Took off from Gansden Lodge at 00:24 in Lancaster Mk III (Sqn code LQ-M Bomber Command) on a raid against the Westbahnhof railway station at Aachen Germany.
Home-bound, the aircraft was shot down by a night fighter and crashed at Hilvarenbeek Noord-Brabant Holland.
Killed:Squadron Leader Gordon Bennett RCAF J/15248 pilot KIA Bergen-Op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery grave 11. E. 3. Holland.
POWs includes Baker:Pilot Officer Frederick Charles Davies RCAF J/85093 POW Stalag Luft L3 Sagan and Belaria.Flight Sergeant John Ieuan Rees RAF POW camp not listed.Flight Sergeant Alma Rodgers RAF POW camp not listed.Flying Officer Stanley Alan Walker RAF POW Stalag Luft L3 Sagan and Belaria.
Evader:Warrant Officer Class 2 J H Frame RCAF R/167560 evader.
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus), Pathfinder Force. Lancaster III aircraft ND526 LQ-M shot down over Holland at Hilvarenbeek, Noord-Brabant during an attack against Aachen, Germany by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Wilhelm Henseler of the 1/NJG 1, who was flying a Heinkel He 219 A-0 from Venlo airfield. (aviation-safety.net) Squadron Leader G Bennett DSO DFC (RCAF) killed but his crew survived. Flight Lieutenant E Baker (RCAF), Pilot Officer FC Davies (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 WV Joel RCAF), Flight Sergeant JI Rees (RAF), Flying Officer SA Walker (RAF) and FS A Rodgers (RAF) were taken Prisoner of War. Warrant Officer Class 2 JH Frame (RCAF) evaded
Avro Lancaster
Avro Lancaster Mk. X RCAF Serial FM 213 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
History of the Squadron during World War II (Aircraft: Wellington II, Halifax II, Lancaster I, III & X)
This was the first RCAF bomber squadron to be activated at Driffield, Yorkshire, England and flew its first mission on 12/13 June 1941. At that time it was a member of 4 Group of Bomber Command, and flew successively from Driffield, Pocklington and Topcliffe, Yorkshire, England. With Code Letters LQ It flew Wellington Mk II aircraft until converting to Halifax II in April 1942, in time for the first 1000-bomber raid on Cologne. In October 1942 it was transferred to Coastal Command No 18 Group, flying over the Bay of Biscay from Beaulieu, Hampshire. Returning to Bomber Command, the squadron joined No 6 (RCAF) Group and flew from Topcliffe and Leeming, Yorkshire in March and April 1943. It was then seconded to No. 8 (Pathfinder) Group and for the rest of the war flew from Grandsen Lodge, Bedfordshire, UK . Its first Pathfinder mission was on 26th April 1943, and its last on 25th April 1945. It was slated to become part of the "Tiger Force" to attack Japan, but the surrender of Japan precluded that, and the Squadron was disbanded at Greenwood, Nova Scotia on September 5th, 1945. One of the aircraft that flew briefly with the squadron was the first Canadian-built Lancaster Mk. X, KB700, christened the "Ruhr Express", which was subsequently transferred to 419 Sqn RCAF in December 1943.Overall, the squadron flew 4427 sorties, of which 349 were with Coastal Command and 41 were in Operation Exodus, the repatriation of POWs. Nearly 25000 operational hours were logged together with 12,000 non-operational, and 12,856 tons of bombs were dropped. In the course of operations, 167 aircraft were lost with 937 aircrew. In the course of its history, squadron members were awarded 9 DSO's, 161 DFC's and 24 Bars to DFC's, 38 DFM's, 2 CGM's 2 BEM's and 11 MiD's. Battle Honours were: Fortress Europe 1941-44, France and Germany 1944-45, Biscay Ports 1941-45, Ruhr 1941-45, Berlin 1941; 1943-44, German Ports 1941-45, Normandy 1944, Walcheren, Rhine; Biscay 1942-43.Moyes, Kostenuk and Griffin
MAP 1: 405 Squadron Movements in Yorkshire 1941-45 (right-click on image to display enlarged in new tab)
MAP 2: 405 Squadron Movements in England 1941-45
405 Sqn History Summary 1941-45
405 Sqn History Summary 1941-45 Page 2
History of the Squadron Post-WWII (Aircraft: Lancaster X, Neptune, Argus I & II, Aurora)
The squadron was re-formed as No 405 (Maritime Reconnaissance) Squadron at Greenwood, Nova Scotia on 31 March 1950, and redesignated No 405 (Maritime Patrol) Sqn on 17 July 1956. The squadron was the first of four formed in Maritime Air Command. It flew modified Lancaster Mk. X aircraft until mid-1955, when they were replaced by P2V7 Lockheed Neptunes, which gave an enhanced anti-submarine capability. and the first to fly Lancaster, Neptune and Argus aircraft on East Coast maritime duty. In April 1958 the squadron was given the distinction of being the first to fly the Canadian-built CP-107 Argus. The squadron made its last flight in the Argus on 10 November 1980 before introducing the CP-140 Aurora. On 1 February 1968 the squadron was integrated into the Canadian Armed Forces. It is now designated No 405 Long Range Patrol Squadron, flying from Greenwood, NS.
