Lancaster JA980 Mk.III - Bombing Hanover Germany - 1943-10-08 to 1943-10-09
Squadron: 405 (PFF) Sqn (RCAF)
Start Date: 1943-10-08
Completion Date: 1943-10-09
Mission: Bombing
Operation: Battle of Berlin
Target City: Hanover Germany
Target Specific:
Base: Gransden lodge
Take Off Time: 23.15
Squadron Code: LQ-Z
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: Germany
Crash Specifics: east bank of the River Weser, near Engern
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: fighter
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim: unspecified
War Diary Unavailable

6 Bomber Group October 8/9, 1943

16 Lancasters from 408 and 426 squadrons were joined by 70 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431, and 434 squadrons and 14 Wellingtons from 432 squadron on an attack at Hannover. The crews were over the target at between 18,000 and 22,000 feet, releasing 272,000 lbs of high explosives and 294,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the sky was clear and an accurate attack was made with severe damage being caused. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)

#405 Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus) Pathfinder Force, RAF Gransden Lodge. Lancaster III aircraft JA 980 LQ-Z was shot down by a night fighter over Steinbergen, Germany during an operation against targets in Hanover, Germany and crashed on the east bank of the River Weser, near Engern, Germany with the loss of five of the seven aircrew

Squadron Leader MSF Schneider (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 JAN Hucker (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant RT Botkin MiD (RCAF)(USA), Flying Officer FW Bilson (RAFVR) and Flying Officer JG Taylor (RNZAF) were killed in action

Pilot Officer CA Farnum (RCAF) and Sergeant J Connolly (RAF) survived and were taken as Prisoners of War

General 405 Squadron Lancaster III JA980 LQ-Z Sq/Ldr. Schneider, Hanover...

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