195 SQUADRON 3GROUP 1945

hi im new to the site and i was recommended to join by erich , i am trying to trace the events surrounding my wifes uncle death. he was flying lancasters from wratting common 1943to45 in lancaster ng-186 of 195 sqd he was a seargent gunner named donald sheppard and was shot down near dessau !. he was 19 years old and i am trying to peice together a familly file about what he did and how he died. i beleive some of the crew were murdered !. the date was 8th march 1945. if anyone can help by providing files or photos of this event and anything to do with squadron for the time 1943-45 i would be eternally gratefull

 

welcome Mark !

we have some very knowledgeable forum members here with access to RCAF materials

thanks for joining

E ~

 

Hello Mark,

I don't have much info, but can confirm that all of the crew baled out safely, although the wireless operator was badly injured and died 7 days later. It seems the other 6 crew were murderd by the SS.

The Lancaster crashed near a small town called Buttstdat.

The crew were,
Pilot, Flt/Lt P. Scott
Flight Engineer, Sgt A. K. Robinson
Navigator, F/O R. Appleyard DFM
Air Bomber, F/O T. M. Draper RCAF
Wireles Operator, W/O R. S. Howe
Mid Upper Gunner, Sgt D. H. Sheppard
Rear Gunner, Sgt K. Woodburn

I hope someone comes along with more info for you.
Wayne.

 

from your post here http://lancaster-archive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3065&sid=9fa3dc45411a110e9d39957fe4713356 I see that there are some who have already given assistance.

http://www.flieger-lynchmorde.de/Text/auflistung.htm This article refers to your wife's uncle.

8.3.1945 Ermordung eines britischen Fliegers in der Gemeinde Vogelsberg/Thüringen durch einen Polizisten. - Es ist sehr wahrscheinlich, dass der Ermordete zu der Besatzung der britischen Lancaster gehörte, die am 8.3.1945 bei Buttstädt/Schloßvippach abgestürzt ist.
Quelle: Schreiben des Bürgermeisters der Gemeinde Vogelsberg vom 13.8.2001 (mit Kopien aus der Orts-Chronik).

​

Englischer Militärfriedhof "An der Heeerstraße" in Berlin. - Nach der Chronik der Gemeinde Vogelsberg/Thüringen wurden fünf ermordete Besatzungsmitglieder (Draper, Appleyard, Scott, Robinson und Howe) der am 8.3.1945 im Raum Berlstedt (nach anderer Aussage bei Buttstädt bzw. Schloßvippach) abgestürzten 7köpfigen britischen Lancaster nach vorübergehender Beisetzung in Schloßvippach, Vippachedelhausen bzw. Buttstädt nach der "Heerstraße" überführt. Ob die beiden als vermißt geltenden Besatzungsmitglieder Sergeant H.D. Sheppard und Sergeant K. Woodbum evtl. dort auch beigesetzt wurden, wird noch zu klären sein. ​

translation:
03/08/1945 Murder of a British airman in the community Vogelsberg / Germany by a policeman. - It is very likely that the victim belonged to the crew of the British Lancaster which crashed on 03.08.1945 at Buttstädt / Schloßvippach .
Source : Letter from the mayor of the municipality Vogelsberg , 13.8.2001 (with copies from the local history ).

​

British military cemetery at the Heeerstraße "in Berlin. - According to the Chronicle of the community Vogelsberg , Thuringia , five crew members killed (Draper, Appleyard , Scott, Robinson and Howe) on the 03.08.1945 in the room Berlstedt (according to another statement or in Buttstädt Schloßvippach ) crashed 7köpfigen British after temporary burial in Lancaster Schloßvippach , Vippachedelhausen Buttstädt or after the " high road convicted . Whether the two crew members reported missing in force sergeant HD Sheppard and Sergeant K. Woodbum there may have been buried there will have to be clarified.


​

 

many thanks for your replys i have simalar information , but in some file i have aqquired dated 1947 two airmen were still not counted for which were sheppard and woodburn , and who were beleived to have died in the crashed lancaster !!, so as you see im not sure of which account is 100% genuine. i have 2 versions both different an i have a unnoficial report that all 7 bailed, with 2 not accounted for.if by 1947 sheppard ( my wifes uncle ) and woodburn were not accounted for then where and when were they found and what is the report on their tragic end !!. this is what im hoping to find out and to find who shot down the lancaster. p.s i have some oficial files which i am willing to swop/exchange for any files regarding this incident and squadron for 1943-45.

