In 1944, Warrant Officer Ted Studney was a rear gunner in Lancaster bombers flying out of RAF Wickenby, England with the 626 Squadron. The 18-year-old farmboy from Saskatchewan recorded the events of each flight in his Flying Log Book, which has been preserved by his son Shannon Studney who now lives in Prince George.
The following is a selection of excerpts from his flying log:
Oct. 7, 1944: (Ops.) Emmerich (well pranged)
Hit by incendiaries over target, then hit by flak on the bombing run. All but one petrol tank holed. Both wings on fire. Returned to base. Skipper was awarded the immediate D.F.C. (Distinguished Flying Cross).
Oct. 19, 1944: (Ops.) Stuttgart
I was hit by flak before target. Just after bombing was attacked by a JU 188. Due to previous injury to left shoulder, was barely able to return fire. (Then) was hit by cannon shrapnel in right thigh. Hits were scored on our A.C. both times. Crashed near base over shooting. F.E. (flight engineer) was killed. Rest of the crew were badly injured.
After recovering, Studney began flying again in February, 1945, as the rear gunner of a Lancaster bomber nicknamed the Vicious Virgin.
Feb. 28, 1945: (Ops.) Gardening in Oslo fiord.
March 2, 1945: (Ops). Cologne.
Well bombed. One Lanc crashed in bridge.
March 7, 1945: (Ops.) Dessau.
Heavy flak and search lights. Bombed from 27,000 ft.
March 12, 1945: (Ops.) Kassel.
Flak and searchlight with fighter activity.
March 25, 1945: (Ops) Henover (likely Hanover)
Was attacked by jet fighter ME 262. I fired 200 per gun and fighter was seen to explode in mid-air. One certain.
March 27, 1945: (Ops.) Paderborn
Well bombed.
April 5, 1945: (Ops). Walcheron Island
Strafed Jerries.
April 14, 1945: (Ops) Potsdam
Heavy flak.
April 21, 1945: (ops) Bremen
Fighter activity.
April 25, 1945: (ops) Bertesgaden (likely Berchtesgaden)
Hit barracks with rookie.
Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945, making April 25 Studney’s last operational flight.
If Studney did indeed shoot down a German Messerschmitt 262 jet fighter on
March 25, 1945 he joins the very elite ranks of Allied airmen, including Chuck Yeager, who can claim to have done so.
