115 Squadron Lancaster LL864 8 Jun 1944 shootdown

[Siko54]

Hi all,

Just a quick request for a friend, who is the nephew of the pilot (RP Maude) of 115 Sqn C flight Lancaster LL864, KIA with his crew on 8 Jun 1944 when he was shotdown by a nightfighter. He has been trying to find the correct markings of his Uncle's Lancaster and has narrowed it down to A4-H or A4-H2.

Can anyone provide any assistance on what the correct code would be? Thank you

[RSwank]

The June 1944 squadron records can be viewed (or downloaded for free with a sign-on) here:

https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8386814

Just viewing on line is sometimes hard, but it appears that the plane was A4-H.

It shows with the Maude crew for the June 8 mission and also a previous June mission.

See image page 11 of 32.

[Siko54]

Thanks and you’re right about the A4-H. He did tell why he thought it could have been A4-H2 but I would assume the ORB would be correct. Thank you for your help, I’ve posted him towards this thread so hopefully he’ll pop in and say hello.

Cheers

[MW Giles]

Have not seen a 115 Sqn a/c listed with a squared code letter (e.g. H2)

Given that C Flight was given a different squadron code to A and B Flights (A4 instead of KO) this would have reduced further any need to have more than one A4-H on the unit

Given what it says in the ORB I feel A4-H2 is unlikely

One suggestion, the way A4 was rendered on the side of the fuselage with a large A and a small 4 high up could have left an impression in the memory that superscripts were used.

Regards

Martin

[Siko54]

Martin that's absolutely brilliant thank you!

[Rottler]

According to the Bomber Command Loss Card (7th June - 9th June 1944 page 17) the code was H2.

Regards
Leo