|
Flight
Sergeant John Middleton
was serving as Wireless Operator
on aboard Halifax Mk.BIII PN347 coded
NP-X during an operation to Kaman on
March 3/4, 1945.
After being diverted to Middleton St.George, they were ordered
to disperse due to enemy activity. At around 0030hrs they were
shot down by an Ju.88 night-fighter and crashed at Sledmere
Grange killing all on board.
This
was one of Operation Gisela casualties. It is believed that
the aircraft responsible for shooting them down was that of
Hauptman Johan Dreher 13/NJG3,which was to later crash after
hitting a tree close to Elvington airfield and which crashed
into a house killing three civilians.
The crew consisted of:
|
Name |
Service |
Trade |
Hometown |
Age |
|
F/L Christopher Rogers |
RAFVR |
Pilot |
Northampton |
22 |
|
P/O Cyril Muir |
RAFVR |
Flight Engineer |
Carterton,Oxfordshire |
21 |
|
F/O Douglas Harris |
RAFVR |
Navigator |
Cheddar, Somerset |
21 |
|
Sgt Robert Houldey |
RAFVR |
Bomb Aimer |
Hartbury,Gloucestershire |
21 |
|
F/Sgt John Middleton |
RAFVR |
W/Op/AG |
Twickenham |
- |
|
Sgt John Dent |
RAFVR |
M/U Gunner |
Alne,Yorkshire |
20 |
|
Sgt Edward Farrow |
RAFVR |
Rear Gunner |
Aldeby,Norfolk |
19 |
John
Wilfred Middleton RAFVR known as “Johnnie” was born in
Twickenham, England Growing up, he and Gordon Tisbury of 405
Squadron ,were inseparable till war intervened. He was flying
his 31st Operation at the time of his death, his
previous Ops were:
|
15/10/1944 |
Duisberg(F/O.N.Tilston,RCAF) |
|
21-10-1944 |
Hanover(recalled) |
|
23-10-1944 |
Essen |
|
25-10-1944 |
Essen |
|
28-10-1944 |
Domberg |
|
29-10-1944 |
Zouteland |
|
30-10-1944 |
Dusseldorf |
|
21-11-1944 |
Essen |
|
30-11-1944 |
Duisberg |
|
12/02/1944 |
Hagen |
|
12/12/1944 |
Essen(returned early) |
|
24-12-1944 |
Essen/Mulheim airfield |
|
26-12-1944 |
St.Vith |
|
28-12-1944 |
Opladen |
|
29-12-1944 |
Coblenz |
|
30-12-1944 |
Cologne |
|
01/02/1945 |
Ludwigshafen |
|
01/05/1945 |
Hanover |
|
01/06/1945 |
Hanau |
|
14-1-1945 |
Saarbrucken |
|
16-1-1945 |
Magdeburg |
|
22-1-1945 |
Gelsenkirchen |
|
13-2-1945 |
Bohlen |
|
14-2-1945 |
Chemnitz |
|
20-2-1945 |
Reisholz |
|
21-2-1945 |
Worms |
|
23-2-1945 |
Essen |
|
24-2-1945 |
Kamen |
|
27-2-1945 |
Mainz |
|
03/02/1945 |
Kamen |
Before posting to 158 squadron on October 2, 1944, he trained
at 1663 Heavy Conversion unit at Rufforth.
He flew as Wireless operator to F/Lt. C.A. Rogers crew.
 |
|
F/Lt. C.A. Rogers crew |
Flight Sergeant Middleton is buried in Harrogate (Stonefall)
cemetery.His crew mates rest in local Churchyards of their
home towns.
|
