4th January

Lysander

T1442

1 AAS

Great Carlton

Force-landed.

5th January

Lysander

V9865

5 Grp TTF

South Kyme

Airborne from Swanton Morley for a target-towing sortie, the aircraft force-landed at 1330 0.5 miles northeast of South Kyme in poor weather and was written off when it came to rest in a river.

5th January

Blenheim 4

T1956

1 AAS

Donna Nook

Crash-landed.

5th January

Hurricane 1

V6734

56 OTU

nr Holbeach

Crashed Cranmore Lane, Holbeach, 1 Killed.

6th January

Hampden

AD896

No.49 Sqn

South Carlton

Coded EA-M The aircraft crashed at 0700 after stalling on approach to Scampton. Crash site was Middle Street, South Carlton. Sgt G.L. West KIA, Sgt G.T. Atkins KIA.

8th January

Manchester

L7459

No.97 Sqn

Coningsby

Coded OF-? Not lost on operations. No further details recorded, except that this crew had recently experienced two other crashes in: R5783; L7306.

9th January

Oxford

X6661

RAFC

4 miles southwest of Digby

Collided with Spitfire AD426, which survived. Crash site possibly near Brauncewell?

9th January

Hampden

AT127

No.83 Sqn

Sedgebrook

Coded OL-L, Airborne 0257 from Scampton for Brest. Ran out of fuel and was wrecked in an emergency landing at Sedgebrook, 4 miles NW of Grantham. No crew injuries. Sgt E.M.Price, P/O R.N.rayne, Sgt R.K.Osborne, Sgt W.Lown.

9th January

Spitfire 5B

BL298

No.92 Sqn

nr Digby

Crashed near the airfield.

10th January

Wellington 1

R1414

No.150 Sqn

Anderby Creek

Not listed in Chorley's 1942 volume.

10th January

Wellington 2

W5611

No.12 Sqn

nr Brumby

Coded PH-? Airborne 1803 10th Jan for Wilhelmshaven. Crashed 2330 as the result of an engine fire, 1 mile E of Brumby. The two badly injured survivors were taken Scunthorpe Hospital. The cause of the crash was attributed to failure of the port engine, followed by rapid loss of height. F/S C.F.O'Connell RNZAF KIA, Sgt D.A.Laing KIA, P/O H.A.Stickings inj, Sgt C.C.McAllister inj, Sgt T.A.Delaney KIA, F/S E.A.Parsons RCAF KIA.

11th January

Beaufighter

R2439

No.409 Sqn

Coleby Grange

Crashed in circuit, 1.5 miles northeast of the airfield.

13th January

Wellington

NK

NK

Kirton Lindsey

No details recorded. 

14th January

Hurricane 1

V6609

56 OTU

Long Sutton

No details recorded. 

14th January

Hampden

AE292

No.106 Sqn

Poynton Hall, Butterwick

Coded ZN-? The aircraft spun in after stalling in a steep turn on a training flight. Sgt D. Lawton KIA, Sgt C.W. Wight KIA.

15th January

Spitfire 5B

AD546

No.616 Sqn

Goxhill

Overturned on landing.

15th January

Wellington

Z1397

No.301 Sqn

Hibaldstow

Coded GR-A Airborne 1748 15th Jan from Hemswell for Hamburg. Wrecked 2340 in a crash- landing at Hibaldstow, 7 miles SE of Scunthorpe. The crash was attributed to the pilot being taken ill through lack of oxygen. F/O Kuzmicki PAF was killed in a Liberator crash 6th Jan 44 and Sgt Sulgut PAF died when Lancaster 1 PA269 of 300 Sqn crashed during a thunderstorm 4th Feb 46. P/O Liszka PAF Sgt Niezrecki PAF inj, F/O M.Kuzmicki PAF inj, Sgt Janik PAF, Sgt Szturc PAF inj, Sgt C.K.Sulgut PAF.

16th January

Manchester

L7495

No.61 Sqn

nr Grimoldby

Coded QR-? Airborne 1730 15th Jan from Woolfox Lodge for Hamburg. Ran out of fuel on the return and abandoned 0100 16th Jan in the vicinity of Grimoldby, 4 miles E of Louth. Earlier the crew had been ordered to divert to Bottesford, but lack of fuel and failure to raise the diversion station on W/T, coupled with adverse weather conditions, prompted the Captain to order his crew to bale out. F/O J.Beard, Sgt Haynes, F/S Asson, Sgt O.W.J.Pearce, Sgt Sheppard, F/S Underwood, Sgt Holmes.

16th January

Oxford

X6660

RAFC

Fulbeck

Undershot and hit trees whilst landing at night.

17th January

Hurricane 1

P3774

56 OTU

Gedney Drove End

No details recorded. 

17th January

Oxford

AB661

12 FTS

Harlaxton

Undershot and hit a pillbox whilst landing at night.

19th January

Beaufighter

R2475

No.409 Sqn

Potterhanworth

Stalled and dived in.

22nd January

Spitfire 5B

AD229

No.92 Sqn

Digby

Collided with AB188 in Digby circuit.

22nd January

Spitfire 5C

AB188

No.609 Sqn

Digby

Collided with AD229 in Digby circuit.

22nd January

Hudson 5

AM602

No.407 Sqn

North Coates

Stalled on overshoot.

23rd January

Wellington 4

Z1285

No.301 Sqn

off the coast

Coded GR-S, Airborne 1755 22nd Jan from Hemswell for Munster. Shot down by a night-fighter Intruder off the Lincolnshire coast. Three bodies were later washed ashore and taken for burial in the Polish Plot at Newark. The rest of the crew are commemorated on the Northolt Memorial. Sgt K.Soroko PAF KIA, Sgt P.Nocon PAF KIA, P/O W.Reda PAF KIA, Sgt R.Borecki PAF KIA, Sgt C.Kosmalski PAF KIA, Sgt A.Rokus PAF KIA.

24th January

Spitfire 5B

BL466

No.412 Sqn

Wellingore

Overshot landing.

25th January

Hampden

AT129

No.49 Sqn

Bransby

Coded EA-O, Airborne 1712 25th Jan from Scampton for Brest, suffered a double engine failure and crashed almost immediately, just to the S of Sturton by Stow, 8 miles NW of Lincoln. Sgt Jardine was on attachment from 408 Sqn. Sgt C.D.S.Stewart KIA, Sgt K.E.Northrop KIA, Sgt A.Hibbitt KIA, Sgt l.A.Jardine KIA.

26th January

Hampden

P1186

14 OTU

nr Pinchbeck

Airborne from Cottesmore on a night high-level bombing practise sortie. The aircraft dived in 1 mile north of Pinchbeck at 0540, with the reason for crash not ascertained. P/O J.M. Marock RCAF KIA, P/O W.H. Lynch RAAF KIA, P/O S.S. White RAAF KIA, Sgt E. O'Connell RAAF KIA.

26th January

Wellington 2

W5585

No.12 Sqn

Binbrook

Coded PH-D, Airborne from Binbrook at 1815 for Hannover. As the aircraft became airborne, part of the bombload fell out and exploded. 4 other aircraft were damaged by this incident. Sgt J. McKnight inj, Sgt A.G. Walker KIA, F/S J.A. Fleming RNZAF KIA, Sgt H.E. Godson KIA, Sgt H.F. Scholes inj, Sgt A.H. Coupe KIA.

29th January

Hereford

L6100

8 FPP

nr Wellingore

Crashed after engine failure whilst in the Cranwell circuit.

1st February

Spitfire 5B

BL322

No.92 Sqn

Digby

Caught fire on the ground.

2nd February

Beaufighter

NK

No.409 Sqn

Coleby Grange

No details recorded. 

5th February

Spitfire 5B

W3379

No.133 Sqn

Kirton Lindsey

Hit snow bank on takeoff.

7th February

Proctor 1

P6314

1 SS

Cranwell

Spun in.

7th February

Hampden

L4125

No.49 Sqn

Scampton

Coded EA-? Airborne from Scampton on a mine-laying sortie but struck a large bank of frozen snow and crashed on the airfield. No crew injuries. Sgt Reid RNZAF.

7th February

Lancaster

L7542

No.44 Sqn

Skellingthorpe

Coded KM-? This was the first Lancaster to be lost. Crash-landed at Skellingthorpe after the pilot misread the airfield's wind sock. Realising his error, F/S Nicholson tried to turn onto the cross runway, but lost control and ran into a bank of hard frozen snow. The undercarriage collapsed and the aircraft was deemed to be beyond economical repair. F/S D.F.Nicholson.

8th February

Wellington 1

X9954

12 OTU

nr Waddington

Airborne from waddington at 0135 to transit back to Chipping Warden, but crashed moments later whilst banking in the airfield circuit, coming down 1 mile northeast of the airfield. Sgt W.G. Smith RCAF KIA, Sgt F. Llewellyn RCAF KIA, Sgt E.G. Hatch KIA, Sgt R.G. Holmes KIA, Sgt A. Smith KIA, Sgt W.R. Donaldson RCAF KIA, Sgt T.R. Gamble KIA.

11th February

Hampden

AE425

No.106 Sqn

Woodhall Spa

Coded ZN-? Airborne 1820 11th Feb from Coningsby for Mannheim but at a height of just 40 feet the port engine cut, causing the Hampden to swing violently and crash into trees. Amazingly, there were no crew injuries. P/O Horner, Sgt Walker, Sgt Hutcheson, Sgt Porter.

