Lancaster Bomber 514 Squadron

Was Sgt A Balfour with you by any chance, he also evaded but I don't remember whether he was at Freteval or not and I don' thav emy files with me. As a matter of coincidence I was contaced by a relative of Stan Lawrence only a few hours ago (I believe he was at Freteval too) . I will keep in touch about him . Good to know your password is fixed.

 

Can't find any reference to Sgt.Balfour. Stan Lawrence I remember quite well from Freteval days. Cheers Alex

 

Hi,

Came across this reference to Strassner and the night of July 28/29 1944.
This entry confirms that he misidentified the Lancaster as a Halifax.

Luftwaffe night fighter combat ... - Google Books

 

Thank you Mr. Campbell. I sent the link to my uncle in Arizona as he was a navigator in the Lancs. I am in the process of scanning his complete log book. I did post a couple of pictures so far.

My wife is of the Kelowna Harveys. Any connection?

KTK

 

Hi

No doubt about that , this confusion was so common that the pilots mostly used the word "Viermot" (four engine aircraft) .

 

Hi Mr Campbell
in answer to an earlier query, I think Robert Gordon was known as Roy Gordon by the crew. He flew with my grandfather Bomb Aimer Jack Weir and the USAAF pilot Bob Sarvis in PB265 from Elsham Wolds. Sgt Alexander Balfour, the Engineer was a Scot and evaded capture through the Resistence and I think was at Freteval?
I have since found out that Sgt J Coates, W/Op later died on a mission to Dortmund in Feb 1945 with the Bastick Crew.

 

to Skippers response about BC bombers, many times the LW German crew could not tell what their "victim" was at all so viermot was used as it was purely guess work on an unlit moonless night. this was more common in 1945 when claims to kills were quite shakey and of course were not counted officially after October 1944 unless printed up in the pilots Flugbuch.

 

Outstanding video, gave me goose bumps watching! we owe those pilots a great debt of gratitude, brave young men in the crews!

 

Agreed, what an amazing video!

 

Hi Skipper, your quote
"Robert T Gordon, RCAF's aircraft. Rob was shot down by friendly AA over Orleans on July 24th 1944. His aircraft crashed further north in Normandy but he was eventually taken to Freteval!
I don't know whether you remember about Rob Gordon, he came back to France after the war"

I didnt realize that Gordon had been back to France?

 

Hi Simon, I will have to dig up my files but this would have been years ago during a ceremony.

 

To Alex Campbell and relatives + all those who were involved in this dreadful Stuttgart Operation of July 28th/29TH 1944.
Today my thoughts go to you. I have a particular thought for Bob Giffin who did not make it . I visited his grave last week at St Cloud en Dunois on a day trip to Freteval , unfortunately this was not planned so i had neither flowers, nor camera. Today I took my chidlren to another Commonwealth grave which is closer to my home . Lancaster SR-V2 was shot down only eleven minutes after the one flown by Alex Campbell, so their faiths are closely linked together.

I was happy to notice that some other villagers had already brought flowers there as well. I know for sure an old man did so, so with my children this means these brave airmen are still remembered by four generations after 66 years. Lest we forget

 

well done and thanks Skipper

 

Midnight 66 years ago
At one minute past midnight of July 28 1944 Lt J Strassner claimed another "viermot" shot down. This marked the demise of Lancaster Mk2 A2 C of RAF 514 Squadron.
Thanks to all you wonderful people who have made it possible to search, find, and display in detail the happenings of those times. Mid upper gunner E R Jones and myself are the two remaining members of the crew.

Sincerely Alex Campbell
remaining members of the crew.

 

Please send my regards to Mr Jones as well as the relatives of the other crew members.

I took this picture today at a local Commonwealth grave with casualties from the July 28th/29th Operation grave.

The picture will tell more than a long text, there is a little message with a poppy for each casualty folded in a rose.

 

Here is some more online information about the events of July 28/29 1944.

http://airforce.ca/awards.php?search=1&keyword=&page=112&mem=&type=rcaf

Scroll down to "Campbell, F/L Edward Alexander (J25414)"

Includes information about Dad's first sortie (19 May 1944)

 

Thanks for this useful link about May 19th. I had'nt realized the corkscrew was so violent, it must have been quite a scare , but on the other hand the Ju-88 was probably caught by surprise and could not follow the Lanc at this speed and angle.

 

Friends,

You may be interested in viewing this video in remembrance of the aircrews who flew the Lancaster bombers:

Courage and Passion on Vimeo

 

Doering thanks for sending us the video of remembrance. Was pleased to see the clips of the Mk 2 Lancs. There are always pics of those I have not seen before. I hate to think of all the clips that no one will ever see. Cheers Alex Campbell

 

It's always a pleasure to watch those, nice to see you are around again Alex, I hope everything is all right , especially health, both for you and the family.
Christian (who designed your avater) has been working on B-26 crashes and has designed a new drawing . If you are interested I can send you the link on your email , so you know what's going on on this side of the Atlantic