CREW MEMBER PROFILE |
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Surname: |
WOOLDRIDGE |
First Name/s: |
William Stanley |
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Service No/s: |
1576494 |
Service: |
RAFVR |
Branch: |
Wireless Operator |
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Awards: |
SERVICE RECORDS |
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Date |
Event |
Aircraft Flown |
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03 Oct 1943 |
No. 83 Operational Training Unit (OTU), Peplow, Shropshire. Stedman crew formed. |
Wellington |
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28 Jan 1944 |
No. 1653 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU), Chedburgh, Suffolk. |
Stirling |
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26 Mar 1944 |
No. 1 Lancaster Finishing School (LFS), Hemswell, Lincolnshire. |
Lancaster |
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12 Apr 1944 |
Joined No. 576 Squadron. 'A' Flight, at Elsham Wolds, Linconshire |
Lancaster |
576 Squadron FLYING RECORDS |
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Date |
Aircraft |
Code |
Flight Details |
T/O |
Land |
Flt Time |
Crew |
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21 Apr 1944 |
LM532 |
UL-A2 |
|
nk |
nk |
0h20 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Binbrook - Base Crew composition to be confirmed |
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21 Apr 1944 |
LM532 |
UL-A2 |
|
nk |
nk |
0h30 |
P1 Plt Off R. Whalley |
NOTES: |
Base - Binbrook Stedman 2nd pilot - crew composition to be confirmed |
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24 Apr 1944 |
LL838 |
UL-K2 |
KARLSRUHE |
2150 |
0435 |
6h45 |
P1 Fg Off G.E. Stockdale RCAF |
NOTES: |
Built-Up Area Load: 1st wave: 1x 4000lb ‘Cookie’, 96x 30lb incendiaries, 1170 x 4lb incendiaries 2nd wave: 1x 4000lb ‘Cookie’, 84x 30lb incendiaries, 1170x 4lb incendiaries 3rd wave: 1x 4000lb ‘Cookie’, 96x 30lb incendiaries, 1050x 4lb incendiaries Supporters: 6x 2000lb bombs |
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28 Apr 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
2h30 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Cross country |
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29 Apr 1944 |
LL838 |
UL-K2 |
Training |
2000 |
nk |
5h00 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Night cross country |
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30 Apr 1944 |
ME583 |
UL-F2 |
Training |
2235 |
nk |
5h30 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Night cross country |
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01 May 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h15 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
High Level Bombing |
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03 May 1944 |
ME726 |
UL-X2 |
MAILLY LE CAMP |
2205 |
0430 |
6h25 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Military Depot & Tank Training Centre Load: 1x 4000lb ‘Cookie’ and 16x 500lb bombs |
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06 May 1944 |
LL796 |
UL-T2 |
AUBIGNE-RACAN |
0025 |
0515 |
4h50 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Ammunition Depot Load: 11x 1000lb and 5x 500lb bombs |
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08 May 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h40 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Night high level bombing and air to air firing |
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09 May 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
MARDYCK |
2230 |
0130 |
3h00 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: 6-gun coastal battery |
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10 May 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
DIEPPE |
2230 |
0155 |
3h25 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Howitzer battery Rear gunner shown as F Green in records but likely to be A L or N W Green |
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11 May 1944 |
ND403 |
UL-G2 |
AIR TEST |
nk |
nk |
0h45 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
New Aircraft |
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12 May 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
Training |
1040 |
nk |
1h40 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
High level bombing and fighter affiliation May possibly have been 15 May (from Rumblelow logbook) |
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13 May 1944 |
ND994 |
*UL-F2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h40 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Air to sea firing and fighter affiliation. Rumbelow logbook suggests 15 May 1944. |
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19 May 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
ORLEANS |
2215 |
0320 |
5h15 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Fleury-Les-Aubrais marshalling yards. Landed Elsham Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs 4 aircraft diverted – not yet identified Landed Elsham |
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21 May 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
