69 Squadron

69 Squadron

Group :       No 34 (PR) Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force Location :   Melsbroek, Belgium, 30/09/44
Aircraft :   Wellington XIII

Strategic Photographic Reconnaissance had been done by 140 Squadron from 1941 but it was decided that the requirements of the British Invasion Forces could not be met by just one squadron, especially in view of recent developments in night photography. A Photographic Reconnaissance Wing [69 and 104 Squadrons] was formed which would work for the Headquarters of 21st Army Group, the Second Tactical Air Force and 34 Wing.

69 Squadron with Vickers Wellington Mk XIIIs became equipped for specialised night visual tactical reconnaissance and low-level photography and began their reconnaissance operations on the eve of D-Day. The Mk XIII had radar removed and clear Perspex nose fairing in place of turret for visual observation, flares in fuselage (dropped from 3000 ft) and open-shutter moving film camera fitted for use at 1000 ft. The only armament was two twin Browning machine-guns in the rear turret. Aircraft flew singly and had to locate its target, sometimes as small as a crossroads or railway junction, at night.

Wellington NC607 of 69 Squadron was detailed to undertake a special night reconnaissance of the area Maasneil – Krüchten on the night of the 23rd January 1945 and F/O John Lowrie responded to the call for volunteers. The crew consisted of F/O K. G. Booth (Pilot), F/Sgt C. G. Broad, Sgt W . E. Ranger (Airgunner) and three Navigators F/O G. Hill, F/O J. W. Lowrie, and F/O J. K. Turner [one navigating, one making ground observations from the bomb-aimer’s panel and the other operating the camera].

January 1945 saw the defeat of the Ardennes counter-attack and the German forces now forced to defend their homeland. The Allies continued their advance into Germany, having to breach the Seigfried line of defensive positions and then cross the Rhine to reach the German heartland. The northern flank of Montgomery’s 21st Army Group on the 14th January began clearing the last German salient of the ‘Roer Triangle’ [Roermond, Sittard and Heinsberg], followed on 8th February by an attack through the Reichswald to outflank the Seigfried defence line in the north.

It is recorded that Wellington NC607 took off from Melsbroek, Belgium, at 18.40 hours on the 23rd January 1945. Equipped to use flares to locate enemy troop positions, this night reconnaissance flight was briefed to cover Maasneil (a district in the German-held Roermond) and fly some 200 km over a snow-covered landscape to Krütchen in Germany. It may be speculated that the area of Massniel would have important photographic objectives in the heavily defended Roermond as it was a key point in the German's last stronghold in Holland seeking to delay the ultimate advance of the Allies into Germany. It may also be assumed that the flight path south to Krutchen would seek to monitor enemy activities and defence positions over a large part of the Seigfried Line.

A surviving member of the crew reported that having assessed their first observation run over the Maasneil area of Roermond was not as they required, they went round again at about 1000 feet despite the intensity of the ground fire. This action was typical of their generation: showing great valour and devotion to duty. It is believed Wellington NC607 crashed after it was hit in the tail, causing lost of rudder and elevator control. It was a tragic end to a mission so bravely tackled.

Mr Louis Cox [Pilgrimage 1] describes how he heard Wellington NC607 crash at about 5.30 in the morning and discovered the plane had dragged itself along the ground for about 5,000 yards, the tailpiece missing .