Lancaster loss 22/23 May 1944...

[Zippy1]

Hi all,

I'm trying to help a mate find out a bit of info on a relative of his,Vaughan Davies,who was killed on the night of 22/23 May 1944.
He was a Lancaster rear gunner and was presumably lost on either the Dortmund or Braunschweig (Brunswick) raids that night,my friend was not able to supply me with any more details except that Mr Davies is now buried in the Reichswald war cemetary.
Unfortunately I have all the Bomber Command losses books by Chorley except the 1944 one (sod's law),so if anyone who has a copy could search the date in question and furnish me with the details of Mr Davies aircraft (squadron,take off time,airfield,crash area if known) I (and Taffy) would be very thankful,

cheers,

Zippy1...

[Peter Clare]

From Bomber Command Losses Vol.5. W R. Chorley.

22-23 May 1944

103 Squadron
Lancaster III ND629 PM-G
Op. Dortmund.

Crew.
P/O. W J D. Charles RCAF +
Sgt. A E. Lee +
F/O. O. Wright RCAF +
F/O. L S. Kennedy RCAF +
P/O. D A. Wiener +
Sgt. V. Davies +
Sgt. H A. Shephard +

Took off 2234 hrs Elsham Wolds. Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed 5km N of Ahaus.

Hope this is a help

Regards
Peter

[Peter Clare]

22-23 May 1944

Dortmund.

361 Lancaster's and 14 Mosquitoes of 1,3,6 and 8 Groups carried out the first large raid on this target for a year. 18 Lancaster's were lost.
The attack fell mainly in the south-eastern districts of Dortmund, mostly in residential areas. 852 houses and 6 industrial buildings were destroyed; 788 houses were seriously damaged. 335 Germans and 26 prisoners of war were killed and 1,697 people were injured.

Bomber Command Diaries. Middlebrook - Everitt.

[Zippy1]

Thanks guys,much appreciated..