[Mortar]

Ladies and Gentleman,

I have joined this site as a ruse to asking, the "experts" out there, if they could assist me in researching the above Aircraft.
Through my work I have recently made the acquaintance of an elderly lady,who's very dear friend was the pilot of the above Bomber, he has recently passed away and as we were talking she mentioned to me she would love to know more ...and to this end my interest was aroused,being a veteran of the Iraq conflict ...I have taken the mantle and hope the"experts" maybe able to help me?

Following is a short resume of what I have already researched:

Mission and Formation

Leipzig 19/02/44 - 20/02/44

100 Squadron RAF


Aircraft

Lancaster Mk3
Serial Number ND571
Call Sign or (XiD) HW-N (Nuts)

Was delivered to 100 Sqn early Feb 1944 and only had 11 flying hours logged.

Was logged as Airbourne as of 1923420244 or for those not familiar with British Military Date and Time Groups 19th Feb 23.42 1944

Crew

(Crew Roles are as Informant recalls, and only one crewman is still alive,all survived the war and the action of 20/02/44,but all but one have since expired,therefore roles maybe incorrect)

Pilot : 150181 F/O George Roy Sidebotham (Later A/Sqn Ldr) RAF Deceased
Flight Engineer : F/O J "Jack" McLmason RCAF Believed Alive Canada
Navigator : P/O O.G. "Jock" Parry RAF Deceased
Bomb Aimer : F/Sgt R. H Dray RAF Deceased
Wireless Op : Sgt V.R. "Vic" Mendelski RAF Deceased
Mid Upper Turret : Sgt C.G.R "Cyril" Pope RAF Deceased
Rear Gunner : Sgt S Ambrose RAF Believed Deceased

Operation

(As recounted from Informant)

Arrived on target early had to circle tgt and await pathfinders, Low cloud cover,Bombs were dropped effect unknown, On Route out was sucessfully engaged by a German Night Fighter at 18,000 Feet approx 02.38 local.

Shot Down around the area of Stendal

Crew ordered to bailed out and Aircraft was flew on by Pilot but went out of control,Pilot Baled out, Have found a snippet of info stating aircraft crashed approx 02.43 local 6Km from Langehagen Airfield (now Hanover Airport)

Enemy Action

Only recorded action of a Lancaster "Kill" I could find at that time and place was recorded by

Lt Otto Fries from 8/JG302 who claimed a Lancaster shot down near Leipzig at 02.40 Local possibly flying a Me110


My questions are

1, Is it possible to define the crash site
2, How can I confirm the the German Pilot
3, Any other Info warmly accepted

Sorry for the long post ....Hope you can help

Thankyou in advance