tour Ops; Honours and Gallantry Awards.

Reference sources – Australian WW2 Nominal Roll; National Archives of Australia (A9300 and A9301 RAAF Service Files, 462 Squadron Operational Record Book, 462 Squadron Ops Summary, Australian War Memorial; Trove; London Gazette.
Book – Brave and True (2nd Ed'n., 2007) by Stan Parker and John McManus;
Thanks also to John McManus for the two crew photos from the 466-462 Squadrons' Association Archives.

 

Sanderson Crew, of 462 Squadron, Driffield, 1944; Myles Joseph Kane; A C Stephenson; Donald Kennedy; R Rowe; C R Lynch; Russell William Sanderson; D L Baverstock.
From the 466-462 Squadrons' Association, Sydney

Sanderson Crew, of 462 Squadron and 466 Squadron, Driffield, 1944, identification at right.

 

 

Crew Photo, above left, outside an Aircraft Hangar, Driffield:
Back, L-R: F/Sgt KANE W/AG, Sgt STEPHENSON R/G;
F/Sgt KENNEDY M/U/G; Sgt ROWE F/Eng;
Front, L-R: Sgt LYNCH B/A; P/O SANDERSON Captain (Pilot);
Sgt BAVERSTOCK Nav.
Names and rank and crew position as recorded on the undated photo. The two gunners had swapped roles after 19 Ops at 462 Squadron.

Crew Photo, left, outside the Respirator Workshop, Driffield:
Back, L-R: F/Sgt KANE; Sgt STEPHENSON; F/Sgt KENNEDY; Sgt ROWE;
Front, L-R: Sgt LYNCH, F/O SANDERSON; Sgt BAVERSTOCK.

Original label SANDERSON Crew 174 of 466 Squadron, Driffield, with names and rank as listed.
Although the photo was undated, foliage on the wall behind, and grass, would date it as being soon after the Crew's posting TO 462 Squadron in late August 1944. The crew's posting TO 466 Squadron was 23 December 1944, with photos of that time showing snow.

Pilot SANDERSON had the rank of Pilot Officer in the first crew photo, and the rank of Flying Officer in the second crew photo outside the Respirator Workshop. At magnification, the officer stripe on his shoulder tab appears wider in the second photo, thus indicating F/O. However, his Service File shows he was Acting F/O from 29 July 1944 (at 158 Squadron), and F/O on 11 November 1944 at 462 Squadron. The ORB records his Posting TO 462 Sqdn as F/O, and all Ops at 462 Sqdn as F/O.
The other crew members had their same rank in both photos.
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Russell William SANDERSON, 428797 RAAF, at enlistment, later Pilot of crew 27 at 462 Squadron, Driffield, 1944.
National Archives of Australia: A9300, 428797

Russell William SANDERSON, 428797 RAAF, at enlistment on 10 October 1942, Sydney NSW.

 

Pilot

Name: Russell William SANDERSON
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 428797
Date of Birth: 24 April 1923
Place of Birth: Drummoyne, New South Wales
Date of Enlistment: 10 October 1942
Place of Enlistment: Sydney, NSW
Next of Kin: Norman Russell SANDERSON
Date of Discharge: 01 September 1945
Rank at Discharge: Flying Officer
Posting at Discharge: 4 Group, RAF Station Carnaby, UK
Honours and Gallantry: Distinguished Flying Cross
Prisoner of War: No
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Bomb Aimer

Name: Colin Ronald LYNCH
Service: Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve ?)
Service Number: 1578063
Date and Place of Birth: 06 July 1923
Date and Place of Enlistment: ~ July 1941 **
Next of Kin: ......
Date, Rank and Posting at Discharge: ......
Honours and Gallantry: ......
Prisoner of War: No

** From the website http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/rfc_raf.pdf which details RFC and RAF Service Numbers: No. 1575001 to No. 1585000 were allocated from June 1941 at Birmingham. This batch includes 1578063 for LYNCH.
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Navigator

Name: Donald Leighton BAVERSTOCK
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service Number: 1655437 (later 190549)
Date and Place of Birth: ......
Date and Place of Enlistment: ...... **
Next of Kin: ......
Date, Rank and Posting at Discharge: ......
Honours and Gallantry: ......
Prisoner of War: No

** From the website http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/rfc_raf.pdf which details RFC and RAF Service Numbers: No. 1650001 to No. 1670000 were allocated from November 1941 at Penarth. This batch includes 1655437 for BAVERSTOCK.
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Myles Joseph KANE, 429578 RAAF, at enlistment, later Wireless Operator, 462 Squadron, Driffield 1944.
National Archives of Australia: A9301, 429578

Myles Joseph KANE, 429578 RAAF, at enlistment on 09 October 1942, Brisbane, Queensland.

 

 

Wireless Operator

Name: Myles Joseph KANE
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 429578
Date of Birth: 15 July 1923
Place of Birth: Toowoomba, Queensland
Date of Enlistment: 09 October 1942
Place of Enlistment: Brisbane, Qld
Next of Kin: James David KANE
Date of Discharge: 13 March 1947
Rank at Discharge: Warrant Officer
Posting at Discharge: Air Crew Allocation Centre (ACAC)
Honours and Gallantry: Nil
Prisoner of War: No

 

 

 

F/Sgt Myles Joseph KANE, 429578 RAAF, later Wireless Operator, 462 Squadron, Driffield 1944.
National Archives of Australia: A9301, 429578

F/Sgt Myles Joseph KANE, 429578 RAAF, in civilian clothes, undated but labelled as F/Sgt KANE (lower left). He was promoted to F/Sgt on 22 January 1944, during his training at 4 (O) Advanced Flying Unit, West Freugh, Scotland.

 

 

 

Myles KANE, February 1954, previously 429578 RAAF, Wireless Operator, 462 Squadron, Driffield 1944.

Myles KANE, February 1954. Picture taken from the Brisbane Telegraph of Thursday 25 February 1954, page 16, with caption:
"This star-gazing quartette are (from L to R) Myles Kane, Margaret Luck, Stan Walsh and Margaret Reid. They were at a party at Twenty-nine Murray Street."
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Donald KENNEDY, 436467 RAAF, at enlistment, later Rear Gunner 462 Squadron, Driffield.
National Archives of Australia: A9301, 436467

Donald KENNEDY, 436467 RAAF, at enlistment,
on 15 January 1943, at Perth, WA.

