Lane Crew, 625 Sq. Kelstern

[John Larder]

Could anyone identify the date and Lancaster involved when the Lane crew (could be John Leslie Lane) including Navigator Ronald Ernest Talboys (172641) brought back an aircraft with an injured rear gunner. Would also be obliged for list of Lane crew ops.TIA

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

29-11-1944
No.625 Sqn
Lancaster III PB580
Op: Dortmund.

Crew (Alpha order)

AUS427583 F/Sgt (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Ernest Lyall Minchin BEAR* RAAF (later DFM)
1466569 Sgt T H JAKES
1874891 Sgt P J KETTLE
54924 P/O John Leslie LANE RAF (later DFC).
1600510 F/Sgt R J MITCHELL
1895703 Sgt (Air Gnr.) Keith SOUTHWOOD - Badly Injured, right eye. (later DFM).
172641 P/O Ronald Ernest TALBOYS RAFVR (later DFC)

*
BEAR, Ernest Lyall Minchin. AUS427583 Flight Sergeant, R.A.A.F., No.625 Sqn.
L.G. 23/3/1945. Sorties 21, Flying hours 104. Wireless Operator. Air2/9051.

On 29th November 1944, while participating in an attack on Dortmund, his aircraft was hit and severely damaged by flak which wounded the captain and himself. Nevertheless, despite the flak, that he was wounded in the arm and his wireless set was damaged, he dismantled it in a completely unruffled, cool and calm manner and once again made it serviceable, thereby setting an excellent example to the remainder of the crew. l consider the high qualities of courage and devotion to duty fully merit him the award of the D.F.M.

See:
The Distinguished Flying Medal Register. Vol.I. A-J. p.120/Tavender.(extract).

Col.

[John Larder]

Thanks Col for usual prompt service.

[AlanW]

John,

Posted in from 11 Base, 2/9/44.
16/9, Rheine Salzbergen.
17/9, Elkenhorst.
23/9, Neuss.
26/9, Calais.
27/9, Calais.
28/9, Calais.
5/10, Saarbrucken.
7/10, Emmerich.
20/10, Stuttgart.
23/10, Essen.
25/10, Essen.
28/10, Cologne.
30/10, Cologne.
31/10, Cologne.
2/11, Dusseldorf.
4/11, Bochum.
6/11, Gelsenkirchen.
9/11, Wanne Eickel.
11/11, Dortmund.
16/11, Duren.
18/11, Wanne Eickel.
29/11, Dortmund.
Alan.

[John Larder]

Alan
Thank you for the information.

Does anyone have details of the Recommendation/Citation for DFC for Lane & Talboys. Nothing in LG.

[south1d]

Keith Southwood, my uncle was mid-upper gunner with this crew, and I have listed below the Operation details from his log book: -

Excerpt from Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book of 1895703 Sgt Keith Southwood RAF
Detailing 22 operations flown with “B” Fight of 625 Squadron from RAF Kelstern
7th Sept 1944 to 29th Nov 1944


