CAPTAIN: MANSBRIDGE
On Black Thursday flying LANCASTER J-JIG - JB659
The crew were all killed on 20th April 1944, and buried at Heverlee War Cemetery, except for Walder who survived the war. On Black Thursday flying LANCASTER J-JIG - JB659
CREW (Black Thursday)
Pilot: F/L Donald William Mansbridge
Flight Engineer: F/S Albert Stanley Palmer
Navigator: F/O Gerald Herbert Cruwys
Bomb Aimer: F/S William Courtney White
W/Op: W/O John Richard Hanson
Mid-Upper Gunner: F/S Ernest Hambling
Rear Gunner: F/S Percival Ashford Walder
survived the war
CREW: Donald William Mansbridge, Albert Stanley Palmer, Gerald Herbert Cruwys, William Courtney White, John Richard Hanson, Ernest Hambling, Peter Horace Walder, P Walder, Ernest Rowe Newton Barrell, Albert Stanley Palmer
CREW DETAILS
The crew survived Black Thursday for many weeks, but their luck ran out on 20/21st April 1944.
By then they had transfered from 97 Squadron to 635 Squadron at Downham Market. They flew out with orders to bomb rail installations, and crashed at Dion-le-Mont (Brabant), 4 km ESE of Wavre in Belgium. All were killed, except for the rear gunner, Percival Ashford Walder, who had flown with them on Black Thursday but who was not on the last flight because by then he had finished his tour (Walder had previously flown with Eaton-Clarke - see photograph of Walder at Eaton-Clarke's wedding on the Alabaster crew page).
The rear gunner on the op of 20th/21st April, who lost his life with the rest of the crew, was Ernest Rowe Newton Barrell, 29 years old, who only operated three times with Mansbridge. It seems that after Walder left the crew, there were several changes of rear gunner.
At the time of his death, Squadron Leader Mansbridge had completed 42 operational sorties. Aged 30, he was the son of William and Alice Mansbridge and the husband of Letitia Joyce Mansbridge. He lived at 54 Longfield Avenue, West End, Fareham, Hampshire.
Warrant Officer William Courtney White, the bomb aimer, was 34. He was the son of William Henry and Christian Jane White and the husband of Gertrude May White. He lived at 14 Midhurst Avenue, West Croydon, Surrey. White had completed his first tour with 49 Squadron.
Warrant officer John Richard Hanson, the w/op, was 21. He was the son of Ronald Clarence and Mabel Violet Hanson of Hucclecote, Gloucestershire. He lived at 87 Regent Street, Gloucester.
Flight Sergeant Ernest Hambling, the m/u gunner, lived at Half Way House, Layham, Suffolk, with his father.
The parents of Gerald Cruwys received a letter from the Group Captain at RAF Downham Market when Gerry was first reported missing and they were given details of the families and addresses of the other crew members which are set out above.
This was an experienced crew with a number of decorations, including the Air Force Cross for Mansbridge, the DFM for Palmer, White and Hambling, and most unusually the Croix de Guerre avec Palme for Gerald Cruwys.
Gerald Herbert Cruwys
For biographical details of Gerry Cruwys, follow the link to his own page: Gerry Cruwys .
Gerald Cruwys - Ops with 97 Squadron at RAF Bourn
Note: his first op with 97 Squadron was on 16/17th December 1943, which meant a very dramatic start to his time at Bourn.
16/17 December 1943 - Berlin
JB659J F/L P.Mansbridge, F/Sgt A.S.Palmer, P/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.H.Hanson, F/SGT e.Hambling, F/Sgt P.A.Walder. Up 1650 Down 0050. 5 x 2000lb. Berlin bombed from 19,000'. One green TI in centre of cluster of reds - in bomb sight as bombs released. Low cloud at 400' at base made landing very dangerous.
20/21 December 1943 - Frankfurt
JB659J F/L D.Mansbridge, Sgt C.Baumber, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/Sgt E.Hambling, F/Sgt P.A.Walder. Up 1745 Down 2229. 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 1000lb. Vis fair. Target obscured by 7/10ths cloud and smoke although roads and buildings could be seen lit up by fires and incendiaries. No results of bombing observed.
