Sergeant Richard Wensley

Sergeant Richard Wensley

Starts by stating that one of the most hazardous operations flown by bomber command were lone aircraft flying supplies to support resistance forces in occupied Europe. He recounts Richard Wensley's early life, joining ATC, training as a flight engineer. He describes his arrival as he joined 90 Squadron at RAF Wratting Common in June 1943 and mentions crewing up and changing crew due to pilot's propensity to turn back. He relates a little of first operations to Nuremburg, Turin and mine laying. His squadron then switch to supplying resistance forces, as Stirling unsuitable for main bombing operations. He describes, in detail, their 14th operation where they were hit by anti-aircraft fire and crash landed in France. Then follows a detailed description of activities while evading. All were successful apart from the rear gunner who was captured. Four of the crew made their way back to England but Richard Wensley and Norman Cartwright remained hidden on a farm where they worked and were joined by other evaders. He describes the other evaders and French helpers and mentions the capture of two evaders by gestapo. Finally, the rest were liberated by allied forces and returned to England. He relates career after the war, that he never contacted any of his crew and visited the village where he stayed in France.

Four page printed document

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