Waithe (2) Lancaster Memorial

Local remembrance and memorial support

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Registry entry for the Waithe combined memorial commemorating four 100 Squadron Lancaster crews lost on Black Thursday. Lancaster JB674, piloted by F/Sgt Allen Kevis, collided with Lancaster JB678 at 00:40 on 17 December 1943 while both aircraft circled the fog-bound airfield.

JB674 is one of four 100 Squadron aircraft commemorated on the combined black marble memorial tablet. The collision occurred during the return from the Berlin raid in dense fog.

Account of Black Thursday documenting the catastrophic losses at fog-bound airfields. Lancaster JB674 from 100 Squadron collided mid-air with JB678 after both had survived the Berlin raid, only to die in English fog waiting to land.

The collision of JB674 and JB678 was one of the cruelest ironies of Black Thursday — crews surviving the most dangerous target in Germany only to die within sight of their home airfield.

100 Squadron history page documenting the unit's WW2 formation, operations, and losses. Includes the Black Thursday losses among the squadron's operational record from RAF Grimsby (Waltham).

100 Squadron operated from RAF Grimsby (also known as Waltham) as part of 1 Group, Bomber Command. The squadron suffered disproportionately heavy losses on 16/17 December 1943.