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Lancaster JA 939 of 405 pathfinder squadron

Lancaster JA 939 of 405 pathfinder squadron
Author: Robert Lawrence (Guest)
Time Stamp:
22:09:06 Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Post:
I was wondering if anyone knows any information on Lancaster JA 939 of 405 squadron, LQ-C. My great uncle died in it on November 23, 1943 on a raid to Berlin. Any kind of help or guidance would be much appreciated.

Robert Lawrence

Alberta, Canada.

RE: Lancaster JA 939 of 405 pathfinder squadron
Author: Ian Brown (Guest)
Time Stamp:
22:28:46 Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Post:
Robert,

The following is taken from Bill Chorley's 'RAF Bomber Command Losses':

405 SQn Lancaster III JA939 LQ-C

Op: Berlin

Took off 1712 from Gransden Lodge. Crashed at Ter Apel (Groningen), 15km NE of Emmen (Drenthe) Holland. Those who died lie in Vlagtwedde (Ter Apel) General Cemetery. F/L Cole was soon captured and had the distressing task of accompanying the authorities to the remains of the Lancaster, where he formally identified his six companions.

F/L H K Lefroy DFC RCAF killed

P/O P J Scott killed

F/L C W Cole DFC PoW

F/O W J Lawrence RCAF killed

F/L R A Gardiner DFC RCAF killed

F/S J G Odell RCAF killed

F/S J G S Kavanaugh RCAF killed

RE: Lancaster JA 939 of 405 pathfinder squadron
Author: Ian Brown (Guest)
Time Stamp:
22:30:58 Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Post:
I don't know how much information you have on your great uncle, but the following is his entry on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website:

Name: LAWRENCE, WILLIAM JOHN

Initials: W J

Nationality: Canadian

Rank: Flying Officer (Bomb Aimer)

Regiment: Royal Canadian Air Force

Unit Text: 405 Sqdn.

Age: 24

Date of Death: 23/11/1943

Service No: J/20164

Additional information: Son of William A. and Emily Lawrence, of Waskatenau, Alberta, Canada.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot A. Row 20. Grave 384.

Cemetery: VLAGTWEDDE (TER APEL) GENERAL CEMETERY


RE: Lancaster JA 939 of 405 pathfinder squadron
Author: HughAHalliday
Time Stamp:
23:37:48 Monday, November 29, 2004
Post:
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 29-Nov-04 AT 11:38 PM (GMT)[/font][p]William John Lawrence born 7 September 1918. Enlisted in Edmonton, Alberta, 3 July 1941. Posted to No.4 Initial Training School, 22 November 1941. Promoted Leading Aircraftman, 24 April 1942. Posted to No.2 Air Observer School, 25 April 1942. Ceased training, 12 June 1942. To No.7 Bombing and Gunnery School, 18 July 1942. To No.5 Air Observer School, 12 September 1942. Commissioned 23 October 1942. To "Y" Depot, Halifax, 6 November 1942. To RAF overseas, 25 November 1942. Missing 23 November 1943. Full service file open to examination at National Library and Archives of Canada.

RE: Lancaster JA 939 of 405 pathfinder squadron
Author: richard.k (Guest)
Time Stamp:
00:38:35 Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Post:
Hello Robert. Below it the report filed by F/Lt Cole after returning from the POW camp in 1945.

Base: Gransden Lodge

Weather: clear 10/10 at 10,000 feet - W/V 300/20

Loss: Gronigen 12.5 N.M. (Approx)

We were experimenting with fishpond, wireless operator reported that he thought there

was an aircraft approaching from rear, gunners could not see anything and automatic pilot was

left in, several minutes later there were several loud crumps, pilot and rear gunner reported flak,

I informed them that this could not be as we were on track and no known flak batteries in this

area; there was no doubt about our position as the H2S was working excellently. Skipper did not

see fit to take George out, several minutes (may have been less - am not sure of this point) later

there was an attack from the rear, tracer flew passed and the port inner engine caught fire, could

not get any word from rear gunner though intercom was okay at every other station. Engineer

tried to extinguish fire - unsuccessful, aircraft lost 2,000 feet in dive, skipper ordered prepare to

bale out, was handed pack by the flt/engineer who then went forward, followed by bomb aimer,

wireless operator, put on pack and continued to work. Skipper ordered bale out as aircraft dived

again I moved up beside skipper, hatch still fastened. Heard explosion, aircraft out of control

and I was blown through window, last remember seeing skipper with feet on instrument panel

trying to control plane. We jettisoned some flares, bombs and others hung up.

RE: Lancaster JA 939 of 405 pathfinder squadron
Author: Anders Näslund (Guest)
Time Stamp:
07:55:43 Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Post:
JA 939 was most probably shot down by Heinz Wolfgang Schnaufer..

He file the following claim..

23.11.43 Oblt. Heinz Schnaufer 12./NJG 1 Lancaster NW Ter Apel 5000m [Emmen] 18.50 C 2031/II Anerk Nr.49

///Anders

RE: Lancaster JA 939 of 405 pathfinder squadron
Author: pc (Guest)
Time Stamp:
09:36:15 Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Post:
There is an excellent book by Peter Hinchliffe called 'Schnaufer ace of diamonds'-Thoroughly recommended.

Peter