Gardermoen, Norway 9. - 10. May 2015
™
MEMORIAL SERVICE
70TH ANNIVERSARY
OPERATION DOOMSDAY
10 MAY 1945
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Short Stirling LK147, Gardermoen,
Norway 10 May 1945
Ole Kjønstad
Short Stirling LK147 of No. 196 Squadron piloted by Flying
Officer Breed and carrying a crew of 5, plus 13 airborne
troops and about 1,000 lbs of equipment, took off from
Shepherds Grove at between 0730 hours and 0800 hours
on the 10 May 1945. Nothing more was heard of this aircraft
but at about 1200 hours the Group Captain at Gardermoen
saw a flash about three miles to the south of the airfield.
Later a crashed aircraft was reported and the Group Captain went out to it and found the wreckage, buried deeply in
a very small area, but he was able to establish that it was in
fact Stirling LK147. The first people on the scene had been
German forces which included a medical officer. They found
that there were no survivors. A German soldier reported
that he had seen the aircraft emerge out of cloud, climb
steeply and dive into the ravine where it was found. The 20
deceased men were buried at the crash site until November
1945, when they were exhumed and reburied at the Commonwealth War grave section at Vestre gravlund Cemetery
in Oslo.
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE
Ole Kjønstad
At 0237 hours on 10 May 1945, Short Stirling LK297 of No.
190 Squadron, carrying a crew of 6, the AOC of No. 38
Group and 17 airborne troops, entered the runway at Great
Dunmow, UK, preparatory to taking off. On opening up, one
of the engines was heard to be misfiring so the pilot closed
the throttles, taxied off the runway and took up a position on
the perimeter track at the rear of the line of aircraft waiting
to take off. The pilot reported misfiring in the port outer engine. At about 0340 hours the Station Commander went out
to the aircraft and asked the pilot if he was OK to which he
replied that he was. At 0355 hours the aircraft took off normally. Nothing more was heard from this aircraft until 0715
hours when another pilot flying in the Oslo area heard and
recognised the pilot’s voice loudly and clearly calling up the
ground station at Gardermoen but receiving no reply. This is
the last ever heard of this aircraft. The aircraft was reported
missing for 42 days, but was located when a forest fire broke
out at the crash scene. The 24 deceased men were buried
at Vestre gravlund cemetery on 2 July 1945.
ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE
Flying Officer John Leonard Breed 24
Warrant Officer Hugh Joseph Kilday 31
Squadron Leader Pilot Douglas Raymond Robertson 23
Flight Lieutenant Norman Leslie Roseblade 25
Flight Lieutenant Lemuel Ernest Prowse 25
ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE:
ROYAL AIR FORCE
Flight Sergeant Harold Alfred Bell 32
Flight Sergeant David Welch 34
Flight Sergeant Lionel James Douglas Gilyead 21
Warrant Officer Raymond Charles Impett 32
THE LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT
Lieutenant Frederick Geoffrey Saville 20
THE BORDER REGIMENT 1ST AIRBORNE BATTALION
Lance Sergeant Frank Raymond Seabury 29
Lance Corporal Alexander Barr Todd 25
Lance Corporal Thomas Errington Richardson 25
Corporal Charles Gavaghan 34
Private Frederick Brown 25
Private Thomas Dalrymple Brown 26
Private Thomas Laycock 26
Private George Alan Little 25
Private Robert McKeown 30
Private Horace Newby 32
Private Joseph Pagan 25
Private George Thomas Phipps 25
Private Joseph Smethurst38
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Short Stirling LK297, Sørkedalen,
Norway 10 May 1945
Flight Sergeant Arthur Gwynne Davies 38
Flight Sergeant Ronald Alderson 26
Warrant Officer George Edward Thompson
Air Vice-Marshal James Rowland Scarlett-Streatfeild 36
Norwegian liaison officer Major Peter Kato Juliebø 34
HQ.1. AIRB. DIV. DEF. PL. ARMY AIR CORPS
Corporal Sidney George Rayner 28
Private David William Cooper 27
Private Walter Robert Lovett 25
Private Walter William Elliott 23
Private Kenneth John Watts 18
Private George Walton 19
Private Michael Mullen Wade 19
Private Francis Gerard Trainor 18
Private John Shannon 18
Private Clarence Sutherland 18
Private William Rodger 18
Private Edmund Charles Monk 18
Private Frank George McGlynn 18
2ND AIRBORNE BATTALION, OXFORD AND BUCKS
LIGHT INFANTRY
Private Frederick Sainty 22
Private Edward Waby 26
Private Herbert William Woodward 29
Short Stirling LJ899, lake Röjden,
Sweden 10 May 1945
Thorleif Bredesen
Ole Kjønstad
Short Stirling LJ925 Hisøy, Arendal,
Norway 25 February 1945
At 0250 hours on 10 May 1945, Short Stirling LJ899 of No.
