August 31, 1941 - THE WELLINGTON.

After many years of research, the historical account of this aircraft and its crew has become a part of the Genk history. First of all, one must bear in mind that, during the war, Boxbergheide was a barren plain with just a few houses. Now, let's follow this aircraft from the start ... After the battle of self-preservation of Britain, from mid 1941 on, the Royal Air Force was more and more used to liberate all occupied territories and to reduce any pressure on Britain. The target of the night flight on August 31 – September1, 1941 was Cologne: 108 planes participated. As usual, various squadrons provided the planes for a large raid like this. The 3rd Bomber Group supplied 45 Wellingtons, 39 Hampdens, 7 Halifaxes, 6 Manchesters and 6 Sterlings. Their main purpose was to destroy railway junctions. Five other Manchesters accompanied them as a support to destroy searchlights. On this campaign, 3 Hampdens, l Manchester and l Wellington (in Boxbergheide) were lost . A German fighter shot another Wellington above England. As usual, with every flight three tasks had been given: first, the target, then, as an alternate object, a second target and third, if disturbed or hindered by other causes, any target that could be bombed. The weather was bad over Cologne so that only 68 planes could bomb the main target. The German army command reported: "Some bombs and one victim." (1) For the 101st Squadron, the briefing under the command of Wing Commander DR Biggs took place at 17.30 p.m. (UK time) on the basis of Oakington (Cambridge-shire).

The crewmembers of nine Wellingtons received all information concerning the target: weather conditions, tasks, obstacles and the "good luck” wish. Seven aircrafts took off, two served as backup to maintain the global number in any case and all were equipped with a bomb load.

”Our” Vickers-Wellington type Mk I c, bearing the number "R 1703 - J" got a load of incendiary bombs: three heavy bombs of 500 Ibs and one of 250 Ibs. Until October 1945 the British built 11,461 of this type of Wellington bombers. The crew consisted of six men under the command of the 1st pilot P/O Ashton, second pilot was Sgt Wood and further the Sgts Hutton Lane, Redden and WARBURTON (Redden and Wood were Canadians). Four of the seven bombers had cameras on board, but not so the R. 1703.

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Photo (click to enlarge): Vickers-Wellington, Mk 1c. plane from another squadron)
 

On the way back to England, they all had to deal with German night fighters and the FLAK belts around Maastricht and Genk were also very active that night. A burning point approached Genk from the south-east (from the district of Langerlo); it was a burning aircraft flying over De Maten (natural parc of Genk) and trying to stay on its western course. Thanks to the wicker work of the fuselage, this aircraft could endure a lot and stay much longer in the air, even when badly damaged. But then it fell down like a burning torch, exploded when it hit the ground and ended in a lake of fire. The wreck kept burning for hours. There must already have been a fraction or an explosion in the air because a large piece of a wing fell down near the house of Roger Thijs in the Congostraat and one of the engines fell next to the piggery of Jan Bollen who was living then at the railroad crossing, now Landwaartslaan. The engine almost hit the man.

Comments (4)

This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Hello,<br />Thanks to Martin for the improvement in the name.<br />Martin, is there a death notice or reminder card on the death of your uncle, available? If so, we would be able to receive a digital scan them to be included in the archive. They...

Hello,<br />Thanks to Martin for the improvement in the name.<br />Martin, is there a death notice or reminder card on the death of your uncle, available? If so, we would be able to receive a digital scan them to be included in the archive. They are also perhaps pictures of the period during his military service or the years immediately after the liberation? Here, too, a digital scan if possible.<br />Sorry for my bad English.<br />greetings<br />Claes Guy (member Heemkring Heidebloemke and Heide Cross)

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Claes Guy
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Hello,<br />Thanks to Martin for the improvement in the name.<br />Martin, is there a death notice or reminder card on the death of your uncle, available? If so, we would be able to receive a digital scan them to be included in the archive. They...

Hello,<br />Thanks to Martin for the improvement in the name.<br />Martin, is there a death notice or reminder card on the death of your uncle, available? If so, we would be able to receive a digital scan them to be included in the archive. They are also perhaps pictures of the period during his military service or the years immediately after the liberation? Here, too, a digital scan if possible.<br />Sorry for my bad English.<br />greetings<br />Claes Guy (member Heemkring Heidebloemke and Heide Cross)

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Claes Guy
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Leonard Arthur WARBURTON (not Walburton) was my Uncle. His name is spelt incorrectly as Walburton throughout the article ‘THE CROSS IN THE HEATHER OF BOXBERGHEIDE – GENK’. My uncle died in 1989. Whilst the facts in the article agree with what I...

Leonard Arthur WARBURTON (not Walburton) was my Uncle. His name is spelt incorrectly as Walburton throughout the article ‘THE CROSS IN THE HEATHER OF BOXBERGHEIDE – GENK’. My uncle died in 1989. Whilst the facts in the article agree with what I know, there are some facts that are new to me.

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Martin Warburton
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Leonard Arthur WARBURTON (not Walburton) was my Uncle. His name is spelt incorrectly as Walburton throughout the article ‘THE CROSS IN THE HEATHER OF BOXBERGHEIDE – GENK’. My uncle died in 1989. Whilst the facts in the article agree with what I...

Leonard Arthur WARBURTON (not Walburton) was my Uncle. His name is spelt incorrectly as Walburton throughout the article ‘THE CROSS IN THE HEATHER OF BOXBERGHEIDE – GENK’. My uncle died in 1989. Whilst the facts in the article agree with what I know, there are some facts that are new to me.

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Martin Warburton
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