Joseph William Campbell

In memoriam

Flying Officer (Air Bomber) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Died aged 24 years The Wellington X LP497 -A was flown by the senior crew of 40 Sqn, Plt Off George Stephenson Waddell DFC (pilot), Flt Sgt Harry Davison (navigator), Flt Sgt Thomas Charles Hardiwck (wireless operator/air gunner), Flg Off Joseph William Campbell (air bomber) and Sgt Kenneth Withnall (rear gunner), who were flying their 33rd sortie Around midnight, the Wellington X LP497 -A was flying at 50 feet along the Danube towards its dropping point, air speed about 140, when a 20mm cannon laid down a curtain of fire in front of it. The rear gunner, Sgt Withnall, was schocked to see how the whole fuselage burst into flames in an instant. He opened the turrets doors, seized his parachute and they realized they were flying too low and took a crash position. He came to a few hours later, stretched on the ground and almost unhurt. He started looking for the rest of the crew but only saw pieces of body and some wreckage. The four other crew were killed instantly in the crash.

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