13th February

Hampden

AD783

No.455 Sqn

Eagle

Coded UB-U, Airborne 2243 12nd Feb from Wigsley on a mine-laying sortie but turned for home early after experiencing engine trouble. Crashed 0153 13th Feb at Eagle, 7 miles SW of Lincoln, while preparing to land. Sgt J.B.Kennedy RNZAF KIA, Sgt V.J.Hopwood KIA, Sgt W.L.Kelly KIA, Sgt G.A.Metcalf KIA.

13th February

Havoc 1 (Turbinlite)

AH480

1459 flt

Hibaldstow

Overshot in flapless landing.

14th February

Halifax

L9576

1652 OCU

Wickenby

Possibly a minor accident as not recorded in Chorley's 1942 or OTU volumes.

15th February

Hampden

L6020

14 OTU

Gosberton Risegate

Airborne from Cottesmore on a night sortie when one engine caught fire. The crew bailed out at 2020 and the aircraft subsequently crashed. This aircraft originally left the production line as a Hereford.

17th February

Hurricane 1

Z7052

55 OTU

Hemingby

Hit the ground in snowstorm.

17th February

Hudson 5

AM567

No.407 Sqn

North Coates

Rudder jammed by broken aerial.

20th February

Lancaster

L7538

No.44 Sqn

Waddington

Coded EM-? The aircraft landed at Waddington at 1527 at too high a speed, swung off the runway into a ditch causing the undercarriage to collapse, Finn quotes this as L7358 of 97 Sqn.

22nd February

Wellington 1

R1463

No.150 Sqn

Goulceby

Coded JN-? Airborne 2000 21st Feb from Snaith on an intruder sortie. While descending through cloud in order to establish their position, the bomber crashed 0330 22nd Feb into a field at Asterby Top Farm, Goulceby, 7 miles SW of Louth. P/O Birkes inj, F/S D.Wormleighton KIA, Sgt J.E.Blackburn KIA, F/S J.E.McAllister KIA, Sgt E.F.Rawlings KIA, F/S O.D.Iland injured.

25th February

Oxford

X7074

RAFC

Fulbeck

Undershot on night landing and hit a gun emplacement.

25th February

Hurricane 2c

BN284

No.253 Sqn

Yewfield Farm, Holton-le-Moor

Crashed following engine failure.

26th February

Defiant

N1762

No.288 Sqn

Coleby Grange

No details recorded. 

28th February

Beaufighter

T3015

No.409 Sqn

North Thoresby

Crashed following engine fire.

28th February

Hampden

AE218

No.50 Sqn

nr Skellingthorpe

Coded VN-? Airborne 1755 27th Feb from Skellingthorpe for Kiel. Ran out of fuel and crashed 0220 28th Feb as the crew were preparing to land. No crew injuries. F/S R.Johnson, Sgt Booker, F/S D.L.Barrie, Sgt Denman.

7th March

Hampden

AE387

No.50 Sqn

Skellingthorpe

Coded VN-? The aircraft swung in strong wind on takeoff at 1630 and crashed, catching fire. P/O P.W.W.Nock inj, LAC H. Lees KIA.

9th March

Oxford

N4842

RAFC

Stoke Rochford

Ran out of fuel, belly-landed Grange Farm, Stoke Rochford.

9th March

Defiant 2

AA403

No.151 Sqn

off Skegness

Ditched whilst on convoy patrol.

10th March

Halifax 2

R9450

No.35 Sqn

off Mablethorpe

Coded TL-K. Airborne 1916 9th Mar from Linton-on-Ouse for Essen. Cause of loss not established. Crashed 2300 in the sea some 30 miles off Mablethorpe. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. F/S C.C.W.Ganly KIA, P/O P.V.Barthel KIA, Sgt A.T.Bennett KIA, Sgt G.Cartwright KIA, Sgt R.J.G.Jones KIA, Sgt R.M.Mules KIA.

12th March

Manchester

L7474

No.106 Sqn

nr Winceby

Coded ZN-? Bounced on landing from a training sortie, the crew were unable to lock the port undercarriage leg down. The aircraft was abandoned nr Horncastle at 2335 and crashed 0.5 miles north of Winceby. Glazed ice on the windscreen was a factor in the initial landing problem.

12th March

Manchester

R5838

1661 HCU

Wickenby

During a training flight, propeller feathering was demonstrated at 5000 feet. After this demonstration, the port propeller would not unfeather. The pilot attempted to land at Wickenby, but overran into a ditch, causing the starboard undercarriage unit to collapse.

13th March

Manchester

NK

NK

Spilsby

Shot down - no Manchesters reported shot down at Spilsby on this date.

13th March

Oxford

V4150

RAFC

Barkston Heath

Hit the ground whilst overshooting at night.

15th March

Hurricane 2c

Z3783

No.253 Sqn

Hibaldstow

Crashed on takeoff.

15th March

Oxford

AB641

12 FTS

Spitalgate

Collided with AP645 on takeoff.

15th March

Oxford

AP645

12 FTS

Spitalgate

Collided with AB641 on takeoff.

15th March

Spitfire

NK

NK

Wellingore

No details recorded. 

16th March

Spitfire 5A

X4353

No.133 Sqn

off Mablethorpe

Hit the sea in hazy conditions.

17th March

Hampden

X2912

No.49 Sqn

Scampton

Hit by AE227 taxying - repaired?

17th March

Hampden

AE227

No.49 Sqn

Scampton

Hit X2912 whilst taxying - repaired? – AE227 shot down Germany 28th Aug.

18th March

Whitley 5

P5052

3 OTU

Cranwell

Crashed on college roof on approach - not listed in the OTU losses book.

20th March

Lancaster

L7570

No.97 Sqn

nr Frieston

Coded OF-B, Airborne from Woodhall Spa for a mine-laying sortie off the Frisian Islands (Nectarines Area). Visibility was poor at the time and as the Lancaster climbed away, its starboard wing tip grazed the roof of a house. This resulted in a crash landing at 1500 20th Mar on the beach at Frieston, 4 miles E of Boston. The crew escaped injury, and although little damaged, the Lancaster was swamped by the incoming tide and written off. Aircraft was subsequently recovered once the load of sea-mines had been removed. F/O E.E.Rodley, P/O Colquhoun RCAF, Sgt Healey, Sgt Merralls, Sgt Cummings, Sgt J.Crisp, Sgt Ratcliffe.

21st March

Gladiator 2

N5583

1401 Met flt

Quadring

Hit a tree whilst flying in fog.

21st March

Manchester

NK

NK

Waddington

Possibly a minor ground accident as Chorley does not list this crash.

23rd March

Oxford

AT659

1518 BATF

Pickering's Farm, Dunholme

Airborne from Dunholme Lodge with a 49 Sqn crew. At 1440 the aircraft hit HT cables on approach to the airfield and crashed near Pickering's Farm, to the south of the airfield. F/O H.M. McGuffie KIA, Sgt T.D. Dakin RCAF KIA, Sgt L.D.J. Crozier RCAF KIA.

24th March

Lancaster

L7531

No.44 Sqn

Coningsby

Coded KM-? Airborne from Coningsby 1445hrs but crashed almost immediately when part of the port wing leading edge lifted, causing the bomber to career out of control and finish up, wrecked, near the station bomb dump. Miraculously, the crew escaped serious injury, despite smashing into a crane before coming to a stop. S/L T.H.Boylan NB. a possible conflict in date. 24/03/42 or 23/04/42?

25th March

Manchester

L7486

No.50 Sqn

Skellingthorpe

Coded VN-? Lost on training sortie.

25th March

Hudson 5

AM584

No.53 Sqn

Donna Nook

Crashed on landing.

27th March

Beaufighter

T3142

No.409 Sqn

Leverton nr Boston

Stalled and spun in.

28th March

Lancaster

R5501

No.207 Sqn

Bracebridge Heath

Coded EM-G, the aircraft collided with DK973 at 1320 whilst on a training flight. Both aircraft crashed on Canwick Hill, just to the E of Bracebridge Heath, 2 miles S of Lincoln. Date quoted by lostbombers as 6th Aug. Sgt N.A. Lingard KIA, Sgt D.A.Wood KIA, Sgt R.W. Cox KIA, Sgt T.C. Massey KIA.

28th March

Master 2

DK973

NK

Bracebridge Heath

Collided with R5501. Lt J.D. Linaker KIA.

1st April

Master 2

NK

NK

Barkston

No details recorded. 

2nd April

Oxford

V3322

15 PAFU

Kirmington

No details recorded. 

2nd April

Oxford

V3952

15 PAFU

Kirmington

No details recorded. 

3rd April

Spitfire 2A

P8438

No.133 Sqn

Epworth

Collided with P8595.

3rd April

Spitfire 2A

P8595

No.133 Sqn

Epworth

Collided with P8438.

3rd April

Hurricane

NK

No.121 Sqn

Kirton Lindsey

No details recorded. 

5th April

Hudson 3

T9434

No.59 Sqn

North Coates

Crashed on takeoff.

