Rathbone, John Desmond
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | John Desmond |
Surname | Rathbone |
Gender | M |
Age | |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 26-07-1943 |
Next of Kin |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling III |
Serial Number | EH924 |
Markings | QS-B |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Rheinberg War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave 3. D. 20-23. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 230 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1314304 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 620 |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Green, Chedburgh, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brick Monument with Inscribed Marble Tablets |
Memorial Text | In memory and honour of the Royal Air Force and Polish Air Force Squadrons who were based at RAF Chedburgh 1942 - 1946 |
Location | Village Green, Chedburgh, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brick Pillar, inscribed concrete slab and metal plaque |
Memorial Text | A memorial to the men and women who served at RAF Chedburgh between 1942 and 1946, including 620 Sqn |
Location | All Saints Church, Chedburgh |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | RoH & Sqn Badge |
Memorial Text | 620 Sqn Roll of Honour and 620 Sqn Badge |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2138/4 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2134/3 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 25-07-1943 |
End Date | 26-07-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Chedburgh |
Day/Night Raid | Night (32% moon) |
Operation | Essen. 705 aircraft, 26 losses (3.7%). The commander of the American 8th Air Force was an observer in this raid, aboard an 83 Sqn Lancaster. Window was once again used and the raid was a success with much damage to the industrial eastern part of the city. In particular, the Krupps facility was dealt what was probably the worst blow of the war. Dr Krupp suffered a stroke the following morning from which he never recovered (he would otherwise have been charged with war crimes after the war). 51 other industrial buildings and 2852 homes were destroyed. 500 people were killed, including 22 children. |
Reason for Loss | Crashed at Asperden, Germany |