Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)
Grosse Isle, ManitobaAvro 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 Bomber
Wikipedia
Harold A Skaarup Web PageCASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (234), RCAF 6 Group (5), RCAF 400 Squadron (7), Canadian Aircraft Losses (1732)Lancaster Mk.I/III ED360
Delivered to No. 467 (Australian) Sqn Dec 1942. During its time with 467, there was one fatality, RCAF F/S 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.
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