149845 Warrant Officer Kenneth Edward Dawes Royal Air Force 9 Squadron from: My father Kenneth Dawes,served with 9 Sq. his aircraft crashed on take-off at 07:50 1st Jan 45.
On 1st Jan, Bomber Command Diary read, "January 1st Dortmund-Ems Canal again breached by aircraft of No.5 Group. Following night Mitteland canal also breached" Actually the Dortmund-Elms canal had been drained three times but, such was its importance, that the Germans repaired it at once, and a fourth attack was ordered for the 1st January.
At Bardney, No.9 Squadron were notified of the operation, after a night of great celebrations, and when no operations had been expected. Ten crews were briefed, but two crashed on take off, Lancaster PD368 WS-A, which had completed only six operational trips was one of four Lancasters lost on this operation. They took of at 07:50 from Bardney to attack the Dortmund-Ems Canal. PD368 crashed immediately. Sgt.Dawes was slightly injured.
The crew were:
-
F/O J.W.Buckley, RAAF
- Sgt K.E.Dawes
- F/O Nolan
- F/S I.L.Moore, RAAF
- Sgt R.G.Round
- Sgt R.A.C.Copperwaite
- F/O W.C.Shutler
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