Dickson, John Arthur
Killed in Action 1945-02-21
Birth Date: 1923
Born:
George & Hilda Dickson.
Home: Kingston, Ontario (parents)
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: Unknown
Service
RCAF
Unit
625 (B) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)
We Avenge
Base
RAF Kelstern
Rank
Warrant Officer 2
Position
Warrant Officer 2
Service Numbers
R/190510
Target
Dortmund Germany
First Burial
Runnymede Memorial Surrey, England.
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
www.findagrave.comLancaster Mk.I NG267
Ferry Flight Dortmund Germany 1945-February-20 to 1945-February-21
625 () (RCAF) Kelstern
On the night of Tuesday 20th February 1945 Bomber Command operated a total of 1,283 sorties: The main force was split into four major attacks: 528 aircraft assigned to attack Dortmund, 173 aircraft to Dusseldorf, 128 aircraft to attack Monheim and 165 aircraft assigned to attack the Mittelland Canal near Gravenhorst (Later aborted by the Master Bomber because of cloud) Minor operations that night consisted of 289 aircraft: a total of 91 aircraft on a Diversionary Sweep across the North Sea, 66 aircraft to attack Berlin, 65 aircraft to carry out Radio Counter Measures, 45 aircraft on Patrol and 16 aircraft assigned to attack Mannheim and six aircraft on Resistance Work. From the night's operations there were a total of 25 aircraft (1.95%): 12 Lancaster aircraft (2.23%) from the attack on Dortmund, four Lancasters and four Halifaxes (4.62%) from the attack on Dusseldorf, two Halifax aircraft from the attack on Monheim (1.56%) and a single Liberator from No.223 Squadron (1.54%) on Bomber Support Duty carrying out Radio Counter Measures. From these 25 aircraft there were a total of 156 casualties; 85 airmen died (54.48%) died, six injured and 65 became Prisoners of War. The casualties came from 21 Bomber Squadrons flying out of 21 airfields operating in five Bomber Groups.Lancaster NG267
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 Bomber
Wikipedia 
Harold A Skaarup Web Page Lancaster NG267 Mk.I - Ferry Flight Dortmund Germany - 1945-02-20 to 1945-02-21
6 Bomber Group February 20/21, 1945
112 Halifaxes from 408, 415, 420, 425, 426, 427, 429, and 432 Squadrons were ordered on an attack of the oil refinery at Monheim. The crews were over the target at between 14,000 and 16,000 feet, releasing 698,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused.
While the Halifaxes went to Monheim, 82 Lancasters from 419, 424, 428,431, 433, and 434 Squadrons were ordered on an attack at Dortmund. The crews were over the target at between 17,000 and 20,000 feet, releasing 231,000 lbs of high explosives and 579,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
On the night of Tuesday 20th February 1945 Bomber Command operated a total of 1,283 sorties: The main force was split into four major attacks: 528 aircraft assigned to attack Dortmund, 173 aircraft to Dusseldorf, 128 aircraft to attack Monheim and 165 aircraft assigned to attack the Mittelland Canal near Gravenhorst (Later aborted by the Master Bomber because of cloud) Minor operations that night consisted of 289 aircraft: a total of 91 aircraft on a Diversionary Sweep across the North Sea, 66 aircraft to attack Berlin, 65 aircraft to carry out Radio Counter Measures, 45 aircraft on Patrol and 16 aircraft assigned to attack Mannheim and six aircraft on Resistance Work. From the night's operations there were a total of 25 aircraft (1.95%): 12 Lancaster aircraft (2.23%) from the attack on Dortmund, four Lancasters and four Halifaxes (4.62%) from the attack on Dusseldorf, two Halifax aircraft from the attack on Monheim (1.56%) and a single Liberator from No.223 Squadron (1.54%) on Bomber Support Duty carrying out Radio Counter Measures. From these 25 aircraft there were a total of 156 casualties; 85 airmen died (54.48%) died, six injured and 65 became Prisoners of War. The casualties came from 21 Bomber Squadrons flying out of 21 airfields operating in five Bomber Groups.