Page 7 - Eagleye Spring 2020

The Lancaster Propeller
and the Master Navigator
Director of the National Geospatial- Intelligence Agency (NGA), Vice Admiral Robert Sharp USN, accompanied by Master Aircrew George ‘Ed’ Kelly, visited RAF Wyton on Friday 24 January to unveil a tribute dedicated to those who came before.
A single blade and the central hub of a propeller from Lancaster PB911, was unveiled by Vice Admiral Sharp in the foyer of Pathfinder Building before the names of the lost crew were read aloud by Master Navigator ‘Ed’ Kelly and a moments silence held. The plaque on the propeller blade reads:
“We Guide to Strike”
No. 8 Group
(Path Finder Force)
This propeller blade belonged to Lancaster PB911, which crashed on 30th March 1945 with the loss of all her crew. PB911 flew with 635 (Pathfinder) Squadron, which was part of No. 8 Group (Path Finder Force).
At 8:55 am, Lancaster PB911 took off from RAF Downham Market. The seven-man crew were experienced – this was their 22nd flight – and they were undertaking a training flight to practice usage of the fishpond warning
set. According to the official reports, the aircraft was carrying out blind bombing runs at 15,000 – 18,000 ft and was seen to come out of cloud in a steep dive from which it did not recover. Lancaster PB911 crashed at 11:10am in a field 3⁄4 mile to the north west of Swayfield Church in Lincolnshire (SK 983 231) with the loss of all of her crew.
F/O D.Dixon (Pilot)
Sgt S.E.Robinson (Flight Engineer) Sgt S.A.Pimm (Navigator)
Sgt R.Goddard (Bomb Aimer)
Sgt N.Davis (Wireless Operator)
Sgt J.G.W.Harcourt (Rear Air gunner) Sgt R.W.Wilson (Upper Air Gunner)
Unveiled on 24 Jan 20 by Vice Admiral Robert D. Sharp USN, Director National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
The Pathfinder Building is named after the WW2 Path Finder Force, headquartered in the Wyton area and whose Squadrons flew out of RAF Wyton and the surrounding airfields. The Pathfinder Force’s motto “We Guide to Strike” remains highly prevalent to both DI and NGA today with the outputs of these organisations focused on global operations.
The Pathfinders, a force composed of allied aircrew from various countries, improved the effectiveness and efficiency of Bomber Command by guiding the bomber aircraft accurately on to targets. The idea that drove the creation of that force over 75 years ago can be seen clearly in the ethos that forms the core of DI today, guiding commanders to faster, better decision making.
After the unveiling, Mr Ed Kelly was invited to lunch in the Officers’ Mess with Stn HQ
and ISTE personnel. Over lunch Mr Kelly recounted stories spanning his 40 years of service in the RAF, from his time flying as a navigator on Wellingtons and Liberators to his later years flying Yorks, Lincolns, Lancasters and Canberras.
Our thanks go out to the Heritage Centre for sourcing the propeller and the story behind it as well as for providing a Lancaster log book replica to present to Vice Admiral Sharp; likewise, to the Workshops for renovating and mounting the propeller for display in the Pathfinder Building Foyer; and finally all those involved in organising and supporting the unveiling ceremony and visit to RAF Wyton by Director NGA, Vice Admiral Robert Sharp and Master Navigator Mr George ‘Ed’ Kelly.
The Pathfinder Force’s motto “We Guide to Strike” remains highly prevalent to both DI and NGA today with the outputs of these organisations focused on global operations
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