Hi,
Currently I keep me busy with the fate and loss of 26 OTU Wellington W5704 shotdown by Oblt Knacke 3 Kms W.of Middelbeers in The Netherlands. What puzzeled me is is the serialnumber good or wrong?? I also found WS704 and WG5704. What’s the 26 OTU code and can some one help me with the 26 OTU ORB’s for this crew and a/c?? Further I am eager to get in touch with relatives of the following crewmembers Sgt’s W.R.H.Whiting, J.H.G.Garrick and R.C.Williams. I am in touch with the relatives of Sgt Young and Hall(both RNZAF).
Thank you very much,
Adrian
By: T-21 - 25th July 2013 at 16:06
Bill Chorley’s BC OTU losses gives the code as “S” and it took off from RAF Graveley 23.45 hrs 30 May 42. It is thought Hptm Werner Streib 1./NJG1 shot it down. The two RNZAF crew were on loan from 27 OTU.
By: lancaster1 - 25th July 2013 at 09:41
Hi Gents,
-Many Thanks David for your response.
– Many Thanks Halcyon days and I send you a PM
Cheers,
Adrian
By: Halcyon days - 24th July 2013 at 21:39
Dont know all the answers but the serial would almost certainly be W5704 (Not WG or WS as they were issued much later-probably in the 1950 s or thereabouts.
I do have a little info on Reinhard Knacke though-as he was also responsible for the loss of a Lancaster that my Uncle was on.
PM me for some more details /photo etc if you would like what few details I have. He was later shot down by the rear gunner of a Halifax and was credited with 44 kills before he was shot down and killed.
By: David Thompson - 24th July 2013 at 21:36
Wellington Ic serial number W5704 , 26 OTU , shot down over Holland on 31 May 1942 killing its crew of five . This was the night of The Thousand Bomber Raid on Cologne in which several OTU’s took part and suffered many losses .
I’m sure others will add more shortly .
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July 24, 2013 at 8:10 pm