CASPIR Serial Search

Lancaster DS604, Mk.II

s/n DS604

Armstrong Whitworth

DS 604

Hercules

Started with No. 61 Sqn (QR-W), then transferred to No. 115 Sqn (KO-B). Missing on operation to Frankfurt 10/11 Apr 1943. 49 operational hours
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-April-11 KIA RAFVR Seymour Douglas Andrew 2024-11-02

1943-April-11 KIA Leonard Charles Fitt 2022-05-30

1943-April-11 KIA RAFVR Edward Victor Hudson 2022-05-30

1943-April-11 KIA RCAF Sergeant Milford Alexander Lambert 2023-12-15

1943-April-11 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer Campbell Murray Smith 2023-12-15

1943-April-11 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Arthur Brinley Thomas 2023-09-12

1943-April-11 KIA RAFVR Robert Valentine Wilson 2022-05-30

Lancaster DS607, Mk.II

s/n DS607

Armstrong Whitworth

DS 607

Hercules

On 1944-04-07, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer at Wombleton, wrote in his diary:
Lancaster DS607 crashed at Topcliffe last night. The pilot overshot and about 150 yds off the end of the runway his port wheel hit part of an old, disused gun post, tore the u/c off & it went into a violent ground loop damaging the port wing, centre section & tailplane considerably. I categorized it today when I went down to investigate, as a B hoping the MU will make it an E so I can use the spares.

last update: 2025-February-05

Lancaster DS609, Mk.II

s/n DS609

Armstrong Whitworth

DS 609

Hercules

Originally with No. 61 Sqn (QR-R) Dec/Jan 1942/43. Then with No. 115 Sqn (KO-M). Missing on operation to Duisburg 26/27 Apr 1943. 54 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-April-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edward Austin Nixon Foster DFC 2021-11-06

1943-April-27 KIA RAFVR Norman Law DFC 2022-05-30

1943-April-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harvey B Minnis DFC 2021-08-16

1943-April-27 KIA RAF William Charles Snook 2022-05-30

1943-April-27 KIA RAFVR Charles Edward Thorpe 2022-05-30

1943-April-27 KIA RAFVR William Arthur Timms DFC 2022-05-30

1943-April-27 KIA RAF Leigh Gordon Webster 2022-05-30

Lancaster DS612, Mk.II

s/n DS612

Armstrong Whitworth

DS 612

Hercules

Originally with No. 61 Sqn, then No. 115 Sqn (KO-H, later KO-L). Used by No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*L". No record of operational use by this Squadron. Later to Nos. 1678 and 1668 CUs. Ended as ground instructional machine 4865M Aug 1944.
last update: 2025-February-05

Lancaster DS614, Mk.II

s/n DS614

Armstrong Whitworth

DS 614

Hercules

Originally with No. 115 Sqn (KO-A), then to 1668 CU. Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*U". No record of operational use by this Squadron. Later to 1668 CU again. Crashed wheels-up at Carnaby 9 Nov 1944.
last update: 2025-February-05

Lancaster DS615, Mk.II

s/n DS615

Armstrong Whitworth

DS 615

Hercules

Originally with No. 115 Sqn (KO-N). Later with No. 1679 Heavy Conversion Unit, 6 Group, when it collided with Halifax DT 548 while landing at Topcliffe on 21 December 1943. 3 Canadians were killed in the crash.
last update: 2025-February-05

Conversion 1943-12-21 to 1943-12-21

1679 (B) HCU (RCAF) Wombleton

On 1943-12-21, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, Chief Technical Officer at Wombleton, wrote in his diary:
"One of 1679's Lancasters, DS521 [sic] got closed off our circuit last night due to bad weather & was diverted to Topcliffe. Here he overshot & hit the tail end of a Halifax parked on a dispersal. It tore the tail right off & the Lanc turned end-over-end & stopping flat on its back with its wheels in the air & caught fire burning up completely. Three of the boys got out alive miraculously but the other three were lost."

1943-December-21 KIFA RAFVR Kenneth Forster 2023-07-14

1943-December-21 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Ernest Major 2021-08-14

1943-December-21 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer John Joseph McGavock DFC 2021-09-11

1943-December-21 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Thomas James Welch 2021-07-09

Lancaster DS621, Mk.II

s/n DS621

Armstrong Whitworth

DS 621

Hercules

Originally with No. 61 and 115 Sqns (KO-U). With No. 426(B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*N", when it bombed Berlin on 29/30 December 1943. Later used by No. 1666CU, then used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*O". With this Squadron when it crashed on a training flight on 2 July 1944. Practicing three engine go-arounds, two further engines failed, came down 1600 feet west of Pilmoor Junction. Category B damage, no injuries. Pilot was Flight Lieutenant R. Clothier, on his second tour. He would later play the character Relic on the CBC series The Beachcombers. Had 411:00 logged time when written off.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-July-02 Accident Crash Crashed at Pilmoor, Yorkshire 2019-08-20

Lancaster DS624, Mk.II

s/n DS624

Armstrong Whitworth

DS 624

Hercules

Originally with No. 115 Sqn. Used by No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*U". No record of operational use by this Squadron. Ended up with No. 1697CU. The aircraft caught fire at Wombleton and was destroyed.
last update: 2025-February-05

Lancaster DS625, Mk.II

s/n DS625

Armstrong Whitworth

DS 625

Hercules

Delivered to No. 115 Sqn (KO-W) Mar 1943. It flew on the squadron's first Lancaster operation, Gardening, on 16 Mar 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 29/30 Mar 1943. 26 operational hours. It was also the first Mk. II Lancaster lost on operations.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-March-30 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 John Mckinnon Bradford 2024-11-16

1943-March-30 KIA RAFVR Dennis Bernard Dray 2024-10-28

1943-March-30 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Frank Leslie Godden 2025-02-18

1943-March-30 KIA RNZAF Sergeant Frank Wilfred Marshall 2025-02-18

1943-March-30 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John McKenny 2025-02-18

1943-March-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Herbert John Ross 2025-02-18

1943-March-30 KIA RAFVR Stuart Patrick Shaw 2025-02-18

Lancaster DS626, Mk.II

s/n DS626

Armstrong Whitworth

DS 626

Hercules

Originally with No. 115 Sqn. Later used by No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF. Later with No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*U". No record of operational use by this Squadron. Passed to No. 1668 CU. SOC 20 Mar 1945.
last update: 2025-February-05

Lancaster DS630, Mk.II

s/n DS630

Armstrong Whitworth

DS 630

Hercules

Delivered to No. 115 Sqn (KO-H) Apr 1943. Missing on raid to Peenemunde 17/18 Aug 1943. 137 operational hours. This famous raid was on the rocket research and production centre at Peenemunde. 41 bombers were lost, of which DS 630 was the 13th. The crew were on their 3rd operation (Middlebrook).
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Cecil Gilbert Bruton 2024-11-23

1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Sergeant Mervin George McKibbon 2021-08-17

Lancaster DS631, Mk.II

s/n DS631

Armstrong Whitworth

DS 631

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*I". Failed to return from raid on Berlin, 24 November 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

Lancaster DS634, Mk.II

s/n DS634

Armstrong Whitworth

DS 634

Hercules

With No. 115 Squadron, RAF. Used by No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF. Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*A". Bombed Kiel on 23/24 July 1944. Lost on raid on Hamburg on 28/29 July 1944. Crashed at 01:30 west of Spieka, Germany. 2 crew killed, 6 PoW. Had 424 hours airframe time when lost.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-July-19 Failed to Return Failed to return from mission over Hamburg, 2 killed, 6 POW. Date reported as 28/29 July 1944 by Wilson. 2019-08-20

1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Flying Officer George Arthur Boehmer 2024-11-14

1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Stephen David Coffey 2024-03-12

1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Sergeant A J Ducharme 2024-10-29

1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ernest Albert Goodwin 2021-05-22

1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Sergeant Bernard Mathew Hofforth 2021-08-10

1944-July-29 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Lionel H T 'Duke' Phipps 2023-08-01

s/n DS651

Avro

DS 651

Hercules

Used by No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*A", flew 3 operations with this unit. Later used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, from April 1944, first coded "EQ*Q". Later coded "EQ*I" and "EQ*U". Flew 18 operations with No. 408 Sdn. Bombed Caen at dusk on 7 July 1944, as "EQ*I". Bombed Kiel on 23/24 July 1944. Wrecked on 16 August 1944.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-August-16 Accident Crash Crashed 2019-08-20

Lancaster DS656, Mk.II

s/n DS656

Avro

DS 656

Hercules

With No. 115 Squadron, RAF and then No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF from spring 1943, named "My Hope is Constant in Thee". Coded "OW*X", flew 4 operations with No. 410 (B) Squadron, including this Squadrons first Lancaster operation: the raid on Peenemunde on 17/18 May 1943. Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, flew 19 operations with this squadron. With this unit when it crashed on takeoff for a training mission at 22:30 from Linton-on-Ouse, on 10 June 1944. Burst tire caused undercarriage to collapse.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-June-10 Accident Crash Crashed on take-off Linton-on-Ouse. Reported as 10 July 1944 by Wilson. 2019-08-20

Lancaster DS657, Mk.II

s/n DS657

Avro

DS 657

Hercules

With No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF. Flew 6 operations with them: Hannover 18/19 October 1943, Berlin 15/16 February 1944, Leipzig 19/20 February 1944, Schweinfurt 24/25 February 1944, Berlin again on 23/24 March 1944, and Nuremberg on 30/31 March 1944. Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF from March 1944, coded "EQ*L". Flew 34 operations with this unit, including bombing Caen at dusk on 7 July 1944, Kiel on 23/24 July 1944, and Stuttgart on 24/25 July 1944.
last update: 2025-February-05

Lancaster DS659, Mk.II

s/n DS659

Avro

DS 659

Hercules

Delivered to No. 115 Sqn (KO-T) May 1943. MIssing on operation to Nuremberg 27/28 Aug 1943. 86 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing 1943-08-28 to 1943-08-28

(B) Sqn (RAF) Little Snoring

674 aircraft - 349 Lancasters, 221 Halifaxes, 104 Stirlings. 33 aircraft - I I of each type on the raid - lost, 4Â·9 per cent of the force.

The marking for this raid was based mainly on H2S. 47 of the Pathfinder H2S aircraft were ordered to check their equipment by dropping a 1,000-lb bomb on Heilbronn while flying to Nuremberg. 28 Pathfinder aircraft were able to carry out this order. Heilbronn reports that several bombs did drop in the north of the town soon after midnight. The local officials assumed that the bombs were aimed at the industrial zone; several bombs did fall around the factory area and other bombs fell further away. No industrial buildings were hit; one house was destroyed but there were no casualties.

Nuremberg was found to be free of cloud but it was very dark. The initial Pathfinder markers were accurate but a creepback quickly developed which could not be stopped because so many Pathfinder aircraft had difficulties with their H2S sets. The Master Bomber (whose name is not recorded) could do little to persuade the Main Force to move their bombing forward; only a quarter of the crews could hear his broadcasts. Bomber Command estimated that most of the bombing fell in open country south-south-west of the city but the local reports say that bombs were scattered across the south-eastern and eastern suburbs. The only location mentioned by name is the Zoo, which was hit by several bombs. 65 people were killed.

source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt

Took off from Little Snoring at 21:43 in Lancaster Mk II (Sqn code: KO-T Bomber Command) on an operation to Nuremberg Germany.

Shot down by a night fighter and crashed near the target area

KIlled:Sergeant Jack Kemm RAF KIA Durnbach War Cemetery grave 11. J. 27.;F/Lt Guy Leslie Mott RAF pilot KIA Durnbach War Cemetery grave 11. J. 28.

POWs:Flying Officer William Blades RAF POW Stalag Luft L3 Sagan and Belaria.;F/Lt Carl Clifford Bggild RCAF J/22440 POW Stalag Luft L3 Sagan and Belaria.;Sergeant Theodore Buchak RCAF R/178563 POW Stalag 4B Muhlberg (Elbe).;Sergeant Lewis Richard Alberte George Carpenter RAF POW Stalag Luft L3 Sagan and Belaria.

1943-August-28 PoW RAFVR Flying Officer William Blades 2025-01-26

s/n DS676

Avro

DS 676

Hercules

Used by No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*O". Bombed Peenemunde on 17/18 August 1943, this Squadrons first Lancaster operation. Failed to return from operation over Berlin on 23/24 August 1943. Shot down by night fighter, came down at Gusen, 13 kilometres west-south-west of Genthin, Germany. All 8 crew killed.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-August-24 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Berlin. Shot down by night fighter, no survivors. 2019-08-20

1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Leslie Gordon Emanuel Burnett 2024-11-25

1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Denis Claude Desmond Du Boulay 2024-10-29

1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Abraham Joseph Gibson 2024-04-13

1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Edward Hinchcliffe 2024-04-21

1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Wilfred Lawrence Shaw 2024-05-01

1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Williams 2024-05-03

Lancaster DS677, Mk.II

s/n DS677

Avro

DS 677

Hercules

Used by No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF from June 1943, coded "OW*W" when lost. Bombed Peenemunde on 17/18 August 1943, this Squadrons first Lancaster operation. Failed to return from operation over Berlin on 31 August / 1 September 1943. All 7 crew killed.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-September-01 Failed to Return failed to return from operation over Berlin, no survivors 2019-08-20

1943-September-01 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Stanley De Gruchy Harris 2024-04-21

1943-September-01 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Norman William Jewell 2024-04-21

1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arne Gabriel Knuuttila 2024-04-22

1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Sergeant Marcel Lavoie 2022-03-10

1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Thomas Edwin Martin 2024-04-22

1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Leslie Brooks McBride 2024-04-22

1943-September-01 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Hugh McKay 2022-03-09

Lancaster DS678, Mk.II

s/n DS678

Avro

DS 678

Hercules

Delivered to No. 115 Sqn (KO-J) Jun 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 24/25 Mar 1944.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-03-24 to 1944-03-25

115 (B) Sqn (RAF)

115 Squadron (Despite The Elements), Witchford, England. Lancaster aircraft DS678 failed to return from operations over Berlin Germany.

RAF Sergeants W Bowey, JW Burke, D Keeley and VJ Watson were also killed. Canadian Gray was taken Prisoner of War.

1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Herbert Leslie Gray 2021-06-18

1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Leonard Myles McCann 2021-09-23

Lancaster DS679, Mk.II

s/n DS679

Avro

DS 679

Hercules

Used by No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*R". Bombed Peenemunde on 17/18 August 1943, this Squadrons first Lancaster operation. Bombed Berlin 3/4 September 1943; Hannover on 18/19 October 1943; then Berlin again on 18/19 November 1943, 22/23 November 1943 and 23/24 November 1943. Lost without a trace on mission to Berlin on 26/27 November 1943. All 7 crew killed.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-November-27 Failed to Return failed to return from operation over Berlin, no survivors 2019-08-20

1943-November-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Harold Boles 2024-11-14

1943-November-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Harry Buchanan 2024-11-23

1943-November-27 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Alfred Johnstone Hughes 2025-01-27

1943-November-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Kenneth William Sawyer 2025-01-27

Lancaster DS680, Mk.II

s/n DS680

Avro

DS 680

Hercules

Delivered to No. 115 Sqn (KO-L) Jul 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 26 Nov 1943. 146 operational hours
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Sydney Andrew Anderson 2024-11-02

1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Murray Lincoln Richardson 2021-08-09

Lancaster DS681, Mk.II

s/n DS681

Avro

DS 681

Hercules

Used by No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*V". Failed to return from operation to Peenemunde on 17/18 August 1943. This raid was 410 (B) Squadrons first Lancaster operation. May have crashed at 00:50 local near Greifswald, Germany. One crew PoW, other 6 killed, including the Squadron commander W/C L. Crooks, DSO, DFC, RAF.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-August-18 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Peenemunde, 6 killed and 1 POW. 2019-08-20

1943-August-18 KIA RAF Wing Commander Leslie Crooks DSO, DFC 2024-05-19

1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Theophilus Dos Santos 2024-10-27

1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Carmichael Hislop 2024-04-21

1943-August-18 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Alfred John Howes 2024-04-21

1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Francis Peter Marsh DFC 2024-04-22

1943-August-18 PoW RAF Sergeant Kenneth William Reading 2021-06-06

1943-August-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Henry Maxwell Smith 2024-05-03

Lancaster DS683, Mk.II

s/n DS683

Avro

DS 683

Hercules

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-October-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Sidney Allen 2024-11-02

Lancaster DS686, Mk.II

s/n DS686

Avro

DS 686

Hercules

Used by No. 424 (B) Squadron, RCAF at Linton-on-Ouse, first coded "OW*F". Bombed Mannheim on 23/24 September 1943; and Hannover on 18/19 October 1943. Received severe damage during raid on Leipzig, 20/21 October 1943, but completed mission. Coded "OW*D" on this date. Pilot Flight Sergeant F.J. Stuart, RAF received CGM for this mission. Attacked Brunswick 14/15 January 1944. Crew claimed a single engine fighter shot down on this mission. Failed to return from operations over Berlin on 27/28 January 1944, one of 4 squadron losses on this mission. May have been coded "OW*S" when lost. 6 crew killed, 1 POW.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-January-28 Failed to Return Failed to return from operations over Berlin. 6 crew killed, 1 POW. 2019-08-20

1944-January-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Harper Dodge 2024-10-23

1944-January-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harold Ellis 2024-10-23

1944-January-28 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Leslie Huband 2024-10-23

1944-January-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Barry Everitt Lynn 2024-10-23

1944-January-28 KIA RCAF Flt. Lieutenant Thomas Robert Shaw 2024-10-23

Lancaster DS687, Mk.II

s/n DS687

Avro

DS 687

Hercules

Reported with No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*L", but not confirmed.
last update: 2025-February-05

1945-October Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

Lancaster DS688, Mk.II

s/n DS688

Avro

DS 688

Hercules

Served with No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded OW-C, flew 8 operations, including Peenemunde on 17/18 August 1943 and Mannheim on 23/24 September 1943.

Then used at No. 1679 Conversion unit

On 1944-02-15, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer at Wombleton with HU1679, wrote in his diary:
"One of our Lancs DS688 has been on the ground for weeks waiting for AOG parts so I got mad and raised a big stink with Group equipment office & jumped in a van with Howie Walker and drove down to East Moor and Linton myself to see what I could do. Everyone else had tried & hadn't got anywhere. I called on various friends at East Moor & found they had given up their Lancs & were converting to Hal III's. This was my chance so I whipped into their stores, backed up the van & filled it full of all the Lanc spares we could find. It was a real haul for a scrounge trip . . . I'm afraid Linton are going to be awfully mad . . . Finally caught up with Wilf Klassen, another 13th Entry boy . . . & traced down the missing AOG parts. Took them off one of their [cat] AC kites of all things & went up for dinner with him."

Then passed to No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded EQ-R. Flew 23 missions with this unit; including Nuremburg on 30/31 March 1944.

Failed to return from operation over Cambrai on 12/13 June 1944. Shot down by night fighter, near Tilloy-les-Cambrai (Nord), 3 kilometres north-north-west of Cambri. All 8 crew killed.

last update: 2025-February-05

1944-June-13 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Cambrai. Shot down by night fighter, no survivors. 2019-08-20

Bombing Cambrai France 1944-06-12 to 1944-06-13

408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Linton-on-Ouse

408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom) RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Lancaster BII aircraft DS688 EQ-R was shot down while on a operation against targets in Cambrai, France by German ace night fighter pilot Hptm Heinz Wolfgang Schnaufer of 4/NJG1. The Lancaster crashed in a meadow at Tilloy-les-Cambrai, France

There were three 408 Squadron Lancaster aircraft shot down by Hauptmann Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer on this operation: DS688 EQ-R, DS726 EQ-Y and DS772 EQ-T

General 408 Squadron Lancaster II DS688 EQ-R Fl/Lt. Brice RAF Linton-on-Ouse

General Search for France-Crashes 39-45

General Aces of the Luftwaffe - Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer

General [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...

