Avro Lancaster PA278 disappearance
| Industry | Aerospace manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Broughton , United Kingdom |
| Products | Avro Lancaster Mk.I aircraft |
Template:Infobox aircraft occurrence
The Avro Lancaster PA278 disappearance concerns the loss of Avro Lancaster Mk.I PA278, nicknamed F for Freddie, which was operated by No. 103 Squadron RAF (103 Sqn) under RAF Bomber Command shortly after the conclusion of the Second World War.
On 4 October 1945, the aircraft vanished over the Mediterranean Sea, most likely in the vicinity of Corsica. Onboard were six aircrew members and nineteen female service personnel, marking the most significant fatality among British and Commonwealth female service members during the Second World War.[1][2]
The Lancaster
Lancaster PA278 was part of a series of 265 aircraft constructed by Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd at their facility located at Broughton factory, near Chester, between June 1944 and September 1945. Upon completion, it was assigned to Bomber Command's 103 Sqn and participated in several bombing missions during March and April of 1945.[3][4]
Operation Dodge
Beginning on 3 August 1945, 103 Sqn was among the heavy bomber units engaged in Operation Dodge, which involved repatriating experienced soldiers from the Eighth Army stationed in Italy and the Central Mediterranean region. The operation established an embarkation hub at Bari airfield along Italy’s southern Adriatic coast, with additional use of an airfield at Naples for logistical convenience.[5][6]
The flight back to England typically lasted six hours, with a usual passenger load capped at twenty-two soldiers due to the cramped interior of the Lancaster not being designed for transporting personnel. On return journeys to Italy, the aircraft often carried essential service members heading back to the region.[7]
Generally, between six and ten aircraft from 103 Sqn were dispatched several times each week for Operation Dodge. Crews would overnight in Italy before returning with their passengers either the next day or shortly thereafter. While most flights proceeded without incident, squadron logs indicate that on two occasions—19 August and 5 September 1945—Lancasters B for Baker and G for George, piloted by Warrant Officer Francis and Flying Officer Leigh respectively, were forced to divert and land at Marseille, France due to engine malfunctions.
Disappearance
On 3 October 1945, adverse weather conditions with a low cloud ceiling prevented flying for much of the day. Eight Lancasters from 103 Squadron were assigned to Operation Dodge and began departing for Italy starting at 23:30 GMT. Two of these aircraft returned due to engine difficulties, and one crew borrowed a plane from No. 100 Squadron RAF, taking off again at 01:30 GMT. Among the aircraft involved, two, including PA278 "F for Freddie," landed at RAF Glatton near Huntingdon to board passengers either beginning service in Italy or returning from leave.[8]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
The Lancaster PA278 was piloted by Geoffrey Taylor's seasoned crew, who had previously flown together on some of the final bombing missions of World War II in April 1945. On this flight, the bomb aimer was not required; instead, the rear turret was manned by squadron gunnery leader Flight Lieutenant John Wymark,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name who had been awarded both the Distinguished Service OrderCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his valor during three combat tours.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
At 00:30 GMT on 4 October 1945, PA278 departed from RAF Glatton under the command of Flight lieutenant Geoffrey Taylor,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name with Sergeant Richard SteelCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name serving as flight engineer. This was the second transport aircraft to take off and carried six crew members along with 17 female soldiers from the Auxiliary Territorial Service, led by Staff Serjeant Jessie Ellen Semark,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Senior Matron Gertrude Irene Sadler of the South African Military Nursing Service,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name and Nursing Sister Jane Simpson Annand Curran,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name part of Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service.[8]
Passengers were seated on canvas folding chairs arranged along the fuselage beneath where Sergeant William KennedyCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name occupied a sling seat in the "Mid-Upper" gun turret. The aircraft offered no heating or parachutes for those aboard, and no oxygen was supplied to passengers; consequently, the plane maintained an altitude of approximately 2,000 ft (610 m).Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
The planned flight path crossed directly over France and then followed the Mediterranean coastline west of Marseille. Navigator Flight Sergeant Jack ReardonCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name set an accurate course out over open water. However, roughly 30 miles north-north-west of Cap Corse, on the island of Corsica, wireless operator Flight Sergeant Norman RobbinsCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name communicated engine trouble to a companion aircraft, indicating that F for Freddie intended to turn back and land at Marseille. The accompanying plane proceeded towards Naples, but around 04:40 GMT observed a sudden flash of flame.[8]
After this point, no further contact was made with PA278 or its occupants, and search efforts by air-sea rescue teams failed to locate any debris. Reports from all aircraft on the outbound journey noted poor weather conditions near Corsica.[8]
Aircrew and Passengers
News blackout
A commonly circulated narrative suggests that the disappearance of PA278 F for Freddie, which involved a significant loss of female service members, was kept from the media until March 1946. However, this claim is inaccurate, as reports about the incident appeared extensively in UK regional newspapers as early as 17 November 1945.
See also
- List of fatal accidents and incidents involving Royal Air Force aircraft from 1945
- Operation Exodus (WWII operation)
References
- ↑ "Legacy Page Redirects". www.aircrewremembered.com. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ↑ Cummings, (2004). PA278
- ↑ Halley (1985), p.114
- ↑ National Archives, London. AIR 27/817/8 - 103 Squadron
- ↑ National Archives, London. AIR 27/817/11 - 103 Squadron
- ↑ Mason (1989), p.405
- ↑ Mason (1989), p.207-209
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedauto - ↑ 9.0 9.1 Mentioned in Despatches
- Bibliography
- Halley, James J. "Lancaster File". London: Air Britain., 1985. ISBN 978-0851301075.
- Cummings, Colin. "The Price of Peace". Nimbus., 2004. ISBN 978-0952661955.
- Mason, Francis K. "The Avro Lancaster". London: Air Britain., 1989. ISBN 978-0946627301.
- Bowyer, Michael J.F. and John D.R. Rawlings. Squadron Codes, 1937-56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1979. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
- Charlwood, Don. No Moon Tonight. London: Goodall Publications Ltd., 1984. ISBN 0-907579-06-X.
- Finn, Sid. Black Swan: A History of 103 Squadron RAF. Newton Publishers, 1989. ISBN 1-872308-00-7.
- Flintham, Vic and Andrew Thomas. Combat Codes: A full explanation and listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied air force unit codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2003. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
- Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918-1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
- Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001). ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
- Moyes, Philip J.R. Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd., 2nd edition 1976. ISBN 0-354-01027-1.
- Public Record Office AIR 27 103 Squadron files.
- Rawlings, John D.R. Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.