190 Squadron and carrying a crew of 6 with 18 airborne
troops and 5 containers, took off from Great Dunmow, UK.
The weather was good until about 0430 hours, when the
cloud began to thicken. The pilot had been having trouble
with the aircraft flying port wing low. At 0530 hours when
flying at 5,000 feet about 40 miles SW of Kristiansand the
aircraft encountered 10/10 cloud, but the pilot decided to
continue with his mission. Five minutes before his ETA over
Oslo/Gardermoen he called up the ground station on radio/
telephone but did not receive any reply. He continued on
in extremely bad weather conditions and eventually found
a small gap through which he descended in the hope of
pin-pointing his position. In the meantime the tendency for
the aircraft to drop the left wing was becoming more pronounced. The aircraft broke cloud some 500 feet above a
lake surrounded by hills, the tops of which were completely
covered by cloud. Being unable to pin-point his position the
pilot climbed up again to about 4,000 feet when the aircraft
stalled. As the pilot was pulling out of the dive the aircraft
broke cloud above another lake. The pilot regained control
and flew along a valley in the hope of finding a suitable
field in which to force land. Suddenly the port wing stalled
and by closing the starboard throttles the pilot managed to
straighten the aircraft up and decided at once to ditch in the
lake. He warned the crew and passengers and ditched the
aircraft close in-shore, also hitting a pine tree. The survivors
reached shore safely where a roll call was taken and it was
found that four airborne troops were missing. The aircraft
had crashed near Torsby in Sweden at about 0700 hours.
The 4 deceased men were buried at Fryksände Church in
Torsby, but later exhumed and reburied at the Commonwealth war grave section at Kviberg cemetery in Gothenburg
in 1961.
On Sunday 25 February 1945 at 1836 hours, Short Stirling
LJ925 (JZ-O) from 196 Squadron departed from Shepherds
Grove, Suffolk, England. Mission: supply drop to the Norwegian MILORG district 17 at drop zone “Stirrup 2” at
Hamrefjellet, Rauland, Telemark, Norway. Just across the
Norwegian border, LJ925 was attacked by three German
night fighters from Kjevik, flown by Oberleutnant Schultz,
Feldwebel Homann and Staffelkapitän Hüschens. LJ925
caught fire, lost height and Flight Officer Tickner ordered his
men to bail out. Mann, Caldwell and Quirk managed to bail
out, but Tickner, Stevenson and
Humphrey went down with the aircraft and crashed into
the ice covered lake Hølen at 2153 hours, at the estuary of
Nidelva river at Strømmen in Arendal. Stevenson managed
to bail, but his parachute got caught outside the aircraft.
Tickner most likely saved many civilian lives by ditching his
aircraft into the water, or trying to make a forced landing
on the ice, instead of hitting the many houses in the area.
Tickner has never been found. Mann and Caldwell landed
safely just east of Hisøy church, but were soon captured
by German soldiers. They became POW in Stalag Luft 1 at
Barth, Germany until they were liberated by Russian troops
30 April 1945. Quirk managed to hide in Norway through an
amazing escape journey, brought to safety by the locals and
the underground army and was hidden until VE Day. Quirk
attended the Norwegian Home front that received the allied
supply drops in the mountains during his time on the run.
Humphrey and Stevenson are both buried at the Arendal
Høgedal Cemetery at the Commonwealth War Grave plot.
The Crew onboard LJ925 and on LK147 knew each other
and had spent their leave together before the tragic night
on 25 February 1945.
KING`S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS 7th BATTALION
Flying Officer Russel George Tickner 24
Warrant Officer Joseph Daglish Stevenson 25
Lance Serjeant John Mulholland 32
Corporal James McAra Davidson 35
Corporal John Pearl 31
Private Duncan Anthony Connolly 19
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE
ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE
Flight Sergeant George Alfred Humphrey 38
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LK147 Gardermoen - programme on 9-10 May 2015
Saturday 9 May:
10:00 The group starts walking from the Scandic Oslo Airport hotel reception.
Remember wellingtons/ good hiking shoes. A 35 minutes’ walk.
10:00 The bus with 16 seats leaves Scandic, with the passengers taking the terrain vehicle from
Lyshaug Farm.
