Auf "Lost Bombers - A database of bombers lost during Wold War II" finden wir folgenden Eintrag bezüglich eines an 16. Februar 1944 bei Ahrensfelde abgestürzten Halifax-Bombers der Royal Canadian Air Force:

Halifax HX311 Information
Type: Halifax
Serial Number:   HX311
Squadron: 424
X1D: QB-A
Operation: Berlin
Date 1: 15th February 1944
Date 2: 16th February 1944
Further Information
Serial Range HX311 - HX357. 47 Halifax Mk.111.
Part of a batch of 150 HP Halifax Mk.11/111. HX147-HX191; HX222- HX225 Mk.11; HX226-HX247; HX265-HX296; HX311-HX357 Mk.111.
Delivered by Handley Page (Cricklewood & Radlett) between 26Nov43 and 8Jan44.
Airborne 1721 15Feb44 from Skipton-on-Swale. Cause of loss not established.
Crashed at Ahrensfelde, 13 km NE from the centre of Berlin, where all are buried in the 1939-45 War Cemetery.

  • S/L A.V.Reilander RCAF KIA
  • F/L R.H.Penalagan RCAF KIA
  • P/O A.F.Dowding KIA
  • F/O B.W.Foskett RAAF KIA
  • P/O J.W.Fisher RAAF KIA
  • P/O F.W.Janes KIA
  • Sgt S.Lucas KIA
  • F/S F.W.Bartley KIA
  • Quelle: Lost Bombers (www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=7369)
    Bild: Handley Page Halifax (de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handley_Page_Halifax), Bild-Quelle: wikipedia.org


    Die gleichen Informationen finden wir auf der Webseite des "R.C.A.F. - 424 Squadron Research Project", einem Forschungsprojekt, das sich mit der Geschichte des 424. Bomber-Geschwaders der kanadischen Luftwaffe befasst.


    Da mit B.W. Foskett und J.W. Fisher auch zwei Angehörige der Royal Australian Air Force (R.A.A.F) an Bord waren, ist auch auf der Webseite des "Australian War Memorial" etwas über den letzten Flug dieses Bombers zu erfahren:

  • Roll of Honour:
  • Bruce William Foskett
  • Service number:
  • 413755
  • Rank:
  • Flying Officer
  • Unit:
  • 424 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force
  • Service:
  • Royal Australian Air Force
  • Conflict:
  • 1939-1945
  • Date of death:
  • 15 February 1944
  • Place of death:
  • Germany
  • Cause of death:
  • Flying Battle
  • Source:
  • AWM148 Roll of Honour cards, 1939-1945 War, Air Force
    Quelle: Australian War Memorial (www.awm.gov.au/research/people/roll_of_honour/person.asp?p=554726)

    Die dazu gehörige Karteikarte (Bild rechts) enthält folgende Angaben:
  • Official Number:
  • 413755
  • Rank:
  • F.O.
  • Name:
  • FOSKETT Bruce William
  • Honours:
  • Age:
  • 21
  • Ship or Unit:
  • R.A.A.F. ATT. R.A.F. U.K.
  • Service:
  • R.A.A.F.
  • Date and Place of Death:
  • 15.2.44 (Off. Presumed)
  • Place of Burial:
  • The Cemetery Ahrensfelde Near Berlin, Germany.
  • Usual Place of Residence:
  • 6 Dudley Ave., Roseville N.S.W.
  • Occupation:
  • Clerk
  • Birthplace:
  • Sydney
  • Parentage - Father:
  • FOSKETT Edward George
  • Parentage - Mother:
  • FOSKETT Dora Mabel
  • Wife (Name):
  • Connection:
  • 402652 S/Ldr. Russel George Foskett O.B.K. D.F.C. ... Brother. ...
  • Roll of Honour:
  • Roseville N.S.W.
  • Signature (N.O.K.):
  • E. G. Foskett (Father)
  • Address:
  • 6 Dudley Ave., Roseville N.S.W.
    Quelle: Australian War Memorial (www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/AWM108/006/006799.pdf)



