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ABELL F
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ABELL, Frank

Aircraft Information
Aircraft Avro Lancaster II
Serial Number DS722
Markings KO-N
Memorial information
Burial/Memorial Country Netherlands
Burial/Memorial Place Bergen General Cemetery
Grave Reference Plot 2. Row B. Grave 5..
Epitaph GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase 2
Panel Number 121
Enlistment information
Service Number 1498310
Service Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Group 3
Squadron 115
Trade WOp/AG
Country of origin if different United Kingdom
Last Operation information
Start Date 23-08-1943
End Date 24-08-1943
Takeoff Station Little Snoring
Day/Night raid Night
Operation Berlin. 727 aircraft, 56 losses (7.9%)- the greatest loss in a single raid so far in the war. Sequential marking was used to keep the main force on course. A Master Bomber approach was also used (W/C J E [Johnny] Fauquier). PFF were unable to locate the centre of Berlin using H2S and instead marked the southern suburbs. The main force arrived late and many cut a corner, making their arrival point incorrect. As might be expected for Berlin, the flak and fighter defences were formidable. Nevertheless, this was the most serious raid on Berlin so far in the war. Much of the government district was badly damaged and 20 ships were also sunk. 854 people were killed, many of whom had failed to take refuge in air raid shelters.
Reason for Loss Ditched off the Frisian Islands