Crash of a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II in Fleigneux: 4 killed
Date & Time:
Apr 11, 1943 at 0140 LT
Operator:
Registration:
DT806
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Graveley - Graveley
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Graveley at 2341LT on April 10 on an operation to Frankfurt. Over France at an altitude of 16,000 feet, it was shot down by a German fighter and crashed in Fleigneux. Four crew members were killed, two others became PoW and one evaded.
Crew:
F/O George Frank Lambert, pilot,
Sgt Anthony Claude Beddoe, flight engineer, †
F/O Vernon Reginald Matthews, navigator, †
Sgt John Richard Jones, bomb aimer,
Sgt Ronald Albert Kempsell, wireless operator,
Sgt Reginald Albert Nason, air gunner, †
Sgt Samuel James Knight, air gunner. †
Crew:
F/O George Frank Lambert, pilot,
Sgt Anthony Claude Beddoe, flight engineer, †
F/O Vernon Reginald Matthews, navigator, †
Sgt John Richard Jones, bomb aimer,
Sgt Ronald Albert Kempsell, wireless operator,
Sgt Reginald Albert Nason, air gunner, †
Sgt Samuel James Knight, air gunner. †
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.
