Crew of Lancaster KB734
F/L Smith had already served in the African campaign before coming to 419 Squadron on April 22nd 1944. He and his
crew flew their first operation on May 10/11th they would fly together for eight sorties.
Pilot P/O E. "Bill" Smith
Navigator Sgt. William H. Gardiner
Bomb Aimer Sgt. Robert E. Porter
WAG WOI Michael Baran
F/E Sgt. J.W.A. Trussler
MU/G Sgt. Glen Taylor
R/G Sgt. Sidney Wilson on attachment from 434 Squadron.
Lancaster KB734, VR-F with Smith's crew took off at 2305 for an operation against Sterkrade Germany. Very little is known of what happened to the aircraft other then it came down at Zeist (Utrect). The Luftwaffe put up a heavy resistance to the attack and many combat reports were filed by the crews on the encounters they had with Luftwaffe attacks on the bombers.
Several enemy night fighters heard back from 419 gunners including at least one which the enemy fighter was classed as "Damaged".
All but two members of the P/O Smith's crew were killed. A mention of the aircraft exploding is found in Smith's home town paper, but no where else. There could have been a mix up with another 419 Lancaster that was lost on the same raid which is known to have exploded in the air.
See KB728.
Sgt. Robert Porter became an Evader and Sgt. J.W.A. Trussler was captured.
There appears to be nothing on Porter's evasion in any source. In one book that lists all evaders his name is missing. Which is likely the same for many evaders close to the D-Day invasion. Many simply made it to Allied lines then returned to Britain. Others hid out with local Frenchmen who hid them until liberated by the advancing Allied ground forces.
However the aircraft is listed as coming down at Utrect and Allied forces had not advanced that far by June 17th. And would not be in that area for many months to come.
It would be interesting to find the story of his evasion.
Posthumously promoted to Flight Lieutenant he also received posthumously the RCAF Operational Wings (December 1946) in recognition of gallant service in action against the enemy.
F/L Smith had also been on the King's New Year's Honours List for gallantry.
Pilot P/O E. "Bill" Smith
Navigator Sgt. William H. Gardiner
Bomb Aimer Sgt. Robert E. Porter
WAG WOI Michael Baran
F/E Sgt. J.W.A. Trussler
MU/G Sgt. Glen Taylor
R/G Sgt. Sidney Wilson on attachment from 434 Squadron.
June 17th 1944
Lancaster KB734, VR-F with Smith's crew took off at 2305 for an operation against Sterkrade Germany. Very little is known of what happened to the aircraft other then it came down at Zeist (Utrect). The Luftwaffe put up a heavy resistance to the attack and many combat reports were filed by the crews on the encounters they had with Luftwaffe attacks on the bombers.
Several enemy night fighters heard back from 419 gunners including at least one which the enemy fighter was classed as "Damaged".
All but two members of the P/O Smith's crew were killed. A mention of the aircraft exploding is found in Smith's home town paper, but no where else. There could have been a mix up with another 419 Lancaster that was lost on the same raid which is known to have exploded in the air.
See KB728.
Sgt. Robert Porter became an Evader and Sgt. J.W.A. Trussler was captured.
There appears to be nothing on Porter's evasion in any source. In one book that lists all evaders his name is missing. Which is likely the same for many evaders close to the D-Day invasion. Many simply made it to Allied lines then returned to Britain. Others hid out with local Frenchmen who hid them until liberated by the advancing Allied ground forces.
However the aircraft is listed as coming down at Utrect and Allied forces had not advanced that far by June 17th. And would not be in that area for many months to come.
It would be interesting to find the story of his evasion.
Posthumous Awards for F/L Smith
Posthumously promoted to Flight Lieutenant he also received posthumously the RCAF Operational Wings (December 1946) in recognition of gallant service in action against the enemy.
F/L Smith had also been on the King's New Year's Honours List for gallantry.
