David LayneI really haven’t any knowledge on this, but I’d guess that the FR stands for Firing Range, and the T stands for Target.
Moggy
They were flying in Whitleys firing at a target being towed by a Battle. I think the “T” probably stands for Tow as in FR Under Tow?
Another attachment.
David LayneThanks Bas for your efforts. I guess I will have to wait another eleven years!
David LayneMany thanks, I have e mailed Hendon and await their reply.
David LayneThanks for the suggestion Don. Unfortunatly the direct link does not seem to work.
David LayneNot avialable in my area!
David Layne
David LayneI was recently in correspondence with an individual that was seeking pictures of Bomber Command aircrew that were stationed in the vicinity of Lincoln.
The pictures were to be displayed in a bar in the “The Lincoln Hotel” which was in the process of being refurbished.
As my correspondence was almost a year ago I presume this has already been accomplished.
I’m sure an enquiry at the “The Lincoln Hotel” would answer any quesrtions.
David Layne[QUOTE=piston power!;1584907]What you really mean is it worth a few quid or not!
Purely for insurance purposes.
David LayneIt is the Carlos Brown crew.
David LayneJB 221 was lost on the night of 25/26 November, not 26/27 November.
David LayneHere is a thread pertaining to this aircraft and crew.
http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7332
And here also
http://www.firebynight.co.uk/Crew%20Brown.html
As my father also flew with 97 Squadron and I look forward to any further information that might be forthcoming.
Below is a copy of the squadron’s orbs for that operation.
Out of the 19 aircraft detailed for operations, which were to attack Frankfurt, three aircraft were withdrawn. Remainder bombed in 9/10ths cloud top about 1,800’ in thin layer – vis good. Defence – H/F moderate – barrage bursting 16-18,000’. S/Ls ineffective, some enemy aircraft fighter activity. First TIs were fairly well concentrated, later flares were seen wide of target and scattered bombing followed. Fires were scattered over an area of some 8 miles radius. Fires were seen reflected in the clouds from 40 miles away but a good concentrated attack was not achieved. F/L Brown (Can/USA) and crew failed to return. This crew was operating for the first time with this Squadron.
25/26 November 1943 – Frankfurt
JA908N P/O J.Roberts, P/O S.R.Arter, F/Sgt R.Dudley, F/Sgt G.Young, F/Sgt H.J.Blower, Sgt P.A.Marsh, F/Sgt W.A.Parsley. Up 0025 Down 0600. 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 1000lb. Frankfurt bombed from 18,800’. Cloud obscured target and aircraft was too early on target to observe results.
JB353L F/O C.T.Wilson, Sgt T.W.Smith, F/O G.W.Borthwick, F/O G.A.Watling, Sgts L.G.Jones, G.Harper, H.J.Pleydell. Up 0135 Down 0555. 4 x 2000lb. Target bombed from 18,000’. 9/10ths cloud tops at 15,000’. On approaching target a large green flash and explosion was seen under cloud in target area.
JB243P F/O K.M.Steven, Sgt A.C.East, F/Sgt S.B.Stevenson, P/O R.R.Brown, Sgt W.C.Gadsby, W/O C.J.Skinner, Sgt K.D.Newman. Up 0020 Down 0550. 4 x 2000lb. Frankfurt attacked from 18,100’. 10/10ths cloud tops at 10,000’ to 18,000’. Vis fair. “Y” used to locate aiming point.
JA960E F/L J.W.Pelletier, Sgt J.H.Hare, P/O R.J.Conley, P/O P.M.Lowick, F/Sgt A.W.Burnell, F/Sgt F.R.Watson, F/O G.Polson. Up 0015 Down 0550. 4 x 2000lb. Frankfurt bombed through 10/10ths cloud. Vis poor and hazy. No markers seen before bombing. Slight glow from one or two fires.
JB422H F/O J.H.Nicholls, Sgt S.A.Smith, F/O R.Easson, F/Sgt R.A.Jolley, Sgts J.Gardner, W.D.Ogilvie, R.Whitehead. Up 0025 Down 0610. 4 x 2000lb. Target bombed from 18,500’. Two TI reds only were seen but were well placed. Target located by “Y”.