6th April

Hampden

AT216

No.50 Sqn

Thorpe-on-the-Hill

Coded VN-? Airborne 0029 6th Apr from Skellingthorpe for Cologne. Crashed 0034 at Thorpe-on- the-Hill, 6 miles SW of Lincoln. It is presumed the pilot lost control as he climbed away from the airfield. F/O R.Seeley-King KIA, Sgt G.L.Quincy KIA, Sgt G.C.S.Skelton KIA, Sgt J.Hardy KIA, This crew were the last to lose their lives on Hampden operations with 50 Sqn. The Manchester conversion training was now completed, and the last remaining Hampdens were withdrawn. Since the outbreak of war, 50 Sqn had lost a total of 104 Hampdens.

9th April

Hudson 5

AM877

No.53 Sqn

nr Donna Nook

Crashed 3 miles north of Donna Nook after night takeoff.

10th April

Spitfire 5B

AD305

No.412 Sqn

nr Waddington

Collided with BL242, crashed 1 mile south of Waddington.

10th April

Spitfire 5B

BL242

No.412 Sqn

nr Waddington

Collided with AD305, crashed 1 mile south of Waddington.

11th April

Hampden

AT187

No.144 Sqn

Wright's farm, Holbeach

Coded PL-? Airborne from North Luffenham. Suffered single engine failure on return. Crashed 0245 11th Apr whilst attempting an emergency landing at Wrights Farm, Sutton Bridge, Holbeach. Sgt H.D.Smith inj, Sgt W.Allen RAAF KIA, Sgt G.Johnstone KIA, Sgt F.Woodfield KIA.

12th April

Oxford

T1168

15 PAFU

Kirmington

Hit HT cables on approach.

12th April

Boston 3

W8334

No.226 Sqn

Hemswell

High-speed stall during demonstration flight, 4 Killed.

13th April

Master 2

DK840

RAFC

Barkston Heath

Undershot on landing and hit a wall

13th April

Wellington

NK

NK

Cranwell

No details recorded. 

14th April

Hampden

AT219

No.420 Sqn

North Hykeham

Coded PT-C, Airborne 2138 14th Apr from Waddington for Dortmund and crashed 2145 at North Hykeham on the SW outskirts of Lincoln. It is believed that the Hampden suffered a double engine failure and the pilot was trying to regain the airfield. P/O W.J.Murray RCAF KIA, P/O W.F.E.McCarthy RCAF KIA, Sgt A.J.Keith KIA, Sgt K.A.Birch KIA.

15th April

Wellington 4

Z1468

No.301 Sqn

Youngwood nr Bardney

Coded GR-I, Airborne 2144 14th Apr from Hemswell for Dortmund. Hit by Flak which damaged the aircraft's radio and fuel tanks. Crash-landed 0340 15th Apr short of fuel, at Youngwood near Bardney. Degree of damage not established. Sgt S.Krzystyniak PAF, P/O K.Szrajer PAF, F/O R.Walczak PAF, Sgt C.Harmuszkiewicz PAF inj, Sgt I.Adamczyk PAF, Sgt L.Abakonowicz PAF injured.

15th April

Spitfire 5B

BL300

No.412 Sqn

Wellingore

Force-landed.

15th April

Spitfire 5B

BL409

No.412 Sqn

Wellingore

Crashed after force-landing near airfield.

15th April

Wellington 2

Z8586

No.305 Sqn

Wroot

Coded SM-A, Airborne 2221 14th Apr from Lindholme for Dortmund. Ran out of fuel on the return and crash-landed at Wroot, 9 miles E of Doncaster, Yorkshire. The two men killed are buried in the Polish Plot at Newark Cemetery. F/O S.Sznidel PAF KIA, F/O K.W.Konopasek PAF, F/O K.Joszt PAF inj, Sgt K.Pasich PAF KIA, Sgt B.Sedzimir PAF, Sgt W.Szmidt PAF.

17th April

Oxford

AB753

12 PAFU

Harlaxton

Undershot and hit a tree on night approach.

19th April

Hurricane 2c

Z3831

No.253 Sqn

5 miles south of Louth (Maidenwell?)

Spun in during mock combat.

20th April

Wellington 1

T2834

3 OTU

North Rauceby

Crashed whilst in Cranwell circuit.

20th April

Hampden

AD869

No.420 Sqn

Wispington

Coded PT-L, airborne at 0030 from Waddington for a night cross-country sortie. The aircraft crashed shortly afterwards and burst into flames on impact. Sgt H.H. Davis RCAF KIA, Sgt J.C. Pritchard RCAF KIA, Sgt G.G.J. Laronde RCAF KIA, Sgt G.C. Player KIA.

22nd April

Oxford

V3524

15 PAFU

Kirmington

Swung on takeoff.

23rd April

Lancaster 1

L7531

No.44 Sqn

Coningsby

Holmes quotes crashed on takeoff at CGY 23rd Apr, Finn quotes 1943.

24th April

Wellington

NK

NK

Hemswell

Not listed in Chorley's 1942 volume, so may have been a minor ground accident.

25th April

Wellington 1

R1661

11 OTU

Waddington

Airborne from Steeple Morden for a night cross-country sortie. The aircraft undershot the runway on landing and crashed into the station sewage works. Sgt D.M. Telford KIA, Sgt D.C. Marsden inj, F/S C.A. Parke RCAF KIA, P/O H.J. Snelling KIA, Sgt H.W. Woodward inj.

26th April

Defiant

N1762

No.288 Sqn

Coleby Grange

Undershot whilst landing at night.

29th April

Hampden

P1303

14 OTU

Gunby, nr Grantham

Airborne from Cottesmore for single-engine flying practise. The pilot lost control at 200ft and the aircraft dived in. Sgt W.J. Nicholls RAAF KIA, Sgt J. McW. Stewart KIA.

30th April

Lancaster

R5541

No.97 Sqn

nr Wragby

Coded OF-? Crash-landed 1525 30th Apr approximately. 4 miles E of Wragby, during circuit practice. F/S A.I Altree inj, F/S C.W.Brown inj.

4th May

Oxford

AT739

15 PAFU

Barnetby

Hit the ground following engine failure.

4th May

Typhoon

R7646

No.56 Sqn

Cranwell

No details recorded. 

5th May

Wellington 1

X9816

No.103 Sqn

Elsham Wolds

Coded PM-? The aircraft landed short of the runway and hit a fence. A fire broke out which destroyed the airframe. Sgt J.G. Blandford inj, Sgt F.B. Swinfin inj, Sgt G. Quested inj, P/O J.W. Craig inj, Sgt G.McC McGawn KIA.

5th May

Lancaster

R5553

No.97 Sqn

Woodhall Spa

Crash-landed at airfield after sustaining flak damage over Stuttgart.

7th May

Wellington 1

R1610

No.300 Sqn

Hemswell

Coded BH-?, the aircraft sank back onto the runway after takeoff and crashed, due to the throttles retarding.

7th May

Spitfire 5

W3410

No.306 Sqn

Kirton Lindsey

Bounced and swung on landing, undercarriage collapsed.

8th May

Wellington 1

Z1161

21 OTU

Beckingham

Airborne from Moreton-in-the-Marsh for a night cross-country sortie. During the flight, the port engine caught fire. The aircraft had been partially abandoned when it crashed into a tree at 0250. Sgt R.I. Hart inj, Sgt P.W.S. Brooke inj, Sgt H.H.J. Rohrlach RAAF KIA, Sgt W.L. Williams RAAF KIA, Sgt I. McN. Fergusson KIA, Sgt T.J. Tighe RCAF unhurt.

8th May

Spitfire 5

AD265

No.306 Sqn

Kirton Lindsey

Overran on landing.

9th May

Manchester

R5778

No.50 Sqn

Skellingthorpe

Coded VN-? Airborne 2147 8th May from Skellingthorpe for Warnemunde. Hit by Flak while approaching the target, and soon afterwards the starboard engine failed. The Manchester landed safely at Skellingthorpe, but following a technical inspection, the bomber was declared a write off and was SOC 15th May. Sgt J.B.Wilkie, Sgt Byres, Sgt J.W.Campbell, Sgt Benn, Sgt D.W.Baird, Sgt E.W.Finch. Five members of this crew were lost 30/31 May operating a 106 Sqn Manchester (L7456) on loan to 50 Sqn against Cologne. R5778 also had an earlier accident: Struck concealed gun pit whilst making way for departing aircraft and the undercarriage collapsed. The gun pit was hidden by nets and snow. Repaired on Station (ROS) 13th Feb.

10th May

Hurricane 1

N2482

RAFC

nr Grantham

Force-landed.

10th May

Havoc 2 (Turbinlite)

AH478

1459 flt

Hibaldstow

Landed wheels-up.

13th May

Manchester

L7519

No.50 Sqn

Thurlby

Coded VN-? Lost on training sortie.

15th May

Hudson 5

AM864

No.407 Sqn

nr Woodhall Spa

Crashed 0.5 miles north of Woodhall Spa on return from a convoy attack.

16th May

Hampden

P2120

16 OTU

Saxilby

Airborne from Upwood on a night navigation sortie, the pilot lost control at 10,000ft and spun in at 2359. One crew member, believed to be an air gunner, successfully abandoned the aircraft before it crashed. P/O W.H. Parr KIA, F/S D.C. Macnab RCAF KIA, F/S K.G. McKee RCAF KIA.

17th May

Oxford

V3666

15 PAFU

Snelland

Engine failed, stalled on force-landing.

