Brussels

The Italian bomber departed Melsbroek AFB in Brussels between 1745LT and 1830LT with nine other similar airplanes on an operation to England - Harwich, Ipswich, Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth. Over the target area, the airplane was hit by enemy fire and the crew was able to evacuate the combat zone and to fly back to Belgium. On final approach at night, the airplane went out of control and crashed onto several houses located in Diegem, short of runway. All six crew members were killed. It is believed that people on the ground were also killed.
Crew (13th Squadron):
2nd Lt Talete Rebuscini, pilot,
2nd Lt S/T Luigi Dal Forno,
FM Elvio Romito,
1Av Giuseppe Maruelli,
1Av Mario Cini,
1Av Giacomo Columbano.

The airplane departed Brussels-Melsbroek Airfield on a reconnaissance mission over England. Approaching the British coast, it was shot down by the pilot of a Hurricane and crashed in Saint Osyth, west of Clacton-on-Sea. All four crew members became PoW.
Crew:
Uffz Theodor Hermsen, pilot,
Obrfdw Heinz-Eberhard Proelss, observer,
Obrgfr Walter Plock, radio operator,
Flg Ruediger von Hase, flight engineer.

On approach to Brussels-Haren Airport, the three engine airplane apparently collided with an unknown aircraft and crashed in Evere, west of the airfield. Two occupants survived while nine others were killed, among them General Major Fritz Löb.
Crew:
Hptm Hans Luft, pilot,
Hptm Anton Lorenz, pilot, †
Obff Heinz Lorenz, navigator, †
Passengers:
Fw Wilhelm Augustin, †
Oblt Werner Kurmeyer, †
Gen Maj Fritz Löb, †
Maj Carl Prümm, †
Ernst Schade, †
Ogfr Willi Schumann, †
Hptm Kurt von Lange,
Hptm Helmut von Schultz. †

The three engine airplane departed Brussels on a mail flight to London on behalf of the RAF 271st Squadron. En route, it was shot down by the German Flak. The mechanic bailed out and survived while both pilots were killed when the aircraft crashed in an open field.
Crew:
P/O John Robertson McLaren, pilot, †
Victor Moreau, pilot, †
Armand Peeters, mechanic.

On final approach to Brussels-Haren Airport at night and in marginal weather conditions, at a height of about 50-60 metres, the three engine airplane lost altitude and descended to 10-20 metres when the pilot-in-command initiated a go around procedure. The aircraft stalled and crashed in a field located in Sint-Stevens-Woluwe, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all three crew members were killed.

The crew departed Brussels on a cargo flight to Lympne. On approach, he encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and strong winds. The airplane struck the roof of a house and crashed in a garden located by the church. Both crew members were slightly injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

While descending to Brussels, the crew encountered foggy conditions and decided to divert to Ostend where two other passengers were supposed to embark. Upon arrival, the crew completed two circuits over the airport of Ostend before initiating the final approach. Weather conditions were poor with limited visibility due to fog. On final, at a height of some 20 metres, the aircraft hit with its right wing the chimney of the 'Briqueterie Nationale' located in Stene. The aircraft stalled and crashed upside down, bursting into flames. All 11 occupants were killed, among them Grand Ducal and Duchess of Hesse and two of their children.
Crew:
Antoine Lambotte, pilot,
Maurice Courtois, radio navigator,
Ivan Lansmans, engineer.
Passengers:
Georges-Donatus von Hesse-Darmstadt, Grand-Ducal of Hesse,
Cécile de Grèce, Grand Duchess of Hesse,
Éléonore von Solms-Hohensolms-Lich,
Louis von Hesse-Darmstadt,
Alexander von Hesse-Darmstadt,
Joachim Riedesel zu Eisenbach,
Arthur Martens,
Lina Hahn.

Less than five minutes after takeoff from Brussels-Haren Airport, while climbing to a height of 1,200 feet, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a wheat field located 300 metres from Brages' station, bursting into flames. The airplane named 'Flamingo' was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 15 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Cornelius Theo Regnerus Steensma, pilot,
Bernardus Ludekuize, radio navigator,
Gerardus Geering, engineer,
Martha Johanna van der Laan, stewardess.
Passengers:
A. Bloem,
W. Canton,
M. Goldbloom,
B. F. Mun,
N. Nathans,
C. Tondreau,
R. Tondreau-Tollenaere,
R. Trillo,
F. Wetzlar,
H. Wapperom,
G. Whitehouse.

The crew was performing a cargo flight from Paris to Cologne with an intermediate stop in Brussels. Few minutes after takeoff from Paris-Le Bourget Airport, the three engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in an open field located in Silly-le-Long, some 30 km northeast of Le Bourget Airport. Both crew members were killed.

The crew initiated the descent to Croydon at sunset. The visibility was poor due to a cloud ceiling down to 100 metres. Too low on approach, the three engine aircraft impacted tree tops, stalled and crashed in a wooded area located in Tatsfield, some 13 km southast of Croydon Airport, bursting into flames. The airplane was destroyed and all 11 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Jean Schroonbroodt, pilot,
Jean Desmet, radio navigator,
Alphonse Verbinnen, engineer,
Raymond Strechfuss, steward.