23/24 December 1943 - Berlin
JB695J F/L D.Mansbridge, P/O A.S.Palmer, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/Sgt Davis, F/Sgt P.A.Walder. Up 0043 Down 0758. 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 1000lb. Berlin bombed from 19,500'. Bombs released into centre of concentration of fires. Explosion seen at 0405 hours. Experienced two encounters with rocket shells.
1/2 January 1944 - Berlin
JB422N S/L D.Mansbridge, W/O A.S.Palmer, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O J.H.Hanson, P/O M.S.Lund, F/Sgt P.A.Walder. Up 0041 Down 0714. 12 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 500lb. Primary target Berlin identified by red/green Wanganui flares. Bombs released from 20,000'. Cloud obscured all results.
14/15 January 1944 - Brunswick
JB422N S/L D.Mansbridge, Sgt W.C.Whitbread, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/Sgt E.Hambling, F/Sgt P.A.Walder. Up 1706 Down (not shown). 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 1000lb, 2 x 500lb. Primary target bombed from 20,000'. Bombs dropped in center of Wanganui flares. Orange glow seen reflected in cloud.
21/22 January 1944 - Magdeburg
ND455G S/L D.Mansbridge, Sgt H.Kendall, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/Sgt E.Hambling, F/Sgt P.A.Walder. Up 2030 Up 0330. 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 5 x 1000lb. Magdeburg successfully bombed. Target located visually and by green TIs. Heavy defences north west of town. Well concentrated fires observed.
27/28 January 1944 - Berlin
ND451W S/L D.Mansbridge, W/O A.S.Palmer, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/Sgt E.Hambling, F/Sgt A.J.Croll. Up 1715 Down 0120. 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 1000lb. Berlin bombed from 19,000'. 10/10ths cloud tops at 10,000'. Bombs released on red and green Wanganuis. Red glow seen below cloud.
28/29 January 1944 - Berlin
ND541W S/L D.Mansbridge, W/O A.S.Palmer, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/S E.Hambling, Sgt R.Murdoch. Up 0005 Down 0420. returned early - intercom u/s.
30/31 January 1944 - Berlin
ND451W S/L D.Mansbridge, W/O A.S.Palmer, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/Sgt J.Hambling, W/O G.W.Woods. Up 1710 Down 2310. 5 x 2000lb. Berlin bombed successfully. Target Berlin identified by Wanganuis seen from 25 miles away. A large glow in sky seen from Magdeburg on leaving target. Many fighter flares.
19/20 February 1944 - Leipzig
ND451W S/L D.Mansbridge, W/O A.S.Palmer, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/Sgt E.Hambling, F/Sgt J.Fernandez. Up 0000 Down 0645. 4 flares, 1 x 4000lb, 5 x 1000lb. Weather at target 10/10ths cloud tops 5,000'. Vis good. Bombed from 20,000'. No results seen.
1/2 March 1944 Stuttgart
ND451W S/L D.Mansbridge, W/O A.S.Palmer, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/Sgt E.Hambling, F/Sgt E.R.N.Barrell. Up 2300 Down 0630. 5 x 2000lb. Stuttgart bombed on H2S. Too early on target to judge results. No TIs seen. Wanganuis dropped at fairly long intervals. Glow over town visible from Rheims.
15/16 March 1944 Stuttgart
ND451W S/L D.Mansbridge, W/O A.S.Palmer, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/Sgt E.Hambling, F/Sgt E.R.N.Barrell. Up 1955 Down 0305. 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 1000lb. 10/10ths cloud over Stuttgart, vis good. Bombed from 18,000' on three Wanganui green/red flares. Before reaching town TIs had been observed but these appeared to be obscured by cloud on arrival. Red glow seen below cloud.
The crew survived Black Thursday for many weeks, but their luck ran out on 20/21st April 1944.
By then they had transfered from 97 Squadron to 635 Squadron at Downham Market. They flew out with orders to bomb rail installations, and crashed at Dion-le-Mont (Brabant), 4 km ESE of Wavre in Belgium. All were killed, except for the rear gunner, Percival Ashford Walder, who had flown with them on Black Thursday but who was not on the last flight because by then he had finished his tour (Walder had previously flown with Eaton-Clarke - see photograph of Walder at Eaton-Clarke's wedding on the Alabaster crew page).
The rear gunner on the op of 20th/21st April, who lost his life with the rest of the crew, was Ernest Rowe Newton Barrell, 29 years old, who only operated three times with Mansbridge. It seems that after Walder left the crew, there were several changes of rear gunner.
