Stradishall AFB

Flight Type:

Training

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MSN:

MW250

YOM:

1946

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After touchdown, the crew started to brake but the aircraft failed to stop, overran, lost its undercarriage and skidded for 100 yards before coming to rest in a ditch. All five crew members from the 51st Squadron were slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance due to a failure of the braking systems. It was determined that the failure of the braking systems was caused by an incorrect assembly on part of the RAF technicians.

Crash of a Short S.29 Stirling I in Westerdeichstrich

Date & Time: Jul 27, 1942 at 0230 LT

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Registration:

W7560

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Stradishall - Stradishall

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The airplane departed RAF Stradishall at 2237LT on July 26 on an operation to Hamburg. It was shot down by a German fighter and crashed in Westerdeichstrich, about 3 km north of Büsum. All seven crew members became PoW.
Crew:
F/Sgt Dudley Wallace Attwood,
Sgt Ronald Gladstone Cartwright,
Sgt Celco Lima De Freitas,
Sgt Alfred Thomas Briscoe Jackson,
Sgt Douglas Lothian Knibb,
P/O Brenton Murray Sheppard,
F/Lt George Ronald Simich.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Short S.29 Stirling I near Werkendam: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 24, 1942 at 0222 LT

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 416 Wellington IC

Operator:

Registration:

W7567

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Stradishall - Stradishall

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The airplane departed RAF Stradishall on an operation to Duisburg. Over the Netherlands, it was shot down by a German fighter and crashed near Werkendam. Six crew members were killed while the bomb aimer became PoW.
Crew:
P/O Jack Demsey, pilot, †
Sgt Denis Frank Dobson, flight engineer, †
F/Sgt Peter John Withers, observer, †
Sgt Harold Cyril Fairhall, bomb aimer,
Sgt Eric Harold Cooper, wireless operator, †
Sgt John Brown Fleming, air gunner, †
Sgt Frederick Arthur William Thorne, air gunner. †

Probable cause:

Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Vickers 416 Wellington IC in Dirkshorn: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1942 at 0220 LT

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Registration:

AD605

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Stradishall - Stradishall

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The airplane departed RAF Stradishall at 2300LT on July 2 on an investigation mission (Special Duties). While flying over the Netherlands, it was shot down by a German fighter and crashed in a field located near Dirkshorn. Five crew members were killed while two others became PoW.
Crew (109th Squadron):
P/O Peter Richard Vincent Sullivan, pilot, †
W/O William Royden Allison, pilot, †
F/Sgt William Adamson, navigator, †
Sgt Richard John Liversuch, bomb aimer, †
Sgt John Alfred Eyers, special operator, †
F/Sgt Wesley James Garnett, wireless operator,
Sgt William Joseph Morrison, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Short S.29 Stirling I in Westernieland: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1942 at 0150 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

BF313

Flight Phase:

Flight

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Site:

Plain, Valley

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Stradishall - Stradishall

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The airplane departed RAF Stradishall on an operation to Bremen. Over the Netherlands, it was shot down by a German fighter and crashed near Westernieland. All eight crew members were killed.
Crew:
W/Cdr Kenneth Duke Knocker, pilot,
Sgt Tristram Edward Leonard Palmer, pilot,
Sgt John William Caddick Underwood, flight engineer,
P/O Daniel Malofie, observer,
F/Sgt Robert Henry Ritchie, wireless operator,
F/Sgt Ernest George Wilson, wireless operator,
Sgt Peter Frederick Inman, air gunner,
Sgt Richard Fairhurst, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Short S.29 Stirling I at RAF Stradishall: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 28, 1942 at 0500 LT

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Operator:

Registration:

N3751

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Stradishall - Stradishall

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The airplane departed RAF Stradishall at 2340LT on June 27 on an operation to Bremen. Over the target area, it was badly damaged by the German Flak and fighters. Nevertheless, the crew was able to return to base at the end of the following night. Due to damages, the airplane landed with the undercarriage retracted and was damaged beyond repair. A crew member was killed during the attack and a second was injured.
Crew:
Sgt Frank Morton Griggs, pilot,
Sgt Arthur O'Hara, navigator,
Sgt Thomas Noel Castree Prosser,
Sgt William Wildey, wireless operator,
F/Sgt James Ian Cunningham Waddicar, wireless operator,
Sgt Ronald Watson, air gunner,
Sgt Horace Arthur William Sewell, air gunner. †

Probable cause:

Badly damaged by enemy fire.

Crash of a Short S.29 Stirling I at RAF Coltishall

Date & Time: Jun 26, 1942

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Operator:

Registration:

W7538

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Stradishall - Stradishall

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The airplane departed RAF Stradishall on the evening of June 25 on an operation to Bremen. It was badly shot about by a German fighter but the crew was able to return to England. The captain diverted to RAF Coltishall where the airplane crashed upon landing and was destroyed. Two crew members were injured.
Crew:
Sgt S. J. Williams,
Sgt W. C. McCoy.

Probable cause:

Badly shot about by a German fighter.

Crash of a Short S.29 Stirling I in Hundon: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jun 25, 1942 at 0349 LT

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Operator:

Registration:

DJ973

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Site:

Plain, Valley

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Stradishall - Stradishall

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The airplane departed RAF Stradishall in the evening of June 24 on an operation to Saint-Nazaire. Before reaching the target area, the crew encountered engine problems and decided to return to base. While on a night approach the following night, the airplane crashed in Hundon, about 3 km southeast of the airbase. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/Sgt William Nelson Craig, pilot,
Sgt Horace Sidney Barker, flight engineer,
Sgt Gilbert James Mugford, observer,
Sgt Peter Grenville Brothers, wireless operator,
Sgt Douglas Edward Shrimpton, wireless operator,
Sgt Eddy Hester Brown, air gunner,
Sgt R. B. Appleby, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Engine problems.

Crash of a Short S.29 Stirling I at RAF Stradishall

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1942 at 2355 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

R9319

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