Archive Report: Allied Forces

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03/04.05.1944 No. 101 Squadron Lancaster III LM467 SR-J F/O. Kenneth W.A. Muir

Operation: Mailly-le-Camp

Date: 3/4th May 1944

Unit: No. 101 Squadron

Type: Lancaster III

Serial: LM467

Code: SR-J

Base: RAF Ludford Magna. Lincolnshire.

Location: Voué, France

Pilot: F/O. Kenneth William Angus Muir 146137 RAFVR Age 22. Killed

Fl/Eng: Sgt. James Bailey 1591915 RAFVR Age 19. Killed

Nav: Fl/Sgt. Nigel Arthur Lacey-Johnson 1576434 RAFVR Age 23. Killed (1)

Air/Bmr: Sgt. Norman Reginald Bishop 1578199 RAFVR Age 20. Killed (2)

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. John Gregory Woods 1486640 RAFVR Age ? Killed

W/Op/ABC: P/O. John Joseph Gorman 168781 RAFVR Age 25. Killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Eric Edward Borton 1868872 RAFVR Age 22. Killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Arthur James Bowles 1590669 RAFVR Age 19. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Lancaster LM467 took off from RAF Ludford Magna at around 21:30 hrs to support the troops on the invasion of Europe. The target for the 346 Lancasters and 14 Mosquitoes had been the German military camp close to the French village of Mailly.

The operation was a success as far as the bombing was concerned with 114 barrack buildings destroyed, 47 transport sheds and some ammunition buildings in the camp destroyed, 192 vehicles, 37 tanks were also hit. 218 German soldiers were killed and a further 156 injured. 1,500 tons of bombs were dropped. But, due to the delays in signalling the main force to come in and bomb the Luftwaffe night fighters were waiting for them. 43 were lost this night - 177 aircrew killed, 18 being taken PoW and 31 evading capture.

LM467 was one of four 101 squadron Lancasters lost on this operation:

ME564 SR-Z Flown by 23 year old, Fl/Lt. John Alexander Keard 82700 RAFVR from Sidcup, Kent, England - killed along with 6 other crew, one being made PoW.
DV275 SR-X2 Flown by F/O. George Baker 157833 RAFVR - killed with all 7 crew.
LM417 SE-A Flown by 32 year old, P/O. Thomas John Drew of Sevenoaks, Kent, England - killed with 6 other crew members, one being taken PoW.

Lancaster LM467 crashed at Voué soon after the attack was completed, no claim can be positively attributed to a night fighter such was the ferocity of the fire fight. Although it is also possible that it was hit by one of the many flak batteries based around the camp.

(1) The brother of Fl/Sgt. Lacey-Johnson served in the British army and was a Lt/Col. when he left.

He went on to write, what is now thought to be the leading work on the part played by the RAF in support of the troops after the Normandy landings. "Point Blank And Beyond".

(2) Sgt. Norman Reginald Bishop was a former pupil of Moseley Grammar school (Now secondary/grammar school) We are working very closely with the school's historians to remember all the ex pupils who died whilst serving with the RAF and recorded on the school memorial.

Burial details:

F/O. Kenneth William Angus Muir. Voué Churchyard Coll Grave 2. Son of William Angus and Clara A. Muir; stepson of Nora Muir, of Whatlington, Sussex, England.

Sgt. James Bailey. Voué Churchyard Coll Grave 2. Son of John and Alice Bailey, of Harden, Yorkshire, England.

Fl/Sgt. Nigel Arthur Lacey-Johnson. Voué Churchyard Coll Grave 2. Son of Richard Arnold Lacey Lacey-Johnson and Florence Christine Lacey-Johnson, of Christmas Common, Oxfordshire, England.

Sgt. Norman Reginald Bishop. Voué Churchyard. Coll Grave 2. Son of Herbert Reginald and Elsie Bishop, of Billesley, Birmingham.

Sgt. John Gregory Woods. Voué Churchyard. Coll Grave 2. No further details as yet - are you able to assist?

P/O. John Joseph Gorman. Voué Churchyard. Coll Grave 2. Son of John William and Hilda Gorman.

Sgt. Eric Edward Borton. Voué Churchyard. Coll Grave 2. Born on the 13th June 1921 in Leicester. Mother's maiden name was Marshall. No further details as yet - are you able to assist?

Sgt. Arthur James Bowles. Voué Churchyard. Coll Grave 2. Son of Lieut.-Comdr. Herbert Bowles, formerly RNVR and of Hilda Bowles, of Gosforth, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England.

Researched by webmaster for the relatives of the crew. With thanks to Keith Townsend historian of Moseley Secondary/Grammar school memorial records. Other sources as quoted below.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

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