Lancaster ME736
 

Hi Folks,

Have looked at many books including Chorleys and sites looking for details on Lancaster ME736, missing on the 28/04/44.

ME738 was also downed on that night. Both from 103 Squadron. Have details on this Lanc but not ME736.

Would welcome any feedback on crew details, etc.

John

Re: Lancaster ME736
 

John !

The Air Britain book as well as the Lancaster book by Francis K. Mason are listing Lancaster ME736 as missing at the Friedrichshafen raid on 27/28 April 1944.

The German KE-reports for this night doesn't mention this aircraft.

Bill Chorley doesn't either mention this particular aircraft in his book.

Try to find out more in the PRO. This event seems to be a tricky thing.

All the best !

Horst Weber

Re: Lancaster ME736
 

Hi John
It's not a complete answer but Middlebrook and Everitt in Bomber Command War Diaries record the raid on Friedrichshafen and state that 18 Lancasters were lost. The Appropriate Vol of Chorley records 18 separate Lancaster losses incl ME378. Is it possible that the close similitary of the serials has led to confusion and only 1 a/c from 103 Sqn was lost and not 2?
Regards
Dick

Re: Lancaster ME736
 

Thanks for your replies Horst & Dick.

As you have mentioned, there may have been confusion over the two Lancs but if ME736 did not go missing on that operation / night, you would have assume that it should be listed at another time, on some other op?

John

Re: Lancaster ME736
 

John
My apologies. You will notice my mistake with ME738/378. What does the Air Britain book say about the 2 a/c? Chorley has the loss as ME738,PM-S, Horst has quoted ME736, neither Chorley nor Horst's sources is immune from errors, is there anyone with access to the ORB?
Apologies again
Regards
Dick

Re: Lancaster ME736
 

Happy Easter John and Dick !

Both books, the Air Britain as well as the Avro Lancaster by Francis K. Mason quote ME736 and ME738 as missing on the Friedrichshafen raid
27/28 April 1944.

Tricky thing.

best regards

Horst Weber