On the night of 26-27 April 1944, we were en-route to Schweinfurt as part of a 5 group effort of 206 Lancasters. We were routed across France to Strasbourg, then to the south of Stuttgart where the force turned for Schweinfurt.

We were flying in Lancaster ME730 coded KM-R of 44 Squadron, a fairly new aircraft with which we had no problems - in fact, on one or two occasions it had surpassed our expectations. On take-off, though, the rear door blew open and the Wireless Operator went back to close it. On returning to his seat, he called over the intercom: "If you two in the back (the gunners) want to get out, you'll have to fetch the door handle. It's broken off!". This was an unusual occurrence, but not one to merit an abort.

The overall plan for the night was three raids: a major one on Essen (493 aircraft); one on a railway target at Villeneuve-St-Georges (217 aircraft); and ours to Schweinfurt. It was hoped that the Essen force would attract the German night-fighters, but they were instead directed on to our smaller force. Possibly 6 or 7 Lancasters were shot down in the Marne region of France, and at least another 7 were lost between Strasbourg and Stuttgart, including ours, ME730. There were 21 losses on this raid, almost 10%. There were 33 survivors and of these only 2 were pilots.

Shortly before our Lancaster was attacked, we were illuminated from above by what I thought to be a flare.* *

(NB: It was a sometimes used German tactic to drop flares above the clouds in order to highlight the attacking aircraft to flak batteries or even lower flying fighters.)

Seconds later, we were hit in the bomb bay area and the load of incendiaries caught fire. The Lancaster was beginning to lose height and the order was given to 'get out'. My duty as the bomb aimer was to open the front hatch, jettison it, and bale out quickly as the other crew were following behind into the nose.

I had trouble fixing my 'chute. It would attach only by one clip, but the main problem was the hatch. It was not the norm to check this when the aircraft was on the ground; we accepted that it was a simple matter of pulling back the bolt and up would come the hatch. For some unknown reason, the hatch was stuck and I had a great struggle to free it. This was not helped by the fact that my 'chute was not secure.

When I baled out, I held the 'chute as best I could, then when the rip-cord was pulled I found myself on one strap. This did not make for a good, or controlled landing.

Shortly after landing I was captured by what I believe to be German 'Home Guards'.

My Navigator also survived, and we were together for the remainder of the war.

I cannot explain why the Lancaster is so loved by ex-bomber crews, as it offered us no creature comforts; long, noisy hours were endured, always with the faith that 'she' would get us there and back.

** ....." I remember this flare as a red light instead of the usual white, and after checking the details in Bill Chorleys Bomber Command Losses 1944, I note that another Lancaster was shot down very close to where we were hit. I now believe that we were illuminated by that aircraft (ND687 EA-P of 49) as it burned above us"

John is seeking information about which night-fighter squadrons were active in the Strasbourg to Stuttgart area on 26 - 27 April 1944. If you are able to assist John, please e-mail me and I will be happy to forward details

This page is dedicated to the memory of those members of the crew of ME730 who did not survive.

Pilot F/Sgt W E KEWLEY RNZAF +

Engr Sgt D BOOTH +

W/Op Sgt M J WEBBER +

AG Sgt G D LEES RCAF +

AG Sgt RUTZKI RCAF+