West Malling

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Bourn - Bourn

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The airplane departed RAF Bourn at 2105LT on September 10 on an operation to Düsseldorf. While returning to base the following night, the crew attempted an emergency landing at RAF West Malling where the airplane crashed, killing the entire crew.
Crew:
F/Sgt Harry Ernest Bannister, pilot,
P/O Clarence William Higgins, observer,
Sgt Henry Eric Williams, observer,
Sgt Wilfred Ernest Pittendrigh, wireless operator,
Sgt Norman Allan Prime,
Sgt Henry Howard Maginn, air gunner,
Sgt Sidney Pharies Mansfield, air gunner.

Crash of a Douglas DB-7B Boston I near RAF West Malling: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

BJ470

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

West Malling - West Malling

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Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local training flight at RAF West Malling when the airplane crashed for unknown reasons near the airbase. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Victor George Lambert, pilot,
Sgt Edward Alexander Brace, wireless operator.

Crash of a Douglas DB-7B Boston III at RAF West Malling

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

W8296

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

West Malling - West Malling

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Pax on board:

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Circumstances:

The pilot was completing a local solo training flight at RAF West Malling. On final approach, the airplane impacted trees and crashed 500 metres short of runway. The pilot was injured.
Crew:
Sgt J. L. Thompson, pilot.

Crash of a Douglas DB-7B Boston III in Maidstone: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 2, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Operator:

Registration:

W8257

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

West Malling - West Malling

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF West Malling at 2335LT on June 1st on a maritime patrol flight. Shortly after midnight, it collided with a Royal Air Force Hurricane registered Z3842. Both airplane went out of control and crashed in Maidstone. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O Anthony Francis McManemy, pilot,
Sgt Gordon Richard Fennell, wireless operator and air gunner.

Probable cause:

In-flight collision with a RAF Hurricane.

Crash of a Douglas DB-7 Boston III at RAF West Malling: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 3, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

W8340

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

West Malling - West Malling

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The airplane crashed while taking off from RAF West Malling. Three crew members were killed, a fourth later died from injuries sustained and a fifth was injured.
Crew:
P/O H. H. Whitfield, †
Sgt G. E. Fallis, †
F/Lt H. W. Biggs, †
Sgt R. E. Williams, †
F/O J. A. Elliott.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

L1237

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

West Malling - West Malling

MSN:

8520

YOM:

1938

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The airplane suffered an engine failure on landing. Unable to stop on the runway, it overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. All three crew members were injured.
Crew:
Sgt A. J Knight, pilot,
Sgt F. E Harrison, observer,
AC1 G. Muir.

Probable cause:

Engine failure on landing.

Crash of a Douglas DB-7B Boston III in Cayeux-en-Santerre: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 3, 1942 at 0245 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

W8351

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

West Malling - West Malling

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF West Malling at 0002LT on an intruder operation over France. With an engine on fire, it crashed in a field in Cayeux-en-Santerre, killing all three crew members.
Crew:
F/Lt Arthur Jack Love, pilot,
F/Sgt HJarry Ernest Demmar Tilby, observer,
Sgt Malcolm Bunting, air gunner.

Crash of a Douglas A-20 Havoc I in Mereworth Wood: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

BD116

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

West Malling - West Malling

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a local test flight out from West Malling Airfield. While circling in the vicinity of the airport, the airplane went out of control and crashed at Mereworth Wood. The pilot was killed and the radio operator was injured.
Crew:
W/O James Hopewell, pilot,
Sgt C. W. Cragg.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the accident was the consequence of a loss of control due to flight control malfunction.

Crash of a Douglas A-20A Havoc in West Malling: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 11, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

BJ486

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site: