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27/28 January 1944 Lancaster Mk II - LL668 A4-H |
Crashed at Steinberg E of Coburg, Germany.
Source: 115 Squadron Roll of Honour by D. Bruce, W. R. Chorley, J. G. J. de Haan.
515 Lancasters and 15 Mosquitos despatched to Berlin.
The German fighters were committed to action earlier than normal, some being sent out 75 miles
over the North Sea from the Dutch coast.
A number of elaborate feints and diversions had some effect; Half of the German fighters were lured
north by the Heligoland mining diversion and action in the main bomber stream was less intense than on recent nights.
The target was cloud-covered again and skymarking had to be used. Bomber Command was not able
to make any assessment of the raid except to state that the bombing appeared to have been spread well up and down wind.
33 Lancasters lost, 6.4 per cent of the heavy force.
Source: nationalarchives.gov.uk - Bomber Command - Campaign Diary January 1944.
ORB. 27th January, 1944.
20 aircraft (6 from "A" Flt., 7 from "B" Flt., & 7 from "C" Flt.)
took off between 17.50 hours & 18.05 hours to attack BERLIN
2 aircraft failed to return from operations.
An S.O.S. was picked up by BINBROOK, (Lancaster Mk II - LL682 KO-P, 7 KIA.)
but Air Sea Rescue was unsuccessful.
1 aircraft (A/C. U.L.L.666 - Captain F/S. CAMPBELL, C;) was forced to abandon the sortie
due to wireless being unserviceable and returned to base early after jettisoning his bombs.
The remaining 17 aircraft identified the target by means of red & green markers on which they
dropped their bombs from heights ranging between 19,000 feet & 22,000 feet.
No results were observed due to 10/10 cloud but the glow of fires and many flashes were
reflected on cloud.
Attack appeared to be well concentrated.
Photographs were attempted.
On return, one aircraft (A/C. W.D.S.781 - Captain F/S. TREASURE, G.) landed at MANSTON
due to shortage of petrol.
(A/C. D.D.S.664 - Captain F/L. L. J. HALLEY -
Mid upper turret was made unserviceable due to fire from a Lancaster over MINDEN).
(A/C. K.L.L.716 - Captain F/S. RODGER, J. -
Unidentified aircraft was seen to explode in the air & crash in flames.)
02.15. 18 aircraft had returned safely after operations.
Ryder William Wallace - Pilot
F/L - Service No 130616
Age: 20
RAFVR
Son of Charles and Betty Ryder, of Horwich, Lancashire.
Durnbach War Cemetery - collective grave 5.G.8-11.
Source: CWGC - Photo: Find a grave by dfr.
Rawlings George William - FE
Sgt - Service No 1583233
Age: 31
RAFVR
Son of George William and Annie Rawlings, of Anstey, Leicestershire.
Husband of Rachel Irene Rawlings, of Anstey.
Durnbach War Cemetery - collective grave 5.G.8-11.
Source: CWGC - Find a Grave.
Rouse Reginald James - Nav
F/S - Service No 1293573
Age: 23
RAFVR
Son of William James Rouse and Charlotte Rouse, of Hendon, Middlesex.
Durnbach War Cemetery - collective grave 5.G.8-11.
Source: CWGC - Find a Grave.
Iles Ronald Charles James - WOP
Sgt - Service No 1293340
Age: 22
RAFVR
Son of Charles Henry and Lilian Alice Iles, of Bow, London.
Durnbach War Cemetery - collective grave 5.G.8-11.
Source: CWGC - Find a Grave.
Pringle Henry Brain Deopard - BA
F/O - Service No 134724
Age:
RAF
Son of
Durnbach War Cemetery - collective grave 5.G.8-11.
Source: CWGC - Photo: Find a Grave by Selenah.
Miller Alexander Montgomery - MUG
F/S - Service No 1349064
Age: 22
RAFVR
Son of Robert and Margaret J. Miller, of Saltcoats, Ayrshire.
Durnbach War Cemetery - collective grave 5.G.8-11.
Source: CWGC - Find a Grave.
Neil Percy - RG
Sgt - Service No 1534938
Age: 21
RAFVR
Son of Thomas and Annie Neil, of Bury, Lancashire.
Durnbach War Cemetery - collective grave 5.G.8-11.
Source: CWGC - Find a Grave.