Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster I in Zwiggelte: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jun 4, 1942 at 0114 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
R5847
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bottesford - Bottesford
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Bottesford at 2337LT on June 3 on an operation to Bremen. Over the Netherlands, it was shot down by a German fighter and crashed in Zwiggelte, killing the entire crew.
Crew:
W/O Colin Wathey, pilot,
F/Sgt Laurence John Lea, pilot,
Sgt Russell Roy Alwyn Jones, observer,
F/Sgt Thomas Donald Atkinson, wireless operator,
F/Sgt Grahame Leveson Musitano, wireless operator,
Sgt Colin James Murray Hall, air gunner,
Sgt Stewart Gray Kerr, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster I at RAF Bottesford

Date & Time: Apr 8, 1942 at 0114 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
R5498
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bottesford - Bottesford
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at RAF Bottesford. On final approach at night, both right engines failed. The airplane stalled and crashed short of runway, bursting into flames. All five crew members were seriously injured.
Crew:
F/Sgt J. J. N. McCarthy,
Sgt J. D. La Salle,
Sgt J. M, Leahy,
Sgt D. L. Worthington,
Sgt J. K. Banfield.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure due to lack of fuel.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster I in Bracebridge Heath: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 28, 1942 at 1320 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
R5501
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bottesford - Bottesford
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Bottesford on a training exercise. While cruising in the vicinity of RAF Waddington, it collided with a RAF Miles Master registered DE973 carrying one pilot from RAF College Cranwell. Following the collision, both airplanes dove into the ground and crashed near Bracebridge Heath, north of the airbase. All five crew members in both aircrafts were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Norman Arthur Lingard, pilot,
Sgt Derek Anson Wood, pilot,
Sgt Ronald William Cox, observer,
Sgt Thomas Charles Massey, wireless operator and air gunner.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I near Jever AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1942 at 2120 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L7309
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bottesford - Bottesford
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Bottesford at 1709LT on an operation to Hamburg. While approaching the German coast, it was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter. The captain reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a field. The aircraft crash landed near Jever AFB and was damaged beyond repair. Five crew members were injured and a sixth was killed.
Crew (207th Squadron):
Sgt James Wilfred Cadman, wireless operator, †
Sgt Geoffrey Ernest Allen,
Sgt Emmanuel George Robert Bestel,
F/O Gerald Bryan Dawkins,
F/Lt Patrick James Edwards,
Sgt John Mercer.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I near Holmpton: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1942 at 2045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L7523
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bottesford - Bottesford
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Bottesford at 1735LT on an operation to Hamburg. While approaching the target area, it was hit by the German Flak. The crew decided to return to base but while approaching the coast of Yorkshire, the engine caught fire, probably due to bullets impact. The airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in Mill Hill, near Holmpton. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew (207th Squadron):
F/Sgt Basil Courtney Wescombe, pilot,
F/Sgt Frederick Edward Thomas, pilot,
Sgt Eric Ronald Harper, observer,
F/Sgt Leonard Sieve, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Claude Raymond Westbury, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt John Thomas Howe, air gunner,
Sgt Maurice Robert Walker, air gunner.
Probable cause:
The engine caught fire in flight, probably due to enemy action.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I off Crozon: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L7322
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bottesford - Bottesford
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Bottesford at 0354LT on an operation to Brest. Approaching the French coast, it was shot down by the German Flak and crashed into the Bay of Douarnenez, off Crozon. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew (207th Squadron):
F/O George Reginald Bayley, pilot,
Sgt Noel Messines Toohill,
Sgt Alexander Gordon Harris,
Sgt Richard Vivian Griffiths,
F/Sgt John Elias Jones,
Sgt Peter Charles Herbert Goldie,
Sgt William Rex Seymour.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the German Flak.