Ulceby Lancaster Mid-Air Collision Memorial

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Detailed local account of the mid-air collision between Lancaster JB670 (103 Squadron) and Lancaster LM332 (576 Squadron) over Ulceby on 16 December 1943. Both aircraft were taking off from RAF Elsham Wolds for a Berlin raid when they collided in low cloud.

What you'll find: Explore detailed account of mid-air collision between two Lancasters at Ulceby in 1943.

JB670 took off at 4:37 PM, one minute after LM332. The two Lancasters collided head-on as JB670 climbed into cloud while LM332 emerged from it. Wreckage fell over a wide area. All 14 men from both aircraft killed. Part of 'Black Thursday' when Bomber Command lost heavily to weather.

International Bomber Command Centre digital archive record documenting the next of kin of Lancaster JB670 'Q' crew, lost on 16 December 1943.

What you'll find: Poignant records of Lancaster JB670 'Q' crew's tragic loss in December 1943 at Ulceby (1) Lancaster Memorial via IBCC Digital Archive.

Pilot was F/Sgt Valentine 'Val' Richter, age 22, of Chingford, Essex. The crew was a last-minute mixture of men from both 103 and 576 Squadrons.

Account of Black Thursday, 16 December 1943, when almost 300 RAF airmen died — half from weather rather than enemy action. Documents the Ulceby collision as one of multiple tragedies that night across Bomber Command.

What you'll find: Explore detailed account of Black Thursday tragedy and Ulceby collision at Lancaster Memorial.

483 Lancasters and 15 Mosquitos attacked Berlin that night. 25 aircraft lost on the raid, 28 crashed in fog at English airfields, 43 total destroyed. The Ulceby collision occurred during takeoff in low cloud.

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.

What you'll find: Explore detailed account of Black Thursday mid-air collision involving Lancaster LM332 (UL-B2).

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.

What you'll find: Explore "Black Thursday" overview: RAF Memorial Flight Club shares tragic 1943 incident details on Ulceby and Lancaster Memorial.

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.

What you'll find: Explore John Knifton's comprehensive study of 576 Squadron at RAF Elsham Wolds, focusing on the tragic 16 Dec 1943 collision and its connection to the larger Black Thursday event.

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.