Without doubt the Lancaster was the RAF’s finest heavy bomber and yet its creation came about through the failure of its predecessor, the Avro Manchester. The twin-engine Manchester became operational in February 1941 and it was intended to replace the Hampden and Wellington. Ironically, it was the Manchester that was superseded by the types it was meant to replace. The ill-starred Manchester’s operational career ended in June 1942 when it was withdrawn from service; its failure due to the total unreliability of the Rolls Royce Vulture engines.
A Winning Replacement
Avro began a re-design of the basically sound Manchester airframe, with the installation of four Rolls Royce Merlins; this entailed extending the standard wings to accommodate them. Initially the triple fin of the Manchester was retained on the Lancaster prototype but future models featured the enlarged twin-fin arrangement. The co-pilot situation was discarded and its crew of seven comprised pilot, flight engineer, bomb aimer, radio operator, navigator, mid-upper and rear gunners. The flight engineer was located beside the pilot and in an emergency situation it was possible for him to take over the controls
A major feature that the Lancaster inherited from the Manchester was the capacious bomb bay and from the outset it carried a normal load of 14,000 pounds; equal to its contemporaries, the Stirling and Halifax. A measure of its adaptability was a capacity to eventually carry the gigantic 22,000 pounds ‘Grand Slam’. This occurred in the closing stages of the European war and was a contributing factor to final victory in that theatre.
Avro Lancaster Becomes Operational
No.44 squadron based at Waddington was the first unit to employ the Lancaster operationally; this was a mine-laying sortie on 13 March 1942. Four weeks later the Lancaster's existence was revealed following the daring daylight raid on the M.A.N. diesel works at Augsburg. The new bomber was a success from the outset, thus beginning a career so outstanding that it completely overshadowed its counterparts, the Short Stirling and Handley Page Halifax. It also became the leading aircraft in the Pathfinder Force, where it generally replaced its less efficient stable mates. The nocturnal Mosquito eventually became the predominant factor in Pathfinder operations.
Some Noteworthy Raids
In August 1942 Lancasters from No. 83 Pathfinder squadron took part in the force’s inaugural operation as part of a raid on Flensburg. In October 1942 Lancasters from 49 and 57 squadrons were involved in a daring daylight raid on the Le Creusot arms factories. Other Lancaster epics include the celebrated attack by 617 squadron on the Moehne and Eder dams in May 1943; and for his leadership on that mission Wing Commander Guy Gibson was awarded the Victoria Cross. Another outstanding operation, involving 617 and No.9 squadron was the sinking of the German battleship Tirpitz in Tromso Fiord in November 1944.
A total of 59 squadrons of Bomber Command operated with Lancasters until the war in Europe terminated. Its contribution to final victory was eloquently expressed by Sir Arthur Harris…the finest bomber of the war! Its efficiency was almost incredible, both in performance and in the way it could be saddled with ever-increasing loads without breaking the camel’s back.
Avro Lancaster Statistics
With such an involvement came the inevitable losses. Of a total of 7,300 Lancasters built, 3,200 were lost on operations between March 1942 and May 1954. In that period 156,000 sorties were flown and 608,000 tons of bombs were dropped. At the time of writing, one example is maintained in an airworthy condition and makes appearances on significant anniversaries. It is noteworthy that the final Lancaster is presented in the markings of No.44 City of Lincoln squadron, as a fitting tribute to Squadron Leader J.D. Nettleton who was awarded the V.C. for his leadership on the daring Augsburg raid of April 17 1942. His was the first of ten VCs awarded to Lancaster crew members until final victory in Europe was achieved.
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