44 Sqn RAF 21/04/1944

Owen · 22-03-2008, 01:24 AM

Thanks to Geoff's Search Engine I just found about another Upper Stratton lad.
William Freeman.
CWGC :: Casualty Details
Wish I'd known about him when i was at Runnymede.
Anyone* tell me what happened, please?

*Peter Clare, I need to pick you brains again.

Peter Clare · 22-03-2008, 01:53 AM

20-21 April 1944

44 Squadron
Lancaster III ND573 KM-S
Op: la Chapelle

Crew.
F/O. G A. Skinner +
Sgt. A. Farmer +
Sgt. W T. Freeman +
Sgt. D. Prewer +
Sgt. T D. Ward +
Sgt. J Y. Scott +
Sgt. W G. Singfield +

Took off 2139 hrs Dunholme Lodge ( North of Lincoln) to bomb railway yards. Lost without trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Bomber Command Losses Vol.5 - W R. Chorley.

La Chapelle 20-21 April 1944.

The raid on this railway target just north of Paris was the first major test for the new 5 Group marking method with the group employing not only 617 Squadrons low-level markers but three Pathfinder squadrons recently transferred from 8 Group. A few regular 8 Group Mosquitoes were also used to drop markers by Oboe to provide a first indication of the targets location for the main 5 Group marking force.
247 Lancaster's of 5 group and 22 Mosquitoes from 5 and 8 Groups dispatched. 6 Lancaster's lost.
The bombing force was split into two parts with an interval between them of One hour, and each part of the force aimed at different halves of the railway yards. There were a few difficulties at the opening of the attack, with the markers of the Oboe Mosquitoes being a fraction late and with communications between the various controlling aircraft being faulty, but these difficulties were soon overcome and both parts of the bombing force achieved extremely accurate and concentrated bombing.

Bomber Command War Diaries - Middlebrook / Everitt.

Owen · 22-03-2008, 01:58 AM

Thank You Peter.
Excellent information as ever.

22-03-2008, 01:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,462	44 Sqn RAF 21/04/1944 Thanks to Geoff's Search Engine I just found about another Upper Stratton lad. William Freeman. CWGC :: Casualty Details Wish I'd known about him when i was at Runnymede. Anyone* tell me what happened, please? *Peter Clare, I need to pick you brains again.

22-03-2008, 01:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
Peter Clare Legendary Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Neverland Posts: 5,648	20-21 April 1944 44 Squadron Lancaster III ND573 KM-S Op: la Chapelle Crew. F/O. G A. Skinner + Sgt. A. Farmer + Sgt. W T. Freeman + Sgt. D. Prewer + Sgt. T D. Ward + Sgt. J Y. Scott + Sgt. W G. Singfield + Took off 2139 hrs Dunholme Lodge ( North of Lincoln) to bomb railway yards. Lost without trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Bomber Command Losses Vol.5 - W R. Chorley. La Chapelle 20-21 April 1944. The raid on this railway target just north of Paris was the first major test for the new 5 Group marking method with the group employing not only 617 Squadrons low-level markers but three Pathfinder squadrons recently transferred from 8 Group. A few regular 8 Group Mosquitoes were also used to drop markers by Oboe to provide a first indication of the targets location for the main 5 Group marking force. 247 Lancaster's of 5 group and 22 Mosquitoes from 5 and 8 Groups dispatched. 6 Lancaster's lost. The bombing force was split into two parts with an interval between them of One hour, and each part of the force aimed at different halves of the railway yards. There were a few difficulties at the opening of the attack, with the markers of the Oboe Mosquitoes being a fraction late and with communications between the various controlling aircraft being faulty, but these difficulties were soon overcome and both parts of the bombing force achieved extremely accurate and concentrated bombing. Bomber Command War Diaries - Middlebrook / Everitt. __________________ On weald of Kent I watched once more Again I heard that grumbling roar Of fighter planes; yet none were near And all around the sky was clear Borne on the wind a whisper came 'Though men grow old, they stay the same' And then I knew, unseen to eye The ageless Few were sweeping by

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22-03-2008, 01:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,462	Thank You Peter. Excellent information as ever.

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