During the early hours of 5th September 1942 the crew of this 10 Squadron aircraft were undertaking an operational flight to Bremen, they had left Pocklington at 00.09hrs and located the target are but the bomb aimer accidently released their bombs "safe" at 02.03hrs from 15,000ft in error over the target. While over Bremen the aircraft was hit by flak in both mainplanes and an elevator but they were able to return to Pocklington and land safely at 04.38hrs. Later in the month this same crew were involved in a more serious battle damage incident while flying Halifax DG230 on 26th September 1942.
Pilot - P/O Stanley Alan Somerscales RAFVR (136222).
Navigator - Sgt James Hubert Lewis RAF (656546).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Joseph Edward Hounam RAFVR (1065852).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt John Howard Reavill RAFVR (1185888).
Air Gunner - Sgt Robert Shannon RAAF (411231).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Sidney William Stephen RAFVR (971362).
Air Gunner - Sgt William Bramwell RAF (977402).
Halifax BB194 was built to contract B.124357/40 by the London Passenger Transport Board at Leavesden. It was received by 37 MU on 20th April 1942 but then passed to 45 MU on 12th July 1942. The aircraft was taken on charge by 10 Squadron at Leeming on 4th August 1942. 10 Squadron moved to Melbourne on 19th August 1942. As a result of this battle damage on 5th September 1942 minor Cat.A/FB damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site. On completion of repair it was transferred to 10 Conversion Flight (also at Melbourne) on 16th September 1942. On 7th October 1942 10 C.F. was absorbed into 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit at Riccall. On 18th October 1942 the tail wheel collapsed on landing at Skipton on Swale landing ground resulting in Cat.Ac/FA damage. The aircraft was repaired on site by a team from Handley Page and it was returned to 1658 H.C.U.. As a result of a crash at Melbourne on 3rd February 1943 it was written off with Cat.E2/FA damaged recorded. It was struck off charge on 17th February 1943.
William Bramwell was born in Lancashire in 1917 and was working as a grocer when he joined the RAFVR in 1940. He appears to have flown his first operational flight while still training at an OTU during the Thousand Bomber raid in mid-1942, he was later posted to 10 Squadron. For his actions on 26th/27th September 1942 he was awarded an immediate DFM, Gazetted on 20th November 1942. The citation reads.." This airman was the rear gunner of an aircraft engaged on a sortie one night in September 1942. On the return journey, whilst flying over the enemy coast, the aircraft was subjected to antiaircraft fire from an armed ship. A large hole was torn in the fuselage and the inter-communication system rendered unserviceable. Consequently, Sergeant Bramwell, who had observed an enemy fighter within close range, was unable to warn his captain of the added danger. The fighter closed in and its pilot raked the fuselage and tail with gunfire. Despite this, Sergeant Bramwell delivered 2 accurate bursts causing the attacker to break away and plunge towards the sea with its engine in flames. In the face of a trying situation, this airman displayed great courage and devotion to duty." He completed a Tour with 10 Squadron and was then posted to instruct. He received his commission on 11th March 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (142843), he was promoted to F/O on 11th September 1943 and later to F/Lt on 11th March 1945. He begun a second Tour in February 1944 with 156 Squadron and for service with them he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 14th November 1944. The recommendation for his DFC, as located by Hugh Halliday, reads.."Flying Officer Bramwell has completed 55 operational sorties, 31 of which have been with the Path Finder Force, including 29 Marker sorties. He was awarded the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal after his eighth sortie. Some of the targets attacked have been heavily contested areas of Germany and Italy. This officer is an outstanding Gunner in a crew which have carried out Master Bomber duties on eight occasions, both by day and by night. His vigilance and efficient directions to his pilot have been contributory to many successful evasions of enemy aircraft. He has been at grips with the enemy on many occasions, and proved himself to be a most cool and resolute Gunner. He has set an example of keenness and devotion to duty of a very high standard to other Gunners in the Squadron, and I strongly recommend him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross." He reliquished his commission on the grounds of being medically unfit on 30th December 1945. His medal set sold at auction in 2002.
By April 1944 Somerscales, Lewis, Reavill and Stephen were posted to 76 Squadron and were undertaking a second Tour, they were flying together on 23rd April 1944 in Halifax MZ578 on Ops to Dusseldorf. The aircraft was set on fire by flak and the crew abandoned the aircraft. Somerscales died as a result of the incident, he was twenty six years old and is buried in Maastricht General Cemetery, Holland. A memorial is now on the crash site. Reavill and Stephen became PoW's while Lewis evaded capture and returned to Britain.
Stanley Somerscales was granted a commission (136222) on 8th September 1942 to P/O on probation, rising to F/O on probation on 8th March 1943. He was in the rank of Acting S/Ldr by April 1944. He was awarded the DFC for service with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 20th April 1943. The citation for his DFC must mention the flak incidents detailed above and it reads.."It is characteristic of this officer's flying ability that he never flew on an operational sortie in the role of second pilot. On his first sortie the main hydraulic pipe-line burst shortly after taking off and one engine failed, but Pilot Officer Somerscales continued on his mission and bombed the target, returning with the bombs doors open. Returning from Bremen on another occasion this officer's aircraft was attacked for 15 minutes by six enemy fighters, and although the bomber was hit, he succeeded in flying it back to base. Later, in September 1942, his aircraft was hit and badly damaged by shells. At the same time a Messerschmitt 110 attacked from astern and inflicted further damage before being shot down into the sea after an encounter lasting ten minutes. Pilot Officer Somerscales is a courageous and skilful captain of aircraft."
Sidney Stephen received a commission on 3rd September 1943 to P/O on probation (157576), he was promoted to F/O on 3rd March 1944 and F/Lt on 3rd September 1945.
James Lewis also received the DFM for service with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 18th May 1943. He had received his commission to P/O on probation on 13th February 1943 (145176) and was promoted to F/O on 13th August 1943 and F/Lt on 13th February 1945.
John Reavill was awarded the DFM for service with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 18th May 1943. He received a commission on 2nd April 1943 to P/O on probation (144164) rising to F/O on 2nd October 1943 and F/Lt on 2nd April 1945. He relinquished his commission on the grounds of ill-health on 19th December 1945.
Joseph Hounam was awarded the DFM for service with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 14th May 1943. He received a commission on 21st June 1943 (1065852) to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) and was promoted to F/O six months later. On 24th May 1944 he was serving with 158 Squadron and made a PoW when Halifax LV918 was shot down on Ops to Aachen.
Robert Shannon was still with 10 Squadron when he was made a PoW on the night of 29th June 1943 while flying in Halifax HR697 on an operational flight to bomb Cologne. His then pilot was Roy Geddes who had just survived the crash to Halifax JD105 on Hood Hill, near Thirsk. Sgt Shannon was the only survivor of this incident to HR697.
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