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'A' Flt dispersal at Fiskerton circa June 1943: Lancaster ED416 J-Johnny about to be refuelled from the bowser. Just discernible are the legs of an instrument 'basher' who is standing on the legs of the undercarriage putting fresh silica gel (drying agent) in the instrument circuit - there is a tin of gel standing on the wheel.
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3 12 October 2021, 15:43
Ricky GLancaster B.I ED416 EA-J 49 Squadron "J-Johnny" was one of 12 Lancasters from RAF Fiskerton that took part in an attack by 605 bombers on Mannheim/Ludwigshaven, on 5/6 September, 1943.
34 aircraft were brought down during the raid on a night when fighters were very active. It was a fighter that raked the underneath of J-Johnny flown by F/Sgt Kirton, shortly after 'bombs away'. The pilot remembered preparing to leave his seat when the aircraft exploded and he found himself parachuting down. Only F/Sgt Kirton & 'Bunny' Perry, navigator, who was standing next to the pilot, survived. F/Sgt Kirton went to Stalag 357 and F/O Perry to Luft 3. An unopened parachute, belonging to Jim Davies the Wop/Ag, was found. The four remaining crew members were all reported killed but the cause is not clear. They were on their 14th operation.
"Ben" Kirton survived the war; and in the 1970's taught me mathematics...
13 October 2021, 10:11
