PB558
Crashes > of the R.A.F.
During the approach to the target of the Cologne-Gremberg marshalling yard, the Lancaster PB558 / 60 - A was hit by anti-aircraft fire and caught fire.
The turret of the rear gunner Fl/Sgt Watson was badly damaged and jammed. Radio operator W/O Anderson made his way into the rear of the aircraft, opened the turret door with an axe and saved Fl/Sgt Watson from certain death. Both were awarded the DFC and DFM respectively for this outstanding act of bravery.
The entire crew bailed out over Allied-occupied territory and escaped to freedom. They returned to their base at Little Staughton on 27 December 1944. The pilotless aircraft crashed and burned at the goods station in Cologne-Nippes.
F/O Robert Terpenning and Fl/Sgt. Watson were killed during a training flight shortly before the end of the war on 28 April 1945.