JB312Z G/C N.H.Fresson, F/Sgt A.J.Newell, P/O I.Worth, W/O J.Bartholomew, W/O R.Dickie, F/Sgt G.W.Wood, F/Sgt A.J.Croll. Up 0025 Down 0600. 4 x 2000lb. Frankfurt bombed from 21,500’. 10/10ths cloud and poor visibility. After bombing, red glow was observed beneath cloud.
JB221S F/L C.M.Brown, Sgts A.Smith, I.B.Watson, P/O H.C.Aley, B.F.Tutt (Heathcote ?), D.Little, F/Sgt R.W.Sinden. Up 0030 – missing.
JA963Q F/L D.Brill, Sgt J.Stone, F/O A.W.Weston, P/O R.Butler, Sgt H.Chappell, P/O C.J.Little, F/Sgt E.Battle. Up 0030 Down 0630. 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 1000lb. Frankfurt attacked from 19,500’. Target marked by 8 TI red. A red glow was in bomb sight as bombs were released.
JB535J F/O L.Wheble, Sgts J.Burt, R.E.Page, P/O J.Gordon, Sgts J.Grieve, J.J.Reid, R.C.Pitcon. Up 0025 Down 0705. 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 1000lb. Aiming point of target identified by red, green and yellow TIs. Bombs dropped on Frankfurt from 19,500’. Aircraft was attacked by flak and searchlight and a fighter flare appeared on starboard side at the same time.
LM366O P/O A.J.Coleman, Sgts F.E.Durn, L.G.Lock, F/Sgt V.N.Turner, Sgts C.Matthews, C.R.Jones, J.E.Marchant. Up 0030 Down 0630. 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 1000lb. Target bombed from 18,000’ and identified by red TI. Two red TIs were seen cascading before bombing. Visibility good.
JB119F S/L D.Mackenzie, P/O J.J.Farrant, F/Sgt R.Marshall, F/Sgt I.G.Stephens, F/Sgt A.Hunter, F/Sgt W.A.Lang, F/Sgt K.Kirby. Up 0015 Down 0605. 24 flares, 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 2 x 1000lb. Frankfurt bombed from a height of 18,000’. Aiming point calculated by timed run. Vis hazy and cloud prevented any observation of results.
JA857G F/L W.Riches, Sgt G.Winter, P/O H.W.Watts, Sgt E.H.Pack, F/Sgt J.Wrigley, Sgt R.W.Lowe, F/O L.W.Booth. Up 0000 Down 0545. 24 flares, 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 2 x 1000lb. Target bombed from 18,400. Thick cloud and haze obscured view of results. 10/10ths cloud to 10,000’. No markers seen on arrival.
JB232U F/L C.P.C.de Wesselow, F/Sgt W.S.Bamlett, F/Sgt S.Carlyle, F/O W.G.Cooper, F/Sgt F.White, W/O G.Muckart, F/O J.J.Saynor. Up 0005 Down 0535. 24 flares, 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 1000lb. Frankfurt bombed from a height of 18,000. Vis fair. Large explosion with whitish flash seen on cloud. Cloud made TIs useless.
JB190V P/O L.V.Hyde, Sgt M.E.Putt, P/O E.H.Palmer, P/O J.Craig, F/Sgt E.Hill, Sgt D.Sweeney, F/Sgt R.Taylor. Up 0030 Down 0640. 6 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 1000lb. Target identified by TIs red and bombed from 19,500’. Glow of fires could be seen and smoke rising to about 3,000’. Built up area seen through break in cloud.
JB219R P/O D.A.Montgomery, F/Sgt R.C.Granger, P/O W.G.Wishart, P/O R.N.Nelson, F/Sgt J.Baker, F/Sgt S.N.Neill, F/O F.Woods. Up 0005 Down 0535. 4 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 2 x 1000lb. Frankfurt attacked from 18,000’. 10/10ths cloud tops at 18,000’. Vis fair. Large explosion seen on cloud.