20th May

Lancaster

L7581

No.44 Sqn

Waddington

Coded KM-R, struck P2094 & X3149 on takeoff. Airborne from Waddington 1555hrs 20th May on airtest but before attaining flying speed the leading edge of the port wing failed and the Lancaster veered from the runway, colliding with two Hampdens belonging to 420 Squadron. W/O E.W.Wright.

20th May

Hampden

P2094

No.420 Sqn

Waddington

Hit by L7581.

20th May

Hampden

X3149

No.420 Sqn

Waddington

Hit by L7581.

21st May

Oxford

V4168

15 PAFU

Read's Island, in the Humber

Dived in from cloud.

21st May

Oxford

W6649

12 PAFU

Harlaxton

Crashed whilst overshooting at night

25th May

Manchester

NK

No.207 Sqn

Skellingthorpe

Possibly a minor ground accident as Chorley does not list this crash. 207 Sqn were converted to Lancasters by this date, so the unit may be incorrect.

26th May

Master 3

W8531

16 PFTS

nr Bourne

No details recorded. 

26th May

Spitfire 6

BR172

No.616 Sqn

Fen Lane, Dunholme

No details recorded. 

30th May

Manchester

NK

No.83 Sqn

Scampton

May have been a minor ground accident, not mentioned in Chorley's 1942 losses book. 30th May was the day of the first 1000 bomber raid on Cologne.

30th May

Wellington 1

N3008

1 AAS

Manby

Caught fire whilst running up.

31st May

Wellington 1

R1234

No.103 Sqn

Kirmington

Coded PM-? The aircraft was airborne from Kirmington on a transit flight. Shortly after takeoff, the port engine reduction gear failed, causing the propeller to come off. The aircraft stalled and spun into the ground near the airfield. Sgt L.W. Flowers KIA, Sgt G.C. Roberts KIA, Sgt A.A. Conisbee KIA, Sgt B.C. Slowly KIA, F/S N. Ryder inj, Sgt E. Robinson injured.

31st May

Wellington 3

X3448

No.150 Sqn

Mottram's Farm, Faldingworth

Coded JN-N, Airborne 2315 30th May from Snaith for Cologne. Crashed 0215 31st May at Mottrams Farm, Faldingworth, 4 miles SW of Market Rasen. The Wellington burst into flames on impact. Sgt S.B.Shaw KIA, Sgt R.G.Peverill KIA, Sgt J.C.Dean KIA, Sgt G.L.Mustoe KIA, Sgt L.Beck KIA, Sgt K.Aird KIA.

31st May

Hampden

AE399

No.420 Sqn

Waddington

Coded PT-P Airborne 2305 30th May from Waddington for Cologne. On return to base at 0403 31st May, the pilot lost control as he touched down, and collided with a parked Lancaster belonging to the Conversion Flight (R5842). In addition to the injuries sustained by the two Hampden crew members, two airmen in the Lancaster, were also hurt. R5842 was repaired and re-entered Bomber Command service with 49 Sqn Conversion Unit. F/S W.K.McDermid RCAF inj, F/S L.H.Gardiner RCAF inj, Sgt Waddington, Sgt Wilkinson.

2nd June

Wellington

Z1410

No.142 Sqn

Thoresby Bridge

Coded QT-Z. Airborne 2302 1st Jun from Grimsby for Essen. Turned back with failing engines and crashed 0022 2nd Jun at Thoresby Bridge bursting into flames on impact. Sgt Stanley has no known grave. P/O D.P.McDonald RCAF KIA, Sgt R.L.Cox RCAF KIA, Sgt T.Sleeman KIA, Sgt A.Smith KIA, Sgt W.T.Stanley KIA, Sgt C.M.Harrison injured.

3rd June

Beaufighter

R2479

No.409 Sqn

Holdingham

No details recorded. 

5th June

Oxford

P6804

12 FTS

nr Howsham

Hit a tree at Pepperdale farm whilst low-flying.

6th June

Hampden

L4133

14 OTU

nr Skillington

Airborne from Saltby for flying training. During the flight speed was lost and the aircraft spun in at 1345 near Mere Barn Farm, South Stoke, on the Lincolnshire border. P/O R.H. Broadley KIA, Sgt H.G. Thurgar KIA, Sgt R.L. Norris KIA, Sgt J.D Henning RCAF KIA.

6th June

Lancaster 1

R5515

No.44 Sqn

Waddington

Coded KM-A. Crash-landed 0335 6th Jun during night flying practice at Waddington. The accident was attributed to a fast landing, resulting in the Lancaster running off the end of the runway. P/O L.M.Tomkins Sgt D.Skinner injured.

7th June

Halifax 2

W1145

No.405 Sqn

nr Binbrook

Coded LQ-S. Airborne 2351 6th Jun from Pocklington. Abandoned, due to both outer engines failing, and crashed 0145 4 miles SW of Binbrook Airfield. As the crew parachuted, sheets of flame could be seen flaring from the port outer engine. F/S W.B.Blizard RCAF, Sgt M.D.Rea RCAF, Sgt Elt, Sgt Money, Sgt Mitchell, Sgt Nutt, Sgt Butler, Sgt Witherick.

7th June

Hampden

N9070

1 AAS

off Saltfleet

Converted from a Hereford. Aircraft dived into the sea 3 miles off Saltfleet.

10th June

Proctor 1

P6247

1 SS

Kirkby la Thorpe

Hit HT cables.

11th June

Wellington 1

T2898

18 OTU

Hemswell

Airborne at 1528 from Hemswell on a navigation sortie, but lost power and and was unable to maintain height. The aircraft crashed just outside the airfield.

18th June

Wellington 2

W5381

No.12 Sqn

Rothwell top

Coded PH-? The aircraft encountered bad weather on a training flight and flew into a hillside. P/O J.G. Power RCAF KIA, Sgt R.G. Burton inj, Sgt Howard inj, Sgt Shelley injured.

22nd June

Master 2

DK985

RAFC

Barkston Heath

Stalled on approach.

23rd June

Hampden

AD786

No.420 Sqn

Boothby Pagnell

Coded PT-L, Airborne 2325 23rd Jun from Waddington to lay mines off Lorient (Artichokes Region). Crashed 2347 at Boothby Pagnell, 5 miles SE of Grantham. Sgt Hiley, who had gained an immediate DFM during operations to Stuttgart May 42, was admitted to Grantham Hospital. NFD. F/S F.S.Hiley DFM, RCAF inj, F/S G.H.Germain RCAF KIA, Sgt G.D.Johnson KIA, Sgt K.C.Little RCAF KIA.

25th June

Do217-E4

U5+AB

1/KG2

in the Wash

Shot down by 151 Sqn Mosquito.

27th June

Wellington 1

P9230

CGS

Sutton Bridge

Caught fire running up.

28th June

Lancaster

NK

NK

nr Boston

Nothing mentioned in Chorley's 1942 volume.

1st July

Hurricane 2a

Z2415

RAE, Farnborough

Sutton Bridge

Testing rocket projectiles which exploded, taking the wing off, crashed at Bridge farm.

2nd July

Hampden TB1

AT239

No.415 Sqn

Donna Nook

Crash-landed following engine failure.

2nd July

Hampden

NK

NK

Waddington

Possibly a minor ground accident as Chorley does not list anything at Waddington on this date, though 420 Sqn were active that night on a raid to Bremen.

3rd July

Ju88

M2+KK

KFG106

Aswardby

Shot down by 303 Sqn Spitfires, crashed at Odlin's Farm.

3rd July

Ju88

M2+BK

KFG106

Baumber

Shot down by 303 Sqn Spitfires, crashed at Limes farm, 4 killed.

6th July

Wellington 1

L7774

CGS

nr Wingland

Force-landed.

6th July

Havoc 1

AX914

51 OTU

Cranwell

Crashed in the village, not recorded in the OTU losses book.

8th July

Blenheim 4

R3669

17 OTU

nr Wellingore

Airborne from Upwood, the aircraft lost power in flight and crashed at 1740 near the airfield.

10th July

Lancaster 1

L7568

No.44 Sqn

Waddington

Coded KM-? The aircraft overran the runway whilst landing at night and crashed through the airfield perimeter hedge. No injuries reported.

16th July

Oxford

R6349

15 PAFU

Kirmington

Collided with P8982 (which survived) on approach in poor visibility

19th July

Spitfire

NK

NK

Little Ponton

No details recorded. 

21st July

Botha

L6355

NK

in Humber

On test flight.

21st July

Lancaster 1

R5576

No.106 Sqn

Coningsby

Coded ZN-? R5576 departed Coningsby for a practice bombing sortie but crashed almost immediately after take-off due to failure of the port inner engine. Eye witnesses to the tragedy state that the Lancaster climbed slowly to about 200 feet, before stalling and falling near the airfield. P/O W.B.Carlyle RCAF KIA, P/O G.R.Hanna RCAF (P2) KIA, Sgt A.M.Blyth KIA, Sgt J.K.Marshman RAAF KIA, Sgt R.M.Mathieson KIA, F/S A.G.Gibson RCAF KIA, F/S J.E.S.Walker RCAF KIA, Sgt J.Teevin KIA, LAC H.R.Forster KIA, AC1 G.E.Smith KIA.

21st July

Oxford

AP457

15 PAFU

Kirmington

Lost control overshooting at night.

22nd July

Master 2

DL117

RAFC

Cranwell

DBR in an accident.