 

 

 

Rear Gunner (first 19 ops at 462 Sqdn)
Mid-Upper Gunner (last 7 Ops at 462 Sqdn)

Name: Donald KENNEDY
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 436467
Date of Birth: 17 January 1924
Place of Birth: Beverley, Western Australia
Date of Enlistment: 15 January 1943
Place of Enlistment: Perth, WA
Next of Kin: Alexander KENNEDY
Date of Discharge: 19 September 1947
Rank at Discharge: Warrant Officer
Posting at Discharge: Air Crew Allocation Centre (ACAC)
Honours and Gallantry: Nil
Prisoner of War: No
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Mid-Upper Gunner (first 19 ops at 462 Sqdn)
Rear Gunner (last 7 Ops at 462 Sqdn)

Name: A C STEPHENSON
Service: Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve ?)
Service Number: 1592780
Date and Place of Birth: ......
Date and Place of Enlistment: ...... **
Next of Kin: ......
Date, Rank and Posting at Discharge: ......
Honours and Gallantry: ......
Prisoner of War: No

** From the website http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/rfc_raf.pdf which details RFC and RAF Service Numbers: No. 1585001 to No. 1600000 were allocated from September 1941 at Weston-super-Mare. This batch includes 1592780 for STEPHENSON.
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Flight Engineer

Name: R ROWE
Service: Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve ?)
Service Number: 1059639
Date and Place of Birth: ......
Date and Place of Enlistment: ...... **
Next of Kin: ......
Date, Rank and Posting at Discharge: ......
Honours and Gallantry: ......
Prisoner of War: No

** From the website http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/rfc_raf.pdf which details RFC and RAF Service Numbers: No. 965000 to No. 1149977 were allocated from September 1939 at Padgate. This batch includes 1059639 for ROWE.
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Additional Crew Information

Comprehensive information is available for the three RAAF members of this crew, Pilot SANDERSON, W/OP KANE, and Rear Gunner KENNEDY – their RAAF Service Files have been digitised by the National Archives of Australia. In each file, the date for the same event may vary (by a day or two) on different documents.
Service Files for the other four RAF members of the crew are not available, so details for them are minimal. Their initials and service numbers have been taken from the 462 Squadron ORB, however due to variable legibility, the information may have errors. Air Force Lists for January 1945 and July 1945, and the London Gazette, have been checked for Promotions and Awards, locating BAVERSTOCK's Commission and later promotion, but with no definite results for the other three. Various books about 462 Squadron have also been perused, noting some variations between authors (titles listed in Acknowledgements).
If anyone has additional photos or information relating to this crew, and in particular for the RAF crew men, please make Contact.

Crew Formation and History – taking known information from the three RAAF files, the following could be surmised ......

Feb 1944 – Posted to 21 OTU, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire – SANDERSON 15 Feb, KANE 29 Feb, KENNEDY 01 Feb – formation of initial crew of 6 here, probably in early March 1944
25 May 1944 – Posted to 41 Base, Acaster Malbis, Yorkshire – SANDERSON, KANE & KENNEDY on same date
10 Jun 1944 – Posted to 1663 HCU, Rufforth, Yorkshire – SANDERSON on this date; KANE & KENNEDY listings undated, F/Eng ROWE would have joined the crew here.

29 Jul 1944 – Posted to 158 Squadron, Lissett, Yorkshire – SANDERSON, KANE & KENNEDY on same date
22 Aug 1944 – Posted TO 462 Squadron, Driffield, Yorkshire SANDERSON, KANE & KENNEDY on same date, however officially recorded in Sep 1944 ORB Form 540, Officer SANDERSON on page 12, and NCOs LYNCH, BAVERSTOCK, KANE, KENNEDY and ROWE on page 13 – there was no record for STEPHENSON's posting TO the Squadron.
23 Dec 1944 – Posted TO 466 Squadron, Driffield, Yorkshire – Officer SANDERSON's posting FROM 462 Squadron Dec 1944 ORB Form 540, page 40; however there was no record in the ORB for the posting FROM 462 Squadron for the 6 NCO's in the crew. However, RAAF Service Files for SANDERSON, KANE and KENNEDY all match with date of 23 Dec 1944.
14 Jan 1945 – Last Op for crew at 466 Squadron, and Tour completed

31 Jan 1945 – Posting FROM 466 Squadron for SANDERSON
28 Feb 1945 – Postings FROM 466 Squadron for KANE and KENNEDY on same date, and to same next posting. Their later postings also coincided, up to their disembarkation in Sydney, so they may have been repatriated in the same group.
Posting details are not known for the RAF members of crew, but if the assumption is made that the crew was permanent after formation in the training system at OTU, with F/Eng added at HCU, the above dates may also be correct for them.

Pilot: Russell William SANDERSON, 428797 RAAF

27 Feb 1942 – Enrolled in the RAAF Reserve, 2 Recruiting Centre (2 RC), Sydney, NSW; Reserve Badge No. 17900; age 18 yrs and 10 months; born on 24 April 1923 at Drummoyne, NSW; home address Beaconsfield St., Newport, NSW; single, religion Church of England; Educated at Sydney Technical High School, and Sydney Technical College, received Intermediate Certificate, subjects Maths, History, Science, Woodwork, metalwork; Civil employment as General Clerk, at Waddington Pty Ltd, Granville, NSW; no previous Naval, Military or Air Force service; height 5 ft 7 ins; weight 130 lb (9 st 4 lb; 6/6 vision; scar on right shoulder; blue eyes, dark hair; Medical Classification A1B A3B.

10 Oct 1942 – Enlisted in RAAF at 2 Recruiting Centre (2 RC), Sydney for the Duration of the War and 12 months thereafter; aged 19 years and 5 months; British Subject; single; other details as for RAAF reserve, no civil convictions; Civil employment now as Engineer/Draughtsman at Waddington Pty Ltd, Granville, NSW; Medical Classification A1B A3B, Fit Full Flying Duties; next-of-kin Norman Russell SANDERSON (father) of Beaconsfield St., Newport, NSW;
10 Oct 1942 – Allocated RAAF Service Number 428797;
10 Oct 1942 – Mustered as Aircrew V;
10 Oct 1942 – Classified as Air Craftman 2 (AC 2 or AC II);
10 Oct 1942 – Posted to 2 Initial Training School (2 ITS), Bradfield Park, Sydney, Number 33 Pilot Course

30 Nov 1942 – Re-mustered as Aircrew V (P)

01 Jan 1943 – Completion of No 33 Pilot Course at 2 ITS, Pass result
02 Jan 1943 – Re-mustered as Aircrew II (P)
02 Jan 1943 – Promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC)

07 Jan 1943 – Posted to 8 Elementary Flying Training School (8 EFTS), Narrandera, NSW; elementary flying training in Tiger Moth, DH82 aircraft; 60 hours 40 minutes

14 Mar 1943 – Posted to 5 Service Flying Training School (5 SFTS), Uranquinty, NSW, service flying training in Wirraway aircraft; 104 hours 05 minutes

