The story
On Sunday, 29 March 1942, (a part of) the aircraft of the 106 squadron (RNZAF), took off for a mission to the Frisian Islands in the Netherlands from a station (airfield) in or near Coningsby.
One of the crew members was Flight Sergeant H C Bussell RNZAF. He departed for his mission at 19:30. He was shot down 21.59 by Helmut Lent (see his wiki and his shoot-down list attached below). He was using early German radar to find and shoot down British planes. 7 dead and they are listed in the aviation-safety.net link.
They were on Operation Gardening (together with another Avro Manchester that was also shot down) planting “vegetables” (mines).'Gardening' had two functions. There was a genuine need to mine that sea area so as to create problems for shipping. The other reason was to be seen, so as their actions would create radio traffic which could then be intercepted. At this stage in the war, Bletchley Park needed cribs, anything to help them to find the enigma rotor settings. If a mine was laid in a precise position and that position was then reported over the radio, then it could provide a clue. With sufficient clues, they could find the rotor settings for the day using their bombs and once this was done they could read all traffic for that day for that group of enigma machines.
He flew with a Manchester (type I, with serial L7394 and code ZN-). His mission and the other crew members were planned for Monday, 30 March 1942.
Here is Lents list of aircraft shot down, including L7394
|
o |
Date |
Time |
A/c Type |
Unit |
Location |
Comments |
|
1 |
3.9.1939 |
17:10 |
PZL P.24 |
1./ZG76 |
Lodz region |
- |
|
2 |
18.12.1939 |
14:42 |
Wellington |
1./ZG76 |
5km N Borkum |
Wellington IA (N2888) “LF-A” of 37 Sqn RAF flown by F/O PA Wimberley |
|
3 |
18.12.1939 |
14:50 |
Wellington |
1./ZG76 |
10km WNW Borkum |
Wellington IA (N2889) “LF-P” of 37 Sqn, RAF flew by F/O OJT Lewis |
|
- |
18.12.1939 |
14:50 |
Wellington |
1./ZG76 |
Mear Borkum |
Not confirmed |
|
4 |
9.4.1940 |
8:55 |
Gladiator |
1./ZG76 |
Bratenjordet |
Gladiator (427) of Norwegian Fighter Wing flown by Sgt Per Schye |
|
5 |
27.5.1940 |
8:20 |
Gladiator |
1./ZG76 |
Bodohalvoya |
Gladiator of 263 Sqn RAF flown by Flt Lt CB Hull (6.249/2.5/2 victories), crash-landed, wounded |
|
6 |
2.6.1940 |
1:42 |
Gladiator |
1./ZG76 |
Rombaksfjorden |
Gladiator (N5893) of 263 Sqn RAF flown by P/O JL Wilkie, killed |
|
7 |
15.6.1940 |
12:45 |
Blenheim |
1./ZG 76 |
Near Trondheim |
Blenheim (L9408) of 254 Sqn, RAF flown by P/O PC Gayford |
|
8 |
12.5.1941 |
1:40 |
Wellington |
6./NJG1 |
80km SW Süderstapel |
Wellington IC (R1330) “BL-H” of 40 Sqn, RAF |
|
9 |
