Lancaster (Total: 7,377, Canadian: 200, Group 200)
Avro Lancaster

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
The Avro Lancaster is a British Second World War heavy bomber. It was designed and manufactured by Avro as a contemporary of the Handley Page Halifax, both bombers having been developed to the same specification, as well as the Short Stirling, all three aircraft being four-engined heavy bombers adopted by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the same wartime era.
The Lancaster has its origins in the twin-engine Avro Manchester which had been developed during the late 1930s in response to the Air Ministry Specification P.13/36 for a capable medium bomber for "world-wide use". Originally developed as an evolution of the Manchester (which had proved troublesome in service and was retired in 1942), the Lancaster was designed by Roy Chadwick and powered by four Rolls-Royce Merlins and in one version, Bristol Hercules engines. It first saw service with RAF Bomber Command in 1942 and as the strategic bombing offensive over Europe gathered momentum, it was the main aircraft for the night-time bombing campaigns that followed. As increasing numbers of the type were produced, it became the principal heavy bomber used by the RAF, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and squadrons from other Commonwealth and European countries serving within the RAF, overshadowing the Halifax and Stirling. Wikipedia
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS601
s/n DS601
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 601
Hercules
Known Units:
This was the first of the Mk. II aircraft produced. It went to AAEE for evaluation Sep 1942., then to 1657 and 1659 CUs. Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF. No record of operational use. Later it went to No. 1668 CU and was SOC Oct 1944. 439 flying hours.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS602
s/n DS602
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 602
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS603
s/n DS603
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 603
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS604
s/n DS604
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 604
Hercules
Known Units: 61 Sqn
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 hourslast update: 2025-February-05







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS605
s/n DS605
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 605
Hercules
Known Units: 1678 HCU
Delivered to No. 61 Sqn (QR-X). Then used by No. 415 Squadron, RCAF, but no operations. Later to various Conversion units and RAE Farnborough. Scrapped 20 March 1945.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS606
s/n DS606
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 606
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS607
s/n DS607
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 607
Hercules
Known Units: 1679
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.
Diary of A Ross Dawson}, courtesy CWM
last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS608
s/n DS608
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 608
Hercules
Known Units: 61 Sqn;1678 HCU
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS609
s/n DS609
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 609
Hercules
Known Units: 61 Sqn
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS610
s/n DS610
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 610
Hercules
Known Units: 1678 HCU
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS611
s/n DS611
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 611
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS612
s/n DS612
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 612
Hercules
Known Units: 115 Sqn;426 Sqn;1678 HCU;1678 HCU
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 Mk.II serial DS613
s/n DS613
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 613
Hercules
Known Units: 1678 HCU
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS614
s/n DS614
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 614
Hercules
Known Units: 115 Sqn
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 Mk.II serial DS615
s/n DS615
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 615
Hercules
Known Units: 115;1679
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."
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS616
s/n DS616
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 616
Hercules
Known Units: 115
Damaged by enemy aircraft and hit DS618 on landing, East Wretham, 1943-05-30.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS617
s/n DS617
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 617
Hercules
Known Units: 1678 HCU
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS618
s/n DS618
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 618
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS619
s/n DS619
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 619
Hercules
Known Units: 1678 HCU;1678 HCU
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS620
s/n DS620
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 620
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn;1678 HCU
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS621
s/n DS621
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 621
Hercules
Known Units: 426 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS622
s/n DS622
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 622
Hercules
Known Units: 115 Sqn;1678 HCU;1678 HCU
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS623
s/n DS623
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 623
Hercules
Known Units: 1678 HCU
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS624
s/n DS624
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 624
Hercules
Known Units: 115;426;1679
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 Mk.II serial DS625
s/n DS625
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 625
Hercules
Known Units: 115
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS626
s/n DS626
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 626
Hercules
Known Units: 115;426;408;1668
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 Mk.II serial DS627
s/n DS627
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 627
Hercules
Known Units: 115
Originally with No. 1657 CU, then to No. 115 Sqn (A4-R) Apr 1943. Missing from operation to Wuppertal 29/30 May 1943.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS628
s/n DS628
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 628
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS629
s/n DS629
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 629
Hercules
Known Units: 115 Sqn
Served with No. 115 Squadron, RAF. Reported with No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, not confirmed.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS630
s/n DS630
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 630
Hercules
Known Units: 115
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS631
s/n DS631
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 631
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn;1678 HCU
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 Mk.II serial DS632
s/n DS632
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 632
Hercules
Known Units:
Reported with No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*I", also reported as "EQ*O". Failed to return from mission over Berlin on 24 November 1943. NOTE: this is not confirmed by other records, may be a typo, aircraft also reported lost on 20 February 1944, also reported with Torpedo Development Unit for most of its career. Aircraft lost by 408 Squadron on this date may have been LL632, "EQ*G".last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS633
s/n DS633
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 633
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn;1678 HCU
Used by No. 424 and 432 (B) Squadrons, RCAF. No record of operations.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS634
s/n DS634
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 634
Hercules
Known Units: 115;426;408
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








