Leslie George Heaney
He was a clerk in the hosiery trade (men's underwear warehouse) before enlisting.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
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He was the son of George and Mary Eleanor Heaney, of Nottingham; husband of Sybil Lenora Heaney of 116, Gordon Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham.
Thanks to Paul Markham for his help compiling this record.
Halifax II LW315 took off 2242 8 Oct 1943 from Breighton to bomb Hannover. Cause of loss not established. As 78 Sqdn's ORB recorded 'Nothing has been heard of this aircraft or the crew since taking off. It is therefore presumed missing' (TNA Air 27/660/80)
There were six fatalities: Heaney (N) + RF Williams (P), W Quinn (FE), RT Johnson (W/Op), S McManus (AB), GL Hughes (AG).
NF Page (AG) suvived to becaome a POW.
Twenty two 78 Sqdn Halifaxes went on this operation. All except for LW315 returned.
504 aircraft took part in this raid - 282 Lancasters, 188 Halifaxes, 26 Wellingtons and 8 Mosquitoes. 27 aircraft (14 Lancsters and 13 Halifaxes) were lost -5.4% of the attacking force. 1,200 civilians were killed, 449 seriously injured with another 6,000-8,000 receiving eye injuries from smoke and heat. 3,932 buildings were destroyed with 30,000 damaged. It was, accoring to Middlebrook and Everitt 'probably Hannover's worst attack of the war.' (Bomber Command War Diaries p.438)
Unknown
Leslie George Heaney
Photo: Courtesy of Paul Markham via Ancestry