Sidney served as a member of an airfield defence unit and, on this occasion, was a passenger aboard Lancaster Bomber LL826 [BQ-H] of 550 Squadron. The aircraft departed from RAF North Killingholme for a night operation targeting a military camp at Mailly-le-Camp in north-central France. That evening, a total of 360 aircraft embarked on the mission, but 42 did not return.

Operational Difficulties

The raid was marred by communication issues within the chain of command. Wing Commander Leonard Cheshire, VC, acting as Marker Leader, reported the successful marking of the target to the Master Bomber, Wing Commander Deane. Unfortunately, Deane encountered problems: his VHF radio was not tuned correctly, and his transmissions were masked by an American forces broadcast. As a result, he was unable to effectively communicate with the main bomber force to commence the attack.

In the midst of this confusion, Squadron Leader Sparks, serving as Deputy Controller, intervened to issue orders. However, the delay allowed several bombers to be intercepted and shot down by Luftwaffe night-fighters. Squadron Leader Sparks’s own aircraft was among those lost, but he managed to evade capture, aided by the French Resistance.

Outcome of the Raid

Despite the initial difficulties the mission was deemed to be highly accurate with approximately 1,500 tons of bombs being dropped on the target with extensive damage to barracks, engine sheds, ammunition stores and vehicles. 218 German soldiers were killed. Lancaster BQ-H with Sidney on board was shot down while orbiting a route marker north of the aiming point and crashed at Cheniers, France on Wednesday 3^rd May 1944. He lies buried alongside his RAF crew in the local churchyard. Sidney was 38 years old at the time of his death.

Son of Alfred Whipp & Mary Whipp of Oldham, Lancashire.

A copy of this story is available for download here.

Revised: November 2025