I am trying to conduct some family research on an uncle of mine, Gerald Price, who was killed over Stuggart on the night of the 28/29 July 1944 whilst flying in Lancaster ND699, PH-P.
I know the site of the crash of the aircraft, near Renningen, near Stuggart ,but was hoping some of the more knowledgeable folks here might be able to point in the direction of other sources of information concerning my uncle and the events of the raid etc. Any help would be much appreciated.
Your uncle was mid upper gunner on Lancaster ND699, according to Theo Boiten Nachtjagd War Diaries was shot down by Fw Gunther Bahr of 3NJG/6 for his 18th victory at 0207. Aircraft fell at Renningen. Gunther Bahr survived the war with a total of 35 victories.
Just as a follow up, this night was a big night for Bomber Command, 494 Lancasters and 2 Mosquitoes of 1, 3, 5 and 8 Group took off to attack Stuttgart, the German Night Fighters caught them over France and 39 Lancasters were shot down.
307 aircraft took off to attach Hamburg and were attacked on the return journey and 22 aircraft were lost.
12 Sqn lost two aircraft this night with both ND699 and LM107 losing all 7 members of their crews.
Many, many thanks for the swift replies, they are really appreciated as it helps to understand what happened to him and his crew. I have contacted the museum at Wickenby to see if they have any more info on him. I never knew anything about this until recently so am just finding out about this chapter of the family history.
You might like get the ORB's for 12 Sqn which will give you information on the operations he went on. I have a photo of Gunther Bahr if you would like to see it contact me on harleyDOT158ATbigpondDOTcom change the DOT & AT for the usual.
Hello Stuart,
A quick look through the 12 Squadron O.R.B. shows your uncle posted in with his crew from 11 Base 7/7/44.After the pilot,F/O.W.L.White,flew his second pilot sortie 18/7/44 on Caen,it seems that he and his crew flew four sorties together-20-21/7/44 Courtrai,23-24/7/44 Kiel,25-26/7/44 Stuttgart and finally 28-29/7/44 Stuttgart,when they failed to return.
Regards,Mark.
Many, many thanks for the additional info as it helps the family to get a better understanding of what happened to him. My grandfather, his brother, never spoke of what happened to him and as he had spent 3 years as a Japanese POW during the Second World War I can understand it was a period in his life he would prefer to forget.
I have got your e-mail and replied to it so hopefully you have got it. I have sent the same message twice from 2 different accounts and one of them has made it. If not please let me know here.