Operation: Lutzkendorf
Date: 04/05th April 1945 (Wednesday/Thursday)
Unit: No. 626 Squadron
Type: Lancaster III
Serial: PB411
Code: UM-Y2
Base: RAF Wickenby, Lincolnshire.
Location: Near Bedra South of Braunsbedra (Lutzkendorf)
Pilot: F/O. Harold William Reid J/41869 RCAF Age 25. Killed
Fl/Eng: Fl/Sgt. Norman George Reed 1582745 RAFVR Age 21. Killed
Nav: F/O. William Semeniuk J/42214 RCAF Age 32. Killed
Air/Bmr: F/O. Donald Hugh Johnson J/42264 RCAF Age 29. Killed
W/Op/Air/Gnr: F/O. Bernard Eric Stanley Stagg 178375 RAFVR Age 20. Killed
Air/Gnr: F/O. Matthew Frederick Easton Sergeant J/46101 RCAF Age 22. Killed
Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. James William Churms R/281050 RCAF Age 19. Killed
Update December 2016:- Relative of the pilot has now been in contact - further comprehensive details follow on the pilot.
REASON FOR LOSS:
Took off at 20:55 hrs from RAF Wickenby, Lincolnshire on an operation to bomb the Wintershall synthetic-oil plant with 244 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitoes of 5 Group. Moderate damage was caused to the target.
It is possible that this Lancaster was engaged and shot down by night fighters over the target area as there were reported combats from both single and twin engined fighters. No reports are available as to definite claims.
For further information on Lancaster RF153 EA-K 15th March 1945.
Also lost on this operation from the same squadron:
Lancaster I PD295 UM-B2 piloted by Fl/Lt. Kenneth Horace Eames D.F.C. R.A.F.V.R. killed with all 7 crew members.
Burial details:F/O. Harold William Reid. Berlin 1939-45 War Cemetery. Grave 8.H.24. Son of James Evarad Reid and Gladys Olive Reid of Aylmer West, Ontario, Canada.
Fl/Sgt. Norman George Reed. Berlin 1939-45 War Cemetery. Grave 6.Z.13. Son of George Henry and Ethelwyn Gertrude Reed, of Bagworth, Leicestershire, England.
F/O. William Semeniuk. Berlin 1939-45 War Cemetery. Grave 6.Z.12. Son of Antonius and Mary Semeniuk, husband of Margaret Lilian Semeniuk, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
F/O. Donald Hugh Johnson. Berlin 1939-45 War Cemetery. Coll. Grave 6.Z.18-27. Son of Richard and Annie Johnson of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.
F/O. Bernard Eric Stanley Stagg. Berlin 1939-45 War Cemetery. Grave 6.Z.9. Son of George Thomas Stagg and Carrie Stagg, of Muswell Hill, Middlesex, England.
F/O. Matthew Frederick Easton Sergeant. Berlin 1939-45 War Cemetery. Grave 6.Z.8. Son of Matthew H. Sergeant and Pearl E. Sergeant, husband of Helen D. Sergeant, of Fenelon Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Fl/Sgt.James William Churms. Berlin 1939-45 War Cemetery. Grave 6.Z.10. Son of Sydney and Louise Churms, of Welland, Ontario, Canada.
Researched for relatives of the crew with thanks for further information from Tom Bint, also to the chaps on the 626 Squadron Website, Mathew Davies, Stephan R. Schilling, Gary Darby and Uwe Jenrich for grave photos. Also to Brook Reid Durham for the comprehensive details on the pilot. Other sources shown below.
KTY - Updated 03.12.2016
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