Sgt Donald G Mann RAFVR and crew - 576 Sqn - RAF Elsham Wolds - 1944.
Failed to Return - 14/15th January 1944 - Lancaster III - ME585 - Op Brunswick.
Donald Mann and his crew were posted to 576 Sqn at the time of their formation in December 1943. They were
one of the crews that came straight from training at HCU.
Mann flew his first operation to Berlin on the 29/30th December 1943 with W/O C C Rollins as second pilot for operational experience. He then flew his first operation with his own crew on the 1st January 1944 to Berlin in ED888 - Mother of Them All. A fine entry in anyone's log book. This crew completed 3 operations in total before being lost on their 4th.
Their full tour is as show below :-
01/01/1944 - Berlin - ED888 - Sgt DG Mann
02/01/1944 - Berlin - ND402 - Sgt DG Mann
05/01/1944 - Stettin - ND385 - Sgt DG Mann
14/01/1944 - Brunswick - ME585 - Sgt DG Mann - FTR - Crashed at Bruchausen, Germany.
The crew were all killed and rest in the Hanover War Cemetery.
Sgt Donald George Mann RAFVR – Pilot – 576 Sqn – Hanover War Cemetery, Germany
Sgt John William Thompson Anderson RAFVR – Flight Engineer - 36 – 576 Sqn - Son of John and Annie Anderson; husband of Charlotte Alexandra Anderson of South Harrow, Middlesex - Hanover War Cemetery, Germany.
Sgt Rupert Mosley RAFVR ( pictured below ) – Air Bomber - 21 – 576 Sqn - Son of Fred and Elizabeth Mosley, of Higher Walton, Lancashire. Higher Walton, Lancashire – Hanover War Cemetery, Germany.
F/O Basil Newton John Price RAFVR – Navigator - 22 – 576 Sqn - Son of Thomas Henry John and Elizabeth Price of Newtown, Gloucestershire - Hanover War Cemetery, Germany.
Sgt Frederick David Robbins RAFVR – Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - 21 – 576 Sqn - Son of Henry T. and Anna K. Robbins of Custom House, Essex - Hanover War Cemetery, Germany.
Sgt James Kelly Mosman RAFVR – Air Gunner - 20 – 576 Sqn - Son of James and Mary Dewar Mosman of Alloa, Clackmannanshire - Hanover War Cemetery, Germany.
Sgt Rodney Lewis McManus RCAF ( pictured below )– Air Gunner – 576 Sqn - Hanover War Cemetery, Germany.
Rodney Lewis McManus.
Sgt Rupert Mosley RAFVR
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14 Jan 44 – Brunswick – Germany - Night – 11 aircraft detailed of which 2 crews failed to return. F/L Morren and crew and Sgt Mann and crew. F/L Johnson was unable to reach the primary target due to engine failure. Flak concentrations on Texel were bombed as an alternative. Brunswick was covered with 10/10 cloud and although photography was attempted by all no ground detail was recorded.
( 496 aircraft. Cloud covered. Unsuccessful attack which fell well to the south of the city )
Compiled by David Fell with photos from the McManus family, Werner Lau and the Canadian Virtual War Memorial
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