Axe Retrieved from Field at Thin-le Moutier, France

Axe Retrieved from Field at Thin-le Moutier, France

A brief description of the crash of Lancaster, LM100, 'PO-D'.

One printed sheet

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MPorterB[Ser#-DoB]-150527-02

Axe Retrieved from Field at Thin-le-Moutier, France

Lancaster LM100, PO-D took off from Waddington on 2nd February 1945 en route to Karlsruhe. The starboard engine gave trouble and it was decided to feather it but on pressing the button all four engines feathered. The aircraft lost height and the pilot ordered abandon aircraft.

Rear gunner and bomb aimer baled out. The aircraft crashed and exploded. The rear gunner was killed when he hit the ground.

The bomb aimer hit the ground 20 seconds after his chute opened. He was hurt but survived, the villagers assisted him and he was eventually flown back to UK 460 Squadron and then back to RAAF 467 Squadron at Waddington.

The Crew:-

F/O. A.N.C. Robinson RAAF
Sgt. L. Ginno RAF
F/Sgt. B.H. Elliot RAAF
F/Sgt. K.J. King RAAF
F/Sgt. R.F. Cross RAAF
F/Sgt. W.T. Paine RAAF
Sole Survivor:- F/Sgt. J.C. Jarrett RAAF

F/Sgt. J.C. Jarrett in 2000 returned to Thin-le-Moutier to present an engraved plaque to the village. It bears the names of the crew and remembers also the priest and choirboy who were killed when the wall of the church later collapsed due to the explosion. It also thanks the villagers for their help and comfort.