Date - Letter - Serial No - Aircraft - Pilot - Remarks

7/9/44 “O” LM691 Lanc MkIII P/O Lane - Rheine Salzbergen
18/9/44 “O” LM691 Lanc MkIII P/O Lane - Wassenar. (Eikenhorst)
23/9/44 “R” P/O Lane - Neuss. Dusseldorf. 10/10 cloud
25/9/44 “U” PB580 Lanc MkIII P/O Lane - Calais. Bombs brought back as ordered by Master Bomber
26/9/44 “U” PB580 Lanc MkIII P/O Lane - Calais
27/9/44 “F2” P/O Lane - Calais
28/9/44 “U” PB580 Lanc MkIII P/O Lane - Calais. Bombs brought back as ordered by Master Bomber
6/10/44 “U” PB580 Lanc MkIII F/O Lane - Saarbrucken
7/10/44 “U” PB580 Lanc MkIII F/O Lane - Emmerich
20/10/44 “U” PB580 Lanc MkIII F/O Lane - Stuttgart - 10/10th cloud - Bombed Wanganui
23/10/44 “U” PB580 Lanc MkIII F/O Lane - Essen - 10/10th cloud - Bombed Wanganui - Attacked by Me410. No Damage
25/10/44 “U” PB580 Lanc MkIII F/O Lane - Essen - Abortive Starboard inner feathered
28/10/44 “U” PB580 Lanc MkIII F/O Lane - Cologne
30/10/44 “U” PB580 Lanc MkIII F/O Lane - Cologne
31/10/44 “U” PB580 Lanc MkIII F/O Lane - Cologne
2/11/44 “U” PB580 Lanc MkIII F/O Lane - Dusseldorf
4/11/44 “U” PB580 Lanc MkIII F/O Lane - Bochum
6/11/44 “U” PB580 Lanc MkIII F/O Lane - Gelsenkirchen
9/11/44 “U” PB580 Lanc MkIII F/O Lane - Wanne Eickel
16/11/44 “U” PB580 Lanc MkIII F/O Lane - Duren
18/11/44 “U” PB580 Lanc MkIII F/O Lane - Wanne Eickel
29/11/44 “U” PB580 Lanc MkIII F/O Lane - Dortmund - A/C Badly hit, Badly wounded in Rt eye - W/Op wounded in arm - Returned on 3 engines

WITHDRAWN FROM AIR CREW DUTIES ON ACCOUNT OF WOUNDS


The crew on most of his Operations is believed to have been: -

Pilot F/O "Sandy" Lane
Bomb Aimer Sgt Ron Mitchel
Flight Engineer Sgt T.Jakes
Rear Gunner Sgt Peter J Kettles
Mid Upper Sgt Keith Southwood
Wireless Op Sgt Ted Bear
Navigator Sgt Ron Talboys


Also the citation for his DFM: -

SOUTHWOOD, Keith. 1895703 Sergeant, No.625 Squadron.
London Gazette. 25/5/1945.
Sorties 20,
Flying hours 97.
Air Gunner.
PRO Ref - Air 2/9070.

Sgt Southwood has been the mid-upper Gunner in a very courageous Lancaster crew and has completed 20 sorties comprising 97 operational flying hours. He has taken part in attacks on many important targets including Dusseldorf, Essen, Stuttgart, Dortmund and Cologne. A skilful gunner and courageous crew member, he has continually shown the best qualities when under fire. He commands to the full, the confidence of his Captain and the rest of his crew, and his constant vigilance and clear thinking when in the face of danger have contributed largely to their safety. An outstanding example of his vigilance in spite of external conditions was shown on the 29th Nov 1944, when participating in an attack on Dortmund. Their aircraft was badly hit by Flak over the target area and the Wireless Operator/Air Gunner was badly wounded in the arm. Sergeant Southwood himself was badly injured in the right eye but carried on until base was reached without reporting his severe injuries or asking for assistance. Throughout his tour, Sergeant Southwood has shown a high degree of courage and I strongly recommend him for an award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.

Signed Wing Commander J.Barker, Squadron Commander. 15th January 1945.

Remarks by Station Commander.

This NCO has proved to be an Air Gunner of outstanding ability and his vigilance coupled with a fine aggressive spirit have won for him the complete confidence of his fellow crew members. For his excellent operational record, he is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.

Group Captain R.A.Donkin


And finally some information on Lancaster Mk III PB580 - Squadron marking - CF-U

These details are from the original AM 78 Aircraft Movement Forms.

12/9/1944 - Assigned to 625 Squadron
29/11/1944 – Cat AC FB A.V.Roe (Cat AC = Repair is beyond the unit capacity, but can be repaired on site by another unit or a contractor) – (FB = Damage caused by Flying Battle)
6/1/1945 – CRO (Civilian Repair Organisation)
9/11/1945 – 39 MU
March 1946 – Home Census
6/11/1946 – S.O.C. (Struck Off Charge)

I hope this may be of interest / use to someone

If anyone has any further information, I would be most interested.

Dave