John Searby - 83 Sqn aircraft on Peenemunde Raid?

Hi Folks,

I wonder if anyone can help me with an aircraft ident question please?

I'm looking for the aircraft tail number and squadron ident code for the Lanc flown by Grp Capt John Searby when he acted as Master Bomber on the Peenemunde raid on 17 Aug 1943.

Any info greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Jon

 

sure one of the rogues will come to assist jon..

try emailng mike kemble.. Lancaster Bomber

 

Hello Ray, thanks for the tip, I'll give it a try!

Jon

 

The aircraft's serial was JA928, coded OL-W.

Have you obtained a copy of Searby's book 'The Great Raids - Peenemunde 17 August 1943'?

 

well done,good advice alieneyes...

 

Alieneyes is right - 'William' was Searby's regular 83 Squadron Lancaster. 'The Great Raids - Peenemunde' is essential for anyone interested in the bombing of Peenemunde, as is Middlebrook's book.

'William' is the subject of Frank Wootton's famous painting which hangs in the RAF Club in London : -

Wootton - Peenemunde

 

Thanks to all for the help & advice. I now have a copy of book suggested by Alieneyes on order.

Thanks for the link to the Wootton painting - I'd love to see the original.

Regards,

Jon

 

You may already have this, but anyone else seriously interested in John Searby should get hold of a copy of his memoir, 'The Everlasting Arms' (William Kimber, 1988 ).

It was edited from Searby's notes shortly after his death by Martin Middlebrook and is probably one of the most important Bomber Command memoirs. A chapter is devoted to Peenemunde and the raid is described in a more personal way than in 'The Great Raids'. Together the two books make fascinating reading - all you need then is the Limited Edition print of the Wootton painting and you have the whole story !

 

Thanks Martin. I'm out of cash at present, but that book will be next on my shopping list come pay-day!

I've got a print of Robert Taylor's "Target Peenemunde" but I'd love the Wootton one as well. They'd make a nice pair - one showing the aircraft setting off, the other showing them "doing the business"!


Cheers,

Jon