The squadron’s primary combat functions are Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface (ASUW). The Squadron regularly trains for its roles by participating in a number of naval exercises at home and abroad. However, most of its time is taken up in a number of non-combat roles, including search and rescue and support to other government departments, including counter-drug operations with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and fisheries patrols with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Year-round, the Squadron carries out sovereignty patrols covering the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and maritime areas of interest . During these patrols, 405 LRPS crews maintain a constant vigil for ships that discharge pollutants illegal at sea. Similarly, its crews verify that foreign and Canadian fishing vessels abide by their Canadian licensing agreements and report suspected violators to DFO patrol boats.
405 LRPS regularly deploys to a number of allied bases for an assortment of exercises and missions. Among its international training sites are US NAS Keflavik (Iceland), US NAS Sigonella (Sicily, Italy), US NAS Oceana (Virginia, USA), US NAS Jacksonville (Florida, USA), US NAS Roosevelt Roads (Puerto Rico), UK RAF Kinloss (Moray, Scotland),UK RAF Station St. Mawgan (Cornwall, England) and NL NAS Valkenburg (Netherlands).
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus), Pathfinder Force. Lancaster III aircraft ND526 LQ-M shot down over Holland at Hilvarenbeek, Noord-Brabant during an attack against Aachen, Germany by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Wilhelm Henseler of the 1/NJG 1, who was flying a Heinkel He 219 A-0 from Venlo airfield. (aviation-safety.net) Squadron Leader G Bennett DSO DFC (RCAF) killed but his crew survived. Flight Lieutenant E Baker (RCAF), Pilot Officer FC Davies (RCAF), Warrant Officer Class 2 WV Joel RCAF), Flight Sergeant JI Rees (RAF), Flying Officer SA Walker (RAF) and FS A Rodgers (RAF) were taken Prisoner of War. Warrant Officer Class 2 JH Frame (RCAF) evaded
4 x Rolls-Royce, Packard or Ford UK built Merlin XX, 22, 24, 28, 85 or 224 liquid-cooled V-12 piston engines with power output between 1,280 hp (954 kW) and 1,635 hp (1,219 kW) each
Lancaster Mk.II:
4 x Bristol Hercules Mk.VI or XVI air-cooled 14-cylinder radial piston engines with power output of 1,615 hp (1,204 kW) each
Propellers:
Lancaster Mk.I, III, VI, VII & X:
3-bladed de Havilland, Hamilton Standard or Nash Kelvinator Hydromatic constant-speed fully feathering metal bladed propellers, 13 ft (3.96 m) diameter
Lancaster Mk.II:
Rotol electric constant-speed fully feathering wooden bladed propellers, 13 ft (3.96 m) diameter
Performance:
Maximum speed:
Lancaster Mk.I, II, III, VII & X: 287 mph (461 km/h)
Lancaster Mk.VI: 315 mph (507 km/h)
Cruising speed: 207 mph (333 km/h)
Range: 2,530 mi (4,073 km)
Service ceiling: 23,500 ft (7,162 m)
Armament:
Standard:
Two 0.303-inch (7.7 mm) Browning Mark II machine guns in:
Nash and Thompson FN5 nose and
FN50/150 mid-upper turrets,
four 0.303-inch Browning Mark II machine guns in Nash and Thompson FN20/120/121 rear turret
Alternative/additional:
Nash and Thompson FN64 ventral turret with two 0.303-inch (7.7 mm) Browning Mark II machine guns
Glenn Martin 250CE electrically operated mid-upper turret with two 0.5-inch (12.7 mm) Browning AN/M2 machine guns (Lancaster Mk.VII and late production Lancaster Mk. X only)
Nash and Thompson FN82 rear turret with two 0.5-inch (12.7 mm) Browning AN/M2 machine guns (Lancaster Mk.VII &late production Lancaster Mk.I only)
Rose Brothers Type R rear turret with two 0.5-inch (12.7 mm) Browning AN/M2 machine guns (late production Lancaster Mk.I & III only)
Ventral 0.303-inch (7.7 mm) Browning Mk.II machine gun in a free mount (Lancaster Type 464 only)
Ventral 0.5-inch (12.7 mm) Browning AN/M2 machine gun in a free mount
ARI 5559 A.G.L.T. 'Village Inn' Mk.I: Radar guided gun laying system (incorporating Infrared IFF recognition system) fitted to FN121 rear turret with four 0.303-inch (7.7 mm) Browning Mark II machine guns
Bomb loads:
Typical:
14,000 lb (6,350 kg) consisting of varying combinations of 2,000 lb AP, 2,000 lb HC, 4,000 lb HC, 8,000 lb HC, 250 lb, 500 lb, 1,000 lb bombs, or various sizes of incendiary bombs installed in Small Bomb Containers or Cluster Projectiles
1 x 12,000lb (5,443 kg) HC bomb
6 x 1,850 lb (839 kg) Parachute Anti-Shipping Mines
Specialized:
1 x 5,500 lb (2,494 kg) Capital Ship Bomb
