Crash of a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II in Bechtolsheim: 7 killed
Date & Time:
Apr 17, 1943 at 0232 LT
Operator:
Registration:
HR729
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Snaith - Snaith
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Snaith at 2043LT on April 16 on an operation to Plzeň. It was shot down by a German fighter and crashed in Bechtolsheim. Seven crew members were killed and the wireless operator survived and became PoW.
Crew:
W/O Joseph Gilbert Edwards, pilot, †
P/O Antony Derek Kitchen, pilot, †
Sgt Geoffrey Evan Roberts, flight engineer, †
F/O William Christie Brisbane, navigator, †
Sgt Alun Oliver Lewis, navigator, †
F/O John William Marriott, wireless operator,
Sgt Harry Ray, air gunner, †
F/O Lionel Walters, air gunner. †
Crew:
W/O Joseph Gilbert Edwards, pilot, †
P/O Antony Derek Kitchen, pilot, †
Sgt Geoffrey Evan Roberts, flight engineer, †
F/O William Christie Brisbane, navigator, †
Sgt Alun Oliver Lewis, navigator, †
F/O John William Marriott, wireless operator,
Sgt Harry Ray, air gunner, †
F/O Lionel Walters, air gunner. †
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.
