CREW MEMBER PROFILE

Surname:

ACHESON

First Name/s:

John William "Johnny"

Service No/s:

J12544

Service:

RCAF

Branch:

Pilot

Awards:

DFC

Return

SERVICE RECORDS

Date

Event

Aircraft Flown

08 Jul 1941

Enlisted in Montreal as AC2

10 Jul 1941

No.1 Initial Training School, Eglington Hunt Club, Toronto, Ontario (precise date tbc).

27 Oct 1941

Graduated from 1 Initial Training School and probably promoted to LAC.

28 Oct 1941

No.1 Elementary Flying Training School, Malton, Ontario. Graduated on 31 Jan 42

Tiger Moth

14 Mar 1942

No.2 Service Flying Training School, Course 51, Uplands, ON

Harvard / Yale

02 Jul 1942

Awarded Pilots flying badge and commissioned as Pilot Officer.

01 Oct 1944

No.576 Squadron, 'A' Flight, Elsham Wolds. Precise date tbc

Lancaster

04 Apr 1945

The crew’s last operation as the 'tour' was reduced to 33 ops on 09 April.
The crew were screened on 10 April.

Lancaster

15 Apr 1945

Recommended for DFC (Public Records Office Air 2/9749) – see below

15 May 1945

Embarked UK on repatriation (Vessel and port not known)

22 May 1945

Disembarked Canada - probably at Halifax, NS (Precise date and port tbc)

08 Sep 1945

Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (London Gazette 21 Sep 45, p4705)
The citation reads: "completed...numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which [he has] invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty."

09 Nov 1945

AFRO 1704/45 (?)

25 Nov 1945

Invested with his DFC

576 Squadron FLYING RECORDS

Date

Aircraft

Code

Flight Details

T/O

Land

Flt Time

Crew

28 Oct 1944

PA173

UL-G2

COLOGNE

1305

1745

4h40

P1   Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke
P2   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
FE   Sgt F.N. Ashton
AB   Plt Off S.R. Strand
NAV  Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis
WOp  Flt Sgt B.G. Holmes
MUG  Sgt J. Boyd
RG   Flt Sgt F.A. West

NOTES:

Target: Mulheim district of the city Load: 1x 4000lb 'Cookie' and 2,332 4lb incendiaries Six aircraft were tasked to attack Mulheim first, followed by the rest attacking the SW part of the city 'Second dickie' for Flt Lt J W Acheson, RCAF

31 Oct 1944

JB410

UL-H2

Transit ELSHAM WOLDS – FISKERTON

nk

nk

0h15

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  Flt Sgt J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Flt Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt Charman

NOTES:

Move to Fiskerton and change to 15 Base. Flight mechanics 522 Nield (FMA) and 337 Brett (FME) were carried as passengers.

02 Nov 1944

JB410

UL-H2

DUSSELDORF

1630

2155

5h25

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  Flt Sgt J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Flt Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: The northern built-up area of the city. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 6x 1000lb, 6x 500lb bombs. Possibly damaged by flak (tbc).

04 Nov 1944

LM227

UL-I2

BOCHUM

1735

2235

5h00

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  Flt Sgt J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Sgt K. Oliver
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Built-up area. Load:1x 4000lb 'cookie', 6x 1000lb, 6x 500lb bombs. On the homeward route, the aircraft was intercepted by an enemy Me-110 but took evasive action. The mid-upper gunner, Sgt Oliver, opened fire and drove the attacker away. The Combat Report may be seen in Oliver's profile.

06 Nov 1944

LM227

UL-i2

GELSENKIRCHEN

1140

1620

4h40

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  Flt Sgt J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Flt Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Nordstern synthetic oil plant. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 6x 1000lb, 6 or 7x 500lb bombs. No.15 Base aircraft flew in formation led by four aircraft from the Sqn; I2 was one of those four. The formation broke up before bombing. Aircraft possibly damaged by flak

09 Nov 1944

JB410

UL-H2

WANNE-EICKEL

0810

1300

4h50

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  Flt Sgt J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Flt Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Synthetic oil plant. Load: 1x 4000lb, 16x 500lb bombs. No.15 Base aircraft flew in in a loose but concentrated formation led by three aircraft in ‘V’ formation from the Sqn; H2 was one of those three. The formation broke up before bombing.

