Help regarding Lancaster LM367 crash at Lautenthal, Germany. 14.1.1944

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by Smudger Jnr, Jul 22, 2017.

  1. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Thanks for the post as I have been reading about Wilkesman today.
    Born in Germany and family emigrated to Canada.
    Fluent German speaker and ideally suited for ABC duties.
    I spoke at Length this morning with Nigel and the witness was 14 years at the time not 10 years and also a volunteer fireman in the village and Goslar area.
    He ended up becoming chief of the Firebrigade covering Goslar and the Harz area.
    As such he helped at the scene. The plane was apparently shot down by the Night Fighter before it reached Braunschweig and must have jettisoned the bomb load as the plane did not explode on impact but burned due to fuel left in tanks.
    Regards
    Tom
     
  2. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    Looking at the crew lists here 101 Squadron RAF
    it would seem that Wilkesman was the regular ABC operator, replaced (for unknown reason) on the final flight by Clements.
     
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  3. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Kevin,
    Thanks for the crew lists.
    It could be that Wilkesman was taken ill and could not fly.
    Probably felt terrible when the plane was reported missing.
    Regards
    Tom
     
  4. alieneyes

    alieneyes Senior Member

    Unfortunately Robin Riley, the webmaster of the 101 Sqn site passed away before the ORB could be completely transcribed.

    Wilkesman must hold the record for the longest tour. His trade was navigator, posted to No. 101 Sqn from No. 23 OTU 10 August 1943. Flew his first operation as an ABC operator on 27 September 1943. Target Hannover. The literature all says that ABC was first used in October 1943 but two ABC aircraft were sent to Hannover. The other aircraft was shot down by a German intruder while coming in to land, resulting in all eight airmen killed.

    He then flew to Stuttgart on 7 October 1943 with the OC 101 Sqn, W/C George Carey-Foster. The next 11 ops were with the Rowland crew. Flew his last op with F/Lt Neville Marwood-Tucker on 2 August 1944, again dodging a bullet as the Marwood-Tucker crew were lost on Braunschweig 12/13 August 1944.

    Tom, let me know if you need the pages from the ORB and I'll send them to you.

    Regards,

    Dave
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2017
  5. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Dave,
    Thanks for your kind offer and it would be nice to have a copy.
    Regards
    Tom
     
  6. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    An update regarding developments.
    Nigel thanks all for the information supplied and has now made contact with the Night Fighter pilot involved and he will be intervening him in a couple of weeks time.
    Nigel appears to have the ear of a German TV (ZDF) Historical Documentary maker after he was involved in a documentary about DDR times and his BRIXMIS days.
    A documentary may be in the making after a report is submitted, but first a detailed review of all the facts are required.
    Will keep members posted on developments.
    Regards
    Tom
     
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  7. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Photograph of the crash scene sent to meet by Nigel.
    The Lautenthal Lancaster crash site, 1930hrs, 14 Jan 1944. RIP Flt.Lt Tom Rowland DFC and his crew.

    FB_IMG_1504206759642.jpg

    Regards
    Tom
     
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  8. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    FB_IMG_1504627057085.jpg FB_IMG_1504627083955.jpg FB_IMG_1504627106749.jpg FB_IMG_1504627096084.jpg FB_IMG_1504627131269.jpg Nigel sent me these images.

    Regards
    Tom
     
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  9. Dave M

    Dave M New Member

    Robert Bateman was my grandfather's brother. All this information is very interesting.
     
  10. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    A wreath was layed at the crash site by Nigel on Remembrance Sunday and it is hoped next year to build a small Memorial to the Crew and hold a Service of Remembrance.
    I would have liked to attend on Remembrance Sunday, but unfortunately I had to attend thee CWGC Cemetery in Berlin to lay a wreath and this was followed by the St George's Chuch Service of Remembrance where I lay a wreath and give the Exhortation and Kohima Epitaph.
    I will keep members updated on the plans for next year at the Crash Scene. Just press on Follow this Thread if interested.

    Regards
    Tom
     
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  11. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Dave,
    Hello and welcome to the forum.
    I am sure that you will find it interesting.
    Any questions about this thread please feel free to post or Private Message me.

    Regards
    Tom
     
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2017
  12. Dave Yuill

    Dave Yuill New Member

    Hello to All. William Houston Yuill was my Dads brother. I am so over whelmed by all the latest info. I started searching the net about 4 years ago using "lostaircraft" site which was very helpful. For most of my life I was told uncle Will was shot down via flak. William was a Navigator he did his training in Natal, South Africa.I have a few items photos log book, medals etc I will put on the forum. Thanks its so nice to what happened. I will be back
     
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  13. Tony H

    Tony H Junior Member

    101 Sqn Lancaster III LM367 SR-X had departed Ludford Magna for Ops Braunschweig

    It was intercepted W of Braunschwieg by a Night-Fighter captained by Lt Peter Spoden (V/NJG5) and shot down at 1930 for his fourth Abschusse

    The aircraft crashed into (or near to) a slate quarry at Lautenthal, 10km SW of Goslar with the loss of all eight crew. Three were initially buried in Lautenthal on 16/01/44 but have since been reburied in the CWGC War Cemetery, Hannover. The remaining five crew have no known graves and are therefore remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey

    Sources; Chorley's BCL V5 & Boiten's NCA 1944 V1

    Tony
     
  14. Margo Kerr

    Margo Kerr New Member

    Robert Bateman was also my grandfather's brother. Another brother died in the war in India in 1942.
     

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