On the night of 22nd/23rd May 1942 this aircraft took off from Breighton at 21.21hrs for a mine-laying flight but were recalled early because of bad weather. On touching down at Breighton at 01.36hrs the aircraft overshot and collided with some equipment at the end of the runway. The rear gunner sustained concussion and minor head injuries as a result of the mishap. This crew had been involved in a flak incident in April 1942 in the same aircraft, recorded on this website.
Pilot - P/O Frederick J Breen RAAF (402760), of Bockdale, New South Wales, Australia.
Navigator - F/O Allyn C Douglass RAAF (404374), of Sandgate, New South Wales, Australia.
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Arthur E F G Jones RAAF (407103), of Renmark, South Australia.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Godfrey G Morgan RAAF (400350), of Donald, Victoria, Australia.
Air Gunner - Sgt Robert D C Munt RAAF (407392), of Adelaide, New South Wales, Australia.
Frederick Breen was born on 3rd March 1918 in St.Peters, New South Wales. He enlisted in Sydney. On the night of 26th/27th July 1942 F/O Breen was pilot of Wellington Z1483 flying Ops to Hamburg. The aircraft failed to return and he is buried in Hamburg Cemetery, he was twenty four years old.
Godfrey Morgan was born on 19th May 1917 in Donald, Victoria. He enlisted in Melbourne on 18th August 1940. On arrival in the UK he trained at 20 OTU from 14th June 1942 and was posted to 57 Squadron on 1st September 1941 before tranferring to 460 Squadron on 10th February 1942. He was posted to 27 OTU on 17th July 1942, 26 OTU on 30th September 1942 and was then posted to India having re-mustered as an air gunner. He later joined 355 Squadron on 31st August 1943. His father became seriously ill in Summer 1944 and as Godfrey Morgan had completed one Tour he was asked if he would like to repatriated on compassionate grounds. He accepted and was back in Australia by July 1944 and received a discharge in May 1945.
Allyn Douglass was born on 19th January 1944 in Singleton, New South Wales. He enlisted in Melbourne. He was awarded the DFC for service with 109 Squadron, Gazetted on 20th April 1943 and presented to him at Buckingham Palace on 9th November 1943. He was clearly a top navigator and would have been hand picked to then join the Pathfinder Force. Having risen to S/Ldr he was awarded the DSO for service with 105 Squadron PFF flying in Mosquitos, Gazetted on 25th January 1944 but not presented to him in person. The citation for his DSO reads..
"Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross this officer has participated in a large number of sorties, involving operations in the battle of the Ruhr. He has displayed exceptional skill and his efforts have played a good part in the successes achieved in this phase of the attack on the enemy. He is a fine leader and his sterling qualities have inspired all."
On 29th April 1944 he was flying in Oxford LW999 which crashed near Wallan, Victoria, Australia. He was killed and was later buried in Springvale War Cemetery, Melbourne. He was twenty five years old.
Arthur Jones was born on 17th February 1912 in Renmark, South Australia. He enlisted in Adelaide.
Robert Munt was born on 25th January 1921 in Adelaide and enlisted there.