Information relating to the loss of EM-U of 207 Squadron 3rd March 1943 away
 

Hi everyone, I'm new to this site, and look forward to any assistance you can help me with.

My grandfather was a member of the crew Melville George Delatorre
Pilot was Everson, and they were on a raid to or from Brennam

Looking for anything really to piece the event together

Re: Information relating to the loss of EM-U of 207 Squadron 3rd March 1943 away
 

Your grandfather was shot down during an attack on Hamburg and his plane (Lancaser I ED365) crashed at Wedel, which is about 16 km west of Hamburg.

The Lancaster was shot down by flak at 21.15 hours. 4./schw. Flakabteilung 185 and 3./142 u. Personalbatterie were involved in the shooting.

The whole crew was killed and were buried at Ohlsdorf cemetary.
Crew:
WO II CAIN, WILLIAM EDWARD (R/85910) RCAF; age: 23
Flt Sgt DELATORRE, MELVILLE GEORGE (402590) RAAF; age: 29
Sgt EVISON, PETER (657231) RAFVR; age: 25
Sgt HOLLEY, RAYMOND WALTER ERNEST (626498) RAF; age: 21
Fg Off JOHNSON, BERNARD (127493) RAFVR; age: 26
Sgt THOMPSON, LEWIS REGINALD (1253760) RAFVR;
WO II WALLACE, WILLIAM VICTOR (R/92287) RCAF; age: 24

Re: Information relating to the loss of EM-U of 207 Squadron 3rd March 1943 away
 

Hello James,

Welcome to TOCH.

Firstly, could you help clear up a problem I have with the family name, ie "DELATORRE". It is my understanding that it was "De La TORRE". Clarification would be welcomed.

Prior to his death, on 3 March, 1943, your Grandfather was involved in the following incident:

13-14 February 1943
No.207 Sqn
Lancaster I W4167:EM-Q
Op: Lorient.

Took off Langar. Crashed 0135 on return to base. Initially it was thought that the damage could be repaired, but following a technical inspection, the airframe was struck off charge on 2 Narch 1943, having flown 82.35 hours

657231 Sgt (Pilot) Peter EVISON RAFVR - Slight Injuries
626498 Sgt (Flt.Eng.) Raymond Walter Ernest HOLLEY RAF - Slight Injuries
AUS400896 Sgt (Nav.) Frank Elgar WITTMER RAAF - Slight Injuries (later DFC)
R/92287 Sgt (W.Op./Air Gnr.) William Victor WALLACE RCAF - OK
AUS402590 Sgt (W.Op./Air Gnr) Melville George DELATORRE RAAF - OK
1253760 Sgt (Air Gnr.) Lewis Reginald THOMPSON RAFVR - OK
R/85910 F/Sgt (Air Gnr.) Wiliiam Edward CAIN RCAF - OK

See:
Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War Vol.4, 1943
Chorley,W R.
Earl Shilton:Midland Counties Publications,1996
p.41 (corrected)

A fine tribute is paid to F/Sgt De La Torre, here:

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143780624

And a nice photo, here:

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P03913.001

Help with the surname would be appreciated.

Col.