419 Squadron RCAF 1941 to 1945 Crew of Halifax DT794

Crew of Halifax DT794

There is very little information on the crew that flew DT794 VR-Y to Dortmund on the night of May 4/5 1943. Even their arrival was only mentioned as F/O Elliot and crew.
For F/O Elliot the information available sometimes becomes confused as he is listed as F/O G.W. Elliot, even the notation in the squadron summary of his crew's loss is "F/O G. W.Elliot" . Veteran's Affairs also listed his death March 5th. 1943.

The F/O William Gerard Elliot Crew

From the crew's arrival from 1659 CU on April 15th. it would be two weeks before they started out on their first operation.
The Moose Squadron's Gardening operation near the Island of Skaw was met with what was described as light flak. Although to Elliot and his crew the flak still inflicted holes into the aircraft's wings which also did damage to the hydraulic system of their Halifax and they had to return to base with the mines still on board.

The dangers faced on next operation, one to Essen, it proved to be the weather rather then against enemy fire and a number of 419 Halifax aircraft t including Elliot's were forced to return home without making it to the target

The last operation for the crew was to Dortmund and what happened is unknown.
What is known is that their Halifax crashed into the center of Dortmund in a district known as Mittle. It was here in the Municipal Cemetery the crew were first buried before being moved to Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
For the squadron it was the first of three successive Rhur Valley operations were two aircraft were lost each night.
On this night May 4/5, Halifax W7817 was also lost.

Crew of Halifax DT794

The F/O William Gerard Elliot Crew

Sergeant

George Douglas Menzies

Flight Engineer Age 25
Killed in Action May 5th 1943
From Orilla Ontario
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flying Officer

Elmer Earl Kennedy

Navigator Age 20
Killed in Action May 5th 1943
From Toronto Ontario
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flying Officer

William Gerard Elliott

Pilot Age 21
Killed in Action May 5th 1943
From Moncton New Brunswick
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Sergeant

Gordon Sandfield RAF

WAG Age 35
Killed in Action May 5th 1943
From Not Known
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flight Sergeant

John William McIntosh

Air Gunner Age 20
Killed in Action May 5th 1943
From Toronto Ontario
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flight Sergeant

John Alexander Farrel

Air Gunner Age 30
Killed in Action May 5th 1943
From Brantford Ontario
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flying Officer

Hugh Morland Metcalfe

Bomb Aimer Age 20
Killed in Action May 5th 1943
From Toronto Ontario
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Crew of Halifax DT794

The F/O William Gerard Elliot Crew

Sergeant

George Douglas Menzies

Flight Engineer Age 25Killed in Action May 5th 1943 From Orilla Ontario Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flying Officer

Elmer Earl Kennedy

Navigator Age 20Killed in Action May 5th 1943 From Toronto Ontario Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flying Officer

William Gerard Elliott

Pilot Age 21Killed in Action May 5th 1943 From Moncton New Brunswick Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Sergeant

Gordon Sandfield RAF

WAG Age 35Killed in Action May 5th 1943 From Not Known Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flight Sergeant

John William McIntosh

Air Gunner Age 20Killed in Action May 5th 1943 From Toronto Ontario Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flight Sergeant

John Alexander Farrel

Air Gunner Age 30Killed in Action May 5th 1943 From Brantford Ontario Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flying Officer

Hugh Morland Metcalfe

Bomb Aimer Age 20Killed in Action May 5th 1943 From Toronto Ontario Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flight Engineer Age 25
Killed in Action May 5th 1943
From Orilla Ontario
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Navigator Age 20
Killed in Action May 5th 1943
From Toronto Ontario
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Pilot Age 21
Killed in Action May 5th 1943
From Moncton New Brunswick
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

WAG Age 35
Killed in Action May 5th 1943
From Not Known
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Air Gunner Age 20
Killed in Action May 5th 1943
From Toronto Ontario
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Air Gunner Age 30
Killed in Action May 5th 1943
From Brantford Ontario
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Bomb Aimer Age 20
Killed in Action May 5th 1943
From Toronto Ontario
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery