Adjutant’s Note: PO Thomas and crew were returned to active flying status after conducting training flights. On the mission to Berlin on the night of 27Dec, PO Thomas and crew reported uneventful run to the Berlin sector. Following A/C reported “The Tractor Boys” engaging an ME-110 after reaching the IP, followed by an aerial explosion that apparently destroyed the Lancaster and its crew. No parachutes were reported and the crew is presumed dead. Group headquarters has been notified.