419 Squadron RCAF 1941 to 1945 Crew of Wellington BJ729

Crew of Wellington BJ729

Wellington BJ729 VR-R set off from Croft on a Nickels (Leaflets) raid on Aachen at 1821 hours. The squadron aircraft ran into very heavy cloud cover over the South of England which forced back a number of the Wellingtons. Severe icing had been reported by the four aircraft returning to base after encountering this electrical storm. Not only icing but damage to electrical equipment forced the aircraft to return early to base.

One forced back was the Wellington of Sgt. Frederick, which fell 2,000 feet because of the loss of control due to icing. Frederick's rear turret became completely frozen and was inoperable so he returned to base.
The returning aircraft also experienced electrical problems with intercoms, wireless sets and Gee system after passing through these electrical storms.

Warrant Officer Powell and his crew continued on to the target after passing through the severe icing conditions. His was only one of four Moose squadron Wellingtons to continue on.

Sometime before 2230 hours Powell's crew came under attack from night fighters of 6/NJG1. The attack brought down aircraft at Maastricht (Limburg) Netherlands at 2230.
Originally the crew were buried at Venlo before being moved to Jonkerbos War Cemetery Nijmegen

The Squadron summary records show eight aircraft assigned to Aachen operation, only two aircraft took part in bombing runs. One on the primary target and one aircraft on the secondary target. Four returned due to damaged electrical equipment and/or mechanical problems due to icing.

Z1623 was the second aircraft lost during this operation.

Crew of Wellington BJ729

Warrant Officer II

Thomas Edward Powell

Pilot Age 21
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From Sarnia Ontario
Burial Jonkerbos War Cemetery Nijmegen

Flying Officer II

Francis Lionel Todd

Observer Age 30
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From Cobalt Ontario
Burial Jonkerbos War Cemetery Nijmegen

Flight Sergeant

Guy James Herman McElroy

Wireless Op./Gunner Age 21
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From Kemptville Ontario
Burial Jonkerbos War Cemetery Nijmegen

Flight Sergeant

Joseph Leonard O'Grady

Observer Age 22
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From Brockville Ontario
Burial Jonkerbos War Cemetery Nijmegen

Flight Sergeant

Howard Broom

Air Gunner Age 21
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From Lansing Ontario
Burial Jonkerbos War Cemetery Nijmegen

Crew of Wellington BJ729

Warrant Officer II

Thomas Edward Powell

Pilot Age 21Killed in Action October 5 1942 From Sarnia Ontario Burial Jonkerbos War Cemetery Nijmegen

Flying Officer II

Francis Lionel Todd

Observer Age 30Killed in Action October 5 1942 From Cobalt Ontario Burial Jonkerbos War Cemetery Nijmegen

Flight Sergeant

Guy James Herman McElroy

Wireless Op./Gunner Age 21Killed in Action October 5 1942 From Kemptville Ontario Burial Jonkerbos War Cemetery Nijmegen

Flight Sergeant

Joseph Leonard O'Grady

Observer Age 22Killed in Action October 5 1942 From Brockville Ontario Burial Jonkerbos War Cemetery Nijmegen

Flight Sergeant

Howard Broom

Air Gunner Age 21 Killed in Action October 5 1942 From Lansing Ontario Burial Jonkerbos War Cemetery Nijmegen

Pilot Age 21
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From Sarnia Ontario
Burial Jonkerbos War Cemetery Nijmegen

Observer Age 30
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From Cobalt Ontario
Burial Jonkerbos War Cemetery Nijmegen

Wireless Op./Gunner Age 21
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From Kemptville Ontario
Burial Jonkerbos War Cemetery Nijmegen

Observer Age 22
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From Brockville Ontario
Burial Jonkerbos War Cemetery Nijmegen

Air Gunner Age 21
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From Lansing Ontario
Burial Jonkerbos War Cemetery Nijmegen