22nd July

Havoc 2 (Turbinlite)

AH478

1459 flt

Hibaldstow

Belly-landed - possible duplicate - same aircraft had same accident reported 10th May also by Hancock.

23rd July

Do217E

F8+CN

5/KG40

Gedney Hill / Fleet Fen

Shot down by 408 Sqn Hurricane and 409 Sqn Beaufighter.

24th July

Wellington 3

BJ595

No.115 Sqn

off Grimsby

Coded KO-S, Airborne from Marham for Duisburg. On return obliged to ditch in the North Sea 10 miles off Grimsby. All survived and were rescued, unharmed, from their dinghy. F/S Boutiller, Sgt W.Scott, Sgt a.Gallagher, Sgt A.Clark, Sgt T.Clarke.

25th July

Wellington 2

W5437

No.12 Sqn

North Coates

Coded PH-? Airborne 0023 25th Jul from Binbrook for Duisburg. Returned early due to overheating engines and crash-landed 0430 at North Coates airfield. No crew injuries. Following a technical inspection, the Wellington was SOC 21st Sep. Sgt W.Foster, Sgt J.W.E Ross, Sgt A.Crawford, Sgt C.A.Manchur RCAF, Sgt E.W.Green.

25th July

Lancaster 1

R5683

No.106 Sqn

Butterwick mud flats

Coded ZN-? Airborne 0010 25th Jul from Coningsby. Exploded in mid-air on the outbound track and crashed on mudflats at Butterwick, 4 miles ENE of Boston. Five days later, the London Gazette published details of the awards made to F/S Appleyard and F/S Darvill. F/S G.Appleyard DFM KIA, Sgt R.L.Beaddie KIA, F/S M.Darvill DFM KIA, F/O R.B.Smith RCAF KIA, Sgt J.W.Grimwade RAAF KIA, Sgt L.W.Young KIA, Sgt J.D.Davie KIA.

26th July

Proctor 2

Z7219

1 SS

Roxholm hall

Hit a tree whilst low flying.

27th July

Wellington 2

Z8526

No.12 Sqn

Binbrook

Coded PH-? Airborne 2350 26th Jul from Binbrook for Duisburg. Landed back at base 0522, whereupon some incendiaries fell from the aircraft, setting fire to the Wellington's undersurfaces. Degree of damage not recorded.. P/O D.W.Rowe, Sgt R.L.S.Ritchie, Sgt L.D.Graves, Sgt J.Sharp, Sgt C.Black.

28th July

Halifax 2

W1218

No.103 Sqn

Ludborough

Coded PM-? The aircraft stalled and spun in whilst on a training flight. Sgt S.W. Stockford KIA, Sgt W.J. Birmingham RAAF KIA, Sgt D.C. Cochrane KIA, Sgt L.J. Storey KIA, F/S S.N. Ryder KIA, F/S F.L.J. Harnett RCAF KIA, F/S A.F. Pearson RCAF KIA.

29th July

Wellington 2

W5424

No.12 Sqn

Binbrook

Coded PH-D. Airborne 2337 29th Jul from Binbrook for Saarbrucken and crashed almost immediately. All are buried in Binbrook (St.Mary) Churchyard. Sgt W.Foster KIA, Sgt G.F.Stephens KIA, Sgt C.A.Manchur RCAF KIA, Sgt J.W.E.Ross KIA, P/O M.H.James KIA.

29th July

Defiant ASR1

AA360

No.278 Sqn

North Coates

Hit by a Hudson (AM694?) whilst on the ground.

29th July

Hampden

AT113

No.408 Sqn

Dry Doddington

Coded EQ-A, the aircraft crashed at 1516hrs whilst on an air-test from Balderton prior to the Saarbrucken raid that night. The aircraft crashed into a field of oats 2 miles south-east of the airfield. The two air cadets were both 16 years old and had been taken up for an air experience flight. S/L L.B.B. Price DFC RCAF KIA, Sgt I. Hughes KIA, Cdt G. Hughes ATC KIA, Cdt K.R. Cousin Wood ATC KIA.

30th July

Hampden

P5397

14 OTU

nr Market Deeping

Airborne from Cottesmore for a night flying sortie. The aircraft collided with AE192 (which survived and was repaired) and crashed 1 mile northwest of Market Deeping.

30th July

Ju88

NK

NK

Thorney

No details recorded. 

31st July

Hampden

AD762

No.415 Sqn

North Coates

Returned early from a convoy attack with engine trouble, overshot and crashed.

1st August

Master 3

W8598

Digby SF

Digby

Overturned on landing.

1st August

Havoc 2

AH484

NK

Hibaldstow

No details recorded. 

1st August

Halifax 2

R9379

No.103 Sqn/CF

Elsham Wolds

Airborne from Elsham Wolds for a general training flight including a climb to high altitude. On return, whilst downwind and turning to the left, the port outer engine failed and the aircraft stalled and spun in from 400 feet 0.25 miles from the airfield. Sgt W.J. Bagley KIA, Sgt S. Lightowler KIA, Sgt J.A. Henson KIA, Sgt A.E. Finney KIA, Sgt J. Munro KIA, Sgt J.W. Keane RNZAF KIA, Sgt O.D. Hancock KIA, P/O A. Simons KIA, Sgt T.L. McDonald KIA, Sgt L.J. Langan KIA, Sgt T.W. Dinsdale KIA, Sgt C.H. Morgan KIA.

4th August

Hurricane 2b

BD728

No.486 Sqn

2 miles east of Scampton (Grange-de-Lings?)

Abandoned after fumes filled the cockpit.

5th August

Master 1

T8675

RAFC

Cranwell

Crashed on takeoff.

5th August

Wellington 1

X9675

26 OTU

Burton Coggles

Airborne at 2045 from Wing for a night navigation exercise. During the flight the starboard outer engine conrod broke, damaging the cylinders and causing the engine to catch fire. The aircraft was aircraft abandoned at 2330. Sgt G.R. Phipps RCAF KIA.

5th August

P-38F Lightning

41 - 34412

71FS/1FG

Goxhill

Damaged in a landing accident, pilot John D. Elland jr.

6th August

Halifax 2

W1225

No.103 Sqn

in the Humber

Crashed into the Humber on return from Duisburg, 7 killed.

7th August

Do217

U5+DR

KG2

Shire Wood, Revesby

Shot down by 68 Sqn Beaufighter.

9th August

P-38F Lightning

41-7635

1 FG

Kirton Lindsey

Damaged in a landing accident, pilot Jack C. Kille.

10th August

Oxford

V3629

12 PAFU

nr Grantham

Lost control during a night training sortie, crashed 1 mile west of Grantham.

10th August

Manchester

L7431

1654 HCU

Coningsby

Whilst landing at night, the starboard undercarriage leg collapsed due to drifting on a heavy landing at 2130. The aircraft was repaired on site on 15th Aug and returned to service with 1654 HCU 3rd Oct, becoming a ground instruction airframe coded 3772M.

10th August

Wellington 1

R1505

22 OTU

nr Cranwell

Airborne from Wellesbourne Mountford for a night cross-country sortie. The aircraft lost its starboard propeller around 0500 whilst in flight. The pilot headed for Waddington but the crew was unable to make contact by radio or see the flarepath. At this point, just north-east of Cranwell airfield, the port engine began to fail. All bar 1 of the crew bailed out successfully. F/S C. Toronczuk RCAF KIA.

11th August

Hampden

AE155

14 OTU

Edenham

Coded GL-S Airborne from Saltby for night low-level bombing training. The aircraft crashed 0330 whilst working the Grimsthorpe range. F/S R.P. Davies RCAF KIA, F/S J.H. O'Connor RCAF KIA, Sgt D.H. Barton RAAF KIA.

12th August

Lancaster 1

R5732

No.44 Sqn

Waddington

Coded KM-G. Airborne from Waddington 2255 11th Aug for Mainz. Returned to base early with failing engines and crashed 0112 12th Aug whilst on finals. The pilot reported he was unable to prevent the Lancaster from drifting left of the flare path and though he opened the throttles to overshoot, the Lancaster failed to respond and crashed. No injuries. F/S H.H.Taylor, Sgt W.Harberenke (P2), F/S L.Edwards, Sgt L.Edwards, Sgt J.H Bellewe, Sgt R.E.W.Williamson, Sgt C.A.Foster, Sgt A.E.Williams.

12th August

Hurricane 2c

BN227

No.253 Sqn

off the coast

Presumed crashed into the sea during a Havoc co-operation sortie.

13th August

Lancaster 1

L7534

No.50 Sqn

Swinderby

Coded VN-Z. Aircraft written-off following a collapsed undercarriage during continuation training at Swinderby. Sgt P.H.Blaskey.

13th August

Wellington 3

BJ588

No.150 Sqn

4 miles west of Scotter (Owston Ferry?)

Coded JN-? Airborne 2205 12th Aug from Snaith for Mainz. Returned early, cause unknown, and crashed while making an emergency landing some 4 miles W of Scotter, 5 miles S of Scunthorpe. Sgt D.J.H.Beaton KIA, P/O F.Mcreavy inj, F/S N.R.Rowe RNZAF KIA, Sgt J.Taylor KIA, Sgt J.Pike inj.

14th August

Spitfire

NK

NK

Hibaldstow

No details recorded. 

