Here is ED862 “Spurius” taken on May 13th 1943 prior to a trip to Pilzen. This aircraft was lost on one of the Hamburg raids 29/30 July 1943.

ED862P F/O R.A.Fletcher, Sgt J.Nelson, F/Sgt M.I.Robertson, Sgt J.F.Beesley, F/Sgt W.N.Layne, Sgts E.White, H.R.Page. Up 2139 Down 0503. Bomb load 2 x 250TI Red, 2 x 250TI, 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 500lb. Primary target Pilsen bombed. 13,000’. Good visibility except for smoke haze. Target visually seen. Red TI markers in sights when bombs released. One big explosion observed close to marker.

Excellent Stan, well done. Did these 4 guys survive the war?

Now for the kicker to see how good you really are. What can you tell me about the German who signed the paper? 🙂

Something not quite right here, the Lanc’s pictured are 15 squadron aircraft, and David are you sure it was 1661 and not 1660? Even the best books sometimes have errors.

I stand to be corrected, but as I see it R5896 flew its last op with 97 Squadron to St. Nazaire before being transferred to 1660 Conversion Unit. It was then assigned to 15 Squadron where the picture was taken.

My father flew in Lanc’s with 50 Squadron Conversion Flight, 1661 H.C.U., and 97 Squadron.

Found one R5896, thanks to Air Ministry and Lancaster at War 2.

2/3 April 1943 St Nazaire – Bomb load 11 x 1000lb

R5896Y F/O R.A.Fletcher, Sgt J.Nelson, F/Sgt M.I.Robertson, P/O N.J.Davidson, F/Sgt W.N.Layne, Sgt E.White, F/Sgt D.W.Bale. Up 2010 Down 0129. Primary target St Nazaire attacked from 15,000’. Clear, visibility good. Smoke screen over target, red TI markers in sights when we bombed. Observed two large fires as we left target. Much light flak over target.

This was this aircrafts last operation with 97 Squadron before being transferred to 1660CU.

Same with me as the the two posts above.

Bumping this back up again. Can anyone help?