  • Roll of Honour:
  • John William Fisher
  • Service number:
  • 415244
  • Rank:
  • Pilot Officer
  • Unit:
  • 424 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force
  • Service:
  • Royal Australian Air Force
  • Conflict:
  • 1939-1945
  • Date of death:
  • 15 February 1944
  • Place of death:
  • Germany
  • Cause of death:
  • Flying Battle
  • Source:
  • AWM148 Roll of Honour cards, 1939-1945 War, Air Force
    Quelle: Australian War Memorial (www.awm.gov.au/research/people/roll_of_honour/person.asp?p=554726)

    Die dazu gehörige Karteikarte (Bild rechts) enthält folgende Angaben:
  • Official Number:
  • 415244
  • Rank:
  • P.O.
  • Name:
  • FISHER, John William
  • Honours:
  • Age:
  • 21
  • Ship or Unit:
  • R.A.A.F. ATT. R.A.F. U.K.
  • Service:
  • R.A.A.F.
  • Date and Place of Death:
  • 15.2.44 (Officially Presumed)
  • Place of Burial:
  • Cem Ahrensfelde near Berlin, Germany
  • Usual Place of Residence:
  • Kudardup, WA
  • Occupation:
  • Farmer
  • Birthplace:
  • Perth, WA
  • Parentage - Father:
  • FISHER, Harry
  • Parentage - Mother:
  • FISHER, Rosalie Viola Gertrude
  • Wife (Name):
  • Connection:
  • Roll of Honour:
  • Kudardup, WA
  • Signature (N.O.K.):
  • V. G. Fisher (Mother)
  • Address:
  • Kundardup [!], v a BUSSELTON, WA
    Quelle: Australian War Memorial (www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/AWM108/006/006525.pdf)


    In den "National Archives of Australia" liegen für B.W. Foskett und J.W. Fisher Akten in Papierform (und für J.W. Fisher zusätzlich digitalisiert) vor, die in einer Datenbank akribisch inventarsiert sind:

  • Title:
  • FOSKETT, Bruce William - (Flying Officer); Service Number - 413755; File type - Casualty - Repatriation; Aircraft - Halifax III HX 311; Place - Falkenberg, Germany; Date - 15 February 1944

  • Contents date range:
  • Accumulation start date:
  • Series number:
  • Control symbol:
  • Item barcode:
  • Location:
  • Access status:
  • Date of decision:
  • Physical format:

  • 1944 - 1960
    18 Feb 1944
    A705
    166/14/161
    1068461
    Canberra
    Open
    19 Nov 2004
    PAPER FILES AND DOCUMENTS (allocated at series level)

  • Summary heading:
  • Descriptive note:

  • FOSKETT, Bruce William - (Flying Officer); Service Number - 413755
    In addition to the file subject, the following servicemen are mentioned in this record:
    FISHER J W – (Pilot Officer); Service Number – 415244
    RIELANDER A V – (Squadron Leader); Service Number – J20359
    PENALAGAN R H – (Flight Lieutenant); Service Number – J8940
    JONES F W – (Pilot Officer); Service Number – 168517
    DOWDING A F – (Pilot Officer); Service Number – 159677
    LUCAS S L – (Sergeant); Service Number – 2216237
    BARTLEY F W – (Sergeant); Service Number – 1311036
    Quelle: NAA (recordsearch.naa.gov.au/NameSearch/Interface/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=1068461)


  • Title:
  • FISHER, John William - (Pilot Officer); Service Number - 415244; File type - Casualty - Repatriation; Aircraft - Halifax III HX311; Place - Falkenberg, Germany; Date - 15 February 1944

  • Contents date range:
  • Accumulation start date:
  • Series number:
  • Control symbol:
  • Item barcode:
  • Location:
  • Access status:
  • Date of decision:
  • Physical format:

  • 1944 - 1960
    18 Feb 1944
    A705
    166/13/190
    1068006
    Canberra
    Open
    19 Nov 2004
    PAPER FILES AND DOCUMENTS (allocated at series level)

  • Summary heading:
  • Descriptive note:

  • FISHER, John William - (Pilot Officer); Service Number - 415244
    In addition to the file subject, the following servicemen are mentioned in this record:
    FISHER J W – (Pilot Officer); Service Number – 415244
    RIELANDER A V – (Squadron Leader); Service Number – J20359
    PENALAGAN R H – (Flight Lieutenant); Service Number – J8940
    FOSKETT B W – (Flying Officer); Service Number – 413755
    JONES F W – (Pilot Officer); Service Number – 168517
    DOWDING A F – (Pilot Officer); Service Number – 159677
    LUCAS S L – (Sergeant); Service Number – 2216237
    BARTLEY F W – (Sergeant); Service Number – 1311036
    Quelle: NAA (recordsearch.naa.gov.au/NameSearch/Interface/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=1068006)


    Die für J. W. Fisher in Canberra mit dem Barcode 1068006 vorliegende Akte ist bereits digitalisiert und kann über den Link 'View Digital Copy' auf o.g. Seite eingesehen werden.

