Avro Lancaster I (ME807 EM-S) on a mission to Nevers on 1944-07-16

On Saturday, 15 July 1944, (a part of) the aircraft of the 207 squadron (RAF), took off for a mission to Nevers in France from a station (airfield) in or near Spilsby.
One of the crew members was Flight Lieutenant G L Jones. He departed for his mission at 22:14.
He flew with a Avro Lancaster (type I, with serial ME807 and code EM-S). His mission and of the other crew members was planned for Sunday, 16 July 1944.

Thank you for taking on this mission to preserve the past and honor those who server and gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Pilot Officer Graham is my wife’s uncle and we have been planning a trip to visit his grave. So I have started some researce

15 July 1944 bombing mission;

Avro Lancaster Mark 1-EM-S, serial number: ME807

Flight Lt                              Jones, G.L.                         Pilot                                     RAF

Flight Officer                     Dalgleish, E                        2^nd Pilot                               RAF

Flight Officer                     Tickle, F.                             Navigator                           RAAF

Pilot Officer                       Woodland, B.                    Flight Engineer                  RAF

Pilot Officer                       Graham, F. G.                    Air Bomber                         RCAF

Sergeant                             Fellows, J. T.                      Wireless, Air Gunner        RAF

Sergeant                             Gaut, R. A.                          Mid-Upper Gunner           RAF

Pilot Officer                       Cantwell, M. J. W.            Rear Gunner                      RCAF (20^th operation)

Mission to attack Nevers Rail Yards; consisted of 222 Lancaster ( from 207 and 467 Squadrons) and 7 Mosquitoes. 207 Squadron took off at 22:14 from Splilsby and 467 Squadron took off approx 22:30 from Waddington. Group split-up at the French coast. Half of the force headed for Nevers, 130 mile south of Paris, the other half headed to Chalons sur Marne 90 miles east of Paris

Collision with ME 851 at 03:00 hours 16 July 1944

Crashed Lignieres-de-Touraine. The town accounts state at 0130 hours people were awoken by terrible explosions and saw fire balls falling from the sky. They recovered 15 victims of the collision

Crew Buried in old town Cemetery at Church in Lignieres-de- Touraine. The town has conducted a ceremony every July 16 since the crash to honor their memory.

Michael McLaughlin

Information about aircraft who did not return from this mission can be found here. Information about the other crew members on this flight can be found at this website (Aircrew Remembered). This website also provides the flight information for this record.

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