12.5.1941 |
2:49 |
Wellington |
6./NJG1 |
Pl Qu 85/6/2 |
Wellington IC (R1461) “BL-Z” of 40 Sqn, RAF |
|
10 |
28.6.1941 |
1:58 |
Whitley |
6./NJG 1 |
Hipstedt |
Whitley (T4297) “DY-?” of 102 Sqn, RAF flew by Sgt JR Culley, 5 POW |
|
11 |
30.6.1941 |
1:40 |
Stirling |
6./NJG 1 |
10km S Wesermaunde |
Stirling I (N6001) “MG-?” of 7 Sqn, RAF flown by S/L WTC Searle |
|
12 |
30.6.1941 |
2:05 |
Stirling |
6./NJG 1 |
15km S Bremervörde |
Stirling I (N3664) “MG-Z” of 7 Sqn, RAF flown F/O VR Hartwright |
|
13 |
4.7.1941 |
0:34 |
Wellington |
4./NJG 1 |
Exloo |
Wellington IC (R1492) “GR-?” of 301 Sqn, RAF |
|
14 |
6.7.1941 |
0:56 |
Whitley |
4./NJG 1 |
Coevorden |
Whitley V (Z6793) “ZA-?” of 10 Sqn, RAF |
|
15 |
8.7.1941 |
0:55 |
Whitley |
4./NJG 1 |
1km NW Orvelte |
Whitley V (Z6799) “KN-?) of 77 Sqn, RAF flew by F/Lt CR Petley, 4 killed, 1 POW |
|
16 |
10.7.1941 |
2:20 |
Wellington |
4./NJG 1 |
Telmdorf |
Wellington IC (B1770) “BL-C” of 40 Sqn, RAF flown by F/O GC Conran |
|
17 |
13.7.1941 |
0:55 |
Hampden |
4./NJG 1 |
Veendam |
Hampden I (AE226) “VN-?” of 50 Sqn, RAF flew by P/O ED Vivian, 4 killed |
|
18 |
15.7.1941 |
0:49 |
Wellington |
4./NJG 1 |
Veendam |
Wellington II (W5513) “EP-P” of 104 Sqn, RAF flown by P/O WG Rowse |
|
19 |
25.7.1941 |
3:54 |
Wellington |
4./NJG 1 |
15km SSW Leeuwarden |
Wellington IC (R1369) “DX-?” of 57 Sqn, RAF |
|
20 |
15.8.1941 |
3:20 |
Whitley |
4./NJG 1 |
54/63/2 |
Whitley V (Z6819) “MH-X” of 51 Sqn, RAF |
|
21 |
29.8.1941 |
3:40 |
Hampden |
4./NJG 1 |
Ameland im Waddenzee |
Hampden I (AE126) “EA-N” of 49 Sqn, RAF |
|
22 |
7.9.1941 |
1:25 |
Whitley |
4./NJG 1 |
Bergen-Filmn-Zee |
Whitley V (Z6681) “FY-?) of 78 Sqn, RAF |
|
23 |
8.9.1941 |
4:04 |
Wellington |
4./NJG 1 |
bei Drachtstercompagnie |
Wellington IC (Z8845) “WS-?” of 9 Sqn, RAF flew by Sgt Saich, 6 killed |
|
24 |
8.9.1941 |
4:59 |
Wellington |
4./NJG 1 |
bei Terwispel |
Wellington IC (R1798) “KO-B” of 115 Sqn, RAF |
|
25 |
13.10.1941 |
0:06 |
Wellington |
4./NJG 1 |
Westergeest |
Wellington IC (X9822) “BL-J” of 40 Sqn, RAF |
|
26 |
13.10.1941 |
0:33 |
Hampden |
4./NJG 1 |
Zuiderzee |
Hampden (AD965) “PL-?) of 144 Sqn, RAF |
|
27 |
8.11.1941 |
1:21 |
Wellington |
II./NJG 2 |
N Akkrum |
Wellington Ic (X9976) “AA-?” of 75 Sqn, RAF flew by F/Sgt JW Black, 6 killed |
|
28 |
17.1.1942 |
21:45 |
Whitley |
II./NJG 2 |
Terschelling |
Whitley V (Z9301) “MH-N” of 51 Sqn, RAF |
|
29 |
21.1.1942 |
22:28 |
Whitley |
II./NJG 2 |
W Terschelling |
Whitley V (Z9311) “MH-J” of 51 Sqn, RAF |
|
30 |
6.2.1942 |
15:10 |
Hampden |
II./NJG 2 |
70km W Terschelling |
Hampden I (AE308) “UB-L” of 455 Sqn, RAF |
|
31 |
26.3.1942 |
0:32 |
Manchester |
