Lancaster JB487 Mk.III - Bombing Berlin Germany - 1943-12-29 to 1943-12-30
Squadron: 103 (B) Sqn (RAF)
Start Date: 1943-12-29
Completion Date: 1943-12-30
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Berlin Germany
Target Specific:
Base: RAF Elsham Wolds
Take Off Time: 17:12
Squadron Code: PM-G
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: Germany
Crash Specifics: near Mettingen
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: flak
Flak Battery: unspecified
Enemy Claim:
War Diary Unavailable

6 Bomber Group December 29/30, 1943

39 Lancasters from 408, 426, and 432 Squadrons were joined by 90 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431, and 434 squadrons on an attack at Berlin. The crews were over the target at between 18,000 and 24,000 feet, releasing 300,000 lbs of high explosives and 432,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, there was thick cloud over the target with some damage. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)

103 Swindon's Own Squadron (Noli me Tangere) RAF Elsham Wolds Lancaster III aircraft JB 487 PM-G was shot down by flak during an operation against targets in Berlin, Germany which caused severe structural damage to the tail-plane and damaged both port engines

The Lancaster crashed at Mettingen, Germany with the loss of one crew member

Sergeant TC Henderson (RAF) was killed in action

FS WA Lamb (RCAF), Sergeant HC Cunning (RAF), Sergeant A Fletcher (RAF), LJ Grigg (RAF), Sergeant RW Hatherley (RAF) and Sergeant RAG Warne (RAF) all survived to be taken as Prisoners of War

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

General LJ Grigg and crew of 103 Sqn

General RAF Commands