Missing Lancasters
Lancaster FTR
A number of 550 Lancasters listed on our web-site include the tag FTR (Failed to Return) and there is frequently little information about where exactly they were lost. Clearly as time goes by it becomes even more difficult to obtain reliable information as to the fate of crews and planes.
Described below are just two that were lost over Germany, and these are currently being researched.
If you have any information about either of the crews or flights described below then please email admin@550squadronassociation.org.uk.
Indeed if you have information about any crews or flight then again please email the addess above.
Lancaster LM461/BQ-U
Lancaster LM461 / BQ-U was flown by a 550 Squadron crew.
On the 19/20 February 1944 while returning from a raid on Leipzig the BQ-U was shot down by a Luftwaffe night fighter over Germany.
See the original site archive at http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/original-site-archive/index.htm, under the Aircraft link where it is listed as "FTR 20 Feb '44". Other details can be found as shown:
- http://www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=6190
- http://www.bomber-command.info/LeipzigNewDoc.htm
- http://www.lancaster-archive.com/lanc_uknowncrashsites.pdf
- http://www.lancaster-archive.com/lanc_losses feb44.pdf
The crew:
- W/O J.I. Miller KIA
- F/S J.P. Harrison (P2) PoW
- Sgt R.E. White PoW
- Sgt D.V.H. Evans PoW
- Sgt P.H. Hurst PoW
- Sgt G.E. Brown PoW
- Sgt T.K.M. Williams KIA
- Sgt F.C. Thomas KIA
F/S J.P.Harrison was interned in Camps L6/357, PoW No.1734, with Sgt G.E.Brown PoW No.1596, Sgt D.V.H.Evans, PoW No.1891, Sgt R.E.White, PoW No.2101 and Sgt P.H.Hurst, PoW No.2113.
The information available to date is that the aeroplane came down in a wooded area 2km east of Sichau, 12km west of Gardelegen (north of Magdeburg), readily findable on Google Maps.
Lancaster ND396/BQ-D
The same researcher is looking into another 550 Squadron Lancaster, ND396 / BQ-D, which failed to return from a raid on 30/31 January 1944. BQ-D was on a Berlin raid when it was lost in the approach; the crew (all of them) became POW. Other than this there is again little information currently available.
Again see the original site archive at http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/original-site-archive/index.htm, under the Aircraft link where it is listed as "FTR 31 Jan '44". Other details can be found as shown:
- http://www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=210
- http://www.lancaster-archive.com/lanc_uknowncrashsites.pdf
- http://www.lancaster-archive.com/lanc_losses jan44.pdf
The crew:
- Sgt G. Hunter (Pilot) PoW
- Sgt J.C. Cartwright PoW
- F/O G. Pickavance RCAF (Nav) PoW
- Sgt L.I. Smith PoW
- Sgt W.C. Frost PoW
- Sgt T.W. Vittle PoW
- Sgt C.V. Gale PoW
Sgt J.C.Cartwright was interned in Camps L6/357. PoW No.1268, with Sgt W.C.Frost, PoW No.1056, Sgt C.V.Gale, PoW No.1057.
Sgt G.Hunter in Camps L6/L4, PoW No.1629 with Sgt L.I.Smith, PoW No.1262.
F/O G.Pickavance in Camps 9C/L3, PoW No.1812.
Sgt T.W.Vittle in Camp L1. No PoW No