576 Squadron - Lancaster UL-N 2 Serial No. PD 235

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by STAN50, Aug 18, 2013.

  1. STAN50

    STAN50 Senior Member

    A friend of mine in Canada wants to find out about the crew of this particular Lancaster.

    The letter 2 after the figure N is a small one on the upper right hand of this.

    What he knows so far is that the aircraft was on its 28th operation when it crashed in Calais France on September 25th 1944. RAF Flight Lieutenant Edward Bennett was one of the crew. He is buried in Boulogne Eastern cemetery and two other members, he believes both from the U.K. are buried in Calais Canadian War Cemetery.

    He wonders how they ended up being buried in separate cemeteries?

    Ideally, David the researcher from London Ontario, would like to find the names of the entire crew and discover the nationalities of each.

    David belongs to the Royal Canadian Air Force Association London (427) Wing and they have been donated a model of this aircraft. The person who donated this View attachment 109207 View attachment 109207 has since died and it would be interesting for them to find out more about the crews history for a possible presentation.

    If anyone can help please let me know.

    Thanks,

    Chris.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    Chris, the crew of Lancaster I PD235 UL-N2 lost on a raid to Calais on 25 September 1944 is as follows.....

    F/L. E. Bennett +
    F/O. K G. Playfoot. Evaded (believed to have landed in enemy held territory)
    F/O. D. Baker +
    F/O. F B. Walker +
    Sgt. D W G. Purse +
    Sgt. V G. Price +
    F/O. J P. Manser +

    ​Further details of those lost can be found on the CWGC web site.

    http://www.cwgc.org/
     
  3. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    Chris, it turned up some years ago on another enquiry...
    http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?6133-Sgt-Leonard-Maiden-(643941)-576-Sqn/page2
    thought to have come down in the Channel after an attack on Calais.
    According to their RAF Loss Card, bomb load was 9 x 1,000 lb SAP; 4 x 1,000 lb MC and 4 x 500 lb bombs.
    http://www.lancasterbombers.net/Loss_Cards/1944/Sept_44/Sep_44_Pt3/files/book.swf
    Walker and Price were found almost immediately and buried same day, notes Playfoot escaped uninjured.
    No further crew details or cause of loss from Playfoot recorded.
    Apparently an air to air photo of this aircraft is available http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/avro-lancaster-world-war-bomber-black-275250569
    Regards
     
  4. AlanW

    AlanW Senior Member

    Bennett crew posted in to 576sqdn, July 44, no date given.
    July 44...
    28th, Stuttgart.
    30th, Cahagnes.
    August....
    1st, Belle Croix les Bruyers.
    3rd, Trossy St Maximim.
    4th, Pauillac.
    7th, La Rochelle.
    10th, Dugny.
    11th, Douai.
    14th, Fontaine le Pin.
    15th, Le Culot.
    16th, Stettin.
    25th, Russelheim.
    26th, Kiel.
    28th, Chapelle Notre Dame.
    September....
    3rd, Eindhoven.
    12th, Frankfurt.
    15th, Gardening, (Sea Mining)
    17th, Flushing.
    20th, Calais.
    23rd, Neuss.
    25th Calais, missing.

    I only have 27 ops (including last) for PD235 with 576sqdn, 16, including the last one, with the Bennett crew.

    Alan.
     
  5. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    Playfoot was captured but released by advancing forces about 1st October 1944. His comments about the original burial sites of Walker and Price may explain the different cemeteries

    John
     

    Attached Files:

  6. STAN50

    STAN50 Senior Member

    Thanks all, splendid work. I've notified David what you've all discovered and given him a link to this thread.

    Cheers,

    Chris.

    P.S. Kevin, - great work again my friend!
     
  7. STAN50

    STAN50 Senior Member

    - Have had a response from David already and he has asked me to thank everyone sincerely, and I quote:

    'Chris I am amazed at this response.'

    He asks further whether anyone can help guide him towards any photos of the crew.

    Thanks,

    Chris.
     
  8. Ted Old

    Ted Old New Member

    Hi Chris,

    I know that all these posts are five years old but it is only since visiting the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln last week that I discovered the way to begin research. I am Ted Old and F/L Edward (Ted) Bennett was my cousin (once removed) and, as you can see I proudly carry his name. Also that of Ted's twin brother Stanley who was also a pilot in the RAF. When Ted was shot down, about four months before I was born, my parents desperately wanted a picture of him but the only one was in Stan's possession and he obviously needed to keep it. My father worked at Short Brothers making Sterling bombers and Sunderland flying boats and someone in the drawing office there offered to copy the photograph of Ted in pencil and, after talking to people who new Ted and could give an insight into his character, the attached sketch was produced. It has so much more to it than the photograph ever had. From the 'twinkle in his eye' one can believe the stories my parents used to tell me about the pranks he got up to as a boy - he was little more than that when he had command of a Lancaster.

    Obviously I have read all the posts concerning PD235 and its crew but I would dearly like to know anymore that anyone can tell me about Ted and his service career. Unfortunately, Stan did not want to talk about it and sadly he died suddenly about 30 years ago.

    I hope that David likes the picture.

    Ted.
     

    Attached Files:

  9. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Tricky Dicky likes this.
  10. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    What an emotive drawing - as you say, better than a photograph.
    Whoever drew that, captured his essence. Treasure it.
     
    Tricky Dicky likes this.
  11. Elsham21

    Elsham21 New Member

    Hello Ted. Although we have never met, I think we might be related. My mother was sister to Stan & Ted. If you know who I am , please drop me a line. Thanks, Elsham 21.
     
  12. Hi Ted,
    I run the 576 Sqn Facebook group and manage the 576 Digital Archive of over 30,000 documents and photographs. We have over 400 members who are related to 576 crews, and would be delighted to include you in the family. I am sure we can help you find out more about your cousin. Please look us up in FB or contact me at matt.576sqnATgmail.com.
    Best regards
    Matt Wood
     
  13. Hi Elsham 21,
    I run the 576 Sqn Facebook group and manage the 576 Digital Archive of over 30,000 documents and photographs. We have over 400 members who are related to 576 crews, and would be delighted to include you in the family. I am sure we can help you find out more about your cousin. Please look us up in FB or contact me at matt.576sqnATgmail.com.
    Best regards
    Matt Wood
     

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