Operation: Friedrichshafen, Germany

Date: 27th/28th April 1944 (Thursday/Friday)

Unit No: 166 Squadron, 1 Group, Bomber Command

Type: Lancaster III

Serial: ND825

Code: AS:J2

Base: RAF Kirmington, Lincolnshire

Location: Grange-Sur-Vologne, France

Pilot: Plt Off. Alfred Ernest Stanley Cooper 172298 RAFVR Age 30. KiA

Flt Eng: Sgt. Eric Alfred Cryer 1606768 RAFVR Age 20. KiA

Nav: Sgt. Simon McCallum 1397486 RAFVR Age 35. KiA

Bomb Aimer: Fg Off. Charles William Eric Tiplady J26726 RCAF Age 23. KiA

WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt Leonard Percival Oughton 1397336 RAFVR Age 20. KiA

Air Gnr (Mid Upp): Flt Sgt. Eric Moore Thompson 427220 RAAF Age 20. KiA (1)

Air Gnr (Rear): Sgt. Kenneth Rowley 1454675 RAFVR Age 22. KiA

Above left to right rear: Sgt. Oughton, Sgt. McCallum, Fg Off. Tiplady, Flt Sgt. Thompson; Front left to right: Sgt. Cryer, WO. Cooper, Sgt. Rowley. (see credits)

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off at 21:5 hrs from RAF Kirmington to attack the small town of Friedrichshafen the reason being that it contained important factories manufacturing gearboxes and engines for the German tank force. The attack was arranged on a moonlit night to make the bombing more successful. Although more dangerous doing this the town was south of the country and on the very limit of Luftwaffe night-fighters.

The bomber stream approached and bombed the target with no interception from fighters. However, during the attack the Luftwaffe arrived. Eighteen (18) of the three-hundred and twenty-two (322) Lancasters were shot down.

The attack itself proved very successful with 1,234 tons of bombs being dropped resulting in an estimated 99 acres (67%) of the town being devastated - the gearbox factory was destroyed along with other important buildings. Civil reports state that 136 people were killed and a further 375 injured, with 656 houses destroyed and 421 damaged to a severe degree.

Lancaster ND825 was claimed by Hptm. Paul Zorner, his 41st Abschuss and the first of three this night, from Stab III./NJG5 over Granges-sur-Volognes SE on Nancy at 4.300 m. at 01:20 hrs. (Nachtjagd Combat Archive (16 March 1944 - 11 May 1944) Part 2 - Theo Boiten)

Maj Zorner survived the war and was credited with 55 Abschüsse with 3 awaiting confirmation (Nachtjagd Combat Archive - Biographies - Theo Boiten)

The aircraft crashed at Granges-sur-Vologne at the NW end of Vallee des Granges, 8km SE of Bruyeres in France.

Two other aircraft from the squadron failed to return:

Lancaster I LL903 AS:B - Flown by Plt Off. Douglas M. Bridges 172067 RAFVR who and one other from his crew became PoWs and five (5) KiA;

Lancaster I ME720 AS:X - Flown by Plt Off. Robert B. Ridley J85631 RCAF who was KiA along with four (4) of his crew and two (2) interned.

(1) The brother of Flt Sgt. Thompson, Flt Sgt. Edward Claude Thompson 415909, was killed in flying training accident aboard 27 OTU Wellington X HE703 (2 killed, 4 survived with 2 injured)

Burial details:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2026 Last Modified: 19 June 2026, 13:27