LM 166 8/9 August 1944

Lancaster Mk I - LM166 KO-Y

T/O Witchford 2143 - target Foret-de-Lucheux, France.
*Maples and Sgt Watson all state that aircraft was on return flight when it collided with another aircraft from the same flight at approx 23.59hrs.
Crashed in the Pas de Calais area at Grand-Ruillecourt, Allied held territory.

Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan - *Royal Air Force Commands

170 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3 and 8 Groups,
attacked depots and storage dumps at Aire sur Lys and the Forêt de Lucheux.
Both raids were successful.

1 Lancaster lost from the Forêt de Lucheux raid.

Source: nationalarchives.gov.uk - Bomber Command - Campaign Diary August 1944.

ORB. 8th Aug., 1944.
25 aircraft were detailed to attack FORET DU LUCHEUX and took off between 21.45 hours and 22.15 hours.
One aircraft (Y.LM.166 - Captain W/C. LEGGETT, T.) failed to return from Operations - no news being received.
The remainder identified the target visually by light of flares and bombed chiefly green indicator markers or fires,
as instructed by Master Bomber, from heights ranging between 8,000 feet and 13,000 feet.
Bombing was well concentrated and many bomb bursts were seen in wood followed by explosions from oil tanks and
numerous fires with black smoke rising to many thousand feet.
There was much searchlight activity and one aircraft (Q.HK.549 - captain F/O. D. HILL) successfully evaded a cone
on way back after being held by diving from 9,000 feet to 5,000 feet. Intercommunication became unserviceable during
the dive and when it became serviceable again, it was found that the Rear Gunner (Sgt. BARR, R.) had baled out.
Photographs were attempted.

01.45. 24 aircraft had returned to Base safely after Operations.

Lancaster LM166Leggett Thomas Edward Leggett Thomas Edward - Pilot

P/O - Service No 182015

Age:

RAFVR

Son of

Grand-Rullecourt Communal Cemetery, Departement Pas-de-Calais - collective grave

Source: CWGC - Photo via ww1cemeteries.com - Find a Grave.

Brooks Richard J Brooks Richard J. - FE

Sgt - Service No

Age: - *sheltered and liberated at Doules, September 1944.

RAFVR

Son of

Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan - *WOII Escape and evasion

Jennings Desmond R Jennings Desmond R. - Nav

F/S - Service No

Age: - *liberated at Saulty, September 1944

RCAF

Son of

Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan - *WOII Escape and evasion

Lancaster LM166Dowse Henry James Dowse Henry James - WOP

W/O - Service No 1162453

Age:

RAFVR

Son of

Grand-Rullecourt Communal Cemetery, Departement Pas-de-Calais - collective grave

Source: CWGC - Photo via ww1cemeteries.com - Find a Grave.

Watson Ronald R Watson Ronald R. - BA

Sgt - Service No

Age: - *liberated at Saulty, September 1944

Son of

Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan - *WOII Escape and evasion

Lancaster LM166McKeand Robert Allison McKeand Robert Allison - MUG

Sgt - Service No 1823066

Age: 20

RAFVR

Son of McKeand Alexander °1892 +1965 and Sarah Hannah Allison +9 March 1934, age 48. of Scotland.

Grand-Rullecourt Communal Cemetery, Departement Pas-de-Calais - collective grave

Source: CWGC - Photo via ww1cemeteries.com - Find a Grave.

Mattles Frederick A Mattles Frederick A. - RG

Sgt - Service No

Age: - *liberated at Saulty, September 1944

Son of

Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan - *WOII Escape and evasion