From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Copy of a telegram relaying a message from Bomber Command about a heavily damaged Lancaster that returned to base, praising its workmanship.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 143\2\ scan0234 | |
| Date | 21th April 1942 | |
| Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Clan Foundry +206 1204. COPY OF TELEGRAM FROM M.A.P. April 21st, 1942. AP.275. 21/4 NOT FOR PUBLICATION IN PRESS. FOR INFORMATION OF ALL WORKMEN ENGAGED ON LANCASTER. FOLLOWING MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM BOMBER COMMAND. " IN DAYLIGHT ATTACK ON AUGSBURG ON APRIL 17TH, A LANCASTER L/7575-Y WAS SEVERELY HIT BY FLAK OVER THE TARGET, AN INCENDIARY SHELL MADE A DIRECT HIT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FUSELAGE. IT CUT THE OIL PIPE TO THE TURRET AND THE OIL PUMP INTO THE BOMB BAY AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE CREW TORE UP THE INSPECTION HATCH AND FOUGHT THE FIRE WITH EXTINGUISHERS. AFTER A LONG STRUGGLE AND AFTER CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE HAD BEEN DONE TO THE AIR FRAME THEY GOT THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL. AT SAME TIME ENGINE WAS HIT BY SEVERAL SHELL FRAGMENTS BUT IT CONTINUED TO WORK EFFECTIVELY ON THE WHOLE OF THE FLIGHT HOME. ANOTHER ENGINE, HOWEVER, CUT OUT OVER THE TARGET AND COULD ONLY BE USED INTERMITTENTLY AND AT LOW BOOST. IN SPITE OF THIS THE AIRCRAFT NOT ONLY GOT HOME BUT WAS ABLE TO KEEP IN FORMATION WITH ANOTHER AND UNDAMAGED LANCASTER. CAPTAIN AND CREW OF THE LANCASTERS WISH TO EXPRESS THEIR APPRECIATION OF THE SPLENDID WORKMANSHIP, SKILL AND CARE WHICH WAS PUT INTO CONSTRUCTION OF THESE AIRCRAFT. THIS ALONE ENABLED THEM TO GET BACK TO THEIR BASE. | ||