Report zu W. G. Mendenhall
- Gibb Mendenhall
Wells Gibb Mendenhall is the 3rd son of Thomas & Hannah Mendenhall.
My name is Thomas E Evanson, named after my grandfather Thomas T. Mendenhall.
I am the son of John and Rae Mendenhall Evanson, Rae being an older sister to
Gibb. For many years there has been a strong desire in my life to become more
acquainted with the life and times of my Uncle Gibb.
I was born 5 years after Uncle Gibb was shot down at 01:55 hrs on the
21st of February 1945 over Oberhausen, Germany. For over 50 years I have
lived in prosperity and peace. This was largely due to the sacrifice he, along with thousands of others, made. Gibb never had the chance to see the results of his sacrifice, nor did he have the opportunity to marry and raise a family in this life.
Those of us who have lived after and continue to live in peace need to remember “Wells Gibb Mendenhall”.
Some of what I written is taken from Gibb’s own personal flight log book which he kept religiously until his last flight. Taking these dates from his log book I matched them with historical records found on the internet for each mission he flew.
An interesting story as to how I came upon his flight book. In the process of doing the research on his life, I thought it would be appropriate if I could find any who were still alive to tell something of their association with Gibb, especially those who served along side of him in the war. There were not many around. In his final flight there were seven crew members. Four of the crew survived and were taken prisoner of war. Three of the seven did not survive and went down with the plane, Gibb being one of the three. G. Henson, A. May, and F. Daley, and W. McIntosh were the names of the four survivors. Searching the phone book I made a call to Sydney, Nova Scotia and made contact with Burke McIntosh, being one of the 4 survivors. It was an exciting time for him and as well as for myself to talk. He said that he had in his possession, Gibb’s personal flight log. He had tried numerous times in the past to find some of Gibb’s family so that he might give them this book, but unable to find them he had kept it all these years. He immediately sent it to me and it is from this book which has helped to produce this document. Through this preparation I have developed a great love for my Uncle Gibb.
The long missions that Gibb spent in the upper gunner poistion must have been tense, and often terrifying. At any moment, there was the possibility of an attack or a collision with another bomber, especially as one approached the target. Over the target, blindingly bright searchlights, exploding flak, bursting bombs, and perhaps incoming cannon fire cannot have made for pleasant scenery. If those searchlights "coned" a bomber in their glare, only violent evasive action by the pilot might save it.
This night 112 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 425, 426, 427, 429, and 432 Squadrons were ordered on an attack of the oil refinery at Monheim. The crews were over the target at between 14,000 and 16,000 feet, releasing 698,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused.
F/Lt E. Maguire and crew from 432 Squadron, flying Halifax VII RG-451 coded QO-D, were attacked by an unidentified enemy aircraft, possible rocket, it was claimed damaged.
F/O E. Patzer RCAF and crew, flying Halifax VII RG-455 coded QO-X, failed to return from this operation.
Sgt C. Grant RAF
F/O G. Henson RCAF–POW
F/O A. May RCAF–POW
P/O F. Daley RCAF–POW
F/Sgt B. McIntosh RCAF–POW
P/O W. Mendenhall RCAF
4 crew were POWs and 3 were killed.
F/O G. Lareau and crew from 425 Squadron flying Halifax III MZ-845 coded KW-J were attacked by an ME-210, some strikes were seen and it was claimed damaged.
F/O D. Weicker from 426 Squadron was attacked by an ME 110, there was no claim or damage. F/O J. Mulholland from 427 Squadron was hit by flak, not serious.
F/Lt W. Walker and crew, flying Halifax III NP-941 coded ZL-X, were attacked by an ME-110, many strikes were seen and the starboard engine caught fire and then the starboard wing broke off, it was claimed destroyed.
F/Lt J. Murphy RCAF–POW and crew, flying Halifax III NP-942 coded ZL-T, failed to return from this operation.
Sgt G. Tate RAF–POW
F/O G. Mann RCAF–POW
F/O E. Essenburg RCAF
W/O2 E. Perdue RCAF–POW
F/O A. Breault RCAF–POW
P/O J. Wallace RCAF
5 crew were POWs and 2 were killed.
