Franklin, James Joseph
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | James Joseph |
Surname | Franklin |
Gender | M |
Age | |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 16-11-1944 |
Next of Kin |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
Serial Number | PB137 |
Markings | LS-U |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Rheinberg War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 5. C. 20. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 166 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1313274 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 15 (XV) |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Church of St. John, Beck Row, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Slate Tablet on rear external wall of Church |
Memorial Text | In remembrance of all who served at RAF Mildenhall and associated aerodromes in the cause of freedom, 1939-1945 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/204/22 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/204/21 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 16-11-1944 |
End Date | 16-11-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Mildenhall |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Heinsburg- in support of the American 1st and 9th Armies. A combined force of 1188 aircraft to attack Düren, Jülich and Heinsburg in order to cut communications and supply lines. 4 aircraft lost in all. The Americans also sent 1239 heavy bombers without loss. In total, 9400 tones of high explosives were dropped. The three towns were virtually destroyed with 3127 fatalities in Düren alone. Heinsburg had largely been abandoned by the civilian population so the death toll was much lower- 52 civilians, although this is said to have been half of its civilian population. Despite the success of the air raid, the army's advance was not so successful, due to wet ground and ammunition shortages. |
Reason for Loss |