JB470T F/L E.F.Cawdery, Sgts J.A.Pearson, K.Swales, P/O J.Peden, Sgts A.J.Tindall, J.H.McGregor, F/Sgt E.H.Hansen. Up 0035 Down 0600. 6 x TI, 1 x 4000lb, 6 x 1000lb. Frankfurt attacked from 20,000’. Target identified by red TIs. Sudden glow observed below clouds at 0250 hours. No markers seen.
Extract from Bomber Command Losses – 25/26.11.43
Lancaster III JB221 OF – W. Op Frankfurt. T/O 0030 Bourn. Crashed at Brandau, 12km SSW of Reinheim. At least five were laid to rest at Brandau, though four, including F/L Brown, their American skipper, are now commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. At Durnbach War Cemetery are the graves of F/O Aley RCAF and both air gunners.
F/L C.M.Brown Croix de Guerre RCAF(+), P/O G.Smith(+), P/O T.Watson(+), F/O H.C.Aley RCAF(+), Sgt B.F.Tutt(+), Sgt D.H.W.Little(+), F/S R.W.Sinden RAAF(+).
David LayneThanks gate1, your knowledge and expertise is appreciated.
David LayneI always thought this aircraft was a prime candidate for having turbine engines installed.
David LayneI thought this might be a good place to post this as it is a poem about a ground crew member.
Ain’t feelin’ quite so good today, I’m even off me beer!
Altho’ they’ve given me 10 days leave, I still feel kinda queer,
I’ve had a nasty shock you see, I’ve lost my biggest chum,
It happened just a week ago, and better men don’t come.
My pal’s a famous fighter ace, DSO and DFC,
His score of Jerry buses had just reached twenty-three.
Squadron Leader Brand, the finest bloke I’ve met,
Him and me was really pals, that makes you smile I bet.
Him a proper English gent, public school and Oxford Blue
And me a common Cockney bloke, just an AC2.
A Spitfire fighter pilot and his rigger, that was us
The bloke who did the scrapping and me what did his bus.
A “fighting team” he said we were, altho’ he’d got three rings.
“Jimmy you’re all right,” he said, altho’ he’d got the wings.
“You’re the bloke that I depend on when I’m up there in a fight,
I can’t shoot ’em down unless you fix my Spitfire right.”
He was always kind and thoughtful, when my missus had a kid,
He sent a wire, a bunch of flowers, as well as fifteen quid.
I told him I was grateful, said I’d make it up to him,
He gave a crooked smile and said, “You owe me nothing Jim.”
I’ve got a pair of silver Wings, two medals on my chest,
My name’s been in the papers, there’s promotion and the rest.
I’ve got twenty-three swastikas painted on my petrol tank
For all these things it’s blokes like you I’ve really got to thank.”
The day he’d been to see the King to get his DSO
They ‘ad a lovely party, all ‘is friends and the CO.
But ‘e got away for just a while to buy us drinks all round,
“You can’t win medals in the sky with dud blokes on the ground.”
“Killer” Brand they called him, the pilot of no Wing,
What a name to give a bloke who’d never harm a thing,
Except when he was chasing Huns; Blimey then he’d fight!
You see he’d lost his sister when Jerry came one night.
The girls were crazy after him, they chased him near and far,
Made his life a misery, just like a movie star.
Wouldn’t have no truck with ’em, perhaps they thought him dumb,
If they did, he didn’t worry, his best girl was his Mum.
A week ago last Monday, I won’t forget that day,
It was cold wet and dreary, all the sky was grey.
They took off them twelve Spitfires on an early morning sweep,
Just like a hundred other days, I waved and said “God keep”.
I couldn’t seem to settle down the time they was away,
I seemed to have a feeling this was going to be his day.
I waited on the airfield ’til I sighted them – and then,
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
I quickly checked them over, but his crate it wasn’t there.
I asked the other pilots if they’d seen him bail and where?
They’d seen him crashing down in flames, “Tony’s gone we fear.”
I ain’t feeling quite so good today – I’m even off me beer!
David LayneThis site is dedicated to ejections and makes interesting reading.
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