Syerston AFB

The crew left RAF Swinderby for a local training mission. Enroute, weather conditions worsened and the crew was instructed to divert to RAF Syerston. Few minutes later, the pilot encountered technical problems with the left engine that was shot down and its propeller feathered. On final approach to RAF Syerston, the pilot was forced to make a go around for unknown reason. During its second attempt to land, the aircraft was seen to fly over the airbase at low height with its landing gear down. Suddenly, it bank left and crashed in a field located two miles from the airbase. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members were killed.
Crew (201st Advanced Flying School):
Sgt G. E. Cheesley, pilot,
Sgt P. C. Leach, pilot,
P/O M. W. Clarke, navigator,
Sgt L. J. Herbert, signaller.

While cruising in poor weather conditions, the crew lost radio aids and attempted to make an emergency landing when the twin engine aircraft crashed in a field located near the RAF Syerston. Both occupants were unhurt while the airplane was damaged beyond repair.

Shortly after lift off, the aircraft went out of control and crashed on a depot. All six crew members were killed and 15 people on the ground as well.
Crew (49th Squadron):
F/O G. F. Elkington, pilot,
F/S C. I. Walker, flight engineer,
F/S L. W. Evans, navigator,
F/S J. W. Petch, wireless operator and air gunner,
F/O H. Macaulay, bombardier,
F/S M. J. C. Garrett, air gunner.
Those killed on the ground were:
AC2 George Henry Brenchley,
AC1 Robert John Clewley,
F/O George Frank Elkington,
F/S Leonard William Evans,
F/S Maurice John Clive Garrett,
SGT Cyril Lesley Hammond,
CPL Haydn Spencer Hancox,
F/O Hugh Macaulay,
LAC Leonard Masterman,
F/S John William Petch,
LAC Frank Plumtree,
LAC James William Rogers,
F/S Cyril Ivan Walker,
F/L Geoffrey Wimpenny,
LAC William Wright.

The aircraft left RAF Syerston at 1810LT on a bombing mission over Torino. While approaching Lyon, two engines failed. The captain reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing in Valsonne, 30 km northwest of Lyon. By night and in low visibility, the aircraft hit the ground and crashed. Four crew members were killed while four others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Crew (106th Squadron):
Sgt D. L. Thompson, pilot,
Sgt Norman Burt Johnstone, flight engineer,
F/S Frank Lawrence Darlington, navigator,
F/O George Roland Powell, bombardier,
Sgt Wilfrid Eric Baker, radio operator,
Sgt R. P. Sutton, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt J. Picken, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt P. Ward, bombardier.

The airplane departed RAF Syerston at 1640LT on an operation to Düsseldorf. At 2229LT Heston d/f station acknowledged a call from this aircraft, asking for a bearing. Tragically, it is believed the crew misinterpreted the information sent by Heston and when last heard on w/t the Hampden was plotted in a 40 mile radius of 47° 30' N 13° W, some 270 miles off Brest and approximately 300 miles southwest of Land's end. No trace of the airplane was found.
Crew:
F/O James Andrew Caldwell,
Sgt Roland Crawley,
Sgt Edwin Alfred Harry,
F/Sgt Hudson Eric Marshall.

The airplane departed RAF Syerston at 1755LT on an operation to Ostend. It was shot down by the German Flak and crashed in Roksem. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O John Cayley Wilson, pilot,
Sgt Evan Bertram Te Makahi Robertson, observer,
Sgt Douglas Victor Markall, wireless operator,
Sgt Douglas Frederick William Norton, wireless operator.

The airplane departed RAF Syerston at 1719LT on an operation to Essen. In the evening, it was shot down by a German fighter and crashed in Rinkesfort. All four crew members became PoW.
Crew:
Sgt Alexander John Gallan,
P/O Edwin Lee Houghton,
P/O John Collin Monkhouse,
Sgt John Edward Woodward.

The airplane departed RAF Syerston at 1845LT on an operation to Mannheim. It was shot down by enemy fire and crashed in Bruchsal. Three crew members were killed and a fourth became PoW.
Crew:
F/Sgt Francis Albert Titicomb, pilot, †
Sgt Percy Albert George Ragg, wireless operator, †
F/Sgt Ronald Roderick Walker, wireless operator, †
Sgt Randal Manliff Gifford.

The airplane departed RAF Syerston at 2258LT on July 17 on an operation to Rotterdam. While returning to base the following night, it was shot down by a JU.88C and crashed in Balderton, southeast of Newark-on-Trent. All six crew members were killed.
Crew:
Pvt Marion Jozef Czerniejewski,
Lt Bronisław Klatt,
Cpt Bolesław Kuzian,
Cpl Jan Podziemski,
Sgt Jan Sylwestrowicz,
Cpl Janusz Tomaszewski.

The airplane departed RAF Syerston at 2240LT on July 14 on an operation to Bremen. The crew encountered engine trouble and decided to return to base but finally diverted to RAF Langham where the airplane crashed on final approach. All six crew members were slightly injured and the airplane was destroyed.
Sgt C. R. Gebicki,
Sgt K. Paszkiewicz,
P/O J. Ostrowsky,
P/O C. W. Siuda,
Sgt K. Szewczyk,
Sgt J. Trzebski.