Gallery

This page is devoted to one particularly daring raid..............................................

The Augsburg Raid 17th April 1942

Below are the aircrew who returned from a daring daylight attack against a German diesel engine factory at Augsburg in Bavaria on 17th April 1942. At the time this was dubbed "The most daring raid of the war" by the media.

Back Row (from left) Sergeants Goacher, Merralls, Crisp, Ratcliffe, Overton, Flight Sergeant Ellwood, Sergeants Irons, Hebdon. Centre Row (from left) Sergeants Henley, Cummings, Jones, Broomfield, Devine, Cooper, Flight Sergeant Keane, Flight Sergeant Louch, Sergeant Tales.

Front Row (from left) Pilot Officers Colquhoun, Cutting, Friend, Flight Lieutenant Hallows, Flying Officer Rodley, Flight Lieutenant Penman, Flying Officer Deverill, Pilot Officers Butler, Hooey, Ifould.

(Above) Two members of Flying Officer Rodley's crew - Sergeant Ernest Merralls (Wireless Operator, left) and Sergeant "Jack" Crisp. Both of these airmen were awarded the DFM at the end of their respective tours of operations.

(Above) A fascinating photo taken from a 97 Squadron Lancaster during one of the low-level practice flights undertaken in the build up to the Augsburg raid.

(Above and below) Extracts from newspapers capture the reaction to the raid at home.

(Above) A photocall in London for some of the survivors of the raid. The 97 Squadron men are Flight Lieutenant Penman (extreme left), Flight Lieutenant Hallows (third from right) and Sergeant Irons (second from right).

(Below) Sergeant Irons (left) and Sergeant Goacher outside Buckingham Palace on the occasion of their investiture for the award of the DFM.

(Above) The well tended grave of 22-year-old Warrant Officer Tommy Mycock DFC at Durnbach War Cemetery. Mycock, from Prestwich in Lancashire was the pilot of one of the two 97 Squadron Lancasters lost on the Augsburg raid.

(Above) A poignant photo taken at RAF Waddington on 17th April 1992 at a luncheon to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Augsburg raid. Those present are (from left) Hubert Crum DFM AE (44 Sqn), Ernest "Rod" Rodley DSO DFC & Bar AFC AE, Paul Cutting DFC, Brian "Darky" Hallows OBE DFC AE, Group Captain Uprichard (Station Commander RAF Waddington), William "Hank" Keane DFC DFM, David Penman DSO OBE DFC, Ron Irons MBE DFM, Pat Dorehill DSO DFC & Bar (44 Sqn).

Extract from the 97 Squadron Operations Record Book........

17.4.42 Six aircraft detailed for daylight ops in formation with two reserve aircraft and crews. Seven took-off in five minutes commencing 1455 hours. W/O Harrison in aircraft “H” went u/s. W/O Rowlands flew as far as Selsey Bill as reserve, not being required, returned to base. The raid being in daylight, flew in formation of 6 aircraft, the captains being S/L Sherwood DFC, F/L Hallows, F/O Rodley, F/L Penman DFC, F/O Deverill DFM, W/O Mycock DFC. The attack was of very great importance on the MAIN Diesel works – Augsburg, South Germany, being a total of 1500 miles. All six aircraft flew over France and low over Germany and successfully reached the target, all dropped their bombs. S/L Sherwood and W/O Mycock were seen to be hit by flak over the target, caught fire and crashed near the target area. F/L Hallows aircraft was badly damaged and all the other aircraft received a certain amount of damage, but the all managed to reach base safely without any casualties. The op was highly successful, the press giving excellent reports, also the BBC broadcast an account mentioning that this raid was the finest of its type during the war. The names of the formation leaders – S/L Sherwood and F/L Penman were also broadcast. Definite from the reports of the captains of the aircraft that large amount of damage was caused to the essential parts of the factory. The following signals of congratulation have been received from 5 Group.

The following has been received from AOC-in-C Bomber Command – the following message has been received by the AOC from the Prime Minister – “We must plainly regard the attack of the Lancasters on the U-boat engine factory at Augsburg as an outstanding achievement of the Royal Air Force. Undeterred by heavy losses at the outset, 44 and 97 Squadrons pierced and struck a vital point with deadly precision in broad daylight. Pray convey the thanks of His Majesty’s Government to the officers and men who accomplished this memorial feat of arms in which no life was lost in vain”.

Message from Chief of the Air Staff – “I would like 44 and 97 Squadrons to know the great importance I attach to this gallant and successful attack on the diesel engine factory at Augsburg. Please give my warmest congratulations and thanks”.

From Air Marshal A.T.Harris “Convey to the crews of 44 and 97 Squadrons who took part in the Augsburg raid, the following; - the resounding blow which has been struck at the enemy’s submarine and tank building programme will echo round the world. The full effects of his submarine campaigns cannot be immediately apparent, but nevertheless they will be enormous. The gallant adventure penetrating deep into the heart of Germany in daylight and pressed home with outstanding determination in the face of bitter and unforeseen opposition takes its place amongst the most courageous operations of the war. It is moreover yet another fine example of effective cooperation with the other services by striking at the very sources of the enemy effort. The officers and men who took part, those who returned and those who fell, have indeed served their country well”.

