R5495 OF-N from 97 Squadron



On 27th April 1942, the crew of Lancaster R5495 OF-N from 97 Squadron took off at 2020hrs from RAF Lossiemouth on the North East coast of Scotland to participate in an attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz which was moored at the time in Fættenfjord in Norway.

With good visibility a 4000 lb bomb was dropped from 8,000 feet and was seen to burst lighting up the end of the ship. The burst was assumed to have been between the Tirpitz and the cliff. 500 lb bombs were released on an island west of the target on flak and searchlight positions but bursts were not observed.

The aircraft and crew returned safely to RAF Lossiemouth landing at 0430 hrs on 28th April 1942.

Rank
Name
 Force Crew Position Age
Home Town
 Fate
F/O MALTBY Pilot Returned
F/Sgt LANCEY 2nd Pilot Returned
Sgt SMITH M R Navigator Returned
Sgt GRIMWOOD W/Op Air Gunner Returned
Sgt ROUSE Front Gunner Returned
F/Sgt LEGASE Mid Gunner Returned
Sgt HUMPHREY Tail Gunner Returned


On 28th April 1942, the crew of Lancaster R5495 OF-N from 97 Squadron took off at 2057hrs from RAF Lossiemouth on the North East coast of Scotland to participate in an attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz which was moored at the time in Fættenfjord in Norway.

Visibility was good. Tirpitz was bombed and a large burst was seen but no results observed owing to smoke screen covering target area. Set course for alternative target and dropped bombs across inlet at 8,000 feet but did not observe results. Flak was heavier and more accurate than the previous night.

The aircraft and crew returned safely to RAF Lossiemouth landing at 0450 hrs on 29th April 1942.

Rank
Name
 Force Crew Position Age
Home Town
 Fate
F/O MALTBY Pilot Returned
F/Sgt LANCEY 2nd Pilot Returned
Sgt SMITH M R Navigator Returned
Sgt GRIMWOOD W/Op Air Gunner Returned
Sgt ROUSE Front Gunner Returned
F/Sgt LEGASE Mid Gunner Returned
Sgt HUMPHREY Tail Gunner Returned
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