Squadron Leader L. Linnell - Crew 36, Linde germany. Crater visible today (spring 2007) 

Berlin Raid; 28/29 Jan. 1944 - Research by amateur air war historians and an eye witness to the crash of a Halifax piloted by S/Ldr Lloyd Linnell and crew 36.

Back L to R

P/O Ken A. Heaton (Nav.), P/O Albert W. Hornby (B-A), Squadron Leader Lloyd M. Linnell (Pilot), P/O Francis J. Elms (FE)

Front L to R

Sgt. Philip F. Wicks (AG), Sgt. Oswald D. Culverwell DFM (AG), P/O Sydney W.H. Taylor (W-Op)

Dear Mr. Linnell,

"My name is Mario Schulze, I live in Oranienburg, a town located north of Berlin, Germany. I am member of a group amateur “air war historians”. Since 1999, we have located nearly 60 crash sites of WW II planes in our district Oberhavel. Solving mysteries behind missing bomber and fighter crews, so they can finally be laid to their last rest.

Crash site is north of Berlin - Linde Germany

Allow me to say, it is a great honor for me to write you. It seems to be Christmas, as I have learned that S/L Lloyd Linnell has a son and I am very interested to give you more details of the crash. Pilot Linnell and his men were shot down on 28th/29th January 1944, their plane crashed near the small village of Linde, located about 10 miles north of my hometown of Oranienburg... ...During research I received information from an elderly woman of Linde, Mrs. Oys was 19 years old when she observed the plane crash into the woods north of her home that night, she experienced the most terrible events shortly after. From this moment I was influenced by the fever to learn more about the crew, the plane, and mission.

The plane crashed into the woods, unfortunately the bomb load exploded the next day killing the guards, which had secured the scene of the crash. This terrible event left a huge crater in that forest, which is still visible. Several years ago, we found some 4lbs incendiary bombs around the crater, among a lot of small wreckage parts of the plane.

"...Last Thursday I visited the crash site at Linde after a couple of years, there has been little change. Nearly all wreckage parts on the ground were removed by foresters, but the crater is still visible. I think it was a little bit filled, not looking so deep since my last visit..."

"...Beside a tree, I had have located some small wreckage parts..."

One part has a stamped number - Photos courtesy Mario Schulze

"...The first two letters (57) indicating the plane as a Halifax. The next three numbers are the drawing number. The code letter “B” indicating, that the part came from the wings, ailerons or flaps..."

Dear Mr. Schulze,

"Thank you so much for your interest, and photo's. In fact I have been to the crater myself. There I found some wreckage, including the hose from an oxygen mask! ... I was able to interview Freidrich Tober, the man who shot the Halifax down. ...also interviewed Irmgard Naujocks who was a child of 11 when the plane crashed. Her husband gave me an ax that was found in the wreckage.

I am hoping to visit the crash site again this summer, and would be very pleased to meet you when I am in your area..."

Best wishes, Bob Linnell

The following was printed in the Edmonton Journal (Alberta, Canada)

Thanks to Bob Linnell and Mario Schulze for providing information, letter's, and images. Please sen me an email using "Contact Me" to orderi Bob Linnell's documentaries, they are very informative and contain footage of 434 Squadron and Veterans.

Alan Soderstrom