Edward Ashley Oldham

Edward Ashley Oldham was the Flight Engineer aboard Lancaster I W478 which took off from from Kirmington (now Humberside Airport) at 00.12 3rd January 1944 and lost without trace. The other crew members were Geoffrey Firth (Pilot), James Birtwhistle (Navigator), Wintfred Harrison (Wireless Operator), Peter Murray (Air Bomber), John Hamilton (Mid Upper Gunner) and Harold Hayes (rear Gunner). Oldham was killed during Bomber Command’s 13th (out of 19) raid on the German capital during the Battle of Berlin. 383 aircraft were involved – 362 Lancasters, 12 Mosquitoes, 9 Halifaxes. Most RAF casualties were in the Berlin area because night fighters missed the in-bound bomber stream. 27 Lancasters were lost (7% of the force) 10 Pathfinders were destroyed – 156 Sqdn from Warboys lost 5 out of 14. 168 airmen were killed and 31 became POWs. There were 60 abortive sorties (15.7% of those dispatched). Time over target was 02.43 to 02.56.1,066 tons – 624 HE, 442 Incendiaries were dropped on the Berlin area. 82 houses were destroyed, 36 people were killed but no large fires started and industrial damage was insignificant.

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