Information regarding Rodney Leslie Pierson, NZ 75th Squadron

Date: Aug 2, 2010

Information regarding Rodney Leslie Pierson, NZ 75th Squadron

Starman 1957 · Flying Officer

Hi Chris,
I found this information on "Lost Bombers" website.

Stirling BF451 Information
Type Stirling
Serial Number BF451
Squadron 75
X1D AA-Z
Operation Mannheim
Date 1 16th April 1943
Date 2 17th April 1943

Further Information
"Serial Range BF434 - BF454. 21 Stirling Mk.1. Part of a batch of 200 Short S.29 Stirling Mk.1/111/1V. BF309- BF358; BF372-BF416; BF434-BF454 (116) Mk.1; BF455-BF483; BF500- BF534; BF561-BF580 (84) Mk.111; BF464; BF468; BF532; BF575; BF580 were converted to Mk.1V. Delivered by Short & Harland between Nov42 and Apr43. Contract No.774677/38. Delivered to No.75 Sqdn 13Feb43. Also wore the ID AA-J. BF451 was one of three No.75 Sqdn Stirlings lost on this operation. See: W7469; BK664.
Airborne 22:14 16Apr43 from Newmarket. Believed shot down by a night- fighter, crashing between Rilly-la-Montagne and Chigny-les-Roses (Marne), 10 km and 11 km respectively S of Reims. All were taken for burial in Reims, but when the city was liberated by the Americans in 1944, arrangements were made for their bodies to be taken to Antilly. Since Sep44, their remains have bee exhumed and re-interred in the Choloy War Cemetery. P/O K.H.G.Groves RNZAF KIA WO2 J.O.Way RCAF KIA Sgt L.C.Cameron KIA Sgt T.G.Shergold KIA sgt R.F.Wanstall KIA Sgt R.L.Pierson KIA Sgt R.C.Stone RNZAF KIA Sgt L.L.Everden KIA 'Battle of the Ruhr' A.Cooper, records P/O Groves as Greaves and Sgt Wanstall as Wangstall. "

Hope it is of some help.
Regards,
Gary

-- Edited by Starman 1957 on Monday 2nd of August 2010 01:41:02 PM

MikeH · Air Vice Marshall

Hi Chris/Gary

the site below has a photo of P/O Groves RNZAF.

Mike H.

http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/general/RecordDetail.aspx?dataset=Cenotaph&c_surname_search=groves&c_warconflict_search=world+war+ii,+1939-1945&Ordinal=5&OriginalID=25084

Date: Aug 27, 2010

Thank you very much for your replies, they have been very helpful!

Chris

alexander · Wing Commander

Hello Chris,

Did you try to get his personnel records file from the NZDF archives?
Here's the link with the information how to get the file:
http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/personnel-records/nzdf-archives/default.htm
I've done this before for crewmembers of RNZAF KIA over Belgium and got the files...

Regards from Belgium,

Alexander

Michael · Corporal

Starman 1957 wrote:

Hi Chris,
I found this information on "Lost Bombers" website.

Stirling BF451 Information
Type Stirling
Serial Number BF451
Squadron 75
X1D AA-Z
Operation Mannheim
Date 1 16th April 1943
Date 2 17th April 1943

Further Information
"Serial Range BF434 - BF454. 21 Stirling Mk.1. Part of a batch of 200 Short S.29 Stirling Mk.1/111/1V. BF309- BF358; BF372-BF416; BF434-BF454 (116) Mk.1; BF455-BF483; BF500- BF534; BF561-BF580 (84) Mk.111; BF464; BF468; BF532; BF575; BF580 were converted to Mk.1V. Delivered by Short & Harland between Nov42 and Apr43. Contract No.774677/38. Delivered to No.75 Sqdn 13Feb43. Also wore the ID AA-J. BF451 was one of three No.75 Sqdn Stirlings lost on this operation. See: W7469; BK664.
Airborne 22:14 16Apr43 from Newmarket. Believed shot down by a night- fighter, crashing between Rilly-la-Montagne and Chigny-les-Roses (Marne), 10 km and 11 km respectively S of Reims. All were taken for burial in Reims, but when the city was liberated by the Americans in 1944, arrangements were made for their bodies to be taken to Antilly. Since Sep44, their remains have bee exhumed and re-interred in the Choloy War Cemetery. P/O K.H.G.Groves RNZAF KIA WO2 J.O.Way RCAF KIA Sgt L.C.Cameron KIA Sgt T.G.Shergold KIA sgt R.F.Wanstall KIA Sgt R.L.Pierson KIA Sgt R.C.Stone RNZAF KIA Sgt L.L.Everden KIA 'Battle of the Ruhr' A.Cooper, records P/O Groves as Greaves and Sgt Wanstall as Wangstall. "

