Zone

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV in Lappion: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 1940 at 0630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
P4904
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Watton - Watton
MSN:
9386
YOM:
1939
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed RAF Watton to bomb troops based in Gembloux, Belgium. It was shot down by the pilot of a Me.109 and crash landed near Laon. All three crew members survived, one was injured.
Crew:
Sgt L. H. Watkins, pilot,
Sgt David John Lees, observer,
LAC Kenneth Gordon Reed, wireless operator and air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.