Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster I in Niederaussem: 7 killed
Date & Time:
May 31, 1942 at 0210 LT
Operator:
Registration:
R5561
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Syerston - Syerston
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Syerston at 0040LT on an operation to Cologne. Approaching the target area, it was shot down by the German Flak and crashed in Niederaussem, about 21 km northwest of Cologne. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O John Bennett Underwood, pilot,
P/O Benson Usher, pilot,
Sgt Anthony Williamson, observer,
F/Sgt Robert Gordon Fawkes, wireless operator,
F/O Peter Frederick Barlow Bluett, wireless operator,
P/O John Douglas Patey, air gunner,
F/Sgt John Hamilton Charles, air gunner.
Crew:
P/O John Bennett Underwood, pilot,
P/O Benson Usher, pilot,
Sgt Anthony Williamson, observer,
F/Sgt Robert Gordon Fawkes, wireless operator,
F/O Peter Frederick Barlow Bluett, wireless operator,
P/O John Douglas Patey, air gunner,
F/Sgt John Hamilton Charles, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the German Flak.
