Type

1st January

Beaufighter 10

LZ440

No.236 Sqn

North Coates

Swung on takeoff in rain, ran into a pond.

1st January

Beaufighter 10

NE346

No.236 Sqn

North Coates

Lost height after takeoff and crashed.

2nd January

Lancaster 3

JB738

No.460 Sqn

Binbrook village

Coded AR-T, airborne 2330 from Binbrook for Berlin. The aircraft crashed 6 minutes after takeoff near Binbrook village. Finn gives the date as 1st, serial as JB378 Lostbombers does not list it although refers to it. F/L B.A. Knyvett DFC RAAF, KIA, Sgt R.D. Trett KIA, F/S J. Dobinson RAAF KIA, F/S J.W.A. Farthing RAAF KIA, F/S H.J. Gill RAAF KIA, P/O E.J. Ross DFM RAAF KIA, F/O C.R. Pickworth RAAF KIA.

2nd January

Lancaster 1

DV345

No.550 Sqn

Whaplode Drove

Coded BQ-? Airborne 0005 2nd Jan from Grimsby for Berlin. Took fire and crashed 0708 at whaphole Drove, 8 miles SE of Spalding. Sgt Taylor and Sgt Capel are buried in Cambridge City Cemetery; the others are buried in the UK, the Irish Republic and Melveren (St-Truiden) in Belgium. F/O de Menten de Horne, just one of a handful of Belgians serving in the RAF, having been brought here 25th Oct 49. F/O R.H.Mawle KIA, Sgt P.P.O'Meara KIA, F/O G.M.H.F.de Menten de Horne KIA, Sgt J.E.Rounding KIA, Sgt C.W.Taylor RCAF KIA, Sgt E.Skelton KIA.

3rd January

P-51B Mustang

43-12174

496 FG

Kirton Lindsey

Landing accident, no further details.

4th January

Halifax 5

EB193

1667 HCU

Faldingworth

Airborne from Faldingworth at 2012 for a night navigation exercise. During the flight, oil problems were experienced first with the starboard outer, and then whilst on approach with the port outer, which then burst into flames. Unable to reach the runway, the aircraft force-landed in a field near the airfield under the approach at 0047.

4th January

Beaufighter 10

NE226

No.254 Sqn

Donna Nook

Engine lost power, landed wheels-up in sleet at Donna Nook.

5th January

Spitfire 2

P8367

53 OTU

Kirton Lindsey

Force-landed near the airfield.

5th January

Master 1

N7416

53 OTU

North Coates

Force-landed after undercarriage jammed.

6th January

Beaufighter 10

LZ413

No.254 Sqn

nr Mablethorpe

Rolled inverted and stalled into the ground 1 mile west of Mablethorpe Hall.

7th January

Lancaster

ME574

No.44 Sqn

Dunholme Lodge

Coded KM-W. Airborne 1545 7th Jan from Dunholme Lodge. On return to base on completion of the training exercise the throttles jammed and while trying to go round again, the Lancaster crashed 1630 into a small spinney some 2 miles SW of the airfield. Sgt Welch is buried in Hull Eastern Cemetery. F/O E.Mercer, Sgt H.G.Capps, P/O V.D.Purvis, Sgt L.H.Barker, P/O A.C.Baker, Sgt W.J.Manley, Sgt W.H.Welch KIA.

7th January

Halifax 5

DG290

1662 HCU

Blyton

Airborne from Blyton at 1550 for circuit practise with 8 on board. On landing with the pupil pilot in control, the aircraft swung to a degree that the instructor could not correct and the undercarriage collapsed.

7th January

B-17F Fortress

42-29821

508 BS / 351 BG

Whaplode Drove

Mid-air structural failure, P 1st Lt Harvey J Anderson Crashed - Fatal, CP 2nd Lt Benjamin L Finnell Crashed-Broken Leg, N 2nd Lt Douglas E Webb Crashed - Fatal, B 2nd Lt William H Udick Crashed - Fatal, TT T/Sgt William F Reilly Crashed- chest injury, RO T/Sgt Domenick E Curcio Crashed - ankle injury, LWG S/Sgt Richard J Allen Crashed - Fatal, RWG S/Sgt Buddie Wolfe Crashed-Laceration Scalp, BT S/Sgt Frank H McNamara Crashed - Fatal, TG S/Sgt Leonard Edwards Crashed - Fatal.

8th January

Halifax 5

DG287

1667 HCU

Swallow

Airborne from Faldingworth at 1850 for a night cross-country flight with 6 on board. During the flight, the weather deteriorated to such a degree that the crew were ordered to divert to another airfield. By midnight, the weather was so poor that the crew were unable to ascertain their own position, and at 0125 the aircraft was abandoned, being almost out of fuel.The crew exited safely and the aircraft crashed at Swallow.

13th January

Lancaster 3

ED826

No.15 Sqn

in the Wash

Coded LS-? On a training flight. Crashed in the Wash 13 miles SW of Skegness, following an engine fire. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. F/S.W.A.Houston RCAF KIA, Sgt R.A.Andrews KIA, WO2 W.J.Hynes RCAF KIA, F/S C.W.Christie RCAF KIA, Sgt J.Johnston KIA, Sgt K.Talbot KIA, NB. These were the first casualties sustained by 15 Sqn since converting from Stirlings to Lancasters.

14th January

Lancaster 3

EE197

No.207 Sqn

Spilsby

Coded EM-N, Airborne 1647 14th Jan from Spilsby for Braunschweig. Outbound, the port outer failed and was feathered. After jettisoning part of the bomb load, the crew continued to the target where they came under sustained attack from a Fw190. Damage was inflicted on the port inner, flying controls and both turrets before the fighter was shaken off. Then a burst of Flak rendered both ailerons useless. After a difficult return flight, the Lancaster touched down at 2254 and broke up on the runway, injuring F/S Stewart. For his outstanding skill and tenacity in the face of all odds, P/O Gallagher gained an immediate DSO and F/S Stewart a DFM, both awards Gazetted 18th Feb. P/O F.W.Gallagher, F/S C.E.D.Stewart inj, W/O A.Young, F/S R.P.Scott, Sgt S.Fawcett, Sgt K.Waddington, Sgt M.Serman RCAF.

14th January

Lancaster 3

JB602

No.100 Sqn

Waltham

Coded HW-A, Airborne 1713 14th Jan from Grimsby for Braunschweig. Very severely damaged during an engagement with a Ju88 and crash-landed 2132 on return to Grimsby. Sgt Sanders was mortally wounded during the action and he is buried in South Shields (Harton) Cemetery. W/O P.R.M.Neal, Sgt R.Cull, Sgt C.Storr, Sgt R.G.Evans, Sgt H.A.T.Warner, Sgt J.Mason, Sgt T.S.Sanders KIA.

15th January

Spitfire 2

P7663

53 OTU

Hibaldstow

Undershot on landing.

15th January

Blenheim 4

T1957

1 AAS

Manby

Crashed on landing.

15th January

Wellington 10

LN707

No.300 Sqn

nr Ingham

Coded BH-R, airborne at 1837 from Ingham for mine laying off the French coast. The mines were laid from 1200 feet at 2132, and on return to base the aircraft was wrecked when it undershot on landing at 0018, coming to rest across the Lincoln road. The air bomber (unidentified in the crew list) was slightly injured in the crash.

20th January

Lancaster 3

ED698

No.207 Sqn

Spilsby

Coded EM-? Airborne 1657 20th Jan from Spilsby for Berlin and crashed almost immediately. Details pertaining to the crew are omitted from Sqn records. P/O V.J.Glann RAAF.

22nd January

Lancaster 3

ND366

No.460 Sqn

Caistor

Coded AR-?. Airborne 1958 21st Jan from Binbrook for Magdeburg. Homebound, both starboard engines cut, due to fuel starvation, and the Lancaster crashed 0314 22st Jan on Whitegate Hill near the small town of Caistor. All were injured, Sgt Allison and Sgt Norwood particularly so and both needed extensive treatment. F/S P.A.Teece RAAF inj, Sgt R.S.Hollingum inj, F/S W.McIntyre inj, Sgt J.Allison inj, F/S R.mansfield RAAF inj, Sgt P.C.Robins inj, Sgt G.T.Norwood injured.

22nd January

Halifax 2

DT693

1662 HCU

Nr Corringham

Airborne from Blyton at 2214 for night circuits and landings, but crashed at Scroggs Farm shortly after takeoff. F/S E.J. Rayner KIA, Sgt A.E. Chaffe KIA, F/S A.K. Hill RNZAF KIA, Sgt G. Brand inj, but died shortly afterwards in Blyton SSQ, Sgt A.M. Griffiths injured

25th January

Blenheim 4

L9294

12 PAFU

Spitalgate

Undercarriage collapsed in heavy landing.

26th January

P-38J Lightning

42-67492

76 FS / 20 FG

in the Wash

Crashed, Pilot Esburn D. Otis KIA.

27th January

P-51B Mustang

43-12222

355 FS / 354 FG

Goxhill

Landing accident in bad weather.

29th January

Master 2

DL192

RAFC

nr Ruskington

Spun in during aerobatic session.

29th January

Stirling 3

EF246

1660 HCU

in the Humber off North Killingholme

Coded -C, airborne from Swinderby for a combined Bullseye and a searchlight cooperation exercise. At approximately 2200, the aircraft dived in, after the pilot was possibly dazzled by searchlights and lost control after violent evasive action. F/O J.M. Greig DFC KIA, P/O V.F. Dickinson KIA, Sgt A. Spence KIA, Sgt G.J. Williams KIA, F/O E.P. Neary KIA, Sgt S. Walker KIA, Sgt D.L. Helsby KIA, F/S J.P. Hayden RAAF KIA.

29th January

Halifax 5

LL150

No.431 Sqn

off the coast

Coded SE-N, Airborne 2358 28th Jan from Croft for Berlin. Hit by flak and after reaching the Lincolnshire coast, the crew were ordered to bale out. All landed in the sea, from where four were rescued by the combined efforts of the coastal minesweepers, Property, Prospect and Varanga and taken into Grimsby. Of the three killed, WO2 Barrie and Sgt Raymond are commemorated on Panels 249 and 256 of the Runnymede Memorial. F/S Corriveau is buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery. F/S J.T.R.Corriveau RCAF KIA, Sgt G.S.Webber WO2 J.D.Barrie RCAF KIA, F/S M.J.Charlebois Sgt S.C.B.Parker Sgt J.P.Raymond RCAF KIA, Sgt R.S.Cole.

31st January

Stirling

EF232

1660 HCU

Carlton-le-Moorland

Airborne from Swinderby for a night exercise, the crew included a pupil pilot and 2 flight engineers. The aircraft crashed at 2132 shortly after takeoff. F/O J.H. Mason DFC RCAF inj, (died the following day), F/S S.E. Martin inj, (died the following day), Sgt R.H. Appleton KIA, Sgt G.B. Lamb inj, (died the following day), W/O J.B. McKnight KIA, F/O H.G. Trueman RCAF KIA, Sgt R.E. Duke KIA, Sgt H. Nelson KIA.

2nd February

Lancaster 1

W4132

1 LFS

Elsham Wolds

Undercarriage collapsed after the aircraft overran on landing. This may have been a minor accident or may have slipped through the net, as this crash does not appear in Chorley's HCU crashes book in either the HCU section (aircraft was previously assigned to 1667 HCU) or the LFS section, which starts 13th Mar.

2nd February

Proctor 1

P6229

1 RS

nr Grantham

Spun in.

3rd February

Blenheim 1

L8727

12 PAFU

Harlaxton

Crashed on landing.

4th February

P-47C Thunderbolt

41-6193

2 GTTF / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Landing accident, pilot Wayne E. Dowming.

5th February

Spitfire 2

P8320

AFDU

Kirmington

Overshot on emergency landing.

5th February

Halifax 2

W7781

1662 HCU

Blyton

Whilst attempting takeoff at 2135 from Blyton, the aircraft swung violently and ground-looped, shearing the undercarriage in the process.

7th February

Halifax 2

V9983

1662 HCU

Haxey

Airborne from Blyton at 2013 for night circuits and landings. Crashed at approx 2018 after losing control during evasive action to avoid a mid-air collision. The aircraft impacted near the East Lound - Craizelound road. F/S W.H.A. Daly RAAF KIA, Sgt T.R. Davison KIA, Sgt L.N. Singer KIA, Sgt J.E.G. Nowlan KIA, Sgt R.J. Payne KIA, Sgt H.R. Freeman KIA.

8th February

Spitfire

NK

NK

Kirmington

No details recorded. 

12th February

Lancaster 1

W4119

No.50 Sqn

nr East Kirkby

Coded VN-Q. Airborne 1510 12th Feb from Skellingthorpe for a fighter affiliation exercise. during the course of the sortie, a fire broke out in the port outer engine and the order to bale out was given. Before all could comply, part of the outer section of the port main-plane broke off and the Lancaster spun and crashed 1555 12th Feb near East Kirkby Airfield. Sgt Puddock is buried in Cambridge City Cemetery, while the others who were killed were taken to their home towns for burial. F/L M.J.Beetham, P/O D.A.Jennings RAAF, Sgt E.D.Moore KIA, F/O Swinyard, F/S Bartlett, Sgt R.Payne, Sgt Higgins, Sgt F.C.Ball KIA, Sgt H.G.Puddock KIA, Sgt C.King KIA, Sgt Payne draws attention to the fact, that his Skipper, F/L Beetham, became ACM Sir Michael Beetham GCB CBE DFC ADC. Chief of Air Staff. F/S Bartlett was to be the sole survivor, albeit injured, whilst serving with No.186 Sqn 4/5 Apr 45. See RA533.

14th February

P-38 Lightning

40-773

27 ATG

South Lincs

Crashed in bad weather, exact location not recorded,pilot K.A. Maloney KIA.

15th February

P-38 Lightning

42-67500

496 FG

nr Goxhill

Force-landed 3 miles north of the airfield. Pilot Ernest R. Wilson.

16th February

Lancaster 3

ED655

No.619 Sqn

Old Bolingbroke

Coded PG-? Loaned to 619 Sqn, Berlin 15/16 Feb aircraft crashed whilst attempting to land at Coningsby on return. Squadron ORB states, visibility poor on return to base, and after overshooting due to another aircraft being slow to clear, it made another circuit at 700 feet. When coming into the funnel it hit the ground, the rear-gunner being severely injured and the aircraft wrecked. The rest of the crew suffered minor injuries. P/O K.Roberts (RAAF), Sgt J.F.J.Forrest, Sgt J.Lott, Sgt DeVeill, Sgt J.H.Tucker, Sgt L.E.Williams, Sgt L.F.Virgo.

16th February

Lancaster 3

JB534

No.106 Sqn

Timberland Fen

Coded ZN-? Airborne 1720 15th Feb from Metheringham for Berlin. On return to base crashed 0010 16th Feb, while avoiding another Lancaster on Timberland Fen near the Lincolnshire villages of Timberland and Martin, some 11 miles SW of Horncastle. Sgt Hills died that same day from his grievous injuries. Those killed were buried in their home towns. F/O R.W.Dickerson KIA, Sgt G.H.Boffey KIA, F/O R.H.Lewis KIA, F/S F.O.W.Pauley KIA, Sgt W.C.Hills inj, Sgt B.Krukowski RCAF inj, F/O W.H.C.Ramsay injured.

19th February

Blenheim 1

L8371

12 PAFU

Harlaxton

Crashed on landing.

19th February

Halifax 5

DG314

1667 HCU

Sandtoft

Airborne from Sandtoft at 2215 for night flying practise. At 2245 whilst accelerating along the runway to go around for another circuit, the port tyre exploded. Despite attempted corrective action by the pilot, the aircraft left the runway and the undercarriage collapsed.

20th February

Lancaster 3

JB530

No.103 Sqn

Elsham Wolds

Coded PM-? Airborne 2322 19th Feb from Elsham Wolds for Leipzig. On return to Base and while preparing to land, collided with another aircraft from the Sqdn (ND334). Despite the damage caused, F/S Gumbrell managed to crash-land without serious injury to his crew. F/S H.Gumbrell, Sgt T.V.Shaw, F/O H.J.Hearn, Sgt F.G.F Osborne, F/S J.Seward, Sgt D.W.Evans, Sgt R.A.Boulton.

20th February

Lancaster 3

ND334

No.103 Sqn

Elsham Wolds

Coded PM-? Airborne 2350 19th Feb from Elsham Wolds for Leipzig. On return to base, collided in the air with another Sqn Lanc, (see JB530), and crashed. Of those killed, two were taken to nearby Brigg Cemetery, F/O Fuller was buried in Cambridge City Cemetery, while two were taken back to their home towns. Sgt Gunn's brother, Davod, also died on Active Service. W/O J.C.Warnes inj, Sgt D.H.J.Cunningham KIA, F/O R.H.Fuller KIA, F/S C.Bagshaw KIA, Sgt E.S.Gunn KIA, Sgt S.Clapham inj, Sgt A.O.Haines KIA.

20th February

Lancaster 3

ND563

No.630 Sqn

East Kirkby

Coded LE-? Started the take-off run at 2340 20th Feb for Stuttgart but swung out of control and after crashing through the boundary fence the Lancaster ran over the Stickney road and lost its undercarriage. Moments late the bomb load exploded. P/O Murray and Sgt Wallbey are buried in Cambridge City Cemetery, while Sgt Remole is buried in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery. Sgt Davies was not badly hurt. P/O E.J.Murray KIA, Sgt F.Westhead KIA, Sgt P.G.Mottram KIA, F/O H.K.Battye KIA, Sgt K.J.Wallbey KIA, Sgt D.W.Remole RCAF KIA, Sgt W.Davies KIA.

