Squadron: 106 (B) Sqn (RAF)
Start Date: 1944-07-07
Completion Date: 1944-07-08
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Saint-Leu-de-Esserent
Target Specific: V1 flying-bomb storage site
Base: RAF Metheringham
Take Off Time: 22:40:00
Squadron Code: ZN-B
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: France
Crash Specifics: near Gournay-en-Bray
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: flak
Flak Battery: unspecified
Enemy Claim:
War Diary Unavailable
6 Bomber Group July 7/8, 1944
27 Lancasters from 408 and 419 squadrons were joined by 61 Halifaxes from 420, 425, 426, and 432 squadron on an attack at Caen in support of the ground troops. The crews were over the target at between 7,000 and9,000 feet. Releasing 1,008,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the weather was clear and bombing was accurate. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
106 Squadron (Pro Libertate) RAF Metheringham. Lancaster Mk I ME 789 ZN-B was lost during an attack on the V-1 flying-bomb storage site at Saint-Leu-d-Esserent, France. The Lancaster was shot down by flak and abandoned by the crew near Gournay-en-Bray, France
Flying Officer Gordon Stanley Mather (RCAF), Flying Officer John Sargent Kingston (RCAF) and Flight Sergeant William Stewart (RAFVR) all survived and were captured to become Prisoners of War
Pilot Officer John Crawford (RCAF)(USA), Sergeant William Arthur Waldram (RCAF) and Sergeant Leslie John Lucas (RAFVR) all evaded for a time but all were captured and all three were among 168 Allied Airmen deported to Buchenwald Concentration Camp in Germany. The three were eventually sent to Prisoner of War Camps after the German Luftwaffe intervened
Flying Officer Donald Angus Evans (RCAF) survived and avoided capture as an Evader
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
07/08 07 1944 106 Squadron Lancaster I ME789 ZN-B Flying Officer Gordon S Mather
Search for France-Crashes 39-45
RAF Commands
Saint-Leu-d'Esserent France