1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Albert Bergeron 2024-11-11

1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Francis Thomas Sargent Brice 2024-11-18

1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Albert Glendenning 2025-01-16

1944-June-13 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Jack Gillard Gray 2025-01-16

1944-June-13 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Adam Mabon 2025-01-16

1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Martin John McDonald 2025-01-16

1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Elvin George Todd 2025-01-16

1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harry William Wilson 2024-11-01

Lancaster DS689, Mk.II

s/n DS689

Avro

DS 689

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*S". Also with No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*S" by 30 September 1943. With this unit when lost, failed to return from operation over Stuttgart. Crashed at Rachecourt-sur-Blaise (Haute-Marne), 42 kilometres north-north-west of Chaumont,France. 6 crew killed, 2 evaded.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-December-08 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Stuttgart. Date also reported as 7/8 October 1943, by Moyes and Wilson. 2019-08-20

1943-October-07 Evader RCAF Flying Officer J J Beaton 2024-11-09

1943-October-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Francis John Neal 2024-02-07

1943-October-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Malcolm Barnes Summers 2024-02-07

1943-October-07 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Wilde 2024-02-07

Lancaster DS691, Mk.II

s/n DS691

Avro

DS 691

Hercules

Delivered to No. 115 Sqn (KO-F, later KO-B) Jul 1943. Missing on operation to Hanover 9/10 Oct 1943. 109 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-October-08 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Pryde 2025-01-25

1943-October-09 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Wilfred Collins Blewett 2024-11-13

Lancaster DS692, Mk.II

s/n DS692

Avro

DS 692

Hercules

Briefly with No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, no record of operations. Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*S". Flew 49 operations. Bombed Berlin on 10 separate occasions, from 18/19 November 1943 to 24/25 March 1944. Claimed an ME 110 shot down over Berlin on 27/28 January 1944. Crashed while attempting to land at Marston Moor following wing leading edge failure shortly after takeoff for raid on Kiel, from Linton-on-Ouse, on 23 July 1944. Undercarriage collapsed, aircraft skidded off runway and caught fire. No serious injuries.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-July-23 Accident Crash Crash on takeoff at Marston Moor for raid on Kiel, wing failure. No injuries. 2019-08-20

Lancaster DS704, Mk.II

s/n DS704

Avro

DS 704

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*W". Flew 8 operations, including three missions to Berlin. Failed to return from operation over Frankfurt on 20/21 December 1943. Crew bailed out near Limburg, 2 killed, 4 evaded, 1 POW. Crashed near Mechelen, Holland, other sources report it crashing in Belgium. May have been shot down by rear turret of another Lancaster.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-December-21 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Frankfurt. 2 crew killed, 4 evaded, 1 POW. 2019-08-20

1943-December-21 Evader RCAF Flight Sergeant C D Maclachlan 2021-03-18

1943-December-21 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Edward Alexander Salmon 2023-09-28

Lancaster DS705, Mk.II

s/n DS705

Avro

DS 705

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*K". Flew 32 operations, including 8 to Berlin. Had 316 hours airframe time when crashed while overshooting runway at Dalton on 23 July 1944 at end of training flight. Only 2 injured, aircraft destroyed by post crash fire.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-July-23 Accident Crash crashed while overshooting runway at Dalton, UK 2019-08-20

Lancaster DS708, Mk.II

s/n DS708

Avro

DS 708

Hercules

First served with No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*Q", named "Queen of Spades". Completed 20 operations, including the Squadrons first Lancaster operation against Peenemunde on 17/18 August 1943; 5 raids on Berlin; and a raid on St. Ghislain on 1/2 May 1944 (this Squadrons Last Lancaster operation). Later used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*A", and "EQ*Q", completed 15 missions. To Short Brother, Rochester in February 1945, later used at Royal Aeronautical Establishment for tests, including servo spring tab development for the Brabazon project. Reported derelict at Foulness Island post war.
last update: 2025-February-05

Lancaster DS709, Mk.II

s/n DS709

Avro

DS 709

Hercules

Briefly with No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, no major operations. Later used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*K" and "EQ*P". Flew 14 operations, including Hanover on 18/19 October 1943, and two raids on Berlin in November 1943 (as "EQ*K"); then three more raids on Berlin as "EQ*P". Lost on last raid on Berlin on 27/28 January 1944. 7 crew killed and one PoW.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-January-28 Failed to Return 2022-04-14

1944-January-27 KIA RAFVR George Adamson 2024-11-01

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Eldon Eastham Kearl DFC 2024-04-21

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Angus Maclean 2021-08-17

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Francis McManus 2022-01-20

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Paul David Parise 2024-04-24

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Elmer Reginald Proud 2021-08-11

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alfred Smith 2024-05-03

Lancaster DS710, Mk.II

s/n DS710

Avro

DS 710

Hercules

Briefly with No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, no major operations. Later used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*H" and then "EQ*A". Launched for 11 operations; including 5 to Berlin. Failed to return from operation over Berlin on 27/28 January 1944. No survivors in the crew of 8, who were on their 20th mission.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-January-28 Failed to Return failed to return from operation over Berlin, no survivors 2019-08-20

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Gordon Bennett 2025-01-14

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Kenneth Canning 2025-01-14

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Clarence William Frauts 2025-01-14

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Dennis Macdonald Sim 2025-01-14

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Charles Woodward Smith DFC 2025-01-14

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Dargavel Teskey 2025-01-14

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Hugh Ross Wilson 2025-01-14

Lancaster DS711, Mk.II

s/n DS711

Avro

DS 711

Hercules

With No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*B". Key raids included Mannheim on 23/24 September 1943; 5 raids over Berlin; and Stuttgart on 15/16 March 1944. Transferred out of this unit in December 1944. Survived the war, sold as scrap in 1947.
last update: 2025-February-05

1947-May Scrapped scrapped 2019-08-20

Lancaster DS712, Mk.II

s/n DS712

Avro

DS 712

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*G". Completed 7 operations. During attack on Berlin starboard outer engine went u/s en route to target, struck by flak over target, and attacked and damaged by Ju 88 during return. Starboard inner engine failed over the UK, resulting in gear up landing near a sewage disposal plant 2 miles south-east of Lincoln. 2 crew injured.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-November-27 Accident Crash crashed near Lincoln, see comments 2019-08-20

Lancaster DS713, Mk.II

s/n DS713

Avro

DS 713

Hercules

With No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*J" or possibly "OW*G". Failed to return from operation over Dusseldorf on 3/4 November 1943, no survivors. Came down in Munchen-Gladbach.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-November-04 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Dusseldorf, no survivors. 2019-08-20

1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Willoughby Ditzler 2024-10-21

1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Charles Edward Flewin 2024-10-21

1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Galloway 2024-10-21

1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Sergeant Melvin Ellis Gee 2024-10-21

1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Norman Stanley McLeod 2024-10-21

1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Gerald Thompson Mutton 2024-10-21

Lancaster DS714, Mk.II

s/n DS714

Avro

DS 714

Hercules

With No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*L". During attack on Mannheim on 23/24 September 1943 attacked twice by Ju 88s, 2 gunners injured, and severe damage to port rudder, turrets, hydraulics, port wing and fuel tanks, and port elevator. Cockpit damage as well. No injuries during crash landing at Thorney Island in UK. Apparently not repaired. Survived the war, sold as scrap in 1946.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-September-24 Accident Crash Crash landed on Thorney Island, see comments. 2019-08-20

Lancaster DS716, Mk.II

s/n DS716

Avro

DS 716

Hercules

With No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*U". Several raids, including 7 on Berlin. To No. 514 Squadron, RAF, lost with this unit on 20/21 March 1944.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-February-20 Failed to Return failed to return from operation over Leipzig 2019-08-20

1943-December-21 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Winslow Bartlett Ayer 2024-11-04

1943-December-21 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer William Frederick Griffin 2023-11-07

1943-December-21 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Gerald Limmer 2023-11-07

Lancaster DS718, Mk.II

s/n DS718

Avro

DS 718

Hercules

Briefly with No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, no major operations. Later used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*R". Flew 10 operations, including 6 to Berlin. Failed to return from operation to Berlin on 29/30 December 1943. Shot down by night fighter on return, came down at Wietmarschen, 15 kilometres west of Lingen, near the Dutch border. All 7 crew killed.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-December-30 Failed to Return failed to return from operation over Berlin 2019-08-20

1943-December-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Dennis Albert McCabe 2021-09-23

1943-December-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Alexander Pildrem 2021-08-14

1943-December-29 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Edward Raban 2021-08-11

1943-December-29 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Walter Torrance Wilton 2021-07-07

Lancaster DS719, Mk.II

s/n DS719

Avro

DS 719

Hercules

Briefly with No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, no major operations. Later used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*U". Flew 10 operations. Failed to return from operation over Essen on 26/27 April 1944. No survivors in the 7 man crew, including Lt. F.S. Shove, USAAF. . Came down in the Oosterschelde, near Wissenkirke, Holland.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-April-27 Failed to Return failed to return from operation over Essen, no survivors 2019-08-20

1944-April-27 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Graham Frederick Butson 2024-11-27

1944-April-27 KIA RAFVR James Harry Gilbert 2022-04-14

1944-April-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Douglas Thomas Greatrex 2021-08-07

1944-April-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Elliot Hendry 2021-08-09

1944-April-27 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class John Milton Potter 2021-09-30

1944-April-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Everett Raymond Rognan 2021-08-08

1944-April-27 KIA USAAF F S Shove 2022-04-14

Lancaster DS720, Mk.II

s/n DS720

Avro

DS 720

Hercules

last update: 2025-March-10

Lancaster DS723, Mk.II

s/n DS723

Avro

DS 723

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*B". Flew 7 operations. Failed to return from operation over Berlin on 26/27 November 1943. Lost without a trace, 8 crew still missing, including W/C Alexander Campbell Mair, DFC, the Squadron navigation leader Flying Officer R.E. North, DFC, and squadron signals leader Flight Lieutenant A.H. Glasspool.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-January-27 Failed to Return failed to return from operation over Berlin 2019-08-20

1943-November-27 KIA RAFVR Angus Ward Douglas 2024-10-27

1943-November-27 KIA RAFVR Geoffrey Fielding 2022-04-18

1943-November-27 KIA RAFVR Sidney Arthur Henry Glasspool 2022-04-18

1943-November-27 KIA RAF Charles Frederick Kirsch 2022-04-18

1943-November-27 KIA RCAF Wing Commander Alexander Campbell Mair DFC 2021-08-14

1943-November-27 KIA RAF Leonard Henry Mathews 2022-04-18

1943-November-27 KIA RAFVR Wilfred Ronal Eli North DFC, MiD 2022-04-18

Lancaster DS724, Mk.II

s/n DS724

Avro

DS 724

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*C" and "EQ*X". Completed 1 operation. As "EQ*X", took off on 7 October 1943 for mission to Stuttgart. Controls jammed shortly after takeoff, crew bailed out at 21:08 UK time over Hutton-le-Hole, Yorkshire without serious injury. 1 person on ground killed when aircraft crashed and bombs exploded at Manor Farm, Spaunton, north of Thirsk, Yorkshire. Control problems believed to be result of airframe icing.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-October-07 Accident Crash crashed near Spaunton, Yorkshire 2019-08-20

Lancaster DS725, Mk.II

s/n DS725

Avro

DS 725

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*B". Had left this Squadron when lost on 20/21 October 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

Lancaster DS726, Mk.II

s/n DS726

Avro

DS 726

Hercules

With No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, no record of significant operations. Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*E", "EQ*T", and "EQ*Y". Flew 34 operations. Bombed Hannover on 19 October 1943, as "EQ*T". Attacked Berlin on 20/21 January and 27/28 January 1944, as "EQ*Y". On second mission, attacked by Me 110, port outer engine rendered u/s. Landed at base on 3 engines. Failed to return from operation over Cambrai on 12/13 June 1944. Shot down by night fighter, 6 killed, 1 POW, 1 evaded. Crashed at Seranvillers-Forenville, south-south-east of Cambrai.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-June-13 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Cambrai. Shot down by night fighter, 6 killed and 1 POW. 2019-08-20

Bombing Cambrai France 1944-06-12 to 1944-06-13

408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Linton-on-Ouse

408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom) RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Lancaster II aircraft DS 726 EQ-Y did not return from night operations to bomb railyards at Cambrai, France, shot down by night fighter ace Hauptmann Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer of Stab IV/NJG 1, who had been scrambled from Chievres (Belgium) in a Bf 110 G-4. The Lancaster crashed at Seranvillers-Forneville, SSE of Cambrai, France

Squadron Leader WB Stewarts (RCAF), Pilot Officer RD Ochsner (RCAF), Flying Officer GE Mallory (RCAF),Warrant Officer HF Murphy (RCAF), Pilot Officer J Bray (RAF), and Pilot Officer N Varley (RAF) were all killed in action

Flying Officer WC Burns (RCAF) survived and was taken as Prisoner of War

Pilot Officer GJBJ Lapierre DFC (RCAF) survived and avoided capture as an Evader

There were three #408 Squadron Lancaster aircraft and crews lost on this operation, all shot down by Hauptmann Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer. Please see aircraft serials DS 688 EQ-R and DS 772 EQ-T for additional information

General Research of France-Crashes 39-45

General Aces of the Luftwaffe - Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer

General Lancaster II DS726 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...

1944-June-13 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Jack Bray 2025-03-02

1944-June-13 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Wendell Chesley Burns 2024-11-25

1944-June-13 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer Gaston Jean Baptiste Joseph La Pierre DFC 2025-03-02

1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Ewart Mallory 2025-03-02

1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Harry Frederick Murphy 2025-03-02

1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Duncan Ochsner 2025-03-02

1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader William Benjamin Stewart 2025-03-02

1944-June-13 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Norman Varley 2025-03-02

Lancaster DS727, Mk.II

s/n DS727

Avro

DS 727

Hercules

With No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, no record of significant operations. Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*A", "EQ*X", and "EQ*O". Flew 53 operations from October 1943, including at least 9 over Berlin. Attacked rail yards at Haine St. Pierre 8/9 May 1944 as "EQ*O", hit by flak, minor damage. Left this Squadron by December 1944.
last update: 2025-February-05

Lancaster DS728, Mk.II

s/n DS728

Avro

DS 728

Hercules

last update: 2025-March-10

1944-April-21 KIA RCAF Sergeant Clarence Delmer Duncan 2024-10-29

Lancaster DS731, Mk.II

s/n DS731

Avro

DS 731

Hercules

With No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*G". Later used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*O" and "EQ*U". Flew a total of 20 missions, including at least 11 to Berlin. "EQ*O" when lost. Failed to return from operation over Schweinfurt on 24/25 February 1944. Shot down by night fighter, 1 killed and 6 POW.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-February-25 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Schweinfurt. Shot down by night fighter, 1 killed and 6 POW. 2019-08-20

Bombing Schweinfurt Germany 1944-02-24 to 1944-02-25

408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Linton-on-Ouse

408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom) RAF Linton on Ouse. Lancaster II aircraft DS 731 EQ-O was shot down by a night fighter near Erkshausen, Germany during operations against targets in Schweinfurt, Germany

Air Gunner Pilot Officer ME Hodgins (RCAF) was the only crew member lost, killed in action

Flying Officer G McKiel (RCAF), FS AC Keiller (RCAF), Pilot Officer A Walker (RCAF), Sergeant RE Loomer (RCAF) and Sergeant GN Parsons (RAFVR) all survived were taken as Prisoners of War

General [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...

1944-February-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Cleeman Merritt Hawkins 2022-12-15

1944-February-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Mervyn Eugene Hodgins 2022-12-15

1944-February-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Albert Clarence Keiller 2022-12-15

1944-February-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Roy Edwin Loomer 2022-12-15

1944-February-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer George McKiel 2022-12-15

1944-February-25 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Gordon Noel Parsons 2022-12-15

1944-February-25 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Angus Walker 2022-12-15

Lancaster DS732, Mk.II

s/n DS732

Avro

DS 732

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*F". No record of use on key raids. Crashed following engine failure during a fighter affiliation exercise on 7 September 1943. Came down near Newton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire. Rear gunner Sgt. R.W. Ogston was thrown from his turret and sustained fatal injuries, no other injuries.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-September-07 Accident Crash Crashed on training flight near Newton-on-Ouse, UK. 2019-08-20

1943-September-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Wilson Ogston 2021-08-18

Lancaster DS733, Mk.II

s/n DS733

Avro

DS 733

Hercules

Used by No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*L". Operations included raids on Berlin on 18/19 November 1943, 22/23 November 1943 and 26/27 November 1943. Failed to return from raid on Leipzig on 3/4 December 1943. Crashed at Espel, 11 kilometres east of Lingen. 4 crew killed, 3 PoW.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-December-04 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Leipzig. 4 crew killed, 3 POW. 2019-08-20

1943-December-04 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Herbert Witham Booth 2024-11-14

1943-December-04 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Donald Albert Clark 2025-01-29

1943-December-04 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer David Thomas Cooper 2025-01-29

1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Sergeant Jean Breboeuf Laurent Legault 2025-01-29

1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Percival Neale 2025-01-29

1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ross Griffin Sturley 2025-01-29

1943-December-04 KIA RCAF Sergeant Anthony Wolkowski 2025-01-29

Lancaster DS735, Mk.II

s/n DS735

Avro

DS 735

Hercules

last update: 2025-March-10

1944-January-30 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant George Joseph Chequer 2024-04-04

Lancaster DS737, Mk.II

s/n DS737

Avro

DS 737

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*C". Named "Countess". Completed 10 missions, including 5 to Berlin in November 1943. Crashed at 23:30 local time, into high ground on Murton Common in bad weather, 2 miles south-west of Hawnby, Yorkshire after raid on Berlin on 16/17 December 1943. 2 survivors, 5 crew killed or died later due to injuries. Was diverting to more northern base due to poor weather, had been airborne over 7 hours at time of crash and was letting down through overcast.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-December-17 Accident Crash Crashed into high ground in bad weather, near Hawnby, Yorkshire after raid on Berlin. 2 survivors. 2019-08-20

1943-December-16 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Omer Emile Jules Boily 2024-10-10

1943-December-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Russell Stanley Clark 2024-10-10

1943-December-16 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Timothy I'Anson Dee 2024-10-10

1943-December-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Michael Edmund Marynowski 2024-10-10

1943-December-16 Survived RAF Sergeant Leslie Arthur Moran 2024-10-10

1943-December-16 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Kenneth Roy Wood 2024-10-10

1943-December-16 Survived RCAF Flight Sergeant Lloyd John Yeo 2024-10-10

Lancaster DS739, Mk.II

s/n DS739

Avro

DS 739

Hercules

last update: 2025-March-10

1944-January-03 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Berlin, no survivors. 2019-08-20

Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-01-02 to 1944-01-03

(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor

Battle of Berlin

383 aircraft - 362 Lancasters, 12 Mosquitoes, 9 Halifaxes. The German control rooms followed the bombers all the way to Berlin, which was assessed as the target 40 minutes before Zero Hour. Night fighters were sent to a radio beacon between Hannover and Bremen but these fighters missed the bomber stream and did not come into action until they were directed to Berlin. Most of the bomber casualties were in the Berlin area. 27 Lancasters were lost, 7Â·0 per cent of the force. The casualties included 10 Pathfinder aircraft; 156 Squadron, from Warboys, lost 5 of its 14 aircraft taking part in the raid.

This was another ineffective raid. Bombs were scattered over all parts of Berlin, with the local reports stressing that there were no large fires; the fire services were able to contain all fires soon after they started. 82 houses were destroyed and 36 people were killed. Industrial damage was insignificant.

source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt

432 Leaside Squadron (Saevitir Ad Lucem) RAF East Moor. Lancaster BII aircraft DS 739 QO-Y was shot down during night operations against targets in Berlin, Germany by night fighter pilot Leutnant Wendelin Breukel of the 5/NJG 2 (based at Deelen airfield in the Netherlands), who was flying a Ju 88 C-6. The Lancaster crashed eighty miles southwest of Berlin at southern edge of Gross Rosenburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, near Kothen, Germany. The entire crew were lost

Warrant Officer Class 2 JE Scott (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant JA Allen (RCAF), Flying Officer HF Doull (RCAF), Flying Officer K Crawford (RCAF), Sergeant JA Cobbett (RCAF), Sergeant IAJ Dupuis (RCAF), and W.R. Collier (RAFVR) were all killed in action

General Aviation Safety Network

1944-January-03 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Allardyce Allen 2024-11-02

1944-January-03 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Arthur Cobbett 2024-03-07

1944-January-03 KIA RAFVR Sergeant William Roy Collier 2024-04-04

1944-January-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth Crawford 2024-05-13

1944-January-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Hedley Forbes Doull 2024-10-28

1944-January-03 KIA RCAF Sergeant Irenee Adelard Joseph Dupuis 2024-10-30

1944-January-03 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class John Ernest Scott 2024-05-01

Lancaster DS740, Mk.II

s/n DS740

Avro

DS 740

Hercules

last update: 2025-March-10

Bombing Brunswick Germany 1944-01-14 to 1944-01-14

(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor

Battle of Berlin

496 Lancasters and 2 Halifaxes on the first major raid to Brunswick of the war. 38 Lancasters Jost, 7Â·6 per cent of the force. The German running commentary was heard following the progress of the bomber force from a position only 40 miles from the English coast and many German fighters entered the bomber stream soon after the German frontier was crossed near Bremen. The German fighters scored steadily until the Dutch coast was crossed on the return flight. Ir of the lost aircraft were Pathfinders.

