The Heartbreaking Story of the Lancaster Bomber Crew Lost in World War II

In the annals of World War II, the story of the Lancaster bomber crew of AJ-N stands as a poignant reminder of the immense cost of war and the enduring spirit of those who fought.

The Crew: The Story of a Lancaster Bomber Crew

by David Price

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14878 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	457 pages

FREE

On the evening of August 15, 1944, AJ-N took off from RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, England, on a mission to bomb a German V2 rocket facility near Peenemunde.

The crew consisted of seven young men, each with their own hopes and dreams:

• Pilot: Flight Lieutenant George "Johnny" Johnson, 24, from Glasgow, Scotland
• Navigator: Flight Sergeant Raymond "Ray" Barlow, 21, from Manchester, England
• Bomb Aimer: Sergeant Arthur "Art" Leigh, 20, from Liverpool, England
• Wireless Operator: Sergeant Archibald "Archie" Gunn, 22, from Edinburgh, Scotland
• Flight Engineer: Sergeant James "Jim" Whittle, 19, from Newcastle upon Tyne, England
• Mid-Upper Gunner: Sergeant John "Jack" Redfern, 20, from Bolton, England
• Rear Gunner: Sergeant George "Geordie" Watson, 21, from Newcastle upon Tyne, England

The mission began as planned, but as AJ-N approached its target, it was intercepted by German night fighters.

In the ensuing aerial battle, AJ-N's mid-upper turret was knocked out, killing Redfern.

The aircraft was also heavily damaged, and Johnson was forced to make the difficult decision to abandon the mission and attempt to return to England.

As AJ-N limped back across the North Sea, it was pursued by German fighters.

In a desperate attempt to escape, Johnson flew the aircraft at low altitude, but this proved to be a fatal mistake.

On the morning of August 16, 1944, AJ-N crashed into the sea off the coast of Norfolk, England.

All seven crew members were killed.

The loss of AJ-N and its crew was a devastating blow to RAF Bomber Command.

The young men who had embarked on that fateful mission had given their lives in the fight against tyranny.

Their sacrifice would not be in vain.

In the decades that followed, the story of AJ-N and its crew has been told and retold.

It is a story that has inspired countless people, reminding them of the courage and sacrifice of those who fought in World War II.

Today, the memory of AJ-N and its crew is preserved in memorials and museums across the United Kingdom.

Their names are forever etched in the annals of history, a testament to their bravery and the ultimate price they paid for freedom.

The Crew: The Story of a Lancaster Bomber Crew

by David Price

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14878 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	457 pages

FREE