206926 F/O Frank Wodehouse Royal Air Force 106 Sqd. (d.8th Aug 1943) I am researching a family relative F/O Frank Wodehouse of 106 Squadron who died on 8th Aug 1943 after a raid on Turin. I would like to find out his Service history, his Flight Log and his Medal awards. - I have medals but ribbons are worn and we think there was a bar to one on them.
Lancaster BIII DV 196 -ZNK Syerston of 106 Squadron (County of Nottingham) flying from Syerston departed at 20:55 on 7th Augusts 1943 for a bombing mission to Turin in Italy. During the return leg of the mission the Lancaster was intercepted by the radar station of St Jean Dackel Beef and was shot down. The victory being awarded to Captain Hans Wolfgang von Niebelschutz, Staffelkapitan of 5 ° Staffel II / NJG 4 (Dijon-Longvic) ME110 Night Fighter.
Inside the Lancaster some unused incendiary projectiles ignited, and the evacuation order was given. The aircraft crashed at 2:55 in the morning near Vandenesse en Auxois and broke in two during the crash, 2 engines fell into a field, the other 2 in a stream. The pilot and bombardier were unable to evacuate the aircraft, lost their lives and were buried at Vandenesse en Auxois
The crew were:
- Flying Officer Frank George Wodehouse, aged 20 (pilot)
- Sgt. John Cole, RAFVR aged 21 (bombardier)
- Sgt AR Kidley (upper gunner)
- Sgt JW Windiate RCAF (observer)
- Sgt HL Nielsen 1077104 (wireless op)
- Sgt T Adams 908221 (engineer)
- F/O Gourlick RCAF J13457 (rear gunner)
Additional Information: | I encountered this memorial to FO Wodehouse and Sergeant Cole on the side of the road to Chateauneuf en Auxois. The actual graves occupy a prominent position in the nearby village of Vandeness en Auxois. Colin Gilbert
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