Lancaster Mk.II serial DS635
s/n DS635
Armstrong Whitworth
DS 635
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS647
s/n DS647
Avro
DS 647
Hercules
Known Units: 115
Used by No. 115 (B) Squadron. This is not confirmed, aircraft was with 115 Squadron RAF when lost on 11/12 June 1943.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS648
s/n DS648
Avro
DS 648
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS649
s/n DS649
Avro
DS 649
Hercules
Known Units: 426;1679
Used by No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*R"". No record of operations. Also used by No. 1679 HCU.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS650
s/n DS650
Avro
DS 650
Hercules
Known Units: 426;1679;1666
Used by No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF. No record of operations.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS651
s/n DS651
Avro
DS 651
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS652
s/n DS652
Avro
DS 652
Hercules
Known Units: 115 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS653
s/n DS653
Avro
DS 653
Hercules
Known Units: 115/1678 HCU
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS654
s/n DS654
Avro
DS 654
Hercules
Known Units: 1678 HCU
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS655
s/n DS655
Avro
DS 655
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS656
s/n DS656
Avro
DS 656
Hercules
Known Units: 426 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS657
s/n DS657
Avro
DS 657
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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 Mk.II serial DS658
s/n DS658
Avro
DS 658
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS659
s/n DS659
Avro
DS 659
Hercules
Known Units: 115
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, 4·9 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.







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS660
s/n DS660
Avro
DS 660
Hercules
Known Units: 115
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS661
s/n DS661
Avro
DS 661
Hercules
Known Units: 115 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS662
s/n DS662
Avro
DS 662
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS663
s/n DS663
Avro
DS 663
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS664
s/n DS664
Avro
DS 664
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS665
s/n DS665
Avro
DS 665
Hercules
Known Units: 115
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS666
s/n DS666
Avro
DS 666
Hercules
Known Units: 115 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS667
s/n DS667
Avro
DS 667
Hercules
Known Units: 115
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS668
s/n DS668
Avro
DS 668
Hercules
Known Units: 115
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS669
s/n DS669
Avro
DS 669
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn;115 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS670
s/n DS670
Avro
DS 670
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS671
s/n DS671
Avro
DS 671
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS672
s/n DS672
Avro
DS 672
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS673
s/n DS673
Avro
DS 673
Hercules
Known Units: 115
Delivered to No. 115 Sqn Jun 1943. Missing on operation to Hamburg 2/3 Aug 1943. This was the 4th and last raid of the Battle of Hamburg, Jul-Aug 1943. The aircraft was the 5th aircraft lost on the raid, probably shot down by the Ju 88 of Ofw. Heitmann, I/NJG3 (Middlebrook). 58 operational hours.last update: 2025-February-05
Bombing Hamburg Germany 1943-08-02 to 1943-08-03
115 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF East Wretham
115 Squadron (Despite The Elements) RAF East Wretham, Kent, England. Lancaster II aircraft DS 673 KO-V was lost on a night operation to bomb targets in Hamburg, Germany, shot down by night fighter pilot Oberfeldwebel Erich Heitmann of 2/NJG3. The Lancaster crashed in the Waddensea, 5 km South of Spiekeroog, Niedersachsen, Germany
Flight Sergeant Kenneth Eckert Schlegel (RCAF), Sergeant Dudley Herbert Read (RAFVR), Sergeant Herbert Alfred Sparrow (RAFVR), Flight Sergeant Dudley William Bellamy (RAFVR), Sergeant Robert William Bennett (RAFVR), Sergeant William Henry Hodges (RAFVR) and Sergeant Leslie Ernest Fuller (RAFVR) were all killed in action.
Nachtjagd Combat Archive 1943 Part 2, 23 June - 22 September by Theo Boiten, page 51







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS674
s/n DS674
Avro
DS 674
Hercules
Known Units: 426
Used by No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF from January 1943, coded "OW@M" when lost. Failed to return from operation to Peenemunde on 18 August 1943, no survivors. This raid was 426 (B) Squadron's first Lancaster operation.last update: 2025-February-05