    Darin findet sich auf den Seiten 18 und 19 ein Bericht über die schwierige Zuordnung der sterblichen Überreste zu den Mitgliedern der Bomberbesatzung bei der Umbettung von Ahrensfelde nach Charlottenburg.

    Akte "J.W. Fisher", Seite 18 von 50
    Akte "J.W. Fisher", Seite 19 von 50
    Außerdem findet sich auf Seite 30 der 50-seitigen Akte der Schriftwechsel der R.A.A.F mit den Eltern des Getöteten einschließlich der definitiven Todes-Nachricht:

    Akte "J.W. Fisher", Seite 30 von 50

                        INVESTIGATION REPORT.
    
    FROM:   No. 21 Section. No.4 M.R.& E.U., R.A.F. (GERMANY)
    TO:     Air Ministry  S.7 Cas.
    DATE:   18.12.1946
    YOUR FILE OR FOLDER REFERENCE:  P.413743/2/44.
    YOUR CASUALTY ENQUIRY NUMBER:  1220  (also 95 RAAF.CAS)
    OUR REFERENCE:   4 M.R.E.U/906/1220
    NAME OF SEARCH OFFICER:   F/O R.A. SAAGER
    TARGET:   BERLIN
    AIRCRAFT TYPE AND SERIAL NUMBER:  HALIFAX 111 HX. 311
    DATE REPORTED MISSING :  15/16.2.1944.
    PLACE OF CRASH WITH MAP REF:   FALKENBERG N53 Z9457
    PLACE OF BURIAL, WITH MAP REF:  AHRENSFELDE  N.53 Z9658
    
    CREW:  Aus.  415244   P/O    FISCHER, J.W.        A/B.          P.D.
             J.   20359   A/S/L. Rielander, A.V.      Pilot         B.D.
             J.    8940   F/L    Penalagan, R.H.     2nd Pilot    Missing
           Aus.  413755   F/O    Foskett, B.W.        Nav.          B.D.
                 218517   P/O    Jones, F.W.         Wop/AG         B.D.
                 159677   P/O    Dowding, A.F.       F/Eng.       Missing
                2216237   Sgt.   Lucas, S.L.         A/G          Missing
                1311036   Sgt.   Bartley, F.W.       A/G          Missing.
    
    RESULT OF INVESTIGATION AND FINDINGS:
    
    The Aircraft:
         According to the Ahrensfelde cemetery records the aircraft of the
    above mentioned crew was shot down in Falkenberg on 16.2.1944.
    
    The Crew:
         The Cemetery records reads, corresponding exactly to the inscrip-
    tion on the communal cross:
    
                7 Canadian Airmen
                    shot down 15.2.1944 in Falkenberg
                
                Off.  R.C. Reilander  20359
                Off.  B.W. Faskett    413755
                "Faehnrich" (P/O) Danes  1336774
                and 4 unknown Canadian airman.
    All buried 18.2.44 in Field 2 communal Grave 3.
    
                The burial was carried out with full military honours by
    a German Air Force detachment.    The military parson was unfortunately
    unable to attend due to a breakdown in his transport.
    
                The graves were tidily kept and decorated with fir branches
    in traditional German winter style.  During the war the present Burgermeis-
    ter's wife and her friends made a point of tending these graves.
    
    Conclusion.
                In the large communaln grave at AHRENSFELDE this crew is on the
    right, taking in bodies 17 to 23.
                Body 17 was identified as that of  F/O Foskett, as he was
    wearing R.A.A.F. B/D. and had No. 413755 on the tab inside his socks.
                This disproves the order of burial as given on the cross, as
    F/O Foskett should be body 18.
                Body 20 had S/L. braid on the burnt remains of a B/D tunic,
    proving it to be that of S/L. Reilander.
                On body 23 parts of R.A.A.F. B/D were found, making it the
    body of P/O FISHER, the one remaining Australian in the crew.
                As P/O braid was found on body 22 it is reasonable to
    suppose that it is the one of P/O. JONES, listed in the German Records
    as "FAEHNRICH" DANES 1336774.  1336774 is P/O JONES' airman no.
    "FAEHNRICH" of "OFFICER" on probation has the equivalent rank of
    P/O braid was found and JONES was the only P/O listed in the German
    Records,  I suggest that body 22 be accepted as that of P/O JONES.
    