14th August

Oxford

V4214

15 PAFU

Great Limber

Lost sight of the Kirmington flarepath, crashed and overturned on the Gt Limber Q site.

14th August

Beaufighter

X8146

No.409 Sqn

Coleby Grange

Undershot whilst landing.

14th August

Hurricane 2C

Z3261

No.253 Sqn

nr Grimsby

Spun in 5 miles south-east of Grimsby.

15th August

Whitley 5

BD206

3 OTU

Cranwell

Undershot whilst landing, not listed in the OTU losses book.

16th August

Hampden

P1161

1 AAS

off Mablethorpe

Engine failure whilst practise-bombing off the coast, crashed into the sea, 4 Killed.

16th August

Lancaster 1

R5489

No.44 Sqn

Branston

Coded KM-X. Airborne from Waddington on a daylight cross-country sortie. On return to Waddington after a 4 hour sortie, the pilot reported a fire in the starboard inner engine and requested the flight engineer (Fletcher) to feather it and to press the fire extinguisher button for that engine. Unfortunately, the flight engineer feathered the starboard outer engine and with the aircraft configured for landing, the loss of power caused it to stall and yaw. The aircraft crashed onto pigsties in the village. All crew bar the flight engineer and bomb aimer were rescued alive by the farmer, Dick Taylor, and Fred Kirk, a local butcher. This incident is recorded on a brass plaque inside the Home Guard club in Branston, and was the subject of an article in the Branston parish newsletter for summer 2010. Sgt R.Easom inj, Sgt J.Fletcher KIA, Sgt D.Pullinger RNZAF KIA.

17th August

Oxford

V3235

RAFC

nr Spitalgate

Hit trees on approach at night.

18th August

Typhoon

R7644

No.56 Sqn

Moulton

Tail broke off in a dive, 1 Killed.

19th August

P-38F Lightning

41 - 7604

94FS/1FG

Kirton Lindsey

Crashed after structural failure. Pilot Charles W. Oakley KIA.

20th August

Oxford

NK

NK

West Pinchbeck

No details recorded. 

20th August

Oxford

AB718

12 PAFU

4 miles southeast of Spitalgate

Lost tail in collision with AB666 (which survived and was repaired), crashed possibly near Bitchfield?

22nd August

Tiger Moth

T7756

1459 flt

Hibaldstow

Crashed on takeoff.

22nd August

Master 2

DL864

RAFC

Wellingore

Bounced on landing and stalled.

23rd August

Do217

F8+CN

KG40

Gedney Hill

Shot down by 409 Sqn Beaufighter.

23rd August

Do217?

NK

KG2?

off Mablethorpe

Shot down by 25 Sqn Beaufighter.

24th August

Do217

NK

NK

Aylesby

Shot down.

24th August

Tiger Moth

T7115

4 EFTS

Crowle

Hit ground whilst low-flying

25th August

Master 2

DL337

RAFC

Wellingore

Hit by DL188 (which was repaired) whilst parked.

27th August

Hurricane 2c

BN232

No.253 Sqn

off Mablethorpe

Crashed into the sea 0.5 miles out.

27th August

Havoc 2

NK

NK

Hibaldstow

No details recorded. 

27th August

Master 1

N9016

RAFC

nr Digby

Spun in 2 miles northwest of Digby.

28th August

Lancaster 1

R5664

No.44 Sqn

nr Waddington

Coded KM-R, Airborne 2117 27th Aug from Waddington for Kassel. Lost the use of the port outer engine over Munster, and on return to base at 0228 28th Aug the Lancaster overshot the runway and crashed into a field several miles beyond the airfield. No injuries reported. Sgt W.V.Richards Sgt J.W.Hargreaves Sgt G.H.Roberts Sgt C.Thurley Sgt A.C.Stockley P/O I.M.Wood Sgt W.S.Gregory This crew were destined to be shot down 23rd Sep. See R5905.

29th August

Magister

L8226

No.253 Sqn

nr Kirton Lindsey

Force-landed 1 mile northeast of Kirton Lindsey.

29th August

Master 2

DK825

RAFC

Cranwell

Hit N4794 whilst landing.

29th August

Oxford

N4794

RAFC

Cranwell

Hit by DK825.

31st August

Spitfire 2A

P8583

CGS

nr Crowland

Collided with P2067.

31st August

Hampden

P2067

14 OTU

nr Crowland

Collided with P8583 – unit may be incorrect, Hancock quotes 14 OTU but there is no mention of this In Chorley's OTU losses book.

31st August

Hampden

P1205

14 OTU

Grimsthorpe

Coded -D1, airborne from Cottesmore for a low-level bombing sortie. Crashed on the Grimsthorpe bombing range 1545 after being unable to recover from stabilised yaw at low altitude. P/O D.F. Foy RCAF was badly burned in the crash, and died from his injuries the next day.

1st September

Halifax 2

BB216

No.405 Sqn

Chapel st Leonards

Coded LQ-D, Airborne 2303 1st Sep from Topcliffe for Saarbrucken. While crossing the E coast at 2344, the port engine caught fire and although the blaze was quelled, structural failure of the port wing followed and the order to bale out was given. At least two of the crew fell into the sea and were drowned, and the Halifax crashed at Chapel St.Leonards, 5 miles NNW of Skegness. Sgt N.A.MacKenzie RCAF KIA, Sgt J.R.Alexander inj, P/O L.B.Mason inj, Sgt Kaucharik inj, Sgt C.G.Eagles RCAF KIA, Sgt H.Stone KIA, F/S L.D.Dawdy RCAF KIA.

3rd September

Oxford

W6566

17 SFTS

Cranwell

Undershot landing at night, Finn quotes serial as W6506.

3rd September

Oxford

AS871

12 PAFU

nr Spitalgate

Engine failed on takeoff and exploded, aircraft dived in and crashed south of the airfield.

4th September

Oxford

BG657

15 PAFU

nr Kirmington

Stalled on night approach.

5th September

Manchester

L7521

No.50 Sqn

Waddington

Coded VN-? Lost on training sortie, starboard prop jammed feathered, aircraft stalled and crashed on approach.

6th September

Oxford

NK

NK

Spitalgate

No details recorded. 

7th September

Wellington 1

P9235

1 AAS

Manby

Hit a hill 2 miles south east of Louth after takeoff, possibly near Legbourne.

9th September

Oxford

BG270

15 PAFU

nr Kirmington

Failed to climb after takeoff, hit rising ground 1 mile south-southeast of the airfield.

10th September

Whitley 5

BD279

24 OTU

nr Hemswell

Airborne 2010 from Honeybourne for a night navigation exercise. Approximately 2 hours into the flight the starboard engine caught fire and the crew bailed out as they were unable to see the Hemswell flarepath after being guided to the airfield in response to an SOS, aircraft crashed 2-3 miles south west of the airfield.

15th September

Oxford

V3212

RAFC

nr Cranwell

Aircraft abandoned after in-flight fire.

15th September

Wellington 3

X3796

No.419 Sqn

nr Grimsthorpe

Coded VR-C, the aircraft crashed 3 miles west of Grimsthorpe after failing to recover from steep dive during an air-test sortie. W01 J.A. Clark RCAF KIA, F/S W.H. Pickering RCAF KIA, Sgt R.A. Kinnee RCAF KIA, P/O J.A. Hay RCAF KIA, F/S E.M. Harney RCAF KIA, Sgt G.W. Wilson RCAF (ground staff) KIA, LAC W.R.A. Jahnke RCAF (ground staff) KIA, LAC E.D. Lawley RCAF (ground staff, on leave when killed) KIA, LAC L.O. Luten RCAF (ground staff, on leave when killed) KIA.

17th September

Master 2

DL119

RAFC

Cranwell

Hit by DL193 (which was repaired) whilst parked.

19th September

Lancaster 1

R5689

No.50 Sqn

nr Thurlby

Coded VN-N. Airborne 1915 18th Sep from Swinderby on a Gardening sortie (area not known). Crash-landed at Thurlby, when both port engines failed as the crew prepared to land. Sgt Gibbons RCAF is buried in Newark-upon-Trent Cemetery. Sgt E.J.Morley RAAF, P/O G.W.M.Harrison, Sgt H.Male, Sgt S.C.Garrett, Sgt J.W.Dalby, Sgt J.Fraser, Sgt J.R.Gibbons RCAF KIA.

19th September

Beaufighter

X8106

No.409 Sqn

Coleby Grange

Overran whilst landing and hit a building.

19th September

Master 2

DL115

RAFC

nr Cranwell

Stalled whilst recovering from a dive near the airfield.

19th September

Halifax 2

DT481

No.460 Sqn

Ludford Magna

Crashed at Ludford whilst on a training flight, no further details given of cause. Sgt S.A. Solomons RAAF KIA, Sgt F.E. Bishops RAAF KIA, Sgt A.J. Betteridge KIA, F/O H.S. Brander RAAF KIA, Sgt F.R. Keys RAAF KIA, F/S A.R. Morant RAAF KIA, F/S J.T. Sutton RAAF KIA, Cpl W.J.R. Hazleton RAAF KIA.

20th September

Oxford

N6271

15 PAFU

Scampton

Ran off the taxy track.

21st September

Beaufighter 6

EL322

No.236 Sqn

North Coates

Engine failure, crashed in the circuit 1 mile northwest of the airfield.

