My apologies to those of you who have seen this posted in another group but I thought I would try to reach as many people with this story as I can in he hopes that others might add to what I already know or that it might even spur some interest. My father, W.O. Leonard E. J. Cote, took off on his last operational sortie of WWII over 70 years ago.. He was the air gunner in the rear turret of Halifax heavy bomber HX333, code name, NP-J Jane piloted by Douglas Robinson. With him was Douglas Wilkinson, as second pilot, David Rosenthal, navigator, Stan Chapman, air bomber, George Hale, wireless operator, Charles Bud Durdin, air gunner in the mid-upper turret and Les Cardall, flight engineer. The target was Berlin. The crew was due for leave and was the reserve crew that night but when another crew could not go, they were pressed into service. After several delays, they eventually took to the air at 12:43am on 29 January 1943. After an uneventful trip and bomb run and just after the call of bombs gone the aircraft was stuck by flak, just below the rear turret -- severely damaging the rear control surfaces and injuring my father in the legs and hands. My father abandoned the damaged turret and as Robinson, with help from Wilkinson, regained control, the crew set a direct course for their home, RAF Lissett (158 Squadron). The aircraft flew at a nose-pitched-up attitude nearly at stall speed while Bud Durdin maintained the only defense of the aircraft from his MU turret. Eventually, after 4 hours of exhausting flying, Robinson, with consultation from his engineer, Chapman, knew that there was no hope of having enough fuel to return to England. The impending dawn would have made their aircraft a sitting duck to any enemy aircraft or anti-aircraft batteries. Indeed, one light flak battery opened up on them as they passed through 6000 feet scoring several hits. The decision was to abandon the aircraft over occupied Holland and the order was passed man-to-man. The drill had the gunners to depart from the rear exit so my father tapped Bud Durdin, still on watch in his turret, on the leg and off they went to the rear of the aircraft -- only to have the handle to the hatch come off in their hands. They then went forward to the forward hatch and bailed out with the rest of the crew save for Robinson and Cardall. When the latter went to retrieve their parachutes, Cardall found his damaged by the flak. Robinson insisted that it was his that was damaged and ordered Cardall to take the parachute and bail out. He refused and vowed to stay with Robinson as he attempted a wheel-up landing in the flat farmlands of northern Holland near the town of Zandeweer (Groningen). Finding a field devoid of obstacles, Robinson skillfully landed his craft so gently that Cardall, standing at the rest position, didnt know they were down. The two tried to find the incendiary device that was to be used to keep the aircraft from being examined by the enemy but it was missing. They left the aircraft through the upper escape hatch and left the area only to be captured hours later -- along with the rest of the crew. Bud Durdin evaded capture for several months before being betrayed and captured. The aircraft, was a prize capture since it was one of the first Mark III aircraft to be seen in such good shape by the enemy. Photos were taken which have only recently surfaced -- found in a Dutch photo archive. A few of them are attached in watermarked and low resolution format showing the skillful landing and the damage to the rear of the aircraft. A remarkable piece of piloting and a lucky escape by my father is clearly in evidence. Seventy years does nothing to diminish this amazing story. I cannot even begin to imagine the experience!
Posted on: Sun, 06 Jul 2014 01:50:35 +0000
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