Brunswick was smaller than Bomber Command's usual targets and this raid was not a success. The city report describes this only as a 'light' raid, with bombs in the south of the city which had only ro houses destroyed and 14 people killed. Most of the attack fell either in the countryside or in Wolfenbiittel and other small towns and villages well to the south of Brunswick.

source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt

Lancaster BII aircraft DS 740 QO-Z missing while engaged in an operation against targets in Brunswick, Germany. It is believed that the Lancaster was shot down by a night fighter and crashed at Lagershausen, NE of Northeim, Germany with the loss of the entire crew

Pilot Officer DT Lyng (RCAF), Pilot Officer DA Rae (RCAF),Warrant Officer WH Hoppus (RCAF), Sergeant KE Evans (RAFVR), Sergeant CF Tarr (RAFVR), FS EF Howe (RAFVR), and Flying Officer BV Holmes (RAFVR) were all killed in action

There were two 432 Lancaster II aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Rainville, GH for information on Lancaster DS 850 QO-M

General War Cemetery - Hanover-Ahlem, Lower Saxony, Germany

General Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire

1944-January-15 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Brunswick, no survivors. 2019-08-20

1944-January-14 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Kenneth Edgar Evans 2023-01-27

1944-January-14 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Geoffrey Vernon Holmes 2023-01-27

1944-January-14 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Willard Henry Hoppus 2023-01-27

1944-January-14 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Edward Frederick Howe 2023-01-27

1944-January-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer David Thomas Lyng 2023-01-27

1944-January-14 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Arthur Rae 2023-01-27

1944-January-14 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Charles Francis Tarr 2023-01-27

Lancaster DS741, Mk.II

s/n DS741

Avro

DS 741

Hercules

Used by No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*T". Completed at least 8 missions, including 7 to Berlin. Failed to return from operation over Frankfurt on 22/23 March 1944, no survivors. Had 181 hours airframe time when lost.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-March-23 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Frankfurt, no suvivors. 2019-08-20

1944-March-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alexander Matthew James Bell 2025-01-09

1944-March-23 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Henry Herbert Bow 2024-11-16

1944-March-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Daniel Brown 2024-11-21

1944-March-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Clinton George Hetherington 2025-01-09

Lancaster DS757, Mk.II

s/n DS757

Avro

DS 757

Hercules

Used by No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "D", no record of key operations. Also with No. 432 (B) Squadron, RCAF. Coded "QO*D" when it bombed Berlin on 2/3 December 1943. Coded "QO*L" for 3 more raids to Berlin. Lost during an air test and sea search on 5 March 1944, with No. 426 (B) Squadron, coded "OW*D". Port engine failed while low flying over water, aircraft stalled in attempting to climb away. Came down 2 miles of Bridlington. One crew killed, 2 injured, 3 survived without injury.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-March-05 Accident Crash Crashed into sea near Bridlington, while with 426 Sdn. 2019-08-20

1944-March-05 Rescued RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Sinclair Jamieson 2022-05-16

1944-March-05 Rescued RCAF Flight Sergeant Percival NJ Logan MiD 2021-06-05

1944-March-05 Rescued RCAF Pilot Officer James Ralph Willis 2021-06-11

1944-June-29 Rescued RCAF Pilot Officer Hugh Waldie Birnie 2023-08-20

Lancaster DS758, Mk.II

s/n DS758

Avro

DS 758

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*H". Named "Countess", completed 8 missions, including 2 to Berlin. Lost on mission to Frankfurt on 20/21 December 1943. 7 fatalities, including USAAF observer Lt. N. Stiller.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-December-12 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Frankfurt, no survivors. 2019-08-20

1943-December-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth Lloyd Brager 2024-11-17

1943-December-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Donald Cochrane 2025-02-20

1943-December-20 KIA RAFVR Edwin Kent 2025-02-20

1943-December-20 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Max Albert McCurdy 2025-02-20

1943-December-20 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Leslie Arthur McQuestion 2025-02-20

1943-December-20 KIA RAFVR Bernard Smith 2025-02-20

Lancaster DS759, Mk.II

s/n DS759

Avro

DS 759

Hercules

Also with No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*K", flew 17 missions September 1943 to February 1944. Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*A" and "EQ*H". Coded "EQ*A" when lost during raid on Dortmund on 22/23 May 1944. Shot down by night fighter, crashed at Hartefeld, 3 kilometres west of Sevelen. All 7 crew killed.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-May-23 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Dortmund. Shot down by night fighter, no survivors. 2019-08-20

1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Davis Brown 2024-11-21

1944-May-23 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Archibald Sinclair Campbell 2025-03-08

1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harry Joseph Cunningham 2024-05-29

1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Peter Kalyta 2025-03-08

1944-May-23 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Henry Arthur Nightingale 2025-03-08

1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Walter William Rehkopf 2025-03-08

1944-May-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Russell Sherrill 2025-03-08

Lancaster DS760, Mk.II

s/n DS760

Avro

DS 760

Hercules

Used by No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*M" from November 1943. Failed to return from its 9th operation over Berlin on 2/3 January 1944, 6 crew killed and 2 POW.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-January-03 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Berlin, 6 crew killed and 2 POW. 2019-08-20

1944-January-03 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Peter Allwell 2024-11-02

1944-January-03 PoW RCAF Sergeant Richard Gordon Cridland 2024-05-15

1944-January-03 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Ronald Harry Filbey 2022-05-03

1944-January-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Anthony Griffiths 2022-05-03

1944-January-03 KIA RAFVR Sergeant George Jowett 2022-05-03

1944-January-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lloyd Offer 2022-05-03

1944-January-03 PoW RCAF Flying Officer George Sparks 2022-05-03

1944-January-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Robert Symons 2022-05-03

Lancaster DS761, Mk.II

s/n DS761

Avro

DS 761

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*J", "EQ*S", and "EQ*V". Flew 15 operations with this unit. Attacked Berlin on 20/21 January 1944 as "EQ*V", when it was attacked by an Fw190. Reported lost raid on Frankfurt on 22/23 March 1944, but also reported as surviving the war, scrapped in November 1946.
last update: 2025-February-05

Lancaster DS762, Mk.II

s/n DS762

Avro

DS 762

Hercules

Used by No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*V". Bombed Berlin on 18/19 November 1943. Dispatched to Berlin on 16/17 December 1943. Abandoned over Sweden after sustaining battle damage on approach to Berlin . Had been attacked by night fighter, and was low on fuel. All crew survived and were interned.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-12-16 to 1943-12-17

426 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Linton-on-Ouse

426 Thunderbird Squadron (On Wings of Fire) RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Lancaster BII aircraft DS 762 OW-V, during an operation against targets in Berlin, Germany was hit by flak over Osnabruck, Netherlands, losing the aircraft hydraulics. Further flak hits and possible night fighter attack caused damage to multiple fuel tanks resulting in fuel leaks and a fire. The fire was extinguished, allowing the bomber to continue to Berlin and drop it's bombload. Unfortunately, the fuel loss meant a return flight to England was not possible so the the badly shot up Lancaster was turned north for neutral Sweden, where the pilot ordered his crew to abandon the aircraft. The bomber then crashed onto the ice covered Asnen Lake, Sweden

Pilot Officer A C Davies DFC (RCAF), Pilot Officer H L Garriock (RCAF), Sergeant E O George DFM (RCAF), Pilot Officer R H Ginson (RCAF), Flight Sergeant F T Mudry (RCAF), Pilot Officer R F Richards (RAF) and Sergeant R Engle (RAF) all survived

The crew, all safe, were arrested by police and as Sweden was a neutral country during the war, they all became interned prisoners rather than Prisoners of War. They were not held in POW camps, but were placed in hotels and bed and breakfast establishments in the Falun area, enjoying relative freedom of movement, unlike a Prisoner of War in a camp. They received their regular military pay from their home countries, which allowed them to actually be much better off than the local Swedish residents

The crew of Lancaster DS 762 were repatriated to the UK between September and October 1944

There were four 426 Squadron Lancaster II aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Lancaster aircraft serials DS 779 OW-C, DS 837 OW-Q and DS 846 OW-X for further information and detail

General Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

General The night of the Intruders

1943-December-17 Interned RCAF Pilot Officer Alan Craig Davies DFC 2023-11-20

Lancaster DS770, Mk.II

s/n DS770

Avro

DS 770

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*F", no record of key operations. Also with No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*P" from October 1943. Coded "OW*J" when lost on raid on Berlin on 2/3 December 1943. All 7 crew killed.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-December-03 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Berlin, no survivors. 2019-08-20

1943-December-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Jerome Thomas Ellis Cumming-Bart 2024-05-29

1943-December-02 KIA RCAF Sergeant Harry Arnold Keast 2024-04-21

1943-December-02 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frank Thomas Andrew McKernan 2024-04-22

1943-December-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Malcolm Crimmins Shaw 2024-05-01

1943-December-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Frederick Waddington 2024-05-03

Lancaster DS771, Mk.II

s/n DS771

Avro

DS 771

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, no record of key operations. Used by No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*P". Failed to return from operation over Stuttgart on 15/16 March 1944, no survivors. Had 114 hours airframe time when lost.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-March-16 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Stuttgart, no survivors. 2019-08-20

1944-March-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Richard Bursleigh Black 2025-01-22

1944-March-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Phillip Brooks 2024-11-20

1944-March-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ivan William Martin 2024-06-17

1944-March-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Gerald Sylvain Simard 2024-06-28

1944-March-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lorne Edgar Yeo 2024-07-12

1944-March-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Henry Kenneth Young 2024-07-12

Lancaster DS772, Mk.II

s/n DS772

Avro

DS 772

Hercules

With No. 428 (B) Squadron, RCAF, no details. Re;ported with No. 426 Squadron, coded "OW*E", may have been on loan from another squadron. Also with No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, flew 11 missions in October 1943 to March 1944, including 9 to Berlin. Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*T", flew 20 missions. Failed to return from operation over Cambra on 12/13 June 1944 while with 408 Squadron. Shot down by night fighter, crashed at Avesnes-les-Aubert (Nord), 11 kilometres East-North-East of Cambra. All 7 crew killed, including Squadron signals leader and two Belgians serving in the RAF.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-June-13 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Cambra. Shot down by night fighter, no survivors. 2019-08-20

Bombing Cambrai France 1944-06-12 to 1944-06-13

408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Linton-on-Ouse

408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom) RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Lancaster II aircraft DS 772 EQ-T was shot down by night fighter ace Hauptmann Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer of Stab IV/NJG 1, who had been scrambled from Chievres (Belgium) in a Bf 110 G-4. The Lancaster crashed five and one half miles east of Cambrai, at Avernes Les Aubert, France during night operations against rail facilities in Cambrai, France

Flight Lieutenant TO Pledger DFC (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant HC McIver (RCAF), Pilot Officer WH Goodwin, (RCAF) Sergeant DM Russell (RAF), Flying Officer JH Wyatt (RAFVR), Flying Officer AJJC Dulait (RAFVR) and Flying Officer CAG Hanchar (RAFVR) were all killed in action

There were three #408 Squadron Lancaster aircraft and crews lost on this operation, all shot down by Hauptmann Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer. Please see serial DS 688 EQ-R and DS 726 EQ-Y for additional information

General Aviation Safety Network

General Research of France-Crashes 39-45

General Aces of the Luftwaffe - Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer

General Lancaster II DS772 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...

1944-June-13 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Andre Joseph Julien Christain Dulait 2024-10-29

1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Harvey Goodwin 2023-09-21

1944-June-13 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Charles Armand Georges Hanchar 2023-08-08

1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Henry Carbee McIver 2023-09-21

1944-June-13 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Thomas Oswald Pledger DFC 2023-09-21

1944-June-13 KIA RAF Sergeant Donald Mac Russell 2023-09-21

1944-June-13 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer John Harker Wyatt 2023-09-21

Lancaster DS774, Mk.II

s/n DS774

Avro

DS 774

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*F" from September 1943, flew 4 missions. Failed to return from operation over Dusseldorf on 3/4 November 1943. Crashed into sea off Holland, probably shot down by night fighter. 3 crew washed ashore dead in dinghy near Rockanje on 12 November 1943, other 4 crew never found.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-November-04 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Dusseldorf. Crashed into sea, 3 crew washed ashore in dinghy. 2019-08-20

1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Tom William Hilliard 2021-08-10

1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Colin Murray MacDonald 2021-08-16

1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Percy Miller 2021-08-16

1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Earl Sauve 2021-08-04

1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Sergeant Robert Clifford Smith 2021-07-26

1943-November-03 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Robert Allen Young 2023-03-27

Lancaster DS775, Mk.II

s/n DS775

Avro

DS 775

Hercules

With No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, no key raids. Used by No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, from September 1943, reported coded "OW*A" and "OW*G". Was coded "OW*W" when lost. Failed to return from its fifth operation over Berlin on 27/28 January 1944. Shot down by night fighter, 5 killed and 2 POW.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-January-28 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Berlin. Shot down by night fighter, 5 killed and 2 POW. 2019-08-20

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alfred Brooks 2025-03-04

1944-January-28 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Edward James Houston 2025-03-04

1944-January-28 KIA RAF Flight Lieutenant Arthur Tempest Martens 2025-03-04

Lancaster DS776, Mk.II

s/n DS776

Avro

DS 776

Hercules

With No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, no key raids. Used by No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*W". Reported by Wilson as coded "OW*A" when lost. Completed at least 8 missions, including 7 to Berlin. Failed to return from operation over Leipzig on 19/20 February 1944, no survivors. Came down near Valkenswaard, Holland.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-February-20 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Leipzig, no survivors. 2019-08-20

1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Foster Richard Alleyn 2024-11-02

1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Paul Conroy Cox 2024-05-09

1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Edward Albert Dowe 2024-10-28

1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Harold Alton Hancock 2021-09-21

1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Morris Allan McKenzie 2021-08-17

1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Vernon George Whalen 2021-07-09

Lancaster DS777, Mk.II

s/n DS777

Avro

DS 777

Hercules

last update: 2025-March-10

1944-January-22 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Robert Browning Becker 2024-11-10

Lancaster DS778, Mk.II

s/n DS778

Avro

DS 778

Hercules

With No. 432 (B) Squadron, RCAF, flew 6 missions. Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*U", completed 1 operation. With No. 408 Sdn when it failed to return from operation over Kassel on 22/23 October 1943, came down at 21:30 local time at Lavelsloh, 15 kilometres north-north-east of Lubbecke. All 7 crew killed.

Kassel. 569 aircraft, 43 losses (7.6%), due to the German controller correctly assessing that the raid was on Kassel. Blind H2S marking overshot the target but 8 out of 9 visual markers were accurate. German decoy markers drew off some of the main force but otherwise the raid was exceptionally accurate and concentrated leading to a firestorm. Over 26000 homes were destroyed and a further 26000 damaged. Some 63% of housing in the city became unusable, resulting in 100-120,000 people being displaced. The number of industrial, public and military buildings destroyed are too numerous to list Of particular note, however, was that the railway system was badly damaged and the three Henschel factories which produced the V1 bomb were all seriously damaged. This certainly pegged back the V1 deployment capability significantly. The number of dead was around 5600. International Bomber Command Centre

last update: 2025-February-05

1943-October-23 Failed to Return 2022-04-14

1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ross Banting Jackson 2021-05-15

1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Walter Kerslake 2021-05-15

1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Thomas Dunwoody Mayne 2021-06-06

1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Roy Ernest McComb 2021-05-15

1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Andrew Franklin Scanes 2021-06-02

1943-October-22 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Richard Andrew Thornton 2021-06-10

1943-October-22 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Arthur James Whiston 2021-05-15

Lancaster DS779, Mk.II

s/n DS779

Avro

DS 779

Hercules

Used by No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*Q". Reported by Wilson as coded "OW*C" when lost. Crashed in bad weather near Hunsingore, Yorkshire, UK while returning from raid on Berlin on 2/3 December 1943. 2 survivors.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-December-16 Accident Crash Crashed in bad weather near Hunsingore, Yorkshire, UK while returning from raid on Berlin. 2 survivors. 2019-08-20

1943-December-16 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Greenwell 2022-04-21

s/n DS788

Avro

DS 788

Hercules

Was with No. 432 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "QO*E". Took part in this Squadrons first Lancaster operation on 18/19 November 1943, a sea search. Made second raid on Berlin on 2/3 January 1944. Attacked by FW 200 en route to target, damaged, returned safely to Colby Grange. Back on operations by 30 January 1943. Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*C" from February 1944. Failed to return from operation over Leipzig on 19/20 February 1944. Shot down by night fighter, 5 killed, 1 evaded and 1 POW.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-February-20 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Leipzig. Shot down by night fighter, 5 killed, 1 evaded and 1 POW. 2019-08-20

1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John James Astles 2024-11-03

1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth Hugh Bennett 2024-11-11

1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Albert Frampton 2025-01-14

1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Flying Officer George Walker Reynolds 2025-01-14

1944-February-20 Evader F W C Robertson 2025-01-14

1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Kenneth Smith 2025-01-14

1944-February-20 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Kenneth Witty Tindall 2025-01-14

Lancaster DS789, Mk.II

s/n DS789

Avro

DS 789

Hercules

Served with No. 432 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "QO*V". Flew at least 6 missions with this Squadron, including 5 to Berlin. Used by No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*A" from early 1944. Failed to return from operation over Essen on 26/27 March 1944. Blew up after being hit by flak, debris scattered over large area of Bottrop. All 7 crew killed.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-March-27 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Essen. Blew up after being hit by flak, no survivors. 2019-08-20

1944-March-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Jack Olavi Koivu 2021-08-12

1944-March-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alan Ludvig Olsson 2021-08-18

1944-March-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Garnet Phinney 2021-08-14

1944-March-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Harold Proudlock 2021-08-11

Lancaster DS790, Mk.II

s/n DS790

Avro

DS 790

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*B", from November 1943. Flew 10 operations, including 4 to Berlin. Failed to return from operation over Magdeburg on 21/22 January 1944. Shot down by night fighter, 5 killed and 3 POW.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-January-22 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Magdeburg. Shot down by night fighter, 5 killed and 3 POW. 2019-08-20

1944-January-21 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon Currie 2024-10-21

1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Bentley Dinning 2024-10-21

1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Albert Edward Elliott 2024-10-21

1944-January-21 PoW RAFVR Pilot Officer William Johnston 2024-10-21

1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Howard Dennis Jones 2024-10-21

1944-January-21 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Bleeker Mill 2024-10-21

1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Charles Rankin 2024-10-21

1944-January-21 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Gilmour Murray Reid 2024-10-21

Lancaster DS791, Mk.II

s/n DS791

Avro

DS 791

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF from November 1943, coded "EQ*F". Flew 19 operations, including 10 to Berlin. Failed to return from operation over Augsburg on 25/26 February 1944, 6 killed and 1 POW.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-February-26 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Augsburg, 6 killed and 1 POW. 2019-08-20

1944-February-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lloyd Stuart Beer 2025-01-07

1944-February-26 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Ronald Edgar Bowler 2025-01-07

1944-February-26 KIA RAFVR Fred Crofts 2024-05-25

1944-February-26 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Clarence Oscar Draper MiD 2024-10-28

1944-February-26 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Douglas George Mullock 2025-01-07

1944-February-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Cyril Frederick Ridgers DFC 2025-01-07

1944-February-26 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant William Robert Smith DFC 2025-01-07

Lancaster DS793, Mk.II

s/n DS793

Avro

DS 793

Hercules

Delivered to No. 115 Sqn 5 Nov 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 26/27 Nov 1943. 6 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Alexander Mitchell 2024-06-21

Lancaster DS794, Mk.II

s/n DS794

Avro

DS 794

Hercules

With No. 432 (B) Squadron, RCAF, from November 1943 coded "QO*W". Used by No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, from February 1944, coded "OW*W". Lost on first major mission with this Squadron. Failed to return from operation over Berlin on 15/16 February 1944. All 7 crew killed. Wreckage located in Holland, September 1960.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-February-16 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Berlin. No survivors. Wreckage located in Holland, September 1960. 2019-08-20

1944-February-16 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lyle Wilmot Hicks 2021-08-10

1944-February-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Orville Wesley Hicks 2021-08-10

1944-February-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Peter Labach 2021-08-13

1944-February-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Kilworthy Murray Love 2021-08-13

1944-February-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Basil William Pattle 2021-08-18

1944-February-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Leslie Thomas Prosser 2021-08-11

Lancaster DS797, Mk.II

s/n DS797

Avro

DS 797

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF. Coded "EQ*H" for 2 raids to Berlin in December 1943 and January 1944. Coded "EQ*M" from late January 1944. Flew 13 operations in total. Lost on operation to Frankfurt on 22/23 March 1944. Came down in Gruneburg Parken in Frankfurt. All 8 crew killed.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-March-23 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Frankfurt, no survivors. 2019-08-20

1944-March-22 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Lennox Barr 2024-12-23

1944-March-22 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Warren Thompson Fulton 2024-12-23

1944-March-22 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Joseph Alphonse Paul Henri Gaboury 2024-12-23

1944-March-22 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Francis Joseph King 2024-12-23

1944-March-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Donald Alfred Parsons Ledrew 2024-12-23

1944-March-22 KIA RAFVR James Murdoch Smith 2024-12-23

1944-March-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Gilbert Frank Allerton Thompson 2024-12-23

1944-March-22 KIA RAFVR Richard Walmsley 2024-12-23

Lancaster DS813, Mk.II

s/n DS813

Avro

DS 813

Hercules

Delivered to No. 514 Sqn (JI-H) Sep 1943. On 15 Mar 1944 on an operation to Stuttgart, gunner Pilot Officer John J. McNeil was killed in a fighter attack, but the aircraft returned to base. Missing on operation to Stuttgart 28/29 Jul 1943. 372 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-March-15 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Joseph McNeill 2025-01-14

1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Richard Jack Bennett 2024-11-11

1944-July-29 KIA RAF Sergeant Harold Gordon Carter 2024-01-11

1944-July-29 KIA RAFVR Flight Lieutenant Henry Charles Alfred Chapman 2024-01-31

1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Terence Daly 2024-08-08

1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Alba Fletcher Fowke 2025-01-14

1944-July-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Reginald Murphy 2025-01-14

1944-July-29 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Sydney Arthur Picton 2025-01-14

Lancaster DS814, Mk.II

s/n DS814

Avro

DS 814

Hercules

Delivered to No. 514 Sqn (JI-M) Sep 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 26/27 Nov 1943. 57 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Maurice Raoul Cantin 2024-08-08

1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Stuart Elmer Smith 2024-08-08

Lancaster DS815, Mk.II

s/n DS815

Avro

DS 815

Hercules

last update: 2025-March-10

1944-March-23 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Keith Douglas Deans 2024-10-09

Lancaster DS823, Mk.II

s/n DS823

Avro

DS 823

Hercules

last update: 2025-March-10

1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer William Sidney Ball 2024-11-05

Lancaster DS828, Mk.II

s/n DS828

Avro

DS 828

Hercules

last update: 2025-March-10

1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Colin Alexander Campbell 2024-08-16

1944-April-23 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Wallace Lawrence Granbois 2024-08-16

Lancaster DS829, Mk.II

s/n DS829

Avro

DS 829

Hercules

With No. 432 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "QO*A" and "QO*L". At least 6 missions with this Squadron, including 5 to Berlin. Used by No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, from February 1944, coded "OW*J", and "OW*U" when lost. Failed to return from operation over Stuttgart on15/16 March 1944. Abandoned over Europe after all 4 engines failed. All 7 crew POW, Sgt. W.F Nicholls was promoted to Flying Officer in captivity, died of tuberculosis in captivity, January 1945.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-March-16 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Stuttgart. all crew POW. 2019-08-20

1944-March-15 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Roman Joseph Renneberg 2023-08-05

1944-March-16 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Ernest Candlish Brewer 2024-11-18

1944-March-16 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Arnold Hillman 2021-03-01

1944-March-16 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Charles Howard Junior McIlwain 2023-07-19

1944-March-16 PoW Died RCAF Flying Officer William Frederick Nicholls 2022-06-11

1944-March-16 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Edward William Strauss 2023-08-10

Lancaster DS830, Mk.II

s/n DS830

Avro

DS 830

Hercules

With No. 432 (B) Squadron, RCAF from late 1943, coded "QO*S", named "Bobby Boy". Flew 12 operations with this Squadron, including at least 5 to Berlin. With No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF from February 1944, coded "OW*R" and "OW*S", flew 16 operations. Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF from July 1944, coded "EQ*H" and "EQ*W". Flew 31 operations with this unit, including attack on Villeneuve St. George on 4/5 July 1944. To No. 1668 Heavy Conversion Unit in March 1945.
last update: 2025-February-05

1945-March Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

Lancaster DS831, Mk.II

s/n DS831

Avro

DS 831

Hercules

last update: 2025-March-10

Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-12-16 to 1943-12-16

(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor

Battle of Berlin

483 Lancasters and I0 Mosquitoes on the main raid and 5 further Mosquitoes dropped decoy fighter flares south of Berlin.

The bomber route again led directly to Berlin across Holland and Northern Germany and there wore no major diversions, The German controllers plotted the the course of the bombers with great accuracy; many German fighters were met T the coast of Holland and further fighters were guided on to the bomber stream throughout the approach to the target. More fighters were waiting at the target and there were many combats. The bombers shook off the opposition on the return flight by taking a northerly route over Denmark. 25 Lancasters, 5.2 per cent of the Lancaster force, were lost. Many further aircraft were lost on returning to England (see later paragraph).

