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4 April, 1945; NORDHAUSEN (DAYLIGHT):
A total of 243 Lancasters led by 9 Mosquitoes (all 5 Group) attacked
German barracks in the town of Nordhausen during the morning
of Wednesday 4th; an attack made in support of our quickly advancing
troops. From a bombing height of 16,000 feet, the target and
town were both severely damaged.
Flak or night fighter opposition proved non-existent, but one
Lancaster from the force did failto return, and it unfortunately
came from 49 Squadron: F/O Arthur Fisher RAAF (ME308), aged 21,
and crew were tragically all killed when their aircraft F-Fox,
was seen to explode over the target. Pat Walters, pilot/rear
gunner in F/Lt Bromfield's (PB484) crew had just rotated his
turret in time to see the Lancaster disintegrate in a ball of
flame; F/O Bob Soutar RNZAF (NX581) and crew also witnessed the
explosion.The remaining squadron aircraft landed back at Fulbeck
around lunchtime, and during interrogation there was much conjecture
and speculation as to the reason for the loss of F/O Fisher's
crew. Some thought the aircraft had been hit by bombs from other
Lancasters. Another theory was that the bomb load had been released
all at once i.e. the 'Cookie' and 15x500lb bombs together, and
that one of the 500 pounders may have touched the cookie. (The
cookie being barrel shaped has a slower trajectory than the streamlined
bombs, and should therefore always be released last).
However, a report has recently been obtained from WO Dennis
Over, Rear Gunner on a 227 Squadron aircraft, flown by S/L Meagher,
Flight Commander.
"On a daylight raid to Nordhausen we were several minutes
from target with aircraft converging towards the target run up.
There were clear conditions, no flak or fighters. I saw a Lancaster
suddenly break in half, I believe forward of the mid upper turret.
I was looking directly at the aircraft, it was flying straight
and level and suddenly snapped in two. It was 500 yards low on
my starboard quarter.
The two halves plunged vertically to the ground, no parachutes
deployed, no fire or explosion. The forward part descended at
an angle, the aft part dropped vertically. The aircraft broke
up in a clear space between two clouds, we were both in that
clear area for about ten seconds. As we were still two minutes
to target, no aircraft were bombing at the time.
We logged the incident and gave details to the Intelligence Officer
at de-brief. It was confirmed as being a 49 Squadron, it being
the only loss.
A couple of years ago I read an article on the incident. I understand
that the official records of the loss read 'believed to have
been hit by a friendly bomb from another aircraft whilst in cloud'.
It definitely was not in cloud and no bombs had been released."
Lancaster ME308 (EA-F)
F/O A.B. Fischer RAAF Pilot (Killed)
Sgt D.G. Parbery F/E (Killed)
F/S H.R.
Sproston NAV (Killed)
Sgt F.F.
Sinclair W/AG (Killed)
Sgt F. Wright
A/G (Killed)
Sgt G.H.
Simmonds B/A (Killed)
F/S T.B.
Moore A/G (Killed)
Crew on their 4th operation
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