At the time of his death, Squadron Leader Mansbridge had completed 42 operational sorties. Aged 30, he was the son of William and Alice Mansbridge and the husband of Letitia Joyce Mansbridge. He lived at 54 Longfield Avenue, West End, Fareham, Hampshire.
Warrant Officer William Courtney White, the bomb aimer, was 34. He was the son of William Henry and Christian Jane White and the husband of Gertrude May White. He lived at 14 Midhurst Avenue, West Croydon, Surrey. White had completed his first tour with 49 Squadron.
Warrant officer John Richard Hanson, the w/op, was 21. He was the son of Ronald Clarence and Mabel Violet Hanson of Hucclecote, Gloucestershire. He lived at 87 Regent Street, Gloucester.
Flight Sergeant Ernest Hambling, the m/u gunner, lived at Half Way House, Layham, Suffolk, with his father.
The parents of Gerald Cruwys received a letter from the Group Captain at RAF Downham Market when Gerry was first reported missing and they were given details of the families and addresses of the other crew members which are set out above.
This was an experienced crew with a number of decorations, including the Air Force Cross for Mansbridge, the DFM for Palmer, White and Hambling, and most unusually the Croix de Guerre avec Palme for Gerald Cruwys.
Gerald Herbert Cruwys
For biographical details of Gerry Cruwys, follow the link to his own page: Gerry Cruwys .
Gerald Cruwys - Ops with 97 Squadron at RAF Bourn
Note: his first op with 97 Squadron was on 16/17th December 1943, which meant a very dramatic start to his time at Bourn.
16/17 December 1943 - Berlin
JB659J F/L P.Mansbridge, F/Sgt A.S.Palmer, P/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.H.Hanson, F/SGT e.Hambling, F/Sgt P.A.Walder. Up 1650 Down 0050. 5 x 2000lb. Berlin bombed from 19,000'. One green TI in centre of cluster of reds - in bomb sight as bombs released. Low cloud at 400' at base made landing very dangerous.
20/21 December 1943 - Frankfurt
JB659J F/L D.Mansbridge, Sgt C.Baumber, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/Sgt E.Hambling, F/Sgt P.A.Walder. Up 1745 Down 2229. 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 1000lb. Vis fair. Target obscured by 7/10ths cloud and smoke although roads and buildings could be seen lit up by fires and incendiaries. No results of bombing observed.
23/24 December 1943 - Berlin
JB695J F/L D.Mansbridge, P/O A.S.Palmer, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/Sgt Davis, F/Sgt P.A.Walder. Up 0043 Down 0758. 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 1000lb. Berlin bombed from 19,500'. Bombs released into centre of concentration of fires. Explosion seen at 0405 hours. Experienced two encounters with rocket shells.
1/2 January 1944 - Berlin
JB422N S/L D.Mansbridge, W/O A.S.Palmer, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O J.H.Hanson, P/O M.S.Lund, F/Sgt P.A.Walder. Up 0041 Down 0714. 12 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 500lb. Primary target Berlin identified by red/green Wanganui flares. Bombs released from 20,000'. Cloud obscured all results.
14/15 January 1944 - Brunswick
JB422N S/L D.Mansbridge, Sgt W.C.Whitbread, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/Sgt E.Hambling, F/Sgt P.A.Walder. Up 1706 Down (not shown). 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 1000lb, 2 x 500lb. Primary target bombed from 20,000'. Bombs dropped in center of Wanganui flares. Orange glow seen reflected in cloud.
21/22 January 1944 - Magdeburg
ND455G S/L D.Mansbridge, Sgt H.Kendall, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/Sgt E.Hambling, F/Sgt P.A.Walder. Up 2030 Up 0330. 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 5 x 1000lb. Magdeburg successfully bombed. Target located visually and by green TIs. Heavy defences north west of town. Well concentrated fires observed.
27/28 January 1944 - Berlin
ND451W S/L D.Mansbridge, W/O A.S.Palmer, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/Sgt E.Hambling, F/Sgt A.J.Croll. Up 1715 Down 0120. 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 1000lb. Berlin bombed from 19,000'. 10/10ths cloud tops at 10,000'. Bombs released on red and green Wanganuis. Red glow seen below cloud.