12 x 500 lb (226 kg) JW 'Johnny Walker' Oscillating Mine
1 x 9,250 lb (4,195 kg) Vickers-Armstrongs Type 464 'Upkeep' revolving depth charge
1 x 12,000lb (5,443 kg) MC Vickers-Armstrongs 'Tallboy' deep penetration bomb
1 x 22,000 lb (9,979 kg) MC Vickers-Armstrongs 'Grand Slam' deep penetration bomb
Communication and navigation equipment:
TR9F: HF R/T radio transceiver
TR1196: HF R/T radio transceiver
TR1143/SCR522: VHF R/T radio transceiver
T1154: Medium and High frequency W/T transmitter
R1155: Medium and High frequency W/T & direction finding receiver
ARI 5033/5083 GEE Mk.I/II: Radio navigation system
ARI 5560/5564 H2S Mk.II/III: Radar navigation/target finding system
TR3190/3160 Lucero Mk.I & II: H2S adapter to permit interrogation of radar navigation beacons, Eureka beacons & IFF
ARI 5525/5597 GEE-H Mk.I/II: Radio navigation/target finding system
AN/APN-4 LORAN: Long range radio navigation system
ARI 5148/5514/5582 Oboe Mk.I & II: Radar bomb aiming system
AN/AP1 (AYD): Low range radar altimeter
SCR-718-C: High range radar altimeter
Lorenz Standard Beam Approach: Runway blind approach system
Radio Countermeasures:
ARI 5000/5025/5640 IFF Mk.II & III: Friend or Foe radar identification system
ARI 5171/5625/5672/5769 Mandrel: Freya and Wurzburg radar jamming system
ARI 5538/5557 Boozer Mk.I & II: Passive radar warning receiver
ARI 5122/5281 Monica Mk.I, III & V ('Lulu'): Active tail warning radar
Tinsel/Special Tinsel: Night fighter radio control jamming system
TR3549 Airborne Cigar (ABC): Night fighter radio control jamming system
ARI 5549 Carpet II: Wurzburg radar jamming system
Coming Soon!
Ventral Turrets
ventralturret.jpeg image not found
As originally designed the Lancaster was provided with ventral defence in the form of a Nash and Thompson FN64 turret, which was fitted to some early production aircraft. However, in common with all other periscope sighted ventral turrets, the narrow viewing angle made it almost impossible for gunners to acquire and track targets, and the few turrets which were installed were soon removed from service.
2_DS707_7-6-44.jpg image not found Mod_925ventral50calMG-1.jpg image not found 3 _W4766.jpg image not found
The ventral .50 inch (50 calib) was approved as Lanc Mod.925 during February 1944, and was one of a number of unsuccessful measures taken to counter night fighter attacks from below.
The growth of the Luftwaffe night fighter force was followed by an increase in the in the number of attacks from below, exacerbated from August 1943 onward by the introduction of aircraft equipped with Schrage Musik upward firing 20mm cannon. A number of responses were considered by Bomber Command including a free mounted ventral .50 calibre Browning machine gun, which was approved on the Lancaster as Modification 925 during February 1944.
The modification was very basic, consisting of little more than an enlarged bicycle seat for the gunner and a simple free mounted gun with open sights which fired through the ventral turret/H2S aperture. On aircraft with bulged bomb doors the mounting (often unpainted) was incorporated into the fairing at the rear of the doors.
Non-H2S fitted aircraft were sporadically equipped with the gun from February 1944 onward, although a clear plan for installation appears to have been lacking. The quantity of aircraft which actually had the gun installed is unknown and photos of the mounting with a Browning actually installed are very rare.
Serious problems quickly became apparent, as noted in the following V Group monthly newsletter for April 1944:- "With the gunner strapped in his seat it is difficult to follow the gun round on the beam; it is difficult for the gunner to get his head down behind the sight as it tends to push the oxygen mask upwards on the gunners face; and also considerable vibration is experienced on the sight when the gun is fired."
These problems, plus the gradually more widespread introduction of H2S saw the gun fall out of use quite quickly, although it does appear to have been retained on some aircraft until war's end (most notably in 3 Group).
The quantity of aircraft which actually had the gun installed is unknown and photos of the mounting with a Browning actually installed are very rare.
75SqnORBextractMarch1945.jpg image not found
Notice on these aircraft the extra position in the eight person crew of Mid-Under-Gunner.
Aachen Germany
Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)
Lancaster Bomber
Wikipedia
Harold A Skaarup Web Page
