5043312 W/O. Reginald Paul Rabett DFC.Royal Air Force 166 Squadron (d.9th Oct 1943) My grandfather's brother, W/O Reginald Rabett flew from RAf Wickenby. On th e8th of October 1943 he took off for Ludwigshaven,
Germany in a Lancaster BII, marked ED993 of 166 SQ. The aircraft which had been recently mended due to engine trouble,
was scheduled for Reg Rabett as the pilot to fly out and bomb his destination.
On the way more trouble had occured and there were notes of cabin or engine fire on the way.
With determination and great bravery he carried on to the target and succesfully bombed the location.
On return with problems on the way, the plane crashed landed. The crash broke off the tail setting the rear gunner free
from the craft and a crew man in the centre turret was also thrown free from the Lancaster, both of whom survived.
Unfortunatly the remaining crew, W/O Rabett included, all died in the aircraft which broke into fire after the crash landing.
Due to his bravery, after the mission, my Great Grandparents recived the DFC medal in honour of their son Reginald Paul Rabett.
The men flying in the Lancaster which crashed during the emergency landing on 9th of October 1943 were:
Sgt James O'Reilly (Nav.)1549441, Ronald Davies, (W/T) 1032360 Age: 23, Sgt Ronald Ernest Gratwick (B/A) 1324750 Age: 20 and
Trevor Roberts (F/E) 1413356. Sgt E Croxon (M/U) and Sgt L. Davidson (R/G) both survived the landing.
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