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Final Mission
JB546 took off from East Kirkby at 2240 hrs on 22nd May 1944, on an operation to Braunschweig. The raid was considered a failure as although the weather forecast was for clear skies - the marker aircraft found a complete covering of cloud - there was also interference on the master bombers radio communications. Most of the bombing fell in the country areas around the city. Records show that only a few bombs fell on the city and no ground casualties. A reconnaissance aircraft flying through the target area an hour later found that the cloud had completely cleared.
JB546 is thought to have been shot down by Oblt. Heinz Ferger of 2./NJG3 - combat occurred at a height of 5,400 mtrs. South East of Quakenbrück at 00.30 hrs. Oblt. Ferger went on to become a night fighter ace with over 23 claims (23 confirmed - 3 probables) but was killed on the 13/14th April 1945, shot down by a Mosquito on finals to Lübeck airfield.
The crew who lost their lives were buried locally and at a later date brought to Rheinberg War Cemetry
JB546 (LE-A) was a Mk III Lancaster which came to 630 squadron on 17th Nov 1943. She had recorded 311 hrs flying time. Whn lost she was crewed by the following:-
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