 

Hi
Have just come across this site and your query regarding the crew of Lancaster NG186 A4-0.

My father, Flt/Lt Peter Scott, was the pilot that night and, together with the Engineer Sgt Robinson, were the only crew to successfully bail out after being shot down by nightfighter.

They were picked up and looked after by some locals, including a schoolmaster, and were well looked after until the morning.

They were then collected by local Nazi officials, marched of and murdered. Those responsible were apprehended after WWII but were probably not punished, not certain about this. An article was written about unpunished War Crimes in the Observer (I think) several years ago, using this action as an example. After the fighting was over, the schoolmaster sent several letters to my Grandmother informing her of what happened.

Afraid I haven't any info on your wife's uncle but hope this gives some background.

David

 

Lost Bombers.co.uk Information:
""Serial range NF906 - NG503 This aircraft was one of 400 Lancasters ordered from Armstrong Whitworth aircraft (Baginton) and delivered from Jul44 to Feb45 mainly with Merlin 24 engines from Baginton and Bitteswell. NG186 was delivered to No.195 Sqdn 8Oct44. NG186 took part in the key Operations against Dresden 13/14Feb45 and Cologne 2Mar45-Daylight. No record of total hours. Formerly an Ground-Support Squadron equipped with Typhoons, No.195 Sqdn was re-formed as a bomber squadron from a nucleus of personnel drawn from No.115 Sqdn at Witchford 1Oct44. From amongst the rash of 'new' Lancaster Squadrons forming in the Autumn of 1944, No.195 Sqdn sustained the heaviest losses up to the turn of the year. Airborne 1706 7Mar45 from Wratting Common. Crashed near the small town of B_ttstadt, E of the main highway between K_lleda and Weimar. W/O Howe died from his wounds 15Mar45, while being treated at B_ttstadt Krankenhaus. With his six comrades, he is now buried in the Berlin 1939-45 War Cemetery. F/O Appleyard gained his DFM with No.106 Sqdn, details being Gazetted 27Jun44. Note. No.195 Sqdn had a run of excellent good fortune in 1945, and the above crew were the only airmen reported missing from Jan45 to May45. Tragically, six baled out safely and landed unhurt, only to be brutally put to death by the SS. W/O Howe, meanwhile, was found by a Herr Kurt Stiebritz and he cared for the wounded airman until 13Mar45, when an SS doctor from the Buchenwald Concentration Camp arrived and, having diagnosed pneumonia, gave the airman an injection and told Herr Stiebritz to take him to Hospital. This is believed to have been a genuine attempt to save W/O Howe's life. F/L P.Scott Murdered Sgt A.K.Robinson Murdered F/O R.Appleyard DFM Murdered F/O T.M.Draper RCAF Murdered W/O R.S.Howe Inj.Died 15Mar45 en-route to Buttst_dt Hospital Sgt D.H.Sheppard Murdered Sgt K.Woodburn Murdered " "

 

Hallo,
Heute ist der 08 März und somit der 67. Jahrestag an dem die Besatzung ermordet wurde .In meinen Ort wurde Thomas M.Drapper ermordet.Meine Mutter war damals Zeuge dieses Verbrechens und war noch ein Kind mit 9 Jahren.Ich habe an der Stelle einen Stein gesetzt,damit nicht vergessen wird was Krieg ist. (www.flieger-lynchmorde.de)Der Mörder hat seine gerechte Strafe bekommen,er ist mit seiner Frau auf der Flucht ums Leben gekommen.

 

Only a little help.

Hello,
Today is the 08th March and therefore the 67th anniversary of the killing of the Crew. In my location, Thomas M.Drapper was murdered. My mother had witnessed the crime and was still a child of 9 years.I have put a stone in place, to make sure that no one will forget how cruel war was . (Fliegerlynchmorde im zweiten Weltkrieg) The killer got his punishment, he was killed with his wife as he was on the run.

 

Original poster is still looking for answers.
See: http://lostaircraft.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=31101