This post in the process of being updated . . .
Background
"The Pathfinder Force comprised the more experienced and able airmen, capable of accurately marking and bombing a target to guide in the other aircraft of the bomber stream."
"83 Squadron and 97 Squadron RAF were Pathfinder squadrons stationed in Lincolnshire, United Kingdom as part of 5 Group Bomber Command, which specialised in precision night bombing of targets including oil refineries, rail junctions, canals and shipping".
"In April 1944 the 97, 83 and 627 Squadrons of the Pathfinder Force [Group 8] were "loaned" to Group 5 against strong opposition from the Pathfinders Commander, Donald Bennett."
*** The night of 20th/21st April 1944
At 23:11 the Avro Lancaster III [ND748 OF-M] took off from Coningsby Airfield. The target was the Railway Marshalling Yards at La Chapelle, Paris.
Squadron Leader Douglas Leatherland 85674 - Age 28 - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
from Loughborough in Leicestershire was the Pilot. Sergeant Denis Fay Rimmer 1673522 - Age 22 - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
from Ormskirk in Lancashire was the Flight Engineer Flight Officer Herbert John Drawbridge 413304 - Age 28 - Royal New Zealand Air Force
from Raumati, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand was Navigator Sergeant John McAllister 1078235 - Age 23 - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
from Newcastle-On-Tyne the Wireless Operator Warrant Officer Grant Muckart 549273 - Age ? - Royal Air Force
was Air Gunner Flying Officer Walter Eaton 52485 - Age ? - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
also an Air Gunner Flight Sergeant David Alexander Fraser 970100 - Age 27 - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve was the Air Bomber Shot down by a German night fighter, the plane crashed at Piscop, 25km north of Paris, killing all seven crew members. The plane was Initially listed as missing - and later written off as damaged beyond repair.
97 Squadron at Coningsby reports:
"20.4.44 15 aircraft have been detailed for operations. The raid was carried out against the marshalling yards at La Chappelle, Paris. The attack was made in clear weather. Fighters reported on route and flak over target more troublesome than expected. Green TI clearly seen by all aircraft. Flares dropped in tight cluster. VHF and 1196 generally failed over target, but success of operation unaffected. Very large petrol explosion and other minor explosions seen. The second attack on the northern AP followed same lines as first attack, with believed equal success. Two aircraft were damaged by enemy action.
S/Ldr Leatherland and crew failed to return from the operation.
21.4.44 Crews resting for remainder of day, and settling in."
***
Information below from: Coningsby Aviation Heritage Centre on Facebook:
[I have been unable to find a website, so am transcribing the two relevant posts - which are from 2018 - so anyone interested does not have to search for them].
On This Day - 18 Apr 1944:
"Having been told of their transfer from No. 8 Gp Pathfinder Force back to No. 5 Gp three days previously, the main party and equipment of No. 97 Sqn arrived at RAF Coningsby from RAF Bourn led by Sqn Ldr Leatherland.
At approximately midday, a total of 21 aircraft and crews made the short hop into Coningsby.
The crews from both new squadrons were given a welcome brief by 54 Base Commander, Air Cdre Bobby Sharp. The style and tone of the presentation was not entirely well received, both CO 83 and CO 97 initially struggling with the change in leadership styles.
Although it had been intended to dispatch both squadrons on ops that night, neither CO declared their units ready. As a consequence, activity was limited to two pilots from 97 Sqn who flew with No. 617 Sqn from Woodhall Spa on a raid to Juvisy in France, the purpose being to observe the operational method used by No. 5 Gp for target marking and bombing."
On This Day - [20th April] 1944:
"Targeting La Chapelle, substantial railway sidings in northern Paris leading to the Gare du Nord this raid of 247 Lancasters and 22 Mosquitoes would be the first opportunity for No. 5 Gp to test its own target marking technique, although the Mosquitoes of No. 627 Sqn were supported by a number from No. 8 Gp.
An hour apart, two waves of aircraft were dispatched, each wave aiming at different ends of the marshalling yard. Both No. 83 and No. 97 Sqn dispatched 15 Lancasters on the raid, in the first and second waves respectively.
The first wave, targeting the southern end of the yards, reported poor VHF reception and lack of communications with the marking controllers. However, the TIs were accurate and bombing appeared concentrated. The second wave appeared as successful.
