VETERANS of Lincolnshire's largest Second World War Lancaster bomber squadron have gathered to remember their fallen friends.

From 1943 until VE Day crews from 101 Squadron flew raids from an airfield in the little Wolds village of Ludford Magna, near Market Rasen.

But unknown to the enemy the unit had a second, secret purpose – with some aircraft carrying an extra crew member who spoke German and operated special electronic equipment designed to "hack" into the Luftwaffe fighter radio frequencies and jam them.

Yet the men of 101 Squadron paid a high price for their specialist skills with heavier losses than any other RAF squadron – 740 of those lost after flying from Ludford.

Yesterday former airmen, many now well into their 80s, joined their modern day counterparts for a memorial service and to dedicate a specially commissioned bronze plaque, which has been added to the outside of the village's White Hart pub.

Veteran Al Greethurst, who joined the unit at the end of the war, when it was moved to RAF Binbrook, and who was 101 Squadron Association secretary when the plaque's new location was decided, said this sort of memorial was important because people were beginning to forget about the base.

"People's memory of the airfield was fading – some people in the village didn't even know there had been a bomber airfield here," he said.

"So we had the plaque commissioned and we originally put it up at the school across the road to educate the children.

"But we then found out the school was closing last September, and thought that if the school was to be sold off, our plaque wasn't going to go with it.

"I said as a joke we should put it on the pub – but then everyone thought that was a good idea as the crews all used to drink in there."

Landlord Mick Sharpe, said he was happy to have the memorial at the pub.

"The officers used to use this pub and the lower ranks went to the pub down the road," he said.

"Every year we see the crewmen when they come back – they've some real tales to tell.

"We were asked if we would have the plaque and I told them it would be a privilege. It's now there to stay, hopefully."

Squadron liaison Gary Weightman said it was good to see that more than 65 years on, so many veterans were still gathering to remember their comrades.

"Theirs was not the glamour of the fighter pilots who we remember on the 70th anniversary of the Battle Of Britain, but their fellowship was forged in the great sacrifice and loss of so many of their friends," he said.