Bruce L. Williams, F/Sgt.
Personal information
Age 21
Nationality Australian
Date / place of birth Unknown
Genealogy Son of Llewellyn Eli and Olivia Rosalind Williams, Gardenvale, Victoria, Australia.
Military information
Army Number 428538
Rank F/Sgt.
Function Pilot
Platoon / Troop / Flight Unknown
Company / Squadron 98 Squadron
Unit / Group Unknown
Division / Transport / Command Unknown
Regiment Royal Air Force
Death information
Died when 25-9-1944
Died where Arnhem-zuid
Spot Rhine Dike Malburgen
Map reference Unknown
Burial location
Oosterbeek, War Cemetery, Netherlands
Grave number 21-C-13
Graves overview
Field grave image
Miscellaneous information
Personal notes

B25 Mitchell FW-194 (N) took off at approximately 1508 hours from 98 Squadron RAF Station, Dunsfold. It was part of a formation of 12 Mitchell bombers escorted by 6 Spitfire fighter planes. The objective was to bomb enemy FLAK positions at Schaarsbergen, north of Arnhem, Holland from a height of 10,000 feet. The crew consisted of Flight Sergeant B.L. Williams (Pilot), Flight Officer T.J. Lennie (Navigator, Bomb Aimer), P/O H.F Bowmaster (Wireless Operator, Air Gunner) and Flight Lieutenant C.B. Carter (Air Gunner). The formation was intercepted by a formation of 20 German Focke-Wulf 190 fighters. During this attack all 6 Spitfire escort fighters were shot down and then the German fighters turned against the bombers. In the first attack FW-194 was hit and the port engine caught fire. Most likely navigator F/O Lennie Thomas was killed in this attack. The order was given to bale out when a second strafe of machine gun fire hit the plane causing the rear escape hatch to jam and the release of at least 2 large 500Lb bombs. One of this bombs hit a church killing 4 refugees in it. The other landed in the woods nearby and did not explode (it was found and dismantled in 2010). Whilest going down only 2 of the crew of 4 managed to bale out by parachute, W/O Henry Bowmaster and Pilot Bruce Williams. Pilot Williams was unfortunate drifting on his parachute over the traffic bridge area, 1st Airborne main objective which just had be recaptured by the Germans. He was shot dead whilest still floating on his parachute. His body landed on the other side of the river in the 'Graslaan' street. His body was buried there by a 17 year old boy in a temporary grave. The plane itself crashed closeby on the dike of the River Rhine with Lennie and Carter still in it at about 17.00 hrs. Carters remains could not be found so he is officially still missing. Bowmaster landed safe and was taken POW. On 25 June 2011 the dedication ceremony of a plaque honouring the crew of FW 194 took place at the crash site on the banks of the Rhine. See photo below.

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Bruce L. Williams, F/Sgt.
Personal information
Age 21
Nationality Australian
Date / place of birth Unknown
Genealogy Son of Llewellyn Eli and Olivia Rosalind Williams, Gardenvale, Victoria, Australia.
Military information
Army Number 428538
Rank F/Sgt.
Function Pilot
Platoon / Troop / Flight Unknown
Company / Squadron 98 Squadron
Unit / Group Unknown
Division / Transport / Command Unknown
Regiment Royal Air Force
Death information
Died when 25-9-1944
Died where Arnhem-zuid
Spot Rhine Dike Malburgen
Map reference Unknown
Burial location
Oosterbeek, War Cemetery, Netherlands
Grave number 21-C-13
Graves overview
Field grave image
Miscellaneous information
Personal notes

B25 Mitchell FW-194 (N) took off at approximately 1508 hours from 98 Squadron RAF Station, Dunsfold. It was part of a formation of 12 Mitchell bombers escorted by 6 Spitfire fighter planes. The objective was to bomb enemy FLAK positions at Schaarsbergen, north of Arnhem, Holland from a height of 10,000 feet. The crew consisted of Flight Sergeant B.L. Williams (Pilot), Flight Officer T.J. Lennie (Navigator, Bomb Aimer), P/O H.F Bowmaster (Wireless Operator, Air Gunner) and Flight Lieutenant C.B. Carter (Air Gunner). The formation was intercepted by a formation of 20 German Focke-Wulf 190 fighters. During this attack all 6 Spitfire escort fighters were shot down and then the German fighters turned against the bombers. In the first attack FW-194 was hit and the port engine caught fire. Most likely navigator F/O Lennie Thomas was killed in this attack. The order was given to bale out when a second strafe of machine gun fire hit the plane causing the rear escape hatch to jam and the release of at least 2 large 500Lb bombs. One of this bombs hit a church killing 4 refugees in it. The other landed in the woods nearby and did not explode (it was found and dismantled in 2010). Whilest going down only 2 of the crew of 4 managed to bale out by parachute, W/O Henry Bowmaster and Pilot Bruce Williams. Pilot Williams was unfortunate drifting on his parachute over the traffic bridge area, 1st Airborne main objective which just had be recaptured by the Germans. He was shot dead whilest still floating on his parachute. His body landed on the other side of the river in the 'Graslaan' street. His body was buried there by a 17 year old boy in a temporary grave. The plane itself crashed closeby on the dike of the River Rhine with Lennie and Carter still in it at about 17.00 hrs. Carters remains could not be found so he is officially still missing. Bowmaster landed safe and was taken POW. On 25 June 2011 the dedication ceremony of a plaque honouring the crew of FW 194 took place at the crash site on the banks of the Rhine. See photo below.

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