11:00 Memorial service:
- Last Post
- Welcome by Marit Lødemel – chief of Cultural affairs, Ullensaker municipality
- British Defence Attaché Lt Col Matt Skuse RM
- Australian Ambassador Damien Miller
- Church service by Reverend Captain Einar Norbakken RNoAF
- Amazing Grace on bagpipe performed by Jim Stirling
- Wreath laying by Commanding Officer 135 Air wing, RNoAF
- Last Post
11:45 End of official Ceremony. You may have a look around, take some photos, etc.
12:00 A short stop at the bridge to have something to drink and a snack, before walking up the hill.
13:30 Lunch at the Military Aircraft Collection Museum. You may walk straight to the Museum, or
have a short stop at first at your hotel if you like. You may end your lunch when you like to.
18:30 The bus departures from Scandic Oslo Airport, heading for the Memorial Dinner.
18:45 Arrival at the air force station, Gardermoen.
19:00 Memorial Dinner.
22:30 Bus back to Scandic Oslo airport hotel.
22:45 Good night.
Sunday 10 May:
08:30 The buses departures from Scandic Oslo Airport, heading for Vestre gravlund cemetery, Oslo.
09:30 Arrival at Vestre gravlund Cemetery, Oslo.
09:45 Memorial Service conducted by Reverend Captain Einar Norbakken RNoAF
- Last Post
- Wreath Layings
- British Defence Attaché Lt Col Matt Skuse RM
- Peter Vaughan, Australian Association Norway
- Last Post
10:15 Departure from Vestre gravlund.
10:40 Arrival at the Akershus Fortress and the Royal Palace Chapel, Oslo.
11:00 Church service by Reverend Captain Einar Norbakken RNoAF, and concert by the Swedish
military Home Guard Band “Guldsmedshyttan” from Örebro– och Värmlandsgruppen.
12:30 Lunch at the Akershus Fortress, Oslo.
13:30 Departure Akershus Fortress. Those of you who would like to stay behind in Oslo are
welcome to do so.
14:20 Arrival at Scandic Oslo Airport Hotel, Gardermoen.
The end of the official programme.
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LK297 Sørkedalen - programme on 9-10 May 2015
Saturday 9 May:
08:20 The bus with 16 seats departures from Scandic Oslo Airport, with three of the guests staying
at the hotel.
09:00 Arrival Oslo, to pick up the relatives.
09:40 Arrival at the first meeting point at Sørkedalen landhandel. Everyone enters the bus, and
continue the trip towards the Memorial site.
10:30 Arrival at the crossroad up in Sørkedalen. Walk the last bit.
Remember wellingtons/ waterproof shoes. Wet marsh.
11:00 Memorial Service:
- Last Post
- Church service conducted by Reverend Major Reidar Kirkevold (retired), RNoAF
- Wreath Layings
- Last Post
- Have a look around, take some photos, etc.
11:40 Walk back to the bus.
12:00 Return to Oslo city center.
13:00 Arrival at the Comfort Hotel Børsparken for you staying there. The others will be driven to
Scandic Oslo Airport and lunch at the Military Aircraft Collection Museum,
Gardermoen at 1400 hours.
18:30 A bus will pick up the group coming from Oslo by public transport at the train station,
Oslo Airport, Gardermoen.
18:30 Another bus will departure from Scandic Oslo airport hotel, heading for the Memorial Dinner.
18:45 Arrival at the air force station, Gardermoen.
19:00 Memorial Dinner.
22:30 Bus back to Scandic hotel and the airport for you returning by public transport to Oslo.
22:45 Good night.
Sunday 10 May:
08:30 Bus departure from Scandic Oslo Airport Hotel, heading for Vestre gravlund cemetery, Oslo.
09:30 Arrival Vestre gravlund Cemetery. You staying in Oslo must use public transportation to
Vestre gravlund cemetery. Take the tramp (9 minutes) from Oslo Central station towards
Kolsås or Østerås. Step of at Borgen station. Vestre gravlund cemetery entrance on your left
hand side.
09:45 Memorial Service conducted by Reverend Captain Einar Norbakken RNoAF
- Last Post
- Wreath Layings
- British Defence Attaché Lt Col Matt Skuse RM
- Peter Vaughan, Australian Association Norway
- Last Post
10:15 Departure from Vestre gravlund.
10:40 Arrival at the Akershus Fortress and the Royal Palace Chapel, Oslo.
11:00 Church service by Reverend Captain Einar Norbakken RNoAF, and concert by the Swedish
military Home Guard Band “Guldsmedshyttan” from Örebro– och Värmlandsgruppen.
12:30 Lunch at the Akershus Fortress, Oslo.
13:30 Departure Akershus Fortress. Those of you who would like to stay behind in Oslo are
welcome to do so.
