Charles Richard Blumenauer DFC RCAF and crew – 103 Squadron – 1943 - J 16226
Charles Blumenauer ( pictured above ) and crew were posted to 103 Squadron at RAF Elsham Wolds on the 1st January 1943 from 1656 HCU.
The crew consisted of :-
P/O C R Blumenaur
Sgt L Proud
Sgt T S Wardle
Sgt A Whitaker
Sgt G S Taylor
Sgt R A M Griffiths
P/O W Whitehouse
They completed an excellent tour at a difficult time for the Squadron and were very highly rated. Their tour was as follows :
7-Feb-43 - Lorient - U Boat base - Lancaster - W4363 - P/O CR Blumenauer - Starboard outer engine unserviceable. Undertook Sq reconnaissance report over target
11-Feb-43 - Wilhelmshaven - Naval base - Lancaster - W4857 - P/O CR Blumenauer
13-Feb-43 - Lorient - U Boat base - Lancaster - W4857 - P/O CR Blumenauer
14-Feb-43 - Milan - Point of Aim - Lancaster - W4857 - P/O CR Blumenauer
16-Feb-43 - Lorient - U Boat base - Lancaster - W4857 - P/O CR Blumenauer
18-Feb-43 - Wilhelmshaven - Naval base - Lancaster - W4857 - P/O CR Blumenauer
21-Feb-43 - Bremen - Point of Aim - Lancaster - W4857 - P/O CR Blumenauer
25-Feb-43 - Nuremberg - Point of Aim - Lancaster - W4857 - P/O CR Blumenauer
26-Feb-43 - Cologne - Point of Aim - Lancaster - W4857 - P/O CR Blumenauer
28-Feb-43 - St Nazaire - U Boat base - Lancaster - W4828 - P/O CR Blumenauer - Undertook Sq reconnaissance over target
01-Mar-43 - Berlin - Point of Aim - Lancaster - W4821 - P/O CR Blumenauer
03-Mar-43 - Hamburg - Point of Aim - Lancaster - W4821 - P/O CR Blumenauer
11-Mar-43 - Stuttgart - Point of Aim - Lancaster - ED646 - P/O CR Blumenauer
12-Mar-43 - Essen - Point of Aim - Lancaster - ED646 - P/O CR Blumenauer
22-Mar-43 - St Nazaire - U Boat base - Lancaster - ED645 - P/O CR Blumenauer
26-Mar-43 - Duisburg - Point of Aim - Lancaster - ED646 - P/O CR Blumenauer
27-Mar-43 - Berlin - Point of Aim - Lancaster - ED646 - P/O CR Blumenauer
29-Mar-43 - Berlin - Point of Aim - Lancaster - ED731 - F/L CR Blumenauer
03-Apr-43 - Essen - Point of Aim - Lancaster - ED751 - F/L CR Blumenauer
04-Apr-43 - Kiel - Point of Aim - Lancaster - ED751 - F/L CR Blumenauer
08-Apr-43 - Duisburg - Point of Aim - Lancaster - ED751 - F/L CR Blumenauer
13-Apr-43 - La Spezia - Naval base and docks - Lancaster - ED646 - F/L CR Blumenauer - Landed at Westcott
16-Apr-43 - Pilsen - Skoda industrial complex - Lancaster - ED713 - F/L CR Blumenauer
26-Apr-43 - Duisburg - Point of Aim - Lancaster - ED646 - F/L CR Blumenauer
28-Apr-43 - Gulf of Danzig - Mine laying - Lancaster - ED646 - F/L CR Blumenauer
30-Apr-43 - Essen - Point of Aim - Lancaster - ED646 - F/L CR Blumenauer
04-May-43 - Dortmund - Point of Aim - Lancaster - ED646 - F/L CR Blumenauer
12-May-43 - Duisburg - Point of Aim - Lancaster - ED646 - F/L CR Blumenauer
13-May-43 - Bochum - Point of Aim - Lancaster - ED646 - F/L CR Blumenauer
It is worth mentioning that they had no early returns
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During his tour Charles Blumenauer was awarded a DFC which was gazetted on the 26th March 1943
Pilot Officer Charles Richard BLUMENAUER(Can/J. 16226), Royal Canadian Air Force, No. 103 Squadron. Since the beginning of February 1943 this officer has completed a number of night sorties against targets in Germany, Italy and Northern France. He has never failed to reach his objective and has pressed home his attacks with accuracy and determination. In operations against Lorient, Milan and Cologne, Pilot Officer Blumenauer obtained excellent photographs. By his courage and skill this officer has won the admiration of all with whom he has flown
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Charles Blumenaur was posted to 24 OTU on the 26th May 1943. What became of him after that I do not know but he certainly survived the war.
P/O R M Griffiths posted to 1656 HCU about the same time.
Compiled by David Fell with photo from my archive.
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