21st February

Lancaster 3

ND419

No.460 Sqn

North Witham

Coded AR-? Airborne 2330 20th Feb from Binbrook for Stuttgart. On return encountered near blizzard conditions and while trying to establish their position, the Lancaster flew into trees just to the south of North Witham, 9 miles S of Grantham. The RAAF crew members are buried in Cambridge City Cemetery. F/O F.A.Cleveland RAAF KIA, Sgt P.D.Rawson KIA, P/O G.A.Grant RAAF KIA, F/S E.H.Lawrie RAAF KIA, F/S A.G.Young RAAF KIA, Sgt J.E.McCarthy KIA, F/S J.A.Dietman RAAF KIA.

21st February

Lancaster 3

ND498

No.49 Sqn

Fiskerton

Coded EA-? Airborne at 0007 from Fiskerton for Stuttgart, but swung on takeoff run. The aircraft caught fire, and the crew escaped unhurt before it exploded.

21st February

CG-4A Hadrian

42-77432

73 TCS / 434 TCG

Fulbeck

Takeoff accident, Pilot Leon C. Doelger.

21st February

C-47 Dakota

42-100507

73 TCS / 434 TCG

Fulbeck

Takeoff accident, no further details.

21st February

C-47 Dakota

42-24039

73 TCS / 434 TCG

Fulbeck

Takeoff accident, no further details.

22nd February

Halifax 2

BB213

1662 HCU

Blyton

Airborne 1430 from Blyton for a Gee training sortie. On return to Blyton at 1605, the aircraft bounced on touchdown, and on the second contact with the runway the undercarriage collapsed.

23rd February

Master 2

DL893

RAFC

nr Swineshead

Lost control and dived in 0.5 miles west of Swineshead.

23rd February

Oxford

LW992

RAFC

nr Market Rasen

Hit a tree whilst undertaking bombing training, crashed 4 miles east-southeast of Market Rasen, possibly near Sixhills.

23rd February

Beaufighter 10

NE201

No.236 Sqn

off North Coates

Dived into the sea after takeoff on an anti-shipping sweep, 2 Killed.

24th February

Lancaster 1

ME641

No.166 Sqn

Kirmington

Coded AS-B. Airborne 2000 24th Feb from Kirmington for Schweinfurt but collided in the air with a No.460 Sqn Lancaster (JB547) out of Binbrook, and crashed 2220 near Bully Hill, Market Rasen. Sgt Connolly died the next day from his injuries. Along with the other Canadian, he is buried in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery. P/O A.H.Hullah KIA, Sgt J.Oldfield, WO2 G.A.Andrews RCAF KIA, F/O R.J.Barton RCAF, Sgt A.J.Wolfe KIA, Sgt T.L.Connolly RCAF inj, Sgt W.P.Martin KIA.

24th February

Lancaster 3

JB547

No.460 Sqn

Kirmington

Coded AR-? On a training flight, collided with ME641.

24th February

Halifax 2

BB365

1662 HCU

Blyton

Airborne 1725 for a night cross-country exercise. The aircraft was returning to base after problems with the port inner engine when the starboard inner engine failed on approach. The pilot elected to make a wheels-up landing on the airfield at 2245, and action which was endorsed and praised by his commanding officer.

24th February

Beaufighter 11

JM172

No.143 Sqn

off North Coates

Hit an airfield hut on takeoff and ditched.

24th February

Lancaster 3

LM335

No.166 Sqn

Kirmington

Coded AS-O, Started take-off 2000 24th Feb from Kirmington for Schweinfurt but swung to port and ended up in a field 500 yards from the runway. No crew injuries, though the Lancaster was assessed as beyond economical repair and SOC. Sgt G.D.Jones, Sgt H.T.Gregory, F/O R.D.Crone RCAF, F/O G.C.Neville RCAF, Sgt J.McGuire, Sgt B.T.williams, Sgt C.E.Mayne.

24th February

P-38 Lightning

42-67761

385 FS / 364 FG

New Leake

Crashed at a crossroads near the village. Pilot Harold E. Brown KIA.

25th February

Halifax 2

W7866

1662 HCU

Laughton

Airborne 2144 from Blyton for the pilot's first night solo,and circuits/landing practise. Aircraft climbed out normally until it reached 500 feet, then dived steeply into a wheat stack, bursting into flames on impact. No fault was found on the aircraft by investigators. Sgt K. Walmsley KIA, Sgt M.A. Bowles KIA, Sgt C.T. James KIA, Sgt F.N. Bower KIA.

26th February

Lancaster 1

W4815

No.207 Sqn

Spilsby

Coded EM-C. Airborne 1842 25th Feb from Spilsby for Augsburg. Overshot on return to Spilsby and crashed with great force. Sgt Wright was buried in Cambridge City Cemetery, while the rest are buried in their home towns. It is noted that P.O Derbyshire came from the county of that name and is buried in Glossop Cemetery. P/O J.E.Derbyshire KIA, Sgt G.Cannock KIA, F/S Cooke KIA, Sgt C.T.L.Clement KIA, Sgt G.E.Wright KIA, Sgt J.S.Barker KIA, Sgt J.W.Linfoot KIA, In Feb 43 this Lancaster had been damaged during the operation to Lorient 13/14 Feb when the tail-gunner, Sgt T.Bown was killed. He is buried in Bramley (St.Peter) Churchyard, Leeds.

29th February

Halifax 2

JD386

1666 HCU

Broughton

Coded -T, airborne 1230 from Wombleton for a daytime navigation sortie. Lost control at high altitude, possibly due to rudder stall, witnesses stated that the pilot appeared to be using differential throttle to try to recover control. At 800 feet, the aircraft went into a spiral dive and crashed nr Bridge Farm. P/O J. Sigurdson RCAF KIA, Sgt R.T.G. Loughrin KIA, F/O G.L. Muskett RCAF KIA, F/O J.B. Eaton RCAF KIA, WO1 J.M. Healey RCAF KIA, Sgt F.E. Wilts RCAF KIA, Sgt P. Zayets RCAF KIA.

3rd March

Halifax 3

LW649

No.76 Sqn

nr Scunthorpe

Coded MP-B, airborne from Holme-on-Spalding Moor with a full bombload. The rudder controls stiffened in flight, resulting in a loss of control and a steep dive. The aircraft broke up in the dive and the aircraft crashed at 1615. No record of crew casualties - Pilot recorded as P/O G.H. Smith.

3rd March

Spitfire 5

EE617

No.443 Sqn

Digby

Overturned on takeoff.

5th March

Spitfire 1

X4771

53 OTU

Hibaldstow

Pilot passed out on approach, aircraft undershot and overturned.

5th March

Master 3

W8641

53 OTU

Hibaldstow

Crashed on landing.

7th March

Halifax 5

EB184

1667 HCU

nr Craizelound

Coded GG-D, airborne 1835 from Sandtoft for general night flying. Collided with HR657 over Misson bombing range, aircraft crashed nr Craizelound. Sgt P.A. Street KIA, Sgt H. Russon KIA, Sgt A. Fox KIA, F/O E.G. Bayer RCAF KIA, Sgt H.W. Green KIA, Sgt L.F. Woods KIA, Sgt J.W. Henderson KIA, Sgt W.N. Farrell KIA.

7th March

Halifax 2

HR657

1662 HCU

nr Craizelound

Airborne 1800 from Blyton for a night navigation exercise, crew attached from 300 (Polish) Sqn. During the flight, the aircraft collided with EB184 over Misson bombing range, and crashed nr Craizelound. F/O Z. Ingling PAF KIA, Sgt B. Kot PAF KIA, F/O K. Lenartowicz PAF KIA, F/O H.J. Jarnicki PAF KIA, Sgt G. Liskiewicz PAF KIA, Sgt A. Loksza PAF KIA, Sgt B. Machulak PAF KIA.

7th March

Lancaster 3

JA687

No.460 Sqn

Binbrook

Coded AR-? Destroyed by the explosion from ME646's bomb accident.

7th March

Lancaster 1

ME646

No.460 Sqn

Binbrook

Coded AR-? Bomb exploded on loading, destroying the aircraft and also JA687.

8th March

Spitfire 1

P9380

53 OTU

Hibaldstow

Overran on landing.

9th March

Halifax 5

DJ998

1667 HCU

Belton Park

Coded GG-E, Airborne from sandtoft at 1330 for dual circuits and landings. Spun in at 1335 from 700 feet and burst into flames as it impacted. F/O S. Burton DFC KIA, P/O E.J. Patterson RNZAF KIA, Sgt G.R. Marshall KIA, Sgt R.G. Williams KIA, Sgt J. MacMillan-Clarke KIA, Sgt D. StClair KIA, Sgt D.R.W. Hall KIA, Sgt A. Forsyth KIA.

10th March

Spitfire 1

N3163

53 OTU

Hibaldstow

Crashed on landing.

13th March

Stirling

EF463

1660 HCU

Swinderby

Coded TV-D- Airborne at 2235 from Swinderby for a night conversion exercise. Returned to Swinderby at 0200 with the port outer engine unserviceable, and landed heavily on the starboard wheel, causing the aircraft to bounce back into the air, swing to the left and touch down again with sufficient force to collapse the undercarriage.

14th March

Master 3

W8952

53 OTU

Kirton Lindsey

Crashed on takeoff

14th March

Stirling

EF120

1660 HCU

Norton Disney

Airborne from Swinderby at 1315 for conversion training. The aircraft descended from 11000 feet with the starboard outer engine feathered (it is not stated whether this was due to a problem or part of the exercise) but overshot the runway at Swinderby and crash-landed near Norton Disney at 1615.

14th March

Blenheim 1

L6745

12 PAFU

Spitalgate

Crashed on approach.

14th March

Blenheim 4

Z5973

1 AAS

Manby

Crashed on landing.

15th March

Halifax 2

W1212

1662 HCU

Blyton

On takeoff for a training sortie at 2025 from Blyton, the aircraft swung slightly. One wheel left the runway and hit a ditch, ripping the undercarriage off and damaging the aircraft beyond repair.

16th March

Lancaster 3

ED606

No.463 Sqn

Branston

Coded JO-E. Airborne 1924 15th Mar from Waddington for Stuttgart. While returning to Waddington was involved in a mid-air collision with a 625 Sqn Lancaster (ND637), both aircraft falling near Branston, 4 miles SE of Lincoln. P/O Grahem and his fellow Australian, F/S Humphreys, are buried in Cambridge City Cemetery. The others were taken to their home towns. P/O W.A.Graham RAAF KIA, Sgt D.M.A Munro KIA, Sgt J.A.Coates KIA, Sgt J.G.B.Jameson KIA, Sgt H.A.Baxter KIA, Sgt T.H.Jones KIA, F/S A.S.Humphreys RAAF KIA.

16th March

Lancaster 3

ND637

No.625 Sqn

Branston

Coded CF-L. Airborne 1908 15th Mar from Kelstern for Stuttgart. While returning to base was involved in a mid-air collision with a 463 Sqn Lancaster (ED606), both aircraft crashing near Branston, 4 miles S of Lincoln. The three RCAF men were taken to Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery; Sgt Aiston, a South African married to Jean aiston of whitburn in County Durham,, is buried in Lincoln (Newport) Cemetery. The rest were taken to their home towns. F/S F.G.Hodgkins KIA, Sgt N.S.Allan KIA, F/S A.J.D.Fox RCAF KIA, Sgt A.E.R.Ward KIA, Sgt A.Smith KIA, Sgt J.McD McIntyre KIA, Sgt H.E.Chapman KIA.

18th March

Halifax 2

DT485

1662 HCU

Blyton Village

Airborne at 1130 from Blyton for a training sortie with 8 on board. At 1405 the aircraft overshot the runway and the flight engineer discovered that the undercarriage would not retract. Due to this and having full flap deployed, the aircraft lost height rapidly and force-landed near Blyton village.

18th March

Halifax 5

DG270

1662 HCU

Blyton

Airborne 2048 from Blyton for dual circuits and landings at night. At 2055 the trainee pilot misjudged his rate of descent, touched down and bounced back into the air. The instructor pilot could not open the throttles fast enough to prevent airspeed decaying, and the aircraft stalled onto the runway, bursting the port tyre in the process and collapsing the undercarriage.

19th March

Blenheim 5

AZ966

12 PAFU

Spitalgate

Overshot and crashed.

19th March

Halifax 5

EB149

1667 HCU

nr Crowle

Coded GG-C, airborne from Sandtoft for a night cross-country sortie. The starboard outer engine overheated in flight and was shut down. Shortly before 0024, the pilot was on final approach to Sandtoft with the starboard outer engine feathered when he flew into a pylon line and crashed heavily near Crowle. P/O J. Hetherington inj, Sgt D.C. Orme inj, F/O W.B. Handy RCAF KIA, Sgt R.C.A. Rollo RCAF KIA, Sgt D.A. Edwards KIA, Sgt E. Crossthwaite KIA, Sgt E.R.H. Hynes injured.

19th March

He177

6N+OK

KG100

off Skegness

Shot down by 307 Sqn Mosquito, 6 Killed.

19th March

Do217

U5+RL

KG2

Legbourne

Shot down by 264 Sqn Mosquito.

21st March

Spitfire 5B

AB897

No.402 Sqn

Digby

Collided with AB880 in formation - aircraft damaged but survived.

21st March

Spitfire 5B

AB880

No.402 Sqn

Digby

Collided with AB897 in formation.

24th March

Oxford

ED182

No.139 Sqn

nr Grantham

Force-landed after becoming lost.

25th March

Havoc 3 (Turbinlite)

AL458

304 FTU

nr Keisby

No further details.

25th March

Halifax 5

DG293

1667 HCU

Sandtoft

Coded GG-MAirborne 1945 from Sandtoft for a night exercise, during which the port outer engine failed necessitating a return to base. Having touched down safely at 0105, the aircraft overran the flarepath, and the pilot was forced to swing the aircraft violently from its course to avoid a hangar. Seconds later, the aircraft hit EB144 which was parked on its dispersal.

25th March

Halifax 5

EB144

1667 HCU

Sandtoft

Coded -A Hit whilst parked on dispersal by DG293.

25th March

Beaufighter 10

JM338

No.254 Sqn

nr Manby

Force-landed wheels-up after engine failure.

26th March

Blenheim 4

T1848

1 AAS

Manby

Crashed on landing.

26th March

Mosquito 4

DZ388

1655 MTU

nr Billingborough

Airborne from Warboys at 1908 for an operational training sortie. Spun in and crashed at 1930 at Aslackby Farm nr Billingborough. The inquiry considered that the pilot flew into a situation that was to prove his undoing in conditions bordering on instrument flying rules. S/L V. Allport DFC RNZAF KIA, F/L T.W. Matthews KIA.

26th March

Halifax 2

W1246

1662 HCU

Blyton

Airborne from Blyton at 1645 for night and dusk training. At 2245 whilst accelerating down the runway, the port tyre burst, and the aircraft veered off the runway before the pilots could control it, causing the undercarriage to collapse, damaging the aircraft beyond repair.

27th March

Lancaster 3

ND402

No.103 Sqn

Elsham Wolds

Coded PM-? Airborne 1951 26th Mar from Elsham Wolds for Essen. Turned back with engine trouble. On touchdown at 0005 27th Mar at Elsham, the brakes failed and the Lancaster veered from the runway, losing its undercarriage in the process. a fire broke out but there were no injuries. Sadly, this entire crew were to lose their lives 11/12 May in JB733 F/S R.Whitley, Sgt W.C.Benstead, WO2 J.A.Carter RCAF, F/S R.B.webb, Sgt P.N.Crutchfield, Sgt J.W.Smith, Sgt K.M.Martin.

27th March

Halifax 5

DG305

1667 HCU

Sandtoft

Coded GG-D, on takeoff from Sandtoft at 0023 for night circuit practise the aircraft swung off the runway and the undercarriage collapsed. The same pilot also wrecked DG307 on 31st Mar when it swung off the runway whilst doing circuits and landings.

28th March

Lancaster 3

LM432

No.9 Sqn

nr Horsington

Coded WS-O. On a transit flight. Airborne 1900 29th Mar from Manston. Crashed at Fir Grove Farm near Poolham Hall, Horncastle. Weather conditions in the area were described as very poor with limited visibility. P/O Porter, a First Class Diploma Student from Wimbledon Technical School, is buried in Sutton and Cheam (Cuddington) Cemetery. His crew, who are not identified, escaped injury, but an unnamed passenger is reported to have been killed. P/O K.L.Porter KIA.

30th March

Lancaster 1

W4933

No.50 Sqn

Skellingthorpe

Coded VN-? Started the take-off 2215 30th Mar from Skellingthorpe for Nuremburg but a tyre burst and the Lancaster skidded out of control and was so severely damaged that it was eventually SOC. No injuries. F/S G.C.Bucknell RAAF. It is reported that this Lancaster had been funded from part of Andover's magnificent total of 232,787 raised in a Wings for Victory campaign. When lost it had completed 47 operational sorties.

30th March

Proctor 3

DX240

1 RS

Cranwell

No details recorded. 

30th March

Halifax 2

W7846

1662 HCU

Blyton

Coded - B2, at 0029 the aircraft's Aldis lamp failed whilst taxying at Blyton, and the aircraft ran off the perimeter track into a ditch and was wrecked.

30th March

Martinet 1

JN646

53 OTU

Hibaldstow

Stalled on approach and spun in.

30th March

P-38 Lightning

42-67517

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Crashed on takeoff, pilot Robert J. Rubel.

31st March

P-51B Mustang

43-12195

555 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Landing accident, pilot Philip M.N. McHugh.

31st March

Halifax 5

DG307

1667 HCU

Sandtoft

Airborne from Sandtoft at 2248 for a solo night flight with 5 crew onboard. After 5 successful circuits, the aircraft swung violently on touching the runway on the 6th and ended up on the grass with broken undercarriage. The same pilot also wrecked DG305 on 27/Mar/44 when the aircraft swung off the runway on takeoff.

1st April

Halifax 5

DG355

1667 HCU

Sandtoft

Coded - G, Swung on takeoff from Sandtoft at 1804, undercarriage collapsed after pilot over-corrected.

