Lancaster W4276 at Holme on Spalding Moor airfield.

On the night of 11th / 12th December 1942 this 101 Squadron aircraft was flown on an operational flight. While attempting to land in rain and poor visibility at Holme on Spalding Moor at 01.30hrs the aircraft overshot and ran into a ditch causing the undercarriage to collapse. Cat.B damage resulted. This information is drawn from the AM Form 1180 that gives the serial and pilot's name.

The squadron records do not mention the aircraft flying operationally on this night. They do list S/Ldr Reddick flying Lancaster W4311 on this night and crashing on landing which is a mistake in the squadron records.

Pilot - S/Ldr David Anthony Reddick RAF (43522).

? - Sgt Frederick Parr RAF (570544).

? - P/O Frank Radley Derry RAFVR (87862).

? - F/O O W Wood

? - P/O P Tretiak

? - Sgt Donald Bertram Polden RAFVR (1321985).

? - Sgt F Hill


Lancaster W4276 was delivered as new to 101 Squadron on 10th October 1942 at Holme on Spalding Moor. As a result of the damage sustained on 12th December 1942 Cat.B/FB damage was the damage assessment that saw it being taken away for a repair in works by A.V.Roe. Once repaired it passed through an M.U. before issue to 207 Squadron on 25th September 1943. It was lost on Ops to Hannover on 19th October 1943 that saw Cat.Em damage be recorded on the paperwork. It was then struck off charge on 23rd October 1943.

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