Lancaster BI&III SR-C, ME 590 Crashed & SR-E, LM 464 Lost

While researching for the Last post on DV298, I came across a nice photo of ME590, see below, and obtainable from the IWM site. A little follow up, since I have now downloaded most of the ORB,s for 101Squadron and am easily distracted.

ME590 SR-C Lancaster BI. 26-2-44


A Lancaster BI SR-C ME590, Crashed 26-2-44 at home field (Ludford Magna) after being damaged on the way into Augburg by Heavy Flak which damaged the hydraulics, and then attacked by a Me.110.
Damaging the Stb wing fuel tank, and likely the fuel flame blowing back to burn through the Stb tail elevator surfaces. The Hydraulic being damaged, so likely why the bomb bay doors are down, and may not be able to blow down the undercarriage.
The damaged pipe work in the foreground is the runway FIDO piping system.
(see page 90) of Lancaster at War vol. 4 by Alex Thorne.
ME590 was repaired and converted into a MK B.III and transfer to HCU 1651 and SoC in1947.


FIDO, Fog,Intensive,Dispersal Of. (Not, the other military FIDO, Forget It and Drive On)
Fog on their home airfields was such a hazard to RAF aircraft returning from bombing operations that in 1942 the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, ordered the Petroleum Warfare Department to develop a way of dispersing it. The result was FIDO – Fog, Intensive, Dispersal Of – a network of pipes and petrol burners capable of clearing fog from runways.

FIDO was installed at 15 airfields around the UK – most of them in Bomber Command – as well as at some airfields in the USA and in the Aleutian Islands. By burning petrol at the rate of 100,000 gallons (456,000 litres) per hour FIDO could produce sufficient heat to lift fog and enable pilots to take-off and land safely when poor visibility would otherwise have made flying too dangerous.

Between 1943 and 1945 2,500 aircraft landed safely in fog thanks to FIDO, saving the lives of 10,000 aircrew. FIDO also helped to shorten the war by allowing operations to continue when the weather would have made flying impossible. The last FIDO installation, at RAF Manston, was removed in 1959.

Date: 1943–1945
Collection Ref: X001-4342

The crew.on the 25th Feb, This was their second operational sorte since arriving from 1667 CU w.e.f 15-2-44



"and made a successful Belly landing at Base" To quote the ORB for this and making a success of his first Trip was awarded a DFM.


SGT. Roy Dixon 1432466 DFM. in SR-C ME590
(ME590 had done 3 previous operational sorties in Feb 15th,19th,& 20th with other crews.)

One night in (24/25th) February, 1944, this airman piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Schweinfurt. It was
his first operational sortie: During the operation his aircraft was attacked by a fighter. (Fw.190) Displaying great skill, however, Sergeant Dixon manoeuvred to a position from which his gunners were able to open fire with telling effect. The following night.(25/26th) Sergeant Dixon took part in an attack on Augsburg. Whilst over the target the aircraft was heavily hit by anti-aircraft fire. A large hole was torn in the fuselage and the hydraulic gear was rendered unserviceable. Almost immediately the bomber was struck by bullets from a fighter. (Me.110) One of the petrol tanks was pierced, the starboard elevator was shattered and a large hole was 'torn in the starboard main plane. Nevertheless Sergeant Dixon succeeded in evading the attacker and afterwards flew the damaged bomber to base where he effected a successful crash-landing. In trying circumstances, this airman displayed skill, courage and determination of a high order London Gazette No. 36439, Dated 1944-03-24


LM464 SR-E Lancaster B III

With the majority of crew on now their 4 operational sortie on the 18th of March to Frankfurt they were in difficulty on the return home leg. Crashing at 01;55hrs, 19-3-44, near Syleham, Suffolk,/5 miles N.N.E of Horham, Norfolk.

SR-C LM479 reported them calling up Darky at. 01:40.



Flight Sgt. Roy Dixon DFM, Age 20 (Pilot)
Sgt. Bertram Crosby, Age 20 (Flight Engineer)
F/O. Sydney Leonard Huntley, RCAF J 25512, Age 25 (Air Bomber)
Sgt. William Thompson, Age 27 (Navigator)
Sgt. Roger Vernon, Age 21 (Wireless Operator)
Sgt. Norris Marshall, Age 33 (Mid Upper Gunner)
Sgt. Percy Lawn, Age 22 (Rear Gunner)
Sgt. Robert Bryan (Specialist Wireless Operator).

The Mid Upper Gunner N.S Marshall being on his first sortie with the crew on LM464, P.H Watson being on the first two, and M.S Hackett on the third Sortie on the 11th March to Stuttgart.

The crash report details come mostly from the Casualty file of the Air Bomber F/O S.L Huntley. J /25512 RCAF (25yrs) and are self explanatory, and requesting an inquiry into the accedent.







The Form 765C P414928 A.137 19-3-44













There appeared to be fuel management issues, for some reason, causing the 2 Port engines to stop when, run out of fuel, while still some 290galls in the Stb wing tanks No.2 and No.3.

Which is puzzling, for a young crew which could manage emergencies, like getting shot up, and having holes in the Stb wing and flying home.While on ME590, and having just completed a Sortie in this aircraft LM464 on the 15-3-44 to Stuttgart and back.
I refer you to the commendation for the DFM to Sgt. Dixon. see above.

I imagine the two small thumb nails, are very difficult to read, and do not add anymore than the Form 765c.
If anyone has anymore detail, or the C.of.I investigation report I would be most interested.

The airframe and engine had very little running hours 22hrs, and 28hrs to 30hrs on the engines.

The Pilot F/Sgt. R.Dixon (20yrs) had 39hrs Day and 36hrs Night flying solo experience, together with one crash landing and being shot at and hit by Flak and two enemy aircraft.

ref.



Lone Cwgc Grave In Remote Norfolk Churchyard

https://www.cwgc.org/stories/storie...yal-air-force-volunteer-reserve-101-squadron/