On the night of 27th / 28th August 1942 this 460 Squadron crew were tasked with flying an operational flight to bomb Kassel and left Breighton at 20.10hrs, they bombed the target from 9,000 feet at 23.35hrs but the aircraft was attacked by a Junkers Ju88 and damage was sustained to both wings and a propeller. The rear gunner, who was new to operational flying, had been air-sick prior to the attack but came round and returned fire driving the enemy aircraft off and it is believed to have crashed. The pilot made a safe landing at Breighton at 02.51hrs, he would become one of the most famous of the Australia pilots with a distinguished flying career and later a very successful civilian career.
Pilot - Sgt Peter Stuart Isaacson RAAF (401068).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Edward E Wertzler RCAF (R/70619), of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.
Navigator - Sgt Robert Stanley McFarlane Nielsen RAAF (411092).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Erle Melville Copley RAAF (406434), of Perth, Western Australia.
Air Gunner - Sgt Joseph Grose RAAF (416117).
On 4th / 5th January 1943 this crew had by now converted to flying Lancasters. On this date they were flying Ops to Essen in Lancaster W4818 when they were attacked by an enemy aircraft and Sgt Wertzler was wounded in both legs. The hydraulics operating the bomb bay was damaged as was its bomb release electrics and other areas of the fuselage were also damaged. The aircraft made a landing at Coltishall on return and the bomb aimer was admitted to hospital. It was his last operational flight and he was replaced in this crew.
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.
Edward Wertzler was living in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada when he enlisted in Regina, Saskatchewan on 24th August 1940. He was awarded the DFM for service with 460 Squadron, Gazetted on 2nd February 1943 and presented at Buckingham Palace on 18th May 1943. The citation for his DFM reads.. "On the night of the 4th January 1943, this airman was the air gunner of an aircraft which attacked a target in the Ruhr. Shortly after leaving the target area the aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter. Sergeant Wertzler was wounded in the right leg and although his turret became unserviceable, he resolutely manned his guns until the attacker was eventually shaken off. Meanwhile, a fire had broken out in the bomber, but Sergeant Wertzler put out the flames with extinguishers despite a painful injury in his eye caused by one of the extinguishers exploding accidentally. This airman has displayed great courage and initiative in harassing circumstances." This incident ended his flying days he remained in the RCAF but took a desk job.
Wellington Z1482 was built to contract B.97887/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Hawarden, Chester and was awaiting collection in February 1942. It was initially flown to storage at 12 MU at Kirkbride on 15th February 1942 and was then taken on charge by 460 Squadron at Breighton on 10th June 1942, believed as being a replacement for Wellington Z1394 lost a week earlier. As a result of minor flak damage on 22nd July 1942 Cat.A/FB damage was the result of the assessment and it was repaired on site. It sustained flak damage on the 1st August 1942 on Ops to Dusseldorf and then sustained battle damage on 28th August 1942 when it was attacked by a Junkers Ju88 on Ops to Kassel. In both cases the probably minor damage assessment of Cat.A/FB damage was deemed as severe as the damage got. None of the incidents appear directly on the aircraft's AM Form 78. On 2nd September 1942 a repair on site was begun by a team from Fairfields for some form of damage and probably relates to the repair following the 28th August 1942 incident. Once repaired it was returned to 460 Squadron on 12th September 1942. It was transferred to 142 Squadron at Grimsby on 17th September 1942 but this was only for a week. On 25th September 1942 it was transferred to 18 O.T.U. at Bramcote. On 15th October 1942 it was lost on a night navigation training flight, Cat.E(m) damage was recorded on the paperwork but it was later found to have crashed in France with then crew of five being killed. The Polish crew were carrying a live bomb and had probably opted to head to Germany to drop it instead of a practice bombing range.