14:20 Scandic Oslo Airport Hotel, Gardermoen.
The end of the official programme.
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LJ899 Lake Röjden – programme on 9-10 May 2015
Saturday 9 May:
08:00
10:30
The bus departures from Scandic Oslo Airport Hotel, Gardermoen.
Arrival at the Memorial site, Lake Röjden, Sweden. You will be welcomed by
Lt Col Bengt Fransson and his team.
11:00 Memorial Service:
- Last Post
- Church service conducted by Vicar Johan Bonander
- Wreath Layings
- Wreath Laying by the Norwegian Consul in Karlstad
- Other dignitaries
- Last Post
- Have a look around, take some photos, etc.
11:30 Departure
12:00 Lunch at Mattila www.matilla.se and lecture by Lt Col Bengt Fransson
13:30 Departure
14:00 Arrival at Fryksände Church and Torsby town to take some photos and visit the Memorial
plaque unveiled at the church last year.
14:45 Departure
17:30 Arrival at Scandic Oslo Airport Hotel
18:30 The buses departures from Scandic Oslo Airport, heading for the Memorial Dinner.
18:45 Arrival at the air force station, Gardermoen.
19:00 Memorial Dinner.
22:30 Bus back to Scandic hotel.
22:45 Good night.
Sunday 10 May:
08:30 The buses departures from Scandic Oslo Airport, heading for Vestre gravlund cemetery, Oslo.
09:30 Arrival Vestre gravlund Cemetery, Oslo.
09:45 Memorial Service conducted by Reverend Captain Einar Norbakken RNoAF
- Last Post
- Wreath Layings
- British Defence Attaché Lt Col Matt Skuse RM
- Peter Vaughan, Australian Association Norway
- Last Post
10:15 Departure from Vestre gravlund.
10:40 Arrival at the Akershus Fortress and the Royal Palace Chapel, Oslo.
11:00 Church service conducted by Reverend Captain Einar Norbakken RNoAF, and concert by
the Swedish military Home Guard Band “Guldsmedshyttan” from Örebro– och
Värmlandsgruppen.
12:30 Lunch at the Akershus Fortress.
13:30 Departure Akershus Fortress. Those of you who would like to stay behind in Oslo are
welcome to do so.
14:20 Scandic Oslo Airport Hotel.
The end of the official programme.
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LJ925 Hisøy, Arendal - programme on 7-10 May 2015
Thursday 7 May:
19:00
Dinner and get together at “Gørr Go Mad” in Arendal.
Friday 8 May:
09:40
10:00
11:30
13:00
16:00
17:00
19:00
21:00
Pick up at your Hotel.
Arendal cemetery.
Trygve Olsen pier/ Memorial service, Hisøy.
Lunch at “Gørr Go Mad” in Arendal.
Unveiling a War memorial at the Holy Trinity church
Veteran`s Day at the Arendal Old Town Hall.
Sandvigen Fortress, Veteran`s Day/ Liberation Day celebration, Hisøy.
Back to the Hotels.
Saturday 9 May:
18:30
18:45
19:00
22:30
22:45
The bus departures from Scandic Oslo Airport, heading for the Memorial Dinner.
Arrival at the air force station, Gardermoen.
Memorial Dinner.
Bus back to Scandic hotel.
Good night.
Sunday 10 May:
08:30
09:30
09:45
The buses departures from Scandic Oslo Airport, heading for Vestre gravlund cemetery, Oslo.
Arrival Vestre gravlund Cemetery, Oslo.
Memorial Service conducted by Reverend Captain Einar Norbakken RNoAF
- Last Post
- Wreath Layings
- British Defence Attaché Lt Col Matt Skuse RM
- Peter Vaughan, Australian Association Norway
- Last Post
10:15 Departure from Vestre gravlund.
10:40 Arrival at the Akershus Fortress and the Royal Palace Chapel, Oslo.
11:00 Church service by Reverend Captain Einar Norbakken RNoAF, and concert by the Swedish
military Home Guard Band “Guldsmedshyttan” from Örebro– och Värmlandsgruppen.
12:30 Lunch at the Akershus Fortress, Oslo.
13:30 Departure Akershus Fortress. Those of you who would like to stay behind in Oslo are welcome to do so.
14:20 Arrival at Scandic Oslo Airport Hotel, Gardermoen.
End of the official programme.
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Organizers
135 Luftving
Ullensaker historielag
Ullensaker kommune
Nannestad kommune
Sponsors:
Akershus Kulturvernråd
Partners:
Arendal og omegn krigshistoriske forening
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