Left to right: Sgt Sydney A Jeffrey, F/O Lincoln Hole, F/S Charles Hodge and F/S Evan F Shannon.

Flying Officer Lincoln Hole was a 27 year old Australian from Narado Downs, Tambo, Queensland, and he and his crew were posted to 103 Squadron at Elsham Wolds in early 1945.

His crew consisted of :

Flying Officer L Hole RAAF

Flight Sergeant E Kelly RAFVR Age 21.

Flight Sergeant S A Jeffrey RAAF Age 20; from East St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia.

Flight Sergeant C J Hodge RAAF Age 26; from Hazelwood Park, South Australia.

Flight Sergeant S D Pearce RAAF Age 20; from Newcastle, NSW, Australia.

Flying Officer V L Valentine RAAF Age 23; from St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia.

Flight Sergeant E F Shannon RAAF Age 22: from Clermont, Queensland, Australia.

In March 1945 they flew eight successful operations, four by day and four by night.

On the 4/5th April 1945 103 Squadron detailed five Lancasters and crews as part of a minelaying operation in the Kattegat. This is situated at the mouth of the Baltic Sea between Denmark and Sweden. 6 x 1800lb mines were carried by each Lancaster.

Flying Officer Hole and crew were detailed for this operation and took off in good weather at 19:20 in Lancaster LM177. The weather was clear over the sea where the mines were to be laid. Defences were very active consisting of flak over Denmark and night fighters over the sea. Three Lancasters were seen to be hit and crash in the target area.

From 103 Squadron Flying Officer Hole and crew failed to return. No trace of them was ever found and they are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. It is thought that Flying Officer Hole's Lancaster was shot down by a Ju 88G-1 night fighter flown by Major Werner Husemann of I/NJG 3.

The Lancaster of Flying Officer Hole and his crew was the last 103 Squadron aircraft to be lost on operations in World War 2.

We are grateful for Ian McArthur of Australia and Peter Lund of Denmark for the information and photographs used in this item.

Air Bomber Sgt Sydney A Jeffrey RAAF

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