F/O John R Barnes RAFVR and crew – 103 Squadron – RAF Elsham Wolds – 1944/45
Failed to Return – 5/6th January 1945 – Avro Lancaster III – PB528 – Op Hanover
Johnnie Barnes and his crew were posted to 103 Squadron at RAF Elsham Wolds from Heavy Conversion Unit 11 Base late October or early November 1944. They were lost on their 8th operation. See below :-
18-Nov-44 - Wanne Eikel – Lancaster – PB637 – F/S JR Barnes - Bad weather at base. Diverted
21-Nov-44 – Aschenaffenburg – Lancaster – PB637 – F/S JR Barnes
29-Nov-44 – Dortmund – Lancaster – NF913 – F/S – JR Barnes
28-Dec-44 – Munchengladbach – Lancaster – LM132 – F/O JR Barnes - Brought bomb load back to base being unable to release after 2 runs. Ordered to jettison manually in sea.
29-Dec-44 - Scholven Buer – Lancaster – NF909 – F/O JR Barnes
31-Dec-44 – Osterfeld – Lancaster – LM295 – F/O JR Barnes
02-Jan-45 – Nuremberg – Lancaster – PB528 – F/O JR Barnes
05-Jan-45 – Hanover – Lancaster – PB528 – F/O JR Barnes – FTR - Crashed South of Springe Bei Alesrode, Germany
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The Barnes crew with Mother of ‘Em All - ED888. This crew never flew this machine on ops. The photo was taken before a practise cross country flight soon after the Barnes crew joined 103 Squadron
P/O John R Barnes RAFVR – Pilot - 103 Sqn – POW – Camp N/K – POW No N/K
Sgt G W Wilding RAFVR – 103 Sqn - POW – Camp DL/3A – POW No 150026
F/S M E F Haslam RAFVR – 103 Sqn - POW – Camp DL/3A – POW No 150017
F/S J C Tear RAFVR – 103 Sqn - POW – Camp L1 – POW No N/K
F/S D G Ireland RAFVR – 103 Sqn - POW – Camp N/K – POW No N/K
Sgt Arthur Charles Clark RAFVR – Air Gunner - 27 - 103 Sqn - Son of Arthur and Emily Clark of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire - Hanover War Cemetery, Germany
Sgt Samuel Cook RAFVR – Air Gunner - 103 Sqn - Hanover War Cemetery, Germany
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05-Jan-45 - Hanover
103 Squadron detailed 16 aircraft for this attack on Hanover. All took off safely in good weather which continued the entire trip. On arrival in the target area it was found to be quite clear with fires burning from the previous attack. The target indicators appeared to be well concentrated and all bombing was on these with it is believed good results as many fires were observed. Bombing was from between 19000 ft and 20500 ft. Defences were quite active with a heavy flak barrage and plenty of searchlights but these appeared to be ineffective. Quite a lot of fighter activity was seen around the target and several aircraft had combats and sightings. F/O Barnes and crew are missing from this operation. All other aircraft returned to base.
For this attack on Hanover Bomber Command detailed a total of 664 aircraft - 340 Halifaxes, 310 Lancasters, 14 Mosquitos - of Nos 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups. 23 Halifaxes and 8 Lancasters lost, 4.7 per cent of the force. This was the first large raid on Hanover since October 1943. Bombing fell widely across the city.
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Lancaster - PB528
This machine gave excellent service being lost on its 42nd operation. Most of these were flown with Doug Pamplin and crew. Its first operation was with the Pamplin crew. See below :-
05-Sep-44 - Le Havre – Lancaster – PB528 – F/O DR Pamplin RCAF
Item compiled by David Fell
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