28 Jun 1943 – Completion of No 32 Pilot Course at 5 SFTS, Pass result
28 Jun 1943 – Awarded Flying Badge at 5 SFTS
30 Jun 1943 – 8 days Pre-embarkation leave to 08 July 1943
01 Jul 1943 – Re-mustered as Airman Pilot
01 Jul 1943 – Promoted to (T) Sergeant
02 Jul 1943 – Posted to 2 Embarkation Depot (2 ED), Bradfield Park, Sydney

14 July 1943 – Posted to Overseas Headquarters (OSHQ); Embarked from Brisbane, Qld, Australia for the UK
26 Aug 1943 – Disembarked in UK
27 Aug 1943 – Posted to 11 Personnel Despatch & Reception Centre (11 PDRC), Brighton, UK
27 Aug 1943 – Attached to RAF

21 Sep 1943 – Posted to 20 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit (20 (P) AFU), UK; advanced flying training in Oxford aircraft, 141 hours 45 min (a second document has the time as 154 hrs 45 m)

01 Jan 1944 – Promoted to (T) Flight Sergeant

15 Feb 1944 – Posted to 21 Operational Training Unit (21 OTU), Moreton-in-Marsh, Wellington aircraft, 101 hours 55 min
10 May 1944 – Discharged as Airman on being granted a Commission
11 May 1944 – Commissioned, to the rank of Pilot Officer

25 May 1944 – Posted to 41 Base, Acaster Malbis
25 May 1944 – Attached to No. 4 Group Battle School

10 Jun 1944 – Posted to 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit (1663 HCU), Rufforth, conversion training in Halifax II and V aircraft, 37 hours 30 min

29 Jul 1944 – Posted to 158 Squadron, Lissett, operational flying, Halifax III, 21 hours 15 min
29 Jul 1944 – Acting Flying Officer at 158 Squadron

22 Aug 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield, operational flying, Halifax III, 143 hours 05 min

11 Nov 1944 – Promoted to Flying Officer at 462 Squadron

23 Dec 1944 – Posted to 466 Squadron, Driffield, operational flying, Halifax III, 16 hours 50 min

14 Jan 1945 – Last Op, and first Tour completed – combined total listed as 32 Ops in Service File

31 Jan 1945 – Posted to No. 4 Group, RAF Carnaby, Air Crew Reception Centre, Yorkshire; duties as Aircrew Receptionist (report below, dated 23 May 1945)

16 May 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton
21 May 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton, as Supernumerary

23 May 1945 – Confidential Report on Officer, Rank of Flying Officer, duty as Aircrew Receptionist at Carnaby, from 31 Jan 1945 to 21 May 1945; Conduct Satisfactory, and of Temperate Habit. All assessments rated as 5 or 6; with 5 for "zeal and energy in performance"; "initiative"; "ability on present duties "; and "general standard of professional ability'. He rated 6 for "Personality, force of character and leadership" and also 6 for "Reliability and judgement".
Special remarks .......... "This officer has been engaged on aircrew receptionist duties which necessitated only occasional flying on Station aircraft. He has carried these rather uninteresting duties out with reliability and willingness. Pleasant personality and a good all round sportsman, he has been as asset to the Unit during the short period of posting. No special qualification except as an Australian Country cricketer."
Hand-written and signed on 23 May 1945 by Reporting Officer W/Cdr J M Viney D.S.O., D.F.C.
Additional comment by next-senior officer .... "I agree with the remarks of the Station Commander" ... hand-written and signed on 25 May 1945 by Air Vice Marshal H S P Walmsley C.B., C.B.E., M.C., D.F.C.
SANDERSON had obviously impressed his highly ranked superiors, but was it his Air Force service, or his cricketing ability, which had influenced them the most?

25 May 1945 – Award of Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) promulgated in London Gazette – details and Citation in later Awards section

29/30 May 1945 – Embarked from UK, for Australia

07 Jul 1945 – Disembarked in Sydney, Australia, ex overseas service
07 Jul 1945 – Posted to 2 Personnel Depot (2 PD), Sydney
08 Jul 1945 – 7 days Recreation Leave to 15 July
16 Jul 1945 – 30 days Disembarkation Leave to 15 August

14 August 1945 – Posted to 2 PD, Sydney

01 Sep 1945 – Transferred to RAAF Reserve, surplus to current personnel requirements, at rank of Acting F/O.
12 Sep 1945 – Advice 3496B – Eligible for Returned from Active Service Badge
23 Sep 1945 – Despatch of Certificate of Service and Discharge for Service as Airman; and Certificate of Service as Officer
06 Oct 1945 – SANDERSON's signature on Receipt for RAAF Airman's Certificate of Service and Discharge (Form P/P.83A), and Officer's Certificate of Service No. 3605.

09 Aug 1946 – Insignia of Distinguished Flying Cross presented to SANDERSON by The Governor-General, at Government House, Sydney

General Conduct Sheet – dated, and signed "Certified No Entry" at each posting of 2 ITS, 8 EFTS, 5 SFTS, 2 ED, 11 PDRC, 20(P)AFU, 21 OTU, 1663 HCU.
Service Conduct Sheet – Signed and "Certified No Entry" – 23 Jul 1943 and 16 Apr 1945

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Wireless Operator: Myles Joseph KANE, 429578 RAAF

12 Jan 1942 – Application for Air Crew, single, British Subject, born on 15 Jul 1923 at Recruiting Centre, Toowoomba, Qld; home address 194 James St., next-of-kin James David KANE, a Journalist, of the same address; no flying experience; no previous Naval, Military or Air Force service; height 5 ft 10 ins; weight 10 st 8 lb; signed 12 Jan 1942; permission signed by his father on 14 Jan 1942; also signed by 2 referees from Toowoomba (one from Commonwealth Bank, and one from Downland's College). Civil employment as Bank Officer at Commonwealth Bank, Toowoomba.
Education – St Mary's Christian Brothers College, Toowoomba, Jan 1931 to Dec 1937; Downland Sacred Heart College, Feb 1938 to Dec 1940; Junior Public Exam Certificate in Nov 1938 (Passes in English, Physics, Latin, French, English History; 1st Class Passes in Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry; Senior Public Exam Certificate in Nov 1940 (A for Maths I, and Logic; B for English, and Maths II, C for Physics and Latin); Commenced First Year Commerce at Qld University as External Student but studies discontinued in Sep 1941; Granted exemption from Barrister's Preliminary Exam. Sports – Rugby Union football, cricket, tennis, swimming, athletics. Application rubber-stamped 22 Jan 1942 and again on 27 Jan 1942, Approved.

