An account of the loss of the Slater crew and Wellington X3652 AA-O.
From the O.R.B.;
25/26 March 42. Attack Against Target At St. Nazaire And Essen.
Twelve aircraft were detailed to attack the above target. Wellington III X3652 captained by P/O Slater, failed to return. Two aircraft failed to locate target. Bomb load of 500 lbs and 250 lbs was dropped in the target area but no results were observed. Slight A.A. fire and a few ineffective searchlights were encountered but no enemy aircraft were seen. Weather was fine with slight ground haze. Navigation by TR1335 and D.R. was good.
Wellington III X3652. AA.O. Up 20:39. Missing.
P/O Slater, Allen Bruce. Captain. A.402550 RAAF
Sgt Addis, John Henry. 2nd Pilot. 1208366
Sgt Fletcher, James Douglas. Navigator. NZ404546
Sgt Wainwright, A. Edward. W/Operator. 1355493
Sgt Orr, Albert Gladstone. F/Gunner. NZ403627
Sgt Burridge, Philip L. R/Gunner. 901810
Took off from Feltwell, and cause of loss and crash site not known. The 2nd Pilot,
Sgt Addis was the only crew member killed. The other five crew became Prisoner of War.
The Wellington was hit by 4 Flak batteries of the 4. Flak-Division and belly-landed in a field at Kasslerfeld. (from Nachtjagd Combat Archive The Early Years part two).
The National Archives Australia have a report filled out by P/O Slater on being released from captivity.
The Navigator Flight Sergeant James Douglas Fletcher NZ404546 Prisoner of War.
If you have a photograph of any other crew members, please get in touch and I will be happy to include it to this page.
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