Berlin was cloud-covered but the Pathfinder sky-marking was reasonably accurate and much of the bombing fell in the city. The local report says that the raid hit no identifiable aiming point but the central and eastern districts were hit more than other areas. Little industrial damage was caused; most of the bombing hit housing and railways. Conflicting figures on the number of dead are given; the overall tot may be 720, of which 279 were foreign workers - 186 women, 65 men and 28 youths 70 of these foreigners - all from the East - were killed when the train in which they were travelling was bombed at the Halensee Station. In the city centre, the National Theatre and the building housing Germany's military and political archives were both destroyed. The damage to the Berlin railway system and to rolling stock, and the large numbers of people still leaving the city, were having a cumulative effect upon the transportation of supplies to the Russian Front; 1000 wagon-loads of war material were held up for 6 days. The sustained bombing had now made more than a quarter of Berlin's total living accommodation unusable.

On their return to England, many of the bombers encountered very low cloud at their bases. The squadrons of 1, 6 and 8 Groups were particularly badly affected. Lancasters (and a Stirling from the minelaying operation) either crashed or were abandoned when their crews parachuted. The group with heaviest losses was 1 Group with 13 aircraft lost; the squadron with heaviest losses was 97 Squadron, 8 Group with 7 aircraft lost. There is a little confusion in Bomber Command records over aircrew casualties but it is probable that 148 men were killed in the crashes, 39 were injured and 6 presumed lost in the sea.

source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt

Lancaster BII aircraft DS 831 QO-N was shot down by night fighter pilot Oblt Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer of 12/NJG1 over Holland during operation against targets in Berlin, Germany. The Lancaster crashed at Weidum - Wijtgaard, Friesland, Netherlands

Warrant Officer Class 2 HA Turner (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 1 JS Briegel (RCAF), Sergeant R Hughes (RAFVR), FS TW Pragnell (RAFVR),Warrant Officer RK Saunders (RAAF) and Flying Officer WC Fisher (USAAF) were all killed in action

FS Lewis was either an Evader or was taken Prisoner of War and one of the crew, not Canadian, missing believed killed.Sergeant OD Lewis (RCAF) and FS MAT Brudell (RAAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners Of War

Detail provided by F McAfee, Regina, Saskatchewan

There were two 432 Squadron Lancaster II aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Hatfield, HB for information on Lancaster DS 832 QO-K

General Results

General Aviation Safety Network

General 432 Squadron Lancaster DS831 QO-N F/O. Fisher, RAF East Moor,...

1943-December-17 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Berlin. Shot down by night fighter, 6 crew killed and 2 POW. 2019-08-20

1943-December-16 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 James Stewart Briegel 2024-11-18

1943-December-16 PoW RAAF Flight Sergeant Montagu Anthony Thomas Brudell 2024-11-23

1943-December-16 KIA USAAF Flying Officer William Charles Fisher 2023-08-26

1943-December-16 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Raymond Hughes 2023-01-27

1943-December-16 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Owen Donald Lewis 2023-01-27

1943-December-16 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Thomas Walter Pragnell 2023-01-27

1943-December-16 KIA RAAF Warrant Officer Raymond Kenneth Saunders 2023-01-27

1943-December-16 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Herbert Albert Turner 2023-01-27

Lancaster DS834, Mk.II

s/n DS834

Avro

DS 834

Hercules

Reported with No. 432 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "QO*O", but not confirmed by RAF records. With No. 115 Squadron, RAF when lost over Berlin on 29/30 December 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-December-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Arthur Morley Wilkinson 2021-07-08

Lancaster DS837, Mk.II

s/n DS837

Avro

DS 837

Hercules

Used by No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*Q" when lost. Crashed near Yearsley, Yorkshire due to bad weather, on 16 December 1943, returning from a raid on Berlin. This was first operation by this aircraft with this Squadron. 6 crew killed, rear gunner injured.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-December-16 Accident Crash Crashed near Yearsley, Yorkshire, during raid on Berlin. 2019-08-20

1943-December-16 Survived RCAF Sergeant Gordon Charles Fortier 2022-04-21

1943-December-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Angus Augustus Johnston 2022-04-21

1943-December-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George MacDonald Jones 2022-04-21

1943-December-16 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader Thomas Matthew Kneale 2022-05-24

1943-December-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James MacKay 2022-04-21

1943-December-16 KIA RAFVR Pilot Officer Robert Philip Marks 2022-04-21

1943-December-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Maurice Milton Prill MM 2022-04-21

Lancaster DS838, Mk.II

s/n DS838

Avro

DS 838

Hercules

With No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF from January 1944, coded "OW*J", flew 20 operations including 5 to Berlin. Bombed St. Ghislan on 1/2 May 1944, this Squadrons last Lancaster mission. Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF by July 1944, coded "EQ*A" and "EQ*I", flew 30 operations with this unit. Bombed German troops near Caen on 7/8 August 1944, while coded "EQ*A". Transferred to No. 1668 Heavy Conversion Unit, serving there when it bogged down in soft ground on landing on 26 February 1945. Not repaired.
last update: 2025-February-05

1945-February-26 Accident Crash Crashed. 2019-08-20

Lancaster DS839, Mk.II

s/n DS839

Avro

DS 839

Hercules

Used briefly by No. 432 (B) Squadron, RCAF.

On 1944-01-23, Squadron Leader A. Ross Dawson, the Chief Technical Officer at Wombleton, wrote in his diary:
"Later tonight one of our kites DS839 " Lancaster was reported crashed down art Cranfield with all the crew killed including the pilot, 1st Lt Grove (American Air Force) and a good friend of mine. That's the second fatal accident we've had so far & I hope it is the last."

last update: 2025-February-05

Conversion 1944-01-23 to 1944-01-23

1679 (OT) HCU (RAF) RAF Wombleton

1679 Heavy Conversion Unit, RAF Wombleton. The crew of Lancaster aircraft DS 839 were engaged in a daylight cross-country training exercise when they crashed at Ridgemont, Bedfordshire, England. Accident investigators couldn't establish the cause of the crash, mainly due to the level of destruction of the aircraft, but icing conditions were believed to have been a factor in the crash

Flight Sergeant F W MacDonald (RCAF), Flight Sergeant J J Farrell (RCAF), Flight Sergeant L I Hogan (RCAF), Flying Officer R W Grosser (RCAF), Sergeant S A Carr (RCAF), Sergeant L Thompson (RAFVR) and 1st Lieutenant R M Grove (USAAF) were all killed in this flying accident

General Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

General RPT - Cresw Losses

1944-January-23 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Stuart Allan Carr 2024-01-10

1944-January-23 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Joseph Farrell 2024-01-09

1944-January-23 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Roy William Grosser 2024-01-10

1944-January-23 KIFA USAAF 1st Lieutenant Robert Monroe Grove 2024-01-09

1944-January-23 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Leonard Ignatius Hogan 2024-01-10

1944-January-23 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Fred Whitten MacDonald 2024-01-10

1944-January-23 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Leslie Thompson 2024-01-09

Lancaster DS840, Mk.II

s/n DS840

Avro

DS 840

Hercules

Used by No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF from December 1943, coded "OW*C" in December 1943, and "OW*D" unknown dates. Failed to return from operation over Nuremburg on 30/31 March 1944, shot down by night fighter near the target, came down at Ermreuth, near Grfenberg. No survivors.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-March-31 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Nuremburg, shot down by night fighter, no survivors. 2019-08-20

1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Walter Charles Cracknell 2024-05-25

1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alexander Gordon Devoy 2024-10-17

1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Roy Clifford Haycock 2024-10-17

1944-March-31 KIA RNZAF Warrant Officer Milton Cecil Moosman 2024-10-17

1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Hubert Francis Orr 2024-10-17

1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Leroy Edward Robinson 2024-10-17

1944-March-31 KIA RAF Sergeant Harold Wride 2024-10-17

Lancaster DS841, Mk.II

s/n DS841

Avro

DS 841

Hercules

With No. 424 (B) Squadron, RCAF from January 1944, coded "OW*Q", flew 21 operations, including 5 to Berlin. Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*Q", "EQ*L", and "EQ*X", flew 25 operations with this unit. Attacked by Bf 109 while attacking tactical targets near Caen at dusk on 7 July 1944, no damage. Transferred to No. 1668 Heavy Conversion Unit, October 1944.
last update: 2025-February-05

1945-March Struck off Strength Struck off strength. 2019-08-20

Lancaster DS843, Mk.II

s/n DS843

Avro

DS 843

Hercules

last update: 2025-March-10

1944-January-22 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Magdeburg. shot down by night fighter, 4 killed and 3 POW. 2019-08-20

Bombing Magdeburg Germany 1944-01-22 to 1944-01-22

(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor

Battle of Berlin

648 aircraft- 42 I Lancasters, 224 Halifaxes, 3 Mosquitoes - on the first major raid to this target. The German controller again followed the progress of the bomber stream across the North Sea and many night fighters were in the stream before it crossed the German coast. The controller was very slow to identify Magdeburg as the target but this did not matter too much because most of the night fighters were able to stay in the bomber stream, a good example of the way the Tame Boar tactics were developing. 57 aircraft - 35 Halifaxes, 22 Lancasters - were lost, 8Â·8 per cent of the force; it is probable that three quarters of the losses were caused by German night fighters. The Halifax loss rate was 15Â·6 per cent!

The heavy bomber casualties were not rewarded with a successful attack. Some of the Main Force aircraft now had H2S and winds which were stronger than forecast brought some of these into the target area before the Pathfinders' Zero Hour. The crews of 27 Main Force aircraft were anxious to bomb and did so before Zero Hour. The Pathfinders blamed the fires started by this early bombing, together with some very effective German decoy markers, for their failure to concentrate the marking. No details are available from Magdeburg but it is believed that most of the bombing fell outside the city. An R.A.F. man who was in hospital at Magdeburg at the time reports only, 'bangs far away'.

source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt

Lancaster BII aircraft DS 843 QO-O did not return from a raid on the synthetic oil plants at Magdeburg, Germany, shot down by a night fighter and crashing into the River Elbe at Breitenhagen, Germany

Sergeant DL Pocock (RCAF), FS EM Myer (RAFVR), Pilot Officer DJ O'Donnell (RAAF) and FS JS Poole (RAFVR) were killed in action

FS JH Williams (RAFVR), FS WM Thomson (RAFVR) and Pilot Officer MP Bailhache (RAFVR) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War

There were two 432 Squadron Lancaster II aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Legace, LF for information on Lancaster LL 724 QO-N

General Daily Operations 6bombergroup.ca

General Aviation Safety Network

General 432 Squadron Lancaster II DS843 QO-O Fl/Sergeant Poole, RAF East Moor,...

1944-January-22 PoW RAFVR Flying Officer Mark Proctor Bailhache 2024-11-27

1944-January-22 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Edward Michael Myer 2024-11-27

1944-January-22 KIA RAAF Pilot Officer William John O'Donnell 2024-11-27

1944-January-22 KIA RCAF Sergeant Douglas Layne Pocock 2024-11-27

1944-January-22 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Jack Sealy Poole 2024-11-27

1944-January-22 PoW RAFVR Pilot Officer William Mills Thomson 2024-11-27

1944-January-22 PoW RAFVR Flight Sergeant Jack Herbert Williams 2024-11-27

Lancaster DS844, Mk.II

s/n DS844

Avro

DS 844

Hercules

Used briefly by No. 424 (B) Squadron, RCAF. Used by No. 432 (B) Squadron, RCAF from November 1943 to January 1944, coded "QO*H", flew 3 operations. With No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF from February 1944, coded "EQ*X", flew 3 operations with this unit. Lost while with this unit. Failed to return from operation over Schweinfurt on 24/25 February 1945, no survivors. Reported to have come down in the Rhine River, 12 miles south of target. All 7 crew killed, only 4 bodies found.
last update: 2025-February-05

1945-February-25 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Schweinfurt, no survivors. 2019-08-20

1944-February-25 KIA RAFVR Henry George Basten 2024-12-30

1944-February-25 KIA RAFVR Henry Norman Cunliffe 2024-05-29

1944-February-25 KIA RCAF Sergeant Armour John Emerson 2024-12-30

1944-February-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Gordon Hillman 2024-12-30

1944-February-25 KIA RAFVR Reginald Sydney Nurse 2024-12-30

1944-February-25 KIA RAFVR Harry Sherlock DFC 2024-12-30

1944-February-25 KIA RAFVR Walter Walker 2024-12-30

Lancaster DS845, Mk.II

s/n DS845

Avro

DS 845

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*T" and "EQ*V". Flew 19 operations with this unit, including 12 to Berlin. Failed to return from operation over Augsburg on 25/26 February 1944, following multiple engine failures while waiting to turn in on the target. Bombs were jettisoned and aircraft headed west. All bailed out south-west of Abbeville, France, 6 POW and 2 evaded.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-February-26 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Augsburg, following engine failures. All bailed out, 6 POW and 2 evaded. 2019-08-20

Bombing Augsburg Germany 1944-02-25 to 1944-02-26

408 (B) Sqn (RCAF) RAF Linton-on-Ouse

408 Goose Squadron (For Freedom) RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Lancaster II aircraft DS 845 EQ-T was orbiting at the final turning point leading to an operation against targets in Augsburg Germany when the engines began to lose power. Unable to maintain altitude, the Lancaster was abandoned near Abbeville, France, where it crashed. The entire crew survived

Flying Officer A W Bockus (RCAF), Flight Sergeant E A S Hetherington (RCAF), Sergeant S Thorvardson (RCAF) and Pilot Officer P E Fillion (RCAF) survived and were captured to become Prisoners of War

Sergeant R P Gigg (RAFVR) evaded until captured near Arras, France and became a Prisoner of War

Flying Officer R E Barnlund MiD (RCAF) and Sergeant K E Lussier DFC (RCAF) survived and both became Evaders

General Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

General Search for France - Crashes 39-45

General Daily Operations

1944-February-26 Evader RCAF Flying Officer Russell Edwart Barnlund MiD 2024-01-18

1944-February-26 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Alva Williams Bockus 2025-01-26

1944-February-26 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Paul Eugene Fillion 2024-01-20

1944-February-26 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Robert Phillip Gigg 2024-01-20

1944-February-26 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Ewart Albert Sim Hetherington 2024-01-20

1944-February-26 Evader RCAF Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Edward Lussier DFC 2024-01-20

1944-February-26 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Stefan Hjalmar Thorvardson 2024-12-21

Lancaster DS846, Mk.II

s/n DS846

Avro

DS 846

Hercules

With No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF briefly. Used by No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*X". Failed to return from operation over Berlin on 16/17 December 1943. This was this aircrafts 6th mission to Berlin since mid November 1943. Shot down by night fighter, came down at Hoya, Germany, 14 kilometres south-south-west of Verden, south of Bremen. 6 killed, one POW.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-December-17 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Berlin. shot down by night fighter, 6 killed, one POW. 2019-08-20

1943-December-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Lewis Percival Archibald 2024-11-02

1943-December-16 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Raymond Atkin 2024-11-03

1943-December-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harold James Hurley 2022-04-26

1943-December-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Joseph Leonidas Roger Rolland Lachance 2022-05-24

1943-December-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Norman Byng Morrison 2022-04-26

1943-December-16 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Jack Dunbar Newcombe 2022-04-26

1943-December-16 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer John Lorne Wilson 2022-04-26

Lancaster DS847, Mk.II

s/n DS847

Avro

DS 847

Hercules

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-November-16 Accident Crash crashed near Ingham, Linconshire 2019-08-20

Bombing 1943-11-16 to 1943-11-16

(B) Sqn (RCAF) Eastmoor

Lancaster aircraft DS 847 had engine failure and crashed at night one mile west of Ingham Village, Lincolnshire, England. ExWarrant Officer Andy Hoggins of Port Elgin, Ontario had this to say about this, his second crash, We converted to Lancs and were on a cross-country flight when all four of our Lanc engines broke out in flames one after the other. The Lanc went into a stall spin and FS J.B. Peel (Nav.), FS P.J. Powers (AG), Sergeant Calderwood (RAF - WOAG), and myself bailed out. FS W.J. Mayo (BA), Pilot Officer R.C. Burgess (P), and Sergeant K.C. Simmons (RAF - FE) were killed as the Lanc blew up on impact. I returned to Canada as they thought I'd been thru enough."

Please seeWarrant Officer R.M. Barlow for details of Noggins' and Mayo's previous crash.

1943-November-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Raymond Charles Burgess 2024-11-24

1943-November-16 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William James Mayo 2023-01-23

Lancaster DS848, Mk.II

s/n DS848

Avro

DS 848

Hercules

First served with No. 432 (B) Squadron, RCAF in the fall of 1943, coded "QO*R", flew 11 operations. Then to No. 424 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*M", by February 1944. Flew 18 operations including 5 to Berlin. Finally with No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*D" and "EQ*X", flew 6 operations with this unit in mid 1944. Attacked Hamburg on 28/29 July 1944, as "EQ*D", attacked twice by Ju 88s, returned to base with damage to starboard inner engine, flaps and fuel tanks. Reported lost while with this Squadron in February 1944, but this appears to be in error. Crashed in March 1945 while with No. 1668 Heavy Conversion Unit.
last update: 2025-February-05

Lancaster DS849, Mk.II

s/n DS849

Avro

DS 849

Hercules

Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*X", flew 2 operations with this unit. Failed to return from operation over Berlin on 27/28 January 1944. Shot down by night fighter, no survivors.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-January-28 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Berlin. Shot down by night fighter, no survivors. 2019-08-20

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John Jule Baker 2024-11-05

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Robert Joseph Bradley 2024-11-16

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Graham Broadfoot 2024-11-18

1944-January-27 KIA RAF Alfred Ernest Jones 2024-12-04

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Sven Roy Walfrid Laine DFC 2024-12-04

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Roy Alderson Mackay 2024-12-04

1944-January-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George Henry Scott 2024-12-04

1944-January-27 KIA RAFVR David Leonard Wright 2024-12-04

Lancaster DS850, Mk.II

s/n DS850

Avro

DS 850

Hercules

last update: 2025-March-10

Bombing Brunswick Germany 1944-01-14 to 1944-01-14

(B) Sqn (RCAF) East Moor

Battle of Berlin

496 Lancasters and 2 Halifaxes on the first major raid to Brunswick of the war. 38 Lancasters Jost, 7Â·6 per cent of the force. The German running commentary was heard following the progress of the bomber force from a position only 40 miles from the English coast and many German fighters entered the bomber stream soon after the German frontier was crossed near Bremen. The German fighters scored steadily until the Dutch coast was crossed on the return flight. Ir of the lost aircraft were Pathfinders.

Brunswick was smaller than Bomber Command's usual targets and this raid was not a success. The city report describes this only as a 'light' raid, with bombs in the south of the city which had only ro houses destroyed and 14 people killed. Most of the attack fell either in the countryside or in Wolfenbiittel and other small towns and villages well to the south of Brunswick.

source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt

Lancaster BII aircraft DS 850 QO-M, was hit by flak, while engaged in an operation against targets in Brunswick, Germany. The flak caused much structural damage to the aircraft and ruptured fuel tanks in the wings. The order to abandon the aircraft was given in the vicinity of Rheine and the Lancaster crashed on the Engdener Wuste, Moor east of Nordhorn, Lower Saxony, Germany

Sergeant JH Aplin (RAFVR)(AUS) and Sergeant RA Hutchinson (RAFVR) were killed in action

Flight Lieutenant GH Rainville DFM (RCAF), FS GC Pike (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant CV Wales (RCAF), FS JS Evans (RAFVR), FS WJT Garvey (RAFVR) and Sergeant ALJ Thomas (RAFVR) all survived and were taken as Prisoners of War

POW information regarding Sergeant Garvey and Sergeant Thomas is not known to date

Footprints on the Sands of Time, RAF Bomber Command Prisoners of War in Germany 1939-45 by Oliver Clutton-Brock

General Aviation Safety Network

General Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire

1944-January-15 Failed to Return failed to return from operation over Magdeburg (or Brunswick?), see comments 2019-08-20

1944-January-14 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Howard Aplin 2024-11-02

1944-January-14 PoW RAFVR Flight Sergeant John Sidney Evans 2023-01-27

1944-January-14 PoW RAFVR Flight Sergeant William John Thomas Garvey 2023-01-27

1944-January-14 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert Anthony Hutchinson 2023-01-27

1944-January-14 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon Chesley Pike 2023-01-27

1944-January-14 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Guy Henri H Rainville DFM 2023-01-27

1944-January-14 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Alfred Leonard Joseph Thomas 2023-01-27

1944-January-14 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Crawford Vincent Wales 2023-01-27

Lancaster DS852, Mk.II

s/n DS852

Avro

DS 852

Hercules

With No. 432 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "QO*C" by December 1943. Then to No. 426 Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*P". Failed to return from operation over Nuremburg on 30/31 March 1944. Shot down by night fighter well north of planned track, crashed near Brotterode, Germany. 3 crew killed, 5 POW. One of the POW crew died in captivity of illness on 3 March 1945. Had 114 hours airframe time when lost. Based at Linton on Ouse for this mission. Had 114:00 logged time when struck off. This was one of the last Lancaster II losses for No. 426 Squadron.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-January-21 Failed to Return failed to return from operation over Nuremburg, also reported as 30/31 March 1944 2019-08-20

1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harold Alexander Clark 2024-04-04

1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Sidney Herman Cullen 2024-10-28

1944-March-31 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Robert Gordon Stewart Douglass 2024-10-28

1944-March-31 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Hubert Eric Sjoquist 2024-10-28

1944-March-31 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Duncan Thomas Stewart 2024-10-28

1944-March-31 PoW RAF Sergeant Henry John Vernon Vincent 2024-10-28

1944-March-31 PoW Died RCAF Flt. Lieutenant Edward George Wey 2024-10-28

Lancaster DV158, Mk.I/III

s/n DV158

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 158

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant George William Fraser 2022-01-30

Lancaster DV162, Mk.I/III

s/n DV162

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 162

Merlin

Delivered to No. 1667 CU then to No. 100 Sqn Jul 1943. Missing on operation to Kassel 22/23 Oct 1943
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-October-22 PoW USAAF First Lieutenant H A Rainbird 2023-09-25

Lancaster DV164, Mk.I/III

s/n DV164

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 164

Merlin

Delivered to No. 1667 HCU May 1943. Transferred to No. 12 Sqn (PH-W) Jun1943. Missing on operation to Gelsenkirchen 9/10 Jul 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-July-10 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Napoleon Roy 2021-10-01

Lancaster DV177, Mk.I/III

s/n DV177

Metropolitan-Vickers

61 Squadron RAF (Per Puram Tunantes) RAF Syerston. Lancaster BIII aircraft DV 186 QR-R was shot down by a Focke-Wulf FW190 night fighter piloted by Leutnant Detlef Grossfuss of 2/NJG2, returning from an operation against targets in Milan, Italy. The Lancaster crashed at a farm near Le Bosc Robert, La Vespiere, Calvados, France with the loss of the entire crew and three French civilians on the ground

Flight Sergeant R A L Scott (RCAF), Flight Sergeant J D Pigeau (RCAF), Flying Officer F Clough (RAFVR), Sergeant A Hulmes (RAFVR), Sergeant P M H Salmond (RAFVR), Flight Lieutenant R Steer (RAFVR) and Sergeant H F Webster (RAFVR) were all killed in action

The civilians killed were: Mr. Almyre Girard, deputy mayor of La Vespiere (aged 78)Mr. Jean Houguet (aged 23)and the young Pierre Dupendant (aged 10)

General Royal Air force Serial and Image Database

General Aviation Safety Network

General Lancaster DV186 (Bosc-Robert) - La Vespiere-Friardel on 16 August 194...

