The common routine for newly training bomber crews arriving at an operational squadron was to undertake a series of familiarisation flights and final training flights before
begining their operational tour. The pilots of these newly trained crews often flew at least one "Dickie" operational flight as a second pilot with another more experienced crew
to gain experience. We know that Russell Clark and his crew arrived at 408 Squadron around the third week in September 1943 and although not confirmed he must have carried his
"Dickie" flight on either on 7th/8th to Stuttgart or 8th/9th October to Hannover when 408 Squadron were involved in operational flights. I therefore add this to the list of operational flights but the date has yet to be confirmed.
F/O Clark - 7th/8th October 1943 (Stuttgart) or 8th/9th October 1943 (Hannover).
1 - 22nd/23rd October 1943, Lancaster "C" (DS737). Ops to Kassel, 06.05hrs.
The 6 Group bombing force consisted of 85 Halifaxes made up of aircraft from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431 and 434 Squadrons and 22 Lancasters from 408 and 426 Squadron. A total of twelve 6 Group aircraft did not return plus one that crashed in Yorkshire on return.
2 - 3rd/4th November 1943, Lancaster "C" (DS737). Ops to Dusseldorf, 04.40hrs.
The 6 Group bombing force consisted of 90 Halifaxes made up of aircraft from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431 and 434 Squadrons and 25 Lancasters from 408 and 426 Squadron. A total of five 6 Group aircraft did not return plus one that crashed in England on return.
3 - 18th/19th November 1943, Lancaster "C" (DS737), Ops to Berlin, 08.15hrs. Flak damaged, holes found in bomb doors and landed at Wittering because of fuel shortage. Returned to base the following day.
The 6 Group bombing force consisted of 29 Lancasters from 408 and 426 Squadron attacking Berlin and 94 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431 and 434 Squadrons attacked Mannheim. A total of eight 6 Group aircraft did not return.
4 - 22nd/23rd November 1943, Lancaster "C" (DS737), Ops to Berlin, 07.10hrs.
The 6 Group bombing force consisted of 83 Halifaxes made up of aircraft from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431 and 434 Squadrons and 27 Lancasters from 408 and 426 Squadron. A total of four 6 Group aircraft did not return.
5 - 23rd/24th November 1943, Lancaster "C" (DS737), Ops to Berlin, 06.30hrs.
The 6 Group bombing force consisted of 19 Lancasters from 408 and 426 Squadron and no Halifax Squadrons. A total of one 6 Group aircraft did not return plus one that crashed in Yorkshire on return.
x - 26th/27th November 1943, Lancaster "C" (DS737), Ops to Berlin, 03.55hrs. Returned to base early because compass was unserviceable (did not count).
The 6 Group bombing force consisted of 39 Lancasters from 408, 426 and 432 Squadron tasked with attacking Berlin and 56 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431 and 434 Squadron attacked Stuttgart. A total of four 6 Group aircraft did not return plus two crashed on return and one crashed on take off.
x - 2nd/3rd December 1943, Lancaster "C" (DS737), Ops to Berlin, 02.40hrs. Returned early because rear turret was un-serviceable, landed Topcliffe (did not count). Returned to base the following day.
The 6 Group bombing force consisted of a total of 36 Lancasters from 408, 426 and 432 Squadrons tasked with attacking Berlin. Two aircraft of 6 Group failed to return and one crashed on take off.
6 - 3rd/4th December 1943, Lancaster "C" (DS737), Ops to Leipzig, 07.40hrs.
The 6 Group bombing force consisted of a total of 19 Lancasters from 408, 426 and 432 Squadrons combined with 78 Halifaxes from 419, 427, 428, 429, 431 and 434 Squadrons that attacked Leipzig. A total of seven aircraft failed to return, plus one crashed on take off and one ditched on return.
7 - 16th/17th December 1943, Lancaster "C" (DS737), Ops to Berlin, 06.30hrs. Crashed on return.
A total of 40 Lancasters from 408, 426 and 432 Squadrons attacked Berlin. A total of three 6 Group aircraft failed to return, plus one crew being interned in Sweden and a further four crashing in England on return (including DS737).
A copy of Les Moran's flying logbook showing the page detailing the accident to Lancaster DS737.