22nd September

Halifax 2

W1243

103 Sqn CF

Elsham Wolds

Coded PM-B, airborne from Elsham Wolds to practise overshooting on three engines. At 1215 the aircraft stalled in the circuit whilst still on 3 engines, rolled inverted and crashed. W/O R.J. Fulbrook DFC KIA, F/S F.W. Hill KIA, WO2 N. Hrehorak RCAF KIA, Sgt D.R. Evans KIA, F/S R.L. McCulloch RCAF KIA.

22nd September

Whitley 5

Z9149

1481 TTF

nr Binbrook

Airborne from Binbrook, the pilot was obliged to force-land close to the airfield 5 minutes after takeoff due to the ailerons jamming.

22nd September

Oxford

AP464

15 PAFU

Kirmington

Undershot landing at night.

23rd September

Halifax 2

W7814

Rolls-Royce

Holland House farm nr Boston

No details recorded. 

26th September

Master

NK

NK

Cranwell

No details recorded. 

26th September

Whitley 5

Z6757

3 OTU

Wainfleet sands

Force-landed on the beach at Wainfleet.

1st October

Oxford

X6935

RAFC

Cranwell

Collided with Master T8488 (which was repaired) on approach to the airfield.

2nd October

Whitley 5

AD693

3 OTU

Cranwell

Hit a tree whilst in the circuit.

2nd October

B-17F

41 - 24492

367BS / 306BG

Weston Hills

Crashed following structural failure. Pilot William W. Ely.

5th October

Manchester

L7386

No.57 Sqn

Scampton

Coded DX-? The aircraft crash-landed on the airfield at 1445 after an engine fire. No injuries reported.

6th October

Manchester

L7473

1485 flt

Dunholme Lodge

Airborne from Dunholme Lodge at 1440, an engine failed on climb out at just 50 feet. The pilot managed to turn the aircraft for a short circuit and crash-landed on the airfield with all crew members uninjured.

8th October

Master

DL124

RAFC

Cranwell

Collided with DL282 on approach.

8th October

Master

DL282

RAFC

Cranwell

Collided with DL124 on approach.

9th October

Wellington 1

DV776

15 OTU

Holbeach Marsh

Reported to have been wrecked when it crash-landed, no further details known as accident card was not completed.

10th October

Wellington 3

BK311

No.150 Sqn

Elsham Wolds

Coded JN-? The pilot lost control on approach to the airfield due to extremely windy conditions and crashed at 1521. The aircraft caught fire and was burnt out. Sgt W.H. Allworth injured but subsequently died from his injuries, Sgt R. Ziser RAAF KIA, W/O E.H. Herbert KIA, Sgt N.D. Green KIA, Sgt N.C. Meyers RCAF KIA, Sgt Brown unhurt.

11th October

Airacobra

BX287

52FG

Kirton Lindsey

Damaged in an incident, no further details.

12th October

Oxford

P1868

12 PAFU

nr Hemswell

Crash-landed at decoy site (Toft Grange?) after becoming lost.

13th October

Whitley 5

T4141

3 OTU

Cranwell

Crashed on overshoot.

13th October

Wellington 3

BK279

No.142 Sqn

Grimsby

No details recorded. 

16th October

Wellington 3

X3960

No.142 Sqn

nr Ludborough

Coded QT-Q. Airborne 1903 15th Oct from Waltham for Cologne. On return, crashed 0012 near Ludborough, 5 miles NNW of Louth. prior to the crash, the crew had made radio contact with base and had been given instructions to orbit the airfield at 2,000 feet. Sgt Patenaude was an American from Cohoes, New York, serving with the RCAF. F/S R.J.L.Cole RCAF KIA, Sgt W.S.Walker KIA, F/S C.G.MacLennan RCAF KIA, Sgt H.G.Lester KIA, Sgt R.A.Patenaude RCAF KIA.

17th October

Airacobra

BX200

52 FG

Kirton Lindsey

Damaged in an incident, no further details.

18th October

Beaufighter

EL280

No.236 Sqn

nr North Coates

Broke up in mid-air recovering from a dive near the airfield.

28th October

Spitfire

NK

NK

Goxhill

Possibly Eagle Sqn - 3 Spitfires collided.

28th October

Spitfire

NK

NK

Goxhill

Possibly Eagle Sqn - 3 Spitfires collided.

28th October

Spitfire

NK

NK

Goxhill

Possibly Eagle Sqn - 3 Spitfires collided.

29th October

Master

DK982

RAFC

nr Normanton

Flew into the ground at night 1 mile northeast of Normanton.

29th October

Whitley 5

Z9137

3 OTU

Cranwell

Swung on landing and hit Wellington LA967 (which was repaired).

31st October

Lancaster

W4239

No.97 Sqn

Woodhall Spa

Coded OF-L. Crashed in the Woodhall Spa circuit, while trying to land at the end of a Bullseye flight. The accident was attributed to the outer port propeller coming out of coarse pitch and over speeding. No casualties reported or the condition of the aircraft. Sgt W.MacLeod.

4th November

Oxford

AT663

1518 BATF

Grange Farm, Brattleby

Airborne from Scampton to carry out a meteorological test flight, using the blind-landing beam as an aid. During the test, the pilot reported problems with the beam receiver, and was ordered to head towards North Luffenham. At 1430, the aircraft struck trees at Grange Farm and crashed. F/L C.H. Butt RNZAF KIA, F/O R.S. Shaw RCAF KIA.

5th November

Master

T8387

RAFC

Cranwell

Hit DK833 on the ground.

5th November

Master

DK833

RAFC

Cranwell

Hit by T8387 on the ground.

7th November

Beaufighter

T3434

No.143 Sqn

Tetney Haven

Crashed into the sea.

7th November

Hurricane

BE581

No.532 Sqn

nr Mablethorpe

Force-landed at night and hit a hedge on the Q-site 1 mile west of Mablethorpe.

8th November

Lancaster 1

R5916

No.9 Sqn

Waddington

Coded WS-R. Airborne Waddington 1746 7th Nov for Genoa. On return to base, and while preparing to land, collided with another 9 Squadron Lancaster (W4265) and crashed 0200 8th Nov in the airfield circuit. F/O K.A.Mackenzie DFC RCAF KIA, Sgt J.J Taafe KIA, Sgt A.R.Billington KIA, Sgt K.T.J.Adams KIA, Sgt R.E. Werren KIA, Sgt D.J.Wicks KIA, Sgt H.R.Willacy KIA.

8th November

Lancaster 1

W4265

No.9 Sqn

Waddington

Coded WS-L. Airborne at 1753hrs 7th Nov for Genoa. On return to base, collided with another 9 Squadron Lancaster (R5916/WS-R). Four of the crew, Sgt Perchard, who came from Trinity in the Channel Island of Jersey, and the three RCAF men, are buried in Lincoln (Newport Cemetery). F/S A.J.McDonald RCAF KIA, Sgt J.W.Bowes KIA, F/S D.L.Grimes RCAF KIA, Sgt D.D.Low RCAF KIA, Sgt N.Curd KIA, Sgt R.G.G.Anthony KIA, Sgt R.C.Perchard KIA.

8th November

Havoc 2

AH458

No.538 Sqn

Hibaldstow

Ran off taxy track and hit a building.

8th November

Halifax 2

W1253

No.158 Sqn

in the Humber

Coded NP-M, Airborne 1725 7Nov42 from Rufforth for Genoa. Homebound, ran low on fuel and ditched 0430 in the River Humber. In the moments before the bomber went into the water, two crew members baled out but both drowned, while a third crew member was killed on impact. Sgt Purchase was admitted to Station Sick Quarters, Brough. P/O D.Beveridge Sgt A.E.F.Wheeler Sgt L.Purchase inj, Sgt M.A.Goldstein KIA, F/S M.F.Carlin KIA, Sgt R.W.Stockton RCAF KIA, Sgt D.G.Culver RCAF inj, P/O Beveridge, Sgt Wheeler and Sgt Culver were to experience another traumatic crash within a week of this incident in W7859.

8th November

Hampden

P5343

CGS

Sutton Bridge

No details recorded. 

10th November

Lancaster 1

W4262

No.57 Sqn

Burgh-on-Bain

Coded DX-? Airborne 1721 10th Nov from Scampton to lay mines in the mouth of the River Gironde. Crashed 2223 10Nov43 into high ground at Burgh on Bain near Binbrook. Poor visibility was a contributory factor. F/S R.R.Abercrombie KIA, Sgt A.B.Jackson KIA, Sgt J.H.Barry RNZAF KIA, Sgt W.H.Warren RAAF KIA, F/S M.G.Everard KIA, Sgt J.E.Young KIA, Sgt F.O.Button KIA.

13th November

Oxford

V3905

12 PAFU

Hougham

Collided with Whitley Z9134 - date also given as 19th.

14th November

Lancaster 1

R5569

No.97 Sqn

nr Brattleby

Coded OF-B. Encountered adverse weather during a 'Bulls Eye' exercise and the crew tried to land at Scampton. The pilot misjudged his first approach and while attempting to go round again, the Lancaster stalled and dived into the ground at Brattleby, 6 miles NNW of Lincoln, and burst into flames. Sgt Collings died from his injuries in Bracebridge Hospital. Sgt K.P.Mercer RCAF KIA, Sgt G.G.Plimmer KIA, F/O J.W.Marshall KIA, F/O F.Mayes KIA, F/s A.e.shelson RCAF KIA, Sgt K.V.G.Collings inj, Sgt A.E.Trott KIA.

