Footprints on the Sands of Time, RAF Bomber Command Prisoners of War in Germany 1939-45 by Oliver Clutton-Brock, page 416
The Long Road, Trails and tribulations of Airmen Prisoners from Stalag Luft VII (Bankau) to Berlin, June 1944-May 1945 by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Raymond Compton, page 109
Taylor, Thomas James (Sergeant)
Prisoner of War 1944-February-26
Birth Date: unkown date
Born:
Parents:
Spouse:
Home:
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: unkown date
Service
RAF
Unit
50 (B) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)
Sic Fidem Servamus Thus we keep faith
Base
RAF Skellingthorpe
Rank
Sergeant
Position
Air Gunner (Rear)
Service Numbers
1677773
PoW: 283
Target
Augsburg Germany
Crew or Other Personnel
Lancaster LL791
Mission
Lancaster Mk.I LL791
Bombing Augsburg Germany 1944-February-25 to 1944-February-26
50 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Skellingthorpe
50 Squadron (Sic Fidem Servamus) RAF Skellingthorpe. Lancaster BI aircraft LL 791 VN-O was attacked by two night fighters during an operation against targets in Augsburg, Germany. A fire started in the bomb bay when incendiaries caught fire, which was also fed by hydraulic fluid and with the bomber uncontrollable, the order to bail was given. The aircraft crashed near Embermenil, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France
Sergeant KE Gilson (RAFVR) was killed when he bailed from the aircraft, possibly due to a parachute malfunction
Pilot Officer J Acthim (RCAF), Flight Sergeant J Ansell (RAAF, Flight Sergeant DT Balmanno (RAAF), Sergeant TJ Taylor (RAF) and Pilot Officer WH Taylor (RAF) and Sergeant HS Cammish (RAF) survived and evaded with the aid of the French Underground until five of the six were captured 1944-04-21 at Luchon, near the French-Spanish border, part of a group of 30-35 evaders who were captured at this time and became Prisoners of War. Only Sergeant Cammish continued to escape capture as an Evader
Lancaster LL791 Mk.I - Bombing Augsburg Germany - 1944-02-25 to 1944-02-26
Squadron: 50 (B) Sqn (RAF)
Start Date: 1944-02-25
Completion Date: 1944-02-26
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Augsburg Germany
Target Specific:
Base: RAF Skellingthorpe
Take Off Time: 18:37
Squadron Code: VN-O
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: France
Crash Specifics: Embermenil, Meurthe-et-Moselle
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: fighter
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim: unspecified
War Diary Unavailable
6 Bomber Group February 25/26, 1944
19 Lancasters from 408 and 426 Squadrons were joined by 44 Halifaxes from 420, 424, 425, 427, 432, and 433 Squadrons, on an attack at Augsburg. The crews were over the target at between 16,000 and 25,000 feet, releasing 76,000 lbs of high explosives and 184,000 lbs of incendiaries. According to reports, the weather was clear and severe damage was caused.
While the above crews went to Augsburg, 50 Halifaxes from 419, 428,429, 431, and 434 Squadrons were ordered on a mining operation to KielBay. The crews were over the garden at between 12,000 and 15,000 feet, sowing 78@1500 lb mines. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
50 Squadron (Sic Fidem Servamus) RAF Skellingthorpe. Lancaster BI aircraft LL 791 VN-O was attacked by two night fighters during an operation against targets in Augsburg, Germany. A fire started in the bomb bay when incendiaries caught fire, which was also fed by hydraulic fluid and with the bomber uncontrollable, the order to bail was given. The aircraft crashed near Embermenil, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France
Sergeant KE Gilson (RAFVR) was killed when he bailed from the aircraft, possibly due to a parachute malfunction
Pilot Officer J Acthim (RCAF), Flight Sergeant J Ansell (RAAF, Flight Sergeant DT Balmanno (RAAF), Sergeant TJ Taylor (RAF) and Pilot Officer WH Taylor (RAF) and Sergeant HS Cammish (RAF) survived and evaded with the aid of the French Underground until five of the six were captured 1944-04-21 at Luchon, near the French-Spanish border, part of a group of 30-35 evaders who were captured at this time and became Prisoners of War. Only Sergeant Cammish continued to escape capture as an Evader
[Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...