II./NJG 2 |
10 km. NNW Assen |
Manchester Ia (L7518) “QR-O” of 61 Sqn, RAF |
|
32 |
27.3.1942 |
22:10 |
Hampden |
II./NJG 2 |
N Terschelling |
Hampden of 408 Sqn, RAF |
|
33 |
27.3.1942 |
22:42 |
Hampden |
II./NJG 2 |
N Terschelling |
Hampden of 408 Sqn, RAF |
|
34 |
29.3.1942 |
21:59 |
Manchester |
II./NJG 2 |
N Terschelling |
Manchester I (L7394) of 61 Sqn, RAF |
|
35 |
11.4.1942 |
0:23 |
Wellington |
II./NJG 2 |
4km E Kolhorn |
Wellington Ic (Z8838) of 311 Sqn, RAF flew by S/Sgt J Kalensky, 6 killed |
|
36 |
13.4.1942 |
0:32 |
Hampden |
II./NJG 2 |
N Terschelling |
Hampden I (P1239) “PT-Y” of 420 Sqn, RAF |
|
37 |
18.4.1942 |
1:55 |
Wellington |
II./NJG 2 |
N Terschelling |
Wellington IV (Z1267) “BH-P” of 300 Sqn, RAF |
|
38 |
15.5.1942 |
22:45 |
Wellington |
II./NJG 2 |
N Terschelling |
Wellington III (X3482) “AA-J” of 9 Sqn, RAF |
|
39 |
3.6.1942 |
1:06 |
Hampden |
II./NJG 2 |
E Medemblik |
Hampden I (AT154) “EQ-B” of 408 Sqn, RAF |
|
40 |
4.6.1942 |
0:55 |
Halifax |
II./NJG 2 |
NNW Alkmaar |
Halifax II (R9457) “MP-A” of 76 Sqn, RAF |
|
41 |
6.6.1942 |
0:34 |
Wellington |
II./NJG 2 |
S Hoorn |
Wellington IC (DV812) “GT-?” of 156 Sqn, RAF |
|
42 |
6.6.1942 |
1:16 |
Wellington |
II./NJG 2 |
Ijsselmeer |
Wellington IV (Z1331) “GR-C” of 301 Sqn, RAF |
|
43 |
21.6.1942 |
0:48 |
Hampden |
II./NJG 2 |
N Ameland |
Hampden I (AT185) “PT-A” of 420 Sqn, RAF |
|
44 |
24.6.1942 |
1:12 |
Wellington |
II./NJG 2 |
N Terschelling |
Wellington IC (T2921) “PM-T” of 103 Sqn, RAF |
|
45 |
24.6.1942 |
1:46 |
Wellington |
II./NJG 2 |
NW Vlieland |
Wellington IC (DV831) “PM-R” of 103 Sqn, RAF |
|
46 |
26.6.1942 |
2:37 |
Wellington |
II./NJG 2 |
NW Enkhuisen |
Wellington IC (T2612) “H” of 18 OTU, RAF |
|
47 |
26.6.1942 |
2:56 |
Whitley |
II./NJG 2 |
Noordwijk |
Whitley V (BD266) of 24 OTU, RAF |
|
48 |
3.7.1942 |
1:25 |
Wellington |
II./NJG 2 |
SW Assen |
Wellington IV (Z1314) “GR-M” of 301 Sqn, RAF |
|
49 |
9.7.1942 |
1:30 |
Wellington |
II./NJG 2 |
Rottumeroog |
Wellington III (X3557) “AA-?” of 75 Sqn, RAF |
|
50 |
27.7.1942 |
2:35 |
Halifax |
II./NJG 2 |
North Sea |
Halifax (W1142) of 102 Sqn, RAF |
|
51 |
27.7.1942 |
2:39 |
Wellington |
II./NJG 2 |
North Sea |
Wellington III (BJ615) “KO-G” of 115 Sqn, RAF flew by W/Cdr F Dixon-Wright |
|
52 |
5.9.1942 |
2:50 |
Halifax |
II./NJG 2 |
531: 9A |
Lancaster I (R5682) “QR-R” of 61 Sqn, RAF |
|
53 |
14.9.1942 |
5:02 |
Wellington |
II./NJG 2 |
444: 6E4 |
- |
|
54 |
9.11.1942 |
20:37 |
Halifax |
II./NJG 2 |
544: 2G7 |
Halifax II (W7864) “DY-F” of 102 Sqn, RAF flew by F/Sgt TRN Fetherston |
|
55 |
17.12.1942 |
20:22 |
Lancaster |
IV./NJG 1 |
532: 1I |
Lancaster (ED355) “KM-D” of 44 Sqn, RAF |
