Sarthe

The airplane departed Istres AFB on its last leg to RAF Membury. While cruising at an altitude of 20,000 feet, the aircraft went through a low pressure area with clouds and turbulence. Shortly later, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a field located in Teloché, about 15 km south of Le Mans. All 11 occupants were killed.
Crew:
F/O Victor Albert Bain, pilot,
Sgt Eric Edward Bartlett, wireless operator,
F/O Norman Leslie Brown, navigator,
W/O Joseph Edmund Edwards, wireless operator and air gunner,
F/Lt Lancelot Benjamin Albert Elias, navigator,
F/Lt Victor Franck Funnell, pilot,
F/Lt Thomas Knowles, pilot,
F/Lt Arthur William Atkinson Scott, pilot,
F/Lt Harry Raymond Shephard, pilot,
F/Lt James Stephen, navigator,
F/Lt Stephen Maurice Tugwell, pilot.

The aircraft was involved in a bombing mission over a railroad in Le Mans, France. En route, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in unknown circumstances in Moncé-en-Belin, south of Le Mans, killing all eight occupants.
Crew (423rd Squadron):
P/O S. Kuleski, pilot,
F/O W. H. Matthews, navigator,
F/S B. Richmond, bomb aimer,
P/O J. Desmairais, air gunner,
P/O E. Boutilier, rear gunner,
P/O M. Wiwsianki, air gunner,
P/O W. Crum, air gunner,
Sgt E. Horton, flight engineer.

The airplane departed RAF Elsham Wolds at 2018LT on April 13 on an operation to La Spezia. While flying southeast of Le Mans, it collided in midair with a second RAF Lancaster registered ED714 and also carrying a crew of seven. Following the collision, both airplanes dove into the ground and crashed in Saint-Mars-d'Outillé. All 14 crew members in both airplanes were killed.
Crew:
F/Lt Edward Claude Lee-Brown, pilot,
Sgt George Watson Houliston, flight engineer,
P/O James Smart, navigator,
W/O James Willis Toon, observer,
F/Sgt James Joseph O'Brien, wireless operator,
Sgt Andrew McKenzie Munn, air gunner,
Sgt Stanley Moseley, air gunner.

The airplane departed RAF Wickenby on an operation to La Spezia. While flying southeast of Le Mans, it collided in midair with a second RAF Lancaster registered W4828 and also carrying a crew of seven. Following the collision, both airplanes dove into the ground and crashed in Saint-Mars-d'Outillé. All 14 crew members in both airplanes were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Wilfred Ernest Fuller Clark, pilot,
Sgt Frank Gordon Sayers, flight engineer,
F/O Edward Frank Dynarski, navigator,
Sgt James Lawrence Anthony Mulligan, bomb aimer,
Sgt Charles Norris Clay, wireless operator,
F/Sgt Edward Henry Bakeman, air gunner,
F/Sgt Ernest Arthur Applegate, air gunner.

The bomber crashed in unknown circumstances in Écommoy. The pilot was killed and three other crew members were wounded.
Crew:
Oblt Eduard Sickmann, pilot,
Ofw Klaus Eilme,
Fw Rudolf Gebhardt,
Uffz Ernst Jannsen.

En route from Chartres to Tours, while cruising at night, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and the visibility was low. The pilot decided to land as quick as possible but due to low visibility, he was unable to find a suitable terrain. Several flares were pulled and the pilote eventually decided to land in a field that seems suitable for him. Just before landing, the aircraft was caught by a downdraft and impacted the ground. The right main gear and the right engine were torn off and the aircraft came to rest. All four occupants were uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
Lt Foucher, pilot,
Sgt Deschodt, pilot,
Sgt Robin, gunner,
Sgt Clément, navigator.