Down Ampney AFB

Following an engine failure in flight, the crew decided to divert to RAF Down Ampney to complete an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed and was written off while all four crew members were unhurt.

While cruising at an altitude of 900 feet on a supply mission, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak and crashed in a field in Wolfheze, west of Arnhem. Seven crew members were killed, one injured.

Lost without trace in the North Sea while performing a flight from Brussels to RAF Down Ampney.

The aircraft left RAF Down Ampney, Gloucestershire, at 2316LT on June 16 to take part to the D-Day in Normandy with paratroopers on board. While cruising over Caen by night, the aircraft was hit by the German Flak and crashed in a field located in Colombelles, in the northeast suburb of Caen. A paratrooper survived while all 22 other occupants were killed.
Crew (233th Squadron):
F/O Munro Murdoch McCannell, pilot, †
W/O Nathan Louis Berger, radio, †
W/O Albert Theodore Downing, navigator, †
F/Sgt Alexander Robert Porter, navigator. †
Paratroopers (8th Btn):
Sgt Alfred Dockerill, †
Sgt James Albert Moir, †
Cpl Samuel Reuben Fewings, †
Cpl Thomas Robert Henry Longman, †
Cpl Leonard Frank Smith, †
Cpl John Patrick Boyle, †
Pte Roger Frank Cantin, †
Pte Sydney George Cox, †
Pte Charles Frederick Hollis, †
Pte Arthur Humphries, †
Pte Dennis Johnson, †
Pte Edward Jones, †
Pte R. P. Kent, †
Pte J. A. Mills, †
Pte W. Piggot, †
Pte J. Robinson, †
Pte W. H. Thorpe, †
Pte J. H. Watkins, †
CSM Leslie Jones.