61 Squadron O.R.B.

Hi Jim
I’ve also got her down for Bremershaven 18/19 Sept, Rheydt 19/20 Sept & Munster 23/24 Sept all with different crews. Her story then stops until the morning of the 15th Jan when she crashed into the CHEL mast at Salthouse in Norfolk. I think a return trip to the P.R.O. is called for.
Andy

The a/c was LM 720 in my opinion.

Air Britain series “LA100 to LZ999” gives LM720 as a Lancaster III, that served with 61. Collided with a radar mast on return from Merseburg, 15/1/45

LM920 doesn’t exist. The number falls within a batch of Warwicks that were cancelled.

Mason’s “Lancaster” also has 720 with 61. As well as the Merseburg raid, it has other significent ops as Calais, 29/9/44, Brunswick, 14/15/10/44, Trondheim 22/23/11/44.

Hope that helps

Jim

Thanks for the replies
I should have noticed the changed serial number earlier so I could have looked for more entries LM920. I have not been able to find any other information on this serial No. so the most likely thing is that it is infact LM720 as this serial stops being used around the same time. As far as I can tell LM720 was only ever with 61 Squadron as I have a copy of A.M. form 78 which gives a delivery date of Sept 1st and the O.R.B gives the date 10th Sept for its first OP.
Andy

From my information LM720 was lost on a raid along with 12 other Lancasters at or near Leuna on 14-15/01/45, no infomration on the crew though, Could not find anything on LM920 being lost in 1945 though, or lost at all for that matter and though I have never taken the time to count them this database contains information on I believe all 3249 lancasters lost between 1942 & 45anyway, if it turns up I’ll post it, added a few links on 61 sqd for you too look over, and one for some interesting facts and figures.

http://www.worldwar2exraf.co.uk/Information.htm

http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/Information_page_+_3_pic_det.asp?id=8756&sec_id=2148

http://www.lancaster-archive.com/bc-stats.html

From 78

Duh. I shoudlnt’ watch TV at the same time as ding this! You should get the form 78 or movement card for your aircraft from RAF Museum Hendon. This should give you a clue as to where your kite was posted to and when stuck off charge!
P

Hi Yokel,
I have checked the Accident Record Card for this incident and it is quite specific in recording the aircraft as LM720. In fact, LM920 was an unissued serial number. If you are tracing the history of LM720, Hendon would probably sell you a copy of the Aircraft Movements Card for it. It won’t tell you it’s ops, only it’s various placements and previous mishaps.
Regards, Doug.

61 ops again

I forgot to mention that it is quite possible that an aircaft was damaged and under repair for a couple of months, or on detachement to another squadron or Command. Coastal for example.
P

61 sqn ops

The sqn ops records are notoriously inaccurate. Unfortunately this is also true of Harry’s book which has clearly not been proof read with care. You have to corroborate your evidence with as many sources as possible. Books, other researchers, veterans and forums etc. Also look at Station record books, raid reports, night fighter records, combat reports, biographies.

The ops records AIR27 often miss out ops, put ops in which an a/c never did and keep aircraft flying long after they had bee shot down. Often second dickie ops were not recorded etc.

Peter