Back to results
EASTHAM DJ
Honour this person learn more

EASTHAM, Douglas

Aircraft Information
Aircraft Avro Lancaster III
Serial Number JB241
Markings LQ-K
Memorial information
Burial/Memorial Country France
Burial/Memorial Place Bermering (Bermerange) Communal Cemetery
Grave Reference Grave 3..
Epitaph YOUR MEMORY HALLOWED IN THE LAND YOU LOVED
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase 2
Panel Number 159
Enlistment information
Service Number C/7735
Service Royal Canadian Air Force
Group 8
Squadron 405 (Vancouver)
Trade Air Gunner
Country of origin if different Canada
Last Operation information
Start Date 24-02-1944
End Date 25-02-1944
Takeoff Station Gransden Lodge
Day/Night raid Night
Operation Schweinfurt- the first raid on this particular target (the centre of ball-bearing manufacture in Germany). 734 aircraft, 33 losses (4.5%). A new tactic was introduced where the bomber force was split into two waves separated by two hours. The first wave Lost 22 aircraft (5.6%) but the second Lost only 11 (3.2%) of which only 4 were shot down. Poor PFF target marking led to local reports quoting 'nominal damage'. Note that there had been a raid comprising 266 8th Air Force B-17s the night before so it is difficult to attribute damage levels.
Reason for Loss Attacked from below by a night-fighter on outbound leg and whilst at 20000', setting fire to the starboard inner engine and wing. The order to bale out was given only seconds before the aircraft exploded, throwing the three survivors clear, all of whom became PoW