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS675
s/n DS675
Avro
DS 675
Hercules
Known Units:
Reported with No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*K". Not confirmed, also reported lost in September 1942 with 115 Squadron, RAF.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS676
s/n DS676
Avro
DS 676
Hercules
Known Units: ;426
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






Lancaster Mk.II serial DS677
s/n DS677
Avro
DS 677
Hercules
Known Units: 426
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS678
s/n DS678
Avro
DS 678
Hercules
Known Units: 115
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.
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS679
s/n DS679
Avro
DS 679
Hercules
Known Units: 426
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS680
s/n DS680
Avro
DS 680
Hercules
Known Units: 115
Delivered to No. 115 Sqn (KO-L) Jul 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 26 Nov 1943. 146 operational hourslast update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS681
s/n DS681
Avro
DS 681
Hercules
Known Units: 426
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS682
s/n DS682
Avro
DS 682
Hercules
Known Units: 115 Sqn;1678 HCU
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS683
s/n DS683
Avro
DS 683
Hercules
Known Units: 115
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS684
s/n DS684
Avro
DS 684
Hercules
Known Units:
Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*Q". Flew 3 missions. Lost on 23 June 1944. BUT also reported with 115 Squadron, RAF, lost on 16/17 August 1943.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS685
s/n DS685
Avro
DS 685
Hercules
Known Units: 115 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS686
s/n DS686
Avro
DS 686
Hercules
Known Units: 426 Sqn;426 Sqn
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





Lancaster Mk.II serial DS687
s/n DS687
Avro
DS 687
Hercules
Known Units: 426 Sqn
Reported with No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*L", but not confirmed.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS688
s/n DS688
Avro
DS 688
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn;426 Sqn
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-05Bombing 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
408 Squadron Lancaster II DS688 EQ-R Fl/Lt. Brice RAF Linton-on-Ouse
Search for France-Crashes 39-45








Lancaster Mk.II serial DS689
s/n DS689
Avro
DS 689
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn;426 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS690
s/n DS690
Avro
DS 690
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS691
s/n DS691
Avro
DS 691
Hercules
Known Units: 115
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS692
s/n DS692
Avro
DS 692
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS704
s/n DS704
Avro
DS 704
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS705
s/n DS705
Avro
DS 705
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS706
s/n DS706
Avro
DS 706
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS707
s/n DS707
Avro
DS 707
Hercules
Known Units:
With No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*E", named Our Mary II. Completed 21 operations with No. 410 (B) Squadron, including 6 missions to Berlin; a raid on Frankfurt on 18/19 March 1944, when it was attacked by a Ju 88; and a raid on St. Ghislain on 1/2 May 1944 (this Squadrons Last Lancaster operation). Operated by crew from 426 Squadron during raid on Berlin on 2/3 December 1943. Used later by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*C", "EQ*M", and "EQ*D", retained name "Our Mary". Flew 25 operations with No. 408 Squadron, including raid on rail yards at Villeneuve St. George on 4/5 July 1944 as "EQ*D". To No. 1668 Conversion Unit in August 1944.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS708
s/n DS708
Avro
DS 708
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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 Mk.II serial DS709
s/n DS709
Avro
DS 709
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS710
s/n DS710
Avro
DS 710
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn;408 Sqn;514 Sqn
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS711
s/n DS711
Avro
DS 711
Hercules
Known Units: 426 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS712
s/n DS712
Avro
DS 712
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS713
s/n DS713
Avro
DS 713
Hercules
Known Units: 426 Sqn
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






Lancaster Mk.II serial DS714
s/n DS714
Avro
DS 714
Hercules
Known Units: 426 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS715
s/n DS715
Avro
DS 715
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS716
s/n DS716
Avro
DS 716
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn;426 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS717
s/n DS717
Avro
DS 717
Hercules
Known Units:
With No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*T". Ditched 3 miles east of Aldeburgh, Suffolk after running low on fuel returning from raid on Hanover on 18/19 October 1943, crew all saved and back on shore within 2 hours. Being flown by No. 408 (B) Squadron crew when it ditched.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS718
s/n DS718
Avro
DS 718
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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




Lancaster Mk.II serial DS719
s/n DS719
Avro
DS 719
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS720
s/n DS720
Avro
DS 720
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn;115 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS721
s/n DS721
Avro
DS 721
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS722
s/n DS722
Avro
DS 722
Hercules
Known Units:
Briefly with No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, no major operations. With No. 115 Squadron, RAF when lost over Berlin on 23/24 August 1943.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS723
s/n DS723
Avro
DS 723
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS724
s/n DS724
Avro
DS 724
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS725
s/n DS725
Avro
DS 725
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn;115 Sqn
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 Mk.II serial DS726
s/n DS726
Avro
DS 726
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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
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
Research of France-Crashes 39-45
Aces of the Luftwaffe - Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer
Lancaster II DS726 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...