27 Mar 1942 – Enrolled in the RAAF Reserve, Toowoomba, Qld; Reserve Badge No. 3644; age 18 yrs and 8 months; single, religion Roman Catholic; civil employment as Bank Officer, Commonwealth Bank, Toowoomba; other details as per the Application for Air Crew; height amended to 5 ft 7½ ins; weight 146 lb (10 st 6 lb); 6/6 vision; Fair complexion, blue eyes, Light brown hair; scar on right pelvic joint; Medical Classification A3B.

09 Oct 1942 – Enlisted in the RAAF at 3 RC, Brisbane, Qld: for the duration of the War and 12 months thereafter; aged 19 years and 2 months; British Subject; single; no civil convictions; Civil employment as Bank Clerk; other details as per RAAF Reserve and Application for Air Crew
09 Oct 1942 – Allocated RAAF Service Number 429478
09 Oct 1942 – Mustered as Aircrew V
09 Oct 1942 – Classified as Air Craftman 2 (AC 2 or AC II);
09 Oct 1942 – Posted to 3 ITS, Kingaroy, Qld

04 Nov 1942 – Re-mustered as Aircrew V (G)
07 Nov 1942 – Reclassified as LAC
10 Nov 1942 – Posted to 3 Wireless & Air Gunnery School (3 WAGS), Maryborough, Qld; Wackett aircraft, 22 hours
19 Jun 1943- Completed Course 34, at 3 WAGS, Pass

23 Jun 1943 – Posted to 1 Bombing & Air Gunnery School (1 BAGS), Evans Head, NSW; Fairey Battle aircraft, 9 hrs 45 m
24 Jun 1943 – Re-mustered as Aircrew II (G)
25 Jun 1943 – Certified that a valid Will was held by the RAAF

22 Jul 1943 – Completed Course 34 at 1 BAGS, Pass
22 Jul 1943 – Received Air Gunner's Badge
22 Jul 1943 – Re-mustered as Wireless Operator Air Gunner II
22 Jul 1943 – Promoted to (T) Sergeant
23 Jul 1943 – Posted to 3 ED, Sandgate, Qld
24 Jul 1943 – 8 days pre-embarkation leave, to 01 Aug 1943
01 Aug 1943 – Posted to 3 ED, Sandgate

08 Aug 1943 – Posted to 2 ED, Sydney
11 Aug 1943 – Attached to OSHQ (UK)
11 Aug 1943 – Embarked from Sydney for the UK

16 Oct 1943 – Disembarked in the UK
17 Oct 1943 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton
17 Oct 1943 – Attached to the RAF

28 Dec 1943 – Posted to 4 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit (4 (O) AFU), West Freugh, Scotland, Anson aircraft, 53 hours

22 Jan 1944 – Promoted to (T) Flight Sergeant

29 Feb 1944 – Posted to 21 OTU, Moreton-in-Marsh, Wellington aircraft, 102 hours 30 min

11 Mar 1944 – Re-mustered as Wireless Operator (Air)

25 May 1944 – Posted to 41 Base, Acaster Malbis
25 May 1944 – Attached to No. 4 Group Battle School

Undated (? 10 Jun 1944) – Posted to 1663 HCU, Rufforth, conversion training in Halifax aircraft, 36 hours

29 Jul 1944 – Posted to 158 Squadron, Lissett, operational flying, Halifax III, 21 hours 15 min, 5 Ops

22 Aug 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield, operational flying, Halifax III, 140 hours 55 min, 24 Ops

23 Dec 1944 – Posted to 466 Squadron, Driffield, operational flying, Halifax III, 16 hours 50 min, 3 Ops

14 Jan 1945 – Last Op, and first Tour completed – combined total listed as 32 Ops in Service File

22 Jan 1945 – Promoted to Warrant Officer

28 Feb 1945 – Posted to Air Crew Allocation Centre (ACAC), Catterick, North Yorkshire

25 Apr 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton, for repatriation to Australia

Undated 1945 – Embarked from UK for Australia
17 Jun 1945 – Disembarked in Sydney. Australia
17 Jun 1945 – Posted to 2 PD, Bradfield Park, Sydney, ex-overseas service
25 Jun 1945 – 30 days Disembarkation Leave to 24 July 1945

29 Jul 1945 – Posted to 3 PD, Sandgate, Qld

28 Aug 1945 – 3 PD, transferred to RAAF Reserve, at rank of Warrant Officer, being surplus to current personnel requirements.
28 Aug 1945 – Demobilisation Wing, 3 PD, Sandgate, Qld – all outstanding leave paid out in lump sum in lieu of 7 days recreation leave, 30 days war service leave, and 30 days re-establishment leave.

08 Oct 1945 – KANE's signature on Receipt for RAAF Airman's Certificate of Service and Transfer (Form P/P.83A)

14 Jul 1946 – KANE's signature on Receipt for RAAF Airman's Certificate of Service and Discharge (Form P/P.83A)

13 Mar 1947 – Discharged from the RAAF Reserve, 3 PD, on demobilisation, character listed on Certificate of Service as "Very Good"; Trade Proficiency as "Satisfactory"

Medals – 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939/45

General Conduct Sheet – not in RAAF Service File
Service Conduct Sheet – Signed and "Certified No Entry" – 19 Aug 1943 and 27 Apr 1945

KANE's Post War Life
As recorded on his Application for Air Crew dated 12 Jan 1942 – KANE had commenced First Year Commerce at Qld University as External Student but had discontinued his studies in September 1941. It was also noted that he had been granted exemption from Barrister's Preliminary Exam.
It would seem that after the war he entered the Legal Profession. On the National Library of Australia's Trove website (online searchable newspapers, among other things), a search for the name Myles Joseph KANE gave three results which seem to be the former Wireless Operator of 462 Squadron.

1. Brisbane Telegraph, Thursday 03 April 1952, page 30 – "Notice previous to Admission as Solicitor" application for Admission to practice as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court scheduled for 16 April 1952; calling for any objections; applicant MYLES JOSEPH KANE, of Hawthorne, Brisbane, who was currently articled to Hilary Vincent George PETRIE, a Solicitor of the Supreme Court, in business at AMP Building in the City of Brisbane.
His application must have been successful.

2. Brisbane Telegraph, Monday 07 July 1952, page 14 – "MAYOR TAKES A PARTNER" – (quote from article) ..... The Lord Mayor (Ald. Roberts, M.L.A.) has taken into partnership in his legal practice Mr. Myles Kane. Ald. Roberts said he had done this to enable him to devote his time fully to his civic and parliamentary duties. The partnership will be known as Frank Roberts and Kane. Mr. Kane, a son of the former State Labour member for East Toowoomba (Mr. J. D. Kane), served in the R.A.A.F. during the war. ..... (end of quote)

3. Brisbane Telegraph, Thursday 25 February 1954, page 16 – photo of a "star-gazing quartette", including Myles Kane. This newspaper picture may be viewed with his RAAF photos in a previous section. (Any relationship between the four people in the photo, is not known by this author.)