17 April 1942 - Augsburg

L7573 K S/L Sherwood DFC, P/O Webb, F/O Hepburn, Sgts Page, Cox, F/Sgt Harrington, F/Sgt Wilding. Up 1455. Leader of the formation. Shot down over the target by flak. Seen by other aircraft to be in flames and crash. Missing.

R5537 B F/O Hallows, P/O Friend, P/O Cutting, F/Sgt Louch, Sgts L.G.Jones, Broomfield, Goacher. Up 1456 Down 2312. Nothing of note until 2 miles from target when everything started to shoot, including heavy flak. Visibility 20 miles and bombed from 400 feet on target, possibly overshooting owing to aim being upset by shell in starboard wing. Leader was shot down so continued with remaining number of formation. Successful.

R5488 F F/O Rodley, P/O Colquhoun, Sgts Henley, Merralls, Cummings, Ratcliffe, Crisp. Up 1457 Down 2325. Approached enemy coast at 100 feet and from there kept just above ground to target. No flak encountered on way. On approach saw huge red flames leap up from the target, on entering target area much light and some heavy flak was shot up. Visibility good, slight haze, bombed from 200 feet. Bombs burst on part of works west of canal, saw other bombs hit the main buildings. Saw leader smoking and then a fire grew from his inner petrol tank and crash north of town in ball of flames. Damaged slightly by flak. Continued home low until crossing French coast at 11000 feet amidst further flak. Landed at base. Successful raid.

R5496 U F/L Penman DFC, P/O Hooey, P/O Ifould, F/Sgt Elwood, Sgts Tales, Overton, Hebdon. Outward journey no opposition. Navigation was perfect. Approaching target, guns opened up on all sides and all the aircraft in the formation were hit, nos 2 and 3 catching fire. Bombs were dropped in two sticks in centre of chimney clusters from 400’. No 2 pocked up position leaving target. Continued flying low until dark enough to climb to 18000 feet and home. Damage, light flak holes. Successful.

L7575 Y F/O Deverill DFM, Sgt Cooper, P/O Butler, Sgts Irons, Mackay, Devine, F/Sgt Keane. Up 1459 Down 2315. Target attacked in formation. No cloud, from 400 feet bombs were dropped on target area. No 3 “P” was seen to catch fire in the air and crash. Very heavy flak and light predicted flak and S.A tracer. Aircraft caught fire on starboard side of fuselage and bomb bay but was extinguished by the efforts of the Wireless Operator and Mid gunner. Both mid and rear turrets u/s from target. Port outer engine was u/s and feathered on leaving but was restarted before reaching coast. Formated again on No 1 “U” for protection and landed base.

R5513 P W/O Mycock DFC, Sgt Hayes, W/O Harrison, Sgts Eades, Macdonald, Shelley, Donoghue. Up 1500. Entered target area, was seen to drop bombs. Hit by flak, caught fire in the air and was seen to crash near target. Missing.

S/L Sherwood’s recommendation for the Victoria Cross.......

“Squadron Leader Sherwood DFC led his squadron on the daylight attack on the important Diesel Engine Factory at Augsburg, Southern Germany. With great skill and ability Squadron Leader Sherwood led the formation at very low level across 900 miles of enemy occupied territory – eventually leading all his aircraft directly on to the target. On the approach to the target itself, heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire was experience but, with extreme daring and cool-headedness, he pressed home the attack with his Section, scoring direct hits on the Factory with his bombs from a very low level. While bombing the target his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft guns and caught fire. Squadron Leader Sherwood continued to lead his section away from the target with one wing well alight and until such time as the aircraft became uncontrollable. By extreme devotion to duty, Squadron Leader Sherwood ensured the success of the operation with which he was charged, and continued his daring leadership to the end. His conspicuous bravery on this occasion crowned a long and distinguished career in the service of his country” (sic – W/C Collier CO 97 Sqn)

“This gallant leadership deserves the highest recognition. His example will always be remembered in this Group and in the Royal Air Force”. (sic – G/C Harries 5 Group).

“Strongly recommended” - AM Harris.

Air Ministry endorsement – “To be recd for DSO if later found to be alive”

The Memory of David Penman lives on

The name of the late Wg Cdr David Penman DSO OBE DFC lives on strongly at 1804 (Four Heatons) Squadron Air Training Corps. He was an instructor until his retirement from the Corps in 1991. The Squadron HQ is dedicated to him as David Penman House, and his pilot's brevet and medal ribbons are proudly displayed in the main hall.

David officially opened the HQ in '91, and his family have subsequently kept in touch with the Squadron whose main award of the year is the Penman Memorial Trophy, which is an Eagle in flight, and is awarded to the Cadet who is considered by their peers to be exceptional in spirit, enthusiasm and loyalty.

(Above) The Penman Memorial Trophy

(Below) David Penman's brevet and medal ribbons

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