55 – Ancerville

 

Lancaster PA984 GT-Q
156 Sqn
Date : 15 juillet 1944
Mission : Bombardement d’installations ferroviaires à Revigny-sur-Ornain (55)
Décollage : Upwood à 22:01
Causes de la perte
:
Abattu par un chasseur de nuit (Ofw Reinhard Kollack du 8./NJG4)
Lieu de la perte
:
Ancerville (55)
Royaume Uni Fg Off Hug COKER
Nav RAFVR 149304 KIA
Royaume Uni Sqn Ldr George Geoffrey DAVIES
Pil RAF 87415 EVA Distinguished Service Order
Belgique Fg Off Ferdinand Camille Guillaume DEBROCK Nav RAFVR 168843 KIA
Distinguished Flying Cross Corps retrouvé le 22/03/1945. Citoyen Belge engagé dans la RAF. Inhumé à Bruxelles (Belgique)
Royaume Uni Fg Off Frederick HOLBROOK AB RAFVR 168843 KIA Distinguished Flying Cross
Royaume Uni Fg Off Frederick James LOCKWOOD AG RAFVR 131879 KIA
Canada Fg Off Daniel Dominique PLATANA AG RCAF J/18616 KIA Distinguished Flying Cross
Australie Flt Lt Harry George Mason ROBINSON WOP AG RAAF 412304 KIA Distinguished Flying Cross
Royaume Uni Flt Lt Kenneth STEVENS FE RAF 52120 EVA

Distinguished Service Order
Acting Flight Lieutenant George Geoffrey DAVIES (87415), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 102 Squadron.
One night in July, 1941, this officer was the captain of an aircraft which carried out an attack on Bremen. Over the target area the aircraft was subjected to heavy anti-aircraft fire whilst held in the beams of a concentration of search lights. Nevertheless, Flight Lieutenant Davies continued his bombing run and was shortly engaged by enemy fighters. In the course of the action the rear gunner was killed and much damage inflicted to the aircraft causing it to go out of control at 10,500 feet. In spite of great difficulties, Flight Lieutenant Davies, showing exceptional skill and admirable presence of mind, succeeded in regaining control after the aircraft had fallen some. 7,000 feet.Coming out of the spin the aircraft was again attacked by enemy fighters but Flight Lieutenant Davies skilfully maintained a level flight and with a superlative display of airmanship succeeded in flying back to arerodrome in this country where he landed safely without further damage to the aircraft or injury to his crew. Throughout the wholeof this most hazardous operation, Flight Lieutenant Davies displayed the utmostcourage and determination and was certainly responsible for saving the aircraft and the crew from destruction.
THE LONDON GAZETTE, Friday 8 August 1941