AUSTIN, Clifton Edward

Lancaster W4273 took off from RAF Breighton at 1815 hours on the night of 22/23rd November 1942 to bomb Stuttgart, Germany. The bomb load was 2 x 1000 lb (pound) (450 kg) and 90 x 4 lb (2 kg) incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Nine aircraft from the squadron took part in the mission and one W4273 failed to return. This was the first Lancaster from 460 Squadron to be reported missing on operations. It was later established that there were no fatalities in the missing aircraft and three of the crew members had evaded capture and retuned safely to the UK and the other four had been taken Prisoners of War.POW German - held Dulag Luft, Stalag Luft 1 and Stalag Luft V1 now Stalag Luft 111. POW number 8684 RTA.

Last Name
AUSTIN
Given Names
Clifton Edward
Service Number
408617
Date of Birth
26/05/1918
Birth Location
Northcote Victoria
Enlistment Date
22/05/1941
Enlistment Location
Melbourne Victoria
Course Details
WAGS Course 16
Intake Date
24/07/1941
Finish Date
02/05/1942
To
1 BAGS
Kill Date or Discharge Date
20/12/1945 (Discharged)
Discharge Unit
460 SQN
Rank
Flight Lieutenant
Prisoner of War
POW
Notes

Lancaster W4273 took off from RAF Breighton at 1815 hours on the night of 22/23rd November 1942 to bomb Stuttgart, Germany. The bomb load was 2 x 1000 lb (pound) (450 kg) and 90 x 4 lb (2 kg) incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Nine aircraft from the squadron took part in the mission and one W4273 failed to return. This was the first Lancaster from 460 Squadron to be reported missing on operations. It was later established that there were no fatalities in the missing aircraft and three of the crew members had evaded capture and retuned safely to the UK and the other four had been taken Prisoners of War.POW German - held Dulag Luft, Stalag Luft 1 and Stalag Luft V1 now Stalag Luft 111. POW number 8684 RTA.

Acknowledgements

National Archives of Australia - 1 WAGS BallaratUBC Web Design - 1 WAGS BallaratCity of Ballarat - 1 WAGS BallaratAPCO Alfredton - 1 WAGS BallaratDepartment of Veterans Affairs - 1 WAGS BallaratAustralian War Memorial - 1 WAGS BallaratRSL Virtual War Memorial - 1 WAGS Ballarat