1st April

P-51B Mustang

43-12210

555 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Forced landing, pilot Wayne W. James.

2nd April

Beaufighter 10

LZ416

No.254 Sqn

Donna Nook

Landed wheels-up after being hit by flak during a convoy attack.

3rd April

Lancaster 1

L7540

5 LFS

Waddington

Overshot on landing according to Hancock, who quotes the date as 15th Apr. Chorley gives the date as 3rd Apr, aircraft code as RC-U, and states that it was reported to have been DBR in an unspecified ground accident, subsequently allocated 4092M, no accident card has been traced.

8th April

Halifax 5

DG386

1667 HCU

Epworth

Airborne at 0120 from Sandtoft for the pilot's first night solo on type. At 0135 whilst flying at 600 feet the port outer engine failed due to a fractured tappet. The aircraft was brough back under control by stopping the starboard outer engine, and the aircraft turned to port and force-landed in a field at Epworth. P/O D.W. Lee RNZAF injured.

8th April

Master 3

W8631

53 OTU

Hibaldstow

Undercarriage collapsed on landing.

8th April

Lancaster 1

R5672

1 LFS

nr Caistor

Airborne from Hemswell on an air test, crashed at approx 1700 having been seen diving steeply from approx 1000 feet. Destruction was so great that the cause of the accident was not ascertainable by the investigators. Given the non-aircrew status of 5 of those on board, it must be assumed that they were groundcrew who had been invited along on the flight as a 'jolly'. Noteworthy are the rank of the pilot and the presence onboard of an ATA pilot. W/C E.F.K. Campling DSO DFC KIA, 2nd Officer T. Whittall(ATA) KIA, Sgt T.D. Regan KIA, LAC R.P. Freer KIA, AC1 T. King KIA, AC1 H. Quinton KIA, AC1 A.H. Spiller KIA, AC1 E.R. Steventon KIA, AC2 G.V.F. Killick KIA.

8th April

C-47 Dakota

42-100922

97 TCS / 440 TCG

Bottesford

Accident on take-off run, pilot Bob W. Turner.

9th April

Blenheim 5

AZ964

12 PAFU

Harlaxton

Hit a fence after aborting takeoff.

9th April

Lancaster 1

ME727

No.460 Sqn

nr Binbrook

Coded AR-X2. Airborne 2124 9th Apr from Binbrook to bomb the railway yards at Villeneuve-St-Georges, but crashed six minutes later into Scallows Wood, roughly 5 miles E of Binbrook. The four Australian crew members and both Air Gunners are buried in Cambridge City Cemetery. Sgt Barber is buried in Acock's Green (St Mary) Churchyard. He was 35 years of age. P/O W.D.McKenzie RAAF KIA, Sgt S.Barber KIA, F/S W.D.Weekes RAAF KIA, F/S B.J.J.Simpson RAAF KIA, F/S R. Mansfield RAAF KIA, Sgt J.L.Crouch KIA, Sgt J.S.Pyne KIA.

10th April

Lancaster 3

ND407

No.625 Sqn

Kelstern

Coded CF-? Lost on a training flight.

10th April

Lancaster 3

EE200

No.166 Sqn

nr Kirmington

Coded AS-F, Take-off 2311 10th Apr at Kirmington tasked to bomb railway yards at Aulnoye, but crashed almost immediately. The wreckage caught fire, but all the crew members got clear of the wreckage before the bombload exploded. P/O D.C. Gibbons, Sgt L.A.Lewis, Sgt T.F.Millett, Sgt C.T.Rose, Sgt R.F.Scott, Sgt E.Ashton, Sgt M.R.Walsh.

10th April

Lancaster 3

ND820

No.635 Sqn

nr Bicker

Coded F2-W, caught fire in the air on a training sortie and crashed, 7 Killed.

10th April

Beaufighter 10

NE480

304 FTU

Denton

Engine failed after takeoff, aircraft force-landed.

10th April

P-38 Lightning

42-67225

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Landed wheels-up after engine failure, pilot Edward M. Bate.

10th April

P-38 Lightning

42-67815

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Louth Park

Crashed after engine failure, pilot Emanuel Levin.

10th April

P-38 Lightning

42-67207

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Taxying accident – pilot Arthur Marcus.

10th April

P-38 Lightning

42-67524

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Taxying accident – pilot NK.

11th April

P-38 Lightning

42-66718

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Ground accident – no further details.

11th April

P-38 Lightning

42-67682

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Ground accident – no further details.

11th April

Blenheim 1

K7089

12 PAFU

Spitalgate

Undercarriage collapsed whilst taxying.

11th April

B-17 Fortress

42-38131

304 BS / 305 BG

Grimsby (Waltham?)

Coded WF-A, named 'Bertie Lee'. Crash-landed on return from Stettin after being severely damaged by fighters. SOC. Crash report does not appear on the AAIR listing.

12th April

Stirling

LJ450

1654 HCU

Hilltop Farm, Caythorpe

Airborne from Wigsley for a long night navigation and bombing exercise at the Bassingham ranges. Whilst in the range area, shot down at 0125 by Me410 intruder thought to be from 2/KG51. Aircraft crashed at Hilltop Farm, Caythorpe. The farmer, Mr Theaker, erected a memorial at the crash site. Of the 8 crew on board, 4 were killed: F/S J.J.G. Nicholson, Sgt J.E. Lowe, Sgt G.J. Lewis, Sgt K.L. MacFarlane.

12th April

Mosquito 6

LR266

60 OTU

nr Grantham

Damaged by an intruder during a night navigation exercise. aircraft abandoned, crashed near Grantham.

13th April

Wellington 3

DF598

22 OTU

Sandtoft

Airborne from Wellesbourne Mountford for a night-flying sortie. The aircraft crash-landed at 2237 following fire in the starboard engine.

15th April

Spitfire 2

P7667

53 OTU

Faldingworth

Force-landed.

18th April

Lancaster 3

JB662

No.460 Sqn

Binbrook

Started the take-off roll at 2226 from Binbrook for Rouen but swung out of control and crashed. A fire developed and before the blaze could be brought under control there was an explosion and the Lancaster was wrecked. No crew injuries. Note: 460 Sqn Records omit details of this loss and the information reported here has been taken from the Accident Record Card. Although 460 Sqn visited Rouen on this date, it also fulfilled a Gardening sortie. W/O R.H.White RAAF.

18th April

P-38 Lightning

42-67870

554 FTS / 496 FTG

nr Goxhill

Crashed 2 miles north of the airfield, possibly at Goxhill Haven, pilot John M. Kiefer KIA.

19th April

Lancaster 1

ME734

No.625 Sqn

nr Kelstern

Coded CF-J, Airborne 2216 18th Apr from Kelstern to attack the railway yards at Rouen. Shot down by an Intruder near Kelstern on return. Two were buried in Cambridge City Cemetery, while P/O Cosgrove was taken to Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery, where so many of his countrymen are buried. The other were taken to their home towns. P/O J.P.Cosgrove RCAF KIA, Sgt A.Bennett KIA, F/S R.A.Mercer KIA, Sgt G.E.Jeeves KIA, Sgt C.Williams KIA, Sgt C.J.Page KIA, Sgt D.H.Beechey KIA, This was the first operation for this aircraft.

20th April

Halifax 1

L9613

1662 HCU

Blyton

Airborne 1356 from Blyton but after climbing to 200 feet both outer engines failed, with the port outer catching fire. The aircraft successfully force-landed.

20th April

Beaufighter 10

NE771

No.143 Sqn

off North Coates

Crashed in the sea off the airfield during a practise bombing exercise.

21st April

Beaufighter 11

JL879

No.143 Sqn

off North Coates

Crashed in the sea off the airfield during a low-level bombing exercise.

21st April

Beaufighter 10

JM333

No.254 Sqn

nr North Coates

Landed wheels-up on the beach near the airfield after engine failure.

21st April

C-47 Dakota

43-15183

15 TCS / 61 TCG

Barkston Heath

Taxying accident, pilot Lawrence C. McMurtry.

22nd April

Lancaster 1

LL834

No.550 Sqn

off Donna Nook

Coded BQ-K. Lost on a training flight, both starboard engines failed, aircraft ditched north of Donna Nook.

22nd April

Stirling

EF498

1660 HCU

nr Eagle

Coded -P. Airborne 2203 from Swinderby for a night navigation sortie. At 0358 whilst circling and preparing to land, the aircraft collided with EH926 and crashed north of Morton Hall. P/O A.M. Lees KIA, Sgt T. Mitchell KIA, Sgt J.E. Rowley KIA, F/O M.P. O'Keefe KIA, Sgt P.B. Illingworth KIA, Sgt L. Burman KIA, Sgt N.H.B. Garrity RCAF KIA, Sgt A.L. Stoneham RCAF KIA.

22nd April

Stirling

EH926

1660 HCU

nr Eagle

Coded -T. Airborne 2103 from Wigsley for a night navigation sortie. At 0358 whilst circling and preparing to land, the aircraft collided with EF498 and crashed north of Morton Hall. P/O G.R. Jeans KIA, Sgt R.V. Searle KIA, Sgt J.G. Case KIA, Sgt J.W. Willies KIA, Sgt A.J.G. King KIA, Sgt L. Allen KIA, Sgt A.D. Short KIA.

22nd April

Spitfire 2

P7553

53 OTU

Kirton Lindsey

Force-landed near the airfield.

22nd April

Spitfire 2

P7554

53 OTU

Kirton Lindsey

Force-landed near the airfield following engine failure.

22nd April

Halifax 5

DK186

1667 HCU

Sandtoft

Coded -A2. Taxying at Sandtoft at 0310, the undercarriage collapsed when aircraft swung off the taxiway and ran into a deep ditch.

22nd April

Mosquito 4

DZ478

No.627 Sqn

nr Woodhall Spa

Dived in on approach to the airfield.

22nd April

Halifax 2

HR668

1662 HCU

Blyton

Airborne 2220 from Blyton for night circuits and landings. At 2230 the aircraft landed with undercarriage retracted. The pilots and flight engineer all testified that the undercarriage indicators showed that the gear was in the down position.

22nd April

Lancaster 1

LL883

No.9 Sqn

Bardney

Coded WS-C, Started take-off run from Bardney at 2328 22nd Apr for Braunschweig (Brunswick), but swung out of control, crashed and caught fire. Later the bomb load exploded, wrecking the Lancaster. As a result of this accident, from which the crew escaped unhurt, fourteen aircraft waiting to depart for Brunswick had to be withdrawn from the operation. P/O G.F.Maule, Sgt T.S.Brickley, F/O L.B.Connery RCAF, F/S G.e.Ridley RCAF, Sgt J.M.Smith, Sgt H.Harvey, Sgt G.Charlesworth.

23rd April

Albemarle ST2

V1610

42 OTU

Kirton Fen

Shot down either by night intruder or Coningsby AA fire, 3 Killed.

24th April

Mosquito 12

HK168

No.307 Sqn

Coleby Grange

Crashed on takeoff.

24th April

Lancaster 3

JB556

No.630 Sqn

East Kirkby

Coded LE-? Airborne 2054 24th Apr from East Kirkby for Munich but the port inner engine burst into flames. Showing commendable skill, P/O Bailey managed to get the Lancaster into the air and then flew round the circuit before crash-landing five minutes later on the perimeter track. A fire broke out and the crew were dragged clear through the combined efforts of the Station Commander, G/C Taafe OBE, the Senior Medical Officer, S/L Elliott, F/L Nelson and the crash-rescue team. P/O R.W.Bailey Sgt H.Allwright KIA, F/S C.Richardson Sgt J.Henderson Sgt J.Cable Sgt H.Lindsay Sgt M.Murton.

25th April

Blenheim 1

K7155

12 PAFU

Spitalgate

Landed with wheels retracted in error.

25th April

Halifax 2

BB383

1662 HCU

nr Blyton

Airborne 1825 from Blyton for an air test but crashed 1 mile from the airfield after engine failure on takeoff. The aircraft struck a tree in the final seconds of flight, 2 crew injured, the remainder unhurt. Injured were: P/O R.J. Bunten DFC and Cpl D. Eyre. The 'crew' appears to have mainly consisted of groundcrew on a 'jolly' as apart from the pilot and flight engineer, there were 2 Corporals, 1 AC2 and a WAAF LACW making up the complement onboard.

25th April

Lancaster 3

ND638

No.103 Sqn

Elsham Wolds

Airborne 2146 24th Apr from Elsham Wolds for Karlsruhe. Hit by incendiaries over the target area, causing F/O Legget to lose control. The order to bale out was given and F/O Apostilides left the aircraft. Before anyone else could follow, the pilot recovered the situation and cancelled his order. Base was reached and landed at 0354 25th Apr without further incident. a technical inspection, however, revealed extensive damage and the Lancaster was reduced to spares and scrap. F/O T.G.Leggett, Sgt W.A.Edwards, F/O R.H.Beer, P/O A.A.Wilks, F/S L.Ireland RAAF, F/O J.G.Apostilides PoW, F/O A.V.M.Jones. F/O J.G.Apostilides was interned in Camp L3.

25th April

P-51B Mustang

43-12151

555 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Landing accident – pilot Walter M. Christensen Jr.

26th April

Beaufort 1

JM571

North Coates SF

North Coates

Hit a bank whilst overshooting after engine failure.

26th April

P-51B Mustang

43-12487

355 FS / 354 FG

Goxhill

Landing accident, pilot Charles W. Hawley.

26th April

UC-78 Bobcat

43-31804

1 TAD

North Witham

Undercarriage collapsed whilst aircraft doing practise circuits, pilot Vaughan O. Stevens.

27th April

P-38 Lightning

42-67307

554 FTS / 496 FTG

nr Goxhill

Force-landed near the airfield, pilot Robert E. Parry.

27th April

P-38 Lightning

42-67772

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Landing accident, pilot William J. Noon.

27th April

P-38 Lightning

42-67700

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Mid-air collision, pilot Harold O. Binkley.

28th April

P-38 Lightning

42-67418

554 FTS / 496 FTG

in the Humber nr Sunk Island

Aircraft crashed after being abandoned due to in-flight fire, pilot Earl R. Fryer uninjured.

28th April

Halifax 5

DG317

1667 HCU

Sandtoft

Coded UG-J, collided at 0056 on the ground with DG347 whilst taxying out for a night sortie.

28th April

Halifax 5

DG347

1667 HCU

Sandtoft

Coded UG-O, struck at 0056 by DG317 whilst stopped at the marshalling point to have the tyres checked.

29th April

P-38 Lightning

42-67211

496 FG

Folkingham

Abandoned after engine failure, crashed nr Folkingham, pilot Chester F. Gerick.

30th April

Lancaster 1

LM527

No.576 Sqn

nr Elsham Wolds?

Coded UL-U2 Airborne 2150 30th Apr from Elsham Wolds to bomb an ammunition dump at Maintenon but struck a hedge on take-off and severely damaged the the under surfaces. Unable to jettison the bomb load or lock down the undercarriage the crew had no option but to bale out. The aircraft was headed out to sea and they all successfully baled out close to the airfield. No injuries. P/O J.S.Griffiths, Sgt J.D.Hawkswood, Sgt D.C.Dint, Sgt T.Atherton, Sgt W.J.McCarthy, Sgt M.Langmead, Sgt T.Jago.

30th April

Lysander

NK

NK

Manby

No further details. 

2nd May

Blenheim 4

N3613

1 AAS

Theddlethorpe

Collided with V5449.

2nd May

Blenheim 4

V5449

1 AAS

Theddlethorpe

Collided with N3613.

2nd May

Blenheim 1

K7125

17 FTS

in the sea?

Missing on exercise, presumed crashed into the sea.

2nd May

P-38 Lightning

42-67823

55 FS / 20 FG

nr Stamford

Force-landed wheels-up following engine failure 1 mile north of Stamford, pilot Roy. M. Scrutchfield.

3rd May

Master 2

DL353

17 FTS

nr Cranwell

Hit a wall 0.5 miles west of the airfield after engine failure.

3rd May

Beaufighter 10

JM332

No.254 Sqn

North Coates

Crashed on takeoff.

4th May

Spitfire 2

P7882

53 OTU

Hibaldstow

Undershot on landing.

4th May

Halifax 2

BB316

1662 HCU

Kirton Lindsey

Airborne 2155 from Blyton on a Bullseye sortie. Returned to base with the starboard outer feathered around midnight. Whilst approaching the circuit the aircraft turned steeply and crashed near Kirton Lindsey village at 0005, bursting into flames on impact. No definitive cause was found, though the investigators suggested that the starboard inner engine may have stopped due to running out of fuel. Sgt J.N. Robertson KIA, Sgt H.J. Street KIA, F/O S.J. Chaplin KIA, F/O S.J. Spencer KIA, Sgt W.M. Harvey KIA, Sgt S. Bird KIA, Sgt L.G. Garrod injured.

4th May

Lancaster 1

ME703

No.576 Sqn

Elsham Wolds

Coded UL-S2, Airborne 2140 3rd May from Elsham Wolds for Mailly-le-Camp. Badly shot about by a Ju88. Rear Gunner killed. P/O Reed returned to base and made a successful landing despite damaged landing gear and burnt-out rear turret. Aircraft beyond repair. P/O Reed was awarded an immediate DSO. Tragically, the survivors of this episode were all killed 22/23 May in ME687.

4th May

P-38 Lightning

42-67503

554 FTS / 496 FTG

nr Hagworthingham

Abandoned after engine failure, crashed 1.5 miles east of Hagworthingham pilot James G. Edmonson.

5th May

Blenheim 1

L1224

12 PAFU

Gelston Grange

Crashed on a weather-test sortie.

6th May

Lancaster 3

W4793

1 LFS

nr Sturgate

Began takeoff 1005 from Sturgate to return to Hemswell, but the rudder adjustment slipped, causing the pilot's feet to slip off the rudder pedals. The aircraft ran through a hedge and came to rest on Christmas Farm, Heapham despite the best efforts of the pilot to bring the aircraft to a halt safely.

