Memorial to the Crew of Lancaster LM464
Commemorating the Crew of Lancaster LM 464 (SR-E)
On the 18th March 1944 at 19:20 hours, Lancaster LM464, E for Edward, of 101 Squadron lifted off from RAF Ludford Magna in Lincolnshire and headed towards Nazi Occupied Germany.
Their target was Frankfurt Germany.
The Crew were,
Flight Sergeant Roy Dixon DFM, Age 20 (Pilot)
Sergeant Bertram Crosby, Age 20 (Flight Engineer)
Flying Office Sydney Huntly, Royal Canadian Air Force, Age 25 (Bomb Aimer)
Sergeant William Thompson, Age 27 (Navigator)
Sergeant Roger Vernon, Age 21 (Wireless Operator)
Sergeant Norris Marshall, Age 33 (Mid Upper Gunner)
Sergeant Percy Lawn, Age 22 (Rear Gunner)
The normal Lancaster crew was 7, but LM464 was fitted with a Top Secret Radio Jamming System, code name ABC and known as `Airborne Cigar` which required an additional crew member (normally German Speaking), which was Sergeant Robert Bryan (Specialist Wireless Operator).
His Job was to listen for German Transmission and `Jam` with Noise to disable the German Ground Communications to their Night Fighters. (Known as Wilde Sau or Wild Boar).
Sqn Badge
101 Sqn had moved to Ludford Magan in June 1943.
The Target was reached at 22:10.
The Bomb Load was dropped at 20,000ft and LM464 turned and headed home.
At 01:40 on the 19th, they crossed the English Coast at Orford Ness, but owing to fuel problems both Port engines were Out of Action, this was the last time the crew was heard from, (there is not any record of a Distress Call from the Aircraft, although there was very faint distress signal heard from an Unknown aircraft, and it is assumed that was LM 464).
At 01:55, five miles NNE of Horham, the Aircraft Crashed behind Fir Tree Farm in Syleham, Suffolk (less than 30 mins flying time from their home base in Lincolnshire).
Crash site about 0.2 miles from this point
In 2024, Funds were raised by the Syleham and Wingfield Village Hall for a Memorial to the Crew.
The Commemorative Service was attend by about 80 people including relations of the Crew, (including one from the USA) plus Diss Royal Air Force Association and three local Royal British Legion Branches, plus other groups, included Station 366, which was singing group dressed as Land Army Girls and the USAAF 95th Heavy Bombardment Group.
Anglia TV Filming the event.
101 Squadron was first formed in July 1917 in WW1 as part of the Royal Flying Corps.
101 Squadron was a part of No.1 Group, Bomber Command in WW2.
101 Squadron had the highest list of Casualties in all of Bomber Command
In the 21st Century No. 101 Squadron of the Royal Air Force now operates the Airbus Voyager, in the Air-to-Air Refuelling and Transport roles from RAF Brize Norton.
Thanks to Julie and Melanie for all the work they have done to remember these Brave Guys, Lest we Forget.
A Posy of eight Poppies was laid by Dave, our Poppy Coordinator, in memory of the eight man crew killed.
Raid Details
This is information on Frankfurt to the 18/19th March 1944 is from the Bomber Command War Diaries, by Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt.
The Campaign was called `Berlin, the main Battle` (From November 1943 to March 1944).
Frankfurt 18/19 March
846 Aircraft took part in this operation, 620 Lancasters, 209 Halifaxs and 17 Mosquitoes.
The German Night force was again split.
One Part was lured north by Heligoland Mining Operations, but the second part waited in Germany and met the Bomber Stream just before the Target was reached, although clouds made it difficult for these fighters to achieve much success.
22 aircraft, 12 Halifax and 10 Lancasters were lost, 2.6 per cent of the Force.
The Pathfinders marked the Target accurately and this led to Heavy Bombing of the Eastern, Central and Western district of Frankfurt.
The Later phases of the bombing were scattered, but this was inevitable with such a large force, with new crews were allocated to the final waves.
Extensive destruction was caused in Frankfurt.
The local report gave a long list of `Cultural Buildings`, including the Opera House and the Preserved Medieval Quarter were destroyed.
Most of the Report is statistics of the damaged done, 5495 houses, 99 industrial firms, 412 small businesses and 56 public building, all destroyed or seriously damaged, with many other buildings being lightly damaged.
421 civilians were killed and 55,500 were bombed out.
A Military train was hit and 20 soldiers in it were killed and 80 wounded.
This may have been the action of a Fighter Command Intruder Aircraft, the Frankfurt reports that the train was shot up by Cannon fire.
There were Diversion and Support Operations, with the total effort for the night, 1046 sorties, with 22 Aircraft 2.1 % lost.
Robert J Rogers,
Member Diss Royal British Legion.
Associated Member Bomber Command Association.
Associated Member Diss Royal Air Force Association.
Photos from the event.
Lancaster model in respect to the crew of Lancaster PB 409 OF-F buried in the Reichwold War Graves, Germany.
101 Sqn Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
