Crew of Halifax BB323
Halifax BB323, VR-R is well known for the art work of the Mermaid painted on her fuselage.The Latin inscription "Per flak ad Nausium" in simple terms means "Through the flak Nausea ".
Furey's crews
The original crew arrived at 419 Squadron on May 15th 1943. The rank for Furey was listed as Sergeant, this changed to 2nd. Lieutenant on the June 21/22 Operations log. That was not the only change to appear in the next two months of entries of crewmen who flew with Furey. The original men who first went on operations with him were:Navigator Sgt. M. Cottenden
B/A Sgt. C. Perrett
WAG Sgt. J. C. Gilchrist
F/E sgt. J. Bilton
A/G Sgt. C. A. Brown
A/G Sgt. R. I. Renaud
Over the next seven operations Flight Engineers changed, and gunners changed numerous times. Only Sgt. Cottenden, Sgt. Perrett and Sgt. Gilchrist remained during all the sorties. This was Furey's first operational use of BB323. From April 26th until end of June of 1943 BB323 was flown almost exclusively by the crew of F/S Norman Gray.
June 12/13 1943 - Bochum
On the night of June 12/13 1943 and May 29th, F/S Gray and his gunners would be defending BB323 against Luftwaffe night fighters.F/S M.F. Gray and crew
July 13/14 1943 - Aachen
Lieutenant Furey and crew set off for a raid on Aachen at 22:56 hours from Middleton St. George and were almost immediately having problems with the aircraft's intercom not working. This was repaired as they flew on to their target, but not without consequences. To enable the intercom to work three of the crew had to be removed from connections to the system. Communications to the pilot, Bomb Aimer, Navigator and Rear Gunner were the most crucial and these were left in the intercoms loop.When it came to test the guns, the rear Gunner Sgt. Batkin discovered two of his four guns were not operating. As the Halifax continued on he cleared the guns and was able to report to the pilot that he had full use of his guns. It must be remembered that he accomplished this in the dark and at arms length using a metal rod carried for this reason.
Crossing the Coast
Somewhere near the coast as they neared Holland the Monica system indicated that there was an aircraft nearby. BB323 was headed directly into a three quarter moon. Ideal for fighters to pick her out.
It would be Sgt. K. LaSalle who would first see the Ju88 diving under his Halifax from out of the starboard quarter.
The night fighter was showing a white light in it's nose. Whether this was a distraction or a failed attempt at firing
on BB323 is something unknown.Almost as this action was taking place a second Ju88 came at the Halifax from the port quarter and began firing with it's cannons. Sgt. Batkin called for manoeuvres to port. The damage from the attack was severe including the loss of the rear gunner and his turret. From his position LaSalle could see the whole rear turret assembly was gone.
With damage inflicted on the aircraft's controls, the radio having been cut in two, fire on both wings and in the bomb bay where incendiaries were still hanging Furey called for the crew to bail out.
As the crew were bailing out a third pass was made at the damaged Halifax but the remaining six men managed to leave the
aircraft by the already opened hatches. The crew were all captured and became POWs.The pilot 2nd. Lieutenant Furey had become injured while bailing out and was hospitalized. From records found it appears that 2nd. Lieutenant Furey was sent to a series of work camps and not to Luftwaffe POW camps for officers.
F/S Batkin was buried at Venlo (Limburg), Netherlands and later his body was buried at Jonkerbos War Cemetery.
Furey was on his 10th sortie, Sgt. Cottenden, Sgt. Perrett and Sgt. Gilchrist were on their 8th sortie. This was F/S Batkin third sortie with Furey, but his 27th altogether. He had almost completed his first Tour.
BB323 Photos kindly contributed, with thanks by W. Hall