I’ve a friend here in the office who’s father was a wireless operator on 50 Sqn in World War II.
My friend is trying to find out more about the Lancaster that his father was shot down in. What we know so far is as follows:-
Lancaster (mark unknown)
Serial LM437
Sqn code VN-P
50 Sqn
RAF Skellingthorpe.
Shot down 3/4th May 1944 at Mailly Le Camp
The pathfinder (Mosquito pilot) on that raid was one Leonard Cheshire, no less!
It was Sgt Walter Richardson’s last flight of the war and he was the only survivor of his crew, though he escaped with burns so bad that the French resistance handed him to the Germans for hospitalisation.
Can anyone offer anything futher on this aircraft, the raid or Walter Richardson please? Images of the Lancaster in question would also be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
Kurt
By: lcfc - 6th April 2009 at 16:57
Walter Richardson
Hi Kurt,
Have you been able to speak to keith yet, was he happy to let me have his contact details as I haven’t received anything yet.
Regards
LCFC
By: CIRCUS 6 - 20th March 2009 at 21:58
I’ll PM his contact number, when I’ve chatted with him to confirm he’s happy with that. I’ll get back to you soon.
Cheers,
Kurt
By: lcfc - 20th March 2009 at 13:39
Walter Richardson
Hi Kurt,
If I could have Keiths contact details that would be good & I can get in touch with him. I would really like some information / pictures about Walter Richardson..
Regards
Steve
By: Wyvernfan - 12th March 2009 at 16:37
Bomber Command raid on Mailly-Le-Camp 3/4 May 1944.
346 Lancaster’s and 14 Mosquitoes of 1 and 5 Groups and 2 Pathfinder Mosquitoes to bomb a German military camp situated close to the French village of Mailly. 42 Lancaster’s lost.
Peter.
42 lost in just one night.. you know reading things like that makes me feel truly humble and grateful for my freedom.!
By: lcfc - 12th March 2009 at 16:30
Hi Kurt,
If I could have Keiths contact details that would be good & I can get in touch with him. I would really like some information / pictures about Walter Richardson..
Regards
Steve
By: lcfc - 11th March 2009 at 13:21
Keiths contact details
Hi Kurt,
Sorry for the last email I hadn’t seen your reply. I am new to this site. If I could have Keiths contact details that would be good 7 I can get in touch with him.
Regards
Steve
Hi Steve,
If you know his son Keith, he has all the information. I received lots of info from the RAF Museum and found out how Walter was ejected from the aircraft. If you don’t have Keiths contact info, I can provide it with his consent.
Cheers,
Kurt
By: lcfc - 11th March 2009 at 13:17
Walter Richardson
Hi Kurt,
I may have some information on Walter Richardson if you are still interested.
Regards
Steve
I’ve a friend here in the office who’s father was a wireless operator on 50 Sqn in World War II.
My friend is trying to find out more about the Lancaster that his father was shot down in. What we know so far is as follows:-
Lancaster (mark unknown)
Serial LM437
Sqn code VN-P
50 Sqn
RAF Skellingthorpe.
Shot down 3/4th May 1944 at Mailly Le CampThe pathfinder (Mosquito pilot) on that raid was one Leonard Cheshire, no less!
It was Sgt Walter Richardson’s last flight of the war and he was the only survivor of his crew, though he escaped with burns so bad that the French resistance handed him to the Germans for hospitalisation.
Can anyone offer anything futher on this aircraft, the raid or Walter Richardson please? Images of the Lancaster in question would also be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
Kurt
By: CIRCUS 6 - 6th March 2009 at 21:43
I saw you questions about Walter Richardson. I believe that he was a relation of mine and I have been trying to find some information about him. Did you receive any info or photo’s about him. If you did I would be pleased to here from you.
Regards
Steve
Hi Steve,
If you know his son Keith, he has all the information. I received lots of info from the RAF Museum and found out how Walter was ejected from the aircraft. If you don’t have Keiths contact info, I can provide it with his consent.