|
56 |
17.12.1942 |
20:38 |
Halifax |
IV./NJG 1 |
534: 5J |
Lancaster I (ED333) “OF-B” of 44 Sqn, RAF |
|
57 |
8.1.1943 |
20:24 |
Lancaster |
IV./NJG 1 |
10km W Texel |
- |
|
58 |
21.1.1943 |
20:11 |
Wellington |
IV./NJG 1 |
643 1C4 |
- |
|
59 |
1.3.1943 |
21:39 |
Halifax |
IV./NJG 1 |
544 8I5 in See |
Halifax II (DT641) “VR-R” of 419 Sqn, RAF |
|
60 |
5.3.1943 |
22:20 |
Halifax |
II./NJG 1 |
54757 See |
Halifax II (BB282) “MP-R” of 76 Sqn, RAF |
|
61 |
5.3.1943 |
22:34 |
Halifax |
II./NJG 1 |
5822C |
Lancaster I (W4847) “OL-V” of 83 Sqn, RAF |
|
62 |
29.3.1943 |
23:46 |
Wellington |
IV./NJG 1 |
5km NW Lemmer |
Wellington III (BJ762) “OW-O” of 426 Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt RE Todd, 3 killed, 2 POW |
|
63 |
4.4.1943 |
0:24 |
Lancaster |
IV./NJG 1 |
547 7E See |
- |
|
64 |
20.4.1943 |
3:38 |
Mosquito |
IV./NJG 1 |
Near Den Oever |
Mosquito IIf (DZ694) “RA-?” of 410 Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt WJ Reddie |
|
65 |
5.5.1943 |
0:08 |
Stirling |
IV./NJG 1 |
S Enkhuisen |
Stirling III (BK773) “MG-T” of 7 Sqn, RAF |
|
66 |
5.5.1943 |
0:18 |
Stirling |
IV./NJG 1 |
2km S Honnerts |
Stirling I (EF343) “OJ-B” of 149 Sqn, RAF |
|
67 |
14.5.1943 |
2:54 |
Halifax |
IV./NJG 1 |
547 3F |
Halifax II (JB924) “EY-M” of 78 Sqn, RAF |
|
68 |
24.5.1943 |
2:16 |
Lancaster |
IV./NJG 1 |
40km W Egmond |
Halifax II (DT789) “ZA-Z” of 10 Sqn, RAF |
|
69 |
22.6.1943 |
3:09 |
Lancaster |
IV./NJG 1 |
CH 99 |
- |
|
70 |
23.6.1943 |
2:06 |
Halifax |
IV./NJG 1 |
FM 41 |
- |
|
71 |
26.6.1943 |
1:13 |
Wellington |
IV./NJG 1 |
FM 51 |
Wellington X (HF544) “HD-?” of 466 Sqn, RAF flown by F/Sgt ABR Airy, 5 killed |
|
72 |
28.7.1943 |
2:37 |
Lancaster |
IV./NJG 1 |
NW Terschelling |
- |
|
73 |
30.7.1943 |
2:10 |
Lancaster |
IV./NJG 1 |
RM 66d in See |
- |
|
74 |
24.8.1943 |
0:56 |
Stirling |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Berlin Mitte |
- |
|
75 |
24.8.1943 |
- |
Lancaster |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Berlin Tegel |
- |
|
76 |
24.8.1943 |
1:16 |
Halifax |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Berlin Spandau |
- |
|
77 |
1.9.1943 |
0:54 |
Halifax |
Stab/NJG 3 |
SW Berlin |
- |
|
78 |
1.9.1943 |
1:03 |
Halifax |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Berlin |
- |
|
79 |
22.9.1943 |
22:41 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Krohnsberg |
- |
|
80 |
3.10.1943 |
22:27 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Harleshausen |
- |
|
81 |
2.12.1943 |
19:58 |
Lancaster |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Near Magdeburg |
- |
|
82 |
2.12.1943 |
20:20 |
Stirling |
Stab/NJG 3 |
SW Berlin |