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Rear Gunner: Donald KENNEDY, 436467 RAAF (later swapped to Mid-Upper Gunner) – his Service File has several discrepancies in dates for the same event, as recorded in different documents.

22 Jul 1942 – Application for Air Crew at RC, Perth, Western Australia; single, British Subject, born on 17 Jan 1924; home address North Beverley, WA; next-of-kin Alexander KENNEDY (Irish nationality) of the same address; no flying experience; previous Military service from 05 Feb 1942 and present occupation Private W48780, in "Y" D.I.D., 3 Aust Corps, Aust Militia Forces; height 5 ft 11 ins; weight 170 lb (12 st 02 lb); signed 22 Jul 1942; permission signed by his father on 25 Jul 1942; Previous civil employment as Civil Service Clerk in the WA Public Health Dept.
Education – Beverley State School, WA from Jan 1936 to Dec 1937; Northam High School from Feb 1938 to Dec 1939; Junior Public Exam Certificate in Nov 1937 and 1938 (Passes in English, Maths A, Physiology, Hygiene, Drawing A, History, Geography; Leaving Certificate in Nov 1939 (Passed English, History, Geography, Biology, Agricultural Science); Further part-time study for Commonwealth Accountancy Course. Sports – football and cricket. Application rubber-stamped 28 Jul 1942 and again on 29 Jul 1942, Approved.

17 Dec 1942 – Application for enlistment in the RAAF, 4 RC Perth, WA; age 18 years 11 months; single; Methodist; now 10 months Military Service in 3 Aust Corps.; other details as for Application for Aircrew; amended height 5 ft 10½ ins, and weight 162 lb (11 st 08 lb); 6/6 vision; scar on right leg; fair complexion, green eyes, fair hair; Medical Classification A1B A3B.

15 Jan 1943 – Enlisted in the RAAF at 4 RC, Perth, WA, for the Duration of the War and 12 months thereafter; discharged from Military service at 3 Aust Corps for enlistment in the RAAF; now aged 19 years; single; other details as per 17 Dec 1942 application; next-of-kin Alexander KENNEDY of Beverley, WA; Airman's Record Sheet also lists Miss O CROFT, of Moora, WA as additional person to be informed in case of casualty.
15 Jan 1943 – Allocated Service Number 436467
15 Jan 1943 – Mustered as Aircrew V (Guard)
15 Jan 1943 – Classified as Aircraftman 2 (AC 2)
15 Jan 1943 – Posted to 4 Recruit Depot (4 RD), Busselton, WA

17 Jan 1943 – P209 Recruit Drill Course at 4 RD
12 Feb 1943 – Completed P209 Course, Pass

21 Feb 1943 – Posted to 4 SFTS, Geraldton, WA (or 19 Feb)

27 Mar 1943 – Posted to 4 ITS, Victor Harbor, SA

20 May 1943 – Re-mustered as Aircrew (G)
22 May 1943 – Promoted to LAC

27 May 1943 – Posted to 1 WAGS, Ballarat, Vic

23 Aug 1943 – Posted to 3 BAGS, West Sale, Vic; Fairey Battle aircraft, 3 hrs; Oxford aircraft, 7 hrs 35 min
23 Aug 1943 – Commenced No. 36 Gunnery Course, 3 BAGS
16 Sep 1943 – Completed No. 36 Course, Pass
16 Sep 1943 (?) Completed Modified Musketry Course, at 3 BAGS, undated but with consecutive Authority Number to the Gunnery Course
16 Sep 1943 – Received Air Gunner's Badge, at 3 BAGS
16 Sep 1943 – Re-mustered as Air Gunner
16 Sep 1943 – Promoted to (T) Sergeant

17 Sep 1943 – Posted to 5 ED, Subiaco, Perth, WA (incorrectly named in one document file as 5 ED Sydney, variously dated as 04 Oct and 14 Oct)
14 Oct 1943 – Posted to 2 ED, Bradfield Park, Sydney

04 Nov 1943 – Embarked from Sydney, for the UK

10 Dec 1943 – Disembarked in the UK
11 Dec 1943 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton
11 Dec 1943 – Attached to RAF
26 Dec 1943 – Hospitalised to 14 Jan 1944; reason not recorded, but 20 days so possibly serious; hospital name illegible

01 Feb 1944 – Posted to 21 OTU, Moreton-in-Marsh, Wellington aircraft, 118 hrs 50 min

23 Feb 1944 – Service File – Slightly injured in Air Accident near Enstone, UK (satellite airfield for 21 OTU, Moreton-in-Marsh)
23 Feb 1944 – RAAF A705 Casualty File for Sgt Donald KENNEDY 436467, Aircraft Wellington, near Eastone (sic, Enstone); file not digitised, so details of event not known. KENNEDY must have been flying with a different crew, as there was no mention of any casualty or air accident in the RAAF Service Files of Pilot SANDERSON (posted TO 21 OTU on 15 Feb) or KANE (posted TO 21 OTU on 29 Feb).

16 Mar 1944 – Promoted to (T) Flight Sergeant, at 21 OTU

25 May 1944 – Posted to 41 Base, Acaster Malbis
25 May 1944 – Attached to No. 4 Group Battle School

Undated (? 10 Jun 1944) – Posted to 1663 HCU, Rufforth, conversion training in Halifax aircraft, 37 hours 30 min

29 Jul 1944 – Posted to 158 Squadron, Lissett, operational flying, Halifax III, 21 hours 15 min, 5 Ops

22 Aug 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield, operational flying, Halifax III, 139 hours 50 min, 24 Ops
For the first 19 Ops/flights at 462 Squadron, KENNEDY was Rear Gunner; but for the last 7 he was Mid-Upper Gunner. He had exchanged crew position with STEPHENSON, who conversely, had been MU/AG for the first 19, then R/AG for the last 7. At 466 Squadron, both KENNEDY and STEPHENSON carried out their Ops in their new "swapped" roles. The Crew photo outside a Driffield Hangar, labelled by the Squadrons' Association, has KENNEDY and STEPHENSON tagged with their later crew position, not their original role. (Why the role change? KENNEDY was already 5 ft 10½ ins at enlistment, and in the crew photos appears to be several inches taller than STEPHENSON. If KENNEDY had grown in height in the 2 years since enlistment, perhaps he had become too tall for the rear turret? Did this cause them to swap roles, or was there some other reason?)

