419 Squadron RCAF 1941 to 1945 Crew of Lancaster KB712

Crew of Lancaster KB712

October 23/24th 1944
The crews first and second operations together were to Essen. The first operation was a little trickier then the second venture to Essen.
Nelligan managed to complete his bombing run, at some point the port inner engine failed and was feathered. KB762 their Lancaster for that night was brought home safely on the three remaining engines.

October 28th 1944

It was a short warning for the squadron to have eighteen aircraft ready in an hour and a half for a raid into Germany. The squadron's Lancasters were still bombed up and fueled from the previous day's operation which had been scrubbed.
It was impossible to have a normal all crews briefing in such a short time frame. Pilots, navigators, and Bomb Aimers were all briefed as Flight Engineers and gunners went directly to their aircraft and made ready for take off.
After all the rushing around a one hour and ten minute postponement came through. This allowed the crews to have lunch at their aircraft after coffee and sandwiches were sent out to them.
Even though it was a daylight operation, nothing is know about what happened to F/L Nelligan and his crew. All were killed on the operation.

Crew of Lancaster KB712

October 23/24th 1944

October 28th 1944

Flight Lieutenant

Allan Neil Nelligan

Pilot Age 24
KIA October 28th 1944
From Lashburn Saskatchewan
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Pilot Officer

William Henry Herman

WAG Age 20
KIA October 28th 1944
From Fort William Ontario
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Sergeant

William Ewart Hawkings RAF

Flight Engineer Age 23
KIA October 28th 1944
From Great Barr, Birmingham
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flying Officer

James Roy Fichtner

Navigator Age 20
KIA October 28th 1944
From Chilliwack British Columbia or Yorkton Saskatchewan both listed
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flying Officer

John Alden Nafziger

Bomb Aimer Age 25
KIA October 28th 1944
From Vulcan Alberta
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flight Sergeant

Elliott Russell Smith

Mid Upper Gunner Age 20
KIA October 28th 1944
From Sydney Mines Nova Scotia
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flight Sergeant

Bruce Edward Greenhaigh

Rear Gunner Age 19
KIA October 28th 1944
From Niagara Falls New York USA
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Crew of Lancaster KB712

October 23/24th 1944

October 28th 1944

Flight Lieutenant

Allan Neil Nelligan

Pilot Age 24 KIA October 28th 1944 From Lashburn Saskatchewan Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Pilot Officer

William Henry Herman

WAG Age 20 KIA October 28th 1944 From Fort William Ontario Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Sergeant

William Ewart Hawkings RAF

Flight Engineer Age 23 KIA October 28th 1944 From Great Barr, Birmingham Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flying Officer

James Roy Fichtner

Navigator Age 20 KIA October 28th 1944 From Chilliwack British Columbia or Yorkton Saskatchewan both listed Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flying Officer

John Alden Nafziger

Bomb Aimer Age 25 KIA October 28th 1944 From Vulcan Alberta Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flight Sergeant

Elliott Russell Smith

Mid Upper Gunner Age 20 KIA October 28th 1944 From Sydney Mines Nova Scotia Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flight Sergeant

Bruce Edward Greenhaigh

Rear Gunner Age 19 KIA October 28th 1944 From Niagara Falls New York USA Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Pilot Age 24
KIA October 28th 1944
From Lashburn Saskatchewan
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

WAG Age 20
KIA October 28th 1944
From Fort William Ontario
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Flight Engineer Age 23
KIA October 28th 1944
From Great Barr, Birmingham
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Navigator Age 20
KIA October 28th 1944
From Chilliwack British Columbia or Yorkton Saskatchewan both listed
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Bomb Aimer Age 25
KIA October 28th 1944
From Vulcan Alberta
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Mid Upper Gunner Age 20
KIA October 28th 1944
From Sydney Mines Nova Scotia
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Rear Gunner Age 19
KIA October 28th 1944
From Niagara Falls New York USA
Burial Reichswald Forest War Cemetery