Michael Finbar's Story.
Michael was an airgunner flying in Wellington 1 bombers with 40 Squadron RAF based in North Africa. In 1941 they were based in Malta employed in attacks on Italy and North Africa. One activity that they were involved in was nuisance raids whereby a single aircraft would fly over a target at night circling for hours forcing the target's anti aircraft guns to keep firing at them denying sleep to the workers and damaging enemy morale. In 1942 the squadron moved to Egypt spending several months inactive as they rebuilt the losses incurred while based in Malta. During the Second Battle of El Alemein they were involved in the bombing of Tobruk. As the Allies advanced they moved westwards and by the end of February 1943 they were based in Garbadia in Tunisia. The aircraft were replaced with more capable Wellington 3 aircraft. On 20th April 1943 the squadron attacked the German airfield at Solimen in Tunisia and Michael's aircraft was shot down with the loss of all crew. He is commemorated at the Alemein Memorial.
40 Suadron Wellington 3 in Tunisia
40 Squadron Operation record showing the loss of Michael's aircraft
Alemein Memorial