Francis Desmond Clarke
He was a haulage contractor's clerk in 1939.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
He was the son of Francis Bernard and Margaret Lilian Clarke of 70, Forest Road, Nottingham.
Wellington III BK459 took off at 23.10 to bomb Frankfurt. 'Aircraft failed to return,' recorded 166 Sqdn'd ORB, 'Nothing heard after take off.' (166 Sqdn ORB, April 1943, Record of Events TNA, Air 27/1089/9)
No survivors. Fatalities: Clarke + R Brown, JM Everill, JR Gurdon, TE Richardson
Wellington III BK459 was one of 14 166 Sqdn Wellingtons which took part in a 502 aircraft attack on Frankfurt. The attacking force was comprised of 144 Wellingtons, 136 Lancasters, 124 Halifaxes and 98 Stirlings. 8 Wellingtons (including BK459) were lost together with 5 Lancasters, 3 Stirlings and 3 Halifaxes - 4.2% of the force.
The raid was not a success. Thick cloud over the target made accurate bombing impossible. Damage was limited to fires in a paper goods store. Local authorities claimed no civilian lives were lost but another source reported 18 deaths on the ground, presumably in country areas. (Source: Middlebrook & Everitt, Bomber Command War Diaries, p.p.375-376.
Unknown
No photos