Operation Record Book References
These are pages from the RAF ORB that have Gordon's name referenced (Updated August 16, 2011)
July 1943 - Cologne Germany
"The flak barrage was strong, Sgt Gordon Greenacre's aircraft was hit in several places and his rear gunner, Sgt Brawn received a painful wound. Disoriented, Greenacre wandered from his intended course and their return to an emergency landing at Flartford Bridge near Basingstoke was only accomplished with much difficulty. This must have been an unnerving experience for this young crew operating for only the second time, but Gordon Greenacre would prove to be a pilot of exceptional courage in the coming months of the campaign."1.
LK.955 - 22/23 October 1943 - Kessel Germany
This page of LK.955 shows the crew names (Greenacre, Arneil, Thorpe, Henthorn, Maw, Monk, and Death) is from the ORB from the raid on Kessel, Germany which took place on the night of October 22/23, 1943. The entry states "Returned early owing to severe icing. Furthest point reached 52 05'N/03 26'E.". The aircraft took off at 17.26 and returned at 21.53. The raid utilized 569 RAF bombers that primarily hit the city square2. According to the entry, the Halifax V aircraft made it as far as 52° 5'0.00"N / 3°26'0.00"E. This would have been over the North Sea, just west of the Netherlands. Click here for a Google Earth kmz file of the coordinates (Google Earth required to open kmz file). Thanks to Mike Harrison for providing this ORB page.
LK.955 - 28 January, 1944 - Berlin Germany
Entry with crew list states "Returned early with ...". Thanks to Mike Harrison for providing this ORB page.
8 February, 1944 - Holme-on-Spalding Moor England
This Summary of Events records a test flight by F/O Gordon Greenacre. It states "The aircrew were very active today, when various aircraft were tested. This included...". Thanks to Mike Harrison for providing this ORB page.
24 March, 1944 - Berlin, Germany
The last to leave, the aircraft took off at approximately 19.15 hours. Strong tail winds were encountered and as a result, the windspeed for the operation had been calculated incorrectly and scattered the bombers. Gordon was able to position the aircraft in a middle order of the flight stream. Search lights and flak greeted the crews as they approached Berlin. The pilot and crew returned with damage to the starboard fin of the aircraft. At this point, Flying Officer Greenacre had been with the squadron for almost a year3.
LW.647 - 30/31 March, 1944 - Nuremburg Germany
This entry is a summary of events involving the aircraft utilized in the bombing of Nuremberg. For the entry dated 30/3/44 it is written, "There were 19 airtests today as the weather was quite favorable, the total flying time being 15.15 hours. Operations were also ordered and 17 crews were detailed and were briefed at 18.30 hours for an attack on Nuremberg. ". The References to Appendices 1467 is shown below. Thanks to Mike Harrison for providing this ORB page.
This entry is from Appendix 1467 and has the crew names of Greenacre, Arneil, Thorpe, Henthorn, Maw, Monk, and Death having flown Halifax III MP-W on a bombing mission to Nurenburg, Germany on the night of March 30/31, 1944. The entry states "This aircraft took-off from Holme-on-Spalding Moor at 22.11 hours, since when nothing has been heard. It has therefore been reported missing." Thanks to Mike Harrison for providing this ORB page.
Sources:
1) WR Chorley, "To See the Dawn Breaking" pg 78
2) Wikipedia article - Kessel bombing of WWII
3) WR Chorley, "To See the Dawn Breaking" pg 138-139