- |
|
83 |
16.12.1943 |
19:07 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Almanbrück area |
- |
|
84 |
2.1.1944 |
2:49 |
Lancaster |
Stab/NJG 3 |
- |
- |
|
85 |
14.1.1944 |
18:49 |
Lancaster |
Stab/NJG 3 |
- |
- |
|
86 |
14.1.1944 |
19:05 |
Lancaster |
Stab/NJG 3 |
- |
- |
|
87 |
14.1.1944 |
19:10 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
- |
- |
|
88 |
21.1.1944 |
22:28 |
Lancaster |
Stab/NJG 3 |
- |
- |
|
89 |
21.1.1944 |
22:58 |
Lancaster |
Stab/NJG 3 |
- |
- |
|
90 |
22.3.1944 |
21:26 |
Lancaster |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Bielefeld area |
- |
|
91 |
22.3.1944 |
21:35 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
S Bielefeld |
- |
|
92 |
24.3.1944 |
21:30 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Berlin area |
- |
|
93 |
24.3.1944 |
22:00 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Liebeck |
- |
|
94 |
31.3.1944 |
1:21 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
20-40km N Nürnberg |
Halifax (MZ508) “LK-N” of 578 Sqn, RAF |
|
95 |
23.4.1944 |
- |
Lancaster |
Stab/NJG 3 |
- |
- |
|
96 |
23.5.1944 |
0:21 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Osnabrück |
- |
|
97 |
23.5.1944 |
0:40 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Osnabrück area |
- |
|
98 |
16.6.1944 |
0:52 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
SW Lille |
- |
|
99 |
16.6.1944 |
0:56 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Béthune-Armentieres |
- |
|
100 |
16.6.1944 |
1:00 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Near Béthune |
- |
|
101 |
25.6.1944 |
0:25 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
QE-PE |
- |
|
102 |
25.6.1944 |
0:40 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
QE-PE |
- |
|
103 |
28.6.1944 |
1:10 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Off Dunkirk |
- |
|
104 |
19.7.1944 |
1:41 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
50km SE Reims |
- |
|
105 |
21.7.1944 |
2:07 |
Lancaster |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Off Deal |
- |
|
106 |
25.7.1944 |
1:14 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Pförzheim |
Lancaster (HK568) “AA-K” of 75 Sqn, RAF |
|
107 |
29.7.1944 |
1:47 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Near Bouxwiller |
- |
|
108 |
29.7.1944 |
1:57 |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
Château-Salins area |
- |
|
109 |
17.8.1944 |
- |
Viermot |
Stab/NJG 3 |
- |
- |
|
110 |
12.9.1944 |
- |
Lancaster |
Stab/NJG 3 |
- |
- |
|
111 |
17.9.1944 |
- |
Lancaster |
Stab/NJG 3 |
- |
- |
This is also a contribution by Andy Brough
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