Hi, my dad was W/Co Charles Cranston (Jock) Calder who served as a pilot in 76,78 158 and 617 bomber squadrons during the war. Miraculously he survived 69 missions and WW2. I have a photo with him posing with air crew? next to what I believe is a Halifax Mk3 with probable ident LW 723. ( subsequently lost in action according to records in April 1944). I would appreciate being able to put names to the 4 air/ground crew in the photo. Also does anyone have any other personal wartime photos with my dad in view. Many thanks Mike Calder
I see LW723 was lost with 158 Sqn on 10/11 April 1944 with a nearly all Sgt crew, so I doubt its this crew in the photo as they are nearly all officers. LW723 joined 158 Sqn on the 11 March 1944 and was on its 4th operation when it was shot down by Uffz Leopolld Weinberger of 7./NJG4 for his 3rd victory on a raid on Tergnier. 4 of LW723 were killed, 1 pow and 2 evaded. Weinberger did not survive the war being killed on 28 April 1944 due to engine failure.
Somone with the ORB's may be able narrow down the crew who flew LW723.
Not much help but someone may be able to fill in the blanks for you.
My uncle was posted to 158 Sqn the day before your dad 10 August 1943, only to be lost on the Berlin raid of 23/24 August 1943. Could you please contact me on harleyDOT158ATbigpondDOTcom replace the dot/at with the usual.
LW723 was on it's 4th op with the squadron when lost. First two captained by P/O A. Reynolds with an all NCO crew, 3rd and 4th ops captained by W/O A. Gibson also with NCO crew.
