Failed to Return

Lancaster NG133

Lancaster NG133 was flown by the F/O A Abrams crew when it was lost on Operation Hurricane on 14 October 1944 to Duisburg, one of two 550 Squadron Lancasters lost on this operation, the other being Lancaster PD319 flown by the F/O Dodds crew (see Duisburg/PD319).

The crew:

Pilot F/O Abrams was thrown clear and survived (PoW), but the other crew members all perished.

Other information about the flight and the target available here.

The entry on the 550 Squadron Roll of Honour is available here.

F/O Abrams Crew

Below are some pictures associated with the F/O Abrams crew. Thanks to Alison Morgan for making the pictures available.

	Crew in front of "Press on Regardless" Written on the rear of the photo (by Sgt Nettleton): "Six Men and a Lanc" and "(mid upper gunner missing)" L-To-R: ???, ???, F/O Abrams (P), ???, ???, Sgt Nettleton (F/Eng)
	Crew in front of "Press on Regardless" (and including ground crew) This photo shows Sgt Nettleton top row, sixth from the left Unfortunately the remaining men are not named (but the pilot is top row, fourth from the left) On the reverse of this photo Sgt Nettleton wrote "You service 'em, we bomb 'em".

Sgt K Nettleton

Below are some pictures of Sgt Ken Nettelton (F/Eng). Again thanks to Alison Morgan for making the pictures available. Alison's mother was engaged to Ken Nettelton on the date he was killed (14th October 1944).

	Sgt Ken Nettleton
	Sgt Ken Nettleton (Reichswald Cemetery)
	Sgt Ken Nettleton Grave (Reichswald Cemetery)

Ken Nettleton IWGC Letter (12/04/1957)

Bomber Command Operation Hurricane

A book, by Marc Hall, was published in May 2013 on Operation Hurricane. The crews that failed were a key part of the book. Both Lancaster NG133 and Lancaster PD319 were shot down on that 14th October 1944 raid to Duisburg. See: Bomber Command Operation Hurricane.