Waithe Lancaster Mid-Air Collision Memorial

Local remembrance and memorial support

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Registry entry for the Waithe memorial to four 100 Squadron Lancaster crews. A black polished marble tablet records the details of crews from Lancaster JB678 and three other aircraft lost from RAF Grimsby (Waltham) during Black Thursday, 16/17 December 1943.

What you'll find: The poignant registry entry honoring four 100 Squadron Lancaster crews at this memorial link.

Combined memorial on the A16 Louth Road at Holton Le Clay commemorates four 100 Squadron Lancaster crews. JB678 collided with JB674 on return from the Berlin raid. Part of the Black Thursday disaster.

Comprehensive account of Black Thursday, 16 December 1943, when almost 300 RAF airmen died. Lancaster JB678 was among 100 Squadron's losses, involved in a mid-air collision with JB674 while returning to fog-bound RAF Grimsby after the Berlin raid.

What you'll find: Explore detailed account of Black Thursday tragedy and Lancaster JB678's involvement in this poignant memorial link.

100 Squadron lost their CO, W/C David Holford DSO DFC, plus multiple other aircraft that night. JB678 and JB674 collided at 00:40 on the 17th while circling the fog-bound airfield waiting to land.

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.

What you'll find: The poignant story of four 100 Squadron Lancaster crews tragically lost in World War II.

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.

What you'll find: Explore detailed account of Black Thursday's tragic aircraft collisions amidst fog-bound RAF airfields.

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).

What you'll find: Explore Lancaster Memorial: Discover WWII 100 Squadron's history, including formation, operations, and significant losses at RAF Grimsby.

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.

Biographical article on Wing Commander David William Holford DSO DFC (21 February 1921 - 17 December 1943), who was the youngest bomber squadron commanding officer in RAF history when he took command of 100 Squadron at age 21 in February 1943.

What you'll find: Biographical details of Wing Commander David William Holford, RAF's youngest bomber squadron commander.

Holford was 22 when killed. He had already completed two full tours of operations. Appointed CO of 100 Squadron at Waltham on 21 November 1943. Crashed Lancaster JB560 in thick fog near Kelstern after the Black Thursday Berlin raid.

International Bomber Command Centre loss record for Lancaster JB560 and W/C Holford. Documents the operational details and crew information for this Black Thursday loss.

What you'll find: Detailed records of Lancaster JB560's tragic "Black Thursday" crash, including crew losses and operational history from IBCC Digital Archive.

IBCC loss record reference 111010. Lancaster JB560 was the aircraft carrying the 100 Squadron commanding officer on the Berlin raid of 16/17 December 1943.

The Waithe combined memorial commemorates W/C Holford's crew alongside three other 100 Squadron Lancaster crews lost on Black Thursday. The memorial is a black polished marble tablet on the A16 Louth Road.

What you'll find: The poignant Waithe (4) Lancaster Memorial honoring fallen crew members of Black Thursday.

Holford's loss was devastating for 100 Squadron — losing their CO alongside multiple other crews in a single night. Two crew members survived the crash of JB560.

RAF Commands war dead database entry for Wing Commander D.W. Holford (service number 41704), recording his death on 17 December 1943 while serving with 100 Squadron.

What you'll find: The memorial page dedicated to Wing Commander D.W. Holford's life and wartime service at Lancaster Memorial.

Service number 41704. Holford held both the DSO and DFC. His death at 22 made him one of the youngest wing commanders to be killed in Bomber Command.