RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS

401449 Flight Lieutenant KNIGHT, Leslie Gordon, DSO MID

Source:
AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/23/21 Commonwealth War Graves records
W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 322, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster
Serial number: JB 144 /KC – N
Unit: 617 RAF Sqd

Summary:

On the night of 15/16th September 1943, Lancaster JB144 took off from RAF Coningsby at 2358 hours, detailed to bomb the Dortmund-Ems Kanal near Ladbergen in, Germany.
Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base..

Crew:

RAAF 401449 Flt Lt Knight, L G DSO MID Captain (Pilot)
RAF FO Grayson, R E (Flight Engineer)
RAF PO Hobday, H S DFC (Navigator)
RAAF FO Johnson, E C DFC (Air Bomber
RAAF 411453 FO Kellow, RG DFM (Wireless Air Gunner)
RCAF Flt Sgt F E Sutherland, (Air Gunner)
RAF Sgt L C Woollard, (Air Gunner)
RCAF Flt Sgt H E O’Brien, (Air Gunner)

The aircraft flew into trees in the target area and later seven of the crew baled out in the vicinity of Amelo, Holland.
Flt Lt Knight then attempted a forced landing at 0346 hours near Den Ham, but crashed into a bank, whereupon the aircraft exploded.
Flt Lt Knight was killed and he is buried in the Den Ham General Cemetery, Netherlands.

Den Ham is a large village 16kms north west of Amelo, on the road to Meppel and Three Commonwealth airmen are buried in the Cemetery.
The rest of the crew were POW’s or evaded capture.

Apart from Sgt Woollard, this was the crew who made the final breach in the Mohne Dam.16/17 May 1943.

In a later report by FO Kellow RAAF, who evaded capture, he said :
“ We were number six in the order to bomb the target, and whilst waiting our turn were flying on the outskirts of the target at a height of 50 to 100 feet.
We had completed two circuits when I felt a violent bump, which appeared to me to come from almost underneath the aircraft.
The pilot started at once to climb and when he reached a height of about 500 feet he sought permission from the leader of the formation to jettison his bombs.
Our aircraft for this operation was fitted with R/T for intercom purposes.

The Leader of the formation gave permission to Flt Lt Knight to jettison, which he did immediately.
Flt Lt Knight then stated over the R/T that he had jettisoned his bomb and would endeavour to make base..

The Pilot continued to climb, but as the two port engines showed signs of catching fire they were feathered.
After reaching a height of approx 1500 feet the starboard inner
showed signs of catching fire, and was also feathered.
The starboard rudder also appeared to be damaged.
The aircraft then started to lose height gradually, and at about 1200 feet,
the Captain gave the order to ”abandon aircraft.”

Before I left the aircraft, the Bomb Aimer and the Rear Gunner left by the front escape hatch and were followed by the Flight Engineer and Navigator.
I signalled to the Pilot to ask him if he was alright, and he gave me a sign indicating that he was alright.
Before leaving the aircraft I did hear messages received from two of the aircraft wishing us good luck, that was immediately after Flt Lt
Knight stated he was going to endeavour to return to base..
For the purpose of the operation R/T was used by the Leader of the formation to call in the aircraft in their order to bomb..
While we were waiting for our turn to bomb the target we were flying through patchy fog..
The weather up to within twenty minutes flying from the target was clear
with bright moonlight, but ground fog developed within the vicinity of the target.
The fog did not appear to extend above 200 feet. “.
(Enclosures 14a and 14b of above file 166/23/21 held by Archives)

FO Kellow survived the war and was discharged as a Flt Lt from the RAAF on 23 April 1946 after serving in both Europe and the Pacific as Aircrew.

Citations:

The Citation fro the DSO awarded to the then PO Knight is as follows :

On the night of 16 May 1943, a force of Lancaster bombers was detailed to attack the Moehne, Eder and Scorpe dams in Germany.
The operation was one of great difficulty and hazard, demanding a great degree of skill and courage and close cooperation between the crews of the aircraft engaged.
Nevertheless a telling blow was struck at the enemy by the successful breaching of the Moehne and Eder dams.
This outstanding success reflects the greatest credit on the efforts of the following personnel who participated in the operation in various capacities as members of aircraft crews.
.
The Citation for the Mention in Despatches to Flt Lt Knight, is as follows

“In recognition of distinguished service.”