Netherlands

The crew left RAF Waddington in the evening on a bombing mission to Braunschweig. While overflying The Netherlands by night, the crew encountered unknown problems and the captain reduced his altitude in attempting an emergency landing. While flying at low height and while in flames, the bomber eventually went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion in a field located in Nieuwolda, east of Groningen. All seven crew members were killed and the aircraft was totally destroyed on impact.
Crew (463rd Squadron):
P/O Charles Schomberg, pilot,
F/L Hubert Petts, navigator,
F/P Leonard Calderwood, mid up gunner,
F/S James Harden, bomb aimer,
F/S Donald McDonald, tail gunner,
F/S Wilfred Millar, wireless operator,
Sgt Harry Steels, engineer.

The crew was engaged on a bombing mission over Aachen, Germany, and left RAF Coningsby at 2043LT. Following the raid over Aachen, still flying in the combat area, the aircraft was hit by enemy fire. Crew was able to leave the zone and tried to return to England when aircraft exploded and crashed in a field located near Duizel, some 15 km southwest of Eindhoven. Five crew members were killed while two others escaped and were later taken POW.
Crew (619th Squadron):
S/L John William Eunson Duncan McGilvray, pilot, †
Sgt Ivor Ronald Frank Haberfield, engineer, †
Sgt Raymond Hillier, air gunner, †
W/O Alexander Armstrong Munro, air gunner, †
P/O John Leonard Pritchard, air gunner, †
Ernest Drake,
Alfred Baker.

Following a bombing mission over Germany, the aircraft was returning to its base in Witchford, Cambridgeshire. While overflying The Netherlands by night at an altitude of 6,000 meters, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter and crashed in a field located in Epse, some 4 km southeast of Deventer. All seven crew members were killed. Claim by Oblt Martin Drewes Stab III/NJG1.
Crew:
P/O T. E. Vipond,
Sgt A. Diggle,
F/S J. L. Duffy,
F/O E. J. Deemer,
Sgt J. E. Hammond,
Sgt A. J. Hull,
Sgt R. L. Coulter.

The crew was engaged in a bombing mission over Germany. On the return leg to Brighton, while overflying The Netherlands, the aircraft was hit by enemy fire. Crew decided to abandon the aircraft and bailed out. Out of control the aircraft crashed and was destroyed while all seven crewmen were take POW.
Crew (78th Squadron):
F/L E. W. Everett,
Sgt K. H. Jones,
Sgt J. R. Stewart,
F/O J. K. M. Green,
Sgt J. E. Johnson,
Sgt J. R. Graham,
P/O A. P. Sinden.

The aircraft left RAF Waterbeach (Cambridgeshire) at 1826LT for a bombing mission over Frankfurt. In the evening, while flying back to its base, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter and crashed in Nieuw Dordrecht, six km southeast of Emmen. Five crew members were killed while two others were injured.
Crew (514th Squadron) :
Sergeant John Bernard Underwood, pilot, †
Sergeant Albert William Johnson, engineer, †
Ivor John Frederick Rich, navigator, †
Flight Officer W. D. McPhee,
Sergeant Richard Jock Day, wireless operator, †
Sergeant R. C. Sime, air gunner,
Sergeant John Howell, air gunner, †.

While overflying the east part of The Netherlands, the aircraft was hit by another USAAF Boeing B-17G-15-DL Flying Fortress that was shot down by a German fighter. Registered 42-37886, the second aircraft was carrying 10 crew as well. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located in Zwartemeer, near Emmen, at the border between The Netherlands and Germany. Both aircraft were destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire and four crew were killed on each aircraft while twelve other crew (six in each aircraft) were captured.

While overflying The Netherlands, the aircraft was hit by Flak. All ten crew were able to bail out and were later rescued while the aircraft crashed in an open field and was destroyed.

En route, the four engine aircraft was attacked by a German fighter. Crew bailed out but the aircraft went into a spin and hit a second USAAF Boeing B-17G-10-VE Flying Fortress registered 42-40054 and carrying 10 crew as well. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located in Zwartemeer, near Emmen, at the border between The Netherlands and Germany. Both aircraft were destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire and four crew were killed on each aircraft while twelve other crew (six in each aircraft) were captured.

While flying over The Netherlands, the four engine aircraft was shot down by Flak. All ten crew members were able to bail out and were uninjured while the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field.

En route, the aircraft was attacked by a German fighter. Out of control, the aircraft crashed in a field near De Leijen. Five crew were killed while five others were captured.