Following its final offensive mission 153 Squadron dropped food
to the starving Dutch
(operation code name Manna)
to the starving Dutch
(operation code name Manna)
This picture was taken on VE Day, just above St Pauls in London. The lead Lancaster in the above picture is P4-C
(LM 550) which was en route to Holland with approximately 6 tons of food. The reason for this diversion to the normal route to Holland was that the crews were given permission by their Sqdron Commander to fly over London to see some of the celebrations on VE day. This was the 107th operation for this particular veteran aircraft and this was the only crew from 153 Squadron that was given permission to make this diversion. All aircraft which were not used for Manna food drops that day were locked to prevent crews going off to show off etc. This was the procedure in all of Bomber Command when aircraft returned from Holland, they were immediately "locked".
The pilot of LM 550 on that day was Flt/Lt Jack Heaton who now lives in Spain and Flt/Sgt Aneurin (Taff) Owen was w/op that day. It is believed they are the only living members of that particular crew.
(LM 550) which was en route to Holland with approximately 6 tons of food. The reason for this diversion to the normal route to Holland was that the crews were given permission by their Sqdron Commander to fly over London to see some of the celebrations on VE day. This was the 107th operation for this particular veteran aircraft and this was the only crew from 153 Squadron that was given permission to make this diversion. All aircraft which were not used for Manna food drops that day were locked to prevent crews going off to show off etc. This was the procedure in all of Bomber Command when aircraft returned from Holland, they were immediately "locked".
The pilot of LM 550 on that day was Flt/Lt Jack Heaton who now lives in Spain and Flt/Sgt Aneurin (Taff) Owen was w/op that day. It is believed they are the only living members of that particular crew.
2015 saw the 70th anniversary of the Manna drops and celebrations/commemorations took place both in the UK and in Rotterdam.
In the UK, a floral garden was established at Kew and a plantation of bulbs donated by the Dutch in September 2014, bloomed perfectly for the celebrations held at Lincoln Cathedral grounds in May 2015. The coloured flowers depicted a Lancaster dropping parachutes of "goodies" for the starving Dutch people below. Some of our veterans and families attended these events.
KEW AND LINCOLN
(Click on pictures for captions & larger view)
(Click on pictures for captions & larger view)
ROTTERDAM
Two 153 Squadron Veterans - Les Pearson (second left) and "Taff" Owen (second right)
(More Rotterdam photographs supplied by Mike Baxter)
