avro lancaster mk iii (ng228)

AVRO LANCASTER MKIII (REGISTRATION: NG228)
The Imperial War Museums' Book of War Behind Enemy Lines
The Imperial War Museums' Book of War Behind Enemy Lines
By Julian Thompson, The Imperial War Museum
Baggy Pants and Warm Beer
Baggy Pants and Warm Beer
By Peter Outridge
AVRO LANCASTER MKIII (REGISTRATION: NG228)
Even though the war was obviously nearing its end, there was strong German flak near the target. Lancaster NG228 was hit, and crashed in Karsibor woods near Swinemunde (Swinoujscie). There were no survivors.

The aircraft was piloted by Sqn Ldr John Powell, an experienced pilot, who had completed 16 operations on his second tour after joining 617 Squadron on 5 December 1944. Some of his regular crew were not available, so some spare men were added. The crew comprised:
Pilot: Sqn Ldr John Leonard Powell DFC, age 29 from Glamorgan. Joined 617 Sqn 5.12.44. Completed 16 ops of 2nd tour.
Flight engineer: Flt Sgt Henry William Felton DFM, from Teddington. Joined 617 Sqn 19.10.44; Completed 18 ops with sqn.
Navigator: Flt Lt Michael Terence Clarke DFC, age 22 from Farnham. Joined 617 Sqn 3.4.45 (2nd time). 1st op on this tour.
Bomb aimer: Flg Off Alfred Lawrence Heath, from Folkestone. Joined 617 Sqn 8.12.44. Believed to have flown on 8 ops with sqn.
Wireless operator: Plt Off Kenneth Arthur John Hewitt, from Hemel Hempstead. Joined 617 Sqn 28.1.45. Completed 7 ops with sqn.
Mid-upper gunner: Flt Sgt William Knight, from Croydon. Joined 617 Sqn 10.3.45. Completed a tour with 227 Sqn, on 1st op with 617 Sqn.
Rear gunner: Flg Off James Watson, from Peebleshire. Joined 617 Sqn 19.10.44. Completed 20 ops with sqn.
Recent contents

  1. DAMBUSTERS Watson, James

    SURNAME Watson FORENAME James UNIT 617 Squadron,R.A.F.V.R. RANK Flying Officer NUMBER 174282 DATE OF DEATH 16th April 1945 AGE 24 GRAVESITE Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery,Poland Coll.grave 5.B.1-5 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION son of James and Rebecca Watson,West...

  2. DAMBUSTERS Knight, William

    SURNAME Knight FORENAME William UNIT 617 Squadron,R.A.F.V.R. RANK Pilot Officer NUMBER 195713 DATE OF DEATH 16th April 1945 AGE 30 GRAVESITE Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery,Poland Coll.grave 5.B.1-5 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION son of Thomas and Edith Knight husband of Phyllis...

  3. DAMBUSTERS Heath, Alfred Laurence

    SURNAME Heath FORENAME Alfred Laurence UNIT 617 Squadron,R.A.F.V.R. RANK Flying Officer NUMBER 148768 DATE OF DEATH 16th April 1945 AGE GRAVESITE Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery,Poland Coll.grave 5.B.1-5 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION air bomber Lancaster NG228 Swinemunde,Germany...

  4. DAMBUSTERS Hewitt, Kenneth Arthur John

    SURNAME Hewitt FORENAME Kenneth Arthur John UNIT 617 Squadron,R.A.F.V.R. RANK Pilot Officer NUMBER 188618 DATE OF DEATH 16th April 1945 AGE GRAVESITE Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery,Poland Coll.grave 5.B.1-5 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION w.op/air gunner Lancaster NG228...

  5. DAMBUSTERS Clarke, Michael Terence

    SURNAME Clarke FORENAME Michael Terence UNIT 617 Squadron,R.A.F.V.R. RANK Flight Lieutenant NUMBER 151151 DATE OF DEATH 16th April 1945 AGE 22 GRAVESITE Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery,Poland Coll.grave 5.B.1-5 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION born 28.6.1922 son of James Kilian and...

  6. DAMBUSTERS Felton, Henry William

    SURNAME Felton FORENAME Henry William UNIT 617 Squadron,R.A.F.V.R. RANK Flight Sergeant NUMBER 1809630 DATE OF DEATH 16th April 1945 AGE GRAVESITE Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery,Poland Coll.grave 5.B.1-5 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 50 Squadron Sergeant award DFM (10.12.1943)...

  7. DAMBUSTERS Powell, John Leonard

    SURNAME Powell FORENAME John Leonard UNIT 617 Squadron,R.A.F.V.R. RANK Squadron Leader NUMBER 103039 DATE OF DEATH 16th April 1945 AGE 29 GRAVESITE Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery,Poland Coll.grave 5.B.1-5 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION son of David Albert and Elizabeth...
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