Crash of a Vickers 416 Wellington IC near Al Dabaa
Date & Time:
Sep 5, 1942 at 2330 LT
Registration:
Z8976
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Abu Sueir - Abu Sueir
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Abu Sueir at 1900LT on an operation to Tobruk. At 2315LT, while approaching the target area at an altitude of 12,000 feet, it was hit by the German Flak and the left engine stopped. The crew decided to return to base but was unable to maintain altitude with only the starboard engine running. Eventually, the pilot made a smooth emergency landing in a desert area located in the Qattara Depression, near Al Dabaa. All six crew members walked for 29 days before reaching the allied lines.
Crew:
Sgt Reginald Cyril Carter, pilot,
Sgt Arthur Dennis Bebbington, pilot,
Sgt Ivor Davies, navigator,
P/O Brian Earl Johnston, wireless operator,
Sgt John Christopher Haldon, air gunner,
F/Sgt Georges Thomas Boniface Croisiau, air gunner.
Crew:
Sgt Reginald Cyril Carter, pilot,
Sgt Arthur Dennis Bebbington, pilot,
Sgt Ivor Davies, navigator,
P/O Brian Earl Johnston, wireless operator,
Sgt John Christopher Haldon, air gunner,
F/Sgt Georges Thomas Boniface Croisiau, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Hit by the German Flak.