Abingdon AFB

The airplane departed RAF Scampton on the evening of October 16 on a mine laying mission. For unknown reasons, it overshot and crashed near the boundary of Abingdon Airfield. All four crew members evacuated safely.
Crew:
Sgt G. M. Bates,
Sgt Bowden,
Sgt T. Goldie,
Sgt Fairbrother.

The airplane departed RAF Abingdon in the evening of August 15 to bomb an aircraft factory located in Milan, Italy. It is believed that it was shot down by the Italian Flak while approaching the target area and crash landed. The pilot was killed and four others became PoW.
Crew:
F/O Kenneth Hesketh Higson, pilot, †
Sgt D. W. Green,
Sgt Henry JohnDavis,
P/O Albert Ernest Victor Oliver,
Sgt A. Millington.

The airplane departed RAF Abingdon to bomb the Fiat Aero Engine plant in Torino, Italy. Badly shot up by a fighter attack over the target which left one engine out of action and severe damage to the starboard aileron. The captain succeeded in flying the crippled bomber across France but while trying to land on the beach near Dymchurch Redoubt on the Kent coast, the weakened aileron broke off and the aircraft plunged into the sea. Three crew managed to escape and the two pilots were killed.
Crew:
P/O Ernest Ian Parsons, pilot, †
Sgt Alfred Norman Campion, pilot, †
Sgt Chamberlain,
Sgt Marshall,
Sgt Sharpe.

The airplane departed RAF Driffield at 2027LT on June 9 to bomb bridges spanning the River Somme. During the operation, the starboard engine caught fire and the crew decided to return. The bomb-load was jettisoned over the Channel then the pilot diverted to RAF Abingdon. While trying to land, the aircraft crashed, bursting into flames. All five crew members were rescued, among them one was injured.
Crew:
P/O A. W. Dunn,
P/O C. J. D. Montagu,
Sgt Lucas,
Sgt A. L. Kennedy,
Sgt Martin.

The crew was engaged in a bombing mission over Namur, Belgium. On the return trip to RAF Honington, the aircraft deviated from the prescribed flight path and the crew eventually attempted to land at RAF Abingdon. Upon touchdown, the aircraft went out of control and veered off runway before coming to rest. All six crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was destroyed.
Crew (9th Squadron):
F/O K. H. V. Day,
P/O Kaye,
Sgt Cook,
Sgt Read,
Sgt McMahon,
Sgt Bowen.

Shortly after take off, while climbing to a height of some 200 feet, the pilot started a turn when the aircraft stalled and crashed on the base mess. All three crew members were killed while there was no casualties on ground.

The crew was performing a night training mission out from RAF Abingdon. While completing a circuit at low height on approach to the airfield, the aircraft hit trees and crashed in Boars Hill, bursting into flames. Two crewmen were killed while the third occupant was injured.
Crew (97th Squadron):
P/O Orley Whitney Bligh, †
Sgt Reginald Frederick Clyde Dupe, †
AC2 R. T. Casson.

The crew was performing a local training exercise out from RAF Abingdon. While cruising at low altitude, the aircraft impacted a tree and crashed in a field located near Kingston Bagpuize, some 7 km west of RAF Abingdon, coming to rest upside and bursting into flames. All three crew members were killed.
Crew (97th Squadron):
F/O John Gaskell Howard,
P/O Clair Neil Robinson,
Sgt Albert Coe.

The crew was performing a night training mission out from RAF Abingdon. On final approach, the pilot failed to realize he was too low. The aircraft impacted a tree and crashed into a house located some 400 metres short of runway. All three crewmen were killed.
Crew (97th Squadron):
P/O Ian St. John Beere,
Sgt Arnold Vernon Strong,
AC2 Ernest Duff.

The crew was performing a local night training exercise at RAF Abingdon on behalf of the 166th Squadron. On final approach, the airplane was too low and impacted the ground, lost its undercarriage and came to rest short of runway. Both pilots escaped unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.