DUISBERG |
2250 |
0340 |
4h50 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up Area Load: 1x 4000lb ‘Cookie’, 204x 30lb incendiaries |
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22 May 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
DORTMUND |
2225 |
0310 |
4h45 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up Area Ruhr Load: 1x 4000lb ‘Cookie’, 108x 30lb and 1170x 4lb incendiaries |
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24 May 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
AACHEN |
2355 |
0435 |
4h55 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Aachen West marshalling yards. Engaged in combat by an Me-109 (no report found). Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. |
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26 May 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h00 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Fighter affiliation and air to sea firing |
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27 May 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
AACHEN |
2355 |
0435 |
4h40 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Rothe Erde marshalling yards. Engaged in combat with an unidentified night fighter (no report found). Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x500lb bombs. |
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10 Jun 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h15 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Practice bombing and air to sea firing |
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12 Jun 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
GELSENKIRCHEN |
2245 |
0305 |
4h20 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Nordstern Synthetic Oil Plant (Gelsenberg AG) Load: 1,4000lb ‘Cookie’, 16x 500lb bombs |
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13 Jun 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h00 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Air to air firing. Landed Ingham |
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13 Jun 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h00 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Air to air firing. Landed Ingham |
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14 Jun 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
LE HAVRE |
2030 |
0040 |
4h10 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Docks & "E" Boat Pens and light naval forces which were harassing the Normandy beachheads Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs |
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16 Jun 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
STERKRADE |
2305 |
0340 |
4h35 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Rhur-Chemie AG Synthetic Oil Plant at Holten. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘Cookie’, 16x 500lb bombs 8 crews from 576 and 103 engaged in COMBATS |
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17 Jun 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
AULNOYE |
2340 |
0440 |
5h00 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Road/rail bridge near the marshalling yards at Aulnoye-Aymeries. Load: 18x 500lb bombs Master Bomber told crews to bomb the Target Indicators if visible through the low cloud, and if not, to go home. Most crews returned with bombload intact. Did not bomb due to low cloud obscuring target and Tis, and returned with bombs. |
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19 Jun 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
SIRRACOURT |
nk |
nk |
1h30 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Flying Bomb Site. Operation cancelled just after 7 aircraft had departed. Recalled by R/T. Known so far - LM352, LM439, LL799, ME800 & ND903. Not recorded in Record of Events Load: TBC |
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22 Jun 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
MIMOYECQUES |
1350 |
1725 |
3h35 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: V3 Cannon Construction Site. Load: 18x 500lb bombs |
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29 Jun 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
DOMLEGER |
1130 |
1500 |
3h55 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: V1 Flying Bomb Storage Site and Supply Depot. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs |
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30 Jun 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
OISEMONT / NEUVILLE AU BOIS |
0535 |
0930 |
3h55 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
V1 flying bomb launch site. Load: 11x 1,000lb, 4x 500lb bombs |
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01 Jul 1944 |
LM227 |
UL-I2 |
AIR TEST |
nk |
nk |
0h50 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Air Test The ORB shows the aircraft as I2 LM439 (4 July 1944 shown as J2). Swift's logbook shows LM227 and comments in his diary about the air test being on a new aircraft which was much more powerful than their old one. |
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02 Jul 1944 |
LM227 |
UL-I2 |
DOMLEGER |
1200 |
1540 |
