Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV off Messina: 4 killed
Date & Time:
Oct 9, 1941 at 1555 LT
Registration:
Z7368
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Luqa - Luqa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Luqa to attack naval targets in the southern Italian waters. Flying over the Strait of Messina, it collided with a second Blenheim registered Z7644 and carrying three crew members. Following the collision, both aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed into the sea. All seven occupants were killed.
Crew:
W/Cdr Frazer Apsley Harte, pilot,
P/O Charles Oscar Bloodworth, observer,
F/O Thomas Wewage-Smith, wireless operator,
Lt Ellis Edward Arthur Chetwynd Talbot.
Crew:
W/Cdr Frazer Apsley Harte, pilot,
P/O Charles Oscar Bloodworth, observer,
F/O Thomas Wewage-Smith, wireless operator,
Lt Ellis Edward Arthur Chetwynd Talbot.
Probable cause:
The exact circumstances of the collision remains unknown. It is possible that one or both airplanes were shot down by enemy fire.