On this day in history

[FOZ_1983]

20/7/1944

My grandad flew a mission to courtrai (belgium i believe) taking off at 11pm, flight time was 3 hours 20 minutes.

20/7/44 23:00 VN/B F/O PETHICK A/G COURTRAI 03.20

VN/B - Code of his Lancaster Bomber (50 squadron)
F/O Pethick - Pilot
A/G - Grandad was the Air Gunner (rear gunner)


Bit of research i found that The city was an important railway hub for the German army, and for this reason was the target of several allied air-strikes. On July 21, 1944 (the Belgian National Day) around 300 Avro Lancasters dropped over 5,000 bombs on the city center. Many historical buildings on the central square, as well as the old train station, were destroyed. My Grandad was on this mission.

As im typing this (01:17am) i would be guessing he's be on the journey home now, and would be landing back at Skellingthorpe within the hour.