7th May

Mosquito 2

DZ422

No.627 Sqn

Woodhall Spa

Crashed near the airfield bomb dump on single-engined approach - assume this to be a training flight as it is not listed by lostbombers as an operational loss, 2 Killed.

7th May

P-51B Mustang

43-12210

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Taxying accident – pilot Warren L. Ewert.

8th May

Halifax 5

LL391

1667 HCU

Sandtoft

Coded -O, airborne 2159 from Sandtoft for a night cross-country flight with 6 on board. On takeoff, a swing to the left was overcorrected, and the aircraft skidded out of control off the runway, causing the undercarriage to collapse. After coming to rest, the starboard outer engine caught fire.

8th May

Lancaster 1

LL912

No.49 Sqn

Fiskerton

Coded EA-? Officially this aircraft was wrecked in a taxing accident due brake failure at Fiskerton with a total of 75 hours. No injuries reported. F/O L.M.Pederson RCAF Note: It appears from the definitive 49 Sqdn history, that this aircraft was actually wrecked due to a fist fight with the the pilot and a F/S Fitter from 'B' Flight. There was a dispute between them regarding a WAAF on the station. The F/S was reduced to Sgt. LL912 was wrecked, and the crew went on to complete a tour with No.49 Sqn.

8th May

P-38 Lightning

42-67682

554 FTS / 496 FTG

nr Barton-on-Humber

Collided with 42-12190 1 mile southeast of Barton-on-Humber, pilot Darrell D. Kite KIA.

8th May

P-51B Mustang

43-12190

555 FTS / 496 FTG

nr Barton-on-Humber

Collided with 42-67682 1 mile southeast of Barton-on-Humber, pilot Harry N. Hagan bailed out.

9th May

P-38 Lightning

42-67203

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Force-landed after engine failure, pilot Robert F. Maloney.

10th May

Halifax 5

DG309

1667 HCU

Sandtoft

Airborne from Sandtoft for the pilot's first solo on type. After completing 4 good circuits, the aircraft swung out of control on the 5th and veered off the runway despite the pilot's attempts at corrective action. Aircraft came to rest after the undercarriage collapsed.

11th May

P-38 Lightning

42-67410

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Claxby, nr Market Rasen

Crashed near Claxby,pilot Robert G. Hanley KIA.

12th May

Oxford

V3858

17 SFTS

Wellingore

Engine failed on overshoot.

12th May

Lancaster 1

LM478

No.61 Sqn

Skellingthorpe

Coded QR-? Airborne 229 11th May from Skellingthorpe to bomb a military camp at Bourg-Leopold in Belgium. The sortie was abandoned by order of the Master Bomber and at 0100 12th May the crew jettisoned most of the bomb load and returned to base, landing at 0200 12th May over-running the runway and dropping into a ditch. Damage was sufficient to classify the Lancaster BER. No injuries to the crew. F/S C.J.Woolnough RAAF, Sgt F.gould, F/O H.A. Haggerstone, F/O I.Ravenscroft, Sgt R.Smith, Sgt H.Silzer, Sgt E.G.Smith.

13th May

Halifax 5

LK991

1667 HCU

Sandtoft

Airborne from Sandtoft 1709 for circuits and landings. Approaching the runway at 1724 the pupil was too high, and flared with insufficient throttle. The instructor was too late in opening the throttles to overshoot, and the aircraft stalled and crashed heavily. 6 of the 8 crew were unhurt, those injured were P/O W.G. Parsons RNZAF and F/S J. Lister RAAF.

14th May

P-38J Lightning

42-67766

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Landing accident, pilot Gordon L. Doolittle.

15th May

Stirling

LJ575

1661 HCU

Waddington

Ground accident? No trace in Chorley's OTU book. Finn notes that this aircraft 'became TS266' in book 2, but on the same date in book 1, with no serial the location is quoted as Wigsley – Hancock has no trace of it.

16th May

Lancaster 1

W4965

1 LFS

Sturgate

Airborne 0110 from Sturgate on a transit flight back to Hemswell but lost control on takeoff, crashed and caught fire at Laburnam Farm. No injuries recorded.

16th May

Master 2

DK857

16 FTS

Long Sutton

Spun in from cloud, 1 Killed.

16th May

Master 2

DM348

16 FTS

Sutton Bridge

Overturned after undercarriage collapsed on landing.

16th May

P-38J Lightning

42-67483

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Landing accident, pilot Jarrette D. Bowen.

17th May

P-51B Mustang

43-12149

555 FTS / 496 FTG

5 miles northwest of Ludford Magna

Mid-air collision, pilot James D. Smith.

17th May

P-51B Mustang

43-12210

555 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Ground-looped, pilot Charles E. Burtner.

19th May

P-51B Mustang

43-12438

496 FG

nr Waltham airfield

Landed wheels-up 4 miles north of Waltham airfield,apparently after a mid-air collision according to AAIR's listing - pilot Nelson R. Jesup.

21st May

Spitfire 5B

BM567

53 OTU

Hibaldstow

Hit on taxiway by AA839 (which was repaired).

22nd May

Spitfire 2

P7820

53 OTU

Lea Road, Gainsborough

Collided with Wellington BJ819 (which crashed in Nottinghamshire) and crashed on Lea Road station in Gainsborough.

22nd May

Lancaster 2

DS633

No.574 Sqn

in the Wash

Coded JI-B2. Airborne 2250 21st May from Waterbeach for Duisburg. A fix on this aircraft was obtained by Waterbeach at 0303 22nd May and about six minutes later base ordered the crew to jettison their bombs. All are buried in various UK cemeteries. Sgt T.L.Gibson KIA, Sgt J.Fraser KIA, Sgt A.H.Freeburn KIA, Sgt L.Dunbar KIA, Sgt L.Buxton KIA, Sgt G.H.Kemp KIA, Sgt J.Gallagher KIA.

22nd May

Lancaster 3

JB142

No.166 Sqn

Barnetby-le-Wold

Coded AS-P, airborne at 1150 from Kirmington on an air-test sortie. Crash-landed at 1215. Holmes and Finn give the date as 25th May, Chorley and Hancock quote 22nd.

22nd May

P-38 Lightning

42-67257

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Landing accident – pilot William E. Gunn.

22nd May

P-38 Lightning

42-67856

554 FTS / 496 FTG

nr Gainsborough

Crashed and exploded 3 miles south of Gainsborough - possibly near Knaith. Pilot Paul L. Weeder KIA.

23rd May

Lancaster 1

LL857

No.300 Sqn

Faldingworth

Coded BH-B. Airborne 2240 22th May from Faldingworth for Dortmund but was obliged to turn back with engine trouble, part of the bomb load being jettisoned in the sea. Tragically, as the under-powered Lancaster made it approach to land it collided with the station's gunnery butts. The impact was severe and two members of the crew were killed instantly. Sgt Rybinski was pulled from the wreckage, grievously injured and he died a few hours later. along with his two comrades he is buried in the Polish Plot at Newark-upon-Trent Cemetery. F/S J.Nalepa PAF inj, F/S K.Nieruchalski PAF (P2) inj, Sgt C.Rybinski PAF inj, Sgt J.R.Bychowski PAF KIA, F/S W.Mroczkowski PAF inj, Sgt A.Leszkowicz PAF KIA, F/S M.Golec PAF inj, F/S M.Nowak PAF injured.

23rd May

Lancaster 3

ND415

No.97 Sqn

nr Revesby

Coded OF-B. Airborne 2237 22nd May from Coningsby for Brunswick. On return to base and while preparing to land, collided in the air with a No.57 Sqn Lancaster 1 LL967 which managed to land safely. ND415 crashed at Revesby, 6 miles SSE of Horncastle. Four, including the first three named, are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, while two have been taken to Brookwood Military cemetery. Sgt Phillips is buried in Harrow (Eastcote Lane) Cemetery, London. F/O W.B.Jardine RCAF KIA, Sgt J.P.Olive KIA, F/O G.H.Wright KIA, WO2 A.Dunae RCAF KIA, W/O R.C.W.G.Baker KIA, Sgt J.J.Phillips KIA, F/O J.W.Paige KIA.

23rd May

Lancaster 1

LL967

No.57 Sqn

nr Revesby

Collided with ND415 but landed safely.

24th May

Halifax 5

DG403

1667 HCU

Butterwick

Airborne 2217 from Sandtoft for a night navigation sortie. During the flight the starboard outer began issuing black smoke, and whilst returning to land, the starboard inner failed on the downwind leg, leaving no other option than to for the aircraft to force land at map ref 290262 at 2312. Examination found a stuck exhaust valve on the inner and a broken no2 conrod on the outer. All 7 crew were injured in the forced landing: P/O E.P. Burke RAAF. Sgt R.P. Fowler, Sgt R.A. Bell, Sgt G.K. John, F/S J.M. Meggitt RAAF, F/S J.E. Bateup RAAF, Sgt T.R. Wood.

24th May

P-38 Lightning

42-67524

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Belly-landed after engine failure, pilot Hal G. Bowers.

25th May

Blenheim 1

L1171

12 PAFU

Spitalgate

Landed wheels-up.

25th May

P-51B Mustang

43-12193

555 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Taxying accident, pilot Cecil M. Freeman.

26th May

P-38 Lightning

42-67199

554 FTS / 496 FTG

nr Goxhill

Caught fire in the air, crashed 1 mile north of the airfield, pilot Lane A. Ferrara.

26th May

P-38 Lightning

42-67476

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Crashed on takeoff, pilot Willard G. Erfkamp.

27th May

Halifax 3

LW336

1662 HCU

Blyton

Airborne 1415 from Blyton for a cross-country sortie but undershot on landing at 1440 after starboard outer engine failed shortly after takeoff, crashed at Mount Pleasant Farm. No injuries reported.

27th May

P-51B Mustang

43-12173

555 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Taxying accident – pilot Robert J. Bain.

28th May

Wellington 3

DF641

30 OTU

Thorpe-le-Fallows

Airborne at 2235 from Hixon as part of a 9 aircraft detail on a Bullseye sortie. At approximately 0035, the aircraft broke up in the air after the dinghy broke loose from its compartment. Debris fell around 5 miles south-west of Ingham. F/O C.G. Archibald RCAF KIA, F/O R.G. Hills RCAF KIA, F/S J. Rutter KIA, Sgt W.O.D. Baird RCAF KIA, Sgt H. Riley KIA, Sgt G.W. Mitchell RCAF KIA, Sgt J.R. Pollon RCAF KIA.

29th May

Halifax 5

DG236

1667 HCU

Holton-cum-Beckering

Airborne 2315 from Sandtoft for general night flying, the port inner oil pressure dropped. The engine was successfully feathered, but the remaining 3 engines all failed at 10000 feet. The aircraft was abandoned, and crashed at 0325. 4 crew unhurt, but 3 injured: F/S W.T. Ramsden injured his ankle and was treated at Sandtoft SSQ, F/O R.P. Simpson was treated at Lincoln Military Hospital for an ankle injury. The rear gunner, Sgt R.D. MacDonald was missing for 8 hours after the crash, finally being discovered unconscious and trapped in his turret at the crash scene, he was treated at the RAF hospital at Rauceby for head wounds sustained.

2nd June

Lancaster 3

ED953

No.467 Sqn

Waddington

Coded PO-? The undercarriage collapsed after tyre burst on landing at 1749 from an air-test sortie.

2nd June

P-51B Mustang

43-12255

555 FTS / 496 FTG

Halton Holgate

Crashed following structural failure, William D. Jolly KIA.

3rd June

Beaufighter 10

LX857

No.236 Sqn

North Coates

Swung on takeoff for a shipping patrol, hit a hangar and exploded, destroying LZ183 and NM143.

3rd June

Beaufighter 10

LZ183

No.236 Sqn

North Coates

Destroyed on the ground by LX857 exploding.

3rd June

Tiger Moth

NM143

North Coates SF

North Coates

Destroyed on the ground by LX857 exploding.

4th June

B-24 Liberator

42-100261

392 BG

Willoughby Walks, nr Sleaford

Crashed after being abandoned over the Wash.

5th June

P-38 Lightning

42-67700

554 FTS / 496 FTG

nr Rothwell

Crashed 2 miles southeast of Rothwell, possibly near Thoresway, James D. Dempsey KIA.

6th June

Halifax 5

DG345

1667 HCU

Sandtoft

Airborne 0046 from Sandtoft for night dual circuits and landings. At 0101, swung whilst landing and struck EB194 which was parked. Investigation showed that the port engine throttles had stuck open preventing the pilot from evenly reducing power.

6th June

Halifax 5

EB194

1667 HCU

Sandtoft

Coded GG-N, struck on the ground by DG345.

6th June

Halifax

NK

1662 HCU

Blyton

May have been a minor ground accident, not mentioned in Chorley's HCU losses book.

7th June

Martinet

MS870

82 OTU

Burton-upon-Stather

The pilot broke off from a mock attack on another aircraft, flew under an HT cable line and crashed into a riverbank, 1K.

7th June

P-51C Mustang

42-103007

555 FTS / 496 FTG

nr Owmby

Collided with 42-103036, Charles R. Moritz KIA crash location 1.5 miles South of Owmby.

7th June

P-51C Mustang

42-103036

555 FTS / 496 FTG

nr Faldingworth

Collided with 42-103007, Robert H. Magnuson KIA, crash location 1 mile North of Faldingworth.

7th June

P-51B Mustang

43-12210

496 FG

Goxhill

Taxying accident.

7th June

Lancaster 3

EE146

No.617 Sqn

Woodhall Spa

Minor accident, though no record of this in Holmes, lostbombers or Chorley. Aircraft must have been repaired as it is recorded as damaged on 6th Apr 45 in Holmes.

9th June

P-51B Mustang

43-12488

555 FTS / 496 FTG

nr Barton-on-Humber

Broke up 2 miles south of the town, James W. Mullins KIA.

9th June

Halifax 2

W1187

1662 HCU

Blyton

Airborne 1832 from Blyton for circuits and landings. Crashed 1838 after swerving on landing caused the undercarriage to collapse.

13th June

Master 2

DK981

17 FTS

nr Cranwell

Caught fire in the air, abandoned 1 mile southwest of the airfield.

16th June

B-24 Liberator

42-52670

576 BS / 392 BG

Barkston Heath

Coded CI-L Ran off the runway on landing, pilot Ward E. Mathias.

17th June

Spitfire 1

X4490

53 OTU

Kirton Lindsey

Hit X4659 whilst landing.

17th June

Spitfire 1

X4659

53 OTU

Kirton Lindsey

Hit by X4490 whilst landing.

17th June

Stirling

EF209

1660 HCU

nr Stapleford

Coded TV-H Airborne from Swinderby to practise 3-engined landings. Crashed 0345 after taking violent avoiding action to miss another aircraft. F/O M.F. Smith DFC RAAF KIA, F/S F.A. Martin KIA, Sgt J. Stabler KIA, Sgt J. Totten inj, but died shortly after in hospital from his injuries, F/S R.H. Turrell DFM KIA, Sgt R.L. Wade inj, but died shortly after in hospital from his injuries, F/S H.W.R. Tufts RCAF KIA, Sgt E.E. Allen inj, Sgt D.F. Cook inj, Sgt D.G. Smith injured.

19th June

Blenheim 1

L6839

12 PAFU

Spitalgate

Landed wheels-up.

19th June

Blenheim 1

L1501

12 PAFU

Spitalgate

Collided with L6735.

19th June

Blenheim 1

L6735

12 PAFU

Spitalgate

Collided with L1501.

19th June

Halifax 2

BB272

1656 HCU

Sandtoft

Airborne 0055 from Sandtoft for night circuit practise. Landed 0115, but swung to port. pilot overcorrected and the undercarriage collapsed.

21st June

Stirling

EH940

1661 HCU

Kettlethorpe

Airborne from Winthorpe for the pilot's first solo on type. At 1800 feet, and engine caught fire, following which the aircraft dived and then banked to the right, crashing 1738 at Park Farm causing considerable damage to a barn and farm machinery. F/O F.S. Bradbury KIA, Sgt F. Dauble inj, Sgt T.W. Farrell inj, P/O W.R. Clayton KIA, F/O G.W. Rankin KIA, Sgt A.M. McCune inj, Sgt J.A. Micallef KIA, Sgt W.H. Miller KIA.

22nd June

Lancaster

LL917

No.12 Sqn

Wickenby

Coded PH-C. Airborne 1415 22nd Jun to bomb a flying-bomb site. Within six minutes of becoming airborne, the crew reported severe problems with the inner port engine and the sortie was abandoned. At 1541 22nd Jun part of the bomb load was jettisoned over the sea but on return to Wickenby the Lancaster ran beyond the runway and crashed at 1630. No injuries were reported. P/O B.S.Leuty, Sgt D.Emmott, F/O S.A.Clack, Sgt E.F.Evans, Sgt J.R.Stone, Sgt W.E.Pullen, Sgt D.G.Northcott. For the loss of this crew see LM225.

23rd June

Lancaster 1

ME625

No.97 Sqn

Deeping Fen

Coded OF-O. Collided with another 97 Sqn Lancaster ND981 while engaged in formation flying practice and spun out of control to crash at Cloor House Farm on Deeping Fen. five are buried in Cambridge City Cemetery, the others being buried in their home towns. F/O Arnold was flying as a Visual Air Bomber. F/L H.S.van Rhalte RAAF KIA, F/S M.Durn KIA, P/O D.G.Williams KIA, W/O A.L.Lambert RAAF KIA, F/O A.Arnold RAAF KIA, F/S E.H.Peace KIA, F/S R.G.Davies KIA, F/L J.D.Fletcher KIA.

