Lancaster loss ND672 22/23 March 1944

[FrankieS]

Hi !
Does anybody have more info on the Lancaster detailed below
(data taken from the excellent www.lostbombers.co.uk site):

My question: Which of the four german 'Beckum' was the
true crash site? Where there was the exact
crash place?

Also any other new details appreciated.

THANK YOU !!!
--------------------------------------------


Type
Lancaster
Serial Number
ND672
Squadron
49
X1D
EA-U
Operation
Frankfurt
Date 1
22nd March 1944
Date 2
23rd March 1944


"Serial range ND324 - NE181 This aircraft was one of 600 Lancaster Mk.111s ordered from A.v.roe
(chadderton) and delivered from Dec43 to May44 with Merlin 38 engines. ND672 was delivered to No.49
Squadron ex-32MU Mar44. Carried the IDs EA-F/U ND672 was one of two No.49 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this
operation. See ND536. ND672 took part in the Key Raid on Stuttgart 15/16Mar44. When lost, this aircraft had a
total of 17 hours. Airborne 1911 22Mar44 from Fiskerton. Cause of loss not established. Crashed at Beckum,
from where funeral services for those killed were reported. They have been subsequently re-interred in the
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery alongside their Squadron comrades from ND536. F/O D.G.Turner KIA Sgt
E.Lee KIA Sgt S.J.Upton KIA F/O W.Pearce KIA Sgt L.H.Nightingale KIA Sgt P.D.Velasco PoW Sgt
J.N.E.Bennett RCAF KIA F/O Turner and three of this crew had survived an 'accidental' ditching 22/23Nov43.
See: JB229. Sgt P.D.Velasco was interned in Camp L1. No PoW No. "

[Alex Smart]

Hi,

Velasco was originaly from Valparaso . Then California.
Target was Frankfurt (BCL vol 5).
BCWD has 620 Lancasters 26 being lost.
On the other side 948 killed, 346 seriously injured and 120,000 bombed out.
Following this and earlier raids downed pow's had to be protected from angry civilians when passing through Frankfurt.

Alex

[FrankieS]

Thank you, Alex.
Any info then on the actual crash site?
Are there any documents (like f.ex. MACR on the USAAF side)?

bye

[ajhales]

Are you still looking for information on ND672?

[FrankieS]

yes, you have more info on the site?

[Henk Welting]

Found three 'Beckum' in ADAC Map Germany 2007/2008 scale 1:150.000
Postalcode 26935 - 58802 and 59269.
Permanent burials at Kleve assume the Beckum you're looking for is
Plz 59269 in Nordrheinwestfalen, NE of Hamm.
Regards,
Henk.

[FrankieS]

Thanx yes there are four:

26935 Beckum-Stadland
44581 Beckum Castrop-Rauxel
58802 Beckum-Balve
59269 Beckum (my home town)

[ajhales]

I have quite a bit of information regarding the crew themselves as one was a relative. I also have some details of previous operations as well as some information on what happened to the Lancaster that night and possibly details on who shot it down if this would be of interest?

[FrankieS]

Hi ajhales !

Principally I am interested to find out whether the "BECKUM"
given as crash site is MY home town.
There is a publication of wartime history of my Beckum,
but w/o any evidence for a RAF crash there. I think
it was one of the other 3 Beckum.
Thank you in advance for any further hints.
Happy 2nd Advent all,

FrankieS

[Henk Welting]

Originally Posted by ajhales

I have quite a bit of information regarding the crew themselves as one was a relative. I also have some details of previous operations as well as some information on what happened to the Lancaster that night and possibly details on who shot it down if this would be of interest?

If you have this info available why don't you share it with us by means of this forum ?
Regards,
Henk.