Crash of a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II in Gilhoc-sur-Ormèze: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jun 25, 1944 at 2345 LT
Operator:
Registration:
JP206
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Blida - Blida
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Blida in the evening on a supply mission to the French Resistance. Near the Sivas Pass, the crew completed two drops. While attempting a third one, a strong wind rose and caught the aircraft again trees. The aircraft crashed into a hill and was destroyed. All seven crew members from the 624th Squadron were killed.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II in Saint-Vincent-de-Barrès: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jun 25, 1944 at 0100 LT
Operator:
Registration:
JP240
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Blida - Blida
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a supply mission to the French Resistance. By night, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter and crashed in a field. All eight occupants were killed, among them a French Captain (the passenger).
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II in Selby: 15 killed

Date & Time: May 10, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
JB789
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
On final approach to the RAF Burn, the bomber aircraft was too low. While overflying the city of Selby, the aircraft hit the top of the St James Church and crashed in flames in a residential area along the Portholme Drive. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire and several houses were destroyed as well. All seven crew members were killed and eight people on ground as well.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II in Great Dun Fell: 9 killed

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
BB310
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Longtown - Longtown
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The crew consisted of five student pilots and four instructors and was performing a training exercise over the mountainous region of Pennines, on behalf of the 1674 HCU. En route since eight hours, the pilot in command did not realize his altitude was insufficient. The aircraft hit the slope of Blea Crag and disintegrated on impact, killing all nine crew members. Wreckage was spotted some 10 miles east of Penrith.
Crew:
F/O Paul B. Stevens, pilot,
F/O Sydney Brookes, pilot,
F/Sgt William Alan Johnson, wireless operator and air gunner,
F/Sgt Frank Pess, wireless operator and air gunner,
F/Sgt Harold S. Seabrook, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Robert J. Littlefield, flight engineer,
Sgt William J. Morrison, navigator,
Sgt Hugh Dunningham, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Dean W. Swedberg, wireless operator and air gunner.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II in Cerreto d’Esi: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
HR660
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brindisi - Brindisi
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a parachute supply mission to the Italian Resistance in the region of Cerreto d’Esi on behalf of the 148th Squadron based in Brindisi. Shortly after the launch, the aircraft was hit by Flak, went out of control and crashed in a field. Five crew were killed while five others were injured.
Probable cause:
Shot down by Flak.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II in Wressle: 7 killed

Date & Time: Feb 29, 1944 at 1710 LT
Operator:
Registration:
JD386
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Wombleton - Wombleton
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While flying over North Lincolnshire, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a prairie for unknown reason. All seven crew members were killed.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II near Mantaille

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
LW275
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crew was performing a supply mission for the French Resistance. En route, while flying over Romans, captain instructed his crew to bail out following an engine fire. Out of control, aircraft crashed in a field and was destroyed while all eight occupants were uninjured. The passenger was a member of the British Special Services.
Probable cause:
Engine fire in flight.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II in Kliplev: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 29, 1944 at 0234 LT
Operator:
Registration:
JD273
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While cruising by night over Denmark, the bomber was shot down by a German fighter and crashed in a field, killing all seven crewmen.
Crew:
Arthur S. O'Connor, pilot,
James Watters, flight engineer,
Gerald A. Twigge,
Albert Mayes,
Albert J. W. Saxty,
Vernon L. Miles, navigator,
Thomas K. Dudley, air gunner.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II in Upwood: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1944 at 2115 LT
Operator:
Registration:
W7823
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Upwood - Upwood
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a night Target Indicator training exercise on behalf of the RAF Pathfinder Navigation Training Unit. Shortly after takeoff from RAF Upwood, the four engine aircraft encountered problems to gain height, hit tree tops and crashed in flames near the village of Upwood. Nine crew were killed while one crewman was seriously injured. Unfortunately, he died a day later.
Crew:
Bernard Francis McSorley,
Frederick Joseph Jervis,
Geoffrey William Clifton Candlin,
Louis Lawrence Oram,
Wilfred George Stoneman,
William Ellenor,
Annesley Richard Kavanagh,
Herbert Alfred William Jolly,
Bejoy Krishna Mitra,
Arthur Charles Preston.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II near Keswick: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
JP182
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Kinloss - Kemble
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crew was performing a ferry flight from RAF Kinloss to RAF Kemble, Wiltshire. En route, while cruising at low altitude, aircraft hit Mt Crag located near Keswick. Both crew were killed.