Date: 15/16th March 1944
Unit: No. 408 Squadron
Type: Lancaster II
Serial: LL637
Code: EQ-P
Base: Linton-On-Ouse, Yorkshire
Location: Hilsenheim, French / German border
Pilot: P/O. Norman Andrew Lumgair J/86440 R.C.A.F. Age 23. Killed (1)
Fl/Eng: Sgt. Douglas Cruickshank 620947 R.A.F. Age 23. Killed
Nav: P/O. George Parker J/85528 R.C.A.F. Age 29. Killed
Air/Bmr: P/O. William Taylor J/89913 R.C.A.F. Age 24. Killed (3)
W/Op/Air/Gnr: P/O. William Lawrence Doran J/86233 R.C.A.F. Age 30. Killed (2)
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Robert Henry Hudson 305164 R.A.F.V.R. Age 19. Killed
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Robert George Alfred Burt (Buddy) R/206418 R.C.A.F. Age 20. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Lancaster II LL637 EQ-P took off from Linton-On-Ouse, Yorkshire at 19.18 hrs. Shot down by Luftwaffe night fighter and crashed at Hilsenheim some 9 km north - east of Selestat, France.
863 aircraft - made up from 617 Lancaster's, 230 Halifax's and 16 Mosquitos took part in this raid.
The German night fighters split the force into two parts. The bombers flew over France nearly as far as the Swiss border before turning North East to approach Stuttgart. This resulted in delaying the Luftwaffe making contact with the bomber force. When the German fighters did arrive just before Stuttgart was reached a fierce combat followed.
A total of 37 aircraft were lost (27 Lancaster's and 10 Halifax's - 2 other Lancaster's force landed in Switzerland.)
Adverse winds delayed the opening of the attack and the same winds may have caused the pathfinder marking to fall back well short of the target area - despite the clear weather conditions.
Some of the bombing fell in the city centre but most were ineffective and fell into open country south - west of the city.
The bombing destroyed some housing and a college. A total of 88 people on the ground were killed and a further 203 injured.
We have received other reports that this aircraft had been taken down by anti-aircraft fire and these are being researched. We would be very pleased to hear from anyone who is able to provide any further information on this. Any information received will also be passed on to the families (Mrs Lisa Russ) who are preparing a memorial book to this crew.
Stuttgart raid 15/16th March 1944
Aircrew losses:
Killed: 218
Injured: 3
P.O.W: 47
Interned: 1 (?)
Evaded:17
We have also received further information from Lisa regarding other members of the crew. The first article is regards to P/O. William Taylor is reproduced "HERE".
Brothers, Left Bob Lumgair and right Norman - both serving in 408 Squadron (Courtesy of Lisa Russ)
Left to right: Bill Taylor, Norman Lumgair, Wally Richmond, George Parker and William Doran. (Courtesy of Lisa Russ)
P/O. Norman Andrew Lumgair (Courtesy of Charlie Lumgair)
Above: Sgt. Robert George Alfred Burt (Buddy) and below during training Trenton, Ontario. (Buddy is 3rd from left middle row)
(Lisa Russ is trying to place ID on others - can you assist)
Above L - R: P/O. William Taylor, P/O. George Parker (Courtesy Lisa Russ)
Above L - R: P/O. William Lawrence Doran, Sgt. Robert Henry Hudson (Courtesy Lisa Russ)
(1) 'Lumgair Creek' in Manitoba named after P/O. Norman Andrew Lumgair
(2) 'Doran Creek', in BC named after P/O. William Lawrence Doran
(3) 'Taylor Bay" in Saskatchewan named after P/O. William Taylor
Hilsenheim Communal Cemetery (Courtesy of C.W.G.C.)
Burial details:
P/O. Norman Andrew Lumgair. Hilsenheim Communal Cemetery Collective grave No. 4
Son of Robert Wallace Lumgair and Hannah Louisa Lumgair, of Thornhill, Manitoba, Canada.
Sgt. Douglas Cruickshank. Hilsenheim Communal Cemetery Collective grave No. 4
Son of William and Ellen Cruickshank, of Oatlands, Harrogate, Yorkshire.
P/O. George Parker. Hilsenheim Communal Cemetery Collective grave No. 4
Son of Levi and Mary Ann Parker; husband of Patricia Anne Parker, of Morinville, Alberta, Canada.
P/O. William Taylor. Hilsenheim Communal Cemetery Grave No. 1
Son of Harry and Mary Taylor, of Nottingham, Saskatchewan, Canada.
P/O. William Lawrence Doran. Hilsenheim Communal Cemetery Collective grave No. 4
Son of William John and Jessie Hearst Doran; husband of Marjorie Evelyn Doran, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Sgt. Robert Henry Hudson. Hilsenheim Communal Cemetery Grave No. 3
Son of Walter Henry and Madeline Hudson, of Sileby, Leicestershire.
Sgt. Robert George Alfred Burt (Buddy). Hilsenheim Communal Cemetery Collective grave No. 2
Son of Robert Oliver and Myrtle Bessie Burt (nee Weller), of Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
Researched by: Lisa Russ, Canberra, Australia. (Relative of Sgt. Robert Burt/Buddy)
With thanks to the following: Bill Chorley - "Bomber Command Losses Vol 4", Martin Middlebrook "Bomber Command War Diaries". The Commonwealth Graves Commission.
