Lancaster Bomber 514 Squadron

Dad sent me a couple of images of maps from the period. One, "Captains of Aircraft", shows the route to Stuttgart. They are posted here:
http://www.hilaroad.com/RCAF/freteval/captains_of_aircraft_map.htm

E.W. Campbell

 

I have been doing research on the squadron for about 8 years- My Dad was a Canadian Navigator and met my Mum who was a WAAF in the Sgts, Mess.
They were married at Waterbeach in 1944- came back to Canada after the war, and the rest is history.
Both have passed away, but in my research I have been able to reunite men from approx 25 crews that served at Waterbeach.

 

Erich,

Look for a private message with a draft letter from my Dad re. contacting Leutnant Straßner.

E. Wayne Campbell

 

For those of you who have been following this thread, it appears that Leutnant Straßner is likely the pilot of the JU 88 that took down my Dad's Lancaster on the night of July 28, 1944. Dad has composed a letter to Leutnant Straßner with some details of the attack that may confirm wether or not this is the case. We are in the process of having a neighbur translate the letter into German. Erich has offered to use his resources and attempt to deliver this letter to Straßner or someone who knew him. Letter below:

Letter to Leutnant Straßner from F/L E.A. Campbell

Herr Straßner:
Could it be that you and I have met before? It is possible. The following will briefly outline the events leading up to the hour of midnight on July 28th 1944.
Lancaster A2 C from RAF Sqdn 514 was on a southeasterly course south of Chateaudun approaching Orleans. We were in a cloud layer which was only some 500 feet thick and was diminishing. The wireless operator reported an aircraft approaching from the rear and slightly below our altitude. It slowed down to our speed and then remained in that position. One or two more aircraft soon appeared and took up similar positions only further out to the sides. The gunners were unable as yet to obtain any visual contact. Just before midnight the wireless operator informed me that he was leaving the "visual monica set" in order to tune into base for any possible changes or instructions.
Suddenly we came to the end of the cloud and out into clear bright moonlight. The rear gunner shouted "Fighter-Port-Go" while at the same time shells came thumping into our aircraft. The two port engines caught fire as the fuel tanks were ripped open and set ablaze. The windscreen was taken out along with my DR compass. I caught just a fleeting glimpse of what appeared to be a JU88 banking away. A second attack put out the starboard inner engine.
I had alerted the crew to "Put on parachutes" then shortly after that to "Abandon Aircraft,Jump Jump Jump". We carried a second pilot that night who was severely injured in the attack and died the next day. The navigator who suffered leg injuries was unable to run and was taken prisoner. The rest of us evaded capture and with much help from the resistance workers were able to make our way back to England.
We flew a Mark2 Lancaster which is equipped with Bristol Hercules Radial engines. This, I am sure, accounted for us being sometimes identified as a Halifax bomber. The two aircraft would present a very similar silhouette especially from behind.
Some of us were sheltered in a "safe house" which was close to an airfield. JU88's would take off and climb just over our heads. The wheels would still be rotating as the undercarriage was retracting. On the nose of each aircraft was mounted a large array of forward facing antennae. I believe the runway was just to the east of us.
We were an experienced crew on our 25th operation. So far we had survived quite a number of fighter attacks by several different types of planes. I would like to say that the aircraft that brought us down was in the hands of a well trained crew that coordinated and carried out a brilliant attack.You are to be commended.
I hope this will be of interest to you.
Flight Lieutenant E.A. Campbell RCAF (Ret)

 

Wayne, do not despair I have your dad's letter here before me, about ready to translate and send off to the appropriate veteran(s). The flu has not left me and is sticking like glue ........

will be in touch

Erich ~

 

Erich,

Sorry to hear you are still in the grip of this flue that is going around.
If the translation turns out to be too big of a task, let us know, Dad has a German speaking neighbour who is willing to help with this. We appreciate your interest and support in this endeavour.

Wayne

 

Gentlemen, I & I'm sure many other members are watching this thread with real fascination !

Do please keep us all posted.....

 

Yes, I agree. The letter makes you feel the terror the crew felt during the attack. Interesting about the second pilot also. I think that was rare.

 

TA152.The second pilot bit could be cleared up somewhat. This does refer to another pilot. In this case he was the pilot and captain of a new crew all set to go on "Ops" or operations against the enemy. They had completed their various courses both on the ground and in the air. To gain operational experience it was usual to assign the skipper to accompany a seasoned crew on an actual trip. This trip was referred to as a "second dickie" trip and often prompted snide remarks and a recall of old superstitions of which there was a never ending supply. I appreciate your interest .
Martin_ This forum is truly a remarkable example of modern wizardry. I feel privileged to be part of it. By the way can you tell me how to get Stevin's map on my monitor? It just won't fit and I'd like to see it. Thanks and cheers Skipper of "C Charlie"

 

I will take a new, more sharper picture and mail that to you. Somehow I haven't been able to get it any sharper....Will try again tonight when I come home from work...

 

Great thread. I am following it with much interest, as I see are many others.

 

Hello,

Erich, or anyone else familiar with German Nachtjäger files, can you explain the entries "Viermot" under "A/C type" at this site documenting Heinz Rökker's flying career.

http://www.luftwaffe.cz/rokker.html

E.W. Campbell

 

"Viermot" would be "Four Engine".....An unidentified (type-wise) four engined bomber.