Cheers,
Kurt
By: lcfc - 6th March 2009 at 16:25
Walter Richardson
I saw you questions about Walter Richardson. I believe that he was a relation of mine and I have been trying to find some information about him. Did you receive any info or photo’s about him. If you did I would be pleased to here from you.
Regards
Steve
I’ve a friend here in the office who’s father was a wireless operator on 50 Sqn in World War II.
My friend is trying to find out more about the Lancaster that his father was shot down in. What we know so far is as follows:-
Lancaster (mark unknown)
Serial LM437
Sqn code VN-P
50 Sqn
RAF Skellingthorpe.
Shot down 3/4th May 1944 at Mailly Le CampThe pathfinder (Mosquito pilot) on that raid was one Leonard Cheshire, no less!
It was Sgt Walter Richardson’s last flight of the war and he was the only survivor of his crew, though he escaped with burns so bad that the French resistance handed him to the Germans for hospitalisation.
Can anyone offer anything futher on this aircraft, the raid or Walter Richardson please? Images of the Lancaster in question would also be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
Kurt
By: FarlamAirframes - 27th March 2008 at 19:37
VN R
There was a website related to the crash of ED 394 VN R – which crashed at Brampton in Cumbria in January 43. She was on a training mission and the home base in Lincolnshire was fogged in – so she tried to land at Carlisle. After failing the first approach she tried to go up for a second but did not have enough power. She crashed and slid for half a mile before hitting a small barn behind Kirkby Moor House and exploding. Some of the crew were blown free but most perished along with a large number of dogs and wedding presents stored in the barn.
The web site was there 12 months ago – but has lapsed. There were several ministry crash photos and details of the crew.
By: Arabella-Cox - 27th March 2008 at 19:17
Just a typo on my part, Kurt. LM437 isn’t in my database.
By: CIRCUS 6 - 27th March 2008 at 11:26
[QUOTE=Air Ministry;1232814]Sorry Kurt, but LM457 does not appear to be in my database of Lancasters in published works.
I’m sorry Air Ministry, the Lanc in question is LM437.
Cheers, Kurt
By: David Layne - 27th March 2008 at 09:12
Not much information but I understand the website is just getting going. I would imagine they will accept photographic contributions. I have some Hampden pictures from 50 Squadron I have offered them.
By: Arabella-Cox - 27th March 2008 at 09:05
Sorry Kurt, but LM457 does not appear to be in my database of Lancasters in published works. I have no leads to offer, except maybe a direct approach to the 50 Squadron Association, 35 Wetherby Crescent, Lincoln LN16 8SY? (I lifted this off the net, so it may not be up to date).
Do you know about the 50 and 60 Sqn memorial at Skellingthorpe? There are lots of Lanc (and crew) photos, and you might be lucky.
http://raf-lincolnshire.info/skellingthpe/skellingthpememorial.htm
By: CIRCUS 6 - 27th March 2008 at 08:33
Thank you all, all very good! Any more? (I know I’m asking alot).:)
Kurt
By: David Layne - 27th March 2008 at 00:46
Here’s a couple of 50 Squadron’s VN N.
By: Smith - 27th March 2008 at 00:34
And this well known (and frankly superb) photograph of LM446 of 619 squadron
By: David Layne - 26th March 2008 at 23:57
VN-T and VN-D
Also check this web site.
By: David Layne - 26th March 2008 at 18:10
ED588 VN-G
By: CIRCUS 6 - 26th March 2008 at 14:35
Brilliant info on the raid! Thanks for that.
Sgt Walter Richardson went on to become a member of the Guinea Pig Club and according to his son (a serving Warrant Officer) got promoted twice whilst lying in bed!! (Hmm how things have changed).
Can anyone help me with an image of the aircraft in question or maybe even one from 50 Sqn (Codes VN-…) of the same era?
Kurt
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March 26, 2008 at 8:26 am