JB294


	630 Squadron

Final Mission

JB294 took off from East Kirkby at 2021 hrs on 21st January 1944, on an operation to Berlin as part of a small diversionary force comprising 22 Lancasters and a dozen Mosquito aircraft drawn from 5 and 8 groups respectively.

Although there have been some references to the aircraft being shot down by flak, a fighter pilot, Fw. Andreas Hartl (of 6./JG 302), claimed to have shot down a 4 engine bomber over Berlin that night. The raid on Berlin was a diversion for the main raid on Magdeburg and JB294 was the only bomber lost over Berlin that night so it is almost certain that this is that aircraft.

The crew who lost their lives are buried in the 1939-1945 War Cemetery in Berlin.

JB294 (LE-R) was a Mk III Lancaster which came to 630 squadron on 4th January 1944, from 1660 Conversion Unit. She had recorded 146 hrs flying time. When lost she was crewed by the following:-

Pilot	Flight Sergeant	J. W. HOMEWOOD	RAF
		John Walter Homewood Rank: Flight Sergeant Age: 20 Date of Death: 22/01/1944 Service No: 1392321 Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 4. L. 23-26.. Cemetery: Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery Additional information:
Flight Engineer	Sergeant	W. G. YORKE	RAF
		William George Yorke Rank: Sergeant Age: ? Date of Death: 22/01/1944 Service No: 1802298 Grave/Memorial Reference: 4. L. 22. Cemetery: Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery Additional information:
Navigator	Flight Sergeant	A. W. REEDMAN	RAF
		Alexander William Reedman Rank: Flight Sergeant Age: ? Date of Death: 22/01/1944 Service No: 1319532 Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 4. L. 23-26. Cemetery: Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery Additional information:
Bomb-Aimer	Sergeant	P. J. WALKER	RAF
		P. J. Walker Rank: Sergeant Age: ? Service No: 1388772 Additional information: Sgt Walker (POW No. 3556) was initially held in Stalag 3A for 3 months, presumably because it was near Berlin, then moved to Stalag Luft VI (10/5-17/7/44), moved on to 357 Thorn (19/7-9/844) and finally seeing out the rest of the war in Fallingbostel (11/8/44-8/4/45)
Wireless Operator - Air Gunner	Sergeant	A. C. STOPP	RAF
		Alexander Charles Stopp Rank: Sergeant Age: 20 Date of Death: 22/01/1944 Service No: 1387473 Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 4. L. 23-26. Cemetery: Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery Additional information: Son of Alexander and Maud Stopp; husband of Maria Cecilia Stopp, of Bayswater, London.
Mid-Upper Gunner	Sergeant	J. D. MORRIS	RAF
		John Desmond Morris Rank: Sergeant Age: 21 Date of Death: 22/01/1944 Service No: 1652943 Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 4. L. 23-26. Cemetery: Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery Additional information: Son of Hector and Sarah Jane Morris, of Llanelly, Carmarthenshire.
Rear Gunner	Flight Sergeant	M. MARKS	RCAF
		Morris Slock Marks Rank: Flight Sergeant Age: 25 Date of Death: 22/01/1944 Service No: R/153059 Grave/Memorial Reference: 4. B. 21. Cemetery: Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery Additional information: Son of John and Katherine Marks, of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.


	The aircrew initially joined 57 Squadron and then moved in November 1943 with the rest of B Flight to form the basis for 630 Sqn.

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