Stevin

 

Stevin is absolutely right...the term 'viermot' was used particularly at night due to difficulty of differentiating between a Lancaster or Halifax, or indeed a Stirling.

 

yes very true when an unidentified machine RAF was shot down or damaged it was recoreded by the staffel or Greuppe and Geschwader recorder as a Viermot or 4-mot. 4-mot or viermot was used in the pilots flugbuch and was written in either way.

Viermot was also used for Day time bombers especially US heavies more as a grouping when attacked Viermots or Schwere pulks, Dicke Autos, etc ......

 

In line with this:

As a location of a claim is stated "FuF ida".....This is a radarstation I assume. Does anybody know where ths was?

I look into a crash near Weert on 23/24 Sept 1944. The plane was definately shot down by a night fighter, but TW's claimlist doesn't mention a claim for this night in that Gradnetz location. The only location I haven't ID'd is "FuF ida"....

 

looking at the maps if I can find them, radar, radio installation or light beacon

 

Stevin :

Two Luftwaffe facilities based at this location in which "Otto" was based 50 miles almost due east. "IDA" was north of Niedermendig and S.E. of Bonn-Hangelar.

At the location were Schweres Leuchtfeuer and Schweres Funkfeuer.

Will look for the quadrant that is was located in soon.

E ~

 

Good Evening,

Dad's friend and neighbour, Dieter, has finished translating the letter to Leutnant Straßner. We appreciate the help with this task. The letter is pasted below.
Erich, or anyone else with knowledge of German, may be able to help with the fine-tuning of this translation. The term "Radio Operator" for instance.
When completed Dad will be sending this message to Oberleutnant Heinz Rökker, hopefully he will be able to forward the message to Leutnant Straßner

Erich, I believe Dad is sending you a PM re. this letter.
E.W. Campbell

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Herr Strassner:

Koennte es sein das weir uns schon einmal getroffen haben? Es ist moeglich. Der folgene
Bericht fuehrt zu der Stunde Mitternacht am 28.July 1944.
Lancaster A2 C vom RAF Squadron 514war auf einem suedoestlichen Kurs suedlich von
Chateaudun richtung Orleans.
Wir waren in einer Wolkenlage die nur 150Meter dick war und verdunstete.Der Radio
operator gab bekannt das ein Flugzueg auf uns von hinten zu kahm.Es wurde langsamer
zu unserer Geswindigheit und dann behielte die Position. Ein oder Zwei weitere
Flugzeuge erschienen dann und nahmen die beiden seitwerts position auf. Unsere
"Gunners" waren zu diesem Punkt noch nicht in der Lage die Flugzeuge auf dem
Bildschirm zu sehen.
Ploetlich kamen wir aus den Wolken ins klare bei Mondschein.Der hintere "Gunner"
schrie "Fighter Port Go" Waerend zur selben zeit Schuesse auf unserem Flugzeug
bemerkbar waren. Die zwei rechten Motoren von unserem Fluzeug figen feuer weil die
Brennstoff Tanks getroffen waren.Unser Fenster sowie mein DR Compass waren
verloen. Ich habe gesehen es sah aus wie ein JU 88. Ein zweiter Angriff zerstoerte
unseren inneren Motor.
Ich hatte unsere Crew darauf aufmerksam gemacht, zieht Fallschirm an und kurz danach
"Verlasst Fugzeug und springt".Wir hatten einen zweiten Piloten den Abend der schwer
verletzt war in dem Angriff der am folgenden Tag starb.Unser "Navigator" hatte Bein
verletzungen und konnte nicht laufen und wurde Kriegsgefangener.Der rest von uns
kamen von der gefangenshaft davon und mit Hilfe der Wiederstands Arbeiter waren wir
in der lage zurueck nach England zu kommen.
Wir flogen ein "Mark 2 Lancaster" mit Bristol Hercules Radial Motoren.Aus diesem
Grunde wurden wir oftmals als Halifax Bomber identifiziert.Beide Flugzeuge hatten
Aehnliche Silhouetten besonders von hinten.
Einige von uns fanden ein "sicheres Haus" in der Nache von einem Flugplatz.Ju88
Flieger sahen wir starten hier ueber unsere Koepfe. Die Raeder drehten sich noch.An der
Spitze waren Antennen gebaut. Die Startbahn war gerade oestlich von uns.
Wir waren eine erfahrene Gruppe auf unsere 25 ten mission. Wir hatten zahlreiche
Angriff von verschiedenen Fugzeug Typen ueberlebt. Ich moechte hierbei aber sagen
dass das Flugzeug das uns zerstoehrt hat in guten,trainerten und coordinierten Haenden
war fuer den Angriff auf uns. Mein Compliment fuer Sie.
Ich hoffe dieser Bericht ist interessant fuer Sie.

Flugleutnant E.A. Campbell RCAF (Ret.)

 

Erich: I see Wayne has already posted the translation. If you wish to add anything further to be sent to Heinz Roekker send it to me and I will include it. My log book shows for July 15/44 two attacks. One a Me410 and one a Me210. Our T/O time was 21:45 and duration 6:15. Target was Charlons-sur-Marne. Not much to go on but but does anyone have further information on these attacks?
Thanks to all the helping hands.
Cheers E.A. Campbell