23 Dec 1944 – Posted to 466 Squadron, Driffield, Yorkshire, operational flying, Halifax III, 16 hours 50 min, 3 Ops
14 Jan 1945 – Last Op, and Tour completed (Service File lists total of 32 Ops)

28 Feb 1945 – Posted to ACAC, Catterick, North Yorkshire

16 Mar 1945 – Promoted to (T) Warrant Officer
19 Apr 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, for repatriation to Australia (also recorded as 25 April)

Undated 1945 – Embarked from UK, for Australia (perhaps 25 April ?)

17 Jun 1945 – Disembarked in Sydney, ex overseas service
17 Jun 1945 – Posted to 2 PD, Sydney

02 Jul 1945 – Posted to 5 PD, Subiaco, Perth, WA
03 Jul 1945 – 7 days recreation leave, to 09 Jul 1945
10 Jul 1945 – 30 days Disembarkation Leave to 08 Aug 1945

01 Aug 1945 – Posted to 5 PD, Subiaco, Perth, WA

30 Aug 1945 – Transferred to RAAF Reserve, 5 PD; surplus to present personnel requirements; for indefinite period; subject to recall for Active Service at 10 days notice; qualified for returned from Active Service Badge.

25 Sep 1945 – KENNEDY's signature on Receipt for RAAF Airman's Certificate of Service and Transfer (Form P/P.83A)

19 Sep 1947 – Discharged from RAAF Reserve, on demobilisation, character listed on Certificate of Service as "Very Good"; Trade Proficiency as "Satisfactory"; address c/o Post Office, Beverley, WA

Medals – 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939/45

General Conduct Sheet – not in RAAF Service File
Service Conduct Sheet – Signed and "Certified No Entry" – 27 Oct 1943 and 27 Apr 1945

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RAF (VR?) Crew Members – some assumptions made in previous "Crew Formation and History" section, but not verified.

Bomb Aimer: Colin Ronald LYNCH, 1578063 RAF (VR?) – the following information was supplied by his son Robert Colin LYNCH, for the site renewal on 06 April 2020, as below, in Robert's own words .........

"I have additional details for COLIN RONALD LYNCH 1578063."

"He was born on 6th July 1923 and attended James Watt Technical School, Smethwick. In 1925 he lived at 9 Slade Lane, Sparkhill, West Midlands. In 1927 he lived at 196 Poplar Avenue, Edgbaston, West Midlands, which remained his postal address where he was on the electoral register until 1953.
It is believed he worked as an apprentice at the factory of 'New Conveyor Ltd' in Smethwick. He was a member of the Smethwick Squadron Air Training Corp and volunteered to join the RAF at 16 years of age in circa July 1939, but his mother would not sign his consent form. He volunteered to join the RAF at 18 years of age in circa July 1941.
After basic RAF training he sailed on the Queen Mary to the USA. He spent some time receiving aircrew training in Canada, where he also took part in athletics and cross country, representing the RAF against other sections of various armed forces also receiving training.
He spent at least one winter in Canada billeted with a Canadian family whilst posted to a Canadian Air Force camp. He told a story about asking a Canadian Officer about the point of him being posted to Canada, and was told that he would be busy enough on his return to the UK. He also told a story about complaining about his UK RAF uniform not being appropriate to the deep snow in Canada, and was told to go to stores and draw out anything he wanted. Amongst other things, he drew out of stores what he called a ‘Wind Cheater’ which he wore as casual as it had no badges or insignia. He also spoke about how the wooden houses creaked in the extreme cold.
He spoke very little about his missions other than a couple of stories.
On one occasion they managed to get their plane back to the airfield from a completed mission although on fire. Some Officer complained about the plane coming in when on fire, but he punched the Officer to the ground. When told he would be on a charge and imprisoned, he told the Officer ‘good luck with that, I already have my orders to fly tomorrow!’ The particular Officer was not air crew and did not fly. No further action was taken.
The one other story he told was about a raid routed via Cologne. Planes flew along railway tracks to Cologne cathedral, which is a tall building visible from miles away. Planes would then follow railway tracks from Cologne station, which is directly opposite the cathedral, onwards to their bombing target. All planes were ordered not to bomb Cologne cathedral because of the importance of the spires to navigation. Apparently, one plane on a raid dumped bombs which hit the cathedral. That crew was put on a charge.
Before discharge, he spent some time in the desert where they washed their mess plates and cooking pots in sand. This posting did not involve flying.
When he was demobbed in London, he picked up his Burtons suit and went to a restaurant for lunch. The waiter did mention when taking his order that he was also formerly in the RAF. No bill was presented at the end of the meal!
He subsequently got a job again with ‘New Conveyor Ltd’ but this time at the Head Office in central London, and subsequently married in 1953, living in Crawley, West Sussex and commuting to London from 1953 to 1958. In 1958 the family relocated back to the West Midlands where he worked for Dunlop Tyres, Fort Dunlop, Erdington in the West Midlands, until he retired.
He remained in contact with Russell William Sanderson (Pilot) after the war. He received numerous job offers from Russell with invitations to emigrate to Australia. However, his wife would not consider relocating abroad.
He missed uniformed life and joined the Police Special Constabulary as a volunteer Police Constable, serving from 7th April 1962 through to 29th November 1989. He was also an active trade unionist, Convener at Fort Dunlop, and at one time elected Secretary of the Birmingham Trades Council. Through his trade union activities he knew Arthur Scargill, General Secretary, National Union of Mineworkers.
He died on 11th January 2012 aged 88.
At his funeral on 25th January 2012 his eulogy included some statements he had made during his life. He had said that the war were the best days of his life. He had said he wished the war had not ended. He had said that he had wished he had been taken as a prisoner of war because he would have caused more harm to the Germans from behind the lines. At that funeral a representative from the Bomber Command RAF Museum spoke up to say he agreed with these words.
The crew pictures show him wearing an RAF Forage Cap – I have that cap in front of me right now."
........... Robert LYNCH

[At 462 Squadron Driffield – This crew's only "engine troubles" were –
an early return on 17 September 1944, but there was no mention of a fire in the ORB, and LYNCH was not flying with the crew for that Op;
and another Op on 23 September 1944, when they landed away at Stradishall.
This crew's only Op to Cologne was on 21 December 1944. No mention was made in the ORB of inaccurate bombing by any of the 11 crews detailed for the bombing attack, or of any resulting charges.
The 2 incidents mentioned may have taken place either at the crew's previous posting, 158 Squadron, Lissett; OR their later posting to 466 Squadron, Driffield.]

Colin Lynch also wanted his son Robert to get a job in the RAF. At the age of 16, he secured an RAF apprenticeship and had his date to commence basic training, only to have his mother refuse to sign the consent form just as Colin's mother refused to sign his. Robert later attended Sheffield University, to gain several tertiary qualifications, and subsequent careers as an electronics design engineer; and in urban regeneration; and as a local government "Job Support" officer; now retired.

