Lancaster JB149

[squawk]

Hello Colleagues! Thank you all for your advice and apologies for the delay in posting. Now snow free, broken things replaced/repaired (among other tasks and responsibilities), I am back to doing interesting things again!

Following this through on behalf of another researcher, it was he who was given the lead about the lakes. Knowing of a Wellington which crashed over a shallow Eastern European lake and remained uncleared until the 1990s, I had an open mind on the suggestion. The "Unknown Airman" graves are certainly a possibility, as is the effect of explosions on any recovery activity.

I understand the Australian files have been checked to little effect, and the survivors when asked during the war by Red Cross could add little more detail.

I am due an expedition to the National Archives in the Spring to check the Liberated POW Questionnaires in case more information was forthcoming then.

Thank you all again and a rather late Happy New Year!

"Squawk"

[Bandlaw Charlie]

As ICARE says, you're very fortunate to have had an Australian POW as the relevant authorities of the time always carried out fairly extensive post war investigations into the causes of the crash and its possible location.

The Australian Archives are I think far ahead of the current British military archival system based at Innsworth in Gloucestershire...where no one except the individual in question or very close relatives are allowed to access personnel files....with written permission of course......pretty stupid when you are talking about events that occured more than 60-70 years ago....and with the distinct possibility that the person in question is well and truly dead....the average age of a second World War soldier is now 91, after all !!!!

Anyway, I'd better hop off my high horse and give you some details..
Here's the website:
www.naa.gov.au

Go to Name Search...enter the name of the chap, and then select World War Two in the drop down menu or Category of Records menu...

Have a go and Good Luck to you....!!!!!

cheers,
Andy.

[squawk]

Thanks Andy. I agree and could add to what you say about the attitude of the UK Authorities compared to Canada Australia and New Zealand, but my blood pressure pills are running low!

That does not take away from the dogged and dutiful work done by many members of the MRES after the war.

I will check the Australian records myself just in case anything has been overlooked by my colleague.

Many thanks for your advice,

"Squawk"