What brave men. I think about these guys all the time and what they sacrificed for humanity. Really makes you wonder sometimes when you see the news and the total crap thats going on around the world. Did we as a society ever learn from these fantastic men? Will humanity ever learn to live with itself in peace ?
My dads cousin served on Lancs however sadly paid the ultimate price and did not see an end to the war. This is a brief story in his honour.
Sgt. James Norris RAF(VR) 1900179 576 Squadron
Sgt. James Norris was an Irish citizen from Waterford City, County Waterford, Eire who volunteered to join the Royal Air Force.
This perhaps shows the character of this man and the many other Irish Republic citizens who chose to wear the uniforms of the United Kingdom in the war against Germany.
Sgt. James Norris was the rear gunner on a Lancaster Bomber of 576 squadron based at RAF Fiskerton. The aircraft code was UL-M2, serial number NN750.
The crew were:
FO. Derrick Fletcher RAF(VR) 179580 - Pilot
Sgt. P D Lake RAF(VR) - Flight Engineer
F/Sgt. Charles Gerrad Cambell RAF(VR) - Navigator
F/Sgt. Kenneth Angus RAF(VR) 1581067 - Bomb Aimer
F/Sgt. Leonard James Bull RAF(VR) 1606722 - W/Op.
PO. Gorden Warren RCAF J/93781 - Mid Upper Gunner
Sgt. James Norris RAF(VR) - Rear Gunner
The aircraft took off from RAF Fiskerton at 15.17 on a raid to Bonn, Germany and all the crew were killed when this aircraft crashed at RAF Manston returning from this raid on 28/29 December, 1944.
Details
Very seriously damaged by enemy action, but despite great difficulties in maintaining control , FO. Fletcher skilfully brought the aircraft back across the the Channel, using only his trim tabs to keep the aircraft in the air. His first attempt in landing at RAF Manston aerodrome was unsuccessful but undeterred he opened the throttles and tried to go round again. Whilst doing so, he lost flying speed, stalled and crashed.
Spitfires escort damaged Lancaster UL-M2 of No. 576 Sqn as it crosses the English coastline. UL-M2 completed 140 operations, more than any other Lancaster in the war.
