Craig, James (Flying Officer)

Took off from Bourn at 22:30 in Lancaster Mk III (Sqn code OF-R Bomber Command) on an operation to Nuremberg Germany.

Out-bound shot down by a night fighter and crashed at Münchholzhausen, 5km ESE of Wetzlar, Germany.

Killed includes Craig: Flight Sergeant Eric Hill RAF KIA Hanover War Cemetery Coll. grave 8. E. 1-5. F/Lt Leonard Victor Hyde DFC RAF KIA Hanover War Cemetery Coll. grave 8. E. 1-5. F/Lt Eric Hewett Palmer DFC RAF KIA Hanover War Cemetery Coll. grave 8. E. 1-5. Pilot Officer Maurice Emerson Putt RAF KIA Hanover War Cemetery Coll. grave 8. E. 1-5. Pilot Officer Richard Taylor DFC RAF KIA Hanover War Cemetery Coll. grave 8. E. 1-5. Flying Officer Richard James Weller DFM RAF KIA Hanover War Cemetery grave 8. E. 6.

Clear skies allowed fighters to be very active during this operation, picking off bombers at will. Lancaster ND 640 was one of 95 Allied aircraft shot down on this night with 72 being shot down on the outbound leg

Addendum: - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.97 Squadron - Award effective 24 May 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1444/44 dated 7 July 1944. The citation reads = "This officer has taken part in numerous sorties against German targets including nine against Berlin. An excellent air bomber, by his determination in the face of heavy enemy opposition he has played no small part in the successful completion of many missions. On several occasions his aircraft has been damaged by fire from the enemy defenses." Detail provided by H Halliday, Orleans, Ontario

Detail from: https://aircrewremembrancesociety3.com/Aircraft-Losses/Royal-Air-Force-Losses/Royal-Air-Force-Losses-1944/31.03.1944_No.97_Squadron_RAF_Lancaster_III_ND640_F_Lt_Hyde_location_Munchholzhausen_5_km_ESE_of_Wetzlar_Germany./