23rd June

Lancaster 3

ND981

No.97 Sqn

Deeping Fen

Coded OF-H. Collided with ME625 while engaged in formation flying and crashed with ME625 at Cloor House Farm on Deeping Fen. Sgt Cowan had a miraculous escape and parachuted safely as the Lancaster broke up. Four days later, the London Gazette carried details of the DFM awarded to W/O Partos. Those killed were buried in their home towns. F/L E.L.J.Perkins KIA, Sgt F.E.Coxhead KIA, F/L W.J.Hunt KIA, F/S J.Fairbairn KIA, Sgt Cowan W/O D.G.Partos KIA.

24th June

Lancaster 3

EE124

No.300 Sqn

between Linwood and Lissington

Coded BH-M, Airborne 1612 24th Jun from Faldingworth to attack a flying-bomb site at Les Hayons in Belgium. On the return leg, the aircraft was hit by flak and although the aircraft made it back over English soil, the crew were killed when the Lancaster crashed in the Faldingworth circuit between Linwood and Lissington, south of Market Rasen. F/S Z.Badowski PAF KIA, Sgt T.Popowicz PAF KIA, F/O A.J.Groblicki PAF KIA, F/S J.Staniewski PAF KIA, F/S E.Kosnik PAF KIA, W/O A.Madejowski PAF KIA, F/S W.Stec PAF KIA.

24th June

Halifax 2

JD267

1662 HCU

nr Thornton-le-Moor?

Coded -G2, airborne 1435 from Blyton for air circuit training sortie. The aileron locking bar had not been removed from the right-hand control column. The pilot climbed to 500 feet, but was unable to raise the undercarriage, following which the aircraft banked and the pilot was unable to correct the altitude. Crashed 9 miles east of Blyton. P/O W.H. O'Callaghan RAAF inj, Sgt A. Slack KIA, Sgt J.C. Waddell KIA, F/S A.S. Kidman RAAF KIA, W/O H.R. Molony RAAF KIA, F/S T.N.I. Jones RAAF KIA.

24th June

Halifax 5

LL366

1662 HCU

Blyton

Coded - M2, the undercarriage collapsed after aircraft swung multiple times on landing.

26th June

Spitfire 2

P7294

53 OTU

Kirton Lindsey

Overshot on landing.

26th June

Wellington 10

MF528

29 OTU

4 miles north of Thorney

Airborne at 2305 from Bruntingthorpe for a high-level bombing training sortie. The aircraft encountered bad weather, and was unable to maintain height after the port engine failed at 4300 feet. The crew were ordered to abandon the aircraft, with the pilot intending to stay on board to make a forced landing. At 0115, the starboard engine stopped at a height of 800 feet and the pilot abandoned the aircraft over Thorney. The aircraft crashed 4 miles north of the village, approx 2 miles west-southwest of Saxilby, in the vicinity of Stow Park.

27th June

Wellington 3

Z1592

18 OTU

nr Middle Rasen

Airborne at 1335 from Finningley for a cross-country sortie, but caught fire in the air. The aircraft crashed at 1715 at Baner Farm, nr Market Rasen. Sgt G.K. Cameron RCAF KIA, Sgt E.A. Crowe RCAF KIA, Sgt G.F. Marchington RCAF KIA, Sgt G.W. Dunham RCAF KIA, Sgt E. Bunt RCAF KIA, Sgt R.S. Cracknell RCAF KIA.

27th June

P-38 Lightning

42-104104

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

DBR in a ground accident, no further details.

28th June

Stirling 3

BK654

1661 HCU

Gosberton Risegate

Airborne from Winthorpe for a night cross-country sortie. Lost power from both outer engines and force-landed at 0740 after being unable to maintain height.

28th June

P-38 Lightning

42-67931

554 FTS / 496 FTG

3 miles south of Goxhill

Crashed possibly near Ulceby after structural failure, Byard M. Cutler KIA.

29th June

Lancaster 1

ME701

No.463 Sqn

Waddington

Coded JO-F, Christened 'Whoa Bessie' by her crew. Airborne 1211 from Waddington to destroy a flying-bomb site at Beauvoir. Hit and severely damaged by Flak but returned safely to Waddington at 1517. Subsequently SOC as beyond reasonable repair. No injuries. F/LB.A.Buckham, Sgt W.Sinclair, F/O R.W.Board, F/S L.J.Manning, W/O e.J.Holden, F/O E.H.Giersch, F/O D.W.Procter.

29th June

Blenheim 1

L6744

54 OTU

nr Tattershall

Abandoned after control lost 3 miles southwest of Tattershall.

30th June

Halifax 5

DG338

1667 HCU

Sandtoft

Whilst taking off for a circuit practise sortie from sandtoft at 1837, the port tyre burst. This caused the aircraft to veer off the runway, following which the starboard undercarriage leg collapsed. This was the aircraft's third and final takeoff accident – previous ones were Ma 43 at Swinderby with 1660 HCU and 1st Feb at Sandtoft.

30th June

P-38 Lightning

42-67871

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Habrough

Collided with 42-67220 (which survived) and crashed at Habrough station, Charles M. Mardel jr KIA.

4th July

Lancaster 1

LM229

No.550 Sqn

North Killingholme

Coded BQ-S. Airborne 2208 4th Jul from North Killingholme for Orleans but crashed almost immediately, the wreckage catching fire. Only one crew member injured. P/O E.S.Vaughan inj, Sgt R.W.Metcalfe P/O L.C.Davies F/S D.Porter Sgt T.Elliott Sgt W.J.Watson RCAF Sgt L.D.Purser.

4th July

Lancaster 3

NE139

No.460 Sqn

Binbrook

Coded AR-?, undercarriage failed on takeoff for a training sortie.

5th July

Halifax 5

DG414

1667 HCU

Alkborough

Airborne from sandtoft at 1520 for a dual instruction sortie. The crew comprises instructor pilot, pupil, 4 flight engineers, navigator, wireless op/air gunner and bomb aimer.Lost control at 200 feet during 3-engine practise and crashed at 1315. F/L B.E McLaughlin DFC KIA, P/O E. Barley KIA, Sgt P. Morrissey DFM inj, Sgt T.E. Carr inj, Sgt I.H. Simmonds inj, (died of injuries shortly after the crash at Scunthorpe War Memorial hospital), Sgt G. Beedle KIA, F/S J.N. Bond RAAF KIA, Sgt H. Fryer KIA, F/S R.A. Wixted RAAF KIA.

5th July

P-38 Lightning

42-67276

496 FG

Great Coates

Dived in 0.5 miles south of Great Coates, Arthur E. Miner KIA.

6th July

Lancaster 3

ND799

No.12 Sqn

nr Faldingworth

Coded PH-L. Airborne 1835 6th Jul from Wickenby. To attack a flying-bomb site in the Foret du Croc. Over the target a bomb from another attacking aircraft sliced off the starboard fin and rudder. F/L Gray retained control, but was unable to prevent his Lancaster from crashing as he approached the airfield at Faldingworth. F/S Silverman was critically injured and he died 18th Jul, his grave being in Blackley Jewish Cemetery, Manchester. Sgt Frith is buried in Sutton-in-Ashfied Cemetery, while P/O Gibson is buried in Wigston Cemetery. F/L H.I.Gray Sgt P.Frith KIA, P/O J.S.Gibson KIA, F/S E.W.Strand F/S T.Silverman inj, F/O H.P.Taylor Sgt J.N.D.Scott.

7th July

Beaufighter 10

NE744

No.404 Sqn

Strubby

Crash-landed after engine failure on approach.

8th July

Lancaster 3

PB207

No.49 Sqn

Fiskerton

Coded EA-? Airborne 2226 7th Jul from Fiskerton to attack the flying-bomb storage facility in the caves at St.Leu d'Esserent. Badly shot up by a Me210 and though the crew made a safe return to base, landing at 0300 8th Jul, PB207 was assessed to be so badly damaged as to be beyond economical repair and was SOC. F/O L.McCracken, Sgt E.Hilton, F/O R.L.Bienvenu, F/O J.Wilkes, W/O J.Pollard, W/O S.S.Inglis, F/S S.F.Harding.

8th July

Beaufighter 10

LZ188

No.236 Sqn

North Coates

Belly-landed on return from shipping strike after being damaged by flak.

8th July

Beaufighter 10

LZ221

No.254 Sqn

North Coates

Belly-landed on return from shipping strike after being damaged by flak.

11th July

A-20 Havoc

43-9441

646 BS / 410 BG

Spitalgate

Crash-landed, pilot Gerald F. Dale.

13th July

Halifax 5

W7778

1662 HCU

nr Sotby

Airborne from Blyton at 2305 for a Bullseye sortie. At 0320 the aircraft hit the ground 0.5 miles southwest of Sotby. The force of the impact destroyed the aircraft and investigators were unable to ascertain more than that the aircraft hit the ground at approx a 45 degree angle. Weather may have been a factor in the crash as there was heavy drizzle and between 2-4000 yards visibility a the time. P/O A.R. Harris KIA, Sgt R.H. Brooks KIA, Sgt J.J.H. Smith KIA, Sgt J.A. Allen KIA, F/S F.W. Filmer KIA, Sgt J.A. Malcolm KIA, Sgt V.B. Myers KIA, Sgt A.R. Rogers KIA.

13th July

B-24 Liberator

42-95103

392 BG

Wrangle Common

Lt. Hunt's aircrew was flying B-24J Model 42-95103, Call Letter and Bar, nicknamed "BERLIN BITCH" on this Group mission to Saarbrucken, Germany, this date. During formation assembly over the U.K., the crew experienced severe aircraft icing and subsequently spun in and crashed at Wrangle Common. One crew member, S/Sgt. Mark (NMI) Osment managed to bailout safely from this stricken plane with all others perishing in this tragic mishap. Waist gunner survived: 1/LT Hunt, Norman J. (P) 579th KIA, 1/LT Roetzel, Peter B. (CP) 579th KIA, 2/LT Hession, William J. (N) 579th KIA, T/S McKinzie, Walter L. Jr. (EnG) 579th KIA, T/S Wilkinson, Harold C. (R/O) 579th KIA, S/S Carrington, William E. (LW) 579th KIA, S/S McEwan, Daniel L. (BT) 579th KIA, S/S Jackson, Leonard A. (TG) 579th KIA. 2/Lt Roetzel is interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 12 Site 942 while S/Sgt Carrington is interred in St. Augustine National Cemetery, Section D Site 139. 1/Lt Hunt, 2/Lt Hession, T/Sgt McKinzie, and T/Sgt Wilkinson are interred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Section 82 Site 53.

14th July

Halifax 5

DG424

1662 HCU

Blyton

Airborne 0155 from Blyton for the pilot's 4th solo on type. Landed 0205, but swung off the runway and DBR when the port undercarriage folded.

14th July

Lancaster 1

ME560

No.617 Sqn

Woodhall Spa

Coded KC-G, crash-landed after both port engines caught fire on takeoff for a training sortie.

15th July

CG-4A Hadrian

43-79105

48 TCS / 315 TCG

3 miles northwest of Folkingham

Damaged by towing cable crashed possibly near Ropsley, 2 Killed, Pilot William H. Coons.

16th July

Lancaster 3

ND464

No.83 Sqn

nr New York

Coded OL-S, Partially abandoned at 2348 16th Jul following total engine failure while engaged on night-bombing practice. Those killed were found at the crash site, 3 miles SE of Coningsby airfield. F/O Hegarty is buried in Cambridge City Cemetery, while the others were taken to their home towns. It is noted that F/O Sillitoe, who came from Hyde Park in Leeds, is buried in the same plot at Sgt Ewen Edward John sillitoe, an Observer killed flying with 235 Sqn 17th Jan 43. Although born of separate parents, both shared the names of Ewen and Edward. F/O D.J.Hegarty DFC RAAF KIA, F/O K.E.E.Sillitoe KIA, W/O M.G.Cross KIA.

18th July

Lancaster 3

LM634

No.100 Sqn

Waltham

Coded HW-H, Airborne 0356 18th Jul from Grimsby to bomb a strong point at Sannerville in the Normandy Battle Area but swung out of control, crashed, and later, exploded. Fortunately the crew managed to get well clear of the wreckage ahead of the detonation. F/O C.M.Stewart RCAF, Sgt H.Prince, F/O R.H.Rix, Sgt P.Burnett, Sgt P.T.Dunn, F/O J.P.Insell, Sgt S.Kowal.

20th July

P-51B Mustang

43-6955

555 FTS / 496 FTG

Hemingby

Force-landed wheels-up 1 mile Southeast of Hemingby, pilot Lawrence A. Bearden.

21st July

Beaufighter 10

LZ134

144 Sqn

Strubby

Crash-landed after engine failure on takeoff.

21st July

P-38 Lightning

42-67309

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Landing accident, pilot Reginald A. Pitzer.

21st July

Lancaster 3

ND413

No.100 Sqn

Aylesby

Coded HW-R. Airborne 2355 20th Jul from Grimsby to bomb railway facilities at Courtrai in tactical support of the Normandy Battle Area. Homebound, emerged from low cloud and crashed 0330 21st Jul at Aylesby, 6 miles W of Cleethorpes. Those killed are buried in their home towns. It is observed that F/S Amory, who came from Georgetown, British Guiana, was taken to Cambridge City Cemetery, while his Cambridge born skipper was buried in Grimsby (Scartho Road) Cemetery. F/O D.G.Mills KIA, Sgt R.G.Crabb KIA, F/S R.G.Amory KIA, F/S A.J.Irwin inj, F/S L.Fisher KIA, Sgt G.A.Wells inj, Sgt A.R.Fuller injured.

22nd July

Lancaster 3

ED936

No.617 Sqn

Woodhall Spa

Coded AJ-H, Holmes records this aircraft as crashed on this date, no record in Chorley of this crash.

22nd July

P-51B Mustang

43-12416

555 FTS / 496 FTG

nr South Ferriby?

Spun in 2.5 miles southwest of Barton-on-Humber, Richard F. Murray KIA.

23rd July

Lancaster 1

ME594

No.300 Sqn

Faldingworth

Coded BH-B, overshot on landing from a training sortie.

23rd July

P-38 Lightning

42-67220

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Landing accident, Pilot George K. Tachick.

23rd July

P-51C Mustang

43-25048

77 FS / 20 FG

West Pinchbeck

Force-landed wheels-up after engine failure, pilot Carl W. Clough.

24th July

P-47 Thunderbolt

NK

NK

nr Horkstow

USAAF

24th July

Lancaster 3

ND614

No.166 Sqn

Kirmington

Coded AS-A, Airborne 2238 23rd Jul from Kirmington for Kiel. Wrecked 0409 24th Jul on return to base following the collapse of its undercarriage on touch- down. P/O P.H.Allan inj, F/O J.D.Nelson (P2) RCAF, Sgt R.C.Duke, Sgt G.B.McGhee, Sgt G.N.Raynes, Sgt G.King, Sgt V.Montague, Sgt R.C.Duke.

24th July

CG-4A Hadrian

42-73562

29 TCS / 313 TCG

Folkingham

Crash-landed on the airfield, pilot William Pennington.

25th July

Lancaster 3

PB294

No.207 Sqn

off the coast

Coded EM-G, Airborne 2150 24th Jul from Spilsby to bomb an oil storage depot at Donges. Crashed in the North Sea off the Lincolnshire coast while in the process of jettisoning bombs. Three bodies were recovered from the water. F/O McIntosh is buried in Grimsby (Scartho Road) Cemetery; his Navigator, F/S Little who came from New Malden in Surrey, is buried in Cambridge City Cemetery, while Sgt Bateman is buried in Islington Cemetery, Finchley in Middlesex. The others are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. F/O P.C.McIntosh KIA, Sgt J.R.Grint KIA, F/S S.W.G.Little KIA, F/S G.R.Shannon KIA, Sgt J.Beech KIA, Sgt L.D.Bateman KIA, F/S A.W.Smith KIA.

25th July

P-38 Lightning

42-67281

554 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Crash-landed, pilot Alexander F. Cilli.

25th July

B-17G Fortress

42-97543

364 BS / 305 BG

nr Spalding

Caught fire in the air, crashed, pilot Samuel E. Rosser.

26th July

P-51B Mustang

43-6503

555 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Collided with 43-12214 over the Humber and belly-landed at Goxhill, pilot Denis J. Alison.

26th July

P-51B Mustang

43-12214

555 FTS / 496 FTG

in the Humber

Collided with 43-6503 – pilot John D. Daniel bailed out.

26th July

Stirling

LK483

1660 HCU

Swinderby

Took off from Swinderby 0930, but began to swing. The throttles were closed, but the aircraft was rapidly approaching the airfield boundary hedge, so the pilot raised undercarriage to stop aircraft overrunning. Of the 8 onboard at the time, the following 3 were injured: Sgt D.W. Dunthorpe, Sgt R.J. Harris, Sgt C.J. Western.

27th July

Master 2

DK978

17 FTS

Wellingore

Overran on takeoff.

27th July

Master 2

EM330

7 PAFU

in the Wash

Spun in during aerobatics 2.5 miles north of the mouth of the river Nene.

28th July

C-47 Dakota

42-23334

59 TCS / 61 TCG

South Rauceby

Collided with 43-15097 during supply drop, total 9 Killed including Pilot Thomas A. Gall.

28th July

C-47 Dakota

43-15097

59 TCS / 61 TCG

Broadwater? 3 miles west of Sleaford

Collided with 42-23334 during supply drop, total 9 Killed including Pilot George B. Hartzell.

30th July

Lancaster 1

LM284

No.57 Sqn

in the Wash

Coded DX-? LM284 was delivered to 57 Sqn 29th Jul. Crashed in The Wash on post-delivery air test. When lost this aircraft had a total of 2 hours. Airborne from East Kirkby (time not recorded) crewed by a 55 Base Test Crew consisting mainly of 207 Sqn personnel. Presumed lost in The Wash. The body of F/S Gidman was washed onto a beach near Brancaster, Norfolk and taken for burial; the rest are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. The three DFM recipients, all from 207 Sqn, had their awards published 18th Aug, 15th Aug, and 18th Aug respectively. F/O D.L.Davies DFC KIA, F/S A.H.Allison DFM KIA, P/O D.J.Scuffins DFM KIA, F/S C.Gidman DFM KIA, P/O B.O Hunt KIA, P/O F.W.Logan DFC RCAF KIA.