Lancaster Mk.II serial DS727
s/n DS727
Avro
DS 727
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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 Mk.II serial DS728
s/n DS728
Avro
DS 728
Hercules
Known Units: 115
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS729
s/n DS729
Avro
DS 729
Hercules
Known Units: 115 Sqn
With No. 426 (B) Squadron, RCAF, no record of significant operations. Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*D" and "EQ*H". Flew 41 operations, including at least 11 over Berlin. While coded "EQ*D", attacked Berlin on 2/3 January 1944. Severely damaged by Ju 88, but returned to base. Back in the air 14/15 January 1944 as "EQ*H", for attack on Brunswick. Last recorded operation with this Squadron raid on Berlin on 24/25 March 1944. Damaged in a ground loop on 7 June 1944, struck off in March 1945.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS730
s/n DS730
Avro
DS 730
Hercules
Known Units: 115 Sqn
Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*E", "EQ*K", and "EQ*V". Flew 38 operations with this unit. Also with No. 432 (B) Squadron, RCAF, flew 2 missions. Later became Instructional Airframe.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS731
s/n DS731
Avro
DS 731
Hercules
Known Units: 410;408
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
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS732
s/n DS732
Avro
DS 732
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS733
s/n DS733
Avro
DS 733
Hercules
Known Units: 426
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS734
s/n DS734
Avro
DS 734
Hercules
Known Units: 115
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS735
s/n DS735
Avro
DS 735
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS736
s/n DS736
Avro
DS 736
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn;514 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS737
s/n DS737
Avro
DS 737
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS738
s/n DS738
Avro
DS 738
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS739
s/n DS739
Avro
DS 739
Hercules
Known Units: ;432
last update: 2025-June-06
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, 7·0 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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS740
s/n DS740
Avro
DS 740
Hercules
Known Units: ;432
last update: 2025-June-06
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, 7·6 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
1944-January-15 Failed to Return Failed to return from operation over Brunswick, no survivors. 2019-08-20







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS741
s/n DS741
Avro
DS 741
Hercules
Known Units: 426 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS757
s/n DS757
Avro
DS 757
Hercules
Known Units: 426 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS758
s/n DS758
Avro
DS 758
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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






Lancaster Mk.II serial DS759
s/n DS759
Avro
DS 759
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn;426 Sqn
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS760
s/n DS760
Avro
DS 760
Hercules
Known Units: 426 Sqn
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








Lancaster Mk.II serial DS761
s/n DS761
Avro
DS 761
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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 Mk.II serial DS762
s/n DS762
Avro
DS 762
Hercules
Known Units: 426 Sqn
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








Lancaster Mk.II serial DS763
s/n DS763
Avro
DS 763
Hercules
Known Units: 426 Sqn
With No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*O", flew 35 missions, including 7 to Berlin. Attacked Brunswick on 14/15 January 1943, attacked by Me210 over target, no damage. Later with No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*E", from July 1944, named "Old Faithful". Transferred to No. 1668 Heavy Conversion Unit, August 1944. Struck off in October 1944, with 551 flying hours. Also reported as lost over Frankfurt on 20/21 December 1943 (by Wilson)?last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS764
s/n DS764
Avro
DS 764
Hercules
Known Units: 115
Delivered to No. 115 Sqn (KO-S) Aug 1943. Missing on operation to Berlin 22/23 Nov 1943. 89 operational hours.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS765
s/n DS765
Avro
DS 765
Hercules
Known Units: 115 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS766
s/n DS766
Avro
DS 766
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS767
s/n DS767
Avro
DS 767
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn;426 Sqn
With No. 410 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "OW*P", dates not known. Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*Q". Flew a total of 11 operations, including 5 to Berlin. Failed to return from operation over Brunswick on 14/15 January 1944 , no survivors.last update: 2025-February-05







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS768
s/n DS768
Avro
DS 768
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*J". Flew 33 operations from October 1943, including 9 to Berlin. Crashed landed and ran off end of runway at Honeybourne at 01:56 on 31 March 1944, after raid on Nuremburg. All crew OK, aircraft written off.last update: 2025-February-05