F/O R. Jones from 429 Squadron returned early as the port outer was u/s. They landed safely at Manston on 3 engines.
F/O L. Morrison and crew, flying Halifax III PN-367 coded AL-J, were attacked by an unidentified single engine enemy aircraft, there was no claim or damage, although some strikes were seen.
F/O W. McSween and crew, flying Halifax III MZ-318 coded AL-F, were attacked twice by an ME-109, there was no claim or damage. While the Halifaxes went to Monheim, 82 Lancasters from 419, 424, 428, 431, 433, and 434 Squadrons were ordered on an attack at Dortmund. The crews were over the target at between 17,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 231,000 lbs of high explosives and 579,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused.
F/Lt H. Metivier and crew from 419 Squadron, flying Lancaster X KB-866 coded VR-M, were attacked by an ME-109, there was no claim or damage.
F/Lt J. Watts and crew, flying Lancaster X KB-786 coded VR-P, were attacked by an ME-410, there was no claim or damage. P/O J. MacNeil and crew, flying Lancaster X KB-823 coded VR-U, were attacked by a JU-88, there was no claim or damage.
F/O L. Blaney RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster X KB-804 coded VR-E, failed to return from this operation.
Sgt T. Instone RAF–POW
P/O D. Hanna RCAF
F/O P. Owen RCAF–POW
P/O A. Kindret RCAF–POW
F/Sgt L. Nozzolillo RCAF–POW
P/O R. Althan RCAF–POW
2 crew were killed and 5 POWs after being shot down by flak.
P/O W. Church and crew from 424 Squadron, flying Lancaster I NG-280 coded QB-U, were attacked by an unidentified enemy aircraft, there was no claim or damage. They were also hit by flak, there were holes in the stbd fin and rudder.
F/Sgt W. Cozens RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster I ME-456 coded QB-K, failed to return from this operation.
P/O J. Kubin RCAF
F/O G. Ree RCAF
F/O H. Rubenstein RCAF
Sgt J. Butler RCAF–POW
Sgt A. Skett RCAF–POW
Sgt E. Rhodes RCAF
1 crew member was killed and 2 were POWs after being hit by flak outbound to the target. On return they were attacked by a Nightfighter. 5 crew bailed out but 2 drifted back into enemy territory, F/Sgt Cozens crash-landed the Lancaster in allied territory.
F/Lt R. Hay and crew from 428 Squadron, flying Lancaster X KB-747 coded NA-X, were attacked by an unidentified twin engine enemy aircraft, there was no claim or damage.
F/O K. Roulston and crew, flying Lancaster X KB-848 coded NA-G, were attacked by an ME-210, there was no claim or damage.
F/Lt B. Kaplansky from 431 Squadron was attacked by a JU-88, the JU-88 exploded in mid air after both gunners fired upon it. A short time later they were attacked again by a JU-88. It was hit and part of the wing and tail broke off. It spun to the ground. Both were claimed destroyed.
P/O J. Kopp RCAF and crew, flying Lancaster X KB-809 coded SE-Q, failed to return from this operation.
P/O W. Dickson RCAF
F/O I. MacCugan RCAF–POW
W/O2 F. Lehman RCAF–POW
P/O L. Hoffman RCAF
F/Sgt H. Dailey RCAF–POW
P/O F. Newman RCAF
4 crew were killed and 3 POWs.
F/O J. Farrell and crew from 433 Squadron, flying Lancaster I PB-903 coded BM-F, were attacked by an unidentified twin engine enemy aircraft, there was no claim or damage.
F/Lt R. Bertran and crew, flying Lancaster I NG-496 coded BM-N, were attacked by an ME-410, there was no claim or damage.
F/Lt I. Andres and crew from 434 Squadron, flying Lancaster X KB-880 coded WL-N, were attacked 3 times by JU-88's, possibly the same one. There were strikes seen on all encounters.