11 Nov 1944

JB410

UL-H

DORTMUND

1600

2130

5h30

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  Flt Sgt J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Hoesch Benzin GmbH synthetic oil plant. Load: 1x 4,000lb 'cookie', 6x 1000lb, 6x 500lb bombs.

18 Nov 1944

JB410

UL-H2

WANNE-EICKEL

1555

2115

5h20

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  Flt Sgt J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Krupps synthetic oil plant. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 16x 500lb bombs. Most aircraft diverted to Bury St Edmunds or Tempsford due to poor visibility - only four Squadron aircraft landed at base. It is not known if the Acheson crew diverted or landed at Fiskerton.

27 Nov 1944

JB410

UL-H2

FREIBURG

1620

2250

6h30

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  Flt Sgt J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Troop concentrations in the built up area (flown in support of the French 1st Army) Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 5x 1000lb, 6x 500lb bombs.

29 Nov 1944

JB410

UL-H2

DORTMUND

1155

1725

5h30

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  Flt Sgt J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Industrial and rail targets within the built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 5x 1000lb, 7x 500lb bombs. No.15 Base aircraft flew in in a loose but concentrated formation led by three aircraft in ‘V’ formation from the Sqn; H2 was one of those three. The formation broke up before bombing. Hit by flak. The Rear Gunner Lewis was possibly wounded during this operation - tbc. His turret was badly damaged, and he suffered a shrapnel wound to his leg. There is no report of damage to the aircraft in the F78, although JB410 did not fly on the next operation on 03 December.

03 Dec 1944

ME735

UL-B2

URFT DAM

0740

1205

4h25

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  Flt Sgt J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Walled masonry dam. Load: 14x 1000lb bombs. The Master Bomber called off the attack due low cloud over target and the proximity of Allied troops. All aircraft returned with their bombloads.

17 Dec 1944

JB410

UL-H2

ULM

1510

2250

7h40

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Marshalling yards and the Magirius-Deutz & Kassbohrer lorry factories. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 1604x 4lb incendiaries.

22 Dec 1944

JB410

UL-H2

KOBLENZ

1510

2230

7h20

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Marshalling yards. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 6x 1000lb, 6 or7x 500lb bombs On return the whole Squadron were ordered to divert to Charterhall due to poor weather over most of England. Three aircraft landed elsewhere but H2 successfully landed at Charterhall.

23 Dec 1944

JB410

UL-H2

Charterhall to Fiskerton

nk

nk

nk

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Return from diversion.

28 Dec 1944

JB410

UL-H2

BONN

1520

2015

4h55

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Marshalling yards. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 6x 1000lb, 8x 500lb bombs.

31 Dec 1944

JB410

UL-H2

OSTERFIELD

1450

2105

6h15

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Marshalling yards. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 6x 1000lb, 6x 500lb bombs.

05 Jan 1945

JB410

UL-H2

ROYAN

0155

0855

7h00

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Enemy garrison & supply depot (flown in support of the Free French forces besieging the town). Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 16x 500lb bombs.

14 Jan 1945

ME735

UL-B2

MERSEBURG – LEUNA

1905

0405

9h00

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: IG Farbenindustrie synthetic oil refinery. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 12x 500lb bombs.

16 Jan 1945

JB410

UL-H2

ZEITZ-TROGLITZ

1730

0130

nk

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Braunkohle Benzin synthetic oil plant (low grade MT fuel). Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 12x 500lb bombs. Aircraft damaged by flak.

