Page 17 - Earl Grife
P. 17
This is the full list of the 32 operations the crew undertook with 576 Squadron. The pilot would
have completed one more. This operation (known as a second dickie operation) was flown by the
th
crew’s Pilot William Holmes on the evening of 27/28 December 1944 to the German city of Bonn.
William was second pilot to Flight Lieutenant Arthur, one of the Squadron’s experienced pilots.
Flight lieutenant Arthur was nearing the end of his tour of operations with the Squadron.
The Lancaster William flew to Bonn in that night was PA 173 Q - Queen. This Lancaster was lost
on operations on January 7/8 1945 whilst part of the main force attack on the
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German city of Munich.
The pilot, Flying Officer Saslove (an American National) and his crew were all killed. Believed shot
down by American anti-aircraft crew’s as the Lancaster over flew allied lines returning to Fiskerton.