General Norman association of aerial remembrance 39-45

1943-August-16 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Fred Clough 2024-03-05

s/n DV220

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 220

Merlin

With 103 Sqn Jul-Sep-1943 (PM-L), then to No. 166 Sqn (AS-J). Missing on operation to Leipzig 19/20 Feb 1944. 318 Operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Frederick George Allan 2024-11-02

1944-February-20 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Frederick James Hughes 2023-04-03

1944-February-20 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Joseph Yelland 2021-10-02

Lancaster DV221, Mk.I/III

s/n DV221

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 221

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-September-27 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Harrison DFM 2022-01-27

Lancaster DV224, Mk.I/III

s/n DV224

DV 264

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1944-March-31 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Allan Gordon Hall 2024-07-08

Lancaster DV269, Mk.I/III

s/n DV269

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 269

Merlin

Delivered to No. 101 Sqn (SR-M) 22 Sep 1943. Equipped with ABC jamming equipment. Missing on operation to Berlin 2/3 Jan 1944. 134 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-January-02 KIA RCAF Sergeant Gerald Alfred Beckett 2025-01-07

1944-January-02 PoW RCAF Flying Officer James McClure 2025-01-07

Lancaster DV271, Mk.I/III

s/n DV271

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 271

Merlin

Delivered to No. 106 Sqn Sep 1943. Missing on operation to Mannheim 23/24 Sep 1943. 26 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-September-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Leslie Charles Pitman 2021-08-14

Lancaster DV272, Mk.I/III

s/n DV272

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 272

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-October-09 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Lester David Cromb 2024-05-18

Lancaster DV279, Mk.I/III

s/n DV279

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 279

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1944-July-19 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Hollis Andrew Taylor Clark MiD 2024-02-25

Lancaster DV281, Mk.I/III

s/n DV281

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 281

Merlin

Delivered to No. 626 Sqn (UM-D2) Feb 1944. Missing on raid to Mailly-le-Camp 3/4 May 1944.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Mailly-le-Camp France 1944-05-04 to 1944-05-04

(B) Sqn (RAF) Wickenby

On the night of Wednesday 3rd May 1944 Bomber Command operated a total of 600 sorties: 362 aircraft assigned to attack the Military Camp at Mailly-Le-Camp and 92 aircraft to attack the Luftwaffe Base at Montdidier, 146 aircraft were assigned to carry out Minor Operations: 34 O.T.U. sorties, 32 aircraft assigned to lay sea mines off the French coast and Frisian Islands 27 Aircraft to attack Ludwigshafen, 23 aircraft on Resistance operations, 14 aircraft to attack the ammunition dump at ChÃ¢teaudun, seven aircraft on Intruder patrols, six aircraft on Serrate sorties, three aircraft on Radio Counter Measures. From these operations there were a total of 47 aircraft (7.83%): 44 Lancaster's a single Halifax, Lysander and Mosquito became non effective and struck off charge"¦ from these 47 aircraft there were a total of 322 casualties: 266 airmen died, 22 became Prisoners of War and 34 airmen evaded capture"¦ These airmen were from 24 Squadrons flying from 19 airfields from five Bomber Groups. The Committee of Adjustment would be clearing out many lockers, billets of personal material and the many telegrams would be being composed and sent to the many families around the world with family life being changed for some, for ever with many empty chairs"¦

Events to this raid on Mailly-le-Camp started in February 1944 when a French resistance man named Raymond Bassett whose code name was "˜Nazi' risked his life gathering information about the German occupied military camp at Mailly. Using a false police warrant card supplied by London he entered at great personal risk the main entrance of the Panzer Training and Maintenance camp. From his conversations with an attentive German Officer about the camp security, Raymond Bassett used his brilliant memory to recall information displayed on charts and plans scattered around the office. With his natural skill Raymond Bassett drew from memory plans and details about the camp and passed the information to another agent near Chalons-sur-Marne. A few weeks later at Bomber Command Headquarters at High Wycombe the Royal Air Force started preparing for an attack on this occupied military camp 128 kilometres east of Paris. By the spring of 1944 Bomber Command was getting more skilful in the art of directing the bomber stream towards obscure targets in enemy occupied territory with pinpoint accuracy. Also becoming more skilful in the accuracy of bombing with the emphasis drawn to the fact of nearby villages and towns such as Mailly. The operational order was issued to Numbers 1 & 5 Bomber Groups who were operating Lancaster bombers with 4 Mosquito's from No.617 Squadron and 10 Mosquito's from No.627 Squadron Light Night Striking Force who would all have the responsibility of marking this important target. The executive order for bomb loads was prefixed "˜Plumduff' calling for all mainstream Lancaster's to carry an instantaneously fused 4000lb "˜cookie' and sixteen 500lb GP (General purpose) fused from eleven seconds to six hours. This was intended to destroy completely the large Wehrmacht depot engaged in maintaining of armoured vehicles and tanks including the Panzer Training establishment. The Military camp also contained extensive workshops and over sixty large barrack blocks. The raid was carried out during a full moon period and the forecast for the night of Wednesday 3/4 May1944 was for fine weather with no cloud in the target area. No.617 Squadron lead by Wing Commander G.L. Cheshire DSO DFC was briefed to mark the target at midnight precisely. The main Lancaster force of 346 bombers lead by Wing Commander L.C. Deane DFC of No.83 Squadron would bomb the target in two waves, with No.5 Group Lancaster's leading the way. Only No.83 & No.97 Squadron's would carry H2S and only a few Squadrons would employ "˜window' whilst No.101 Squadron carrying Air Bourne Cigar (A.B.C.) jamming equipment. A new system of Pathfinding' was to be employed on this raid with four Mosquito's from No.617 Squadron marking the target with the backer up markers from No.627 Squadron Mosquito's. Wing Commander G.L. Cheshire would be the Master Bomber and would transmit using VHF. to Wing Commander L.C. Deane, leader of the main force who in turn would transmit to the main force. Backing up and moving the aiming point would be carried out by the Mosquito's who would remain in the target area so long as they had markers left. Take off for the attack commenced at 21.30 hours and continued for nearly 50 minutes from the Lincolnshire bases. The route to the target was uncomplicated, assemble west of Reading then south to Beachy Head, across the channel to make land fall a point 5 kilometres just NE of Dieppe. Then flying a straight course of 220 km to the target. Yellow route markers would be dropped 20 to 30 km N of the camp near the village of Germinon. These markers would act as a datum point for the final run up to the target, which would be attacked on a N to S heading. After the bombing run the attacking force would continue to the next turning point; over the town of Troyes, before heading west on a course south of Paris and eventually to the Normandy coast near Bayeux. Following a northerly track across the Channel to Selsey Bill and finally home to their respective basis. The leading illuminators from No's 83 & 97 Squadrons were dropped accurately at 5 minutes to midnight and the Yellow Datum Markers dropped by No.627 Squadron shortly after marking the way for the main force. Wing Commander Cheshire in his Mosquito dived from 3000 feet to just under 1500 feet before dropping his two Red target indicators. Not satisfied he called Wing Commander Deane and told him not to commence the attack. Cheshire summoned Squadron Leader D.J. Shannon to remark the target. Satisfied that the target was marked accurately Cheshire then instructed Deane to commence the attack, it was now six minutes past midnight. No.627 Squadron successfully backed up the datum point markers and then the leading main force Lancaster's were circling the target waiting for the instruction to bomb from the Master of Ceremonies'. As Deane attempted to order the main attack the radio frequency was almost totally jammed by an American ground station carrying out a training transmission on an unauthorised frequency. By this time more than sixty bombers had reached the yellow datum markers and were having to circle the target area awaiting instructions. As the wireless operator of Dearne's aircraft tried in vain to search for a common channel only fifteen bombers responded to the near indecipherable message. Despite the fact that No.100 Squadron was dropping "˜window' the German night fighters had penetrated the bomber stream, and in less than six minutes nine Lancaster's were tumbling out of the night sky in flames. During a short interval No.617 & No.627 aircraft remarked the target and a Lancaster of No.97 Squadron captained by Flying Officer H.J.W. Edwards laid ten red spot markers across the western edge of the target. The Deputy Bombing Leader Squadron Leader R.M. Sparks finally gave the order to commence bombing and in just over ten minutes over 250 Lancaster's dropped more than 1500 tons of explosives with great accuracy. There were six German night fighter bases within sixty kilometres of the main bomber force and that night two of the top German aces were operating Hauptman Drewes and Hauptman Bergmann. Between them they accounted for eleven of the 45 aircraft that was struck off charge that night. For the crews that operated and survived that night, the myth that targets in Occupied Countries were "˜a piece of cake' was completely destroyed. Although the raid was reviewed as a success it did not reflect the loss of 258 airmen killed on that clear moonlit night of Wednesday 3/4 May 1944.source: Buzz Hope "And in the Morning"

1944-May-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Percy James William Barkway 2024-11-09

1944-May-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Otto Molzan 2024-12-18

1944-May-04 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ronald Duncan Weller 2024-12-18

Lancaster DV284, Mk.I/III

s/n DV284

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 284

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gordon Allan Graham 2024-04-13

Lancaster DV288, Mk.I/III

s/n DV288

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 288

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1944-April-11 Evader RCAF Pilot Officer Eric J Burchell 2024-11-23

Lancaster DV289, Mk.I/III

s/n DV289

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 289

Merlin

Delivered to No. 101 Sqn (SR-T) Oct 1943. Equipped with ABC jamming equipment. Missing on operation to Berlin 26/27 Nov 1943. 41 operational hours
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-November-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Gordon Bennett 2024-11-11

1943-November-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Michael Joseph Kennedy 2025-01-14

1943-November-27 PoW Died RCAF Flight Lieutenant George Lewis Spofford 2025-01-14

Lancaster DV290, Mk.I/III

s/n DV290

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 290

Merlin

Delivered to the Signals Intelligence Unit Oct 1943, then with No. 101 Sqn. The aircraft crashed at USAF station at Welford, Berks, probably as a result of battle damage, on return from the disastrous raid to Nuremberg 30/31 Mar 1944. The crew were on their 5th operation (Middlebrook)
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Irvin Robert McNay 2021-09-28

1944-March-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Alan Norman Rice 2021-10-01

Lancaster DV293, Mk.I/III

s/n DV293

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 293

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-December-16 KIA RCAF Sergeant Raymond John Baroni 2024-11-09

Lancaster DV297, Mk.I/III

s/n DV297

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 297

Merlin

With No. 106 and later No. 61 Sqn. Lost on raid to Berlin 26/27 Nov 1943. 86 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Anthony Stephens 2021-07-22

1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class John Blackstock Toombs 2024-05-03

Lancaster DV298, Mk.I/III

s/n DV298

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 298

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1945-March-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Geoffrey Winslow Hess 2021-08-10

s/n DV304

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 304

Merlin

Originally with No. 101 Sqn (SR-X), equipped with ABC jamming equipment. It was converted to a B. Mk. III at No. 24 MU (ABC being removed) and then passed to No. 61 Sqn. Missing on operation to Revigny, France 18/19 Jul 1944.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-July-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer George McLaughlin 2023-12-17

Lancaster DV306, Mk.I/III

s/n DV306

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 306

Merlin

Delivered to No. 100 Sqn (HW-N) Oct 1943. Transferred to No. 550 Sqn Nov 1943. Missing on operation to Brunswick 14/15 Jan 1944. 141 operational hours
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-January-14 KIA RCAF Sergeant Leslie Kenneth Gilmar 2021-08-07

1944-January-14 PoW RCAF Flying Officer James Loren McKeown 2022-03-22

Lancaster DV308, Mk.I/III

s/n DV308

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 308

Merlin

Delivered to 32 MU Sept 1943. then with No.101 Sqn. (SR-V), equipped with ABC equipment. Missing over Berlin 1/2 Jan 1944. 52 Operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-January-02 PoW USAAF First Lieutenant Martin H. Albert 2024-11-01

1944-January-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Edward Suddick DFC 2023-10-28

1944-January-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frank Joseph Zubic 2023-10-28

s/n DV330

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 330

Merlin

Delivered to No. 619 Sqn (PG-O) Oct 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 15/16 Feb 1944. 159 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-February-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Richard Charles Parry 2024-05-01

1944-February-16 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Mons Rumble 2023-08-30

Lancaster DV333, Mk.I/III

s/n DV333

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 333

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1944-January-06 KIA RCAF Sergeant Nelson Alexander Dixon 2024-10-22

1944-January-06 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Frederick Albert Larsen 2024-10-22

Lancaster DV339, Mk.I/III

s/n DV339

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 339

Merlin

Originally with No. 106 Sqn, transferred to No. 61 Sqn. Missing on operation to Berlin, 26/27 Nov 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Bryan Henry Varey 2021-07-13

Lancaster DV341, Mk.I/III

s/n DV341

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 341

Merlin

Delivered to No. 460 (RAAF) Sqn Oct 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 18/19 Nov 1943. 26 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-11-18 to 1943-11-18

Merlin

Delivered to No. 166 Sqn Oct/Nov 1943. Missing on operation to marshalling yards at Versailles 7/8 Jun 1944. 362 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon Leo Nordbye DFM 2023-10-11

1944-June-08 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Ross Powdrill DFC 2023-10-11

Lancaster DV369, Mk.I/III

s/n DV369

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 369

Merlin

Delivered to No. 207 Sqn (EM-D) Nov 1943. Missing on operation to Brunswick 14/15 Jan 1944. 140 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-January-15 PoW RCAF Flying Officer John Henderson Fraser 2021-07-07

1944-January-15 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Lyle Carman Smart 2023-10-01

Lancaster DV371, Mk.I/III

s/n DV371

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 371

Merlin

Delivered to No. 207 Sqn (EM-M) Nov 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 30/31 Jan 1944. 149 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-January-30 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Bruce Stewart 2024-05-03

Lancaster DV378, Mk.I/III

s/n DV378

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 378

Merlin

Delivered to No. 467 Sqn 7 Nov 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 30/31 Jan 1944. 115 flying hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Berlin Germany 1944-01-30 to 1944-01-31

467 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Waddington, England

Delivered to No. 467 Australia Squadron on 07 Nov 1943. Lancaster aircraft DV 378 suffered a direct hit from flak during operations over Berlin, Germany, 30/31 Jan 1944. Aircraft had 115 flying hours.

1944-January-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Clifford Stanley Baker 2024-11-05

1944-January-31 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Jan Valastin 2024-11-28

Lancaster DV382, Mk.I/III

s/n DV382

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 382

Merlin

Delivered to 617 Squadron Nov/Dec 1943. Took part in operations to Flixecourt, France before its final attack on the Antheor Viaduct.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Antheor Viaduct France 1944-02-13 to 1944-02-13

617 (B) Sqn (RAF) Ford

Piloted by Squadron Leader WR Suggitt, DFC, RCAF, the aircraft (KC-J) took off from Ford, after having refuelled there on return from an attack on the Antheor viaduct, France ,12/13 Feb 1944. It flew into a hill at Waltham Down, near Duncton , 10 miles NE of Chichester . All of the crew were killed in the crash, but the pilot,Squadron Leader Suggitt, died of his injuries 2 days later.

There were 3 Canadians in the crew, Suggitt himself and Flying Officers NJ Davidson and JMcB Dempster DFM. Of the remaining crew, 2 were Australian (Pilot Officers JI Gordon DFC and SG Hall), and 2 (Flight Sergeants J Pulford DFM and JP Riches) were in the RAF.

Flight Sergeant Pulford had been the flight engineer in Gibson's aircraft AJ-G in the Dams Raid of 16/17 May 1943 and had been awarded his DFM as a result.

1944-February-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Norman James Davidson 2024-09-18

1944-February-13 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John McBride Dempster DFM 2024-09-18

1944-February-13 KIA RCAF Squadron Leader William Reid Suggitt DFC 2024-09-18

Lancaster DV384, Mk.I/III

s/n DV384

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 384

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1944-March-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Joseph Lloyd Dobbyn DFC 2024-10-22

Lancaster DV387, Mk.I/III

s/n DV387

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 387

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-November-26 KIA RAF Sergeant George Edward John Ballard 2024-11-05

1943-November-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold James Beattie 2025-01-04

Lancaster DV388, Mk.I/III

s/n DV388

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 388

Merlin

Delivered to No. 626 Sqn (UM-S2) Nov 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 26/27 Nov 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Cecil John Edgar Kindt 2024-04-21

1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Archibald Stewart MacDonald 2024-04-22

1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class James Roy Robert Small 2024-05-03

Lancaster DV389, Mk.I/III

s/n DV389

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 389

Merlin

Delivered to No. 101 Sqn from No. 32 MU Dec 1943. Equipped with ABC jamming equipment. Missing on operation to Aachen 24/25 May 1944. 229 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James William Barber 2024-11-07

1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Stanley William Hans 2024-12-16

1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Sergeant Nicholas Edward Hyt 2024-12-16

1944-May-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Samuel Lewis Silver 2024-12-16

s/n DV403

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 403

Merlin

Delivered to No. 617 Sqn as AJ-L, December 1943. Adapted to carry the 12,000 Lb HC bomb, at operations to Limoges and the Antheor Viaduct. Re-coded KC-O and then KC-G. Took part in deception operation TAXABLE 5/6 Jun 1944, then took a Tallboy bomb to the Saumur tunnel 8/9 Jun 1944.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Wizernes France 1944-06-24 to 1944-06-24

617 (B) Sqn (RAF) Woodhall Spa

The aircraft, KC-G, piloted by Flight Lieutenant JA Edwards DFC was carrying a Tallboy 12,000 lb bomb to attack a V1 and V2 storage site at Wizernes, France . It was on its bombing run when it was hit by flak before it could drop its bomb. It crashed at 16:58 at Leulinghem, France. The aircraft carried a crew of 8, with a mid-under gunner in addition to the standard crew positions. Three of the crew were taken PoW, the remaining 5 were killed.

There were three Canadians in the crew:Flying Officer LT Pritchard DFC, Flying Officer JI Johnston DFC and Warrant Officer 2nd Class TWP Price. Price was killed in the crash, Johnston was severely injured and died 2 days later, and Pritchard was taken PoW. The remainder of the crew were in the RAF. Flight Lieutenant Edwards, Flying Officer LWJ King DFC, and Flight Sergeanf S Isherwood were killed. Flight Sergeants JH Brook and GH Hobbs were taken PoW.

