As a young lad a family friend, an ex lancaster bomber pilot used to tell me about some of his exploits during his time as a bomber pilot. he was shot down ,bailed out ,taken in by the resistance . He was not to forthcoming with the details. I have always wanted to know the full story I'm sure it's out there somewhere. Sadly he is no longer with us and has no family or relatives I can talk with.. his name was George Williamson and was Scots. I am just wondering if there are any accounts of this mission recorded anywhere.
There was a Sgt GR Williamson 1568572 RAF shot down in Lancaster ND953 of 50 Squadron RAF during the raid on Mailly Le Camp 3/5/44. He evaded capture and was liberated in Paris 15/8/44 Evasion report IS9/WEA/8/142/284. That comes from 'RAF Evaders' by Oliver Clutton-Brock. The report may be available in the National Archives. Hope that helps I do not have any more info but somebody else on the site might. Oh I have just found in another book that this Williamson was not a pilot but a Flight Engineer. The plane crashed at Lucy le Bocage.Cheers, B
The National Archive reference for this report is WO208 3348-284 and is available if you want to request a copy via the online copying service............
There was clearly a Sgt GR Williamson 1568572 RAF picture straight down inside Lancaster ND953 regarding 50 Squadron RAF in the raid about Mailly Le Camp out 3/5/44. He evaded seize and has been liberated inside Paris, france 15/8/44 Evasion report IS9/WEA/8/142/284. That will originates from 'RAF Evaders' by Oliver Clutton-Brock. This report could possibly be accessible in your Nationwide Archives. Trust which allows I will not have anymore details but another person on the website may possibly. Oh yea I have simply just seen in another guide that it Williamson has not been a start but a Journey Engineer. This jet crashed on Lucy le Bocage.
I have been asking around a bit and,yes it seems he was a flight engineer and a sergeant.Kind of fits in with his civvi job as an engineer working in power stations.although I have heard stories of his time with the resistance suggestions that he was active with the resistance and possibly even a love interest. I know he had a German soldiers helmet with a crest on the side complete with a bullet hole in it. I also remember he had his flying helmet and mask that he bailed out with,and also the pull cord which he said had to be prised out of his hand by a resistance member a few hours after his rescue.it will be interesting to read the the official debrief once I track it down.there is a story here and thanks to some help from this forum I now know where to find it. Thanks again