On the night of 2nd / 3rd April 1943 the crew of this 101 Squadron undertook an operational flight to bomb Essen, they took off from Holme on Spalding Moor airfield at 19.50hrs and released their bomb load from 16,000 feet at 22.04hrs. On the return flight and while roughly over the Amsterdam area the aircraft was flying in thick cloud when it was fired upon by flak. A burst killed one of the air gunners and seriously injured the other. The pilot remained in control of the damaged aircraft and at 00.30hrs landed safely at Holme on Spalding Moor. The pilot was later awarded the DSO and the citation mentioned this incident. the wireless operator was also awarded an Immediate DFM for his actions and the citation for his award adds additional information.
Pilot - Acting S/Ldr William Cowan Ollason DFC RAF (45713).
? - Sgt Albert Charles Lorrimore RAF (645032).
Navigator - F/O Thomas Bruce Cooper RAFVR (121725).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt Alfred Gunn RAFVR (966023).
? - F/Sgt W G McLellan.
Mid Upper Gunner - Sgt George Edward Gadd RAFVR (1216729), aged 20. Buried Dunstable Cemetery, Bedfordshire.
Rear Gunner - F/Sgt J V Foy. Injured.
Lancaster W4923 was built to contract B.69275/40 by Metropolitan Vickers Ltd. at Trafford Park. On 23rd February 1943 it was taken to A.V.Roe and Co. Ltd. at Woodford for assembly and on 4th March 1943 it was flown to 5 M.U. at Kemble. The aircraft was taken on charge by 101 Squadron at Holme on Spalding Moor on 24th March 1943. As a result of sustaining flak damage on 4th April 1943 minor Cat.Ac/FB damage was the assessment. A repair started on 8th April 1943 and the aircraft was returned to 101 Squadron at Holme on Spalding Moor on 8th May 1943. 101 Squadron moved to Ludford Magna on 15h June 1943. It received battle damage on Ops to Hannover on 28th September 1943 that saw Cat.Ac/FB damage be the initial damage assessment. Once repair was underway on 12th October 1943 more serious damage was found that was deemed unrepairable so it was written off with Re.Cat.E damage and was struck off charge.
William Ollason gained his Wings on 6th August 1936. On 13th June 1937 he was flying Hawker Hind K5528 when he made a forced landing near Cayton, Scarborough. He received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 1st May 1941. He was still serving with 83 Squadron in 1941 and was awarded the DFC for service with them, Gazetted on 23rd September 1941. On 23rd Novemner 1941 he was promoted to F/O (war subs) and he was promted to F/Lt on 1st May 1942. While flying with 101 Squadron on 3rd April 1943 his aircraft, Lancaster W4923, was hit by flak over Holland which sadly killed the mid upper gunner (Sgt G E Gadd) and wounded his rear gunner, he was able to make a safe landing at base. For service with 101 Squadron he was awarded the DSO, Gazetted on 30th April 1943 and it refers to the incident on 3rd April 1943. "This officer has completed much operational flying. he is an ideal leader, whose exceptional skill and unconquerable determination to achieve success have won the confidence of all with whom he has flown. One night in April 1943, during there return flight from Essen, when nearing the Dutch coast, his aircraft was subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire. A very close burst riddled the fuselage with shrapnel, killing one and dangerously wounding another of the aircraft's crew. The elevator trimmers were severed, and the situation became perilous. By superb airmanship, S/Ldr Ollason retained control of the aircraft and, by wedging the control column with his knee, succeeded in maintaining level flight. In this position he flew the damaged bomber to an airfield in this country, where he effected a perfect landing." He was promoted to S/Ldr (war subs) on 6th January 1944. Post-war he remained in the RAF and was granted a permanent commission on 1st September 1945, he was promoted to W/Co on 1st July 1947 (with seniority of 1st October 1946). He finally retired from the RAF on 3rd December 1957.
Alfred Gunn was awarded the DFM for service with 101 Squadron for his actions on 2nd / 3rd April 1943, the citation reads.. "One night in April 1943, this airman was the wireless operator of an aircraft which attacked Essen. On the return flight when nearing the Dutch coast, the aircraft was subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire, and sustained much damage. The rear gunner was badly wounded but regardless of the imminent danger, Flight Sergeant Gunn went to his comrade's assistance and rendered first aid after extricating him from the turret. Flight Sergeant Gunn then skilfully repaired the damaged wireless apparatus, afterwards obtaining fixes which proved of much assistance in directing his captain on the homeward flight. In most harassing circumstances this airman displayed great courage and devotion to duty."
Thomas Cooper was awarded the DFC for service with 101 Squadron, Gazetted on 15th October 1943. He later served with 35 Squadron. Acting S/Ldr Cooper died in a road accident on 4th March 1945, he was 34 years old old and is buried at Tealby Churchyard, Lincolnshire.
Albert Lorrimore was awarded the DFM for service with 101 Squadron, Gazetted in November 1943.
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