1944-June-24 KIA RCAF Flying Officer James Ian Johnston DFC 2023-12-17

1944-June-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Willard Percy Price 2023-09-12

1944-June-24 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Lorne Thomas Pritchard DFC 2022-08-28

Lancaster DV404, Mk.I/III

s/n DV404

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 404

Merlin

Delivered to No. 166 Sqn (AS-Z) Dec 1943. Missing on operation to Brunswick 14/15 Jan 1944. 64 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-January-15 PoW RAF Wing Commander (Acting) Colin Scragg MBE, AFC 2023-08-06

Lancaster DV406, Mk.I/III

s/n DV406

Metropolitan-Vickers

DV 406

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1944-January-31 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Luke Brown 2024-11-21

Lancaster ED303, Mk.I/III

s/n ED303

Avro

ED 303

Merlin

Delivered to No. 467 (Australian) Sqn Nov 1942. Transferred to No. 106 Sqn. Fitted with new Merlin 22s Feb 1943. Missing on operation to Hamburg 27/28 Jul 1943. This was the second of the 4 raids that constituted the Battle of Hamburg. It was the 8th aircraft of 21 lost that night, probably to a night fighter. Crew were on their 2nd operation.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-July-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Allister Campbell 2024-08-17

1943-July-28 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ellis George McLeod 2024-08-17

Lancaster ED305, Mk.I/III

s/n ED305

Avro

ED 305

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-March-11 KIA RCAF Sergeant Gordon Ronald Black 2024-11-12

Lancaster ED309, Mk.I/III

s/n ED309

Avro

ED 309

Merlin

1942-December-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Stefan Franchuk 2024-08-21

1942-December-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert John Middleton 2024-08-21

1942-December-07 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Gordon Smith 2024-08-21

Lancaster ED323, Mk.I/III

s/n ED323

Avro

ED 323

Merlin

Originally with 97 Sqn (OF-O), then to No. 1661 CU (GP-O) May 1943, then to No. 15 Sqn (LS-D) Dec 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 27/28 Jan 1944. 745 flying hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-January-28 PoW RCAF Pilot Officer Irvin Archibald McPhee 2023-07-25

1944-January-28 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class Godfrey Phillip White 2021-07-09

Lancaster ED329, Mk.I/III

s/n ED329

Avro

ED 329

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Cecil Louis Gerding 2022-09-10

Lancaster ED332, Mk.I/III

s/n ED332

Avro

ED 332

Merlin

Delivered to No. 61 Sqn 6 Dec 1942. Missing on operation to Berlin 16/17 Jan 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-January-16 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Robert Francis Bird 2024-11-12

1943-January-16 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Aird McPhee 2025-01-20

1943-January-16 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Clifford Harold Reed 2025-01-20

Lancaster ED333, Mk.I/III

s/n ED333

Avro

ED 333

Merlin

Delivered to No. 97 Sqn (OF-B) Dec 1942. Missing on operation to Neustadt 17/18 Dec 1942. 7 flying hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1942-December-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Stanley Finace Mattoon 2021-08-16

1942-December-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Samuel Lorne McBurney 2021-08-17

1942-December-17 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Leonard Everett Thorneycroft 2021-10-02

1942-December-17 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Chester Charles Trudell 2021-07-14

Lancaster ED334, Mk.I/III

s/n ED334

Avro

ED 334

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-April-03 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Clarence Malcolm Mcgregor Coghill 2024-03-12

Lancaster ED349, Mk.I/III

s/n ED349

Avro

ED 349

Merlin

Delivered to No. 9 Sqn (WS-S) Nov 1942. Missing on mission to Cloppenburg 17/18 Dec 1942
last update: 2025-February-05

1942-December-17 PoW RAAF Sergeant Elliot Richmond Aldridge 2024-11-01

1942-December-17 PoW RAF Sergeant Leslie Britton Holmes 2022-05-09

1942-December-17 PoW RAF Sergeant John Richard Lord 2022-05-09

1942-December-17 PoW RAF Sergeant Alexander Stoddart MacKinley 2022-05-09

1942-December-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Harvey Penn 2023-10-30

1942-December-17 PoW RAF Sergeant Albert Willis 2022-05-09

1942-December-17 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1 John Wilson 2024-11-01

Lancaster ED352, Mk.I/III

s/n ED352

Avro

ED 352

Merlin

To No. 49 Sqn Dec 1942 then transferred to No. 57 Sqn Jan 1943. Missing on operation to Turin 4/5 Feb 1943. 54 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-February-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Alister Frank Gray Ritch 2024-03-14

Lancaster ED355, Mk.I/III

s/n ED355

Avro

ED 355

Merlin

Delivered to No. 44 Sqn (KM-D) Dec 1942. Lost on operation to Nienburg 17/18 Dec 1942 on first operation (4 operational hours).
last update: 2025-February-05

1942-December-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Mcbain James Stark 2022-01-03

Lancaster ED356, Mk.I/III

s/n ED356

Avro

ED 356

Merlin

Delivered to No. 207 Sqn (EM-W) Dec 1942. Missing on operation to Nuremburg on 25/26 Feb 1943. 83 flying hours
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-February-25 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Stanley Fayle 2024-05-26

1943-February-25 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Robert Stanley Hannah 2024-05-26

1943-February-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Murray Kerr Sexton 2024-06-28

1943-February-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer George Howard Wheeler 2024-07-12

1943-February-25 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Percy Gordon Williams 2024-07-12

Lancaster ED357, Mk.I/III

s/n ED357

Avro

ED 357

Merlin

Delivered to No. 12 Sqn Dec 1942. Took part in the squadron's first Lancaster operation (Gardening) 3/4 Jan 1943. Missing on operation to Dusseldorf 11/12 Jun 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-June-12 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer William Thomas Pingle 2023-08-08

1943-June-12 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Clarence Wesley Albert Sparling 2023-08-08

Lancaster ED358, Mk.I/III

s/n ED358

Avro

ED 358

Merlin

With No. 106 Sqn from Dec 1942. It had 3 major repairs during its lifetime. Missing from operation to Leipzig 20/21 Oct 1943. 300 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-October-20 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Allister Wilson Porter 2024-05-01

Lancaster ED360, Mk.I/III

s/n ED360

Avro

ED 360

Merlin

Delivered to No. 467 (Australian) Sqn Dec 1942. During its time with 467, there was one fatality, RCAF Flight Sergeant Alvin J. Broemeling, rear gunner, who died as a result of faulty oxygen equipment on 16 Jan 1943. Transferred to No. 106 Sqn Feb 1943. Crashed near Wisbech on operation to Cologne 9 Jul 1943. Mason says on return from the sortie, RAF Commands website suggests that the aircraft may have been in trouble after setting out (took off 2225 8 July from Syerston. Crashed 0140 9 July). 354 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-01-15 to 1943-01-16

467 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Bottesford, England

Delivered to No. 467 Australian Squadron (Recidite Adversarius Atque Ferociter) in Dec 1942. RAF Bottesford Lancaster I aircraft ED 360 on a raid to Berlin, Germany. Rear gunner FS AJ Broemeling (RCAF) failed to respond on the intercom and was found unconscious, probably due to failure of his oxygen mask. His issued mask was found to be faulty and he was given the spare mask carried aboard instead. The spare mask was an older version prone to freezing and it is believed to have malfunctioned at the 19,000 ft altitude and temperatures about -50C that the aircraft was flying. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Thiele RNZAF, quickly dived to a lower altitude then put the bomber on auto pilot while still in the target area to assist in pulling Flight Sergeant Broemeling out of his turret, but despite continuous artificial respiration being applied by the rest of the crew (Sergeant Bovis RAF, Sergeant Metcalfe RAF, Sergeant Sheekey RAF, Sergeant Gillman RAF and Sergeant Everard RAF). The aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire several times but managed to limp back to Botteford. FS Broemeling was declared dead when the aircraft landed (A. Storr). Lancaster I ED 360 was shot down six months later, flying with 106 Sqn, on July 9, 1943.

1943-January-16 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alvin John Broemeling 2024-11-19

1943-July-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Kenneth William Murphy 2025-03-04

Lancaster ED362, Mk.I/III

s/n ED362

Avro

ED 362

Merlin

Dekivered to No. 100 Sqn (HW-E, later HW-E2) from No. 32 MU 12 Mar 1943. Missing on operation to Cologne 28/29 Jun 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-June-29 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Douglas Webster Moulton 2021-08-16

1943-June-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Philip Jocelyn Pascoe 2021-08-18

Lancaster ED363, Mk.I/III

s/n ED363

Avro

ED 363

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Bombing Cologne Germany 1943-06-29 to 1943-06-29

With No. 467 (Australian) Sqn. First aircraft lost by this squadron. Failed to return from operation to Duisburg 8/9 Jan 1943
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Duisburg Germany 1943-01-08 to 1943-01-09

467 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Bottesford, England

467 (Australian) Squadron. Lancaster aircraft ED 367, first aircraft lost by 467 Sqn, failed to return from operations over enemy territory. Five RCAF members, P/O's R.T. Hanbidge, A.M. Wark, FS's S.V. Woyce, D.H. Powell, and H.A. Horton were killed. RAF Sgt.'s E Florey and J. Humphries were also killed.

1943-January-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Ralph Trever Hanbidge 2024-01-23

1943-January-08 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Albert Horton 2021-10-02

1943-January-08 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant David Haynes Barcham Powell 2021-09-30

1943-January-08 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Albert Mercier Wark 2021-10-02

1943-January-08 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Stanley Verdun Woyce 2021-10-02

Lancaster ED370, Mk.I/III

s/n ED370

Avro

ED 370

Merlin

Originally with No. 101 Sqn, as SR-D, SR-J and SR-B. Passed to No. 103 Sqn and then to No. 460 (Australian) Sqn. Missing on operation to Berlin 26/27 Nov 1943. 250 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-11-26 to 1943-11-26

460 () Sqn (RAAF) RAF Binbrook, Lincolnshire, England

460 Australia Squadron (Strike And Return). Lancaster aircraft ED 370, part of a combined force of 443 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitoes, went missing during an attack against Berlin, Germany. Returning crews reported heavy flak over Berlin and night fighters while homeward bound. Killed were RCAF Sgt. G.D. Arnott (air gunner) and Flt. Sgt. N.W. McNair (bomb aimer); RAAF Flt. Sgt. E.J. Stones (pilot); and RAF Sgt's. R.G. Jones (flight engineer), K.G. Smith (navigator), W. Belton (wireless operator / air gunner), and J.H. McIvor (air gunner).

1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Sergeant George Donald Arnott 2024-11-03

1943-November-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Nathaniel Wesley McNair 2022-08-08

Lancaster ED376, Mk.I/III

s/n ED376

Avro

ED 376

Merlin

Sterted with No. 100 Sqn, then to No. 1662 CU and then No. 15 Sqn. (LS-F) before going to No. 3 Lancaster Finishing School. Aircraft collided with Lancaster W 4851 and crashed at Southery, Norfolk 17-Jun-1944.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-June-17 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas William Bettridge 2025-01-18

1944-June-17 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Philip Horace Duval 2025-01-18

1944-June-17 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Donald Ross Gilchrist 2025-01-18

1944-June-17 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Arthur Kenneth Hrycenko 2025-01-18

1944-June-17 KIFA RCAF Sergeant Otis Wilfrid Libby 2025-01-18

1944-June-17 KIFA RAFVR Sergeant Cyril Quanborough 2025-01-18

1944-June-17 KIFA RCAF Flying Officer Richard Reginald Frederick Whitby 2025-01-18

Lancaster ED377, Mk.I/III

s/n ED377

Avro

ED 377

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-June-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Sinclair Buck 2024-11-23

Lancaster ED378, Mk.I/III

s/n ED378

Avro

ED 378

Merlin

To No. 1662 Conversion Unit 5 April 1943. Missing from training flight 14 Aug 1943
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-August-14 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Peter Tomchyshyn 2021-07-17

Lancaster ED379, Mk.I/III

s/n ED379

Avro

ED 379

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Henry Fitch 2024-05-26

Lancaster ED385, Mk.I/III

s/n ED385

Avro

ED 385

Merlin

Delivered to No. 57 Sqn Dec 1942, then to No. 20 MU, then No. 106 Sqn Aug 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 3/4 Sep 1943. 99 flying hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-September-04 KIA RCAF Sergeant Ernest Albert Cannon 2024-08-08

1943-September-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Kenneth Douglas Wellwood 2024-08-08

Lancaster ED386, Mk.I/III

s/n ED386

Avro

ED 386

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-January-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Gordon Ernest Campbell 2023-12-12

Lancaster ED387, Mk.I/III

s/n ED387

Avro

ED 387

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-February-26 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ambury Newton Jarvis 2024-06-01

Lancaster ED388, Mk.I/III

s/n ED388

Avro

ED 388

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-January-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer John Fallis 2021-08-06

1943-January-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harry Frederick Fansher 2021-08-06

Lancaster ED389, Mk.I/III

s/n ED389

Avro

ED 389

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-July-25 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Edmund Couch 2024-05-01

Lancaster ED408, Mk.I/III

s/n ED408

Avro

ED 408

Merlin

Delivered to No. 12 Sqn (PH-A) 2 Apr 1943. Missing on Gardening sortie 28/29 Apr 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-April-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Basil Vernon Lancelot Veira DFC 2023-07-24

Lancaster ED418, Mk.I/III

s/n ED418

Avro

ED 418

Merlin

Delivered to No. 207 Sqn (EM-G) 29 Dec 1942. Missing on operation to Duisburg 12/13 May 1943. 230 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Archibald McNair 2021-08-17

Lancaster ED421, Mk.I/III

s/n ED421

Avro

ED 421

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-08-23 to 1943-08-23

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Bombing Oberhausen Germany 1943-06-14 to 1943-06-15

(B) Sqn (RAF) Fiskerton

Battle of the Ruhr

An all Lancaster force of 197, guided by 6 Oboe Mosquitoes made a successful attack on Oberhausen. Despite the target being cloud-covered, accurate sky-marking enabled the bombers to do considerable damage. Twelve Lancasters lifted from Fiskerton's runway, the last one away by 22.32hrs. The crews found themselves engaged in a savage battle from both flak and fighters which resulted in Bomber Command losing 17 aircraft.

Of those missing: Sergeant Frost (ED434) and crew had been shot down by a German night fighter flown by Hauptmann Hans-Dieter Frank I./NJG1. The aircraft fell to the ground 2 kilometers East of Dodewaard, Holland at 01.13hrs. The pilot and flight engineer survived to become POW's in Stalag 357, Kopernikus; the remainder of the crew are buried in Uden War Cemetery.

1943-June-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Walter Lawrence Chatfield 2024-02-10

1943-June-15 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Robert Coulsey 2024-05-02

1943-June-15 PoW RAF Sergeant Reginald Frost 2023-06-15

1943-June-15 PoW Sergeant Nathan Charles Hitchcock 2023-08-26

1943-June-15 KIA RAF Sergeant Victor Horsley 2023-06-15

1943-June-15 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Peter Alfred Toms 2023-06-15

1943-June-15 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Alan Ewart Whittaker 2023-06-15

Lancaster ED435, Mk.I/III

s/n ED435

Avro

ED 435

Merlin

Delivered to No. 49 Sqn (EA-G, later EA-K) Jan 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 29/30 Mar 1943. 75 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-March-30 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant Arthur Tedder Langford Cullum 2024-05-25

1943-March-30 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Frank Arthur McNutt 2021-08-17

Lancaster ED439, Mk.I/III

s/n ED439

Avro

ED 439

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-June-18 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Robert Allan Taylor 2021-07-20

Lancaster ED444, Mk.I/III

s/n ED444

Avro

ED 444

Merlin

Delivered to No. 49 Sqn 31 Dec 1942. Missing on operation to Berlin 17/18 Jan 1943. 11 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-January-18 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Daniel Joseph Robertson 2023-09-27

Lancaster ED446, Mk.I/III

s/n ED446

Avro

ED 446

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-March-20 KIA RAF Sergeant Harry Alfred Rideout 2021-08-08

Lancaster ED447, Mk.I/III

s/n ED447

Avro

ED 447

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-January-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Frank James Belanger 2024-11-11

1943-January-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Ralph Patrick Campbell 2025-01-08

1943-January-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Gordon James Hutchinson 2025-01-08

Lancaster ED449, Mk.I/III

s/n ED449

Avro

ED 449

Merlin

Delivered to No. 50 Sqn. 9 Jan 1943. Missing on mission to Essen 12/12 Mar 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-March-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Victor Robert David Joseph Kissick 2021-03-12

1943-March-12 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Frederick Ward 2022-01-11

Lancaster ED451, Mk.I/III

s/n ED451

Avro

ED 451

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-May-01 KIA RCAF Sergeant John Gordon Alderson 2024-11-01

Lancaster ED453, Mk.I/III

s/n ED453

Avro

ED 453

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-June-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Sydney Dennis Bird 2024-11-12

Lancaster ED467, Mk.I/III

s/n ED467

Avro

ED 467

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-February-28 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Alexander Mckeen Dickie 2024-10-19

1943-February-28 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Frederick Colin Duncan 2024-10-19

Lancaster ED471, Mk.I/III

s/n ED471

Avro

ED 471

Merlin

With No. 50 Sqn. Missing on operation to Berlin 17/18 Jan 1943. 5 operational hours (first op?).
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-January-17 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Leslie James Bond 2024-11-14

1943-January-17 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Jack Eastwood 2025-01-27

1943-January-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Iain Fraser 2025-01-27

1943-January-17 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Harvie 2025-01-27

1943-January-17 KIA RAAF Pilot Officer Esmond Peter Heinrich 2025-01-27

1943-January-17 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 John Aylwin Moore 2025-01-27

1943-January-17 KIA RAF Flight Sergeant Arthur Gwilyn Thomas 2025-01-27

Lancaster ED472, Mk.I/III

s/n ED472

Avro

ED 472

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Marcus Richards Felsen 2022-01-30

Lancaster ED476, Mk.I/III

s/n ED476

Avro

ED 476

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Richard Douglas Fraser 2021-09-24

Lancaster ED478, Mk.I/III

s/n ED478

Avro

ED 478

Merlin

With No. 50 Sqn Jan 1943. Aircraft ditched in the North Sea whilst jettisoning its bombs after a return from the target Frankfurt 10/11 Apr 1943. 143 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-April-11 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Francis Gerard McGrath 2021-08-17

Lancaster ED480, Mk.I/III

s/n ED480

Avro

ED 480

Merlin

Delivered to No. 9 Sqn (WS-U) 21 Jan 1943. Missing on operation to Gelsenkirchen 9/10 Jul 1943. 250 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-July-10 Evader RCAF Sergeant John D Duncan 2024-10-29

1943-July-10 Evader RCAF Sergeant D B McMillan 2021-07-14

Lancaster ED481, Mk.I/III

s/n ED481

Avro

ED 481

Merlin

Delivered to No. 9 Sqn (WS-N) 15 Jan 1943. Crashed near opcliffe on return from mission to Hamburg, 30/31 Jan 1943. 19 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-January-31 KIA RCAF Sergeant Mckeen Allan 2024-10-26

1943-January-31 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Arthur William Butcher 2024-10-26

1943-January-31 KIA RAFVR Sergeant George Francis Done 2024-10-26

1943-January-31 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Henry Summers Jones 2024-10-26

1943-January-31 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Walter George Murton 2024-10-26

1943-January-31 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Frank Goheen Nelson 2024-10-26

1943-January-31 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Allan Arthur Frederick Williams 2024-10-26

Lancaster ED484, Mk.I/III

s/n ED484

Avro

ED 484

Merlin

Delivered to No. 50 Sqn Jan 1943. Missing on operation to Lorient 13/14 Feb 1943. 39 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-February-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Keith Jonathan Hodgson 2022-11-30

1943-February-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William James Hogg 2024-02-21

1943-February-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Lloyd Harvey Peterson 2023-10-11

Lancaster ED485, Mk.I/III

s/n ED485

Avro

ED 485

Merlin

Built as Mk. III, converted to Mk. I at No. 156 Sqn. Missing on mission to Wilhelmshaven 19/20 Feb 1943. 53 flying hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Wilhelmshaven Germany 1943-02-19 to 1943-02-19

156 (PFF) Sqn (RAF) RAF Warboys

156 Squadron (We Light The Way), Pathfinder Force, RAF Warboys. Lancaster BII aircraft ED 485 was lost without a trace during an operation over the naval yards at Wlihelmshaven, Germany. The Lancaster may have been shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Paul Gildner of the Stab IV/NJG-1, crashing into the North Sea, North of Vlieland, Friesland, Netherlands with the loss of the entire crew

Pilot Officer H W Welch (RCAF), Pilot Officer T E Case (RCAF), Pilot Officer P Y C Tremblay (RCAF), Pilot Officer E Cuthbert (RNZAF), Pilot Officer H A McLennan DFM (RAAF), Sergeant E P G Bayliss (RAFVR) and Sergeant J W Denby (RAFVR) were all missing, presumed killed in action

The missing have no known graves and all are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial

Several of the crew members of Lancaster ED 245 had been involved in the crash of 156 Squadron Wellington III aircraft X3811, which encountered icing conditions and was abandoned over England after a fire started

Flight Sergeant T E Case (RCAF) and Flight Sergeant H W Welch (RCAF) were slightly injured, Flight Sergeant P Y C Tremblay (RCAF), Sergeant H A McLennan (RAAF) and Sergeant E Cuthbert (RNZAF) survived, safe. However, the Wellington crashed into the village of Somersham, Huntingdon, England, where it destroyed several houses on High Street and killed 11 people on the ground: Pauline Margaret Cattanach, Vera Cattanach, Juliana Davies, Annie Maria Holdich, Alice Lamb, William Francis Lamb, Violet Ewing Moule, Eliza Nightingale, Elizabeth Richardson, Ena Joyce Stroud and Elsie May Taylor

Several of the crew members of Lancaster ED 245 had previously been involved in the crash of 156 Squadron Wellington III aircraft X3811, which encountered icing conditions and was abandoned over England

Flight Sergeant T E Case (RCAF) and Flight Sergeant H W Welch (RCAF) were slightly injured, Flight Sergeant P Y C Tremblay (RCAF), Sergeant H A McLennan (RAAF) and Sergeant E Cuthbert (RNZAF) survived, safe. However, the Wellington crashed into the village of Somersham, Huntingdon, England, where it destroyed several houses on High Street and killed 11 people on the ground: Pauline Margaret Cattanach, Vera Cattanach, Juliana Davies, Annie Maria Holdich, Alice Lamb, William Francis Lamb, Violet Ewing Moule, Eliza Nightingale, Elizabeth Richardson, Ena Joyce Stroud and Elsie May Taylor

General Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

General Aviation Safety Network

General Results

General Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster I off Vlielandin: 7 killed I Bureau of...

