Manchester I (L7394 ZN-) on a mission to Frisian Islands on 1942-03-30

On Sunday, 29 March 1942, (a part of) the aircraft of the 106 squadron (RNZAF), took off for a mission to the Frisian Islands in the Netherlands from a station (airfield) in or near Coningsby.
One of the crew members was Flight Sergeant H C Bussell RNZAF. He departed for his mission at 19:30. He was shot down 21.59 by Helmut Lent (see his wiki and his shoot-down list attached below). He was using early German radar to find and shoot down British planes. 7 dead and they are listed in the aviation-safety.net link.

They were on Operation Gardening (together with another Avro Manchester that was also shot down) planting “vegetables” (mines).'Gardening' had two functions. There was a genuine need to mine that sea area so as to create problems for shipping. The other reason was to be seen, so as their actions would create radio traffic which could then be intercepted. At this stage in the war, Bletchley Park needed cribs, anything to help them to find the enigma rotor settings. If a mine was laid in a precise position and that position was then reported over the radio, then it could provide a clue. With sufficient clues, they could find the rotor settings for the day using their bombs and once this was done they could read all traffic for that day for that group of enigma machines.

http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=20241

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmut_Lent

He flew with a Manchester (type I, with serial L7394 and code ZN-). His mission and the other crew members were planned for Monday, 30 March 1942.