Post-flight debrief reported the flak over the target to be “more troublesome than expected – spasmodic, but very accurate predicted heavy flak”. Two aircraft were thus damaged. In addition, Lancaster III ‘OL-L’ of No. 83 Sqn diverted to Swinderby on the route home and ‘OL-C’ brought back its bomb load as the bomb sight had been unserviceable.
Reconnaissance confirmed the success of the raid, which left the yards severely damaged. All the crews involved received a message of congratulations from AOC No. 5 Gp.
Of six Lancasters lost on the raid, one was Lancaster III ND748 ‘OF-M’ of No. 97 Sqn. Taking off at 2311hrs, ND748 was shot down by a night fighter, crashing at Piscop, 9 miles north of the target.
The crew all perished and are buried in Clichy North Cemetery.
While there is little detail regarding the loss of the six Lancasters, it is possible ND748 was destroyed by Hptm Fritz Söthe of Stab 4/NJG4, who claimed a pair of 4-motor bomber over the northern Paris at 0050hrs and 0053hrs. After being wounded shortly after D-Day, he was killed, aged 30, when a Mosquito shot down his Junkers Ju 88 on 28 Sep 44.
Hptm Fritz Sothe 4/NJG4 claimed 2 kills on this night. 1. North of Paris 4,000m at 00:50. I believe this is ND748."
***
Overall, from what I have read, the raid was apparently considered a great success.
The numbers of planes and personnel quoted as being involved, and the casualties, vary somewhat: possibly 250 aircraft took off and 6 or 7 Lancasters were lost with 44 Crew killed. The collateral damage on the ground was huge.
From an operational point of view, it can be said that this was part of the price that was paid by the French in order to defeat the enemy and liberate France.
***
The Crew:
Douglas Leatherland AFC
Above image from: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56204739/douglas-leatherland
Only Son of Joseph and Edith Leatherland of 61 Sedgeley Road, Wolverhampton and the Son in Law of Councilor George Read and Mrs Read of Forest Road, Loughborough.
He lived at Great Malvern and attended the Worcester Royal Grammar School 1931-34.
He won the Worcester Empire Scholarship, which enabled him to study engineering at Loughborough College where he gained a BSc AMICE [Associate Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers].
After College he worked for a year in the Worcestershire County Surveyor's Department and later became Second Bridge Assistant in the West Riding of Yorkshire [Wakefield County Roads and Bridges]
Together with his Wife, Margery Isabell, he had two children.
At the outbreak of War, he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve [RAFVR] as a Sergeant Pilot and was appointed to his commission in 1940.
Taking part in over 50 Operational Flights he was also mentioned in Dispatches.
He was awarded the AFC [Air Force Cross]
"Killed during his 2nd tour of duty, on his 39th trip over enemy territory"
Source for the above information:
Douglas Leatherland is also remembered on the War Memorial at
Worcester Royal Grammar School:
Information online regarding the awarding of the AFC [London Gazette 8th June 1944] states:
"No.11 Operational Training Unit" and "when he had flown 854 hours, of which, 378 were instructional hours".
Testimonial, again mentioning No. 11 Operational Training unit, available at:
***
Denis Fay Rimmer
Photo: ancestry.co.uk
Lancashire Evening Post 13 May 1944
Dennis Fay Rlmmer RAF., 23-year-old son of Mrs. Margaret Rimmer, Upper Aughton-road, Southport, member a Lancaster bomber crew, has been posted missing after his 23rd raid over enemy territory.
He was manager Ciltheroe branch of men’s outfitters.
His Uncle is Mr James Fay J.P. of Southport.
***
Herbert John "Jacky" Drawbridge
Parents: Herbert Arthur & Mabel Florence Drawbridge, of Raumati, Hawkes Bay, NZ.
***
John McAllister:
Son of Alexander Mcallister and Margaret Nee Whyte and Husband of Mary [Mollie] -
Walker, Newcastle-On-Tyne.
A birth announcement for Daughter Kathleen appeared in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle of September 22nd 1944. It states Sgt J McAllister RAF [reported missing] and gives the home address as 35 Ennerdale ? Road.
Epitaph: Remembered always by his loving Wife Mary and darling baby Kathleen. R.I.P.