14th November

Oxford

N6634

14 PAFU

Normanton

Overturned in forced-landing at Skegby Farm after becoming lost in poor visibility.

17th November

Lancaster 1

R5753

No.50 Sqn

Skellingthorpe

Coded VN-C. Crashed on landing during a training detail and caught fire at Skellingthorpe. Sgt A.L.Kitching.

19th November

Halifax 2

BB209

No.158 Sqn

Castle Bytham

Coded NP-G. Airborne 1739 18th Nov from Rufforth for Turin. Homebound, hit by Flak 55 km SE of Paris. Subsequently abandoned 0250 and left to crash at Stockton Hall Farm, Castle Bytham, 11 miles SSE of Grantham. Sgt Benford was an American serving in the RCAF and soon after this incident he was transferred to the USAAF. Sgt S.M.Benford RCAF, Sgt E.Heweston, Sgt R.V.Ledger, Sgt M.Smith RCAF, Sgt M.Rees, Sgt F.C.Howe, Sgt J.R.Griffen.

25th November

Lancaster 1

R5694

No.207 Sqn

Easton

Coded EM-F. Airborne 1500 25th Nov from Langar for Bad Zwischenahn. Crashed and burst into flames near Easton, 6 miles SSE of Grantham. F/L R.J.Hannah DFC KIA, Sgt P.J.Thompson (P2) KIA, F/S J.K.B.Lee KIA, Sgt B.L.McK Jenkin KIA, Sgt A.Roberts KIA, Sgt J.B.Burton KIA, Sgt E.R.D.Piper KIA, Sgt J.Sanders KIA.

26th November

Master

DK986

RAFC

Cranwell

Bounced and stalled on landing.

27th November

Lancaster 1

R5908

1661 HCU

Scampton

Airborne from Scampton at 1925 for a night flying exercise, the aircraft landed heavily from an approach at 2015, due to the pilot misjudging his height and believing he was 50 feet higher up than the aircraft's actual altitude. The impact broke the aircraft's undercarriage.

1st December

Manchester

R5836

1661 HCU

Scampton

Airborne from Scampton at 1505 for a daylight training sortie. The aircraft returned to the airfield as dusk was falling. The approach was too high, and at approximately 1710 the aircraft stalled onto the runway from an altitude of some 15 feet, damaging the airframe beyond repair.

1st December

Beaufighter

V8198

No.143 Sqn

Donna Nook

Crashed on takeoff.

4th December

Beaufighter

V8150

No.143 Sqn

North Coates

Undershot on landing.

5th December

Halifax 2

R9531

1658 CU

Scunthorpe

Airborne from Riccall for a day cross-country flight. The aircraft was seen flying quite low at around 1300hrs when it spun in after banking steeply. Around a dozen people on the ground were injured and damage was done to several civilian properties by the crash. F/S D.C. Cameron RCAF KIA, Sgt R.J Marshall KIA, F/S J.C. Macaulay KIA, Sgt C.F. Bonorino KIA, Sgt J.A. Barrett-Lennard RAAF KIA, Sgt H.G. Jenkins KIA, Sgt R.F. Pretty inj.

6th December

Master 2

W9014

RAFC

Barkston Heath

Force-landed.

6th December

Wellington

NK

NK

Digby

No details recorded. 

9th December

Hudson 1

N7404

CGS

Sutton Bridge

Crashed on takeoff.

9th December

Lancaster 1

W4250

No.57 Sqn

Woodhall Spa

Coded DX-K. Airborne at 1746 9th Dec from Scampton for Turin. It stalled and crashed 1 mile N of Woodhall Spa airfield. The injured were taken to RAF Hospital Rauceby, where Sgt McPherson and Sgt McLeod died soon after being admitted. F/S G.H.Ramey RCAF KIA, Sgt K.W.Pharoah KIA, P/O A.J.McLaughlin RCAF KIA, Sgt W.O.Lundy inj, Sgt J.F.Macpherson inj, F/S R.B.Dion RCAF KIA, Sgt T.N.McLeod injured.

10th December

Lancaster 1

W4168

No.61 Sqn

Swinderby

Coded QR-? Airborne 1747 9th Dec for Turin. On return, overshot and crashed 0235 10th Dec at Swinderby Airfield. No injuries reported. Sgt H.Goodwin, Sgt H.D.Lewis, F/SJ.W.Patterson, Sgt L.S Hampnett, Sgt G.Walker, Sgt S.Smith, Sgt T.R.Jones.

10th December

Hurricane 1

W9244

No.288 Sqn

nr Scunthorpe

Caught fire in flight, crashed.

10th December

Halifax 2

W7668

No.158 Sqn

Scampton

Coded NP-? - Not mentioned in Chorley's 1942 book.

10th December

Master 2

NK

NK

Barkston Heath

No details recorded. 

11th December

Lancaster 1

W4117

No.50 Sqn

Skellingthorpe

Coded VN-R. Aircraft crashed on training flight. This aircraft crash-landed on return to Skellingthorpe from a night cross-country. No injuries reported. There is an unconfirmed report that the aircraft was repaired and joined 44 Squadron Nov 44.

11th December

Hampden

AE425

No.106 Sqn

Woodhall Spa

Coded ZN-? Airborne 1820 11th Dec from Coningsby for Mannheim but at a height of just 40 feet the port engine cut, causing the Hampden to swing violently and crash into trees. Amazingly, there were no crew injuries. P/O Horner, Sgt Walker, Sgt Hutcheson, Sgt Porter.

13th December

Lancaster 1

W4128

1660 HCU

Scampton

Airborne from Swinderby at 1120 for dual circuit training. At 1200 the pupil pilot bounced the aircraft on touchdown. The instructor pilot raised the undercarriage after the pupil opened the throttles to go around. Unfortunately the aircraft sank back towards the runway and the port mainwheel was torn off. The pilots kept the aircraft under control and made a wheels-up landing at Scampton. The airframe was salvaged and became a ground instruction aid at 10SoTT, Kirkham with the serial 3609M.

15th December

Spitfire 5B

AD269

No.303 Sqn

Normanby-le-Wold

Crashed in bad weather.

17th December

Wellington 1

R1603

14 OTU

Harlaxton

Airborne at 2310 from Cottesmore for night flying. The aircraft force-landed at 0100 on Harlaxton airfield after engine structural failure (cylinder bracing struts failed).

18th December

Oxford

BG181

14 PAFU

Norton Disney

Aircraft abandoned after crew became lost in fog.

19th December

Wellington 4

Z1393

No.305 Sqn

Hemswell

Coded SR-W, lost control on takeoff at 1715 and skidded through a fence.

20th December

Blenheim 1

NK

NK

Barkston Heath

No details recorded. 

20th December

Wellington 3

BK180

No.150 Sqn

Kirmington

Coded JN-? Crashed at 1530 whilst the pilot was attempting to overshoot and go round for another approach after misjudging his first due to crosswinds. Sgt P.R. Hall inj, Sgt Elliott inj, Sgt Barnes inj, Sgt's Rogers and Peacock unhurt.

21st December

Lancaster 1

W4182

No.9 Sqn

Bracebridge Heath

Coded WS-B. Airborne 1815hrs 20th Dec from Waddington for Duisburg. On return collided in the circuit with a 44 Squadron Lancaster (W4259), both aircraft falling out of control into Canwick Road, Bracebridge Heath 2 miles S of Lincoln. Sgt L.C.Hazell KIA, Sgt E.A.Gardiner KIA, Sgt W.T.Miller KIA, Sgt H.T Hatley KIA, Sgt C.H.S.Brooks KIA, Sgt E.F.Sharples KIA, Sgt E.W.Walker KIA.

21st December

Lancaster 1

W4259

No.44 Sqn

Bracebridge Heath

Coded KM-P. Collided with 9 Squadron Lancaster W4182. Both aircraft had departed Waddington at 1815 for Berlin. Both aircraft fell out of control into Canwick road, Bracebridge Heath, 2 miles S of Lincoln. F/S A.C.Elgar KIA, Sgt G.D.McCready RCAF KIA, P/O V.N.Giri KIA, Sgt A.J.Easton KIA, Sgt R.I.Gunter KIA, Sgt C.Harmston KIA, Sgt E.Jackson KIA.

22nd December

Master 2

DL112

RAFC

Barkston Heath

Stalled during forced landing after engine failure.

22nd December

Master 2

DL959

RAFC

nr Digby

Landed wheels-up near the airfield after engine failure.

23rd December

Blenheim 1

L1287

12 PAFU

Harlaxton

Collided with L8721.

23rd December

Blenheim 1

L8721

12 PAFU

Harlaxton

Collided with L1287.

28th December

Lancaster 1

R5548

No.97 Sqn

Woodhall Spa

Coded OF-A. Burnt out on the ground at Woodhall spa following ignition of a photo-flash flare. No injuries to personnel reported.

29th December

P-38F Lightning

43 - 2078

82FS / 78FG

Goxhill

Damaged in a landing accident, pilot Stephan L White.

31st December

Beaufighter

X8192

No.409 Sqn

nr Gainsborough

Collided with EL184.

31st December

Beaufighter

EL184

No.409 Sqn

nr Gainsborough

Collided with X8192.