Operation: Bochum
Date: 13/14th May 1943
Unit: No. 100 Squadron
Type: Lancaster III
Serial: ED710
Code: JA- D (some sources have this listed as HW-D)
Base: RAF Grimsby, Lincolnshire
Location: Coltishall, Norfolk
W/Cmdr. Richard Valantine McIntyre DFC. 26143 RAF Age 34. Survived
Fl/Eng: Sgt. S.P. George RAF Survived
Nav: P/O. H.R. Petts RAF Survived
Air/Bmr: Sgt. G.M. Haylett RAF Survived
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. James Darcy William Renno DFM. AUS/411381 RAAF Age 25. Injured (1)
Air/Gnr: Sgt. W.L. Fuller RAF Survived
Air/Gnr: Sgt. R.H. Crystal RAF Survived
REASON FOR LOSS:
Took off at 00:08 hrs from RAF Grimsby, Lincolnshire to attack Bochum. Hit by flak at Köln but despite enormous difficulties W/Cmdr managed to nurse the aircraft back to England, eventually crash landing near Coltishall at 04:39 hrs.
Fl/Sgt. James Renno remained at his controls despite severe injuries to his stomach and thigh - all the time reporting progress of the stricken aircraft, this enabled the emergency crews to assemble at Coltishall ready for their return. He was immediately awarded the DFM and offered a commission for his actions and the DFC was made to W/Cmdr McIntyre for his flying skills.
(1) Treated at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital for serious gunshot wounds to the abdomen and right thigh - transferred on the 11th June 1943 to RAF Hospital Evesham to recover. P/O. James Renno was killed very shortly after returning to operations from this crash. Flying with 100 Squadron on 3rd August 1943 Lancaster III ED705 HW-C lost with all crew. Piloted by Fl/Lt. Richard R. Howgill DFC.
Lancaster ED710 shortly after forced landing at Coltishall
ED710 - showing the damage clearly by flak to the cockpit area
Burial details:
Fl/Sgt. James Darcy William Renno DFM. Runnymede Memorial Panel 191. Born on 07th August 1917 in Paddington N.S.W. Son of Darcy John and Laura Blanche Renno, of East Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
With thanks to Michel Beckers for his assistance with this and to James Maclaglan for photo’s of Fl/Sgt. James Renno. Other sources as quoted below.
Left: Citation for DFM - Fl/Sgt. James Darcy William Renno.