Navigator: Donald Leighton BAVERSTOCK, 1655437 RAFVR – named as Donald/Don by one Author, no other information, except for the following .......

RAF List of July 1945 – D L BAVERSTOCK, 190549, General Duties Branch, Navigator, Pilot Officer effective 13 January 1945.

London Gazette, Issue 36967, Tues 06 March 1945, 2nd Supplement to Fri 02 March 1945, page 1254
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, General Duties Branch,
Appointment to Commission, as Pilot Officer, from rank of Sergeant
1655437 Donald Leighton BAVERSTOCK (190549) effective 13 January 1945.

London Gazette, Issue 37206, Fri 03 August 1945, 3rd Supplement to Tues 32 July 1945, page 3975
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, General Duties Branch,
Pilot Officer, to be Flying Officer
D. L. BAVERSTOCK (190549) effective 13 July 1945

Mid-Upper Gunner: A C STEPHENSON, 1592780 RAF (VR?) – named as Arthur Cyril by one Author, no other information.
For the first 19 Ops/flights at 462 Squadron, STEPHENSON was Mid-Upper Gunner; but for the last 7 he was Rear Gunner, so he had exchanged crew position with KENNEDY, who conversely, had been R/AG for the first 19, then MU/AG for the last 7. At 466 Squadron, both KENNEDY and STEPHENSON carried out their Ops in their new "swapped" roles. The Crew photo outside a Driffield Hangar, labelled by the Squadrons' Association, has KENNEDY and STEPHENSON tagged with their later crew position, not their original role. ...... See previous comments for Rear Gunner KENNEDY.
STEPHENSON was not recorded in postings TO or FROM 462 Squadron, and his name only appears in the Ops records.

Flight Engineer: R ROWE, 1059639, RAF (VR?) – named as Robert/Bob by one Author, no other information. ROWE has been identified in the group photo of Flight Engineers at 462 Squadron, Driffield.

If anyone has additional photos/information relating to the RAF crew men, please make Contact.

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Crew Ops 462 Squadron, Driffield from 462 Squadron ORB, and 462 Squadron Ops Summary (NAA File A11385)

The following Table lists Ops for SANDERSON and his crew.
They had one Op "abandoned by Master Bomber"; one "early return"; one "landing away"; one "recall"; and one "justified non-starter". In the ORB, there were no other recorded incidents or problems they apparently took off, bombed the target, and returned safely. However, the night of 23/24 September 1944, although seemingly a simple landing away "with engine trouble at Stradishall" was actually more complicated, and resulted in a DFC for Pilot SANDERSON (see later Honours and Award section for details of Citation).
An early return Op would not have been counted in the crew's final Op tally. Did this also apply to "Recall" or "Abandon" ?
Note the frequency of consecutive daily Ops e.g. from 09 to 13 September, 5 Ops in 5 days.
On 14 October, the daylight Op to Duisburg was completed at 1132, but they were off again in the early hours of 15 Oct at 0030, with a break of less than 13 hours.
Except for one Op (early return, 17 September 1944, when B/Aimer LYNCH was substituted by Latimer, of the Mitchell Crew), all Ops were carried out with the full complement of the permanent crew.

Aircraft Code numbers Z5- and Serial Numbers have been cross-referenced with ORB and available log books (e.g. from 462 Squadron veterans). Some of the Aircraft code numbers changed over time.
Times up and down in black are day flights, and times in red are night flights.
Target "Le Havre x 12" means 12 aircraft tasked from 462 Squadron to the target of Le Havre, with SANDERSON's crew being one of those 12 (and so on for the other dates). There is some variation in the spelling of Target names in the original ORB, with the names recorded below as per the ORB.
Code for Op Type – B Bombing. At RAF Driffield, in 4 Group, 462 Squadron did not participate in any Special Duties Ops, i.e. no Radio Counter Measures and no Protective Patrols.

Date Op No A/c Serial Code Z5- Up Down Target Op Type Comments
09/09/1944 1 NA621 S 0622 1044 Le Havre x 12 B Op abandoned by Master Bomber; 4 x 500lb bombs jettisoned from 8000ft at 1024
10/09/1944 2 LV955 W 1446 1906 Le Havre x 16 B September 1944 LV955 coded as Z5/W;
From November 1944, LV955 re-coded as Z5/E
11/09/1944 3 LL610 ? U ? 0604 0936 Cadillac(2) x 11 B Le Havre area; ORB lists A/c incorrectly as LL615 V;
listed in NAA file A11385 as "U", so therefore LL610
(EVANS crew in LL611 V on this Op)
12/09/1944 4 LV955 W 1120 1554 Gelsenkirchen/Buer x 16 B  
13/09/1944 5 LV955 W 1615 2037 Gelsenkirchen/Nordstern x 15 B  
15/09/1944 6 LV955 W 2235 0401 Kiel x 15 B  
17/09/1944 - LV955 W 0705 0752 Bolougne (sic) x 13 B Early return, port outer engine u/s; Target Boulogne;
bombs jettisoned in sea; B/Aimer LYNCH substituted by LATIMER
23/09/1944 7 LV955 W 1848 2340 Neuss x 14 B Dated as 24/09/1944 in Form 541, but 23/09/1944 in Summary Form 540; File A11385 lists Op as night of 23/24 September 1944;
Landed away at Stradishall with engine trouble
SANDERSON awarded DFC for his actions on this Op
30/09/1944 8 NA622 T 1004 1409 Bootrop (sic) x 14 B Target Bottrop
14/10/1944 9 MZ448 W 0631 1132 Duisburg x 14 B  
15/10/1944 10 MZ448 W 0030 0608 Duisburg x 13 B  
21/10/1944 11 MZ457 Y 1610 1806 Hanover x 7 B Recalled; bombs jettisoned in sea
23/10/1944 12 MZ448 W 1645 2209 Essen x 16 B  
25/10/1944 13 MZ448 W 1247 1746 Essen x 16 B  
28/10/1944 14 MZ448 W 1012 1306 Oostkapelle x 13 B  
29/10/1944 15 MZ448 W 1016 1325 Westkapelle x 15 B  
30/10/1944 16 MZ448 W 1738 2340 Koln x 13 B Target Cologne, 4 bombs brought back (from File A11385, reason not recorded)
02/11/1944 17 MZ448 W 1559 2137 Dusseldorf x 15 B  
04/11/1944 - LL601 R - - Bochum x 15 B Non-starter, one of 2 "justified"
06/11/1944 18 MZ448 W 1131 1650 Gelsenkirchen x 14 B 2nd Pilot O'SULLIVAN
16/11/1944 19 MZ448 W 1237 1757 Julich x 16 B 2nd Pilot H R ANDERSON
18/11/1944 20 MZ448 W 1213 1743 Munster x 15 B  
21/11/1944 21 MZ448 W 1710 2327 Sterkrade x 15 B  
05/12/1944 22 MZ448 W 1800 0014 Soest x 14 B  
06/12/1944 23 MZ448 W 1556 2158 Osnabruck x 14 B  
18/12/1944 24 MZ448 W 0246 0941 Duisburg x 16 B  
21/12/1944 25 MZ341 P 1524 2047 Cologne x 11 B  
23/12/1944 - - - - - - - Posted to 466 Squadron, Driffield

Halifax usage for SANDERSON and Crew:-
1 Op in each of NA621, LL610, NA622, MZ457, MZ341, (and LL601 as non-starter);
6 Ops each in LV955 (one early return);
and 15 Ops in MZ448.

