Crash of a Vickers 440 Wellington X in Rolvenden: 4 killed
Date & Time:
Apr 11, 1943 at 0058 LT
Operator:
Registration:
HE159
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Topcliffe - Topcliffe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Topcliffe at 2318LT on April 10 on an operation to Frankfurt. Outbound, it developed severe engine problems and the order to bail out was given. Only the air gunner was able to comply, doing so from 600 feet, before the bomber crashed at 0058LT near Rolvenden. All four other crew members were killed.
Crew:
W/O Robert Montgomery Buie, pilot, †
F/Sgt Amos Walter Kimmerly, wireless operator, †
P/O Ralph William Thompson, navigator, †
P/O Leonard Keith Taylor, bomb aimer, †
Sgt A. G. Lees, air gunner.
Crew:
W/O Robert Montgomery Buie, pilot, †
F/Sgt Amos Walter Kimmerly, wireless operator, †
P/O Ralph William Thompson, navigator, †
P/O Leonard Keith Taylor, bomb aimer, †
Sgt A. G. Lees, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Severe engine problems.
