Russell Clayton Zavitz
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Lancaster I W4261 took off 1640 13 Jan 1943 from Syerston. Crashed near D_sseldorf where all were buried 18 Jan 1943 in the city's Nordfriedhof. No survivors. Fatalities:
Sergeant M A Phair (RCAF) (P),Flight Sergeant L W Cronk (FE/2nd P), Pilot Officer D H A Dewar (N), Sergeant GEP O'Connor (W/Op), J Aleo (AB), Flight Sergeant R Zavitz (RCAF) (MUG), Warrant Officer II J Quinn (RG).
Fifteen 106 Sqdn Lancasters formed part of a 69 aircraft (66 Lancs and 3 Mosquitoes) attack on Essen. Despite problems with sky marking, 52 buildings were destroyed and 67 damaged. 63 people were killed including 11 French POWs and 6 other foreigners. 113 people were injured.
4 Lancasters were lost. including W4261. 106 Sqdn ORB offers no explanation for its demise. 'Nothing heard from this aircraft after leaving Base,' it records 'MISSING.' (January 1943, Record of Events, TNA Air 27/833/2).
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Photo of Russell Clayton Zavitz