Lancaster LL636 damaged in the air, further damaged on landing at East Moor airfield.
On the evening of 14th January 1944 the crew of this 432 Squadron aircraft were tasked with carrying out an operational flight to bomb Brunswick. The aircraft took off from East Moor at 16.58hrs and on the approach to the target area the aircraft was attacked by a Me109 on two occasions. The pilot took evasive action both times and no damage was sustained. The crew released their bomb load onto the target area at around 19.25hrs from 20,500 feet but as they left the area a flare exploded just off the starboard wing. Thinking it was an attacker the pilot took evasive action again but on realising there was no attacker he resumed the planned course. Ten minutes after bombing the aircraft was attacked again by a much larger four-engined aircraft which opened up all it's firepower on the Lancaster, the pilot again took evasive action and the gunners returned fire. The attacker was shaken off and the Lancaster again set course for home but the Lancaster had sustained damage in the attack with a hole in the port rudder being evident to the rear gunner. The flight engineer reported that there were also a number of holes made in the fuselage around the mid upper turret. The pilot reported that he had trouble in keeping the aircraft flying straight because of the damage to the rudder but he made the return to East Moor and landed at 22.55hrs. On touching down however it was found that the port tyre was flat and the aircraft swung off the runway, it came to rest at around 90' from the direction of the runway but the crew got out without injury. The aircraft was later inspected in daylight and there was actually more damage than realised at first; the port rudder had been badly damaged and was almost all shot away and the port elevator damaged, and other damage to the port wing and propellers. The crew were lucky. The pilot's combat report has been used in compiling this webpage.
Pilot - S/Ldr William Watson Strachan RCAF DFC (J/9863).
Flight Engineer - F/Sgt Joseph Gilliard RAF (616713).
Navigator - P/O Maurice Allan Martin RCAF (J/18871).
Bomb Aimer - F/O Nick John Baron RCAF (J/21045).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/O Robert Claire Stuart RCAF (J/18402).
Air Gunner - P/O Howard Murray Stewart RCAF (J/19066).
Air Gunner - 1Lt Albert Lionel Rorke USAAF (0-886242).
For his actions on this night S/Ldr Strachan was awarded the DFC but as fate would have it this was only two weeks before his death. He received the confirmation that the DFC was being awarded prior to his death although it was not presented until December 1944 to his next of kin. The citation reads.. "This officer has taken part in many attacks against targets in Germany and has displayed commendable skill, courage and determination. One night in January 1944 (14th January 1944), Squadron Leader Strachan piloted an aircraft which attacked Brunswick. Shortly after the bombs had been released the aircraft was hit by bullets from an enemy fighter. Much damage was sustained but Squadron Leader Strachan skilfully outmanoeuvred the attacker and afterwards flew the damaged aircraft to base. Squadron Leader Strachan is a model captain whose example has inspired all with whom he has flown. An Me109 and a "four engined gun ship" had badly shot up the aircraft, on touching down it was realised the undercarriage was damaged, the aircraft slewed off at 90 degrees."
The whole crew were sadly killed in a flying accident near Huby on 16th February 1944, an incident recorded on this website.
Lancaster LL636 was built to contract ACFT/239 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd at Baginton and was taken on charge by 432 Squadron at East Moor on 12th November 1943. As a result of the damage sustained on 14th January 1944 Cat.Ac/FB damage was probably the damage assessment because a repair on site was then carried out by a team from A.V.Roe. The aircraft was returned to 432 Squadron on 12th February 1944. On paper this aircraft was transferred to 1668 Heavy Conversion Unit at Bottesford on 31st August 1944 but as 432 Squadron ceased using Lancasters many months earlier where the aircraft was during this period is not known or recorded on the aircraft's AM Form 78. The aircraft crashed at Bottesford on 6th January 1945. Cat.B/FA damage was the initial damage assessment but as a repair was begun it was re-assessed as Re.Cat.E . It was struck off charge as beyond economical repair on 20th March 1945.