Took off from R.A.F. Waddington, Lincolnshire at 17.54 hrs to lay mines in the "Daffodils" area. It was part of a 73 Lancaster force to drop mines off the Danish and German coastline when it is understood was intercepted, shot down in the target area at around 2.500 mtrs "probably" by Maj. Günther Radusch (1) of II./NJG3 at 21.10 hrs. The aircraft is thought to have come down in the North Sea west of Sylt, Denmark. Two aircraft were lost on this operation and both from the same squadron. Details of the other Lancaster lost: Lancaster W4277 KM-S Flown by Fl/Sgt. Milton James Paige R.C.A.F. who, along with his 6 other crew members were all killed when their aircraft was shot down by Fw. Ernst Baader of 4./NJG3 over the area Rise-Hjarup 3 km north of Aabenraa, Denmark earlier at 19.40 hrs. The bodies of that crew were all recovered, although not at the same time, resting in the Aabenraa Cemetery.
I have a copy of the 44sqdn ORB if you want any information from it for previous ops that may have been flown by this crew. If so, let me have your email address
I've been through the ORB and found that this crew were originally with 207sqdn before being posted to 44sqdn. Unfortunatley, i do not have a copy of the 207 ORB, otherwise it would have been nice to get all their ops with that squadron. With 44sqdn, i have found 8 operations for them, since their posting in on 16th Oct 43. I will sort them out and email them either later tonight, or tomorrow morning.