4th August

Master 2

DK838

17 FTS

nr Welby

Stalled during a practise gun attack, crashed 1 mile west of Welby.

5th August

Avenger 2

JZ569

No.787 Sqn FAA

Holbeach range

Dived in.

7th August

Mosquito 6

NT202

No.617 Sqn

Wainfleet Range

Coded AJ-N, airborne from Woodhall Spa at 1059. After 3 passes on the Wainfleet range, the starboard engine failed, followed by structural failure causing the starboard wing to break away during a climbing turn over the range. F/O W.A. Duffy DFC RCAF KIA, F/O P. Ingleby KIA.

8th August

Lancaster 1

LM292

No.103 Sqn

Fenton

Coded PM-?Airborne 2118 7th Aug from Elsham wolds to attack a strong point at Fontenay-le-Marmion. Homebound when an engine took fire. Control soon became difficult and the Lancaster was partially abandoned, with the skipper and engineer remaining in position to hold the aircraft as steady as possible to allow the other five crew-men to bale out before crashing at Fenton, 7 miles SE of Grantham. Sgt Corless is commemorated on Panel 227 of the Runnymede memorial, F/O Brown is buried in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery. F/O G.C.Brown RCAF KIA, Sgt J.Corless KIA, Sgt B.M.Sandberg RCAF, F/O R.Robinson RCAF, F/S S.Porter RCAF, Sgt G.R.Vickery, Sgt W.G.Hurley.

8th August

Lancaster 1

ME813

No.50 Sqn

Skellingthorpe

Coded VN-?, Airborne 2110 7th Aug from Skellingthorpe to bomb an enemy strong- point in the Normandy Battle Area at Secqueville. Over-ran the runway landing at Skellingthorpe on return 0130 8th Aug, colliding with an air-raid shelter. No crew injuries reported but the aircraft was assessed as beyond economical repair. Note. The 50 Sqn ORB is now on microfiche and the quality of the original document was of such poor quality that it is impossible to determine the names of the crew. However, an examination of the Aircraft Accident record identifies the pilot and circumstances of the write-off. F/O F. Mountain.

9th August

P-51C Mustang

42-102998

555 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Landing accident pilot David H. Courtney.

10th August

P-51B Mustang

42-12171

555 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Landing accident pilot Russell J. Anderson.

10th August

P-51B Mustang

42-12417

555 FT / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Landing accident pilot Bradford N. Ashcraft.

11th August

Stirling

EF510

1654 HCU

nr Metheringham

Airborne from Wigsley for a short cross-country flight. Whilst flying at 2000 feet, both outer engines failed. Force-landed wheels-up at Willow Farm near Metheringham airfield at 1550.

12th August

Wellington 10

HF452

1481 BGF

Thorpe-le-Fallows

Airborne 1000 from Ingham for a cine-gun training sortie. Force-landed 1007 after losing power. Of the 8 onboard, the following 3 were injured and treated at Ingham SSQ. Sgt A.D Call RCAF, Sgt D. Smith, Sgt D.A. Hookham, RCAF.

12th August

Lancaster 3

ND465

No.83 Sqn

Coningsby

Coded OL-L, Airborne 2043 11th Aug from Coningsby to bomb the railway yards at Givors. Crash landed 0458 12th Aug on return to base due battle damage, the eight-man crew escaping injury. F/L A.J.Saunders RAAF, F/S Redding, P/O J.F.Falconer, P/O D.D.Govett RAAF, F/O A.C.Mcdonald, P/O F.S.Hulland, Sgt P.A.Kaye RCAF, P/O D.M.Robinson RAAF.

12th August

C-47A Dakota

42-24176

43 TCS / 315 TCG

Boothby Graffoe

Flew into the ground, 4 Killed ? Pilot Lawson E. Perry Jr.

12th August

C-47A Dakota

42-92849

43 TCS / 315 TCG

Waddington

Mid-air collision due to weather, pilot Vance G. Pugh.

12th August

C-47A Dakota

43-15251

43 TCS / 315 TCG

Waddington

Mid-air collision due to weather, pilot Robert M. Davis.

14th August

Oxford

DF348

SF

Skellingthorpe

Airborne 1215 for practise flying. At 1230, the aircraft approached the runway and yawed. Whilst correcting the yaw, and trying to overshoot, the pilot found himself flying directly towards a hangar and stalled whilst avoiding it, causing the aircraft to crash.

14th August

Stirling

EE914

1654 HCU

off Sutton-on-Sea

Airborne from Wigsley for an air gunnery sortie. The aircraft was flying at 1000 feet off the coast when the starboard outer engine failed. The pilot ditched 13 miles off the coast at approximately 1600 and all 7 crew were picked up by a merchant vessel "SS Daniel M" and transferred to a second vessel, "SS WH Daniels" before being transferred to RAF HSL2573 at 1745 and returned to Grimsby at 1915. The ditching was observed by a Warwick, which provided the first report of the incident. Location given as 5314N 0030E, the aircraft floated for 13 minutes and then sank.

15th August

Oxford

LX326

17 FTS

Cranwell

Undershot and hit a wall.

16th August

Master 2

DM111

7 PAFU

Moulton Chapel

Landed wheels-up after engine failure.

16th August

P-51B Mustang

43-12149

555 FTS / 496 FTG

nr Goxhill

Spun in near the airfield, Robert V. Barden KIA.

18th August

Wellington 10

HE502

17 OTU

Waltham

Airborne from Turweston for a cross-country flight. At 15000 feet over eastern England, the port engine failed. On diverting to Waltham, the crew discovered that the undercarriage would not lock down and at 1400hrs it collapsed on landing. After the aircraft had slid to a halt, a fire broke out, though all 6 crew escaped unharmed.

19th August

Lancaster 1

LM293

No.103 Sqn

Elsham Wolds

Coded PM-? airborne 2229 18th Aug from Elsham wold to bomb an oil depot and fuel storage facility at Ertvelde-Rieme. Crashed 0150 19th Aug on return to base. No injuries reported. P/O K.S.Pearce, F/S J.C.Hartley RAAF, F/S A.I.N.Bates, Sgt L.R.Willis, Sgt W.F.E.Mole, F/S J.D.McCredie, Sgt H.E.Price.

19th August

P-51B Mustang

43-12163

496 FG

Goxhill

DBR in an incident, no further details.

22nd August

C-47A Dakota

42-100967

314 TCG

nr Boston

Crashed into the mouth of the river Haven (tidal Witham) in bad weather, pilot Dwight E. Kroesch.

27th August

Lancaster 3

W5005

No.550 Sqn

off Killingholme

Coded BQ-N. Airborne 2023 26th Aug to Kiel. On return, ditched in the River Humber, approximately. one mile off Killingholme Haven. No injuries reported. F/S R.Hofman RAAF, Sgt A.W.E.Walters, F/S J.K.Sharpe RAAF, F/s G.R.Martin, F/S F.G.Ferguson RAAF, F/S R.E.Sloan RAAF, F/S R.McKenzie RAAF.

27th August

Oxford

ED219

17 FTS

3 miles northeast of Caistor

Control lost after hitting slipstream of another aircraft, crashed, possibly near Riby.

28th August

Lancaster 1

W4790

1 LFS

Hemswell

Coded 3C-O, airborne from Hemswell 0245 for night circuit practise. At 0258 the pilot landed off a fast approach. After touchdown, he braked, but was running out of runway so the undercarriage was raised to stop the aircraft overrunning. The pilot reported that he suspected there was a problem with the flap mechanism on the port wing after takeoff, so kept speed up on approach to prevent the aircraft stalling.

30th August

Wellington 10

LN895

21 OTU

East Kirkby

Airborne from Moreton-in-the-Marsh at 2220 as part of a force of 93 aircraft from training units to act as a diversion force tasked to fly out over the North Sea and then turn and return home. The aircraft was hit by 'friendly' flak off Cromer, following which the starboard engine failed. The pilot crash-landed at East Kirkby at 0300 and hit a dispersal hut. 4 of the crew were unhurt, F/S F.G. Lewis RAAF inj, Sgt K.D. Wightman injured.

30th August

Beaufighter 10

NE778

No.236 Sqn

off North Coates

Stalled and dived into the sea 2 miles north-east of the airfield.

31st August

Stirling

LJ637

1660 HCU

Swinderby

Coded -H- , Airborne 0001 for a night conversion exercise with 8 on board. At 0215, whilst turning to starboard with the starboard outer engine stopped and wheels down, the aircraft touched down on the runway, swung violently and crashed, writing the airframe off.

2nd September

C-47A Dakota

42-100821

440 TCG

Fulbeck

Destroyed by the explosion of a 'mine' which fell onto another 'mine' awaiting loading onto an aircraft - unsure of the correctness of terminology here, may have been a landmine?

2nd September

C-47A Dakota

43-15067

440 TCG

Fulbeck

Destroyed by the explosion of a 'mine' which fell onto another 'mine' awaiting loading onto an aircraft - unsure of the correctness of terminology here, may have been a landmine?

2nd September

Halifax 2

DT643

1662 HCU

Caenby Corner

Airborne 1120 from Blyton for circuit flying, a local recce and Gee procedures. The starboard outer cut at 900 feet and the crew were unable to feather it. The starboard outer caught fire and the crew force-landed in a field at 1235.

3rd September

Halifax 3

MZ758

No.51 Sqn

nr Withern

Coded MH-V, Airborne 1555 3rd Sep from Snaith to bomb Venlo Airfield. On the return flight the crew encountered various difficulties and were subsequently obliged to force-land 1925 near Withern, 2 miles from RAF Strubby. No serious injuries reported; this crew were on the last operation of their first tour. W/O K.O.Potts, Sgt L.McGowan, F/S R.G.Frew, F/S B.A.Hobbs, F/S W.G.Patey, Sgt G.J.Hill, Sgt S.M.Howard, Finn incorrectly quotes the serial as NZ758.

3rd September

Wellington 13

HZ867

1 AAS

Manby

Retracted undercarriage too early on takeoff.

4th September

P-51B Mustang

43-12172

496 FG

nr Goxhill

Force-landed wheels-up 1 mile east of the airfield following engine failure. Pilot William H. Carnduff.

6th September

Halifax 5

DK133

1667 HCU

Crowle

Airborne at 2246 from Sandtoft for night circuit practise. Dived in from approx 200 feet whilst banking to the right 3 minutes after takeoff. F/O J.R. Pound RCAF KIA, Sgt R. Hughes KIA, F/O M.E. Vandekinder RCAF KIA, F/O W.F. Woolgar RCAF KIA, Sgt J.A. Coughtrey KIA, Sgt B.G. Kitchen RCAF KIA, Sgt K.A. Watson RCAF KIA.

6th September

Lancaster 1

LL756

No.101 Sqn

Ludford Magna

Coded SR-Q, airborne 1748 3rd Sep from Ludford Magna for an evening attack on the Garrison Defence's at Le Havre and equipped with ABC. Did not bomb, as instructed. On return to base at 2053, over-ran the runway and crashed, no crew injuries. LL756 was SOC 15th Sep. The wreckage off the end of the runway was to result in the damage to the subsequent aircraft to attempt a landing, ND983 sufficient to have it SOC also. F/O G.H.G Harris, Sgt J.A.Wood, F/O G.A.Arthur, Sgt J.Morley, F/O D.Jones, Sgt D.V.Dale, Sgt V.B.Congerton, Sgt J.C.York.

6th September

Lancaster 3

ND983

No.101 Sqn

Ludford Magna

Coded SR-B, airborne 1737 6th Sep from Ludford Magna for an evening attack on the garrison defence's at Le Havre and ABC duties. Returned without making an attack. Landed 2055, just two minutes behind LL756 but ran off the end of the runway whereupon the undercarriage was deliberately retracted, possibly to avoid hitting the just wrecked LL756. The crew escaped injury but the Lancaster was damaged beyond repair. F/L Massheder, F/O W.G.Johnson, Sgt L.F.King, Sgt D.S.H.Logan, Sgt A.R.Walker, Sgt G.Hellig (ABC), Sgt I.Gray, Sgt J.J.Gildea.

6th September

Beaufighter 10

NE802

No.254 Sqn

North Coates

Hit a wall after engine failure on takeoff.

8th September

P-51 Mustang

43-12154

496 FG

Wootton Grange

Crashed after a collision, 1 Killed.

8th September

Blenheim 5

EH512

12 PAFU

Spitalgate

Hit a house whilst overshooting.

8th September

Harvard 2

KF164

16 FTS

nr Great Gonerby

Collided during aerobatics with Lancaster PB157 (which survived) and crashed.

8th September

B-17G Fortress

42-31238

511 B S/ 351 BG

Langtoft

Named "Devil's Ball", coded DS-A, the aircraft crashed due to icing during formation assembly for the Ludwigshaven raid on this date. P 2nd Lt John C. Haba KIA, CP 2nd Lt Clinton M. Cavett KIA, N 2nd Lt Eugene J. Hooks KIA, B 2nd Lt Robert A. McGlohon KIA, B 2nd Lt Robert A. McGlohon KIA, TT S/Sgt Ernest A. Clinton KIA, RO S/Sgt James S. Singleton KIA, LWG Sgt Roy A. Morrison KIA, RWG Unknown KIA, BT Sgt Raymond T. McClosky KIA, TG Sgt Donald M. Holihan - survived.

9th September

Lancaster 1

LM270

No.626 Sqn

Apley

Coded UM-D2, lost control whilst on a training sortie and crashed, 1 Killed.

9th September

B-24 Liberator

42-50907

755 BS / 458 BG

Hyde's farm, Crowland Common / Deeping High Bank

Crashed whilst on a night training sortie: 2nd Lt William R. Frederick KIA, 2nd Lt Lawrence L.Doelling KIA, Sgt William F. Casey KIA, Sgt Robert L. Leake KIA, Sgt. William D. Nobles KIA, S/Sgt Ulysses G. Seymour KIA, S/Sgt Jack B. Zonker KIA.

11th September

Blenheim 5

AZ930

12 PAFU

Harlaxton

Overran on landing and hit a hedge.

11th September

Mosquito 2

DZ655

51 OTU

Kirton Lindsey

Overran on landing.

11th September

Master 3

W9033

17 SFTS

Carlton-le-Moorland

Collided with LF382, crew not recorded.

11th September

Hurricane 2C

LF382

1690 BDTF

Carlton-le-Moorland

Airborne from Fiskerton 1520 for a fighter affiliation exercise with a Lancaster. On entering the training area, the pilot spotted a Master trainer which appeared reluctant to depart the area and dived in for a mock attack but collided with W9033 and both aircraft spun in. F/S H.W.E. Ramsay KIA.

12th September

Hurricane 1

AF986

7 PAFU

Pinchbeck

Hit the ground whilst low-flying, 1 Killed.

12th September

Lancaster 3

PB434

No.61 Sqn

nr Skellingthorpe

Coded QR-R, Take-off from Skellingthorpe for Stuttgart. Engine cut on take-off; over-ran the runway on landing and the undercarriage collapsed at Skellingthorpe. No crew injuries F/O J.S.Cooksey, Sgt D.E.Rose, Sgt E.P.Meaker, Sgt T.Stevenson, Sgt S.J.Scarrett, Sgt A.R.Marshall, Sgt N.W.Elliott.

13th September

Lancaster 1

LM162

No.50 Sqn

North Greetwell

Coded VN-Z, Airborne 1852 12th Sep from Skellingthorpe for Stuttgart. Returned to base and whilst preparing to land was struck by another aircraft. The collision occurred at 1,200 feet in the Skellingthorpe circuit and the Lancaster crashed 0233 13th Sep at North Greetwell, apx. 3 miles NE from the centre of Lincoln. F/O F.H.Hickling, Sgt J.M.Nash inj, Sgt E.W.Glossop, F/S D.C.Watson, F/S A.C.Thompson, Sgt W.H.Ponton inj, Sgt R.C.McCallum.

15th September

Mosquito 6

PZ295

No.618 Sqn

North Coates

The aircraft swung and belly-landed after engine failure on takeoff.

16th September

Mosquito 20

KB211

1655 MTU

Moulton Chapel

Airborne 1725 from Warboys for practise bombing, but broke up in mid-air approx 1740 and crashed at Woodgate Farm, Moulton Chapel. F/L A.W. Rutledge KIA, P/O J.K. Evans KIA.

17th September

Spitfire 2

P8235

53 OTU

nr Hibaldstow

Force-landed wheels-up 0.5 miles northwest of the airfield following engine failure.

17th September

Beaufighter 10

LX806

No.254 Sqn

off North Coates

Ditched following engine failure.

17th September

Beaufighter 10

NE223

No.143 Sqn

off North Coates

Ditched following engine failure on takeoff.

17th September

Stirling

LJ523

1661 HCU

Harlaxton

Coded -E- , airborne 1915 from Winthorpe for a night cross-country sortie. On return, crew were unable to raise Winthorpe or their briefed divert airfield, and chose to try to land at Harlaxton, a small grass airfield. On landing, the aircraft was unable to stop inside the airfield and ended up wrecked by one of the airfield's defence posts. Tailgunner Sgt C.E. Dunlop was injured and treated locally.

18th September

Mosquito 12

HK228

No.307 Sqn

Sturgate

Collided with HK194.

18th September

Mosquito 12

HK194

No.307 Sqn

Sturgate

Collided with HK228.pilot was P/O Gasecki PAF, escaped captivity in Germany after being shot down in Wellington HE347 on 21st June 43. Arrived back in the UK Sep 2nd 43. Finn quotes HK194 recorded as mid-aired with KB215 19th Oct, but KB215 recorded as destroyed on Oct 19th when a bomb exploded in the bomb bay over Wainfleet Range.

