Page 88 - John Francis Ryan

The raid plan for the Nüremburg operation showing the positions of the three downed 576
Squadron Lancasters.

Flight Lieutenant Dotton collided with Hauptman (Captain) Gerhard Freidrich, the Commanding
Officer of I./NJG6 (1 Squadron, Night Fighter Group 6) at 21-03pm above the village of
st
Bӧblingen, South of Stuttgart, both crews perished in the collision.
Flight Sergeant John Ryan Lancaster crashed 15.5 miles South East of Crailshelm at about
21-24pm. There are three Luftwaffe night pilots who could have shot down John.

Unteroffizier (Flight Sergeant) Emil Weinmann of 1./NJG6
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer) Erich Jung of 5./NJG2
Leutnant (Pilot Officer) Günter Bahr of 1./NJG6

Flight Sergeant Peter Sattler being shot down by possibly Major Herbert Lütje of Stab
(Headquarters Flight) /NJG6 at 21-33pm, at a position 18.5 miles South/South West of the city, the
Lancaster being at a height of 14,700 feet.
576 Squadron lost 21 aircrew, 17 were killed, with 4 taken PoW.

Losses in total on the Nüremburg raid were; 25 Lancasters with 123 killed, 46 PoW, and 1 airman
evading capture.

Losses on the Würzburg raid were; 7 Lancasters with 33 killed and 5 PoW.
© Dr Theo E.W. Boiten / Roderick J. Mackenzie