Pantelleria

The departure from Pantelleria Airport was initiated in strong crosswind conditions. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft deviated to the left and the crew decided to abort. The aircraft veered off runway, lost its right main gear and came to rest. All 18 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The airplane departed Kairouan, Tunisia, on an operation to the island of Pantelleria. Approaching the target area, it was badly shot about by the German Flak. The pilot elected to return to base but was forced to ditch the airplane off the island. Five crew members were killed and the pilot was rescued two days later by destroyer HMS Lookout.
Crew:
P/O Francis Earl McLaren, pilot,
F/Sgt Leonard Reginald Brennan, copilot, †
Sgt Frank Edward Bobby, navigator, †
Sgt Roland Osborne Charles Harris, wireless operator, †
Sgt Derek James Aspinall Robson, wireless operator, †
F/Sgt Trevor William Robert Jones, air gunner. †

While on a flight between Sicily and Tunisia, the airplane was shot down by enemy fire and crashed into the sea off Pantelleria Island. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Obfw Erich Sprick, pilot,
Uffz Gerhard Lippke, radio operator,
Uffz Werner Bothe, mechanic,
Uffz Martin Mut, air gunner.