Lancaster JA964 - 22 Mar 1944
 

Hi folks - can someone help me untangle some confusion over the loss of Lancaster JA964 on 22nd March 1944?

I have the crashsite as Bergen-Berschweiler 100km WSW from Frankfurt.
I have a claim at 22:40 by Uffz. Deh. at RP-1 5.500m Traben-Trabach.
This is near the crash site but a little later than I would have expected.

From http://www.aircrewremembrancesociety...944/hinde.html
it shows "Shot down over Rheinberg - it is believed by a Uffz. Robert Koch 6./NJG1 Attacked 7 Squadron JA964 at 22.40 hrs at a height of 5.500 Mtrs. Aircraft engaged at or near Traben Trarbach. "

Which is correct?

Thanks
Robert

Re: Lancaster JA964 - 22 Mar 1944
 

A Google search turns up this information:-

PA964 took part in the following Key Operations: As MG-D, Peenemunde 17/18 Aug 43; Berlin 3 / 4 Sep 43; Mannheim 23/24 Sep 43; Hannover 18/19 Oct 43; Berlin 22/23 Nov 43; Berlin 23/24 Nov 43; Berlin 26/27 Nov 43; Berlin 2/3 Dec 43;Brunswick 14/15 Jan 44 (aircraft struck by 1,000lb bomb and incendiary bombs over the target, causing fire and loss of fuel, but S/L L.R.D. Campling succeeded in landing the aircraft safely at Coltishall). Repaired as MG-P, Frankfurt 22/23 Mar 44.

When lost this aircraft had a total of 254 hours. JA964 wore the ID's MG-P/D JA964 was one of two No.7 Squadron Lancasters lost on this operation. See ND523 Airborne 1858 22 Mar 44 from Oakington. Cause of loss and crash-site not established. Those killed are buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery. P/O K. Hinde RAAF PoW Sgt A.I. Love PoW F/O J.H. Wyborn KIA F/S H.S. McMaster RAAF PoW F/s J. Lambert RAAF KIA Sgt A.E. Bullivant KIA F/S G.E. Hamilton RNZAF KIA

P/O K. Hinde was interned in Camp L1, PoW No.3820 with F/S H.S. McMaster, PoW No.3829. Commissioned in the rank of P/O during captivity. Sgt A.I. Love in Camp L6/L4, PoW No.3277.

Sorry, can't help with the time, perhaps headwinds or several attempts to successfully bomb? What were the time differences between UK and German time at this stage of the War?

Re: Lancaster JA964 - 22 Mar 1944
 

I've Bergen-Berschweiler, 3½ km WSW of Kim. Those who died first buried at Bergen.

Henk.

Re: Lancaster JA964 - 22 Mar 1944
 

Good evening icare9 !

From January 1st to April 4th 1944, UK time was equal to Germa time.

Horst Weber

Re: Lancaster JA964 - 22 Mar 1944
 

It probably doesn't help clear it up but Volume 1 of Nachtjagd by Dr Theo Boiten & Roderick Mackenzie (ISBN: 978-0-9554735-6-2) has the following:

Uffz Robert Koch - 6./NJG 1 - near Traben Trarbach (RP 1): 5,500m - 2240 - 7 Sqn Lancaster JA964 or 49 Sqn Lancaster ND536. It was Robert Kochs 5th kill.

Re: Lancaster JA964 - 22 Mar 1944
 

Hi,
I don't have a copy of Errol Martyn's "For Your Tomorrow" with me at the moment, but I'm sure it mentions the crash site as 'near Bergen-Berschweiler'.
The rear gunner was F/S G. E. Hamilton RNZAF - 19th op.
Regards,
Wayne.

Re: Lancaster JA964 - 22 Mar 1944
 

Thanks for your replies folks.

So it seems we have agreement on the location and time but conflicting information on the NJG pilot.

My orignal source was Tony Wood's list of: O.K.L. Fighter Claims : Chef für Ausz. und Dizsiplin Luftwaffen-Personalamt L.P. (A) V Films & Supplementary Claims from Lists
at http://www.lesbutler.ip3.co.uk/tony/tonywood.htm

this has Uffz. Deh.

and recently Dr Theo Boiten & Roderick Mackenzie have Uffz. Robert Koch.

Are Deh and Koch one and the same?

regards
Robert