1943-February-19 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Edward Percy George Bayliss 2023-11-04

1943-February-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Thomas Edward Case 2024-01-16

1943-February-19 KIA RNZAF Pilot Officer Elias Cuthbert 2023-11-27

1943-February-19 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John William Denby 2024-10-12

1943-February-19 KIA RAAF Pilot Officer Hugh Alexander McLennan DFM 2023-11-27

1943-February-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Pierre Yves Camille Tremblay 2023-11-04

1943-February-19 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Harry William Welch 2023-11-27

Lancaster ED486, Mk.I/III

s/n ED486

Avro

ED 486

Merlin

Delivered to No. 50 Sqn Jan 1943. Aircraft crashed soon after take-off en route to Dusseldorf 27 Jan 1943. Aircraft had flown 14 hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-January-27 KIA RCAF Sergeant Maurice John Barbe 2024-11-07

1943-January-27 KIA RCAF Flt. Sergeant John Currie 2024-12-15

1943-January-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant John Wallace Wilson 2024-12-15

Lancaster ED487, Mk.I/III

s/n ED487

Avro

ED 487

Merlin

Delivered to No. 9 Sqn (WS-D) 14 Jan 1943. Missing on operation to Cologne 16/17 Jun 1943. 261 flying hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-June-17 PoW RAFVR Sergeant John Anthony Aldersley 2024-11-01

1943-June-17 KIA RAF Sergeant Patrick Hall 2023-08-26

1943-June-17 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Harold Popplestone 2022-03-03

1943-June-17 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Herbert Francis Poynter 2023-08-27

1943-June-17 PoW RAFVR Sergeant Charles James Sinclair 2022-03-03

1943-June-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant David Gerald Tremblay 2023-11-09

1943-June-17 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Denis Webster 2023-08-27

Lancaster ED488, Mk.I/III

s/n ED488

Avro

ED 488

Merlin

Delivered to No. 50 Sqn (VN-N) 12 Jan 1943. Missing on operation to Cologne 2/3 Feb 1943. 18 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-February-02 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Henry Louis Church 2024-02-21

1943-February-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer David Allan Power 2021-08-12

Lancaster ED498, Mk.I/III

s/n ED498

Avro

ED 498

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-August-16 KIA RCAF Sergeant Harry Clement 2024-03-02

Lancaster ED499, Mk.I/III

s/n ED499

Avro

ED 499

Merlin

Delivered to No. 9 Sqn (WS-X) 21 Jan 1943. Missing on operation to Hanover 18/19 Oct 1943. 442 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-October-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Stanley George Barlegs 2024-11-09

1943-October-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Norman Beer 2024-11-10

1943-October-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Howard James Gould 2024-12-18

1943-October-18 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant John William Grain 2024-12-18

1943-October-18 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Oswald William Douglas Hodges 2024-12-18

1943-October-18 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Stanley David Smith 2024-12-18

1943-October-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Leon Abraham Titof 2024-12-18

Lancaster ED520, Mk.I/III

s/n ED520

Avro

ED 520

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-February-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Lloyd Adolph Bernick 2025-01-16

1943-February-26 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Donald Campbell Hunter 2025-01-16

Lancaster ED524, Mk.I/III

s/n ED524

Avro

ED 524

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Bombing Essen Germany 1943-04-03 to 1943-04-03

467 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Bottesford, England

467 Australia Squadron. Lancaster aircraft ED 524 was shot down at Dusseldorf, Germany. Six RAF members of the crew, F/0.s T. Dring, H. North, J. Stewart, Sgt.s W.Johnson, D.J. Robinson, L.T. Fulcher, and S/L. A. Paape were also killed.

1943-April-03 KIA RCAF Sergeant Louis Thomas Fulcher 2022-07-17

Lancaster ED526, Mk.I/III

s/n ED526

Avro

ED 526

Merlin

To No. 467 Sqn 23 Jan 1943. Missing on operation to Nuremburg 25/25 Feb 1943. 40 Operational hours
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Nuremberg Germany 1943-02-25 to 1943-02-25

467 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Bottesford, England

467 Squadron RAAF (Recidite adversarius atque ferocitea) RAF Bottesford. Lancaster BIII ED 526 PO-J was shot down by flak during an operation against targets in Nuremburg, Germany. The Lancaster crashed near Weisendorf, Bayern, Germany with the loss of the entire crew

Warrant Officer 2nd Class J L B Larin (RCAF), Warrant Officer 2nd Class R S Woolley (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant O G Rowcroft (RAAF), Warrant Officer M P Stewart (RAAF), Sergeant E O'Kane (RAFVR), Sergeant R Wiggins (RAFVR) and Sergeant R M Wylie (RAFVR) were all killed in action

General Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

General Aviation Safety Network

General Allied Losses and Incidents: All Commands

1943-February-25 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Joseph Louis Bernard Larin 2024-06-05

1943-February-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Edward O'Kane 2023-11-27

1943-February-25 KIA RAAF Flight Lieutenant Oscar Gladwin Rowcroft 2023-11-27

1943-February-25 KIA RAAF Warrant Officer Maxwell Phillip Stewart 2023-11-27

1943-February-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Richard Wiggins 2023-11-27

1943-February-25 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Robert Stanley Woolley 2024-07-12

1943-February-25 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Robert McKenzie Wylie 2023-11-27

Lancaster ED527, Mk.I/III

s/n ED527

Avro

ED 527

Merlin

Delivered to No. 50 Sqn 26 Jan 1943. Crashed on first operation in French Morocco following a raid on Turin 4/5 Feb 1943. 5 operational hours. Last heard of at 2305 transmitting 'Making forced landing in position 3610N 0520W.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Turin Italy 1943-02-05 to 1943-02-05

(B) Sqn (RAF) Skellingthorpe

188 aircraft - 77 Lancasters - 55 Halifaxes - 50 Stirlings - 6 Wellingtons - 3 Lancasters lost.

156 aircraft reached and bombed Turinn, causing serious and widespread damage. The brief local report states that 29 people were killed and 53 injured.source: The Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt50 Squadron (From Defence To Attack). Target - Turin, Italy. Lancaster aircraft ED 527 crashed north-east of Fez, near Ajnoul at Taza, French Morocco.Warrant Officer L.A. Cumming, Sergeant M.S. Napier and four of the crew, not Canadians, were also killed

1943-February-05 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Gerald Macness Bown 2024-11-16

1943-February-05 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer Leonard Allan Cumming 2025-02-15

1943-February-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Nelson Earl Holness 2024-02-25

1943-February-05 KIA RNZAF Flying Officer Keith Campbell Johanson 2024-02-25

1943-February-05 KIA RAFVR Sergeant David Livingston 2024-02-25

1943-February-05 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Matthew Simpson Napier 2025-02-15

1943-February-05 KIA RAFVR Sergeant George Robinson 2024-02-25

Lancaster ED541, Mk.I/III

s/n ED541

Avro

ED 541

Merlin

Delivered to No. 467 (Audtralian) Sqn 26 Jan 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 3/4 Sep 1943. 383 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-09-04 to 1943-09-04

467 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Bottesford, Lincolnshire, England

467 Australia Squadron. Lancaster aircraft ED 541 was shot down near Doberitz, Germany whilst engaged in night operations over Berlin, Germany. RCAF FS's. C.M. Niven and R. Lesser, and non-Canadians Sgt.s O.H. Hodges (RAF), L.A. Saunders, (RAAF), F/L. R. Carmichael (RAAF), F/0.s P.E. Henley (RAF), and R.T.J. Bilney (RAF), were killed.

1943-September-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Raymond Lesser 2024-04-22

1943-September-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Morrison Niven 2024-07-31

Lancaster ED543, Mk.I/III

s/n ED543

Avro

ED 543

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Bombing Pilsen Czechoslovakia 1943-05-13 to 1943-05-14

467 (B) Sqn (RAAF) Bottesford UK

467 Australia Squadron. Lancaster aircraft ED 543 missing, presumed over target, presumed enemy action. Sergeants W.G. Berry (RAF), H.W. Cox (RAF), B.G. Hickling (RAF), M.B. Squires (RAF), and Flying Officer E.F. Heard (RAF) were also killed. One other member of the crew, not Canadian, missing believed killed.

addendum 2: See page 292. The target was Pilsen, Germany and the other member of the crew to be killed WU P/O. K. Mahoney (RAAF).

General Air Crew Remembered

1943-May-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Byron Leo Haley 2022-07-21

Lancaster ED547, Mk.I/III

s/n ED547

Avro

ED 547

Merlin

Delivered to No. 467 Sqn 28 Jan 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 29/30 Dec 1943. 511 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-12-30 to 1943-12-30

467 () ()

Delivered to 467 Australia Squadron 28 Jan 1943. Lancaster aircraft ED 547 crashed five miles south-east of the target Berlin, Germany during night operations. Killed were RCAF Flt. Sgt. F.A. Spencer; five RAF members of the crew, F/0. F. Allen, Sgt. S. Allom, D. Wetherell, R. Yale, R. Evans; and P/O. B. Tait (RAAF).

1943-December-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Francis Arthur Spencer 2024-05-03

Lancaster ED549, Mk.I/III

s/n ED549

Lancaster ED564, Mk.I/III

s/n ED564

Avro

ED 564

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-April-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Harris George 2021-08-07

Lancaster ED566, Mk.I/III

s/n ED566

Avro

ED 566

Merlin

Delivered to No. 9 Sqn (WS-P) 6 Feb 1943. Later re-coded WS-J. Missing on operation to Duisburg 9/10 Apr 1943. 85 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-April-10 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Harold Logan Huether 2021-08-10

1943-April-10 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William John Reid 2022-01-18

Lancaster ED568, Mk.I/III

s/n ED568

Avro

ED 568

Merlin

Delivered to No. 100 Sqn (HW-T) 4 Feb 1943. Missing on operation to Duisburg 8/9 Apr 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-April-08 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Arnott McKinnon 2021-08-17

Lancaster ED569, Mk.I/III

s/n ED569

Avro

ED 569

Merlin

Delivered to No. 207 Sqn (EM-B) 20 Feb 1943. Missing on operation to Cologne 28/29 Jun 1943. 219 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-June-29 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Philip Campion Digby Russell 2021-08-05

Lancaster ED583, Mk.I/III

s/n ED583

Avro

ED 583

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-October-03 KIA USAAF Flying Officer Thomas H Morgan DFC 2021-07-09

Lancaster ED588, Mk.I/III

s/n ED588

Avro

ED 588

Merlin

The crew of Lancaster aircraft ED 588 were engaged in a night bomb attack against Konigsberg, Germany when they crashed at Vittsjo, Sweden and the bomb load exploded. Sergeants R.W. Bysouth (RAF), W.R. Campbell (RAF), R.H. Clifford (RAF), F.G. Plowman (RAF), Flying Officer A.H. Carver (RAF), and one other member of the crew, not Canadian, were also killed.

There is a Claim by Maj Werner Husemann Stab I/NJG3 -East of Halsingborg (LG - LH): 3,300m at 00:48. in the (Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1944 Part 4 - Theo Boiten), Not verified. (Source John Jones UK)

last update: 2025-February-05

1944-August-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Donald Alastair MacDonald 2023-08-05

Lancaster ED595, Mk.I/III

s/n ED595

Avro

ED 595

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-June-25 PoW RCAF Flight Lieutenant John Arthur Emery 2021-05-26

Lancaster ED598, Mk.I/III

s/n ED598

Avro

ED 598

Merlin

With A.V. Roe & CO. at Ringway Feb 1943. Then to Signals Intelligence Unit April 1943 for trials with H2S radar equipment. To No. 156 Sqn (PFF) May 1943. Missing on operation to Hamburg 29/30 Jul 1943. This was on the 3rd night of the "Battle of Hamburg". The aircraft was 8th shot down by fighter attack on that night. Crew were on 14th op, some on second tour.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-July-29 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Murray Clement Staples 2022-01-03

Lancaster ED601, Mk.I/III

s/n ED601

Avro

ED 601

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-December-02 KIA RCAF Sergeant Frederick Lionel Brisco 2024-11-18

Lancaster ED602, Mk.I/III

s/n ED602

Avro

ED 602

Merlin

At Ringway Feb 1943. Moved to No. 467 (Australian) Sqn, then to No. No. 83 Sqn (OL-F), then to No. 49 Sqn and then No. 619 Sqn. Missing on operation to Karlsruhe 26/27 Sep 1944.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-September-27 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Glenn Prosper Adams 2024-11-01

1944-September-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Raymond Wilbur Pettigrew 2021-08-16

1944-September-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer John William Thompson 2021-07-20

Lancaster ED603, Mk.I/III

s/n ED603

Avro

ED 603

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Arthur Gordon Fletcher 2021-08-06

Lancaster ED612, Mk.I/III

s/n ED612

Avro

ED 612

Merlin

Delivered to No. 103 Sqn 11 Feb 1943. Missing on operation to Oberhausen, Germany, 14/15 Jun 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-June-15 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Eusebins William O'Connell 2021-08-17

Lancaster ED613, Mk.I/III

s/n ED613

Avro

ED 613

Merlin

Delivered to No. 61 Sqn from No. 32 MU Feb 1943. Missing on operation to Essen 25/26 Jul 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-July-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Harvey Renaud 2021-05-22

Lancaster ED618, Mk.I/III

s/n ED618

Avro

ED 618

Merlin

Delivered to No. 101 Sqn from No. 5 MU 23 Mar 1943. Missing on operation to Duisburg 9/10 Apr 1943, 19 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Duisburg Germany 1943-04-09 to 1943-04-10

101 () Sqn (RAF)

101 Squadron (Mens Agitat Molem). Lancaster aircraft ED 618 missing over enemy-held territory during night operations. FSs S. Grundy D.F.M. (RAF), M.J. Bennett (RAF), Sergeants J. Hence (RAF), D. Gould (RAF), and W.D. O'Brien (RAF), and Flying Officer N.J. Ritchie (RAAF) were also killed.

General Photos and Detail

General Photos and Detail (German Night Fighter)

1943-April-10 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class John David Steele 2024-08-14

Lancaster ED622, Mk.I/III

s/n ED622

Avro

ED 622

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-April-08 KIA RAAF Flight Sergeant Robert Graham Younger 2021-07-06

Lancaster ED624, Mk.I/III

s/n ED624

s/n ED667

Avro

ED 667

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-May-14 Evader RCAF Warrant Officer 1 Stanley Herbert Allison 2024-11-02

Lancaster ED668, Mk.I/III

s/n ED668

Avro

ED 668

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-June-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Clifford James Challenger 2024-01-25

Lancaster ED688, Mk.I/III

s/n ED688

Avro

ED 688

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-August-03 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Frank Murray Cole 2024-03-14

Lancaster ED689, Mk.I/III

s/n ED689

Avro

ED 689

Merlin

Delivered to No. 9 Sqn (WS-K) 12 Apr 1943. Missing on operation to Cologne 3/4 Jul 1943. 146 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Cologne Germany 1943-07-03 to 1943-07-04

9 (B) Sqn (RAF) Bardney

Battle of the Ruhr

Lancaster aircraft ED 689 lost during night operations against Cologne, Germany. Flying Officer J.B. Reeves (USA) and W/O G.F. Dohaney were killed. The other six crew, not Canadians, are missing and also believed killed.

1943-July-04 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Alec Frederick Backler 2024-11-06

1943-July-04 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 George Francis Dohaney 2024-11-06

1943-July-04 KIA RAF Sergeant Harold Joseph Hawkridge 2024-12-03

1943-July-04 KIA RAFVR Sergeant John Elwyn Owen 2024-10-23

1943-July-04 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Thomas Geoffrey Porter 2024-10-23

1943-July-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Jonah Bruce Reeves 2024-10-23

1943-July-04 KIA RAFVR Flight Lieutenant John Alfred Wakeford DFC 2024-10-23

1943-July-04 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Harry Leonard Wilson 2024-10-23

Lancaster ED692, Mk.I/III

s/n ED692

Avro

ED 692

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Henry Flatt 2021-08-06

Lancaster ED693, Mk.I/III

s/n ED693

Avro

ED 693

Merlin

Delivered to No. 50 Sqn 28 Feb 1943. Missing on operation to Plzen 13/14 Aug 1943. 149 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Bruce Nichol 2021-08-17

1943-May-13 PoW RCAF Flying Officer William Goode Pickens 2023-09-24

Lancaster ED695, Mk.I/III

s/n ED695

Avro

ED 695

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1943-05-26 to 1943-05-26

467 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Bottesford, Lincolnshire, England

467 Australia Squadron. Target - Dusseldorf, Germany. Lancaster aircraft ED 695 lost whilst engaged in operations over enemy-held territory. RCAF member Flt. Sgt. A.F. Birkbeck and RAF member Pilot Officer K.R. Langhorne were killed. Five of the non-Canadian crew were taken Prisoner of War: Sgt's. R.A. Avann, S.G. Keirs, and W.V. Morris, Pilot Officer P.R. Collins, and Flying Officer R.S. Giddey. Giddy of Gordon, Australia, was the pilot of the aircraft and following is his report of the event. "On this night we had made our way to the target corkscrewing all the way over enemy territory, dropped our bombs then set course for base. Our flight plan called for us to corkscrew out from the target and back to the Dutch coast. When Pilot Officer Collins (Nav.) told us we were over the coast I straightened out and put the nose down into a steep dive thinking we were safe and out of range. It was then the night fighter got us. There was a terrific crash and we were on fire. As we were over the North Sea it would be useless to parachute so I gave orders for ditching and the crew members took their positions. The two gunners, Langhorne and Birkbeck were the only ones not to acknowledge my order which leads me to believe that they must have been killed by the first burst from the night fighter. The smoke and flames obscured the instrument panel and owing to the red glow inside the aircraft I could not distinguish the horizon. I was finally able to see a few houses and realized we had turned back to the Dutch coast. I lifted the nose then flattened out, cut the four engines and as we lost air speed I pulled the control column right back thus stalling the plane and causing it to hit tail first. The initial hit wasn't too bad but the second, when it finally came, was horrific. All five of the crew abandoned the aircraft and took refuge in a barn. We eventually left the area, one at a time, but were captured very soon after. I was free the longest as I didn't get captured until August 8, 1943."

1943-May-26 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Alburn Fred Birkbeck 2024-11-12

Lancaster ED696, Mk.I/III

s/n ED696

Avro

ED 696

Merlin

Delivered to No. 9 Sqn (WS-T) 2 Mar 1943. Missing on mission to Kiel 4/5 April 1943. 47 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-April-05 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Thomas Wilfred Telfer 2021-07-20

Lancaster ED703, Mk.I/III

s/n ED703

Avro

ED 703

Merlin

Aircraft of No. 61 Squadron. Missing on raid to Munich 9/10 Mar 1943. (Robertson and Holmes say that ED 703 ditched SW of Scilly Isles on 13/14 April 1943?)
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-March-09 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Charles Francis Daley 2025-01-17

1943-March-09 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Gerald Arthur Young 2025-01-18

Lancaster ED705, Mk.I/III

s/n ED705

Avro

ED 705

Merlin

Delivered to No. 100 Sqn (HW-P, later HW-H and HW-Y) 14 Mar 1943. Missing on operation to Hamburg 2/3 Aug 1943. This was the fourth and final raid of the Battle of Hamburg Jul/Aug 1943. The aircraft was shot down by a night fighter and was the 7th aircraft lost on that night. The crew were on their 18th operation.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-August-03 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Roy Raven 2021-09-30

Lancaster ED708, Mk.I/III

s/n ED708

Avro

ED 708

Merlin

Delivered to No. 106 Sqn 9 Mar 1943. Missing on operation to Hamburg 27/28 Jul 1943. This was the second raid of the "Battle of Hamburg" Jul/Aug 1943. The aircraft was the 16th or 17th shot down that night , either by Ofw. Kubisch, gunner in Major Lent's Bf 110 of IV/NGJ1 or the Ju 88 of Lt Stock of IV NJG3. The crew were on their 8th operation (Middlebrook).
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-July-28 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Thomas Joseph Roche 2021-08-08

Lancaster ED712, Mk.I/III

s/n ED712

Avro

ED 712

Merlin

Delivered to No. 50 Sqn 12 Mar 1943. Missing on operation to Wuppertal 24/25 Jun 1943. 117 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-June-25 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Pearson 2022-01-19

Lancaster ED714, Mk.I/III

s/n ED714

Avro

ED 714

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-April-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ernest Arthur Applegate 2024-11-02

1943-April-14 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Edward Henry Bakeman 2024-12-02

1943-April-14 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Edward Frank Dynarski 2024-10-29

Lancaster ED718, Mk.I/III

s/n ED718

Avro

ED 718

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-October-02 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Philip Stewart Camsell 2024-05-17

Lancaster ED719, Mk.I/III

s/n ED719

Avro

ED 719

Merlin

Delivered to No. 49 Sqn (EA-K) 12 Mar 1943. Missing on operation to Mannheim 9/10 Aug 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-August-10 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Maurice Everett Scarfe 2023-08-05

Lancaster ED720, Mk.I/III

s/n ED720

Avro

ED 720

Merlin

Delivered to No. 106 Sqn 12 Mar 1943. Missing on operation to Cologne 8/9 Jul 1943. 249 flying hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-July-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Reginald Calder 2023-10-11

1943-July-09 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Dalton Arnold Turner 2023-10-11

Lancaster ED721, Mk.I/III

s/n ED721

Avro

ED 721

Merlin

Delivered to No. 49 Sqn Mar 1943. Transferred to No. 9 Sqn (WS-S) Oct 1943. Missing on operation to Brunswick 14/15 Jan 1944.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-January-14 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class David Alexander Powley 2021-09-30

Lancaster ED723, Mk.I/III

s/n ED723

Avro

ED 723

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-May-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Francis Aloysius Doherty 2024-10-26

1943-May-24 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer James Leonard Drysdale 2024-10-29

Lancaster ED726, Mk.I/III

s/n ED726

Avro

ED 726

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-July-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class James William Gillin 2021-09-25

Lancaster ED731, Mk.I/III

s/n ED731

Avro

ED 731

Merlin

Delivered to No. 103 Sqn Mar 1943. Transferred to No. 166 Sqn (AS-T2) in Sept 1943. Lost on mission to Berlin 24/25 Mar 1944. 576 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-March-25 PoW RCAF Flying Officer Jack Barton Auld 2024-11-03

1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Fusi (sigus) Eirikur Johnson 2024-06-10

1944-March-25 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Thomas Leo Whigham Teasdale 2024-06-10

Lancaster ED735, Mk.I/III

s/n ED735

Avro

ED 735

Merlin

Originally to No. 44 Sqn (KM-K), then to No. 617 Sqn (AJ-R). Took part in the raids on the Antheor Viaduct 16/17 Sep 1943 and 11/12 Nov 1943. Lost on returning to England from Rabat, Morocco 17 Nov 1943. 338 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

Ferry Flight In transit to Coningsby 1943-11-17 to 1943-11-18

617 (B) Sqn (RAF) Rabat, Morocco

The aircraft, piloted by Flight Lieutenant EEG Youseman DFC, had landed at Blida, Algeria , after the raid on the Antheor Viaduct , on the rail line between France and Italy, on the night of 11/12 November. It subsequently moved to Rabat, Morocco before setting off to return to Coningsby, its base in England . It was routed round the Iberian peninsula and across the Bay of Biscay. However, it ditched in the Atlantic with the loss of all of the crew. It is believed that there were 3 army officers on board as well as the crew.

There were 3 Canadians in the crew: Pilot Officers L Plishka and AM Laughiand DFM and Warrant Officer Class 1 JB O'Grady. With the exception of Flight Sergeant R Florence DFM (RNZAF), the remainder of the crew (Flight Lieutenant EEG Youseman DFC Pilot Officer S Whittingham DFM and Flying Officer W Grimes DFM) were in the RAF.

