RAF 78 Squadron WW2

[youngtug]

Following my enquiry here I have started this thread which may be of interest; http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=701649.0

[Roundakela]

To Halifaxman and Gini,
I hope this thread is still open.

My uncle was F/O G I Whitehouse on JD329 and was one of only 2 crew who survived. I would be interested in any information anyone has. I have some photos here  and one of an unknown crew member.

Gini, in our family archive we still have original correspondence between his wife and the families of the other crew members as they were waiting for news.

His wife was originally told he was dead until contacted by someone living on the south coast who heard his name listed as pow on French radio.

Love to hear from you or other members.

Steven

[Savvy24]

This thread has been interesting reading as I have been researching my uncle, Sergeant Irvine Illingworth was killed on the bombing raid 27/28th August. I shall be visiting the churchyard at Souilly later this year.

[RCAF Halifax]

Clotfy

78 Sqn was not a "Reserve Sqn" Further details as to the specific loss detailed below

27th / 28th August 1943: Halifax Mk BII, JD406 EY-P "Rothman P~Peter”

Built by English Electric Co (Salmesbury & Preston) this particular aircraft was delivered to 78 Sqn between 29th July and 5th August 1943

The crew were briefed to attack Nuremburg. The ATD of the aircraft from RAF Breighton, Yorkshire was 2054 

JD406 EY-P was one of two 78 Sqn aircraft lost on this operation. The other was; JD414 EY-M

The cause of JD406 EY-P’s loss was not established. The aircraft crashed at Souilly, 16km SW of Verdun (Meuse) France

Pilot            F/O R.H. Orr RCAF +
Flight Engineer      Sgt E.J. Williams +
Navigator         F/O W.V. Gregson +
Bomb Aimer      Sgt P.J. Wenmoth +
Wireless Operator   Sgt I. Illingworth +
Mid Upper Gunner   Sgt W.A. Dunleavy RCAF
Rear Gunner      Sgt H. McN. Gill +

Those killed are buried in Souilly Churchyard, France

Sgt Dunleavy was interned in Stalag 9C (Bad Orb)

 
ORR, Flying Officer (P) RICHARD HERBERT, J/20704, 78 (R.A.F.) Sqn Royal Canadian Air Force. 28 August 1943. Age 27. Son of Arthur Joseph and Bertha Jane Orr, of Underwood, Ontario, Canada. Grave Ref. Grave 3.

WILLIAMS, Sergeant (FE) ENOCH JONES, 1130519, 78 Sqn Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 28 August 1943. Age 22. Son of Thomas and Rebecca Williams, of Blaenrhondda, Glamorgan. Grave Ref. Grave 6.

GREGSON, Flying Officer (NAV) WILLIAM VICTOR, 131902, 78 Sqn Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 28 August 1943. Age 25. Son of William and Dorothy Gregson; husband of Sally Gregson, of Liverpool. Grave Ref. Grave 5.

WENMOTH, Sergeant (BA) PERCIVAL JACK, 997249, 78 Sqn Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 28 August 1943. Age 24. Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Wenmoth, of Whalley Range, Manchester. Grave Ref. Grave 2.

ILLINGWORTH, Sergeant (WOP/AG) IRVINE, 1079192, 78 Sqn Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 28 August 1943. Grave Ref. Grave 1.

GILL, Sergeant (RG) HECTOR MCNEILL, 613186, 78 Sqn  Royal Air Force. 28 August 1943. Age 24. Son of John McNeill Gill and Catherine McNeill Gill, of Campbelltown, Argyllshire; husband of Verbena Ruth Gill. Grave Ref. Grave 4.

Hope this is of use?

Kind Regards

Halifaxman

Excuse me Sir.

I do have a curiousity to this claim of the Halifax EY-P you have described. Doing some research in some family history and it came up with a No.78 Sqd Halifax II EY-P being W7926 Where the family member was the Bombardier by the name of Sgt. William "Billy" Hall Allely (Serial: 1339764). His Halifax was listed in records found as EY-P shot down by and Bf110G and he was taken as POW.

Do you have any information to clarify? Trying to find as much info as possible about this particular Halifax, if there is any distinguishing markings or nose art that it may have had. 
Thank you for your time!

RCAF Halifax.