Royal Air Force - RAF

The airplane was engaged in a test flight at RAF Skellingthorpe. It swung upon takeoff in strong winds and crashed, bursting into flames. A crew was killed and two others were injured.
Crew:
P/O P. W. W. Nook,
Sgt P. Wood,
LAC Harry Lees. †

The airplane departed RAF Skellingthorpe at 0217LT on a mine laying operation off Lorient (Artichokes area). It failed to return to base and is believed to have crashed in the sea off the target area. Lost without trace.
Crew:
F/O Allan Godfrey Davidson, pilot,
Sgt Leslie Norman Follows, copilot,
Sgt William Mervyn Alastair Eeadley, wireless operator,
Sgt Gordon Shackleton, air gunner.

The pilot departed RAF Upwood on a solo training exercise. While cruising in very bad weather conditions at an altitude of 1,000 feet, an engine failed. The pilot climbed to 3,200 feet then abandoned the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in Colston Bassett, bursting into flames. The pilot was uninjured.
Crew:
Sgt Geoffrey David Jessup, pilot.

The airplane departed RAF Linton-on-Ouse at 1734LT on March 3 on an operation to Billancourt. It was hit by the German Flak over the target area on while returning to base, the crew diverted to RAF Oakington for an emergency landing. The airplane crashed upon landing and was damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
F/O Jones,
Sgt Stringer,
Sgt H. A. Hawken,
Sgt Harvey,
Sgt Janes,
Sgt Russell,
Sgt Mitchell.

For unknown reasons, the airplane crashed into the sea off Cox's Bazar, south of Chittagong. Both crew members were injured and rescued.
Crew:
W/Cdr John Ker, pilot,
F/Lt Hem Chaudhury, pilot.

The airplane departed RAF Marham at 1840LT on an operation to Billancourt. As it was landing at 2255LT, a bomb which had hung up fell from the airplane and exploded. The airplane was destroyed and all seven crew members were injured. Later, two of the survivors died from injuries sustained.
Crew:
F/O D. W. Allen,
Sgt Laidlaw,
Sgt Herring,
P/O Gales,
Sgt William Ronald Gregory, wireless operator, †
Sgt Kenneth Bertram Harvey, wireless operator, †
Sgt McBride.

The airplane departed RAF East Wretham at 1851LT on an operation to Emden. While approaching the Dutch coast, the radio operator reported at 2120LT that he was attacked by the pilot of a German fighter. Twenty-five minutes later, at 2145LT, the bomber went out of control and crashed in the North Sea some 20 km off Terschelling. All six crew members were killed.
Crew (311st Squadron):
Sgt Karel Danihelka, pilot,
Sgt Vladimír Hanzl, pilot,
F/O Ladislav Říha, navigator,
Sgt František Janca, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Dobromil Špinka, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Adolf Podivinský.

The airplane departed RAF East Wretham at 1819LT on an operation to Billancourt. It was shot down by the German Flak and crashed near the airbase of Creil. All six crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Bohuslav Hradil,
Sgt Imrich Kormanovic,
Sgt Jan Kotrch,
Sgt Pribyslav Strachon,
Sgt Josef Svoboda,
Sgt Alois Tolar.

The airplane departed RAF Pocklington on an operation to Billancourt. While returning to base, it suffered an engine failure and crashed on final approach. Three crew members were injured.
Crew:
Sgt D. B. Webb,
Sgt L. Dickison,
Sgt J. Clarke,
Sgt M. F. Mulvey,
Sgt R. J. Tavener,
Sgt R. Forgie.

The pilot was engaged in a local solo training exercise at RAF Church Fenton. Upon landing, the undercarriage collapsed and the airplane came to rest and was damaged beyond repair. The pilot escaped unhurt.
Crew:
S/L Roger de Winton Kelsall Winlaw, pilot.