Ulceby (2) Lancaster Memorial

Local remembrance and memorial support

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Detailed account of the mid-air collision on Black Thursday. Lancaster LM332 (UL-B2) of 576 Squadron, piloted by F/Sgt Frederick Roy Scott RAAF, took off at 4:36 PM — one minute before Lancaster JB670 of 103 Squadron. The two collided head-on over Ulceby in low cloud.

F/Sgt Scott was Royal Australian Air Force. Lancaster designated UL-B2. Both crews were briefed about the dangers of low cloud and told to climb into the climbing pattern immediately after takeoff. Despite warnings, the collision was unavoidable in the conditions.

Black Thursday overview documenting 16 December 1943 as one of Bomber Command's worst nights for non-combat losses. The Ulceby collision was one of many incidents caused by fog and low cloud across eastern England that evening.

Total losses that night: 43 aircraft destroyed, almost 300 airmen killed. Half the deaths were from weather-related crashes in England rather than enemy action over Berlin.

Local historian's detailed research into 576 Squadron operations from RAF Elsham Wolds, including the tragic collision on 16 December 1943 and its context within the broader Black Thursday disaster.

576 Squadron had only recently formed at Elsham Wolds when this loss occurred. Both 103 and 576 Squadrons shared the airfield and were launching simultaneously for the Berlin raid.