Page 106 - William B. Lake

Fifth Operation

(Continued)

Having arrived at Brussels B58 (Melsbroek) Bill, flying with the crew of Pilot Officer J.
Everitt loaded some 20 to 24 POW’s into the Lancaster and took off at 11.40 am en-
route RAF Ford in Hampshire. This airfield, among others had been allocated to
receive these servicemen, they being medically examined, given a meal and
interviewed so a completed picture of their capture and imprisonment, with a view to
obtaining evidence of any potential war crimes committed by their German guards
could be obtained. It is believed once they were declared fit to travel, the servicemen
fitted out with civilian clothing, awarded back dated pay and a travel warrant, were
allowed to return to their families, officially discharged from
the Kings service.

The time of arrival at RAF Ford is not known, neither is the crew’s take-off time from
Ford back to Fiskerton known. The crew arriving back at Fiskerton at 17.25pm the
same day.

Present day photograph of the former RAF Ford.

©Richard E Flagg