Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster in III in Oostmalle: 7 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ND700
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
YOM:
1944
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While flying northeast of Antwerp, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter and crashed in a field located in Oostmalle, east of Malle. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew (103rd Squadron):
W/C Hubert Reginald Goodman, pilot,
F/S Gilbert Harry Agar, navigator,
Sgt Clifford Leslie Finighan, wireless operator and air gunner,
P/O Philip Dennis Vickers, flight engineer,
F/O William Lorme Vanderdasson, bomber,
F/S Richard White,air gunner,
F/O Roy McLeod, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Supermarine Walrus I in RAF Martlesham Heath

Date & Time: May 12, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L2307
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to RAF Martlesham Heath, the Walrus stalled and crashed in a field. The aircraft was wrecked while the crew fate remains unknown.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on final approach caused by an engine failure.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster III in Aardenburg: 7 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ND919
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mepal - Mepal
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The aircraft left RAF Mepal at 2256LT on a bombing mission to Leuven, Belgium. En route, while cruising by night, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames in a field located 2 km from Aardenburg. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew (75th Squadron):
F/Sgt Harold Max Hewett, pilot,
F/Lt D. Warren, pilot,
Sgt F. C. Riley,
P/O A. E. Irving,
P/O D. I. Gage,
F/S D. Clough,
Sgt H. Dewhurst.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II in Selby: 15 killed

Date & Time: May 10, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
JB789
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
On final approach to the RAF Burn, the bomber aircraft was too low. While overflying the city of Selby, the aircraft hit the top of the St James Church and crashed in flames in a residential area along the Portholme Drive. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire and several houses were destroyed as well. All seven crew members were killed and eight people on ground as well.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I in RAF Barrow

Date & Time: May 6, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
K6291
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown, the aircraft swerved. A gear failed and the aircraft veered off runway before coming to rest. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-CO Liberator off Puttalam

Date & Time: May 6, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
FL911
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
MSN:
221
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the Gulf of Mannam, off Puttalam, following the detonation of an explosive device on board. Crew fate unknown.

Crash of a Avro 683 Lancaster III in Steckborn: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1944 at 0215 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ND759
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Graveley - Graveley
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The aircraft left RAF Graveley at 2121LT on April 27, on a bombing mission to Friedrichshafen. While flying over the south of Germany at an altitude of 4,880 meters, the aircraft was hit by Flak. The captain reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing when the aircraft eventually crashed in the Konstanz Lake, off Steckborn. The navigator was killed while all six other crew members were unhurt.
Crew (35th Squadron):
P/O Robert Peter, pilot,
Sgt Alfred Brereton, flight engineer,
F/S Geoffrey Foulkes, navigator, †
F/S Noel Davis, bomb aimer,
F/S Murray Bartle, wireless operator,
Sgt David Balmer, mid-upper gunner,
Sgt Irvine Graham, rear gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by German Flak.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-CO Liberator in Reykjavik

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
FL922
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
245
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the take off run, the aircraft swung, veered off runway and collided with a truck. No casualties.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I off Rosslare: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 25, 1944 at 1435 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
DJ639
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Carew Cheriton - Carew Cheriton
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training mission on behalf of the 10th Radio School based in RAF Carew Cheriton. While cruising off the Irish coast in good weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and dove into the sea. The crew of a fishing boat went to the scene and was able to recover one body while all three other occupants were lost.
Crew (10th Radio School):
F/L R. I. Johnson,
F/S R. J. Tudehope,
F/S S. J. H Young,
AC2 R. R. Carr.