18th September

Lancaster 3

LM683

No.463 Sqn

Bracebridge Heath

Coded JO-?, Airborne 1820 18th Sep from Waddington for Bremerhaven. Crash landed on return at Bracebridge Heath airfield due battle-damage. No one was injured but sadly, most of this crew were killed 6/7 Nov in NG191. F/O J.Austin RAAF, Sgt A.Umpleby, F/O S.Rodgers, Sgt E.R.L.M Ameye, P/O H.V.Ellens RAAF, Sgt D.A.Holmes, Sgt J.Baggaley.

19th September

Lancaster 3

PB298

No.106 Sqn

nr Fulbeck

Coded ZN-? Airborne 1900 18th Sep from Metheringham for Bremerhaven. On return to base was obliged to take violent evasive action to avoid a mid-air collision and lost control crash-landing 2315 not far from the airfield at Fulbeck . No injuries. F/L H.B.Barron, Sgt G.McKean, Sgt B.A.Rouse, F/O D.T.Kent, Sgt E.A.Firth, Sgt N.W.Deakins, Sgt E.V.Prince.

20th September

UC-78 Bobcat

43-7415

61 TCG

Barkston Heath

Crashed on landing, pilot Thomas G. Cargill.

24th September

Master 2

DL243

17 FTS

Caythorpe

Stalled whilst overshooting and crashed.

25th September

Lancaster 1

R5866

1 LFS

Hemswell

Engine start 0845, ahead of the pupil & crew boarding, instructor pilot F/L W.F. Caldow inadvertently raised the main undercarriage, wrecking the aircraft.

26th September

Blenheim 5

AZ898

12 PAFU

Spitalgate

Hit on the ground by AZ877 (which was repaired).

27th September

Spitfire 5

W3173

53 OTU

nr Kirton Lindsey

Crashed on takeoff.

27th September

Blenheim 5

BA147

12 PAFU

Spitalgate

Crashed on overshoot.

27th September

Lancaster 3

LM457

No.101 Sqn

Ludford Magna

Coded SR-V2, the aircraft was declared DBR on return from Karlsruhe after being hit by a falling bomb. No record of this in Chorley.

27th September

P-51B Mustang

43-6705

554 FTS / 49 6FTG

Coningsby

Crash-landed following engine failure. Pilot Frank J. Hoder

28th September

Stirling

LJ474

1660 HCU

Swinderby

Coded TV-Q, airborne Swinderby 0001 for high-level bombing, rtb both outer engines stopped and wheels stuck in bays, crashed 0150.

29th September

Stirling

LJ932

No.138 Sqn

Ludford Magna

Coded NF-N. SOE-assigned. Airborne 1936 28th Sep from Tempsford on Operation Tablejam 14/26 and headed for Denmark. Badly shot about by a Ju88 whose fire destroyed the starboard inner engine. On regaining the Lincolnshire coast, the crew headed for RAF Ludford Magna but when established on final approach both port engines failed and the Stirling crash- landed 0235, being wrecked in the process. For his steadfast courage in continuing to carry out his Flight Engineer duties, while wounded, F/O Curtis was awarded an immediate DFC. F/L Riddel had gained his DFM with 61 Sqn. Gazetted 11Feb41. F/L R.W.Read DFC inj, F/O C.K.Curtis inj, F/O R.C.Bryant DFC, F/O P.Casey RCAF, F/L M.A.D.Riddel DFM, F/S W.Waddington, W/O N.R.Hutchins RAAF.

3rd October

Oxford

BG267

12 PAFU

Helpringham

Tipped up after engine failure during practised force-landing.

5th October

Stirling

LJ624

1660 HCU

Swinderby

Coded TV-C, airborne 0303 from Swinderby for night training, landed,0423 just off the runway and collided with LK389.

5th October

Stirling

LK389

1660 HCU

Swinderby

Collided with LJ624, slight damage, returned to service.

6th October

Master 2

AZ381

7 PAFU

Sutton Bridge

Undercarriage collapsed on landing.

6th October

Blenheim 5

AZ946

12 PAFU

nr Spitalgate

Collided with NG198 and crashed 1.5 miles northeast of the airfield.

6th October

Lancaster 1

NG198

6 FP / 619 Sqn

nr Spitalgate

Collided with AZ946 and crashed 1.5 miles northeast of the airfield - this aircraft was transferred to 619 Sqn on the day of the crash so may have been on a test flight.

8th October

Halifax 5

LK642

1667 HCU

Belton village

Airborne from Sandtoft 2030, landed awkwardly 2059, overshot and hit a cottage in Belton Village, all 6 crew injured. F/O G.G. Smith, P/O C.R. Applewhite, Sgt F.W.J. Crouch, Sgt C. Wilson, Sgt H.G.A. Allan, Sgt A.W.J. Enstone.

8th October

P-51B Mustang

43-7000

496 FTG

Barton-on-Humber

Recorded as possibly colliding with 43-12180 by Hancock.

8th October

P-51B Mustang

43-12180

496 FTG

Barton-on-Humber

Recorded as possibly colliding with 43-7000 by Hancock.

10th October

Master 2

DL888

7 PAFU

Sutton Bridge

Crashed after control lost at night.

10th October

Halifax 5

LL501

1667 HCU

mouth of the Trent

Airborne from Sandtoft 1805 on night cross-country, Crashed into riverbank at 2330 whilst trying to ascertain position. Sgt R.W. Christie RCAF inj, Sgt E.F. Gazley KIA, F/O L.E. Cameron RCAF KIA, Sgt C.B. Greer RCAF KIA, Sgt H.R. Latham RCAF KIA, Sgt E.G. Woodward KIA.

10th October

Lancaster 2

DS763

1668 HCU

NK

Aircraft crashed - noted in Holmes listing, but no further detail on location. The aircraft was transferred from 426 Sqn to 1668HCU in August 1944.

11th October

L-4H Cub

43-29851

59 LS / 61 LG

Barkston Heath

Taxying accident, pilot John M. Coats.

12th October

B-17G Fortress

42-39973

730 BS / 452 BG

nr Ingham

Named 'Inside Curve' Crashed 2 miles west of Ingham after breaking up in mid-air, possibly due to wake turbulence whilst in formation assembly for mission 148 to Bremen, 2LT William J. Miller- Pilot KIA, F/O Joseph A. Kayatta Co-Pilot KIA, 2LT Sidney Solomon - Navigator RTD, 2LT Robert H. Brucks Bombardier KIA, TSGT Charles A. Bacharach Engineer KIA, TSGT John J. Wilson Radioman KIA, SSGT Earl O. Bowen BT Gunner KIA, SSGT Paschel H. Powell W Gunner RTD, SSGT Matt W. Ransom III Tail Gunner KIA.

12th October

Lancaster 1

PD227

No.166 Sqn

nr Hemswell

Coded AS-? Airborne from Kirmington with a crew of ten, including five air Gunners for fighter affiliation training. A mid-air collision occurred with Hurricane 11c LF390 of 1687 Flight, flown by W/O N.L.Pretlove and both machines crashed 1240 about 1 mile E of Hemswell airfield. W/O Pretlove is buried in Northampton General Cemetery, while the Lancaster crew are buried in various cemeteries, four of the five Canadian airmen being taken to Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery. P/O L.W.McChesnie RCAF KIA, Sgt G.W.Cundick KIA, F/O J.R.Stoneman RCAF KIA, F/S D.J.Rodgers RCAF KIA, Sgt H.Lewis KIA, Sgt G.R.McWhirter RCAF KIA, F/S A.R.Williamson KIA, Sgt J.Derbyshire RCAF KIA, Sgt J.Fletcher KIA, Sgt C.S.Offord KIA.

12th October

Hurricane 2

LF390

1687 BDTF

nr Hemswell

Airborne from Ingham 1240 for a fighter affiliation exercise. Collided with PD227 at approx 1240 approx 1 mile east of Hemswell. W/O N.L. Pretlove KIA.

12th October

Lancaster 3

NK

No.61 Sqn

Skellingthorpe

Possibly a minor accident - no recorded loss of an aircraft on this date in Chorley or lostbombers.

14th October

Lancaster 1

LL956

No.625 Sqn

Little Grimsby

Coded CF-S. Airborne 0628 from Kelstern for Duisburg? and crashed six minutes later at Bradley's Farm, 4 miles N of Louth. In the last moments of flight, six crew members managed to parachute. The two airmen killed are buried in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery. F/S Bennett was a graduate from the College of Pharmacy in Toronto. F/O L.A.Hannah RCAF KIA, Sgt D.R.Paige RCAF (P2) Sgt R.B.Bennett F/S K.R.Strachan RCAF F/S L.D.Bennett RCAF KIA, F/s J.Bilan RCAF Sgt K.J.McCrorie F/S J.H.Loughren RCAF.

14th October

Lancaster 1

ME788

No.12 Sqn

off Skegness

Coded PH-Q, Airborne 0640 14th Oct from Wickenby. Outbound, ditched 0710 14th Oct due to an engine fire, off the Lincolnshire coast between Mablethorpe and Grimsby. All were picked up, relatively unharmed. F/O C.H.Henry Sgt F.H.Hesketh Sgt G.C.Haywood F/O N.L.V.Chesson F/S J.K.Penrose F/S E.O.Martin Sgt E.W.Kendall. Finn quotes serial as ME778.

15th October

Spitfire 5

EP114

57 OTU

Kirton Lindsey

Collided with P7438 whilst taxying, repaired after the accident.

15th October

Spitfire 2

P7438

53 OTU

Kirton Lindsey

Collided with EP114 whilst taxying.

15th October

Master 2

DM349

7 PAFU

Wrangle

Force-landed wheels up after engine failure.

15th October

Wellington 10

HE289

18 OTU

Kelstern

Airborne at 0036 from Finningley for a night practise-bombing sortie with a Polish Air Force crew. One engine failed in flight and the crew tried to jettison the bombload with only partial success. The aircraft landed wheels-up, caught fire and exploded. 5 of the crew escaped unhurt, but Sgt Kulagowski PAF was killed in the blast. He was the last Polish Air Force fatality at 18 OTU.

16th October

Master 2

AZ662

7 PAFU

Sutton Bridge

Overran on landing.

17th October

Oxford

HM603

7 PAFU

Sutton Bridge

Hit by 41-31190 after landing.

17th October

A-35 Vengeance

41-31190

1 TTGS

Sutton Bridge

Struck HM603 which had just landed.

18th October

P-51B Mustang

43-6506

555 FTS / 496 FTG

Goxhill

Damaged in an incident - no further details recorded.

18th October

P-51D Mustang

44-13859

55 F S/ 20 FG

off Skegness

Ditched 1 mile east of Skegness, Walter Mullins KIA (Finn quotes this as being off Chapel st Leonards).

19th October

Mosquito 20

KB215

No.627 Sqn

Wainfleet range

Hancock has this aircraft destroyed over the range when a bomb exploded in the bomb bay, 1 Killed, Finn quotes this a/c as collided with HK194, though that would appear to be HK228.

20th October

Lancaster 3

PA993

No.626 Sqn

nr Stainton-by-Langworth

Coded UM-H2. Airborne 1659 19th Oct from Wickenby for Stuttgart. On return to base overshot the runway and crashed 0013 20nd Oct amongst trees near Stainton by lungwort, a village on the Lincoln to Market Rasen railway and just to the N of the main road leading from Lincoln to Horncastle. Sgt Terry died while being treated in Lincoln Hospital, he was taken to his home town for burial. F/O R.S.Clements inj, Sgt R.J.Terry inj, Sgt J.Air inj, Sgt L.T.A.Gardner RCAF inj, Sgt J.M.Hill inj, Sgt R.Richmond RCAF inj, Sgt T.Studney RCAF injured.

24th October

Lancaster 1

ME641

No.166 Sqn

nr Market Rasen

Coded AS-B, Airborne 2000 24th Oct from Kirmington but collided in the air with a No.460 Sqn Lancaster (JB547) out of Binbrook, and crashed 2220 near Bully Hill, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire. Sgt Connolly died the next day from his injuries. Along with the other Canadian, he is bured in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery. P/O A.H.Hullah KIA, Sgt J.Oldfield WO2 G.A.Andrews RCAF KIA, F/O R.J.Barton RCAF Sgt A.J.Wolfe KIA, Sgt T.L.Connolly RCAF inj, Sgt W.P.Martin KIA.

27th October

Mosquito 2

DZ256

No.239 Sqn

Stapleford Woods

Coded HB-?, airborne 1105 from West Raynham. The aircraft spun in at approximately 1125. F/L J.H. Roberts KIA, Sgt A.H. Ashcroft KIA.

28th October

Stirling

EE907

1661 HCU

nr Swinderby

Coded -K, Airborne 1950 from Winthorpe on night 3-engine practise. Diversion necessary to Swinderby due to weather. Remaining 3 engines lost power on approach and the aircraft crashed into Horsham Wood at 2320. F/L S.H. Martin inj, F/O R.J. Fairhead inj, F/O J. Robertson DFC KIA, Sgt J.J. Glasgow KIA, F/O A.W. Gayford K (died 31st from injuries), Sgt R. Reed KIA, Sgt J.E. Buckminster inj, Sgt A.W. Coombes injured.

28th October

Halifax 3

MZ576

No.10 Sqn

off Immingham

Coded ZA-T. Airborne 1309 28th Oct from Melbourne for Cologne. Outbound, the port outer engine failed and the bomb-load was jettisoned. However, the Halifax continued to lose height and a ditching was carried out at 1437 off Immingham on the Lincolnshire coast. Some five hours later the crew were picked up by HMS Middleton and taken to Portsmouth. F/O C.Bleakley, Sgt H.McHugh, Sgt P.Shelley, F/O W.Hiscott, Sgt E.Blinko, Sgt A.Bennett, Sgt S.Canning.

28th October

Lancaster 3

ED860

No.61 Sqn

Skellingthorpe

Coded QR-N, christened 'Nuts'. Attempted take-off 2239 28th Oct from Skellingthorpe to attack the U- boat pens at Bergen but swung off the runway. No injuries reported, but this veteran Lancaster was damaged beyond repair. Struck Off Charge having completed 130 operations with a total of 1,032 hours. F/O L.A.Pearce RAAF, Sgt J.B.Murray, F/S R.B.Pettigrew RAAF, Sgt D.A.Barker, Sgt A.E.Perry, Sgt A.Barker, Sgt R.Gillanders.

29th October

Lancaster 3

ND902

No.61 Sqn

Skellingthorpe

Coded QR-R, Airborne 2236 28th Oct from Skellingthorpe to bomb the U-boat Pens at Bergen. Unable to identify the AP and while trying to establish a reference point came under sustained Flak and was badly damaged. As a consequence, most of the bomb load was jettisoned. Landed 0501 29th Oct where the Lancaster was declared Beyond Economical Repair. F/O S.E.Miller, Sgt G.McChrystal, F/S S.Fleet, Sgt R.T.Galloway, F/S G.D.Mummery RAAF, Sgt I.A.Hay, Sgt J.E.Norcutt.

30th October

Stirling

EF212

1660 HCU

Swinderby

Coded TV-U, airborne 2030 from Swinderby for night convex, landed 2355, with another aircraft on the runway. Avoiding action caused undercarriage collapse.

30th October

Halifax 5

LL226

1667 HCU

Sandtoft

Airborne 1856 for night cross-country, but turned back early. Approached downwind, overshot and crashed into a bungalow, killing the occupants and a passing cyclist. Crew: P/O L.W. Linklater RAAF KIA, F/S H.J. Kyle RAAF inj, F/S J.E. Brown RAAF inj, remaining 4 crew unhurt, Cyclist LAC T.S. Nixon killed, Bungalow occupants killed: Mr. H. Wraith, Mrs A. Wraith (nee Waite).

1st November

Halifax 3

NP954

No.429 Sqn

Spilsby

Hit by swinging Lancaster PD290 which exploded.

1st November

Halifax 3

MZ424

No.429 Sqn

Spilsby

Hit by swinging Lancaster PD290 which exploded.

1st November

Halifax 3

MZ824

No.429 Sqn

Spilsby

Hit by swinging Lancaster PD290 which exploded.

1st November

Halifax 3

MZ880

No.429 Sqn

Spilsby

Hit by swinging Lancaster PD290 which exploded.

1st November

Lancaster 1

PD290

No.207 Sqn

Spilsby

Coded EM-N. Started take-off 1345 1st Nov from Spilsby but swung out of control and collided with a parked 429 Sqdn Halifax. In the ensuing fire and explosion, three more Halifaxes were wrecked. The Lancaster crew have been omitted from 107 Sqn ORB, though none were injured. F/O A.T.Loveless. There is an account published in 'RAF and RCAF Aircraft Nose-Art, WW11' whereby PD290 collided with Halifax MZ824 which exploded in mid-air. It is considered worthwhile to add to this record but there is sufficient provenance for the report of the ground collision to be considered correct.

2nd November

Spitfire 5C

AR515

53 OTU

Hibaldstow

Swung on takeoff at night, hit a hangar and also EM477.

2nd November

Martinet

EM477

53 OTU

Hibaldstow

Hit by AR515.

3rd November

Beaufighter 10

NT946

No.254 Sqn

Donna Nook

Crash-landed after being hit by flak during a convoy attack.

4th November

Lancaster 3

NF986

No.166 Sqn

nr Croxby

Coded AS-T, recorded as lost without trace on the Bochum raid Airborne 1725 4th Nov from Kirmington. Lost without trace. all are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. At 37. F/s Booth was well over the average age of Bomber Command air-crew. F/O J.R.Wilson KIA, Sgt J.R.Fenton KIA, F/S N.R.Booth KIA, F/S K.F.Bull KIA, F/S E.Bowring KIA, Sgt J.H.Crooks KIA, Sgt D.Chapman KIA.