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS769
s/n DS769
Avro
DS 769
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn;115 Sqn
Used by No. 408 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "EQ*J". Flew 2 operations. With No. 115 Squadron, RAF when lost on 18/19 October 1943.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS770
s/n DS770
Avro
DS 770
Hercules
Known Units: ;426
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





Lancaster Mk.II serial DS771
s/n DS771
Avro
DS 771
Hercules
Known Units: 426 Sqn
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






Lancaster Mk.II serial DS772
s/n DS772
Avro
DS 772
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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
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
Research of France-Crashes 39-45
Aces of the Luftwaffe - Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer
Lancaster II DS772 [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS773
s/n DS773
Avro
DS 773
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS774
s/n DS774
Avro
DS 774
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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






Lancaster Mk.II serial DS775
s/n DS775
Avro
DS 775
Hercules
Known Units: 426 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS776
s/n DS776
Avro
DS 776
Hercules
Known Units: ;426
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






Lancaster Mk.II serial DS777
s/n DS777
Avro
DS 777
Hercules
Known Units: 115 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS778
s/n DS778
Avro
DS 778
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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






Lancaster Mk.II serial DS779
s/n DS779
Avro
DS 779
Hercules
Known Units: ;426
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS780
s/n DS780
Avro
DS 780
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS781
s/n DS781
Avro
DS 781
Hercules
Known Units: ;514
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS782
s/n DS782
Avro
DS 782
Hercules
Known Units: 115 Sqn
With No. 115 Sqn (KO-K). Missing from operation to Berlin 23 Nov 1943. 194 operational hours.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS783
s/n DS783
Avro
DS 783
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn
Delivered to No. 514 Sqn (JI-B) Sep 1943. Damaged on mission to Berlin 2/3 Dec 1943. Returned to No. 5 MU. SOC 11 Sep-1946last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS784
s/n DS784
Avro
DS 784
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS785
s/n DS785
Avro
DS 785
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS786
s/n DS786
Avro
DS 786
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn;514 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS787
s/n DS787
Avro
DS 787
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn;514 Sqn
Delivered to No. 514 Sqn (JI-F) Sep 1943. Missing on operation to Kamen 11 Sep 1944. 451 operational hours. Squadron code is uncertain: different sources give JI-G2 or A2-D.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS788
s/n DS788
Avro
DS 788
Hercules
Known Units: ;408
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






Lancaster Mk.II serial DS789
s/n DS789
Avro
DS 789
Hercules
Known Units: 426 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS790
s/n DS790
Avro
DS 790
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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








Lancaster Mk.II serial DS791
s/n DS791
Avro
DS 791
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS792
s/n DS792
Avro
DS 792
Hercules
Known Units:
Used by No. 432 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "QO*U" and "QO*Y". On 2/3 January 1944, while coded "QO*U", attacked by Me 110 during attack on Berlin (at least the 5th raid on Berlin for this aircraft). Badly damaged, but returned to Woodbridge. Pilot Pilot Officer J. McIntosh received a DFC for bringing the aircraft back to base. Aircraft was repaired, sent to storage, and scrapped in 1947.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS793
s/n DS793
Avro
DS 793
Hercules
Known Units: 115
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS794
s/n DS794
Avro
DS 794
Hercules
Known Units: ;426
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






Lancaster Mk.II serial DS795
s/n DS795
Avro
DS 795
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS796
s/n DS796
Avro
DS 796
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS797
s/n DS797
Avro
DS 797
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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








Lancaster Mk.II serial DS813
s/n DS813
Avro
DS 813
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn
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








Lancaster Mk.II serial DS814
s/n DS814
Avro
DS 814
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS815
s/n DS815
Avro
DS 815
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS816
s/n DS816
Avro
DS 816
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn;514 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS817
s/n DS817
Avro
DS 817
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS818
s/n DS818
Avro
DS 818
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS819
s/n DS819
Avro
DS 819
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS820
s/n DS820
Avro
DS 820
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn;514 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS821
s/n DS821
Avro
DS 821
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS822
s/n DS822
Avro
DS 822
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn
With No.514 (B) Squadron, when lost on 8 June 1944. Came down at la Celle-le-Bordes (Yvelines), 11 km east-south-east of Rambouillet, France. A small memorial to three crew members killed in the crash is still in place in the forest of Rambouillet, France beside a narrow country lane that leads to the Commune of la Celle-les-Bordes, Yvelines.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS823
s/n DS823
Avro
DS 823
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn;514 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS824
s/n DS824
Avro
DS 824
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS825
s/n DS825
Avro
DS 825
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS826
s/n DS826
Avro
DS 826
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn;1678 HCU
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS827
s/n DS827
Avro
DS 827
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS828
s/n DS828
Avro
DS 828
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn;1678 HCU
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS829
s/n DS829
Avro
DS 829
Hercules
Known Units: 426 Sqn;426 Sqn
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






