My father has provided the following information . He was a sole survivor of a Lancaster crash - he said in Kent but more recently he said Andover which is in Hampshire. He said they crashed in 1943. He added that he was in squadron 72 but has also mentioned squadron 622 and has mentioned Blackbushe airfield. His name is George Hubert Thomas personal nr 1045229. Any further information that anyone has would be much appreciated. Thankyou
72 squadron was a fighter squadron so he would not have been flying Lancasters with that squadron. 622 Squadron flew Stirlings and I understand took delivery of Lancasters in December 1943. Someone with 622 Operations Record Books may know what losses there were during December of that year.
It may well be that his crash occurred during training and not when he was with an operational squadron so you may have to find out what units he was with when he was doing his heavy bomber training (Heavy Conversion Unit) to see if that provides any further clues.
RAF Blackbushe was a diversion airfield for Bomber Command so there could be a link between Lancasters and Blackbushe.
No answers I'm afraid, but it may help narrow down the search.
Regards
Pete
-- Edited by PeteT on Saturday 28th of December 2013 04:30:57 AM
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Researching:
- CA Butler and the loss of Lancaster ME334
- Aircrew Training WWII (Basic / Trade / Operational)
- No. 35 Squadron [From Thetford to Scampton]
[Always looking for COPIES of original documents / photographs etc relating to these subjects]
Thanks for the answers, unfortunately my father cannot remember which month. He says he was returning from a mission over Germany. My father by the way is still alive and fully fit physically and mentally.
622 Sqdn was not formed until 10th August 1943 initiallywith Stirlings and then converting to Lancs in Dec 43. Having searched the squadron records I cannot find your father's name in amongst the crashes of that period. You mention Blackbushe, 622 was disbanded in 1945 and re-formed in the early 1950's in a transport role flying valettas out of RAF Blackbushe.
Sorry I have forgotten my log in details but I am the son of George Thomas and posted the original request for information. Sadly my father passed away last week aged 92 years. His funeral is next week and any information as to my original request would be most welcome. I have since found out that he was returning from a bombing raid on Frankfurt and it was in February 1943. Many thanks Dave Thomas
Very sad to hear of your loss. I have checked from Jan to July 1943 and there was only one raid on Frankfurt at that time on 10/11 April 1943. No Thomas were lost on that raid.
