Date: 1/2nd February 1945
Unit: No. 550 Squadron
Type: Lancaster I
Serial: RA502
Coded: BQ-Z
Location: Fleville-devent-Nancy
Pilot: F/O. Aubrey W.L. Lohrey R.N.Z.A.F.
Fl/Eng: Sgt. Vic B. Cassapi
Nav: Sgt. Eddie C. Wethorpe
Air Bomber: Sgt. William G. Anderson
W/Op/A/Gnr: Sgt. Norman Tinsley 2205513 R.A.F.V.R. Age; 20, Killed
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Andrew James 2225077 R.A.F.V.R. Age; 20, Killed
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Allan Jarnell
REASON FOR LOSS:
Took off at 15.56hrs from North Killingholme, Lincolnshire. The mission was to bomb railway marshalling yards at Ludwigshafen. Carrying a bomb load which comprised of a 4,000lb (cookie) which gained it's reputation from the surface devastation it caused in built up areas, and a further 1,620 incendiary bombs. (Total bomb load some 11,132 lbs)
After releasing the bomb load RA502 headed for home. Leaving all their lights off to avoid German night fighters - the night was also very dark with no moon.
Allan Jarnell, the rear gunner, reported seeing a twin-engine German night fighter which he had identified as a Me 410. Allan did not take any action as he reported that this night fighter had not shown any inclination of attack. It was only a matter on minutes later that Andrew James reported another aircraft crossing RA502's beam from directly below and at that time the impact occurred.
It seems that the other Lancaster from 170 Squadron piloted by F/O. Dixie D.F.C., R.C.A.F. had also seen the German Night fighter and was taking evasive action - failing to see RA502 directly above.
RA502 was seriously damaged. Both engines on the starboard side shut down and one or more of the engines on the port side malfunctioning. The pilot Aubrey Lohrey could not hold and maintain straight and level flight without the imminent danger of losing control completely, he reluctantly gave the order to abandon the aircraft. RA502 crashed near Chateau Salins at 20.02 hrs, some 5 kms from Nancy.
The two airman who died on this aircraft were never recovered and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
The other aircraft that was involved (Lancaster NG202) returned safely although the tail gunner P/O. Fernquist, R.C.A.F. was killed instantly when the propellers of RA502 sliced through the tail section and lies in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery. The pilot succeeded in nursing NG202 back to England.
We are grateful to the 550 squadron website (See links) for the photographs used in this tragic loss article, to Michael Harrison who undertook further research for us and also to Debbie Tilley for bringing this loss to our attention. Andrew James was Debby's late mothers cousin and here is a brief extract of her touching correspondence to the Aircrew Remembrance Society:
"I found your website and thought I would write to you as I am a distant relative of the late Sgt Andrew James of 550 squadron /Lancaster RA502.
Andrew was my late mother's cousin. For some time they lived next door to each other in Hartford village. Many years ago, I met Andrew's mother (my grand-father's sister) and his two sisters on a visit to Northumberland to meet mum's family.
A little background: after the war, mum moved around the country seeking work and eventually came to London and met my late father, Stanley Tilley (Royal Artillery and a veteran of Normandy - battles at Caen, Falaise and many more until the end of the war). They married and had two children; my brother Ray and me.
Mum never forgot her Northumberland roots and visited whenever possible. We never knew of Andrew's fate only that he was missing in action. Andrew has always been remembered through the years and we have always sought to honour Andrew's memory on Remembrance Sunday, leaving a poppy in the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey.
Although we now know that Andrew is remembered in France and the UK, it is very sad indeed to learn that he has no marked grave and died in a horrific crash. Perhaps it is best that mum never knew what became of him.
As long as fitness allows, the family will continue to visit the Field of Remembrance to pay our respects to all and to honour our own 'heroes'.
There were quite a few in the family, in one service or other, as was common with many families. We are extremely proud of the service they gave to their country and the sacrifices made.
I hope you find this information of interest."
The crew of RA502 - Left to right: F/O Aubrey Lohrey, F/S Eddie Wethorpe, F/S Bill Anderson, F/S Vic Cassapi, F/S Norman Tinsley, F/S Andy James, F/S Alan Jarnell
Above left picture: Left to right: Bill Anderson, Vic Cassapi and Allan Jarnell seen here at the crash site October 1998 Above right picture: Right to left : Gladys Gowan (sister of Andrew Jarnell) Vic, Allan, Bill and Dennis Evans (170 squadron)
Allan, Bill and Vic at the memorial unveiling October 1998
Burial details:
Sgt. Norman Tinsley, Runnymede War Memorial, Panel 277
Son of George and Emma of Bury, Lancashire
Sgt. Andrew James, Runnymede War Memorial, Panel 275
Son of Charles Henry and Mary Maughan of Hartford, Northumberland.
Burial details: (170 Sqn Lancaster)
P/O. Virgil John Fernquist, Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery, Sec. G, Row F. Grave 2.
With thanks to the following: Bill Chorley - "Bomber Command Losses", Theo Boiten - "German Nightfighter War Diaries", Martin Middlebrook "Bomber Command War Diaries". The superb work of the C.W.G.C. Purchase these research books "HERE"