***
Walter Eaton:
I cannot find anything about Walter Eaton.
***
Grant Muckart DFC:
1-2 January 1944 - Berlin
ND355Y S/L C.P.C.de Wesselow, F/Sgt W.S.Bamlett, F/Sgt S.Carlyle, F/O W.G.Cooper, F/Sgt F.White, W/O G.Muckart, P/O J.J.Saynor. Up 0018 Dowm 0650. 4 flares, 6 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 5 x 500lb. Berlin attacked from 18,000’. 10/10ths cloud and some haze over target. Reflection pf ornage explosion seen at 0309 hours. The glow of TIs could be seen under cloud.
Perthshire Advertiser 19 Feb 1944
WARRANT Officer Grant Muckart, R.A.F., No. 97 Squadron, who has been awarded the D.F.C., was born at Coupar Angus in 1920, but his home is now at Connah's Quay, Chester. He was a despatch clerk before enlisting in 1938 and is now an air gunner. He has completed, in various capacities, many successful operations against the enemy in which he has displayed high skill and devotion to duty.
Dundee Courier - Tuesday 15 May 1945
P.O.W. BROTHERS RETURN TOGETHER Sons of Former Coupar Angus Doctor Two Coupar Angus brothers, Cpl. James Muckart, R.A.S.C., and Sergt. Andrew .M UC'Kart, R.A., sons of and Mrs Muckart, who were taken prisoners together June 1940, have arrived home together. They met again in January.
Their youngest brother. W.O. Air-Gunner Grant Muckart, D.F.C., has been missing since April 1944.
Dr Muckart and Mrs Muckart, who were in Coupar Angus for 25 years, have now the farm of Ardlebank, Bridge of Cally.
Perthshire Advertiser - Wednesday 04 December 1946
D.F.C. Pathfinder Did Not Come Back Six months before he was reported missing with the Pathfinders Force over Paris in 1944, W/O Grant Muckart, 130 Crieff Road, Perth, knew that he was to be awarded the D.F.C. But Grant did not come back from that last operation, and it was his Mother who went to Buckingbam Palace last week to receive his decoration. Mrs Muckart was accompanied by her daughter, Mrs Mary Madden.
W/O Muckart, who had been with the Pathfinders since their formation, was a member of the regular Air Force, having joined in 1937 at the age of 17. He married English girl in 1941, and she at present engaged on nursing service over the Border.
***
David Alexander "Davy" Fraser:
One of nine children, his parents were David and Ellen Fraser of Clifford Street in Glasgow.
On his last leave home he wasn’t keen to return to the War. He told his Mother he knew he wouldn’t be coming back. Davy was my Grandmother's youngest Brother and the reason for this post.
During his service he wrote home frequently from the following places:
Sept 1942: No 3 Sqdn A Flight, Belle Vue Hotel, Aberystwyth
Also in Sept 1942 not sure if before or after the above: Sgts Mess. Chipping Warden
Jan 1943: Sgts Mess, RAF LUQA, Malta
Mar 1943: 104 Sqdn RAF, MEP
Feb 1944: Sgts Mess, RAF Syerston, Nr Newark, Notts
Mar 1944: Sgts Mess, RAF Bourn, Cambs
[This ties up with the report, above, from Coningsby Aviation Heritage
Centre; the Crew were transferred from Bourn to Coningsby in April 1944]
***
The crew are all buried at Clichy Northern Cemetery in France.
I have grouped them together on a Virtual Cemetery on Findagrave
Personnel records at the Ministry of Defence have not yet been released.
***
Sources of information:
http://www.97squadronassociation.co.uk
http://francecrashes39-45.net/page_fiche_av.php?id=1209
http://www.rememberthefallen.co.uk/casualty/leatherland-douglas/
https://www.backtonormandy.org/the-history/air-force-operations/airplanes-allies-and-axis-lost/lancaster/23647-ND7481944-04-21.html
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=183121
http://www.156squadron.com/display_newpff_roll.asp?ID=97
https://raf-pathfinders.com/
https://raf-pathfinders.com/ground-crew-stations/97-squadron-at-coningsby/
http://www.bcar.org.uk/coningsby-history
https://raf-pathfinders.com/97-squadron-4-coningsby/