Lancaster Mk.II serial DS830
s/n DS830
Avro
DS 830
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn;408 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS831
s/n DS831
Avro
DS 831
Hercules
Known Units: ;432
last update: 2025-June-06
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
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








Lancaster Mk.II serial DS832
s/n DS832
Avro
DS 832
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Bombing Berlin Germany 1943-12-16 to 1943-12-17
(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 832 QO-K returning from an operation to Berlin, Germany encountered poor weather conditions and heavy fog over England. The aircraft was directed north to RAF Leeming but, unable to locate Leeming and out of fuel, the aircraft was abandoned by the crew over Castleton, England. The Lancaster crashed in a peat bog north of Danby, YorkshireFlying Officer HB Hatfield (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant JA Allen (RCAF), Flying Officer JL Higgs (RCAF), Flying Officer GJ Smith (RCAF), Pilot Officer GM McGregor (RCAF), Sergeant AC Phillips (RAF), Sergeant WH Poole (RAF) and Sergeant RA Hutchinson (RAFVR) all survived the crash with various injuries. Flying Officer Hatfield with a broken leg and Sergeant Poole with serious injuries suffered exiting the bomber. The other crew members with minor or no injuries
There were two 432 Squadron Lancaster II aircraft lost on this operation. Please see Turner, HA for information on Lancaster DS 831 QO-N
Black Night for Bomber Command, The Tragedy of 16 December 1943 by Richard Knott







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS833
s/n DS833
Avro
DS 833
Hercules
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS834
s/n DS834
Avro
DS 834
Hercules
Known Units: 115 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS835
s/n DS835
Avro
DS 835
Hercules
Known Units:
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS836
s/n DS836
Avro
DS 836
Hercules
Known Units: 514 Sqn
last update: 2025-June-06
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS837
s/n DS837
Avro
DS 837
Hercules
Known Units: 426
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS838
s/n DS838
Avro
DS 838
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn;426 Sqn;1668
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS839
s/n DS839
Avro
DS 839
Hercules
Known Units: ;1679
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."
Diary of A Ross Dawson, courtesy CWM
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS840
s/n DS840
Avro
DS 840
Hercules
Known Units: 426 Sqn
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS841
s/n DS841
Avro
DS 841
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn;426 Sqn
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
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS843
s/n DS843
Avro
DS 843
Hercules
Known Units: ;432
last update: 2025-June-06
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, 8·8 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 15·6 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
Daily Operations 6bombergroup.ca
432 Squadron Lancaster II DS843 QO-O Fl/Sergeant Poole, RAF East Moor,...







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS844
s/n DS844
Avro
DS 844
Hercules
Known Units: ;408
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS845
s/n DS845
Avro
DS 845
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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
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
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS846
s/n DS846
Avro
DS 846
Hercules
Known Units: ;426
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







Lancaster Mk.II serial DS847
s/n DS847
Avro
DS 847
Hercules
Known Units: ;434;432
last update: 2025-June-06
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.
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS848
s/n DS848
Avro
DS 848
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn;426 Sqn
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 Mk.II serial DS849
s/n DS849
Avro
DS 849
Hercules
Known Units: 408 Sqn
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








Lancaster Mk.II serial DS850
s/n DS850
Avro
DS 850
Hercules
Known Units: ;432
last update: 2025-June-06
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, 7·6 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-Brock1944-January-15 Failed to Return failed to return from operation over Magdeburg (or Brunswick?), see comments 2019-08-20








Lancaster Mk.II serial DS851
s/n DS851
Avro
DS 851
Hercules
Known Units:
Used by No. 432 (B) Squadron, RCAF, coded "QO*D". First operation with this Squadron was a sea search on 18/19 November 1943. During attack on Berlin 2/3 December 1943 was attacked by an enemy aircraft. The hydraulic system was damaged. On landing they overshot and crashed into a field severely damaging the Lancaster, crew ok.last update: 2025-February-05
Lancaster Mk.II serial DS852
s/n DS852
Avro
DS 852
Hercules
Known Units: 426 Sqn
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






