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Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I in Lanester: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 28, 1940
Operator:
Registration:
X3141
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lindholme - Lindholme
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Lindholme to attack docks in Lorient. While approaching the target area, it crashed in Lanester, northeast of Lorient. Three crew members were killed and a fourth became PoW.
Crew:
P/O Douglas Bruce Ainsworth, pilot,
Sgt Edward Hulme Battle, observer, †
Sgt Marchant Hemingway, wireless operator, †
Sgt George Gray Smith, air gunner. †

Crash of a Bristol 152 Beaufort I in Lanester: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1940 at 0500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4474
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Saint Eval - Saint Eval
MSN:
8335
YOM:
1939
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF St Eval in the early morning to attack installations under construction in the harbor of Lorient. While approaching the target area, the airplane was shot down by enemy fire and crashed in Lanester, bursting into flames. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O Nelson Henry Webb, pilot,
Sgt Charles Maurice Tiplady, pilot,
Sgt William Sidney Plant, wireless operator,
Sgt Peter Milligan, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.