The RAF Association is saddened to learn that Henry Wagner, a member of Bomber Command, has passed away aged 97.
Henry was born in March 1923. Though Irish by birth, he gained UK citizenship and was called up in August 1942. He became a navigator and, following training, served on Halifaxes with 51 Squadron.
In the early hours of 18 December 1944 his squadron set out on a dawn raid on Duisburg, but bad weather caused his aircraft to be late. Badly damaged over the target, the crew were ordered to bail out. Henry was the only one to survive this ordeal. He landed behind enemy lines, and after six days on the run he was captured on Christmas Eve 1944. After enduring the ‘long march’ Henry was finally liberated, returning home on 15 May 1945.
Our thoughts are with Henry’s family and friends at this sad time.