419 Squadron RCAF 1941 to 1945 Crew of Halifax JB791

Crew of Halifax JB791

On May 13 1943, Halifax JB791 VR-X set off for a raid on Duisburg Germany at 23:18 hours from Middleton St. George. While crossing the Dutch coast they encounterd enemy anti-aircraft fire but nothing that caused any damage. Arriving early over the target left them circleing to the North of the target, during the run into the target the aircraft became "coned" by the searchlights, (when the search lights have "coned" an aircraft it helps direct flak more accurately towards the aircraft) the pilot made evasive moves to loose the cone concentration.
This series of manuveres again placed JB791 off the target for the run in. Searchlights were often used by the German defences to disorient the pilots and blind them from the target and cause them to fly off course with the target. The run was eventually made 90 degrees to the planned North-South run.
From interviews with members of the crew after the war gave the following story. Not all the incendiary bombs had been released, some were hung up still in the racks. A second run was completed but just as the bomb bay doors were closing the starboard wing and forward fuselage were hit by flak.
The blast destroyed the pilots front screen ("perspex") forcing use of his googles against the air blowing in, after was discribed as 10 minutes the fuel tanks were noticed to be leaking and the original thoughts that no damage had occured were broked by the dash to close off the flow which may have reached the fire on the wing. At some point in this time frame the outer starboard engine appeared to be on fire, so the engine was feathered. Fire the broke out at the fuel tank near the inner starboard engine but in the confusion and loss of perspex causing visual problems the inner port was feathered W/OMcMillan manged to keep the aircraft level while Sgt. Howell unfeathered the port engine and to feather the starboard engine. The run to the Zuyder Zee was ruled out as the flames were spreading fast and the bail out command was given. JB791 came down near Bedburg-Hau, Germany south of Kleve. W/O Glen A McMillan was killed in the action, no information as to how or when, Sgt. Alison was badly injured and died in hospital shortly after.
Thanks to B. J. Trendos for suppling and sharing the photos.

Crew of Halifax JB791

Warrant Officer

Glen Allan "Mac" McMillan

Pilot Age 22 his 16th Op.
Killed in Action May 13 1943
From Maryfield Saskatchewan
Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery

Sergeant

William J Klein

Navigator
POW # 1186 Stalag L6,L1 and 357

Sergeant

William J Howell

Flight Engineer
Stalag L6,L1 and 357

Pilot Officer

Albert Randall Wallace

Air Gunner
POW #1338 Stalag L3

Pilot Officer

Henry Enever RAF

BomB Aimer
POW #1323
Stalag L3

Sergeant

Walter Herbert Alison RAF

WAG
Killed in Action. May 13 1943
Burial at Hotten War Cemetery, Hotton Belgium

Sergeant

Henry "Hank" G. Bees

Rear Gunner
POW #1169
Stalag L6,L1 and 357

Crew of Halifax JB791

Warrant Officer

Glen Allan "Mac" McMillan

Pilot Age 22 his 16th Op. Killed in Action May 13 1943 From Maryfield Saskatchewan Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery

Sergeant

William J Klein

Navigator POW # 1186 Stalag L6,L1 and 357

Sergeant

William J Howell

Flight Engineer Stalag L6,L1 and 357

Pilot Officer

Albert Randall Wallace

Air Gunner POW #1338 Stalag L3

Pilot Officer

Henry Enever RAF

BomB Aimer POW #1323 Stalag L3

Sergeant

Walter Herbert Alison RAF

WAG Killed in Action. May 13 1943 Burial at Hotten War Cemetery, Hotton Belgium

Sergeant

Henry "Hank" G. Bees

Rear Gunner POW #1169 Stalag L6,L1 and 357

Pilot Age 22 his 16th Op.
Killed in Action May 13 1943
From Maryfield Saskatchewan
Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery

Navigator
POW # 1186 Stalag L6,L1 and 357

Flight Engineer
Stalag L6,L1 and 357

Air Gunner
POW #1338 Stalag L3

BomB Aimer
POW #1323
Stalag L3

WAG
Killed in Action. May 13 1943
Burial at Hotten War Cemetery, Hotton Belgium

Rear Gunner
POW #1169
Stalag L6,L1 and 357