F/O D. Cameron and crew, flying Lancaster I NG-457 coded WL-P, were attacked by a JU-88. The intercom, port wing, radios and hydraulics were damaged. The port elevator was shot off and the 3 port fuel tanks were leaking. P/O H. Davey RCAF, the wireless operator was killed and F/Sgt J. Taggart RCAF, the mid upper gunner was seriously injured. They landed at Manston on return to tend to the injured aircrew.
RG455 - QO-X Halifax B Mk 7, 5 ops recorded, failed to return Monheim, 21/2/45
Shot down at 01:55 hrs on the 21/2/45 near Oberhausen, 18 km. West of Koln (Cologne)
Mcintosh, Daley, Hay, Hensen are P.O.W.
Investigation Report 8th November 1945:
Civilians in Ober Aussen are emphatic in stating that one British aircraft crashed in the village about a fortnight before the American forces entered the village, i.e. 14 days prior to March, 2nd. The aircraft approached from the direction of Dusseldorf and was on fire, and it crashed at approximately fifty yards west of the village cemetery, behind a block of cottages. The villagers do not appear to have been able to render any assistance partly owing to fear of local Nazi Officials and partly do to fear of damages from the air attack.
The remains of two members of the crew were collected by Party officials and interred without funeral service or coffins by F. Fuchs. The village priest stated that he was not allowed to take any part in the interment. The grave has been pointed out as number eight and suitably engraved cross has now been placed in position.
Wulf Bruygen of (name blotted out) stated that two prisoners were taken at the same time by members of the German Army- probably local Ack-Ack troops. A certain Webber who appears to have been a party member s alleged to have attempted to shoot the prisoners but we prevented by the escort- now a prisoner of war in France (Escort’s name unknown but his comrade was Hans Kaiser) This Webber appears to have removed all papers to the Party office at Bergheim (Burgheim is situated at map ref. K 51/2562). Both old and new Burgomasters are unable to supply any useful information, but it may be possible to locate the whereabouts of Webber, in which case a further report will be rendered. - Sgd. W.T. Dunseath Flying Officer.
Casualty Enquiry 19th January 1946: Halifax A/C “X” RG 455 (4 Hercules XVI engines) of 432 Squadron, R.C.A.F. took off at 2123 hours on 20th/21st February, 1945 from Eastmoor, Yorks, to carry out a bombing operation over Mannheim. The a/c was doe to return at 0440 hours on the 21st February, 1945, with the following crew:
F/O E.F. Patzer, Pilot
F/O G.B. Hensen, Navigator (Safe)
F/O A.H. May, A/Bomber (Safe)
F/O F.S. Daley, W/Op A.G. (Safe)
F/S Mendenhall WG., A.G
F/S McIntosh W.B., A.G. (Safe)
Sgt Grant C.I., F.E.
Four members of this crew, F/O Henson, F/O Daley and F/S McIntosh were taken Prisoners of War and subsequently returned to U.K Upon their return they made the following statements:
F/O Henson: Stated the A/C crashed at approx. 0149 hrs. 21.2.45, approx. 15 miles S/E of Dusseldorf. He further states the Rear Gunner saw
F/O Patzer’s identity Card (burnt) and identity Disc in German hands and was informed that F/O Patzer was dead.
F/S McIntosh: Stated that the a/c crashed in the Ruhr area near Koln. He was told by the Germans that F/O Patzer, F/O Daley and F/S Mendenhall had crashed and burnt in the a/c (incorrectly in the Daley was returned to the U.K.)
P/O Daley: Stated the a/c crashed near Dortmund and the Germans told him that F/O Patzer had been killed. (Incorrect in that later information places a/c crashed as near Koln).
F/O May: Stated the a/c crashed 12 miles S.W. of Koln and that the a/c was in a spin and it was unlikely that F/O Patzer, Sgr. Grant or F/S Mendenhall got out. He saw the a/c burning on the ground. They had heard from the Wireless Operator and Air Gunner, who had been told by the Germans, that the Pilot was dead.
The German report received through the I.R.G.C in this case stated that “Patzer B.P. F/Lt probably a Halifax shot down 21.2.45 near Oberaussen, 18 kilometers West of Koln, N. 21”, Oberaussen is at map ref K 51/2767.
