W1038 ZA-O from 10 Squadron



On 30th March 1942, the crew of Halifax W1038 ZA-O from 10 Squadron took off at 1849 hrs from RAF Lossiemouth on the North East Coast of Scotland to participate in an attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz which was moored at the time in Fættenfjord in Norway.

The crew were unable to locate the target due to 10/10th's low cloud cover over the fjords and valleys. Mines were jettisoned at 2310 hrs 20 miles west of the island of Smöla from 4,000 feet.

The aircraft and crew returned safely to base landing at RAF Lossiemouth at 0308hrs on 31st March.


Rank
Name
Force Crew Position Age
Home Town
Fate
P/O GODFREY Pilot Returned
Sgt BELL 2nd Pilot Returned
F/O WATTS Navigator Returned
F/Sgt BEARE W/Op Air Gunner Returned
Sgt CLEPHANE W/Op Air Gunner Returned
F/Sgt FALKOSKI Tail Gunner Returned
Sgt O'CONNOR Flight Engineer Returned



On 27th April 1942, the crew of Halifax W1038 ZA-O from 10 Squadron took off at 2054 hrs from RAF Lossiemouth on the North East Coast of Scotland to participate in an attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz which was moored at the time in Fættenfjord in Norway.

Tirpitz was attacked at 0110 hrs from 900 feet. Mines were believed to have fallen near the ship which was obscured by a smoke screen. Visibility was excellent and it was possible to map read the way into the fjord. Heavy and accurate flak was encountered from both sides of the fjord. A fire was observed on the west side of the entrance to Trondheimfjord.

The aircraft and crew returned safely to base landing at RAF Lossiemouth at 0555 hrs on 28th April 1942.


Rank
Name
Force Crew Position Age
Home Town
Fate
P/O GODFREY Pilot Returned
Sgt GIBBONS 2nd Pilot Returned
F/O WATTS Navigator Returned
F/Sgt BEARE W/Op Air Gunner Returned
Sgt MOUNSEY Mid Gunner Returned
F/Sgt FALKOSKI Tail Gunner Returned
Sgt O'CONNOR Flight Engineer Returned



On 28th April 1942, the crew of Halifax W1038 ZA-O from 10 Squadron took off at 2038 hrs from RAF Lossiemouth on the North East Coast of Scotland to participate in an attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz which was moored at the time in Fættenfjord in Norway.

Excellent visibility was found in the Trondheim area, with no cloud. Tirpitz was seen on the bombing run up and was attacked at 0050 hrs from 1,000 feet. Two of the mines were seen to undershoot, one burst very near the ship and two struck the bank. Three explosions were observed in the water. Flak was intense from gun positions on both sides of the fjord.

The aircraft and crew returned safely to base landing at RAF Lossiemouth at 0530 hrs on 29th April 1942.


Rank
Name
Force Crew Position Age
Home Town
Fate
P/O GODFREY Pilot Returned
Sgt GIBBONS 2nd Pilot Returned
F/O WATTS Navigator Returned
F/Sgt BEARE W/Op Air Gunner Returned
Sgt MOUNSEY Mid Gunner Returned
F/Sgt FALKOSKI Tail Gunner Returned
Sgt O'CONNOR Flight Engineer Returned

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