419 Squadron RCAF 1941 to 1945 Crew of Halifax JD410

Crew of Halifax JD410

Mannheim - September 5/6 1943
It would be the second sortie to Mannheim for the crew, both with JD410. Their first operation with Halifax JD410 and to Mannheim was on June 9/10.
The crew were well experienced, taking part ib twelve operations. Two sorties to Berlin as well as other targets in the Germany industrial heartland. One sortie to Milan Italy, the crew also made three attempts at operations against Hamburg. Two of which ended very shortly after takeoff and before leaving the skies over England. Both of these tries ended with engine problems.
On this night in September there are no clear facts on what happened to their Halifax. One account mentions it was hit by flak and broke apart somewhere in the target area.

The Crew

The crew were a mixed group of RCAF, RAAF and RAF airmen. Of the two RCAF airmen one was an American from Washington state. The captain of the crew was from Bendigo, Victoria Australia the remaining four men were all RAF.
Of the seven men only one survived the night. P/O J.R. Harris the Navigator became a prisoner and was sent to Stalag Luft III. He made a Liberation Report on returning to Britain after the war but I have been unable to find a copy to see if it adds any more to the story of P/O Francis Allan's crew.
The crew had previously flown Halifax JD210 before JD410 became their constant aircraft for eight operations. By some strange twist of fate JD210 and all her crew were lost on this same operation.

Crew of Halifax JD410

Mannheim - September 5/6 1943

The Crew

Pilot Officer

Francis Barker Allan RAAF

Pilot Age 25
Killed in Action September 6th. 1943
From Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery

Sergeant

Jospeph Henry Clark Kilpatrick RAF

Air Gunner Age 35
Killed in Action September 6th. 1943
From Leeds Yorkshire
Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery

Sergeant

Arthur Ronald Slaney RAF

WAG Age 22
Killed in Action September 6th. 1943
From Mansfield Nottinghamshire
Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery

Pilot Officer

John R. Harris

Navigator
POW #2474 Stalag Luft III

Sergeant

Harry Nuttall RAF

Flight Engineer Age 20
Killed in Action September 6th. 1943
From Brierfield Lancashire
Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery

Flying Officer

Robert Weaver Burke

Bomb Aimer Age 20
Killed in Action September 6th. 1943
From Olympia Washington USA
Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery

Sergeant

Herbert John Hudson RAF

Air Gunner Age 20
Killed in Action September 6th. 1943
From Hull, England
Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery

Crew of Halifax JD410

Mannheim - September 5/6 1943

The Crew

Pilot Officer

Francis Barker Allan RAAF

Pilot Age 25Killed in Action September 6th. 1943 From Bendigo, Victoria, Australia Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery

Sergeant

Jospeph Henry Clark Kilpatrick RAF

Air Gunner Age 35Killed in Action September 6th. 1943 From Leeds Yorkshire Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery

Sergeant

Arthur Ronald Slaney RAF

WAG Age 22Killed in Action September 6th. 1943 From Mansfield Nottinghamshire Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery

Pilot Officer

John R. Harris

Navigator POW #2474 Stalag Luft III

Sergeant

Harry Nuttall RAF

Flight Engineer Age 20Killed in Action September 6th. 1943 From Brierfield Lancashire Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery

Flying Officer

Robert Weaver Burke

Bomb Aimer Age 20Killed in Action September 6th. 1943 From Olympia Washington USA Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery

Sergeant

Herbert John Hudson RAF

Air Gunner Age 20Killed in Action September 6th. 1943 From Hull, England Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery

Pilot Age 25
Killed in Action September 6th. 1943
From Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery

Air Gunner Age 35
Killed in Action September 6th. 1943
From Leeds Yorkshire
Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery

WAG Age 22
Killed in Action September 6th. 1943
From Mansfield Nottinghamshire
Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery

Navigator
POW #2474 Stalag Luft III

Flight Engineer Age 20
Killed in Action September 6th. 1943
From Brierfield Lancashire
Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery

Bomb Aimer Age 20
Killed in Action September 6th. 1943
From Olympia Washington USA
Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery

Air Gunner Age 20
Killed in Action September 6th. 1943
From Hull, England
Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery