Edward John Ablewhite
In 1939, Edward Able white was a galencial process worker.
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He was the son of William Henry and Sarah Jane Ablewhite of 20, Bingham Road, Sherwood, Nottingham.
15 Lancasters, including Ablewhite's, from 460 (Australian) Squadron were part of a 327 ac attack on the Skoda armaments works at Pilsen. 11% of the force was lost (18 Lancasters and 18 Halifaxes). The raid, carried out in full moonlight, was not a success. The Skoda factory was not hit. A large asylum 7 miles away was mistaken for the factory; one report suggests that 200 German soldiers were killed when their barracks near the asylum was bombed.
Ablewhite was an air gunner aboard Lancaster I W4942 'F' which took off 2106 16 April 1943 from Breighton, East Yorkshire. 'This aircraft,' reported 460 Sqdn's ORB, ' left base at the appointed time but since then nothing has been heard of either aircraft or crew.'
Subsequently, it was learned W4942 'F' crashed at Worms-Horchheim.
There were no survivors. Fatalities: Ablewhite +
John Courtney Bell, Alfred William Clark, Edwin Cyril Ebbott, Edwin Robert King, Leslie Charles Smith and John Norman Williams.
Two other 460 Squadron aircraft were lost on this operation with no survivors - a 20% squadron fatality rate.
Unknown
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