Date of birth:

December 5th, 1916

Date of death:

1995

Service number:

963102/158255

Nationality:

British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Walter Henry Layne served as tailgunner and wireless operator aboard a Handley Page of 50 Squadron and a Lancaster of 97 Squadron. On September 23rd, 1943, his Avro Lancaster JA 208 with F/O Fletcher, Sgt. Nelson, S/L Foster, Sgt. Beesley, F/Sgt. Layne, S/L McKinna and Sgt. Page, on a mission to Mannheim, was attacked by a Messerschmidt Me 110, piloted by Ulrich Veh of 3./Jagdgeschwader 300. As a result of the attack S/L McKinna and Sgt. Page lost their lives and F/O Fletcher, Sgt. Nelson, Sgt. Beesley, F/Sgt. Layne were able to bail out of the burning aircraft. S/L Foster had bailed out as well but was found dead in a forest the next day. Walter Layne tried to leave Germany on foot but was captured 10 days later in the vicinity of Nancy in France. Initially he was put in Dulag Luft and afterwards he was imprisoned in Stalag Luft 6, Stalag Luft III, back to Stalag Luft 6 and ultimately in Stalag 357 in Fallingbostel. Prior to the advance of Soviet troops, he was transferred to Stalag Luft III from where he was sent on the Death March as the Soviet threatened to capture the area. After having walked for six days, the prisoners were transported further to Marlag in trucks under constant aerial attacks. From Marlag onwards, the march continued until Layne and his companions were liberated near Lübeck on May 2nd, 1945.

Promotions:
?: Flight Sergeant;
?: Acting Warrant Officer;
September 135th, 1943: Pilot Officer on probation (emergency);
March 13th, 1944: Pilot Officer;
March 13th , 1944: Flying Officer (war subs.);
September 13th, 1945: Flight Lieutenant (war subs.).

Career:
July - September 1941: Rear Gunner No. 50 Squadron;
September 1941 – March 1942: Wireless Operatior/Gunner No. 50 Squadron;
April - September 1943: No. 97 Squadron

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• Photo 1: David Layne
• - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 15th October 1943, Issue 36215, dated 19th October 1943
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 12th November 1943, Issue 36248, dated 16th November 1943
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 28th March 1944, Issue 36447, dated 31st March 1944
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 16th October 1945, Issue 37312, dated 19th October 1945
  - Record of the operational flights made by Walter Henry Layne (known as Wally) during World War 2
  - Great War Forum