Seine-Maritime

While overflying The Channel, the crew encountered technical problems with the engines. While approaching the French coast, the pilot in command attempted an emergency landing in a field located in Le Tréport. The airplane crash landed in an open field, slid for several yards and came to rest. All three occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Due to a strike by Air France, all flights from Paris to London were cancelled and the Ice Hockey National Team of Czechoslovakia was grounded in Paris. As the team should fly to London to take part to a tournament, it was decided that few players rent a plane by Mercure Taxis Aériens. The founder and Chief Pilot of this company disagreed to do the flight due to poor weather conditions above The Channel but was finally convinced to fly to London. The twin engine aircraft left Paris-Le Bourget at 1638 bound for Croydon. About an hour later, while flying over The Channel, the crew encountered poor weather conditions (mist) and maybe, the pilot elected to return to Paris or to divert to Cherbourg when the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea off Dieppe. As the aircraft failed to arrive in Croydon, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the eight occupants was found. A year later, human remains were found on a beach and analysis suggest that they belonged to the pilot.
Crew:
René de Narbonne, pilot 1.
Passengers:
Ladislav Trojak,
Karel Stibor,
Zdenek Svarc,
Vilibald Sorrel,
Miloslav Pokorny,
Zdeněk Jarkovský.

While cruising north of Rouen, the crew encountered poor weather and severe icing conditions. The aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field located north of Rouen, some 24 km southeast of Saint-Valéry-en-Caux. All four crew members were killed.

The crew was engaged in a bombing mission and while approaching Le Havre, the twin engine aircraft was shot down by the German Flak and crashed in a field. All four crew members were killed.
Crew (320th Squadron):
1st Lt Folkert Bouma,
Sgt Hugo Jan Hadjiwodo Seelig,
Cpl Rudolf Langendam,
Cpl Wilhelmus Antonius Henricus Melissen.

While on a bombing mission, the twin engine aircraft was shot down by the German Flak and crashed in Frichemesnil, north of Rouen. A crewmen was taken POW while all three other occupants were killed.

The airplane departed RAF Attlebridge at 1435LT on an operation to Le Havre. Approaching the target area, it was shot down by the German Flak and crashed into the sea. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Kenneth McKerrow Elkins, pilot,
Sgt Rodderick Merrington Porter, observer,
Sgt Leslie John Colls, wireless operator and air gunner.

The airplane departed RAF Tangmere at 1346LT to attack a tanker reported at Le Havre. Approaching the target area, it was shot down by a Me.109 and crashed into the sea. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Seymour Leslie Thomas Paine, pilot,
Sgt Reginald George Banks,
Sgt William James Stanley Wolstenholme.

The airplane departed RAF Tangmere at 1346LT to attack a tanker reported at Le Havre. Approaching the target area, it was shot down by a Me.109 and crashed into the sea. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O Raymond Meredith Hudson, pilot,
Sgt George Stephenson Needler,
Sgt Derek Poulston.

The airplane departed RAF Thorney Island at 1909LT on a maritime patrol flight. Approaching the French coast, it was shot down by the German Marine Flak and crashed into the sea off Le Havre. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O Charles Fraser Rogerson, pilot,
P/O Robert Arban Gee, observer,
Sgt Arthur Simpson Riddell, radio operator,
F/Sgt Michael Leslie Sharpe, air gunner.

The airplane departed RAF Lindholme at 1927LT on an operation to Le Havre. Approaching the target area, it crashed in unknown circumstances, killing the entire crew.
Crew:
W/Cdr James Kenneth Montague Drysdale, pilot,
F/Lt Walter Ronald Gardiner, pilot,
F/Sgt William Charles Wheatley, observer,
F/Sgt John Desmond Truscott, wireless operator,
F/Lt William Charles Ward, air gunner,
F/Lt Ithel David Jeremy, air gunner.