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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: cwalarc on Saturday 24 April 10 13:51 BST (UK)
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Died 9th Jan 1942. Squadron 90. Pilot training on flying fortresses. Crashed over Cambridge. Dont know previous service record or details of crash. Believe flew Halifaxs before posted to otu unit. Was in rafvr
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Henson was ex-226 Squadron. It was with this squadron that he and his crew (Blenheims) that he was awarded his DFM in 1941:
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35232/pages/4377
Henson was killed in B-17 AN536, which was on a high alttitude air test when it appears to have lost power, stalled and broken apart in the dive.
K
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If you pm Kyt he can probably get the details for you.
Dee
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Is this him?
http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=2407348
It says he was 90 Sqn on death
From the RAF MOD site:
The squadron was re-formed as a bomber unit in March 1937, and equipped with Hawker Hinds. It was given Bristol Blenheim Mk. Is during the summer of 1937 and was selected to conduct Service development trials of these aircraft and also staged many flying demonstrations. In the spring of 1939 the "short-nosed" Blenheim Is were replaced by "long-nosed" Mk. IV's.
Soon after the outbreak of war No. 90 ceased to be a first-line unit and assumed the role of a Group pool squadron or, in other words, became a training squadron. In April 1940, it was absorbed into. No.17 OTU but in May 1941, it re-formed, having been selected as the RAF squadron to receive the first Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft from America. Its role was now high-altitude day bombing and it flew its first operational mission with Fortresses on 8th July 1941, when Wilhelmshaven was attacked from 30,000 feet. It continued to operate its Fortresses over Europe - albeit with little success - until September 1941, and, later, had a detachment operating in the Middle East.
The squadron was again disbanded in February 1942, but re-formed in November 1942, as a heavy-bomber squadron equipped with Stirlings, and subsequently made a significant contribution to the Battle of the Ruhr, the devastation of Hamburg and the famous raid on Peenemunde. It also did a great deal of minelaying. In May/June 1944, No. 90 exchanged its Stirlings for Lancasters and with these continued to play a prominent part in Bomber Command's offensive until late April 1945.
Hope this helps
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I have been researching a relative who was on the same plane (all crew are listed at the bottom):
Robert Wallis George Goold
Born Newport Wales
BORN 1920 CARDIFF
RAF Flight Sergent Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force)
died 9/1/42
Member of 90 squadron
Service number 818020
90 Squadron operating at the time from Kinloss possibly one of 2 bombers missing flying
2076 to RAF as AN536. Broke up in midair over Shepreth, UK, Jan 9, 1942.
It would appear to have been a non-operational loss as he was flying in Fortress I, AN536, which broke up over Shepreth, the crew being: -
F/Lt S A P Fischer
F/Sgt J K Henson DFM
F/Sgt D Musk
F/Sgt P A Gibbs
Sgt D Wilcox
Sgt R G G Millard
F/Sgt R W G Goold
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Jack Henson was my uncle. My info says plane crashed with loss of all 5 crew members while on a routine training flight over Cambridge. At about 13,000ft speed apparently fell away and aircraft stalled.Plane seen to come out of cloud in left hand spin, crew had donned parachutes, it appears order to jump never given suggesting pilot hoped to make a recovery. It has been suggested they were doing high altitude testing.
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741544 Sergeant John Kenneth Henson DFM, 226 Squadron, RAF
Gazetted 29th July 1941
40 Sorties
65 Flying Hours
Pilot
Sergeant Henson was flying number six of a second box on a daylight high-level raid on Lille on 2nd July 1941, with Sergeant Coleman as Air Observer and Sergeant Batty as Air Gunner. As they approached the target, the formation was attacked by three Me. 109s in line astern. They picked out Sergeant Henson's aircraft for attack and the first shots wounded the pilot in the jaw. The Observer saw this but paused long enough to release his bombs as they ran over the target. He then came back to the pilot and endeavoured to stop the bleeding with a field dressing. The Pilot was able to continue and told the crew to bail out. The Air Observer, however, found the artery to press and reduce the bleeding and the Pilot decided that he would endeavour to carry on. Meanwhile, the aircraft was attacked by four more aircraft, the last of which received an accurate burst from the Air Gunner and broke up in the air. Two more enemy fighters attacked the aircraft and although the Air Gunner knew he had a badly wounded Pilot, he continued to fire coolly and put accurate bursts of fire into each fighter as it attacked. The Pilot succeeded in keeping formation, although he struck one of our aircraft once, and with the Air Observer endeavouring to stop the heavy loss of blood and telling the Pilot where to fly, the aircraft reached one of our aerodromes. The Air Observer lowered the undercarriage but when he depressed the flap lever, only one flap came down and the aircraft went temporarily out of control and Sergeant Coleman pulled up the flaps. The Pilot then landed the aircraft without further damage. This is an excellent example of team work, good flying, good shooting and fortitude. The Pilots courage in continuing the flight although he had lost a lot of blood and in landing the aircraft successfully at the end of the flight saved a valuable crew and aircraft. The Parts played by the Air Observer and Air Gunner were no less important. Their coolness and courage were magnificent. I strongly recommend the Pilot, Sergeant Henson, should receive an immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.
Remarks by AOC
An outstanding example of endurance and courage and I strongly recommend this Pilot for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.
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Thank you for that. I have little information from that time apart from the London Gazette citation.
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I have come across this, where a local metal detectorist has discovered the crash site:
http://joanallendetectors.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/guest-post-the-missing-b17/#comment-691
They were all brave men who's lives were cut short.
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Thanks so much for that site - made very sad reading especially seeing the pictures. Fischer. Gibbs and Wilcox are buried in Whittlesford Churchyard and there is some information in the church. Jack Henson is buried in his home area of East Yorkshire. Have also visited RAF Polebroke where the fatal flight left from. Visited Shrepreth last year but couldnt identify the crash site.
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I have been in contact with Julian on Facebook, it might be worth you contacting him too. He is talking about arranging a visit!