Two Lancasters and Mosquito

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
Seeking details of SQUADRON'S and SERIAL NUMBER'S of
Two Lancaster's and a Mosquito that were destroyed while on the ground at B-67 Ursel, on 1st January 1945.
Many thanks
Alex

[Bertrand H]

Hi Alex,

According to the book Bodenplatte (Hikoki), John Manhro gives 417 RSU Mosquito XIII HX965, Lancaster 61 sqdn, LL777.

Bertrand

[Alex Smart]

Thank you Bertrand,

LL777 looks good, as landed in Belgium on December 6th, so either already damaged from ops and still under repair on 1st January.
One other to find then ?
HX965 ABHA100 - HZ999 just says 487/417 RSU - Destroyed in air raid 1.1.45 but does not state where.

Thank you again
Alex

[richard.k]

Hello Alex. Norman Franks book mentions HK-965 which is incorrect, should be HX-965. The two Lancasters are LL-777 ex 61 Squadron and ME-850 ex 15 Squadron.
Richard

[Leendert]

Interestingly, this story suggests that Lancaster ME850 was at Juvincourt, N. France, instead: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peop...a8966857.shtml

Regards,

Leendert

[Alex Smart]

Hello Bertrand,Richard & Leendert,
Perhaps the two Lancasters had been taken over by 417RSU at the time of the attack and that ME850 had been moved to a more central place to repair ?
Thanks,
Alex

[richard.k]

Did a bit more checking. Could not be ME-850 as the Vohwinkel attack took place on Jan 1/2,1945. Obviously after the German airfield attack on the morning of Jan 1st.
Richard