On the night of 4th / 5th September 1942 this crew were tasked with bombing Bremen and had left base at 23.50hrs. The aircraft was hit by flak and damage caused in the port tail plane, both main planes and in the cockpit area. They landed at Breighton at 05.44hrs. The aircraft had been damaged by flak on 2nd/3rd July 1942 and again on 18th/19th August 1942
Pilot - Sgt Peter S Isaacson RAAF (401068),
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Harold M Taubman RAAF (411405), of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Navigator - Sgt Robert S McF Nielsen RAAF (411092)
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Erle M "Bill" Copley RAAF (406434), of Perth
Air Gunner - Sgt Joseph Grose RAAF (416117),
The above crew, plus others to make up a Lancaster crew, were posted to 156 Squadron PFF in late-January 1943. In Lancaster R5912 on Ops to Berlin on 1st March 1943 with 156 Squadron they were over the target and had just dropped their markers when incendiaries dropped from another aircraft above hit their Lancaster's mid-upper turret. The bombs lodged in the aircraft and had jammed the elevator cables. The Lancaster then dived out of control but was eventually pulled out of its dive by P/O Isaacson with help from other members of the crew pulling on the control column. As a result of the high speed dive what was left of the mid-upper turret had broken away and the air speed indicator had stuck at its maximum limit. Joe Grose had got inside the aircraft after being wounded. The aircraft would not climb above 4,000 feet and the engines were not operating correctly, from Berlin they headed roughly west but uncertainly of their starting position drifted into the area of the Ruhr and all the ground defences that existed. The aircraft was flown from here, at roof-top height, through a barrage of searchlights and flak clear of the Ruhr. They crossed the North Sea and landed at Warboys where Joe Grose was hospitalised.
On 22nd May 1943, F/Lt Isaacson, F/Lt Nielson, P/O Copley and F/Sgt Grose were part of an eight man crew that took off in Lancaster ED930 from Prestwick in Scotland to fly to Australia. Using a route via Montreal, Ottawa, San Francisco, Hawaii and Canton Island to Brisbane they made it on 4th June 1943 and then flew the aircraft to Sydney. They also became famous for flying the Lancaster underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge while on a trip around Australia to raise funds for the War Effort and took it to New Zealand and back. Peter Isaacson was awarded the Air Force Cross for part of this feat and further details are given in his biog below. He also has recorded his memories of each individuals in his crew and the basics below is drawn from those accounts.
Peter Isaacson was born 31st July 1920. For service with 460 Squadron he was awarded the DFM, Gazetted on 6th November 1942, the citation reads.."This captain of aircraft has taken part in many successful night attacks, showing a fine offensive spirit and great determination. Sgt Isaacson is an ideal leader, who, by his courage, skilful pilotage and cool judgment, holds the complete confidence of his crews."
Having completed a Tour with 460 Squadron he was posted to 156 Squadron PFF and was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 30th March 1943, the citation reads.."One night in March 1943, this officer was detailed for an attack on Berlin. Following the attack and while still over the target area, this aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and severely damaged. The mid-upper turret frame was twisted, the perspex and two engine cowlings blown off, the aileron controls damaged, and the aircraft forced down to 4,000 feet. On the return journey the aircraft was driven off the route and held in a cone of searchlights for 15 minutes; during this time a further loss of height down to 900 feet occurred. In the face of this perilous situation P/O Isaacson, showing coolness, resolution and skilful airmanship, succeeded in flying his aircraft back to base."
He was also awarded the Air Force Cross, Gazetted on 27th August 1943 while Acting F/Lt. The citation for this award reads.."Flight Lieutenant Isaacson was captain of the Lancaster aircraft which recently flew from England to Australia via the Pacific and subsequently carried out direct flights between Melbourne and New Zealand (both ways). This is the first occasion on which an aircraft has flown to Australia by this route and the direct flights between Melbourne and New Zealand are the first of their kind."
Post-War he ran the news publishing companies including the "Southern Cross" and the "Sunday Observer" newspapers in Melbourne and the Asian Business Press Group. He was also an honorary aide-de-camp to The Queen from 1963 to 1965. In 1991 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the print media and the community. His biography "Pathfinder" was written by Denis Warner
Robert Nielsen was born on 16th February 1921 in Kentucky, New South Wales and enlisted in Sydney. He passed his training with the highest of marks and became an exceptional navigator. He was awarded the DFM, Gazetted on 12th March 1943 and awarded at Government House, Melbourne on 21st April 1944. The citation reads..
"Throughout his operational career Sgt Nielson has shown outstanding ability and a strong sense of duty, combined with a very fine record of achievement as a navigator. One night in January, 1943, while on the return journey from the Ruhr, the bomber in which Sgt. Nielson was flying was attacked by enemy aircraft and damaged. During violent evasive action the aircraft was driven well off the correct course, but largely owing to the skill of this airman base was reached safely."
Bill Copley was born on 27th September 1914 in Broad Arrow, Western Australia, he enlisted in Perth. He was later awarded the DFM, Gazetted on 12th March 1943 and presented on 19th February 1945 at Government House, Perth on 19th February 1945. The citation makes mention of the incident recorded at the top of this page; it reads..
"Throughout his operational career F/Sgt Copley has displayed a highly commendable keenness and devotion to duty. In August 1942, during an attack against Kassel, he acted as fire controller whilst being attacked by enemy aircraft. His efficient orders enabled the rear gunner to hit the enemy aircraft, and his captain to take effective evasive action."
He died on 8th July 1997.
Joe Grose was born on 10th September 1921 in Rose Bank, South Australia and enlisted in Adelaide. He was posted in to 460 Squadron as a spare gunner but became a regular in Issacson's crew but had not been through OTU training as was regular for Bomber Command airmen.
Harold Taubman was seriously injured on 6th/7th September 1942 on Ops to Duisburg in Wellington Z1323. The badly damaged aircraft made a belly landing at Ford airfield and he was admitted to hospital. He was born on 26th November 1915 in Sydney and enlisted there.