1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Alan Macneiley Laughland DFM 2022-11-25

1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class John Brian Decourcy O'Grady 2022-08-25

1943-November-18 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Leonard Plishka 2022-08-25

Lancaster ED737, Mk.I/III

s/n ED737

Avro

ED 737

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

Bombing Cologne Germany 1943-06-17 to 1943-06-17

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-September-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Percy Hornby Coates 2024-04-04

1943-September-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Ray Warren Buddy Collins 2024-04-29

1943-September-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Jack Morgan Lauder 2024-04-22

Lancaster ED758, Mk.I/III

s/n ED758

Avro

ED 758

Merlin

Served with No. 57 Sqn from March 1943 to Sep 1943, then transfer to No. 630 Sqn, finally to No. 207 Sqn (EM-V). Missing from mission to Berlin 30/31 Jan 1944. 452 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-January-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ervin Leroy Keeler 2021-08-12

1944-January-30 KIA RCAF Flying Officer William Thomas Tranmer 2021-07-15

Lancaster ED760, Mk.I/III

s/n ED760

Avro

ED 760

Merlin

With No. 100 Sqn. Missing on operation to Frankfurt 10/11 Apr 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-April-11 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Bodley 2024-11-14

1943-April-11 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Clarence Flint Rimmer 2025-01-26

Lancaster ED766, Mk.I/III

s/n ED766

Avro

ED 766

Merlin

Delivered to No. 57 Sqn 25 Mar 1943, Missing on operation to Frankfurt 10/11 Apr 1943. 41 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-April-11 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Robert George Griffin 2024-05-26

1943-April-11 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class George Russel Holm 2024-05-29

1943-April-11 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Lawrence Joseph Lalonde 2024-11-01

1943-April-11 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class John Harold Lemon 2024-06-05

1943-April-11 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Daryl Owen McMahon 2024-06-20

Lancaster ED768, Mk.I/III

s/n ED768

Avro

ED 768

Merlin

Delivered to No. 467 (Australian) Sqn Mar 1943. Missing on operation to Dusseldorf 25/26 May 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Dusseldorf Germany 1943-05-26 to 1943-05-26

467 (B) Sqn (RAAF) RAF Bottesford, Lincolnshire, England

467 Australia Squadron. Hit by Flak and crashed 0209 26 May 1943 at _s-Gravenwezel (Antwerpen) 11 km ENE from the centre of Antwerpen where those killed are buried in Schoonselhof Cemetery. Casualties included RAF Sgt's. T. Chalmers and B. Spencer, and RAAF Flt. Sgt. J. M. Parsons. Taken Prisoners of War were RAF Sgt's J.P. Egan, R.A. Hunt, and N.J. Vaulkhard, and RCAF Sgt. J.F. Selman.

1943-May-26 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class John Francis Selman 2023-09-30

Lancaster ED769, Mk.I/III

s/n ED769

Avro

ED 769

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-July-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Harold Richmond Graham 2021-08-07

1943-July-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Bruce Woodrow Walls 2021-07-10

1943-July-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Rae Mcgee Watts 2021-07-10

Lancaster ED770, Mk.I/III

s/n ED770

Avro

ED 770

Merlin

Delivered to No. 57 SqnMar 1943. Missing on operation to Stettin 20/21 Apr 1943. 60 operational hours. [Mason gives aircraft lost at Pilzen 16/17 Apr 1943].
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-April-20 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Thomas Alexander McDowell 2023-07-24

Lancaster ED773, Mk.I/III

s/n ED773

Avro

ED 773

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-June-23 KIA RAF Flying Officer Douglas Munroe Grant 2024-02-15

1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant William Linkous Cameron Moran 2024-02-15

1943-June-23 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Alfred Eugene Spurr 2024-02-21

Lancaster ED774, Mk.I/III

s/n ED774

Avro

ED 774

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-August-23 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Henry Joseph Hahn 2021-08-09

Lancaster ED777, Mk.I/III

s/n ED777

Avro

ED 777

Merlin

Delivered to No. 57 Sqn (DX-Q) Mar 1943. Transferred to No. 630 Sqn Nov 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 2/3 Dec 1943. 396 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-December-02 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Leonard Rodmond Rinn 2024-05-01

Lancaster ED778, Mk.I/III

s/n ED778

Avro

ED 778

Merlin

Delivered to No. 57 Sqn Mar 1943. Damaged 27 Apr 1943. Missing on operation to Duissburg 12/13 May 1943. 41 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Allan Lockwood Home 2021-08-10

1943-May-13 PoW RCAF Flight Sergeant George Brown Leach 2021-04-13

1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Milford Glen Thomas Levins 2021-08-13

1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Hugh Columba MacNeil 2021-08-17

1943-May-13 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer Henry Augustine Sheehan 2021-07-30

Lancaster ED782, Mk.I/III

s/n ED782

Avro

ED 782

Merlin

Delivered to No. 61 Sqn Mar 1943. Missing on operation to Hamburg 29/30 Jul 1943. 250 operational hours. They were shot down on the third night of the Battle of Hamburg, Jul/Aug 1943 and were 5th aircraft lost that night out of a total of 31 shot down or crashed. The crew were on their 23rd operation (Middlebrook).
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-July-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Dwain Nowel Hunter 2024-07-22

1943-July-30 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Claire Keith Morrow 2021-08-16

s/n ED811

Avro

ED 811

Merlin

Delivered to No. 1660 HCU Mar 1943. Wrecked on its 3rd accident, crashed in poor visibility at Blankney Fen, Lincolnshire 9 Dec 1943. 574 flying hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-December-09 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer Kenneth Robert Schiller 2021-08-04

Lancaster ED813, Mk.I/III

s/n ED813

Avro

ED 813

Merlin

Delivered to No. 49 Sqn Mar 1943. Missing on operation to Dortmund 23/24 May 1943. 63 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-May-24 PoW RAF Flight Lieutenant Ivor William Thomas 2023-08-13

Lancaster ED815, Mk.I/III

s/n ED815

Avro

ED 815

Merlin

Delivered to No. 100 Sqn (HW-P) Apr 1943. Missing on operation to Schweinfurt 24/25 Feb 1944. 388 flying hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-February-25 PoW RCAF Warrant Officer 1st Class John Grenfell Trumpour 2023-08-14

Lancaster ED820, Mk.I/III

s/n ED820

Avro

ED 820

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-July-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Maurice Emile Combres 2024-03-25

1943-July-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Arnold Raymond Herron 2023-08-22

Lancaster ED821, Mk.I/III

s/n ED821

Avro

ED 821

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-May-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Stanley Adolfson Bishop 2025-01-20

Lancaster ED822, Mk.I/III

s/n ED822

Avro

ED 822

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-July-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant James Mayson Church 2024-07-12

1943-July-30 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Leonard John Johnson 2024-07-22

Lancaster ED825, Mk.I/III

s/n ED825

Avro

ED 825

Merlin

As ED 825/G Special Provisioning Lancaster the aircraft was at A&AEE for testing before being flown to Scampton as the spare aircraft on No. 617 Sqn. As AJ-T it was flown on the Dams raid (Operation Chastise) by Flight Lieutenant J. McCarthy to attack the Sorpe dam. Later, Later, modified back to a standard configuration, as AJ-E it flew operations against the Antheor Viaduct, Italy.11/12 Nov 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

SOE SOE operation 1943-12-10 to 1943-12-11

617 (B) Sqn (RAF) Tempsford

This was one of four aircraft and crews seconded to the Special Operations Executive to work with 138 and 161 Squadrons flying from Tempsford on supply drops to the French Resistance. Piloted by Flying Officer GH Weeden, they left Tempsford at 20:35 on December 10 for a rendezvous in northern France, but were shot down en route by flak near to Meharicourt . All of the crew were killed.

There were 3 members of the RCAF in the crew: Flying Officer GH Weeden, Flight Sergeant EJ Walters and Warrant Officer 2nd Class R Cummings (Wallters was an American serving in the RCAF). The other members of the crew (Sergeant AW Richardson, Pilot Officer RN Jones, Flight Sergeant RG Howell and Sergeant B Robinson) were all in the RAF.

The aircraft crash site was excavated as part of a UK Channel 5 film about "Johnny" Johnson, who had been the bomb aimer in the aircraft when it attacked the Sorpe Dam.

1943-December-11 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Robert Cummings 2024-05-29

1943-December-11 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class Edward Joseph Walters 2024-02-21

1943-December-11 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Gordon Herbert Weeden 2024-02-21

Lancaster ED826, Mk.I/III

s/n ED826

Avro

ED 826

Merlin

Crashed in the Wash 13 miles SW of Skegness Lincs following an engine fire.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-January-13 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Charles Wellington Christie 2024-02-17

1944-January-13 KIFA RCAF Flight Sergeant Walter Adams Houston 2021-08-10

1944-January-13 KIFA RCAF Warrant Officer 2nd Class William Joseph Hynes 2021-08-10

Lancaster ED832, Mk.I/III

s/n ED832

Avro

ED 832

Merlin

Delivered to 207 Sqn (EM-X) Apr 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 3/4 Sep 1943.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-09-03 to 1943-09-03

207 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Langar

207 Squadron RAF (Semper Paratus) RAF Langar. Lancaster BIII aircraft ED 832 EM-X failed to return from a raid against targets in Berlin, Germany. Lost without a trace, the cause of loss was not determined

Flight Lieutenant T J D Waterman DFC (RCAF), Flying Officer F G C Spanner DFC (RCAF), Group Captain A F McKenna MiD (RAF), Squadron Leader Ian McArtair Huntly-Wood DFC (RAFVR), Flying Officer K J Knight DFC (RAFVR), Flight Sergeant A J C Whitehead (RAFVR) and Flying Officer J L Young DFM (RAFVR) were all missing, presumed killed in action

The missing have no known grave and all are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial

General Royal air Force Serial and Image Database

1943-September-03 KIA RAFVR Squadron Leader Ian McArtair Huntly-Wood DFC 2023-12-09

1943-September-03 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Kenneth Joseph Knight DFC 2023-12-09

1943-September-03 KIA RAF Group Captain Austin Flower McKenna MiD 2023-12-09

1943-September-03 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Frederick Gordon Charles Spanner DFC 2023-12-09

1943-September-03 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Thomas John Davies Waterman DFC 2023-12-09

1943-September-03 KIA RAFVR Flight Sergeant Arthur John Charles Whitehead 2023-12-09

1943-September-03 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer James Lawson Young DFM 2023-12-09

Lancaster ED840, Mk.I/III

s/n ED840

Avro

ED 840

Merlin

Delivered to No. 156 Sqn Apr 1943. Missing on operation to Cologne 16/17 Jun 1943. 61 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1943-June-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Eric Joseph Monk 2023-08-27

Lancaster ED856, Mk.I/III

s/n ED856

Avro

ED 856

Merlin

last update: 2025-March-10

1943-August-24 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Vincent Eardley Attree 2024-11-03

Lancaster ED859, Mk.I/III

s/n ED859

Avro

ED 859

Merlin

Delivered to No. 156 Sqn Apr/May 1943. Transferred to No. 619 Sqn (PG-V) Oct/Nov 1943. Missing on operation to Wesseling 21/22 Jun 1944. This was the aircraft's 71st operation. 630 operational hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

1944-June-22 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Martin Morrison 2021-08-16

Lancaster ED864, Mk.I/III

s/n ED864

Avro

ED 864

Merlin

Special Provisioning Lancaster ED 864/G. Tested on 16 April 1943, and delivered to No. 617 Sqn (AJ-B) April 1943. The aircraft had 23 flying hours.
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Moehne Dam Germany 1943-05-16 to 1943-05-17

617 (B) Sqn (RAF) Scampton

Operation Chastise (Dam Buster)

The aircraft (AJ-B) was piloted by Flight Lieutenant "Bill" Astell DFC. It crashed (it hit an electricity pylon) close to Marbeck, Germany at 00:15 on 17 May 1944 en route to the Moehne Dam as part of the first wave attack of operation CHASTISE, the attack on the German Dams.

Canadians Pilot Officer FA Wile, Flight Sergeant FA Garbas and Warrant Officer Class2 A Garshowitz, and four RAF members of the crew (Flight Lieutenant W Astell DFC, Sergeants I Kinnear, R Bolitho, and Flying Officer D Hopkinson) were all killed.

Operation Chastise, commonly known as the Dambusters Raid was an attack on German dams carried out on the night of 16/17 May 1943 by 617 Squadron RAF Bomber Command, later called the Dam Busters, using special "bouncing bombs" developed by Barnes Wallis. The MÃ¶hne and Edersee dams were breached, causing catastrophic flooding of the Ruhr valley and of villages in the Eder valley; the Sorpe Dam sustained only minor damage. Two hydroelectric power stations were destroyed and several more damaged. Factories and mines were also damaged and destroyed. An estimated 1,600 civilians "“ about 600 Germans and 1,000 enslaved labourers, mainly Soviet "“ were killed by the flooding. Despite rapid repairs by the Germans, production did not return to normal until September. The RAF lost 53 aircrew killed and 3 captured, with 8 aircraft destroyed.

The mission grew out of a concept for a bomb designed by Barnes Wallis, assistant chief designer at Vickers.Wallis had worked on the Vickers Wellesley and Vickers Wellington bombers and while working on the Vickers Windsor, he had also begun work, with Admiralty support, on an anti-shipping bomb, although dam destruction was soon considered. At first, Wallis wanted to drop a 10 long tons (22,000 lb; 10,000 kg) bomb from an altitude of about 40,000 ft (12,000 m), part of the earthquake bomb concept. No bomber aircraft was capable of flying at such an altitude or of carrying such a heavy bomb and although Wallis proposed the six-engined Victory Bomber for this purpose this was rejected. Wallis realized that a much smaller explosive charge would suffice if it exploded against the dam wall under the water but German reservoir dams were protected by heavy torpedo nets to prevent an explosive device from travelling through the water.

Wallis devised a 9,000 lb (4,100 kg) bomb (more accurately, a mine) in the shape of a cylinder, equivalent to a very large depth charge armed with a hydrostatic fuse, designed to be given a backspin of 500 rpm. Dropped at 60 ft (18 m) and 240 mph (390 km/h) from the release point, the mine would skip across the surface of the water before hitting the dam wall as its forward speed ceased. Initially the backspin was intended to increase the range of the mine but it was later realized that it would cause the mine, after submerging, to run down the side of the dam towards its base, thus maximising the explosive effect against the dam.[7] This weapon was code-named Upkeep.

Testing of the concept included blowing up a scale model dam at the Building Research Establishment, Watford, in May 1942 and then the breaching of the disused Nant-y-Gro dam in Wales in July. A subsequent test suggested that a charge of 7,500 lb (3,400 kg) exploded 30 ft (9.1 m) under water would breach a full-size dam; crucially this weight would be within the carrying capacity of an Avro Lancaster. The first air drop trials were at Chesil Beach in December 1942; these used a spinning 4 ft 6 in sphere dropped from a modified Vickers Wellington, serial BJ895/G; the same aircraft was used until April 1943 when the first modified Lancasters became available. The tests continued at Chesil Beach and Reculver, often unsuccessfully, using revised designs of the mine and variations of speed and height.

Avro Chief Designer Roy Chadwick adapted the Lancaster to carry the mine. To reduce weight, much of the internal armour was removed, as was the mid-upper (dorsal) gun turret. The dimensions of the mine and its unusual shape meant that the bomb-bay doors had to be removed and the mine hung partly below the fuselage. It was mounted on two crutches and before dropping it was spun by an auxiliary motor. Chadwick also worked out the design and installation of controls and gear for the carriage and release of the mine in conjunction with Barnes Wallis. The Avro Lancaster B Mk IIIs so modified were known as Lancaster B Mark III Special (Type 464 Provisioning).

In February 1943, Air Vice-Marshal Francis Linnell at the Ministry of Aircraft Production thought the work was diverting Wallis from the development of the Vickers Windsor bomber (which did not become operational). Pressure from Linnell via the chairman of Vickers, Sir Charles Worthington Craven, caused Wallis to offer to resign.[12] Sir Arthur Harris, head of Bomber Command, after a briefing by Linnell also opposed the allocation of his bombers; Harris was about to start the strategic bombing campaign against Germany and Lancasters were just entering service. Wallis had written to an influential intelligence officer, Group Captain Frederick Winterbotham, who ensured that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Charles Portal, heard of the project. Portal saw the film of the Chesil Beach trials and was convinced.[13] On 26 February 1943, Portal over-ruled Harris and ordered that thirty Lancasters were to be allocated to the mission and the target date was set for May, when water levels would be at their highest and breaches in the dams would cause the most damage.[14] With eight weeks to go, the larger Upkeep mine that was needed for the mission and the modifications to the Lancasters had yet to be designed.

The operation was given to No. 5 Group RAF, which formed a new squadron to undertake the dams mission. It was initially called Squadron X, as the speed of its formation outstripped the RAF process for naming squadrons. Led by 24-year-old Wing Commander Guy Gibson, a veteran of more than 170 bombing and night-fighter missions, twenty-one bomber crews were selected from 5 Group squadrons. The crews included RAF personnel of several nationalities, members of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). The squadron was based at RAF Scampton, about 5 mi (8 km) north of Lincoln.

The targets selected were the MÃ¶hne Dam and the Sorpe Dam, upstream from the Ruhr industrial area, with the Eder Dam on the Eder River, which feeds into the Weser, as a secondary target. The loss of hydroelectric power was important but the loss of water to industry, cities and canals would have greater effect and there was potential for devastating flooding if the dams broke.

Bombing from an altitude of 60 ft (18 m), at an air speed of 240 mph (390 km/h) and at set distance from the target called for expert crews. Intensive night-time and low-altitude training began. There were also technical problems to solve, the first one being to determine when the aircraft was at optimum distance from its target. The MÃ¶hne and Eder Dams had towers at each end. A special targeting device with two prongs, making the same angle as the two towers at the correct distance from the dam, showed when to release the bomb. (The BBC documentary Dambusters Declassified (2010) stated that the pronged device was not used, owing to problems related to vibration and that other methods were employed, including a length of string tied in a loop and pulled back centrally to a fixed point in the manner of a catapult.)

The second problem was determining the aircraft's altitude, as barometric altimeters lacked accuracy. Two spotlights were mounted, one under the aircraft's nose and the other under the fuselage, so that at the correct height their light beams would converge on the surface of the water. The crews practised at the Eyebrook Reservoir, near Uppingham, Rutland; Abberton Reservoir near Colchester; Derwent Reservoir in the Derbyshire Peak District; and Fleet Lagoon on Chesil Beach. Wallis's bomb was first tested at the Elan Valley Reservoirs. The squadron took delivery of the bombs on 13 May, after the final tests on 29 April. At 18:00 on 15 May, at a meeting in Whitworth's house, Gibson and Wallis briefed the squadron's two flight commanders, Squadron Leader Henry Maudslay and Sqn Ldr H. M. "Dinghy" Young, Gibson's deputy for the MÃ¶hne attack, Flt Lt John V. Hopgood and the squadron bombing leader, Flight Lieutenant Bob Hay. The rest of the crews were told at a series of briefings the following day, which began with a briefing of pilots, navigators and bomb-aimers at about midday.

Formation No. 1 was composed of nine aircraft in three groups (listed by pilot): Gibson, Hopgood and Flt Lt H. B. "Micky" Martin (an Australian serving in the RAF); Young, Flt Lt David Maltby and Flt Lt Dave Shannon (RAAF); and Maudslay, Flt Lt Bill Astell and Pilot Officer Les Knight (RAAF). Its mission was to attack the MÃ¶hne; any aircraft with bombs remaining would then attack the Eder.

Formation No. 2, numbering five aircraft, piloted by Flt Lt Joe McCarthy (an American serving in the RCAF), Pilot Officer Vernon Byers (RCAF),[15] Flt Lt Norman Barlow (RAAF), Pilot Officer Geoff Rice[16] and Flt Lt Les Munro (RNZAF), was to attack the Sorpe.

Formation No. 3 was a mobile reserve consisting of aircraft piloted by Flight Sergeant Cyril Anderson, Flt Sergeant Bill Townsend, Flt Sergeant Ken Brown (RCAF), Pilot Officer Warner Ottley and Pilot Officer Lewis Burpee (RCAF), taking off two hours later on 17 May, either to bomb the main dams or to attack three smaller secondary target dams: the Lister, the Ennepe and the Diemel.

Two crews were unable to make the mission owing to illness.

source: Wikipedia

1943-May-17 KIA RAFVR Flight Lieutenant William Astell DFC 2025-01-27

1943-May-17 KIA RAFVR Sergeant Richard Bolitho 2024-11-14

1943-May-17 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Francis Anthony Garbas 2025-01-27

1943-May-17 KIA RCAF Warrant Officer 2 Abram (Albert) Garshowitz 2025-01-27

1943-May-17 KIA RAFVR Flying Officer Donald Hopkinson 2025-01-27

1943-May-17 KIA RAF Sergeant John Kinnear 2025-01-27

1943-May-17 KIA RCAF Pilot Officer Floyd Alvin Wile 2025-01-27

Lancaster ED865, Mk.I/III

s/n ED865

Avro

ED 865

Merlin

Special Provisioning Lancaster ED865/G was delivered to 617 Squadron in April 1943 (AJ-S).
last update: 2025-February-05

Bombing Sorpe Dam Germany 1943-05-16 to 1943-05-17

617 (B) Sqn (RAF) Scampton

Operation Chastise (Dam Buster)

Piloted by Pilot Officer LJ Burpee, the aircraft was outbound during Operation CHASTISE, bound for the Sorpe Dam, Germany. It crashed at 01:53 on May 17 near the night fighter base at Gilze-Rijen, Noord Brabant, the Netherlands . It may have been shot down by light Flak of the 5/gemischte Flak-Abteilung 442 and the 3/leichte Flak-Abteilung 848. Conversely, eye witness accounts suggest that that the pilot was blinded by a searchlight and crashed into trees while trying to avoid it. All the crew were killed

Canadians Pilot Officer LJ Burpee DFM, Warrant Officer JL Arthur and Warrant Officer JG Brady were killed in the crash or the subsequent explosion of their UPKEEP weapon, as were Pilot Officer LG Weller (RAFVR), Sergeants T Jaye (RAFVR), WCA Long (RAFVR) and G Pegler (RAF).