419 Squadron RCAF 1941 to 1945 Crew of Lancaster KB719

Crew of Lancaster KB719

On the 25th of May 1944 the crew of F/S Jack A. Phillis arrived at their new posting, 419 squadron. They had completed their training at No. 82 OTU followed by conversion training at No.1666 CU. For Phillis the next step in his training would come on the evening of May30/ June 1st with his stint as "2nd. Dickie "
Then it was time to get his crew together for their first operational mission, a raid on Coutances. His crew Sgt. James Norman RAF as F/E, F/S W. H. Devine Navigator, Sgt. Richard MacKinnon Bomb Aimer, Sgt. Jack Spevak WAG, Sgt. John Searson Air Gunner, Sgt. John Shortt Air Gunner.

First Operation –First Combat

June 6th they were homeward bound from Coutances at only 3,000 feet the rear gunner Sgt. Shortt observed a FW190 astern and below the Lancaster and called for a corkscrew to starboard, while Sgt. Searson scanned the dark section of the sky for any additional attackers, Shortt fired off 200 rounds defending the Lancaster. The fighter had closed into 200 yards of the bomber before breaking away to starboard quarter. No fire was detected from the fighter and no damage was found on the Lancaster.

Second Operation – Second Combat

The crews very next operation on the following night, June 7/8 ,would bring them into combat again with one of the Luftwaffe’s Ju88 night fighter . Having arrived after over the target of Acheres at 01:25 hours and beginning their bombing run at 4,800 feet with an airspeed of 175 mph the Lancaster and crew were attacked at this point by the Ju88. Both young gunners spotted the enemy aircraft on the port quarter up at a range of 400 yards, rear gunner Sgt. Shortt gave the combat manoeuvre command, while continuing to fire at the Ju88 right up until it broke off the attack at 150 yards. Tracer had been seen to enter fighter’s cockpit, at which point the fighter broke off the attack disappearing off the starboard quarter up. Their Lancaster had escaped damage but a claim was put in for the fighter as "Damaged". Sgt. Shortt, who was just 20 had fired off 400 rounds at his adversary and claimed a "Damaged" on his second operation.

July 4th – Villeneuve St. George

By far the largest number of Combat Reports filed by 419 squadron would be on July 4th 1944 . And once again the gunners of Phillis’s crew would be active in driving off fighters from their aircraft.
The First Attack – 0038 Hours

As Lancaster VR-O neared it's target of Villeneuve St. George the rear gunner Sgt. Shortt saw a Ju88 shoot down another Aircraft then turn towards his bomber, coming down on the port quarter up at a range of 600 yards. He gave the corkscrew order and Phillis put the Lancaster into a corkscrew to port. The enemy fighter had started firing from 500 yards and followed the Lancaster through it's evasive manoeuvres and finally departed on the port beam up. Shortt had opened up on the Ju88 as it drew into 400 yards, firing off a burst 100 rounds and Sgt. Searson fired off a shorter burst of 50 rounds both gunners ceased firing when the fighter broke off the attack at 200 yards.
The Lancaster resumed course, but the bomber had sustained damage to starboard engine, starboard fuel tank, as well as damage to the fuselage, tail plane, wings bomb doors and undercarriage. During the action they had fallen 600 feet and recorded as having observed rockets, flak and fighter flares plus three other attacks against Halifax aircraft in the wave.

The Second Attack – 0050 Hours

With in minutes of the first attack another unidentified fighter was spotted by Sgt. Searson coming out of the light side of the sky on the starboard quarter above at a range of 500 yards.
The Lancaster again corkscrewed, but this time to starboard, Shortt in the rear turret opened fire until his guns jammed. The enemy fighter broke off the attack at 200 yards leaving by the starboard beam up. Which was fortunate as the rear guns could not be cleared
The crew were now defenceless from the rear, flying in a damaged aircraft with one engine out. With only upper gunner Sgt. Searson to protect them any attack from the rear. With all they had seen, one Halifax go down and others being attacked. It must have been a tense and long journey home.

