156 Squadron Mission Details
Target: Essen
Mission Date: 27/05/1943
Mission Comments: 6 aircraft detailed for operations: all took off but one failed to return (F/S WALLACE and crew)
Rego Type Captain Departed Over Target Height Returned Flight Time Comments ORB Slide
ED883  Lancaster  F/Lt YOUNG  22:55  1.22  20000  03:36    Raid appeared very successful and well concentrated in the main with a small proportion falling short. Many good fires were observed.
Windscreen was broken by heavy flak at 0122 hrs.
Slight light and moderate heavy flak was experienced over target area and very few S/L's.
A/C seen to fall and break in pices over target at 0120. GRAMSBERGEN 0149 hrs A/C seen to hit ground and burst into flames. 
149 
ED919  Lancaster III  Sgt. HEWERDINE  22:59  1.23  19000  03:39      149 
W4924  Lancaster  Sgt. SLOPER  23:02  1.21  18700  03:46      149 
W4922  Lancaster  F/Sgt RYAN  23:03  1.18  17000  03:24      149 
W4933  Lancaster  F/O PRICHARD  22:50  1.24  18800  04:06    Target attacked at 0124 hrs from 18800 ft by release point flares. On the way in over the DUTCH COAST a large orange explosion was seen over target 0043 hrs. Attack was mainly well concentrated and the glow of fires was seen below clouds.
A/C was hit by heavy flak over target in S/B wing, another Lancaster hit S/B wing tip and aerials taken away.
Intense heavy flak in barrage - no light flak. 
150 
W4943  Lancaster I  F/Sgt WALLACE  23:11          T/o 2312 Warboys. Shot down by a night fighter and crashed at Otterloo (Gelderland), 10 km NE of Ede, Holland where those who died are buried in the General Cemetery  150