Hope it is of some help.
Regards,
Gary

-- Edited by Starman 1957 on Monday 2nd of August 2010 01:41:02 PM

Hi, My Grandfather was the wireless op/ mid upper gunner in Bk664 on that Mannhiem raid on the night of 16-4-43 his name was FL/L A.J.W. Bodley aka Bill. I've just gone through his flight book and he has recorded that the navigator, engineer, BA (not sure what that is) and co pilot were all wounded and they crashed while landing. If there is any other information that anyone would like too know let me know and I'll go through his flight book and see if I can help. Cheers Mike.

manxix · Squadron Leader

Michael

BA

Bomb Aimer - perhaps?

Manxix

Michael · Corporal

Hi Manxix, Thanks to my good mate Google I now know that BA is short for bomb aimer. Regards Michael.

Date: Dec 21, 2010

Michael
I dont know if you are aware but there is a 75 (NZ) Sqn Assn in New Zealand and a Friends of 75 (NZ) Sqn Assn in the UK. If you would like contact details please let me know and I will email them to you.
Denise

Oggie2620 · Warrant Officer

I should have said that both Assns have reunions where you can meet veterans and families...
Denise

Date: Jan 16, 2012

Hello Denise

I noticed that you mentioned that you may have some contact email addresses for NZ 75 Squadron. My grandfather served in this squadron as per the opening post. It would be nice to contact some of his colleagues etc.

Kind regards

Chris

wayne · Flight Lieutenant

Hi Chris,

It looks like your grandfather was the wireless operator in the crew off Plt/Off Groves crew.

His first op was 9/10 March 1943.

It looks like he was on his 9th operation when lost.

Give me some time and I can list his operations for you, if you don't have them.

Regards,
Wayne.

Date: Jun 5, 2012

Hello

I am the newphew of a crew member, who died on the night of 16 /17th April 1943, while onboard BF451.

My uncle was Sgt Leslie Everden.

From a family perspective we do not have any real information regarding what happened, but some family members have visited his Grave at the Choloy War Graves Cemetery.

My uncle was the eldest son of Charles and Lilian Eleanor Everden. Seven of his siblings are still alive and range from the ages of 87 to 67.

One of my uncles tried to find more information a few years ago but very little was found at that time and does not have access to the internet to help with gathering information.

I may be able to get a photo of my uncle but family records are sparse.

I am happy to communicate with a view to finding out exactly what happened.

I can be contacted on antonyhart@supanet.com

Regards

Antony Hart

wayne · Flight Lieutenant

Hi Antony,

It looks like your uncle was on his 8th operation as rear gunner with the squadron when the Stirling was shot down.

His service number was 1187983.

His first op was on 9/10 March 1943 as one of three aircraft dropping mines in the Gironde Estuary.

I'll look up his other flights and get back to you.

Regards,

Wayne.

Date: Jul 4, 2014

Hello:

Thank you for your post and offer. I have an interest in the 75th squadron. If you could share information on your grandfather, Tom Shergold and others, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Jeff O'Connor

wayne · Flight Lieutenant

Hello Jeff,

The Groves crew were shot down on their 8th operation, and had aboard a 2nd Pilot, WO2 James Oscar Way RCAF. (R102353)
It was standard practice to send new pilots with an experienced crew to 'learn the ropes' before taking their own crew on operations.
If there is anything else I can help you with just let me know.

Cheers,
Wayne.

Date: Sep 16, 2014

Hi Chris, I read some articles about the flight that your Grandfather was on. I think it is a very interesting story. I was wondering if you have pictures of the crew and the airplane? Thank You, John

Date: Nov 21, 2018

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/2320013

James Oscar Way was a good friend of my Grandfathers, in his hometown of Redvers, SK, Canada. I submitted the photo to the Canadian Virtual War Memorial. Unfortunately I don't have further information on the crew.

John W · Group Captain

Hi All,

latest information via Theo Boiten is that BF451 was shot down by Hptm Otto Materne of 4./NJG4 for his 5th victory. This was his last victory, he was killed on 6 September 1944.

Regards,

John.