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Post by harvard1041 on Apr 19, 2012 2:32:43 GMT 12
Did a recent motorbike trip thru France and stopped off at the Kembs Barrage - on the Rhine just north of Basel. Reason being a distant relative of mine - F/O Bruce Hosie - was part of the 617 Sqn crew which bombed it on 7 Oct 44. Sadly he was killed after the raid. Have put some photos on here before but these are some new ones. Anyway some photos: Wartime RAF Low Level Shot Shot during the raid - both high level & low level Tallboy drops Painting showing the raid Present Day - the nearside bank is in Germany and farside France. Lots of work going on around the dam / barrage at the moment - watch out for old bombs guys. As described by Max Lambert in his excellent book, 'Night after Night' Hosie and other members of the crew were captured after being shot down - and tragically shot by the local Nazi Chief. The crew's pilot - Sqn Ldr Drew Wyness and Bruce Hosie - the W/Op Air Gunner - are now buried much further North near Metz. Rheinwheeler where the aircraft crashed. One of the bike - bit cold for this sort of stuff - not yet Spring here in Europe. Cheers Hvd1041 PS - sorry about the 'Tourist Guy' shots !
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 19, 2012 11:05:56 GMT 12
Great stuff John.
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Post by pjw4118 on Apr 21, 2012 13:19:25 GMT 12
Thanks John for the photos. For those not familiar with Bruce Hosie, he flew as a W/OP AG for a full tour with 75 (NZ) Squadron on Wellingtons and Stirlings. In June 1943 tour complete, he served on 1665 and 1660 CU before being posted to 617 Sq. in January 44. He flew another 46 ops before the Kembs raid on 7/10/44 as W/OP to S/L Wyness. On 75 Sq. L to R, two ground crew, Navigators F/O Omoroid (Gisborne) then Bruce Hosie, Sixth from left is P/O Jack Bailey, Pilot of Waikato. Crew photo with Bobby Knights, who Bruce flew with on many earlier raids. Motat Auckland in March with Lynn Wood (B Hosies neice) with Arthur Joplin. Also present was S/L Tony Iveson another 617 Tirpitz man and John Gumbley, the nephew of another kiwi 617 Sq. crewman. Bruce and his crew mates murder has been well recorded, it's unfortunate that one of the Nazis responsible escaped justice.
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Post by harvard1041 on Apr 21, 2012 19:15:43 GMT 12
Thank you Peter - and good photos.
What dates and occasion was the 75 Sqn Photo taken ?
Nice shot of Lynn - she was there with my good Mum - Colleen ... and also our Web Master - Dave Homewood - nice lunch I heard.
Rgds Hvd1041
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 22, 2012 1:03:32 GMT 12
Is that a No. 617 Squadron tie that Tony Iveson and Arthur Joplin are both wearing?
Yes, I was there and met both the Dambusters, and Lynn and John's Mum.
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Post by pjw4118 on Apr 22, 2012 9:17:20 GMT 12
Yes Dave , they are wearing the 617 tie. John , the back of the 75 photo isnt dated and from the inscription written by Bruce , it may have been with a letter he sent home " Do ignore the meloncholy look on my face , we usually are quite chirpy on those occasions , most of the time anyway " Does the letter exist. Next time in AKL call in for a Lanc tour.
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Post by fwx on Apr 24, 2012 14:03:24 GMT 12
Peter, is the Jack Bailey you mention as pilot of Waikato, the guy who went on to be CO of C Flight 75 (NZ) Sqdn? Cheers, Chris
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