RAF 156 Sqdn Lancaster Crash Site
 

Hi There,
I am looking for some help on behalf of my grandfather.

His bestmate Gerald Peter Robert Bond,DFC.(Better known to his mates as Peter Bond) was a Lancaster pilot with 101 Sqdn and later with 156 Pathfinder Sqdn.
I have information on the crew and crash date of this aircraft it is as follows, Lancaster III ND384 GT-D shot down on the return journey from a successful raid on Berlin on the night of 1/2 Jan 1944.

The information that I am looking for is that British records show this aircraft crashed at Grandreu,Belgium. But other information I have received from Luftwaffe reports says this Lancaster was shot down at
Estines au Val Belgium.
I would dearly love to know which is correct and if anyone can help, my grandfather and I would greatly appreciate it.

Also if anyone may have a photograph of P/O Bond or crew/aircraft could you also please let me know.

Thankyou very much for your time.
Wayne

Re: RAF 156 Sqdn Lancaster Crash Site
 

Hi Wayne !

The Lanc III (ND384/GT-D) from 156 Sqn was shot down at 05.15 h on January 2 1944 by the Hptm. Ludwig Meister, Staffelkapitän of the 1./NJG 4, and crashed at Estinnes-au-Val near the road going to Bray. All members of the crew were killed. Among them there was the P/O Allan Morassi, who was the son of Giuseppe and Furina Morassi coming from Brussels.

At Grandrieu, it was the Lanc I (DV308/SR-V) from 101 Sqn. This aircraft was shot down at 05.45 h by the Kommandeur of the NJG 4, Wilhelm Herget.

Kindest regards.

Re: RAF 156 Sqdn Lancaster Crash Site
 

Montana,
thankyou for your reply.

Please dont be offended but may I ask how you come about your information ?

I have been in touch with a chap in Belgium called Pierre Vandervelden who runs a great website on war graves(well worth a visit) the information he gathered for me agrees with yours. www.inmemories.com

Some how I think a mistake was made many years ago on the part of the British regarding these records,the trouble is when a mistake is made so long ago it is hard to correct.

Also are you aware if this crash site has been excavated ?

Thanks again for your reply.
All the best
Wayne