3h40 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: V1 Flying Bomb Storage Site and Supply Depot Load: 7x 1,000lb, 4x 500lb bombs The ORB shows the aircraft as I2 LM439 (4 July 1944 onwards shown as J2). Swift's logbook shows LM227 and comments in his diary about the air test being on a new aircraft which was much more powerful than their old one. |
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04 Jul 1944 |
LM227 |
UL-I2 |
ORLEANS |
2150 |
0400 |
6h10 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Marshalling yards. Load: 18x 500lb bombs |
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13 Aug 1944 |
ME735 |
UL-P2 |
Return to Base |
nk |
nk |
1h30 |
P1 J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Return from Special Duties Flight |
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13 Aug 1944 |
PD235 |
UL-N2 |
Finningley to Base |
nk |
nk |
0h30 |
P1 J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Ferry flight |
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15 Aug 1944 |
LM227 |
UL-I2 |
LE CULOT (BEAUVECHAIN) |
0950 |
1320 |
3h30 |
P1 Fg Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Luftwaffe airfield. Hit by flak but no reports of injuries to crew. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs |
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16 Aug 1944 |
LM227 |
UL-I2 |
STETTIN |
2125 |
0450 |
7h25 |
P1 Fg Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Port and Industrial Areas. Load: 2x 2000lb bombs, 12x 500 ‘J’-Type Incendiary clusters Tasked with windfinding |
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25 Aug 1944 |
LM227 |
U2 |
RUSSELSHEIM |
2005 |
2355 |
3h50 |
P1 Fg Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Opel Motor Factory for V1 wings & fuselages & built-up area Load: 1x 4000lb ‘Cookie’, 12x500 4lb incendiary clusters. Tasked with windfinding |
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26 Aug 1944 |
LM227 |
U2 |
KIEL |
1940 |
0115 |
5h35 |
P1 Fg Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: German Naval installations. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘Cookie’, 108x 30lb and 1170x 4lb incendiaries |
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28 Aug 1944 |
LM227 |
U2 |
CHAPELLE NOTRE-DAME |
1855 |
2155 |
3h00 |
P1 Fg Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: V1 Flying Bomb Launch Site. Load: 13 x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs The Operation Record Book shows Shreeve as rear gunner but this is not in his logbook. |
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31 Aug 1944 |
LM227 |
U2 |
AGENVILLE |
1245 |
1645 |
4h00 |
P1 Fg Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: V1 Flying Bomb Supply Site. Spitfire Escort. Very heavy flak (Swift). Load: 13 x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs |
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03 Sep 1944 |
NF975 |
UL-J2 |
EINDHOVEN |
1520 |
1910 |
3h50 |
P1 Fg Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Luftwaffe airfield. No.2 port tank hit by flak; lost 300 gallons of fuel. Load: 13 x 1000lb, 4 x 500lb bombs One aircraft (unidentified) diverted due weather |
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05 Sep 1944 |
LM227 |
UL-I2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h10 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Fighter affiliation |
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05 Sep 1944 |
LM227 |
UL-I2 |
LE HAVRE |
1555 |
1920 |
3h25 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Enemy strongpoints & HQ in port area Load: 13 x 1000lb, 4 x 500lb bombs |
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06 Sep 1944 |
LM227 |
UL-I2 |
LE HAVRE |
1700 |
2025 |
3h25 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Enemy strongpoints & pockets of resistance Load: 13 x 1000lb, 4 x 500lb bombs |
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08 Sep 1944 |
LM227 |
UL-I2 |
ELSHAM WOLDS TO LUDFORD MAGNA |
nk |
nk |
0h15 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Ferry flight probably with the Trent crew on board. |
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08 Sep 1944 |
NG119 |
*UL-D2 |
LUDFORD MAGNA TO ELSHAM WOLDS |
nk |
nk |
0h15 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Delivery flight – new aircraft. |
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09 Sep 1944 |
LM227 |
UL-I2 |
Training |
nk |
nk |
1h15 |
P1 Gp Capt W.C. Sheen |
NOTES: |
HL bombing |
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09 Sep 1944 |
LM227 |
UL-I2 |
Training |
1430 |
1545 |
1h15 |
P1 Gp Capt W.C. Sheen |
NOTES: |
High-level bombing with the Steadman crew plus West |
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10 Sep 1944 |
LM227 |
UL-I2 |
LE HAVRE |
1620 |
2005 |
3h45 |
P1 Plt Off J.R. Stedman |
NOTES: |
Target: Enemy strongpoint ½ mile SW of the Forêt de Montgeon. Load: 13 x 1000lb, 4 x 500lb bombs Crew screened after 30 Operations on 576 Squadrons and Special Duties Flight. |
PERSONAL INFORMATION |
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Personal Records Restricted - not available to the public |
PHOTOS & DOCUMENTS |
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Personal Documents Restricted - not available to the public |