Halifax LL610 Z5-U was lost on 02 November 1944, Pilot JUBB and Crew, 6 PoWs, 1 Evader (Pilot JUBB).
Halifax MZ448 Z5-W was lost on 25 February 1945, Pilot RIDGEWELL and crew; four KIA, and four PoWs.
Photos and/or artwork of Halifax MZ341 (as Z5-P) and MZ448 Z5-W may be seen on the Halifax page.

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Crew Ops 466 Squadron, Driffield – sourced from "Brave & True", 2nd Edition, 2007, page 153.

SANDERSON and his usual Crew (now Crew 174) carried out a further 3 Bombing Ops at 466 Squadron, Driffield, during December 1944 & January 1945, thus completing their Tour. STEPHENSON continued in his new role as Rear Gunner, with KENNEDY as Mid-Upper Gunner.
Also listed as a Mid-Upper Gunner for this crew on one of the 3 Ops was Sgt L W WITT – probably the same Sgt L W WITT, 1450908 RAF(VR?) who was MU/AG for CARTHY and Crew 17 at 462 Squadron. CARTHY and Crew had also been posted to 466 Squadron (to be Crew 175), Driffield, when 462 Squadron relocated to Foulsham in late December 1944.

.Sanderson Crew 174 of 466 Squadron, Driffield, December 1944 & January 1945.

Op B179 – 26 December 1944 – target St Vith
Op B180 – 27/28 December 1944 – target Opladen Marshalling Yards
Op B187 – 14 January 1945 – target Saarbrücken

Note that the entry above indicates that SANDERSON carried out 8 Ops with 157 Squadron, before posting TO 462 Squadron. This appears to be an error as the RAAF Service Files for SANDERSON, KANE, and KENNEDY all record postings to 158 Squadron, Lissett, on 29 July 1944. In their Service Files, their records for Ops at 158 Squadron show SANDERSON with 21 hours flying (number of Ops not listed), KANE 5 Ops, and KENNEDY 5 Ops. However, no details were recorded of those Ops (i.e. no date,s times, targets, etc.)
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Summary of total Ops for the crew's Tour, carried out at three postings.

SANDERSON may have had one Op as 2nd Pilot at 158 Squadron. His RAAF Service File Ops Total was listed as 32, so perhaps the record for 158 Sqdn was 8 flights, but only 5 complete Ops.
KANE's and KENNEDY's RAAF Service Files also lists their Ops Totals as 32 each, with perhaps the "Recall" not counted.
KENNEDY may have been a substitute with another crew at 466 Squadron, to match his Ops total with the others in the crew.
The list excludes one early return at 462 Squadron, for which LYNCH had been substituted, so his final total was not affected.
RAF Service Files are not easily accessed, so information about the RAF members of this crew is not currently available.
No Log Books for this crew have been sighted, for verification of Ops details.

Crew Position 158 Sq 462 Sq 466 Sq Total
SANDERSON Captain 8 ? 24 3 32
LYNCH B Aimer 5 ? 24 3 32 ?
BAVERSTOCK Nav 5 ? 24 3 32 ?
KANE W/Op 5 24 3 32
KENNEDY R/AG – MU/AG 5 24 2 / 3 ? 32
STEPHENSON MU/AG – RA/G 5 ? 24 3 32 ?
ROWE F/Eng 5 ? 24 3 32 ?

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Honours and Gallantry Award (sourced from the Australian War Memorial, and London Gazette)

Russell William SANDERSON – Award of Distinguished Flying Cross

London Gazette, Issue 37094, Tues 22 May 1945, 4th Supplement Fri 25 May 1945, page 2669, position 9.
Air Ministry, 25 May 1945
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards .....
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE .....
Distinguished Flying Cross
Flying Officers .....

Russell William SANDERSON, (Aus.428797) 466 (R.A.A.F.) Sqn.

Also published in the Commonwealth of Australian Gazette on 31 May 1945, page 1225, position 13.

The DFC Card at the Australian War Memorial (copy below), records that Flying Officer Russell William SANDERSON, 428797 RAAF, of Beaconsfield Street, Newport, New South Wales, was presented with his Distinguished Flying Cross by The Governor-General, at Government House, Sydney, on 09 August 1946.

The Citation on the Card reads ..... "Attacks on heavily defended GERMAN targets."

 

Russell William SANDERSON, 428797 RAAF, Distinguished Flying Cross record card at Australian War Memorial.
Australian War Memorial, ref RCDIG1068967

 

The detailed Citation (carbon copy in his RAAF Service File A9300, page 16) is transcribed below. It gives a different view of the Op on the night of 23/24 September 1944, Target Neuss. The ORB Form 541 makes no mention of this, nor does the ORB Form 540 Summary, which only detailed a seemingly simple landing away "with engine trouble, at Stradishall".
......... start of Citation transcription, as originally typed, with spelling errors.

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AR FORCE

HONOURS AND AWARDS

DISTNGUISHED FLYING CROSS

FLYING OFICER RUSSELL WILLIAM SANDERSON (428797)

CITATION:

           Flying Officer Sanderson has completed a
tour of operational duty during which he has attacked
many heavily defended and important targets in Germany.

           On one occasion in September, 1944, when
detailed to take part in an attack on Neuss his aircraft
was repeatedly intercepted by a Messerschmitt 109.
During the early stages of the engagement all guns in
this officer's aircraft jammed and two engines were
damaged and rendered unserviceable.

           Despite this, Flying Officer Sanderson
skilfully out-manoeuvred the enemy fighter and flew the
aircraft back to base.

           At all times this officer has proved himself
to be a pilot of exceptional skill and courage.

PRIVATE ADDRESS: Beaconsfield Street, NEWPORT, N.S.W.

......... end of Citation transcription.

Details of that episode are also reported in one book (Lax & Kane-Maguire) but with some variations from the above.

No doubt one or both of the two Gunners would have contributed with instructions for evasive tactics.

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