Crash of a Short S.29 Stirling III off Saint-Jean-de-Monts: 4 killed
Date & Time:
May 18, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
BK701
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lakenheath - Lakenheath
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Lakenheath at 2251LT on May 17 to lay mines off La Rochelle. Approaching the French coast, it was shot down by the German Flak and was ditched into the sea off Saint-Jean-de-Monts. It sank so rapidly that only three airmen managed to escape.
Crew:
P/O John Edward Hill, pilot,
Sgt Thomas Smith, flight engineer, †
Sgt Joseph Edward Boyes, navigator, †
Sgt Sidney Biddulph, †
Sgt Jack Archibald Boland,
Sgt Sidney Robert Shankster, air gunner,
Sgt Cecil Claude Daniels Scotney, air gunner. †
Crew:
P/O John Edward Hill, pilot,
Sgt Thomas Smith, flight engineer, †
Sgt Joseph Edward Boyes, navigator, †
Sgt Sidney Biddulph, †
Sgt Jack Archibald Boland,
Sgt Sidney Robert Shankster, air gunner,
Sgt Cecil Claude Daniels Scotney, air gunner. †
Probable cause:
Shot down by the German Flak.
