Harry Birch
He was a printer's labourer in 1939.
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He was the son of John Henry and Elizabeth Ellen Birch and the brother of Edward Birch of 49, Highfield Drive, Carlton, Nottingham.
Harry Birch was the W/Op aboard Lancaster III ME442 which took off 1842 3 Mar 1945 from Spilsby to attack the Dortmund-Ems Canal at Ladbergen. Homebound and in UK airspace picked up by an Intruder and shot down 0100 4 Mar 1945 to crash amongst trees in Grannington Park on the Brocklesby Estate near Frimsby Lincolnshire. No survivors. Fatalities: Birch + JJF Ryan (P), TH Jarman (FE), RR Russell (N), HJ Terry (AB), H Payne (AG), WA Rogan (AG). (rafcommands.com)
212 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitoes of 5 Group attacked the Ladbergen aqueduct 4/3/45, breached in two places putting it completely out of action. 7 Lancasters (including Harry Birch's Lancaster III ME442) were lost.
Gunners from a 619 Sqdn Lancaster claimed to have shot down a V-1 bomb (probably aimed at Antwerp) near the target area. Source: Middlebrook and Everitt, Bomber Command War Diaries, p.674
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