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One of the Lancaster bombers Flight Sergeant Audsley flew in during his tour with 103 squadron. We believe that this is PB 563, "G for George", lost on a raid to Chemnitz, 6th March 1945. | |
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Bruce Audsley and the rest of PO Skinner's crew were posted to 103 Squadron on 1st September 1944. After further operational training and familiarisation, combat operations commenced on 25th September 1944, with a daylight mission to Calais. The German troops were still holding out the Allies in this French coastal town. The target was cloud covered and most of the bombers were ordered to return to base without dropping their bombs, hence the description in the log "Abortive". On return P/O Skinner was ordered to jettison part of his bomb load in the sea to reduce the All Up Weight of the aircraft to 56000 lbs. This was probably due to the fact they were an inexperienced crew and it was quite difficult to land a fully loaded Lancaster. They returned to Calais on 28th September to complete the mission, again in daylight. They were part of a force of 494 aircraft that attacked four German positions. Only 68 aircraft bombed before the mission was called off due to worsening weather. No aircraft were lost. Next page or return to the stories | |