Does anyone out ther have any connection with the following crew from 166 squadron RAF, lost on a daylight raid on Cologne on the 24 December 1944;
F/Lt John Barrass, Pilot
Sgt Sydney Marshall ,Flight Engineer
F/SgtDesmond OHalloran,Air bomber
W/O Ronald Dowe,Navigator
Sgt Leonard Ayres,Wop/Ag
Sgt Ronald Bolt,Mid Upper Gunner
The a/c took off at 14.50 hrs from Kirmington and is believed to have disintergrated over the target as a result of its bomb load detonating[presumably as a result of a flak hit].Only the tail gunner ,badly injured,survived.Thanks.B
They are buried at the Rheinsberg cemetery in Germany. Most airemen, 450 graves from Cologne alone were buried there, but also who fought at Dusseldorf, Krefeld, Munchen-Gladbach, Essen, Aachen and Dortmund. John Morgan Barrass, RAF (Pilot) Sydney Marshall RAF (Flight Engineer) Ronald Arthur Dowe, RAAF (Navigator) Leonald Reuben Ayres, RAF (Wireless Air Gunner) Ronald Bolt, RAF (Mid Upper Gunner) Desmond Michael Leonid O'Halloran, Irish RAAF (Air Bomber) Sgt R.E.McCann (Rear Gunner)
Inj Sgt R.E. McCann was confined in Hospital due injuries
They flew a Lancaster Mk I AS-V PD397, Radio call sign: AS V
Hi my Granfather was Ronald Bolt. my mother has a photograph of the squadron, if you would like to get in touch tel 07917632489. I am looking for information myself for my mother as she was only a baby when he was killed and she would like to know more about him. thanks ged
I have a copy of the 166sqdn Operations Record Book, if you would like information on Ronald Bolt, please email me at alpol.wellsATbtinternet.com replacing the AT with @
O'Halloran file is on line at the National Australian Archives if you wish to view it, Dowe's file is not on line but for $16.00 (Ausd) you cand get it on line and that will give you his next of kin's last known address. Its a long shot !!
I saw your post on site and i am searching for any information of 166 squadron kirmington as a relation who was kia june 28 1944 his name was sgt ronald george henry kirk , if you have any item and particular photos of him or his crew i will be so delighted to hear from you many thanks in advance kaz