London Gazette 25th January 1944
Sergeant King was serving with 77 Squadron. He was a Wireless Operator of Halifax II HR946 KN-X which took off from Elvington on a mission to Berlin. All the crew died except one who was made a POW. They were one of 22 Halifaxes that failed to return that night. It was Bomber Commands heaviest defeat of the War.
Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War: 1944; W.R. Chorley; 1997; Midland Counties Publications; ISBN 0 904597 91 1.
77 [B] Squadron. Codes KN, (C Flight TB) were based at Elvington, Yorkshire (4 Group). Converted from Whitleys to B Mk II Halifaxes in October 1942, but these were recalled and B Mk V's issued. On 30th November 1942 the latter were recalled pending issue of modified Mk II's. Between the 9th and 11th November, 1943, the B Mk II's were again exchanged for B Mk V's. Moved to Full Sutton, Yorkshire, in May 1944 and converted to B Mk III's. Began converting to B Mk VIs in March 1945 and used both types for last operational mission, against Wangerooge on the 25th April 1945. Transferred to Transport Command on the 8th May 1945 and converted to Dakotas. Last Halifax departed in August.
Handley Page Ltd (200 Aircraft) Contract No ACFT/1688, requisition HA4/E11/41. Deliveries commenced 21/12/1942. (HR654), B/GR Mk II HR654-699, HR 711-758, HR 773-819, HR832-880, HR905-952, HR977-988.
Source : The Handley Page Halifax K A Merrick, ISBN 0-946627-60-6. 1990.
Tony Hibberd has provided the following:
Halifax HR946 KN-X had departed Elvington at 1637 for Ops Berlin
It was intercepted above Berlin-Falkenburg by a Night-Fighter captained by Oblt Helmuth Schulte (Stab II/NJG5) and shot down for his 1947 for his 2nd Abschuss
Nacht Jagd War Diaries Vol 2; Dr Theo Boiten
Thomas King is remembered at Pelton Fell on P27.01
