Lancaster lost at the IJsselmeer (5 km E Marken) on 30-03-1943 (SGLO ref: T2156)
At the date of 30-03-1943, time: 449, the aircraft type Lancaster has been lost. The location of the plane was found at: IJsselmeer (5 km E Marken). The unit of crew and plane is: 115 Sqdn. First flyer rank: Sergeant, name: H.J.Ross. The plane belonged to the Allied forces.
Notice the difference about the crash place: Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt), Eichborndamm 179, 1000 Berlin 51, Germany report says:
Sgt Frank Leslie Godden, Pilot of Lancaster Bomber No. DS 625 (115.S) took off from east Wretham for a raid on Berlin, involving 162 Lancasters, 103 Halifaxes, 64 Sterlings. Weather conditions were difficult, low cloud, icing and changing winds.. The attack drifted off-course and most bombs fell on suburbs to the south east of Berlin. 21 aircraft failed to return, due to flak over Berlin or on the return journey. there were no records of where the plane went down. The route to and from the target was Cromer-Berlin-Texel-Great Yarmouth. Members of the Crew were P/O H J Ross - Pilot Sgt S P Shaw - Navigator Sgt J M McKenny - Air Gunner Sgt F W Marshall - Wireless Operator F/Sgt D B Dray - Air Bomber W/O J M Bradford - Air Gunner.
Frank’s day would have generally gone: 10.00 report to airfield for Battle Order. 14.00 Briefing for 1 hour. 19.00 Take off after pre-flight meal. 02.00 Return (Legible signatures at the back of one of Frank’s photos D Murray, W G Juggins, A W Mint, J C Kelly, H Bartlett, Les Read, D Parker, Barden, L a Taylor - these are probably members of 115 Squadron, some of whom members of Frank’s crew).
On this first operation over what had become known as “The Big City” Frank would have flown “second dickey” to gain experience flying the new Lancaster Bomber. This was the first Lancaster casualty for 115 Sqdn.
The Flight Report reads: 8 aircraft took off between 21,45 and 22.15 to attack target Berlin. 5 were successful in locating the target by means of red marker flares on which they dropped their bombs from heights ranging from between 9,000’ and 15,500’. Bombs were seen to burst in the target area and good fires appear to be getting hold in built-up area.
The starboard outer engine of one aircraft was rendered unserviceable over target through heavy flak. two aircraft were forced to abandon the sortie, one due to aircraft being unstable and the other due to icy conditions, and both returned to base early, after jettisuning their bombs safe. One aircraft failed to return from operations.
The raid was the last of 3 on Berlin in March 43 which was to capitalise psychologically on the German defeat at Stalingrad and subsequent retreat.
Statistics indicate that 13% of bomber crews would survive being shot down over enemy ground and 1% would evade capture.