5th November

Stirling

EH977

1660 HCU

Bassingham Fen

Coded -Z, Airborne from Swinderby on night convex. aircraft experienced engine trouble and crashed at 0240 whilst banking to the right. Investigation showed that one engine had failed, but a functioning one had been feathered. F/S R.J. Chambers RAAF KIA, Sgt M.A. Rand KIA, Sgt S.F. Weedon KIA, F/O N.U. Bibb KIA, F/S K.J. Gerathy RAAF KIA, Sgt W.F. Whalley KIA, Sgt W.B. Telford KIA.

6th November

Mosquito 4

W4066

8 OTU

nr Coningsby

Aircraft lost 3 miles south-east of Coningsby. One engine caught fire, causing the undercarriage to drop. The aircraft rolled over and dived into the ground.

6th November

Oxford

X6795

17 FTS

nr Elsham Wolds

Landed wheels-up following engine failure.

9th November

Hurricane 1

L2087

7 PAFU

nr Crowland

Crashed 2 miles west of Crowland, possibly on Stowgate Farm.

9th November

Master 2

DL949

7 PAFU

Sutton Bridge

Stalled on landing and overturned.

10th November

Anson

NK

NK

Spitalgate

No further details. 

10th November

Spitfire 5B

W3456

17 FTS

North Rauceby

Dived in at Heath Farm.

11th November

Lancaster 1

LM360

No.61 Sqn

Fiskerton

Coded VN-?. Airborne 1644 11th Nov from Skellingthorpe to Harburg. Turned back with failing engines, jettisoning the bomb load into the sea. At base the visibility was poor and no less than three approaches were aborted before the crew diverted to East Kirkby. en route, the engine problem worsened and F/L Hickling decided to land at Fiskerton, but with power rapidly decaying the Lancaster under-shot the runway by some 250 yards, coming to rest at 2027 damaged beyond repair. No crew injuries. F/O E.H.Hickling RAAF, Sgt W.A.Clark, F/S E.W.Glossop, F/S D.C.Watson, F/O A.C.Thompson, F/S G.T.Alcock, Sgt R.C.McCallum. This was the aircraft in which Bill Reid won his VC 3/4 Nov 43.

11th November

Halifax 2

JN967

1662 HCU

East Ferry

Airborne from Blyton 1752 for night navigation exercise, at 1800 the aircraft crashed in flames from 3000ft at East Ferry after one starboard engine caught fire. The aircraft was so thoroughly destroyed that the exact cause of the engine fire could not be determined. Sgt L. Milewski PAF KIA, Sgt S. Manek PAF KIA, Sgt S. Babiacki PAF KIA, P/O M.E. Wisniewski PAF KIA, Sgt F. Piwoda PAF KIA, Sgt M. Kozlowski PAF KIA, Sgt J. Rzestelny PAF KIA.

11th November

Lancaster 1

PD314

No.626 Sqn

nr Wragby

Coded UM-J2. Airborne 1609 11th Nov from Wickenby to Dortmund. Crashed 2113 on return to base, coming down approximately. 1 mile NNE of the airfield. F/O Dainty is buried in Ilkley Cemetery; F/S Friend is buried at Chingford Mount Cemetery. F/O F.W.Dainty KIA, Sgt V.Oates inj, WO2 V.Werier RCAF inj, F/S J.D.Friend KIA, Sgt A.Emerson inj, Sgt J.Powell inj, Sgt E.Skinner injured.

11th November

Lancaster 3

LM648

No.44 Sqn

nr Spilsby

Coded KM-K, Airborne 1633 11th Nov from Spilsby for Harburg. On return to base collided in the circuit with a 207 Sqn Lancaster (See PB428), both aircraft crashing out of control. F/O Grassie is buried in Harrogate (Stonefall Cemetery) but F/S Mitchelll was taken to Cambridge City Cemetery. The others are buried in their home towns. Sgt Routledge is buried in the same Cemetery as his brother Sgt John Newton Routledge killed 13th Jul 40 while flying with 218 Sqn. See Blenheim R3597. F/O P.A.C.Caryer KIA, Sgt R.D.Driscoll KIA, F/O C.R.Grassie RCAF KIA, F/O D.S.Arnett KIA, F/S D.L.Mitchell RAAF KIA, Sgt D.Keen KIA, Sgt J.Routledge KIA.

11th November

Lancaster 3

PB428

No.207 Sqn

nr Spilsby

Coded EM-T, Airborne 1624 11th Nov from Spilsby for Harburg. On return to base collided in the circuit with LM648 (44 Sqn), both Lancasters crashing out of control, killing both sets of crew-members. The two Canadian members of this crew are buried at Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery, both australians were taken to Cambridge City Cemetery, while the others are buried in their home towns. F/O W.A.Sparks KIA, F/O A.F.Cullington KIA, P/O W.G.Armour RCAF KIA, F/O J.A.Baker RAAF KIA, P/O A.L.Plowman RAAF KIA, Sgt J.Nugent KIA, F/S G.Rye RCAF KIA.

12th November

Halifax 5

LL389

1667 HCU

Sandtoft

Airborne for cross-country sortie. On return at 1615, landed heavily and burst the port tyre. aircraft veered left and snapped undercarriage.

14th November

Lancaster 3

PB702

No.83 Sqn

off Skegness

Coded OL-G. On a training flight, aircraft emerged from low cloud in an almost level attitude and crashed onto a sandbank in The Wash. All were brought to safety by a pilot boat and admitted to Boston Hospital, although it is thought their injuries were all of a minor nature. F/O W.A.McNeil inj, Sgt R.W.Stoneman inj, F/O J.W.Hudson inj, Sgt J.O'Leary inj, Sgt J.Hinton inj, F/S G.Lonsdale inj, Sgt A.Bibby injured.

23rd November

Lancaster 1

LL949

No.630 Sqn

in the Humber

Coded LE-E. airborne 1626 22nd Nov from East Kirkby to mark the U-Boat pens at Trondheim. Came down on a sandbank near the N bank of the Humber off Sunk Island. sgt Henley and the three RNZAF airmen are buried in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery; Sgt Woodward died from his injuries 1st Dec. he is buried in Hampstead Cemetery. F/O G.R.Flood RNZAF KIA, Sgt L.T.Woodward inj, F/S C.Agnew RNZAF KIA, F/S K.J.Aspell KIA, F/S W.R.Ingram RNZAF KIA, Sgt F.Hughes KIA, Sgt M.B.Henley KIA.

23rd November

Blenheim 5

AD658

12 PAFU

Harlaxton

Landed wheels-up.

26th November

Oxford

N6299

17 FTS

nr Cranwell

Landed wheels-up 1 mile south-southwest of the airfield following engine failure on takeoff. Finn quotes unit as 3 SFTS and location near Spitalgate.

26th November

Lancaster 3

PB432

No.49 Sqn

Dry Doddington

Coded EA-O. Airborne 2341 26th Nov from Fulbeck to Munich but three minutes later the Lancaster crashed at Dry Doddington, SE of the airfield and 8 miles NW of Grantham. Sgt Langley is buried at Charlton (st.John The Baptist) Churchyard while Sgt Blake is Buried in Hendon Cemetery. F/O G.H.Le Marquand inj, Sgt W.S.Wade inj, F/S R.E.Ransome inj, Sgt N.Bowers inj, Sgt N.I.Langley KIA, Sgt E.G.Blake KIA, Sgt T.Price injured.

26th November

Halifax 2

W7808

1656 HCU

Skellingthorpe

Airborne 1145 from Lindholme on a day training sortie. Outer engines failed in low-level flight at 800 ft and could not be feathered. Pilot sighted an airfield, lowered the undercarriage but after touching down at 1530 aircraft overran and ended up in trees in boggy ground.

29th November

Blenheim 5

BA237

12 PAFU

Harlaxton

Landed wheels-up.

2nd December

Master 2

AZ801

7 PAFU

Sutton Bridge

Undercarriage collapsed on landing.

2nd December

Blenheim 5

AZ953

12 PAFU

Spitalgate

Landed wheels-up.

3rd December

Lancaster 1

NN699

No.625 Sqn

Kelstern

Coded CF-C, Crashed at base on return from Urft Dam at Heimbach. Airborne 0741 from Kelstern for a daylight raid on the Urft Dam. On return to base over-ran the runway and crashed 1159 just beyond the runway. No injuries reported. F/O G.A.Naylor, Sgt L.Sutherland, F/O J.S.Joiner, F/S D.Braden RAAF, F/S R.French RAAF, F/O F.T.Rix, Sgt S.Lavender.

4th December

Stirling

EF186

1661 HCU

nr Grantham

Coded GP-V, airborne at 2030 from Winthorpe to practise recovery from unusual angles of flight. aircraft entered a bank of CuNim cloud at 2055, and crashed onto Breeder hills 4 miles west of Grantham after presumed icing. F/O G.R. Campbell RAAF KIA, F/S D.J. Standring KIA, Sgt L.G. Diggins KIA, Sgt W.L. Howarth KIA, Sgt E.W. Heaton KIA, Sgt A.L. Terry KIA, Sgt A. Winn KIA, Sgt B. Stowe KIA, Sgt K.C. Glinz RCAF KIA.

4th December

Lancaster 1

LM176

No.166 Sqn

Brocklesby Park

Coded AS-X, airborne 1624 4th Dec from Kirmington. On return to base, and while preparing to land, spun and crashed 2314 at Brocklesby Park near the airfield. Most are buried in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery. F/O S.R.Hanna RCAF KIA, Sgt P.Morris KIA, P/O D.S.Howard RCAF KIA, F/O C.W.Macklaier RCAF KIA, WO2 W.P Wynnyk RCAF KIA, F/S W.R.Darling RCAF KIA, F/S C.A.Fowler RCAF KIA.

4th December

Wellington 13

MF226

EAAS

Great Carlton

Crashed into cottages after engine failure on approach to Manby.

7th December

Lancaster 1

PB749

1651 HCU

Langtoft

Airborne 1150 from Woolfox Lodge for practise bombing sortie. Aircraft broke up at 1214 near Langtoft, 7 Killed, first Lancaster accident for 1651 HCU. F/S J. Hall KIA, Sgt M. Carty KIA, Sgt D.J. Taylor KIA, Sgt P.E. Costin KIA, Sgt F.R. Smith KIA, P/O A. Yoxon KIA, Sgt D.G. Mackenzie KIA.

9th December

Halifax 3

LL498

1662 HCU

Blyton

Coded D, airborne from Blyton 1040 for bombing practise, returned to the circuit, but fuel low warning showed, aircraft dropped to 700ft and despite increasing power, pilot force-landed wheels up on the airfield at 1245.

12th December

Lancaster 3

W4859

1662 HCU

nr Blyton

Airborne 2133 for night circuit practise, bounced on contact with runway at 2141, and crashed from 50ft into a barn by Blyton railway station, catching fire on impact. F/L R.K. Eames KIA, Sgt N.G. Millar KIA, F/L G.R. Gill KIA, Sgt P. Murphy KIA, Sgt E. Booth KIA.

12th December

Lancaster 3

JA908

1668 HCU

East Kirkby

Airborne 1014 from Bottesford on a training flight. During the sortie the flametraps on the port outer burned through, and the aircraft tried to land on 3 engines at East Kirkby in poor visibility. The aircraft bounced on touchdown and lost the starboard wheel, causing a forced landing during which the aircraft caught fire. 7 crew injured: F/O L.J. Richer RCAF, Sgt B.C. Terry, P/O L.G. Gilliard, Sgt J.E. Cable, Sgt V. Lenney, P/O R.W. Miller RCAF, P/O E.J. May RCAF, F/O Kissack unhurt.

15th December

Lancaster 3

PD201

No.12 Sqn

Holbeach Drove

Coded PH-E. Airborne 1507 15th Dec from Wickenby to Luwigshafen. While returning to base a fire broke out and before anyone could react the Lancaster dived into the ground at 2100, exploding on impact, near Holbeach Drove, 8 miles SSW of Holbeach. Sgt Nicholls was buried at nearby Sutton Bridge (St.Matthew) Churchyard. Both Air Gunners are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, but the others were taken home. It is likely that Sgt Smith's funeral was conducted by his father, the Revd. Arthur Augustus Smith of Hexham. P/O Gillingham's father was RSM James Gillingham of The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. P/O E.T Gillingham KIA, Sgt J.Nicholls KIA, Sgt F.D.M.Smith KIA, Sgt A.Muttock KIA, Sgt J.A.Carter KIA, Sgt F.J.Angus KIA, Sgt J.G.Robinson KIA.

16th December

B-17G Fortress

44-8421

546 BS / 384 BG

North Coates

Landing accident, pilot James D. Brookshire, no further details.

22nd December

Lancaster 1

PB688

No.463 Sqn

nr Waddington

Coded JO-M. Airborne 1632 21/22 Dec from Waddington to Politz. Crashed 0246 22 Dec on return to Waddington, crashing about a mile to the N of the airfield. Weather conditions at the time were extremely poor. Of those killed, all were buried in Cambridge City Cemetery. F/O R.H.Halstead RAAF KIA, Sgt B.E.O.Pettigrew KIA, F/O C.J.Greenwood RAAF KIA, F/S J.R.Power RAAF KIA, F/S G.J.Cheyne RAAF KIA, F/S L.E.J.Millar RAAF KIA, F/S T.A.Nation RAAF injured.

22nd December

Lancaster 3

PB533

No.83 Sqn

Metheringham

Coded OL-Q. Airborne 1636 21st Dec from Coningsby to bomb Politz. On return to base the crew were instructed to divert to Metheringham which had the FIDO facility. Whilst attempting to land in very bad visibility the Lancaster crashed 0246 22nd Dec. Of those killed F/L Booker was taken to Cambridge City Cemetery while the others were buried in their home towns. S/L Hatcher's father was Major Henry Hatcher, formerly of the Royal Field Artillery. S/L L.Hatcher DFC AFM KIA, F/S H.J.Naldrett KIA, F/L A.J.Booker DFC KIA, P/O E.Marron KIA, W/O R.F.Goodman KIA, F/L C.Summerscales DFC KIA, W/O F.J.Bell KIA, F/L M.F.Ingmire injured.

22nd December

Lancaster 1

NG244

No.626 Sqn

Wickenby

Coded UM-E2. Lost on a raid to Koblenz. Airborne 1623 22nd Dec from Wickenby but was obliged to turn back after the failure of the port inner engine. approaching base, the crew were told to divert to Leeming, Yorkshire, but in the circumstances the pilot continued his approach, only to stall and crash. On impact, the Lancaster exploded. all are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. F/P R.R.Preece KIA, Sgt A.F.Liddle KIA, F/S A.G.Mace KIA, F/O F.E.Gurden KIA, Sgt W.T.Stapleton KIA, Sgt P.L.Waldon KIA, Sgt P.Radley KIA.

22nd December

Lancaster 1

NG258

No.630 Sqn

Winceby

Coded LE-?. Lost on mission to Politz. Airborne 1658 21st Dec from East Kirkby. Crashed 0250 22nd Dec at Scanfield farm. Those killed were buried in their home towns. F/O Stockill was cremated at Darlington. F/O A.Stockill KIA, Sgt J.Duffett KIA, F/O W.McP James KIA, Sgt R.A.Bruck KIA, Sgt J.S.Bain KIA, Sgt J.Quinlivan KIA, Sgt L.Pooley injured.

22nd December

Lancaster 1

ME561

No.617 Sqn

Tealby

Coded KC-T. Airborne 1654 21st Dec from Woodhall Spa. On return to base the crew were diverted to Ludford Magna and land by aid of FIDO, due to fog blanketing the local area. On approach to Ludford, the Lancaster's port wing brushed the ground causing the bomber to crash 0240 22nd Dec at Tealby, 3 miles ENE of Market Rasen. The two airmen killed were taken to their home towns for burial. F/O Walker's DFC was Gazetted 12th Jan 45. F/O A.E.Joplin RNZAF inj, Sgt F.L.Tilley inj, F/S C.B.R.Fish inj, F/O A.J.Walker DFC KIA, F/S R.B.Yates KIA, F/S J.T.Thomson injured.

22nd December

Lancaster 1

PD213

No.9 Sqn

nr Bardney

Coded WS-F, Airborne 1633 21st Dec from Bardney for Politz. On return to base visibility was extremely poor and while trying to land this Lancaster collided with a tree and crashed 0235 22nd Dec near the airfield. Sgt White is buried in Thrybergh (St Leonard) Old churchyard. Fellow Yorkshireman F/S Willis is buried at Bradfield (St Nicholas) Churchyard. F/O J.A.Read inj, Sgt E.A.White KIA, Sgt N.F.J.Featherstone inj, F/S V.S.Willis KIA, F/S D.McArdle inj, Sgt H.B.Rothwell inj, Sgt W.J.W.Linaker injured.

26th December

Me109G

NK

NK

Fulbeck

Crash-landed with a defecting pilot after flying from Denmark.

29th December

Mosquito 4

DZ650

No.627 Sqn

Woodhall Spa

Coded AZ-Q, Airborne 1923 29th Dec from Woodhall Spa to lay mines in the River Elbe but swung off the runway, crashing out of control. No injuries reported. F/O H.V.Olliver RNZAF.

30th December

B-17G Fortress

42-97479

92 BG

East Kirkby

Named "Belle of Liberty" Crashed on approach with battle damage from mission 238 against the Bullay railway bridge at Koblenz. Sgt Harold R. Barner KIA, Sgt Wilfred A. Bedard KIA,Sgt Charles H. Chambers KIA, 2nd Lt John E. Cowan KIA, Sgt Arthur R. Estrada KIA, 2nd Lt Edward A. Porter Jr KIA, Sgt Thomas G. Standish Jr KIA, 2nd Lt Joseph Van Stratton KIA, Sgt William D. White KIA.

31st December

Spitfire 5c

AR467

53 OTU

Hibaldstow

Overshot landing.

31st December

Spitfire 5B

EN861

53 OTU

Nettleton Top

Crashed following loss of control during a tail chase exercise.