103 Sqd Loss on 1st January, 1944 ?
 

Hello,
For some time now I have been puzzled as to the loss of a/ aircraft of 103 Sqdn on the night of the 1st/2nd January, 1944 has not been addressed on the forum ( at least I could not find ).
In BCL vol 5 it has it as a 12 Sqdn loss but the entry is given 103 Sqdn code of "PM" and not " PH".
So I searched for updates/corrections in the later volumes but found nothing.
Was the a/c on loan to 12 Sqdn hence the 103 Sqdn code or is it a typo error that has gone unnoticed ?

It is reported that this a/c was later displayed as a ground exhibit on the 12th June 1944 at Uirz ( not sure if I got the spelling right ?).
Sadly there seem to be have been no pictures of this a/c taken at the display which is to me very odd. At least none that seem to have survived.

Thanks
Alex

Re: 103 Sqd Loss on 1st January, 1944 ?
 

Alex,

It would appear to be a simple typo by Bill Chorley, or his publisher. Lancaster III ND325 served only on No.12 Sqn. One of the most reliable (and recent) references: 1 Group Bomber Command by Chris Ward with Greg Harrison & Grzegorz Korcz, (p.171), describe it as - No.12 Squadron - ND325 - PH-C - FTR Berlin 1/2.1.44.

Chris Ward & David Fell, in their RAF Bomber Command Profile 103 Squadron (2016),(p.222), do not list ND325, as ever being on 103 Sqn strength.

According to available publications, ND325 was delivered to No.12 Squadron on 11-12-1943 and flew the following ops:

16/17-12-1943 - Berlin - Aborted
23/24-12-1943 - Berlin
29/30-12-1943 - Berlin
01/02-01-1944 - Berlin - FTR

Hardly time to have been shopped around.

Greg Harrison could probably put your mind to rest.

Col.

Re: 103 Sqd Loss on 1st January, 1944 ?
 

Hello Col,

Thanks for the reply,I had wondered why the error had not been sorted in BCL.
As you say it should have been - "PH - C". of 12 Sqdn.

Thanks,
Alex