                Officer type shirts were found on both, body 18 and 19, making
    them the bodies of F/L PENALAGAN and P/O DOWDING or viceversa, as they
    are the two remaining officers in the crew.
    
                Body 21, on which parts of O.R/s shirt were found, I
    suggest is the mortal remains of Sgt. LUCAS and F/S: Bartley the two
    O.R's in the crew.  This body was burnt to cinders making it impossible
    to determine, if it was not in fact two bodies.  Also no fragments of
    an O.R's shirt were found on any other body.
    
                The cemetery authorities had a request to discover
    particulars about the one remaining member of this crew, made by the
    Military Information Centre, Berlin, for personnel killed in the war
    or taken prisoner.  Their efforts to find any details were in vain.
    (See attached translation of this report)
    
                   REBURIED BERLIN BRITISH WAR CEMETERY HEERSTRASSE.
                   
                                                          Plot   Row    Grave.
    J.20359       A/S/L. REILANDER, A.V.    PILOT          VII    E      11.
    Aus.413755      F/O  FOSKETT, B.W.       Nav.          VII    E      12.
    Aus.415244      P/O  FISCHER, J.W.       A/B.          VII    E      16.
    168517          P/O  JONES, F.W.       Wop/AG          VII    E      17.
    159677          P/O  DOWDING, A.F.       F/Eng.        VII    E(Comm 13.
    J.8940          F/L  PENALAGAN, R.H.    2nd Pilot      VII    E unal 14)
    2216237         SGT. LUCAS, S.L.        A/G            VII    E      15)
    1311036         SGT. BARTLEY, F.W.      A/G            VII    E      15)
    
                                      R.A. Saager, F/O
                                      Search Officer.
                                         
                                      J.W. Willis- Richards, S/Ldr.
                                      C.C. No. 21 M.R.E.S.  R.A.F.
    Quelle: NAA (recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=1068006), Seite 18+19

    16/2/45 JC.	                           ENCLOSURE 19A
    
                         146698                        Feb 22 1945
    
    xxxxxxxx MU, 9981    AIR Mail                 Casualty Section
                                                 391 Lit.Collins St.
    RAAF.166/13/190(19A)
    
    Dear Madam,
    
                 It is with deep regret that I have to inform
    you that the death of your son, Pilot Officer John William
    Fisher, has now been presumed for official purposes, to
    have occured on the 15th February, 1944.
    
                 The operation in respect of which your late
    son was reported missing took place on the night of 15th/
    16th February, 1944 and Overseas Headquarters, Royal 
    Australian Air Force, London, has presumed that the casualty
    occured on the 15th February, 1944.
    
                 The Minister for Air and members of the Air
    Board desire me to extend to you their profound sympathy.
    It is hoped that the accompanying enclosures will contain
    information of assistance to you,
    
                                      Yours faithfully
                                      
                                           (M.C. Langslow)
                                          S E C R E T A R Y.
    
    Mrs. H. Fisher
    Kodardup
    VIA Busselton W.A.
    Quelle: NAA (recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=1068006), Seite 30


    Die Gräber der HX311-Besatzung auf dem Friedhof an der Heerstraße in Charlottenburg.