Here is Lents list of aircraft shot down, including L7394

o	Date	Time	A/c Type	Unit	Location	Comments
1	3.9.1939	17:10	PZL P.24	1./ZG76	Lodz region	-
2	18.12.1939	14:42	Wellington	1./ZG76	5km N Borkum	Wellington IA (N2888) “LF-A” of 37 Sqn RAF flown by F/O PA Wimberley
3	18.12.1939	14:50	Wellington	1./ZG76	10km WNW Borkum	Wellington IA (N2889) “LF-P” of 37 Sqn, RAF flew by F/O OJT Lewis
-	18.12.1939	14:50	Wellington	1./ZG76	Mear Borkum	Not confirmed
4	9.4.1940	8:55	Gladiator	1./ZG76	Bratenjordet	Gladiator (427) of Norwegian Fighter Wing flown by Sgt Per Schye
5	27.5.1940	8:20	Gladiator	1./ZG76	Bodohalvoya	Gladiator of 263 Sqn RAF flown by Flt Lt CB Hull (6.249/2.5/2 victories), crash-landed, wounded
6	2.6.1940	1:42	Gladiator	1./ZG76	Rombaksfjorden	Gladiator (N5893) of 263 Sqn RAF flown by P/O JL Wilkie, killed
7	15.6.1940	12:45	Blenheim	1./ZG 76	Near Trondheim	Blenheim (L9408) of 254 Sqn, RAF flown by P/O PC Gayford
8	12.5.1941	1:40	Wellington	6./NJG1	80km SW Süderstapel	Wellington IC (R1330) “BL-H” of 40 Sqn, RAF
9	12.5.1941	2:49	Wellington	6./NJG1	Pl Qu 85/6/2	Wellington IC (R1461) “BL-Z” of 40 Sqn, RAF
10	28.6.1941	1:58	Whitley	6./NJG 1	Hipstedt	Whitley (T4297) “DY-?” of 102 Sqn, RAF flew by Sgt JR Culley, 5 POW
11	30.6.1941	1:40	Stirling	6./NJG 1	10km S Wesermaunde	Stirling I (N6001) “MG-?” of 7 Sqn, RAF flown by S/L WTC Searle
12	30.6.1941	2:05	Stirling	6./NJG 1	15km S Bremervörde	Stirling I (N3664) “MG-Z” of 7 Sqn, RAF flown F/O VR Hartwright
13	4.7.1941	0:34	Wellington	4./NJG 1	Exloo	Wellington IC (R1492) “GR-?” of 301 Sqn, RAF
14	6.7.1941	0:56	Whitley	4./NJG 1	Coevorden	Whitley V (Z6793) “ZA-?” of 10 Sqn, RAF
15	8.7.1941	0:55	Whitley	4./NJG 1	1km NW Orvelte	Whitley V (Z6799) “KN-?) of 77 Sqn, RAF flew by F/Lt CR Petley, 4 killed, 1 POW
16	10.7.1941	2:20	Wellington	4./NJG 1	Telmdorf	Wellington IC (B1770) “BL-C” of 40 Sqn, RAF flown by F/O GC Conran
17	13.7.1941	0:55	Hampden	4./NJG 1	Veendam	Hampden I (AE226) “VN-?” of 50 Sqn, RAF flew by P/O ED Vivian, 4 killed
18	15.7.1941	0:49	Wellington	4./NJG 1	Veendam	Wellington II (W5513) “EP-P” of 104 Sqn, RAF flown by P/O WG Rowse
19	25.7.1941	3:54	Wellington	4./NJG 1	15km SSW Leeuwarden	Wellington IC (R1369) “DX-?” of 57 Sqn, RAF
20	15.8.1941	3:20	Whitley	4./NJG 1	54/63/2	Whitley V (Z6819) “MH-X” of 51 Sqn, RAF
21	29.8.1941	3:40	Hampden	4./NJG 1	Ameland im Waddenzee	Hampden I (AE126) “EA-N” of 49 Sqn, RAF
22	7.9.1941	1:25	Whitley	4./NJG 1	Bergen-Filmn-Zee	Whitley V (Z6681) “FY-?) of 78 Sqn, RAF
23	8.9.1941	4:04	Wellington	4./NJG 1	bei Drachtstercompagnie	Wellington IC (Z8845) “WS-?” of 9 Sqn, RAF flew by Sgt Saich, 6 killed
24	8.9.1941	4:59	Wellington	4./NJG 1	bei Terwispel	Wellington IC (R1798) “KO-B” of 115 Sqn, RAF
25	13.10.1941	0:06	Wellington	4./NJG 1	Westergeest	Wellington IC (X9822) “BL-J” of 40 Sqn, RAF
26	13.10.1941	0:33	Hampden	4./NJG 1	Zuiderzee	Hampden (AD965) “PL-?) of 144 Sqn, RAF
27	8.11.1941	1:21	Wellington	II./NJG 2	N Akkrum	Wellington Ic (X9976) “AA-?” of 75 Sqn, RAF flew by F/Sgt JW Black, 6 killed
28	17.1.1942	21:45	Whitley	II./NJG 2	Terschelling	Whitley V (Z9301) “MH-N” of 51 Sqn, RAF
29	21.1.1942	22:28	Whitley	II./NJG 2	W Terschelling	Whitley V (Z9311) “MH-J” of 51 Sqn, RAF
30	6.2.1942	15:10	Hampden	II./NJG 2	70km W Terschelling	Hampden I (AE308) “UB-L” of 455 Sqn, RAF
31	26.3.1942	0:32	Manchester	II./NJG 2	10 km. NNW Assen	Manchester Ia (L7518) “QR-O” of 61 Sqn, RAF
