Lancaster DV245 "The Saint"

[Yeomans]

Can someone please clarify the crew details for DV245 on 23rd March 1945 when it was one of two Lancasters lost by 101 Squadron during an operation against Bremen ?

I have seen the crew variously reported with Flt. Lt R. P. Paterson as the pilot (spealt Patterson in some sources) or alternatively with F/O R. P. Little as the pilot. My particular interest is in F/S William G Yeomans who was in Paterson's crew but in which aircraft - DV245 or LL755 ? Sadly, WGY was one of the crew who did not survive - he is buried at Becklingen War Cemetery.

[Peter Clare]

Chorley, in his 'Bomber Command Losses' Vol.6 gives the following......

23 March 1945

101 Squadron
Lancaster III DV245 SR-S

Crew.

F/L. R P. Paterson RCAF. pow
P/O. K D S J. Ward. pow
F/O. M. Ornstein RCAF +
F/O. S. Dillon. pow
F/S. W G. Yeomans +
Sgt. A W. Greenhough +
F/O. W E. Thoroldson RCAF +

...........................

23 March 1945

101 Squadron
Lancaster I LL755 SR-U

Crew.

F/O. R R. Little RCAF +
F/S. A J. Clifton +
F/O. J G. Lee RCAF +
F/O. W H. Brooks RCAF +
Sgt. H. Woodards +
Sgt. T. Churchill +
Sgt. P S. Nelson +

[Yeomans]

Many thanks Peter.

I understand that Chorley is generally regarded as a "primary" source and yet in his book "Ton-up Lancs" I believe that Norman Franks does not list this crew as being that of DV245 on 23 March 1945 -hence my confusion. Unfortunately, I do not have a copy of the book but perhaps one of the Forum members would be kind enough to check this.

[lampie]

In "Ton Up Lancs" the crew listed for DV245 on 23rd March 1945 is the same as the crew listed in the previous reply for LL755.

Nige

[Yeomans]

Thanks Nige.

So which source is right ?
Does anyone know if the original operational records still exist for 101 Squadron which might resolve this mystery ?

[alieneyes1]

I have the 101 Sqn ORB which states that DV245 was piloted by Little and LL755 was piloted by Paterson. However, this is incorrect and just one of many mistakes which seem to have made their way in the ORB, especially in the 1945 timeframe.

I also have the service files of the RCAF navigators on both kites. The MRES portions of both make it clear that Ornstein was on DV245 (postwar photos of the wreckage included) and Lee, one of the few Chinese-Canadians in BC, was on LL755.

If it is of any help to the original poster:

F/Sgt Yeomans next of kin is listed on the telegram sent from the Squadron to the Air Ministry on 24 March as "Father, Mr W.S. Yeomans, 26 Munster Gardens, Palmers Green, London N13"

Yeomans, Greenhough, Thoroldson and Ornstein were first buried at Bremen-Osterholz kr. Oldenburg.

Dave

[Yeomans]

Dave,

I am very grateful to you for finally resolving my confusion as to which aircraft William Yeomans was a crew member of when he was sadly killed. He was the son of William Sutton Yeomans and Elizebeth Ellen Yeomans (nee Hyett).

Do you know if any photographs of DV245 or its crew on 23 March 1945 exist ?

Thanks again.

Nick

[alieneyes1]

Nick,

DV245 was in a race with another 101 Sqn Lancaster, H How (DV302) to see who would hit 100 ops first, so there may be a photo or two of DV245. I have one of DV302 with all her ground crew after she hit 100 ops. For the record, Saint beat How by two days but How survived the war. I don't own "Ton Up Lancs" so don't know if there is a photo in there.

As far as finding a photo of the kite with crew, that was very much discouraged on 101 Squadron owing to the ABC gear and the 8th crewman aboard. Of course, by this point in the war, 101 was operating with 7 man crews.

All I have crew wise is a photograph of the navigator, F/O Morley Ornstein, culled from his service file as well as a couple of photos of the wreckage.

Dave

[lampie]

Hi Nick.
There are three photos of DV245 in Ton Up Lancs.
One is a poor photo but shows the noseart and 40 bomb symbols.
Theres an overhead view dated 26th Sept 44 and a photo of it being bombed up which is dated March 1945.
A list of missions flown by the aircraft is included.
You should be able to pick up a copy of the book quite easily.
There are copies listed on Amazon for less than £10 inc P+P ( UK prices)

Hope this helps,
Nige

Hope

[Yeomans]

Dave - many thanks for the additional information and thanks too Nige for confirming that Ton Up Lancs does indeed have a few photos of DV245.

I wonder if anyone has contacted either the publishers or the author in an effort to put the record straight regarding the crew details.