Lancaster R5900 at Catfoss airfield.

On the night of 17th / 18th January 1943 the crew of this 106 Squadron aircraft were undertaking an operational flight to bomb Berlin, the aircraft set off from Syerston at 16.35hrs but was struck by flak whilst over enemy territory. On their return to England the crew requested to land at Catfoss airfield and on landing at 01.20hrs the undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft was badly damaged but the crew escaped injury. Reference to this incident occurring at Catfoss was found in the Catfoss ORB. The aircraft carried the nose-art "Admiral Air Goosk".

Lancaster R5900 was built to contract 982266/40 by Metropolitan-Vickers Ltd. at Mosley Road, Manchester and was awaiting collection in June 1942. It was delivered to A.V.Roe Ltd on 20th July 1942 and was then taken on charge by 106 Squadron on 4th August 1942 at Coningsby. On 1st October 1942 106 Squadron moved to Syerston. As a result of the crash on 18th January 1943 the damage assessment initially Cat.B/FA. As the repair was probably underway more serious damage was probably found so it was then re-assessed on 27th January 1942 and Re-Cat.E1. It was struck off charge on the same date.

Pilot - Sgt Philip Noel Reed RAFVR (1098655), of Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire.

Flight Engineer - Sgt Francis McNeil RAF (614340).

Navigator - Sgt Peter Edward Bevis RAFVR (1477105), of Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey.

Bomb Aimer - Sgt Roy Edward Cooke RAFVR (1382059), of Fulham, London.

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Joseph Rosario Arthur Coulombe RCAF (R/96684), of Berthier-enbas, Montmagny Co., Quebec, Canada.

Air Gunner - Sgt Kenneth Loach RAFVR (983952), parents later of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Air Gunner - Sgt Arthur William Thomas RAFVR (1437035), of Erdington, Birmingham.

All of the above apart from Sgt Bevis were killed on 3rd February 1943 while still serving with 106 Squadron, when Lancaster W4770 failed to return from Ops to Hamburg. All are buried in Hannover War Cemetery.
Peter Bevis received a commission on 16th April 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency), he would sadly be killed just weeks later flying in Lancaster EE125 on 26th June 1943 and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. He was twenty one years old.

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