32	27.3.1942	22:10	Hampden	II./NJG 2	N Terschelling	Hampden of 408 Sqn, RAF
33	27.3.1942	22:42	Hampden	II./NJG 2	N Terschelling	Hampden of 408 Sqn, RAF
34	29.3.1942	21:59	Manchester	II./NJG 2	N Terschelling	Manchester I (L7394) of 61 Sqn, RAF
35	11.4.1942	0:23	Wellington	II./NJG 2	4km E Kolhorn	Wellington Ic (Z8838) of 311 Sqn, RAF flew by S/Sgt J Kalensky, 6 killed
36	13.4.1942	0:32	Hampden	II./NJG 2	N Terschelling	Hampden I (P1239) “PT-Y” of 420 Sqn, RAF
37	18.4.1942	1:55	Wellington	II./NJG 2	N Terschelling	Wellington IV (Z1267) “BH-P” of 300 Sqn, RAF
38	15.5.1942	22:45	Wellington	II./NJG 2	N Terschelling	Wellington III (X3482) “AA-J” of 9 Sqn, RAF
39	3.6.1942	1:06	Hampden	II./NJG 2	E Medemblik	Hampden I (AT154) “EQ-B” of 408 Sqn, RAF
40	4.6.1942	0:55	Halifax	II./NJG 2	NNW Alkmaar	Halifax II (R9457) “MP-A” of 76 Sqn, RAF
41	6.6.1942	0:34	Wellington	II./NJG 2	S Hoorn	Wellington IC (DV812) “GT-?” of 156 Sqn, RAF
42	6.6.1942	1:16	Wellington	II./NJG 2	Ijsselmeer	Wellington IV (Z1331) “GR-C” of 301 Sqn, RAF
43	21.6.1942	0:48	Hampden	II./NJG 2	N Ameland	Hampden I (AT185) “PT-A” of 420 Sqn, RAF
44	24.6.1942	1:12	Wellington	II./NJG 2	N Terschelling	Wellington IC (T2921) “PM-T” of 103 Sqn, RAF
45	24.6.1942	1:46	Wellington	II./NJG 2	NW Vlieland	Wellington IC (DV831) “PM-R” of 103 Sqn, RAF
46	26.6.1942	2:37	Wellington	II./NJG 2	NW Enkhuisen	Wellington IC (T2612) “H” of 18 OTU, RAF
47	26.6.1942	2:56	Whitley	II./NJG 2	Noordwijk	Whitley V (BD266) of 24 OTU, RAF
48	3.7.1942	1:25	Wellington	II./NJG 2	SW Assen	Wellington IV (Z1314) “GR-M” of 301 Sqn, RAF
49	9.7.1942	1:30	Wellington	II./NJG 2	Rottumeroog	Wellington III (X3557) “AA-?” of 75 Sqn, RAF
50	27.7.1942	2:35	Halifax	II./NJG 2	North Sea	Halifax (W1142) of 102 Sqn, RAF
51	27.7.1942	2:39	Wellington	II./NJG 2	North Sea	Wellington III (BJ615) “KO-G” of 115 Sqn, RAF flew by W/Cdr F Dixon-Wright
52	5.9.1942	2:50	Halifax	II./NJG 2	531: 9A	Lancaster I (R5682) “QR-R” of 61 Sqn, RAF
53	14.9.1942	5:02	Wellington	II./NJG 2	444: 6E4	-
54	9.11.1942	20:37	Halifax	II./NJG 2	544: 2G7	Halifax II (W7864) “DY-F” of 102 Sqn, RAF flew by F/Sgt TRN Fetherston
55	17.12.1942	20:22	Lancaster	IV./NJG 1	532: 1I	Lancaster (ED355) “KM-D” of 44 Sqn, RAF
56	17.12.1942	20:38	Halifax	IV./NJG 1	534: 5J	Lancaster I (ED333) “OF-B” of 44 Sqn, RAF
57	8.1.1943	20:24	Lancaster	IV./NJG 1	10km W Texel	-
58	21.1.1943	20:11	Wellington	IV./NJG 1	643 1C4	-
59	1.3.1943	21:39	Halifax	IV./NJG 1	544 8I5 in See	Halifax II (DT641) “VR-R” of 419 Sqn, RAF
60	5.3.1943	22:20	Halifax	II./NJG 1	54757 See	Halifax II (BB282) “MP-R” of 76 Sqn, RAF
61	5.3.1943	22:34	Halifax	II./NJG 1	5822C	Lancaster I (W4847) “OL-V” of 83 Sqn, RAF
62	29.3.1943	23:46	Wellington	IV./NJG 1	5km NW Lemmer	Wellington III (BJ762) “OW-O” of 426 Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt RE Todd, 3 killed, 2 POW
63	4.4.1943	0:24	Lancaster	IV./NJG 1	547 7E See	-
64	20.4.1943	3:38	Mosquito	IV./NJG 1	Near Den Oever	Mosquito IIf (DZ694) “RA-?” of 410 Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt WJ Reddie
65	5.5.1943	0:08	Stirling	IV./NJG 1	S Enkhuisen	Stirling III (BK773) “MG-T” of 7 Sqn, RAF
66	5.5.1943	0:18	Stirling	IV./NJG 1	2km S Honnerts	Stirling I (EF343) “OJ-B” of 149 Sqn, RAF
67	14.5.1943	2:54	Halifax	IV./NJG 1	547 3F	Halifax II (JB924) “EY-M” of 78 Sqn, RAF
68	24.5.1943	2:16	Lancaster	IV./NJG 1	40km W Egmond	Halifax II (DT789) “ZA-Z” of 10 Sqn, RAF