No particulars of burial given.
Two further witnesses of the attempted shooting incident are Frau Saballa, and Unteroffizier Hubert Von Der Stuck.
All the information regarding the alleged shooting incident has been forwarded to the War Crimes Commission for their necessary action.
No. 2738 Squadron are not able to state conclusively that the number of bodies buried were two, but the grave digger was emphatic that the remain were those of two men. He mentions three legs as being buried. This Unit states that experts might be able to identify the a/c as Halifax RG. 455.
The information was given by F/O Henson, F/S McIntosh and F/O May as to the location of the crash corresponds with that given in the German report received through the I.R.C.C. . From this information, and that supplied by No. 2738 Squadron, it appears fairly certain that the “two” unknown airmen buried at Oberuassen were members of the above mentioned a/c. However, it is desired, if possible, to confirm that the two, and not three bodies were buried there. Alternatively, to review the possibility of the bodies being so broken up that in fact the remains of three airmen were removed from the crash and buried at Oberaussen.
Report by H White: On arriving at Oberhaussen I questioned Herrn Brugger in whose back garden the crash took place, and from him I obtained the following in formation. Between 0100 hours and 0200 hours on the 21/2/45 an A/C which he later recognized to be a Halifax, crashed in flames into his back garden, and remained burning for three days. The wreckage has been removed from his garden into an adjoining field, and inspecting it clearly recognized it to be a Halifax, although it is burt right out. One piece of metal, believed to be part of fuselage bore the following number: 5730 F2 ISU EEP36292, another piece believed to be part of the Accessory Drive and embossed No. 8 FB 79496 BA and stamped HER 205299. Amongst the wreckage 3 propellor blades were found and he listed the serial numbers. He interrogated Fuchs, the cemetery keeper, who was rather doubtful as to the number of bodies he buried. He recognized, however, the parts of two bodies, but does not deny the possibility of a third one. Her Bruger, the chief witness of the crash, later informed me that early this year (1946) whilst clearing the wreckage from his garden, he discov ered parts of a human body, partly carbonized a silver ring bearing the initials G.M. was found on one of the fingers, this could refer to F/S Mendenhall W.G. (I have not been able to trace this ring as it was taken away by the former police.) The remains of the body were put in a wooden box and buried in the same grave as the other two airmen. This was confirmed by Fuchs, the Cemetery Keeper. He then concluded that the two bodies were removed from the a/c when it crashed and the third buried under the wreckage, and discovered only this year (1946).
Years Later
In a phone conversation that I, Thom Evanson, had with Burke MacIntosh around the beginning of 2002 this is what he told me: “The two port engines caught fire and also the tail end of the plane. Burke called on the intercom to the Pilot, “Will I go now?” There was no response. By now the smoke was getting pretty thick. Again.. “Will I go now”? The response came finally from Patzer “You better go”.
So he jumped out with his parachute on.
Gibb being the midd upper gunner could not wear a parachute so he would have to have climbed down and put his chute before he could get out.
May being a big guy could not get out of the escape port with his parachute on so he took his parachute off first and then jumped. Holding the parachute over his head he then put it on while he falling.
Once on the ground, I hid my parachute, then taking out my compass I began walking. In a short distance I spotted a german century. The century said something to me, and then casually took out a cigarette and walked on. What I learned latter was that the German was trying to tell me that I was heading into a bog. I then found a secluded spot and fell asleep.
The next morning I was spotted by some woman, who reported me to the War Mac. They captured me later and took me to Aukon. I then spent 3 months as a POW, being moved around two or three times. We were instructed not to try to escape because the feeling was that the war would soon to be over. I lived on 1200 calories a day, also receiving Red Cross parcels now and again.”
I learned of those who did not make it from the interrogation officer at prison camp. To my knowledge none of those left are alive. I think Henson was much older than the others and would be close to 100 if alive. Frank Daley lived in New York. He use to exchange Christmas cards but has not heard from in over 30 years. I never did hear about the Mays.