22 Jan 1945

JB410

UL-H2

DUISBERG

1655

2225

5h30

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Steelwork coking ovens & rolling mills in the Hamborn area of the city and a benzol plant in Bruckhausen. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 16x 500lb bombs.

08 Feb 1945

JB410

UL-H2

POLITZ

1915

0340

8h25

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: The IG Farben synthetic oil plant at 5333.5N 01444.5E. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 10x 500lb bombs.

14 Feb 1945

JB410

UL-H2

CHEMNITZ

2030

0525

8h55

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Operation THUNDERCLAP. Target: built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb, 1170x 4lb incendiaries.

20 Feb 1945

JB410

UL-H2

DORTMUND

2145

0345

6h00

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Flt Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Rhenania Ossag oil refinery, in the Reisholz district. Load: 1x 2000lb bomb, 1846x 4lb incendiaries.

21 Feb 1945

JB410

UL-H2

DUISBERG

1935

0115

5h40

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Flt Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Built-up area and docks. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 1770x 4lb incendiaries

23 Feb 1945

JB410

UL-H2

PFORZHEIM

1545

2330

nk

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Flt Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Operation THUNDERCLAP. Target: Built-up area and ball-bearing factory around 4852N 00842E. Load 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 2480x 4lb incendiaries.

02 Mar 1945

JB410

UL-G2

COLOGNE

0705

1215

5h10

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Flt Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: The roads to the west of the Rhine leading to Hohenzollern Bridge. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 10x 500lb, 2x 500lb, 4x 250lb bombs.

05 Mar 1945

JB410

UL-G2

CHEMNITZ

1650

0145

8h55

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Flt Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Operation THUNDERCLAP. Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 1170x 4lb incendiaries.

07 Mar 1945

JB410

UL-G2

DESSAU

1655

0215

9h20

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Flt Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 1170x 4lb incendiaries.

11 Mar 1945

JB410

UL-G2

ESSEN

1150

1650

5h00

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   Plt Off S.B. Simpson
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Flt Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Built-up area (flown in support of advancing Allied ground forces). Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 16x 500lb bombs.

12 Mar 1945

JB410

UL-G2

DORTMUND

1305

1820

5h15

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Flt Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Built-up area (flown in support of Allied ground forces). Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 16x 500lb bombs. FIDO was deployed to disperse fog on return to Fiskerton.

15 Mar 1945

JB410

UL-G2

MISBURG

1720

0040

7h20

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   Plt Off D.J. Sullivan
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Flt Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Deurag oil refinery. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 1320x 4lb incendiaries. Sullivan was 'second dickie' on this flight - experience for a new pilot

16 Mar 1945

JB410

UL-G2

NUREMBURG

1720

0125

8h05

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Flt Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 1470x 4lb incendiaries.

31 Mar 1945

RA562

UL-B2

HAMBURG

0620

1115

4h55

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   Fg Off W.J.C. Hood
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Flt Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Blohm & Voss U-Boat building & engineering yards. Load: 12x 1,000lb, 3x 500lb bombs.

03 Apr 1945

RA562

UL-B2

NORDHAUSEN

1310

1925

6h15

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Flt Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: SS Barracks, bridges, and a V2 rocket factory. Load: 11x 1,000lb, 2x 500lb bombs.

04 Apr 1945

RA562

UL-B2

LUTZKENDORF

2110

0510

8h00

P1   Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF
P2   
FE   Sgt R.M. Cameron
AB   Fg Off R.B.A. Flight
NAV  WO J.R. Tudehope RAAF
WOp  Sgt T.R. Bell
MUG  Flt Sgt H. Bukoski RCAF
RG   Sgt I. Lewis

NOTES:

Target: Wintershall AG synthetic oil refinery. Load: 1x 4000lb cookie, 10x 500lb bombs. This was the Acheson crew’s last operation as a tour had been reduced to 33 on 09 April. The crew were finally screened on 10 April.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Personal Records Restricted - not available to the public

PHOTOS & DOCUMENTS

Personal Documents Restricted - not available to the public