    Die Datenbank der "Commonwealth War Grave Commission" liefert für die Bomber-Besatzung folgende Angaben:

  • Name:
  • REILANDER, ALOYIS VALENTINE
  • Nationality:
  • Canadian
  • Rank:
  • Squadron Leader (Pilot)
  • Regiment:
  • Royal Canadian Air Force
  • Unit:
  • 424 Sqdn.
  • Date of Death:
  • 15/02/1944
  • Service No.:
  • J/20359
  • Casualty:
  • Commonwealth War Dead
  • Grave:
  • 7. E. 11.
  • Cemetery:
  • BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY
    Quelle: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2760777

  • Name:
  • FOSKETT, BRUCE WILLIAM
  • Nationality:
  • Australian
  • Rank:
  • Flying Officer
  • Regiment:
  • Royal Australian Air Force
  • Age:
  • 21
  • Date of Death:
  • 15/02/1944
  • Service No.:
  • 413755
  • Add'l Information:
  • Son of Edward George and Dora Mabel Foskett, of Roseville, New South Wales, Australia.
  • Casualty:
  • Commonwealth War Dead
  • Grave:
  • 7. E. 12.
  • Cemetery:
  • BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY
    Quelle: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2079496

  • Name:
  • FISHER, JOHN WILLIAM
  • Nationality:
  • Australian
  • Rank:
  • Pilot Officer
  • Regiment:
  • Royal Australian Air Force
  • Age:
  • 21
  • Date of Death:
  • 15/02/1944
  • Service No.:
  • 415244
  • Add'l Information:
  • Son of Harry and Rosalie Viola Gertrude Fisher, of Busselton, Western Australia.
  • Casualty:
  • Commonwealth War Dead
  • Grave:
  • 7. E. 16.
  • Cemetery:
  • BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY
    Quelle: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2079463

  • Name:
  • JANES, FREDERICK WILLIAM
  • Nationality:
  • United Kingdom
  • Rank:
  • Pilot Officer (W.Op./Air Gnr.)
  • Regiment:
  • Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
  • Unit:
  • 424 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn.
  • Date of Death:
  • 15/02/1944
  • Service No.:
  • 168517
  • Casualty:
  • Commonwealth War Dead
  • Grave:
  • 7. E. 17.
  • Cemetery:
  • BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY
    Quelle: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2201695

  • Name:
  • DOWDING, ALEXANDER FRANCIS
  • Nationality:
  • United Kingdom
  • Rank:
  • Pilot Officer (Flt Engr.)
  • Regiment:
  • Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
  • Unit:
  • 424 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn.
  • Age:
  • 21
  • Date of Death:
  • 15/02/1944
  • Service No.:
  • 159677
  • Add'l Information:
  • Son of Arthur Albert and Florence Caroline Dowding; husband of Una Margaret Dowding, of Gosforth, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
  • Casualty:
  • Commonwealth War Dead
  • Grave:
  • Joint grave 7. E. 13-14.
  • Cemetery:
  • BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY
    Quelle: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2079324

  • Name:
  • PENALAGAN, RONALD HENRY
  • Nationality:
  • Canadian
  • Rank:
  • Flight Lieutenant (Pilot)
  • Regiment:
  • Royal Canadian Air Force
  • Unit:
  • 424 Sqdn.
  • Age:
  • 23
  • Date of Death:
  • 15/02/1944
  • Service No.:
  • J/8940
  • Add'l Information:
  • Son of Frederick Bunt Penalagan and May Isobel Penalagan, of London, Ontario, Canada; husband of Jean Penalagan.
  • Casualty:
  • Commonwealth War Dead
  • Grave:
  • Joint grave 7. E. 13-14.
  • Cemetery:
  • BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY
    Quelle: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2760622

  • Name:
  • LUCAS, STANLEY
  • Nationality:
  • United Kingdom
  • Rank:
  • Sergeant (Air Gnr.)
  • Regiment:
  • Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
  • Unit:
  • 424 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn.
  • Date of Death:
  • 15/02/1944
  • Service No.:
  • 2216237
  • Casualty:
  • Commonwealth War Dead
  • Grave:
  • Joint grave 7. E. 15.
  • Cemetery:
  • BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY
    Quelle: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2201942

  • Name:
  • BARTLEY, FREDERICK WILLIAM
  • Nationality:
  • United Kingdom
  • Rank:
  • Flight Sergeant (Air Gnr.)
  • Regiment:
  • Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
  • Unit:
  • 424 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn.
  • Age:
  • 33
  • Date of Death:
  • 15/02/1944
  • Service No.:
  • 1311036
  • Add'l Information:
  • Son of Frederick Daniel Bartley, and of Helena Bartley, of East Ham, Essex.
  • Casualty:
  • Commonwealth War Dead
  • Grave:
  • Joint grave 7. E. 15.
  • Cemetery:
  • BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY
    Quelle: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2078660