Way, Wilfred Howard (Flight Lieutenant)

103 Squadron (Noll Me Tangere). Lancaster III aircraft NE 173 PM-F approached the target, Vire, Calvados, France, between 3,000 and 4,000 feet, and was hit either by flak or a German night fighter aircraft and caught fire in both wings. The crew carried out the attack and dropped their bomb load on the target. The pilot turned the aircraft away from the target and flew back over Vire gradually losing altitude. The Lancaster crashed at Vire, on Omaha Beach, and slid along the ground for about 200 yards breaking up into small burning pieces. P/C. J.D. Gallagher, FS J.P. Duns, and four of the crew, not Canadians, were also killed. Addendum: - add to the crew list Sgt. J.E. Jennings (RAF), Pilot Officer Hollingsworth (RAF), and FS. R.H. Cooper (RAF) and FS L.W. Zingelmann (RAAF). Detail provided by Joel Huard, Serquigny, France.