Avro Lancaster I (W4123 UL-R2) on a mission to Frankfurt on 1943-12-21
On Monday, 20 December 1943, (a part of) the aircraft of the 576 squadron (RCAF), took off for a mission to Frankfurt in Germany from a station (airfield) in or near Elsham Wolds.
One of the crew members was Sergeant J E Redmond RCAF. He departed for his mission at 17:01.
He flew with a Avro Lancaster (type I, with serial W4123 and code UL-R2). His mission and of the other crew members was planned for Tuesday, 21 December 1943.
Jean-Louis XHONNEUX (http://remersdael.be/Histoire/1943_Lancaster.html): The plane crashed in the Bois Rouge near Remersael, Belgium.
When she was still living in Remersdael Madame Albert-Vangansbeck me once handed this photo of a grave that she kept in the Bois Rouge. This is the tomb of airmen killed in this place during the war 40-45.
After an appeal for help, I could gather the following:
Plane fell Lancaster W4123 1, UL-R2, 576 Squadron RAF, 20/21 December 1943
Off from Elsham Wolds at 17.01 uur. Frankfurt destination.
Crew:
- Sgt Frank Ball (22)
- Sgt William Dickie
- Sgt Paul Louis. Edwin Allais (29)
- Sgt Leonard Balich
- Sgt Frank Harry Gage (21)
- Sgt Alan James Pollitt (21 years)
- Sgt Jack Edward Redmond of the Royal Canadian Air Force - Division: 576 (RAF) Sqdn
This Lancaster crashed in the Red Wood, about 1 km south of the hamlet of La Planck. The ranger at the time, Mr. Alex Zeevaert, found December 21, 1943 the body of a member of Canadian crew of this aircraft Lancaster. It was probably Jack Edward Redmond.
Later, he found the wreck of Lancaster, in which there was still a body. A third crewman was found on the other side to the edge of the woods on the side of Veurs. At first, we placed three commemorative wooden cross. The ranger has probably also found the aviator address since a mail exchange took place between the two families after the war.
Later, at the intervention of the family Zeevaert a cross was placed at the the place where the body was found the Canadian and had grasvé the text "To the glorious memory of a Canadian airman fell by 20 December 1943 'in French and English. The costs had been incurred by the municipality of Remersdael.
Jos Buysen of the association "Heem en Natuur 'reports that the family of this Canadian has visited the place there are fifteen.
The victims were buried by the Germans on their core Sint Truiden. After the war they were all buried again in Heverlee. With the exception of Sgt Redmond, Canadian, they were all citizens of the United Kingdom.
The Canadian Virtual War Memorial mentions that Jack Edward Redmond was the son of William John Redmond and Redmond Lily May (nee Lynn), Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, Canada. His tomb is No. 5. B. 3. in Heverlee War Cemetery.
Information about aircraft who did not return from this mission can be found here. Information about the other crew members on this flight can be found at this website (Aircrew Remembered). This website also provides the flight information for this record.
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