February 3, 1945 - The loss of the Nye Crew

From the Operations Record Book:  

The Squadron were called upon to supply 14 aircraft and crews for an attack on the Prosper Coking Plant at BOTTROP north of Essen. In contract to the previous night the weather was good but opinions varied as to whether the target was entirely cloud free but either haze or very thin cloud obscured exact ground detail. The markers were accurately placed and the bombing appear to be equally as good. There were several explosions and quite a number of fires. Ground opposition was reported as being from slight to moderate. Numerous searchlights were active and believed to have been illuminating for fighters, where were reports as being numerous. F/O Nye and crew in "R" failed to return. It is believed that they has fallen a victim to a night fighter after crossing the battle front and were shot down in Holland. It is feared there were no survivors. F/O Cowper and "F" "pressed on" with his rear turret practically unserviceable throughout the trip. Owing to haze the photographs taken over the target were not particularly good, some of them have, however, been plotted and at least one aiming point secured.

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It is believed Nye's crew were shot down February 3rd by a night-fighter over the Netherlands.  A memorial to the crew of PD221 has been erected near the crash site in Westerbeek, Netherlands.  Ditson’s first live operation was as Mid-Upper Air Gunner for Flying Officer Robert Nye and crew on January 16, 1945 for a raid to Zeitz.

Learn more about the Nye Crew