This photo is from the New Zealand Bomber Command Association.
This great photo shows Pilot Officer Bailey RNZAF and crew plus ground crew.
The aircraft is Short Stirling Mk.1 BK443 AA-V.
From left to right :-
Sgt Roe, LAC Fred Lobley, Flying Officer Charles Ormerod (Nav), Sgt Bruce Hosie (W/Op), Flying Officer Jack Wall (Bomb Aimer), Pilot Officer John Bailey (Pilot), Sgt T. Lillystone (Flight Engineer), Sgt F. Ottaway (Mid Upper Gunner), Sgt W. Thompson (Rear Gunner). LAC R. Murdoch, Cpl. J. Gibson.
First Tour.
1st Op.
19/20 Sept 1942. Attack Against Targets At Saarbrucken.
32 Ops flown on first Tour.
P/O Bailey, J. M. NZ412183. GD. Posted to No.1665 Con.Unit w.e.f. 9/5/1943
The Bailey crew flew 4 operations in Wellington aircraft, and a further 28 operations flying the Stirling bomber. The Wellington crew consisted of :-
Sgt Bailey, J. M. – Captain
P/O Omerord, C. F. – Navigator
Sgt Hosie, B. J. – Wireless Operator
Sgt Davison. – Front Gunner
Sgt Thompson, W. F. – Rear Gunner
2nd Tour.
6 October 1944.
F/L J. Bailey and crew arrived on posting from No. 31 Base.
1st Op.
28 October 1944. Attack against Cologne.
24 further Op on Lancaster aircraft.
After converting to the four engine Stirling aircraft the crew had an extra Air Gunner for the Mid Upper Turret, and a Flight Engineer to look after the aircraft systems. The crew were as follows :-
F/S Bailey, J. M. – Captain. NZ412143
P/O Ormerod, C. F. – Navigator. NZ413340
Sgt Lillystone, T. E. – Flight Engineer. 941925
Sgt Hosie, B. J. – Wireless Operator. NZ412882
Sgt Wall, J. G. – Air Bomber (Bomb Aimer). NZ412882
Sgt Ottaway, F. J. Mid Upper Gunner. 1282270
Sgt Thompson, W. F. Rear Gunner. 962902
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