Operation: Turin, Italy

Date: 12th/13th August 1943 (Thursday/Friday)

Unit No: 218 (Gold Coast) Sqn, 3 Group, Bomber Command

Type: Stirling III

Serial: EF452

Code: HA:O

Base: RAF Downham Market, Norfolk

Location: Bone airfield, Algeria

Pilot: Flt Sgt. Arthur Louis Aaron, VC, DFM, 1458181 RAFVR Age 21. KiA (1)

Flt Eng: Sgt. Malcom Murray Mitchem DFM, 570791 RAF Age 22. Wounded (2)

Nav: Flt Sgt. Cornelius Alfred Brennan R117605 RCAF Age 21. KiA

Bomb Aimer: Flt Sgt. Alan William Jessup Larden CGM(F), R90883 RCAF Age 27. Wounded (3)

WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. Thomas ‘Jimmy’ Guy DFM, 1208765 RAFVR Age? Safe (2)

Air Gnr (Mid Upp): Sgt. James Richmond 1493259 RAFVR Age? Safe

Air Gnr (Rear): Sgt. Thomas Michael McCabe 1378095 RAFVR Age 21. Safe (4)

Above left to right: Flt Sgt. Arthur Louis Aaron VC, DFM (Courtesy of the Daily Mirror, dated 6th November 1943), Flt Sgt. Cornelius Alfred Brennan (Courtesy of The Gazette, dated 21st August 1943)

Note: The Squadron was officially adopted by his Excellency the Governor of the Gold Coast and the peoples of the Gold Coast territories during Oct 1941.

REASON FOR LOSS:

EF452 took off at 21:35 hrs from RAF Downham Market in Norfolk to join twelve (12) other aircraft from the squadron details to join a force of one-hundred and fifty-two (152) bombers on an operation to bomb Turin in Italy.

At approximately 01:20 hrs as they were approaching Turin their aircraft was hit by burst of fire, by what was originally thought to be an enemy aircraft, but it was later established that it was the tail gunner of another Stirling who mistook them for an enemy night fighter.

The tail gunner was unfortunately quite accurate, the windshield fragmented and was partially blasted away, three (3) engines were hit and one (1) had to be shut down. Flt Sgt. Brennan was hit and instantly killed and Flt Sgt. Aaron was severely wounded being hit in the face, right arm and chest, Flt Sgt. Larden and Sgt. Mitchem were also wounded.

Power to both forward and rear gun turrets was lost and flight controls were damaged. Sgt. Mitchem pulled the slumped pilot off the controls and managed to pull the aircraft out of its dive at approximately 4000 feet. Flt Sgt. Larden took over the controls and turned south over the Mediterranean toward an Allied airfield in North Africa knowing the aircraft wouldn’t be able to climb back over the Alps. Although grievously wounded, Flt Sgt. Aaron assisted the Flt Sgt. Larden as best he could, slipping in and out of consciousness and scribbling notes as his jaw was broken.

Reaching the coast of Africa Flt Sgt. Aaron insisted on returning to his seat to help prepare for the landing. Twice he tried to take over the controls and although he had to give up the attempt, he continued to help by writing down instructions with his left hand as he could not speak. Under his guidance, in great pain and at the limits of exhaustion, Flt Sgt. Larden safely executed a wheels up landing on his fifth attempt at Bone airfield in Algeria.

Today Bone airfield is Annaba Rabah Bitat Airport.

Flt Sgt. Aaron had refused to be treated and rest in the rear of the aircraft succumbed to his wounds at 15:00 hrs that day. It was considered that he might have survived had he rested after he was wounded instead of insisting on helping his crew.

(1) Flt Sgt. Aaron was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) whilst with 218 Sqn which was promulgated posthumously in the London Gazette on the 19th October 1943.

The recommendation for the DFM reads:

‘This NCO has completed 19 successful sorties, the majority of which have been against the most heavily defended areas in Germany. He has avoided trouble by his skill in anticipating enemy action and taking the correct evasive action. On one occasion when his aircraft was hit by incendiaries dropping from above, a fire started in the rear of the bomb doors. The wireless operator and engineer managed to get it under control while the attack was pressed home. He has proved himself an exceptional captain and leader. I wish to recommend him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal’.

Air Ministry, 5th November 1943. The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the VICTORIA CROSS on the undermentioned airman in recognition of most conspicuous bravery. 1458181 Acting Flight Sergeant Arthur Louis AARON, DFM, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 218 Squadron (deceased).

Citation reads:

‘On the night of 12th August, 1943, Flight Sergeant Aaron was captain and pilot of a Stirling aircraft detailed to attack Turin. When approaching to attack, the bomber received devastating bursts of fire from an enemy fighter. Three engines were hit, the windscreen shattered, the front and rear turrets put out of action and the elevator control damaged, causing the aircraft to become unstable and difficult to control. The navigator was killed and other members of the crew were wounded. A bullet struck Flight Sergeant Aaron in the face, breaking his jaw and tearing away part of his face. He was also wounded in the lung and his right arm was rendered useless. As he fell forward over the control column, the aircraft dived several thousand feet. Control was regained by the flight engineer at 3,000 feet. Unable to speak, Flight Sergeant Aaron urged the bomb aimer by signs to take over the controls. Course was then set southwards in an endeavour to fly the crippled bomber, with one engine out of action, to Sicily or North Africa. Flight Sergeant Aaron was assisted to the rear of the aircraft and treated with morphia. After resting for some time he rallied and, mindful of his responsibility as captain of aircraft, insisted on returning to the pilot's cockpit, where he was lifted into his seat and had his feet placed on the rudder bar. Twice he made determined attempts to take control and hold the aircraft to its course but his weakness was evident and with difficulty he was persuaded to desist. Though in great pain and suffering from exhaustion, he continued to help by writing directions with his left hand. Five hours after leaving the target the petrol began to run low, but soon afterwards the flare path at Bone airfield was sighted. Flight Sergeant Aaron summoned his failing strength to direct the bomb aimer in the hazardous task of landing the damaged aircraft in the darkness with undercarriage retracted. Four attempts were made under his direction; at the fifth Flight Sergeant Aaron was so near to collapsing that he had to be restrained by the crew and the landing was completed by the bomb aimer. Nine hours after landing, Flight Sergeant Aaron died from exhaustion. Had he been content, when grievously wounded, to lie still and conserve his failing strength, he would probably have recovered, but he saw it as his duty to exert himself to the utmost, if necessary with his last breath, to ensure that his aircraft and crew did not fall into enemy hands. In appalling conditions he showed the greatest qualities of courage, determination and leadership and, though wounded and dying, he set an example of devotion to duty which has seldom been equalled and never surpassed’.

(2) Both Sgt. Mitchem and Sgt. Guy were each awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) for their actions on this operation. (London Gazette 12th October 1943).

Citation reads:

‘1208765 Sergeant Thomas GUY, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 218 Squadron. 570791 Sergeant Malcolm Murray MITCHEM, Royal Air Force, No. 218 Squadron. Sergeants Guy and Mitchem were wireless operator/air gunner and flight engineer respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Turin one night in August, 1943. Whilst over the target area the bomber was attacked by a hostile fighter. The front portion of the cockpit was shattered, the navigator was killed and the captain seriously wounded. The bomber was extensively damaged and began to lose height. Displaying great initiative, Sergeant Mitchem, who had been sitting beside his captain, promptly took over the controls as his wounded comrade was being assisted from the cockpit. This accomplished, the air bomber took over the controls from Sergeant Mitchem who was enabled to resume his engineering tasks. Despite the odds, the air bomber succeeded in flying the crippled bomber to North Africa. Throughout the return flight, Sergeants Mitchem. and Guy did everything within their power to assist in the safe return of the aircraft. In the face of a very trying ordeal their exemplary conduct and unswerving devotion to duty were beyond praise’.

(3) Flt Sgt. Larden was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) (CGM(F)) for his actions on this operation (London Gazette 24th September 1943).

Citation Reads:

‘One night in August, 1943, this airman was the bomb aimer of an aircraft detailed for an operation against Turin. Whilst over the city, the bomber was subjected to accurate bursts of fire from an enemy fighter. The windscreen was shattered, the front and rear turrets we're put out of action, while 3 engines were hit, 1 of them being rendered useless. The navigator was killed and the pilot was wounded and lay slumped over the controls. He was removed from his position and Flight Sergeant Larden coolly took over the controls. The aircraft was down to 3,000 feet and the bombs were released. Flight Sergeant Larden realised that he would be unable to gain height sufficiently to cross the Alps so decided to make for North Africa. Without navigator and flying a crippled bomber, the situation was serious but, displaying outstanding skill and determination, this airman succeeded in reaching an airfield in Tunisia. Although he had never previously landed an aircraft, Flight Sergeant Larden came down perfectly with the under-carriage retracted. In the face of extreme peril, this airman displayed courage, coolness and resource of a high order.’

WO2. Larden was appointed to a commission and promoted to J18700 Plt Off. He retired from the RCAF as a Fg Off.

(4) Sgt. Thomas M. McCabe was appointed to a commission and promoted to 171070 Plt Off. (London Gazette 29th February 1944).

His appointment to Plt Off. was confirmed and he was promoted to Fg Off. on the 23rd June 1944 (London Gazette 25th July 1944).

Fg Off. McCabe was KiA on the 31st March 1945 on a day time operation to mark the Blohm and Voss shipbuilding yards in Hamburg. 156 Sqn Lancaster III PB517 GT:O flown by Flt Lt. Anthony Colin Pope 127878 DFC RAFVR and his crew of eight (8) were KiA when the aircraft crashed either on Moorland 15km NW from Rotenburg or near Stemmen 15km NE of Rotenburg.

Burial details:

Above: Grave marker for Flt Sgt. Arthur Louis Aaron, VC, DFM

Flt Sgt. Arthur Louis Aaron, VC, DFM. Bone War Cemetery, Annaba, II. B. 3. Grave Inscription: “"AN EXAMPLE OF COURAGE SELDOM EQUALLED BUT NEVER SURPASSED"”. Born on the 5th March 1922 in Gledhow, Leeds, Yorkshire. Son of Benjamin and Rosalie Marie (née Marny) Aaron of Gledhow, Leeds, Yorkshire, England.

Flt Sgt. Cornelius Alfred Brennan. Bone War Cemetery, Annaba, I. C. 5. Born on the 22nd February 1922 in Verdun, Quebec. Son of John and Mary Ellen (née Tray) Brennan of Verdun, Quebec, Canada.

Researched by Ralph Snape for Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the crew and their families (Aug 2024).

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