69	22.6.1943	3:09	Lancaster	IV./NJG 1	CH 99	-
70	23.6.1943	2:06	Halifax	IV./NJG 1	FM 41	-
71	26.6.1943	1:13	Wellington	IV./NJG 1	FM 51	Wellington X (HF544) “HD-?” of 466 Sqn, RAF flown by F/Sgt ABR Airy, 5 killed
72	28.7.1943	2:37	Lancaster	IV./NJG 1	NW Terschelling	-
73	30.7.1943	2:10	Lancaster	IV./NJG 1	RM 66d in See	-
74	24.8.1943	0:56	Stirling	Stab/NJG 3	Berlin Mitte	-
75	24.8.1943	-	Lancaster	Stab/NJG 3	Berlin Tegel	-
76	24.8.1943	1:16	Halifax	Stab/NJG 3	Berlin Spandau	-
77	1.9.1943	0:54	Halifax	Stab/NJG 3	SW Berlin	-
78	1.9.1943	1:03	Halifax	Stab/NJG 3	Berlin	-
79	22.9.1943	22:41	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	Krohnsberg	-
80	3.10.1943	22:27	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	Harleshausen	-
81	2.12.1943	19:58	Lancaster	Stab/NJG 3	Near Magdeburg	-
82	2.12.1943	20:20	Stirling	Stab/NJG 3	SW Berlin	-
83	16.12.1943	19:07	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	Almanbrück area	-
84	2.1.1944	2:49	Lancaster	Stab/NJG 3	-	-
85	14.1.1944	18:49	Lancaster	Stab/NJG 3	-	-
86	14.1.1944	19:05	Lancaster	Stab/NJG 3	-	-
87	14.1.1944	19:10	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	-	-
88	21.1.1944	22:28	Lancaster	Stab/NJG 3	-	-
89	21.1.1944	22:58	Lancaster	Stab/NJG 3	-	-
90	22.3.1944	21:26	Lancaster	Stab/NJG 3	Bielefeld area	-
91	22.3.1944	21:35	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	S Bielefeld	-
92	24.3.1944	21:30	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	Berlin area	-
93	24.3.1944	22:00	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	Liebeck	-
94	31.3.1944	1:21	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	20-40km N Nürnberg	Halifax (MZ508) “LK-N” of 578 Sqn, RAF
95	23.4.1944	-	Lancaster	Stab/NJG 3	-	-
96	23.5.1944	0:21	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	Osnabrück	-
97	23.5.1944	0:40	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	Osnabrück area	-
98	16.6.1944	0:52	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	SW Lille	-
99	16.6.1944	0:56	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	Béthune-Armentieres	-
100	16.6.1944	1:00	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	Near Béthune	-
101	25.6.1944	0:25	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	QE-PE	-
102	25.6.1944	0:40	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	QE-PE	-
103	28.6.1944	1:10	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	Off Dunkirk	-
104	19.7.1944	1:41	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	50km SE Reims	-
105	21.7.1944	2:07	Lancaster	Stab/NJG 3	Off Deal	-
106	25.7.1944	1:14	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	Pförzheim	Lancaster (HK568) “AA-K” of 75 Sqn, RAF
107	29.7.1944	1:47	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	Near Bouxwiller	-
108	29.7.1944	1:57	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	Château-Salins area	-
109	17.8.1944	-	Viermot	Stab/NJG 3	-	-
110	12.9.1944	-	Lancaster	Stab/NJG 3	-	-
111	17.9.1944	-	Lancaster	Stab/NJG 3	-	-

This is also a contribution by Andy Brough

Information about aircraft that did not return from this mission can be found here. Information about the other crew members on this flight can be found at this website (Aircrew Remembered). This website also provides flight information for this record.

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