17/18 January 1943.

[Kevin Mears]

I am interested in the loss of Lancaster R5575 OF-L on the above date. My principle interest was the fact that the Wireless Operator, John Charles Brittain was related to my fiance. However, the search now goes deeper and has left me with a number of unanswered questions.

I have checked the sources I know about and have found that Sgt. Brittain's body was the only one recovered at Ulrum, on the Dutch Coast, though this was some six to seven weeks after his death.

For reasons I can't explain, other than that the claim records 'In See', I am drawn to the conclusion that this crew may have been the victim of OberLeutnant Ludwig Becker. possibly because he lists the claim as 20km North of Ameland.

However, there are other claims which have less precise locations and no matter how I try I cannot make sense of any of the codes given in Tony Wood's lists.

I would appreciate any help at all in clarifying whether or not this crew was the victim of Becker or if I am completely wrong in my assumptions, then perhaps someone might be able to point me in the right direction.

Regards,

Kevin Mears

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Hello Kevin,
I am also deeply interested on the German Nightfighters activities.
Firstly: Do you know the take-off time of the machine of your relative? ( OF-L )?
Second: The target was Berlin, one would have to have the flight plan to verify some interesting points, such as: ETO ( Estimated Time Over - the target ) and estimated time over Ameland.
Third: Oblt Martin Drewes, who lives in Brazil was one of the victors this night. He and Major Jabs claimed - each one - a Shor Stirling. However, there were NO Stirlings flying this night! Martin Drewes gave me a superficial accout of how he clearly saw the tail separating from the fuselage, etc...BUT, from Middlebrook´s The Bomber Command War Diaries, there is no such loss.
IF you possess this DATA ( take-off time and the route taken by the bombers; I mean the flight plan ), it would be easier to find out or "guesstimate" the probable Luftwaffe pilot ( or Flak unit ) who claimed your relative´s Lancaster....
This is why it is so difficult to trace the correct claims on the Night Air War...
Hope I helped a bit. If you need any information or if I can help in anyway, please feel free to ask me.
Sincere and friendly yours
Adriano ( from Brazil )

[Kevin Mears]

Adriano, hi! (or should that be Bom Noche?)

I'm beginning to realise that OF-L could have fallen victim to any one of at least six attacks. I suspect we are working from the same information, by which I mean Tony Wood's site, which lists six aircraft as 'In see.' I suppose our crew could have fallen victim to any one of those attacks.

Unfortunately, I do not have an actual route used to Berlin that night, nor do I have a time over the target. In fact the last known position I have for OF-L is taking off from Woodhall Spa at 17:03.

Because the body of Sgt. Brittain was not discovered until April 9th, I suspect we may be on something of an impossible task here. There is absolutely no way of knowing when Sgt. Brittain entered the water or even whether he parachuted out of the aircraft.

All I can say is that any help is most welcome as is any advice.

Thanks for taking the time to help, it really is appreciated. If you have any further ideas or thoughts please let me know.

Warmest Regards,

Kevin.