Zone
Zeeland

Crash of a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura I near Rilland: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1942 at 1226 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
Operator:
Registration:
AE707
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Methwold - Methwold
MSN:
4050
YOM:
1942
Location:
Rilland
Zeeland
Country:
Netherlands
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Methwold at 1127LT on an operation to Eindhoven. Approaching Woensdrecht Airbase, it was shot down by a German fighter and crashed 3 km west of Rilland. A crew was killed and three others became PoW.
Crew:
P/O Herbert Thomas Bichard, pilot,
Sgt Roy Charles Lamerton, navigator, †
Sgt Derek Ansor Clift, wireless operator,
P/O Adrian Lancelot Saunders, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Vickers 416 Wellington IC in Rilland: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 29, 1941 at 2300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Vickers 416 Wellington IC
Operator:
Registration:
R1213
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Elsham Wolds - Elsham Wolds
Location:
Rilland
Zeeland
Country:
Netherlands
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Elsham Wolds at 2031LT on August 28 on an operation to Mannheim. Passing over the Netherlands, it encountered stormy weather, was struck by lightning and crashed. Four crew members were killed and two others became PoW.
Crew:
Sgt Arthur Harry Figg, observer, †
Sgt John Grassom, wireless operator, †
Sgt Hugh Alphonsus Kelly, wireless operator, †
Sgt Gregory Percival Williams, †
Sgt Harry Dunn,
P/O William Robinson Oldfield.
Probable cause:
Crashed after being struck by lightning.
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