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