July 24/25 1944 – Stuttgart

The night of July 24/25 would be the crews tenth operation together, this time to Stuttgart. The only information on what happened to crew and aircraft was given by Phillis a number of years later. He stated that the Lancaster was near Luxembourg when it was hit with a rocket, the aircraft caught fire and he ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft. Before the command could be carried the control of the aircraft was lost. Escaping from the hatches was difficult because of the actions of the aircraft as it spun down to earth. Devine was able to pull himself out of the aircraft. Devine, Phillis and MacKinnon were the only ones to get out. The aircraft came down 1 km south east of Bass, 16 km northeast of Vitry le Francais.
Those who died were buried and remembered in Bassu.

P/O Phillis's DFM

One night in July 1944, this airman piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Villeneuve-St.Georges. When crossing the enemy coast the bomber was involved in a fight with an enemy aircraft. One engine was put out of action, a fuel tank was pierced and the fuselage was damaged. Despite this, Flight Sergeant Phillis went on to the target which he attacked after evading two more fighters which tried to close in. His determination and devotion to duty were typical of that which he has shown throughout his tour.

Sgt. Norman's DFM

Although I cannot find the exact wording of his citation, it was for his part in the actions described in P/O Phillis's citation.

Crew of Lancaster KB719

First Operation –First Combat

Second Operation – Second Combat

July 4th – Villeneuve St. George

The First Attack – 0038 Hours

The Second Attack – 0050 Hours

July 24/25 1944 – Stuttgart

P/O Phillis's DFM

Sgt. Norman's DFM

Pilot Officer

John Ellard Searson

Air Gunner Age 19
Killed in Action July 25th 1944
From Douglas Ontario.
Burial Bassu, Marne, France

Pilot Officer

John Patrick Shortt

Air Gunner Age,20
Killed in Action July 25th 1944
From Vancouver B.C. Burial Bassu, Marne, France

Pilot Officer

Jack Spevak

WAG
Killed in Action July 25th 1944
From Ottawa Ontario
Burial Bassu, Marne, France

Sgt.

James Norman DFM, RAF

F/E
Killed in Action July 25th 1944
Burial Bassu, Marne, France

Flight Sergeant

Jack Albert Phillis DFM

Pilot
Evader

Flight Sergeant

W. H. Devine

Navigator
PoW #570 Stalag Luft VII

Sergeant

Richard Glanville MacKinnon

Bomb Aimer
Evader

Crew of Lancaster KB719

First Operation –First Combat

Second Operation – Second Combat

July 4th – Villeneuve St. George

The First Attack – 0038 Hours

The Second Attack – 0050 Hours

July 24/25 1944 – Stuttgart

P/O Phillis's DFM

Sgt. Norman's DFM

Pilot Officer

John Ellard Searson

Air Gunner Age 19 Killed in Action July 25th 1944 From Douglas Ontario. Burial Bassu, Marne, France

Pilot Officer

John Patrick Shortt

Air Gunner Age,20 Killed in Action July 25th 1944 From Vancouver B.C. Burial Bassu, Marne, France

Pilot Officer

Jack Spevak

WAGKilled in Action July 25th 1944 From Ottawa Ontario Burial Bassu, Marne, France

Sgt.

James Norman DFM, RAF

F/E Killed in Action July 25th 1944 Burial Bassu, Marne, France

Flight Sergeant

Jack Albert Phillis DFM

Pilot Evader

Flight Sergeant

W. H. Devine

Navigator PoW #570 Stalag Luft VII

Sergeant

Richard Glanville MacKinnon

Bomb Aimer Evader

Air Gunner Age 19
Killed in Action July 25th 1944
From Douglas Ontario.
Burial Bassu, Marne, France

Air Gunner Age,20
Killed in Action July 25th 1944
From Vancouver B.C. Burial Bassu, Marne, France

WAG
Killed in Action July 25th 1944
From Ottawa Ontario
Burial Bassu, Marne, France

F/E
Killed in Action July 25th 1944
Burial Bassu, Marne, France

Pilot
Evader

Navigator
PoW #570 Stalag Luft VII

Bomb Aimer
Evader