28/29 January 1944 - Berlin
ND541W S/L D.Mansbridge, W/O A.S.Palmer, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/S E.Hambling, Sgt R.Murdoch. Up 0005 Down 0420. returned early - intercom u/s.
30/31 January 1944 - Berlin
ND451W S/L D.Mansbridge, W/O A.S.Palmer, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/Sgt J.Hambling, W/O G.W.Woods. Up 1710 Down 2310. 5 x 2000lb. Berlin bombed successfully. Target Berlin identified by Wanganuis seen from 25 miles away. A large glow in sky seen from Magdeburg on leaving target. Many fighter flares.
19/20 February 1944 - Leipzig
ND451W S/L D.Mansbridge, W/O A.S.Palmer, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/Sgt E.Hambling, F/Sgt J.Fernandez. Up 0000 Down 0645. 4 flares, 1 x 4000lb, 5 x 1000lb. Weather at target 10/10ths cloud tops 5,000'. Vis good. Bombed from 20,000'. No results seen.
1/2 March 1944 Stuttgart
ND451W S/L D.Mansbridge, W/O A.S.Palmer, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/Sgt E.Hambling, F/Sgt E.R.N.Barrell. Up 2300 Down 0630. 5 x 2000lb. Stuttgart bombed on H2S. Too early on target to judge results. No TIs seen. Wanganuis dropped at fairly long intervals. Glow over town visible from Rheims.
15/16 March 1944 Stuttgart
ND451W S/L D.Mansbridge, W/O A.S.Palmer, F/O J.Cruwys, F/Sgt W.C.White, W/O E.Hanson, F/Sgt E.Hambling, F/Sgt E.R.N.Barrell. Up 1955 Down 0305. 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 1000lb. 10/10ths cloud over Stuttgart, vis good. Bombed from 18,000' on three Wanganui green/red flares. Before reaching town TIs had been observed but these appeared to be obscured by cloud on arrival. Red glow seen below cloud.
Gerry Cruwys, Navigator
Percival Ashford Walder's original crew was that of the well-known Sqn Ldr Alfred Eaton-Clarke DFC. This was the crew that Walder flew with for most of his time at 97 Sqn but they completed their tour around November 1943. Walder must have had some extra ops to do to finish his tour, hence he was flying with Mansbridge on Black Thurdsay.
This photo was taken at Eaton-Clarke's wedding in (it is thought) November 1943.
L-R: Percival Walder, Sqn Ldr Eaton-Clarke, the bride, Flt Lt Carlton, Wing Commander Alabaster, F/Sgt Hambling and Warrant Off Smith.
This photo was taken at Eaton-Clarke's wedding in (it is thought) November 1943.
L-R: Percival Walder, Sqn Ldr Eaton-Clarke, the bride, Flt Lt Carlton, Wing Commander Alabaster, F/Sgt Hambling and Warrant Off Smith.
Biographical notes on Gerry written or collected by his niece, Debbie Kennett, click here Gerry Cruwys
The crew members as of April 1944 after joining 635 Squadron, all as on Black Thursday except for the rear gunner:
From left to right
Pilot-Squadron Leader Donald William Mansbridge - AFC
Navigator Flying Officer Gerald Herbert Cruwys (Croix de Guerre Avec Palm)
Bomb Aimer-Warrant Officer William Courtney 'Whitey' White - DFM.
Wireless Operator-Warrant Officer John Richard "Happy" Hanson
Mid-Upper-Flight Sergeant Ernest "Butch" Hambling - DFM,
Rear Gunner-Flight Sergeant Ernest Rowe Newton Barrell
Flight Engineer-Warrant Officer Albert Stanley 'Tich' Palmer - DFM
From left to right
Pilot-Squadron Leader Donald William Mansbridge - AFC
Navigator Flying Officer Gerald Herbert Cruwys (Croix de Guerre Avec Palm)
Bomb Aimer-Warrant Officer William Courtney 'Whitey' White - DFM.
Wireless Operator-Warrant Officer John Richard "Happy" Hanson
Mid-Upper-Flight Sergeant Ernest "Butch" Hambling - DFM,
Rear Gunner-Flight Sergeant Ernest Rowe Newton Barrell
Flight Engineer-Warrant Officer Albert Stanley 'Tich' Palmer - DFM
Aircrew on Berlin op - December 16/17 1943