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Dresden Mission Lancaster Code Question
chip250
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Wisconsin, United States
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Posted: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 - 11:57 AM UTC
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,

chip250
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Wisconsin, United States
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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.

lampie
#029
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England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
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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
Antoni
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England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
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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.
lampie
#029
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England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
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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
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