Does anyone know where I can find information about the side codes of Lancasters that participated in the raid on Dresden Germany on Feb. 13/14 1945?
I know that 5 Group of Bomber Command participated, but for the red code letters on the side I am at a loss.
Thanks,
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Dresden Mission Lancaster Code Question
chip250
Wisconsin, United States
Joined: September 01, 2002
KitMaker: 1,864 posts
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Joined: September 01, 2002
KitMaker: 1,864 posts
AeroScale: 410 posts
Posted: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 - 11:57 AM UTC
chip250
Wisconsin, United States
Joined: September 01, 2002
KitMaker: 1,864 posts
AeroScale: 410 posts
Joined: September 01, 2002
KitMaker: 1,864 posts
AeroScale: 410 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 02, 2006 - 09:53 AM UTC
I know that 5 group RAF Bomber Command took part, but the squadrons involved are unknown to me. Thus I wouldnt know where to begin looking for the red code letters on the side.
Posted: Thursday, November 02, 2006 - 04:29 PM UTC
Hi Chip.
Unfortunately most of my research books are packed at the moment as Im in the middle of trying to move house.Im sure I have information there as to which squadrons actually took part in the Dresden raids.
As you correctly stated,5 Group took part in the raids on the night of 13/14 Feb 1945.
5 Group only formed the first raid dispatching 244 Lancasters,the second raid 3 hours later utilised 529 Lancasters of 1,3,and 6 Groups with 8 Group supplying the Pathfinders.
Here are 2 links for you to be going on with which should answer a lot of your questions and hopefully point you in the right direction for further research.
The first is a link giving the history of every RAF Squadron in Bomber Command.
Bomber Command Squadrons
You will find the code letters for every squadron there.
The second is an example of a Squadron history.In this 207 Sqn.Reformed in November 1940 as the first squadron to operate the 4 engined Manchester,which of course evolved into Lancaster.
207 was part of 5 Group and flew Lancasters from June 1942 onwards.Its last operational mission of WW2 being a raid on Hitlers Berchtesgaden on the 25th April 1945.
207 Squadron HIstory
Hope this helps you with your research Chip!
Nige
Unfortunately most of my research books are packed at the moment as Im in the middle of trying to move house.Im sure I have information there as to which squadrons actually took part in the Dresden raids.
As you correctly stated,5 Group took part in the raids on the night of 13/14 Feb 1945.
5 Group only formed the first raid dispatching 244 Lancasters,the second raid 3 hours later utilised 529 Lancasters of 1,3,and 6 Groups with 8 Group supplying the Pathfinders.
Here are 2 links for you to be going on with which should answer a lot of your questions and hopefully point you in the right direction for further research.
The first is a link giving the history of every RAF Squadron in Bomber Command.
Bomber Command Squadrons
You will find the code letters for every squadron there.
The second is an example of a Squadron history.In this 207 Sqn.Reformed in November 1940 as the first squadron to operate the 4 engined Manchester,which of course evolved into Lancaster.
207 was part of 5 Group and flew Lancasters from June 1942 onwards.Its last operational mission of WW2 being a raid on Hitlers Berchtesgaden on the 25th April 1945.
207 Squadron HIstory
Hope this helps you with your research Chip!
Nige
Antoni
England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: June 03, 2006
KitMaker: 574 posts
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Joined: June 03, 2006
KitMaker: 574 posts
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Posted: Thursday, November 02, 2006 - 05:00 PM UTC
Manchester 2 engines, Lancaster 4 engines. I know you know, but there might be some that don't.
Posted: Thursday, November 02, 2006 - 05:26 PM UTC
Whoops.
Amazing how those embarrasing typing errors slip in when your on a roll.
The Manchester was of course a twin "Vulture" engined bomber with a triple fin,which evolved into the Merlin engined Lancaster for those who are unaware of its history.
Thanks for the correction Antoni,I shall consider myself corrected
Nige
Amazing how those embarrasing typing errors slip in when your on a roll.
The Manchester was of course a twin "Vulture" engined bomber with a triple fin,which evolved into the Merlin engined Lancaster for those who are unaware of its history.
Thanks for the correction Antoni,I shall consider myself corrected
Nige