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Based at Ludford Magna, Lincolnshire from June 1943, 101 Squadron
was selected to test new equipment designed to jam the VHF frequencies
used by German fighter
controllers. A system, code-named "Airborne Cigar"
or ABC for short, was operated by an eighth crew member - the
Special Operator on board the Lancaster who could understand
German and listen into the German controller's transmissions,
jamming them before they alerted their night fighters to the
position of the bombers. ABC soon proved its worth and from October
1943 101 Sqn. ABC aircraft flew with all Bomber Command main
force attacks, consequently 101 Squadron suffered higher losses
than other 1 Group Squadrons. In an attempt to reduce the losses
the Squadron was the first to be fitted with twin 0.5 browning
machine guns in the rear turret. Signed by eleven 101 Sqd. aircrew. |
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