Sgt Gwilym Nicholls, Flight Engineer, 103 Squadron, Lancaster bomber crash 21 Dec 1942 - info please

PeteT · Wing Commander

Sgt Gwilym Nicholls, Flight Engineer, 103 Squadron, Lancaster bomber crash 21 Dec 1942 - info please

nickthevic · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Hello. I am new to this site, but wondered if you would be able to help me find any information regarding my uncle, Gwilym Nicholls, who was a flight engineer on a Lancaster which crashed in France on 21st December 1942. He was flying from RAF Elsham Wolds, where he was stationed with 103 Squadron.

I have obtained his servce record from the RAF, but this gives limited infomation, mainly regarding his progression through training and his postings. He was only 21 when he died, so not a long service.

I have visited his grave at Vavincourt Communal Cemetery near Bar-le-Duc in France, where he was buried with the other crew of his Lancaster. Only the pilot survived the crash, but I don't know anything about him.

I have a Facebook page relating to 103 Squadron and my uncle in particular. If anyone is interested in visiting the page it is https://www.facebook.com/pages/RAF-No-103-Squadron/249894835090085?ref=hl#!/pages/RAF-No-103-Squadron/249894835090085

I would be very grateful for any information on my uncle, as it is coming up o the 70th anniversary next month of his death. I would like to know something about the bombing raid which was his final sortie.

Thank you.

Nick

AW · Air Commodore

Nick,

103sqdn Lancaster W4820, PM-S, ops to Munich on the night of 21/22nd Dec 42. Crashed at Vavincourt, France. Only the pilot survived to become a pow, the rest of the crew were buried at Vavincourt Communal Cemetery.

Sgt C.E Bayliss, RAAF, pow.

Sgt G. Nicholls, killed.

Sgt J.M. Jefferies, RAAF, killed.

P/O I.G.A. Faulk, killed.

Sgt R.I. Robb, RAAF, killed.

Sgt A. Jeffreys, killed.

Sgt G.H. Kitchen, killed.

Details from BC Losses 1942 (Chorley)

John W · Group Captain

Hi Nick,

If you get the service numbers of the Aussies on board and go to the National Australian Archives and search for their files you will see both files are open. For $16.50 Ausd you can have them put on line this mat give you more information on the loss of the aircraft.

Regards,

John.

John W · Group Captain

Hi Nick,

I forgot to add that the pow's service record (Not yet exaimed) should have his pow interview in it, but this will take some time to get on line as it has to be examined by an archivest.

John.

MikeH · Air Vice Marshall

Hi Nick,

the following luftwaffe claim for W4820 can be found in; Theo Boiten's Nachtjagd War Diaries Vol 1.

Lt. Ferdinand Christiner: 2 5./NJG4 4km. W Rumont: 4.000 m. 20.04 103 Sqn Lancaster W4820

Mike.

nickthevic · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Thank you to you all for your posts. This is indeed useful and interesting information. I had no idea that there would be a Lufftwaffe record, assuming they would not know which planes they had shot down. I will also try to find the 103 Squadron Operations Record Books.

PeteT · Wing Commander

You can get buy the ORB's online from the National Archives; if you want instructions on how to do this, let me know

Regards

Pete

MikeH · Air Vice Marshall

Hi Nick,

21/22 December 1942

MUNICH

137 aircraft of 1 and 5 Groups and the Pathfinder Force - 119 Lancasters, 9 Stirlings, 9 Wellingtons. 12 aircraft - 8 Lancasters, 3 Stirlings, 1 Wellington - lost, 8.8 per cent of the force.

110 aircraft claimed to have bombed Munich and started fires but their photographs showed that all or most of the bombs fell in open country, possibly attracted by a decoy site.

(source: The Bomber Command War Diaries Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt).

Mike.

M Simpson · Flight Sergeant

Nick,

Are you still looking for details,as I have just received the 103 Squadron O.R.B. for 1942.It would be useful to have his posting in date from his personnel record as the O.R.B.contains no N.C.O. posting details.

Regards,Mark Simpson.