Wells-next-the-Sea

The airplane departed RAF Woodhall Spa on an operation to Duisburg. While returning to base the following night, it crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea some 5 km off Wells-next-the-Sea. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O John Thomas Blease, pilot,
P/O Llewellyn Alfred Davies, navigator,
Sgt Cecil Gordon Leitch, flight engineer,
Sgt Bryan Earnshaw, observer,
F/Sgt James Tales, wireless operator,
F/Sgt Allan Jeremiah McPhee, air gunner,
Sgt Leslie Robinson, air gunner.

The airplane departed RAF Marham at 1715LT on an operation to Emden. It ditched at 2306LT off Wells-next-the-Sea. The pilot decided to put the bomber down in the sea, rather than land on the beach which, he supposed, might be mined. After being picked up by the combined efforts of the Wells life boat and an RAF ASR, Sgt Helfer was told that he had been correct in his assumptions. Earlier, it is believed the Wellington was hit by Flak.
Crew:
Sgt Helfer,
Sgt Taylor,
Sgt Ross,
Sgt Adamson,
Sgt Purcell,
Sgt England.

The airplane departed RAF Swinderby at 2035LT on September 2 on an operation to Berlin. While returning to base the following morning, it crash landed near Wells-next-the-Sea and was damaged beyond repair after it passed beneath telephone wires and slid through two hedges. The crew escaped unhurt.
Crew:
F/S F. A. Titcomb,
Sgt R. M. Gifford,
Sgt Raynes,
Sgt Christy.

The airplane took off at 2350LT on September 7 to reconnoitre the French and Belgian coastline. 51 Squadron ORB indicates an engine failed while the crew were outbound and despite jettisoning the bomb-load, the pilot was unable to maintain height and subsequently a crash landing was made at 0100LT near Wells, Norfolk. A reliable private source reports that the incident occurred at 0350LT at Hindringham, 4 miles southeast of Wells-next-the-Sea, suggesting the possibility that the crew may have been on the return part of their operation.
Crew:
S/L J. B. Tait,
P/O A. G. Davies,
Sgt T. Gray,
Sgt A. E. Creswell,
Sgt Short.