238731 Sgt. Leonard Garth Whibley Royal Australian Air Force 83 Squadron (d.12th Feb 1942) My father was 904882 Sgt. John Henry Allen - 83 Squadron, Bomber Command (later DFM & Bar, Pathfinder Force). His first operation was Operation Fuller - The Channel Dash - on board Manchester L7389 OL-M as MU/AG
The crew on board the Manchester were:
- P/O McFarlane Capt.
- F/S Partridge 2nd Pilot
- P/O Feirn Navigator
- P/O Hayes W/Op. A.G
- Sgt. Ridd 2nd W/Op. & Front Gunner
- Sgt. Leonard Garth Whibley RAAF Rear Gunner
- Sgt. Allen M.U. Gunner
It appears my dad and Len had become friends whilst they were billeted at South Carlton Manor and probably at Gunnery training.
On 12th February 1942 the RAF along with the Fleet Air Arm were sent after the Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and the Prinz Eugen who had left Brest Harbour to pass through the Channel back to Germany. The three German ships were escorted by enemy gun boats and M.E.109 fighter planes.
The weather was heavy cloud and rain.
According to dad's log book they took off from RAF Scampton on 12th February 1942 at 14.50 hrs.
The Battle Report states:
"At a position about 10 miles west of the Hook of Holland at 500 feet the Manchester was attacked by two enemy single engined fighters identified as M.E.109s, cannon and machine gun firing, all firing tracer.
The two enemy aircraft were first seen about 200 yards away in line astern, coming out of the cloud on the starboard quarter and slightly above the Manchester. The first machine opened fire immediately and came in dead astern behind the dorsal fin of the Manchester firing all the time, the rear gunner of the Manchester answered fire. The enemy aircraft then disappeared from view under the stern of the Manchester. The second enemy aircraft followed suit, but kept behind the port rudder of the Manchester and closed in to about 40 yards, then dived away underneath our aircraft. This attack was answered both by the rear gunner and the M.U. gunner, who fired about 30 rounds.
A few moments later a second attack developed by one enemy fighter, this time from the port quarter and slightly above, from a range of about 150 yards. By this time the hydraulic system of the Manchester had been made u/s and the gunners were unable to return fire. This enemy machine also swept underneath the Manchester. By this time the Manchester was in the midst of a very heavy barrage from both battleships and their escort and severe damage was inflicted on the aircraft especially in the fuselage between the M.U. turret and the rear turret. As soon as the Manchester entered this barrage the fighters pulled away and were not seen again.
The rear gunner Sgt. Whilbley sustained injuries which since unfortunately have proved fatal.
The Manchester aircraft landed at Bircham Newton at 17.15 hours. One J.U.88 was seen overhead at 16.00 hours by the crew, but did not attack."
My father spoke about this incident and told me that he had to pull his friend from the rear gunner position to render first aid and that Len had asked for a cigarette.
What the battle report doesn't mention is the Manchester flew back to the UK on one engine and because the hydraulics were not working the aircraft did a 'wheels up' landing with the bombs still on board with a hedge helping to slow their progress.
RAAF 407565 Sgt. Leonard Garth Whibley is buried in a family grave at Hebburn Cemetery, Hebburn, Tyne and Wear.
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