Loss of Lancaster LM 258, HA-Q, 218 Sqn, 26.08.1944?

[Joe Potter]

Shortly before it crashed this aircraft was seen to be flying on only its starboard engines, my question is what obvious difficulties would its pilot have had?
Thanks.
Joe

[Steve Smith]

Hi Joe,

I am the association historian.

The aircraft was seen to have been hit by flak while over St.Omar with the result that two engines were damaged. Not sure what you mean however about "obvious difficulties would its pilot have had" ?

Regards

Steve

[Joe Potter]

Hi Steve,
Would it have been possible to turn to starboard? as the landing gear was seen to be down, three miles out, would this indicate a loss of hydraulic power, and the gear may have dropped under its own weight, I am told the hydraulic pump was driven by port inner.
Joe

[Steve Smith]

Hi Joe,

I am no Lancaster expert re hydraulics. !
Witnesses record that the Lancaster flown by F/Lt Douglas Haggis approached Felixstowe from the S.W with its u/c lowered and both port engines feathered . After circling the town it is assumed that the pilot was trying to locate place to make a forced landing.While banking near the New Pier the aircraft banked to port (into the feathered engines) side slipped and dived into the sea.

Other than the obvious difficulties of two defective engines, a lowered undercarriage (which would have be suicidal to have attempted a ditching and therefore could establish hydraulic failure) and added the addition of flak damage I can only speculate. I would have presumed exhaustion would have been a major factor as LM258 HA-Q was hit by flak over the target area resulting in the pilot having to fly back on two engines. Another factor could have been lack of operational experience on the Lancaster. The crew was on their third operation on the type having flown their first Lancaster trip on August 11th against Lens Marshalling Yards just 4 days prior. The Haggis crew had until this fateful trip completed 9 operations, 7 of which were flown with Short Stirling Mk.IIIs
Regards

Steve

[Joe Potter]

Steve,
Thanks very much.
Regards
Joe

[Steve Smith]

Joe,

More than welcome, whats your interest in this crew. I have a crew photograph if required.

Cheers

Steve

[Joe Potter]

Steve,
I was the guy who had a memorial to this crew placed on the wall of Felixstowe town hall, we did correspond at the time.

[Steve Smith]

Hi Joe,

Blimey Joe, I cannot remember last month. I was there however with Bob Collis and Margery Griffiths of 218.

Wonderful tribute.

Steve