Date:	Thursday 16 May 1940
Time:
Type:	Bristol Blenheim Mk IV
Owner/operator:	53 Sqn RAF
Registration:	L4864
MSN:	PZ-P
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 3
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed
Location:	near Valenciennes, Nord Department -   France
Phase:	Combat
Nature:	Military
Departure airport:	Poix-de-Picardie, France
Destination airport:

Narrative:
Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV L4864 (PZ-P) 53 Sqaudron, RAF: Written off (destroyed) when lost (Failed To Return) from combat operations over Northen France. Two of the three crew injured. According to the official Air Ministry file into the incident (File AIR 81/897): "Blenheim L4864 in air operations near Valenciennes, France, 16 May 1940. Sergeant D G McLeod and Pilot Officer M G L Lovell: injured"

1. Royal Air Force Aircraft L1000-L9999 (James J Halley, Air Britain, 1978 p 31)
2. National Archives (PRO Kew) File AIR 81/897: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14502599
3. Peter D. Cornwell, The Battle of France, Then and Now, 2008
4. http://francecrashes39-45.net/page_fiche_av.php?id=7611
5. http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/53_squadron.html#1605
6. http://1000aircraftphotos.com/APS/2685.htm
7. https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1329425

Other occurrences involving this aircraft

18 May 1940

L4861

53 Sqn RAF

3

Fontaine-au-Pire South East of Cambrai, Nord Department

sub

Date/time	Contributor	Updates
26-Sep-2019 23:22	Dr. John Smith	Added
27-Sep-2019 06:36	stehlik49	Updated [Operator]