ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 162387
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| Date: | Sunday 3 March 1940 |
| Time: | 14:40 |
| Type: |  Lockheed Hudson Mk I |
| Owner/operator: | PDU RAF |
| Registration: | N7334 |
| MSN: | |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 4 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | near Meopham Green, Kent, England -
 United Kingdom
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | RAF Heston, Middlesex |
| RAF Heston, |
On Sunday, 3/3/40, Hudson N7334 of the Photographic Development Unit (PDU), RAF was tasked with taking aerial photos of some RAF airfields, including Gravesend, Kent. These photos were to be provided to the French Air Force for their information.
After photographing RAF Gravesend from 7,000 feet the Hudson turned and headed for London. Soon after, it was intercepted and attacked by 3 Hurricanes of No. 32 Squadron, whose pilots mistook the plane for a German bomber. The situation was not helped by the photo. recce Hudson's lack of a dorsal gun turret (a recognition point), and its non-standard camouflage paint scheme.
The crew fired the identity signal for the day, two yellow Verey flares, but these apparently went unnoticed by the fighter pilots.
In moments the Hudson was in flames and diving towards the ground. The aircraft's fuel tanks exploded and the co-pilot, Sgt J.A.M. Reid, was blown clear and was saved by his parachute. He was the only survivor of the four crew.
The Crew :
F/O Sydney Dennis Slocum (pilot, Service Number 28166) RAF: killed
LAC J A Butcher MiD (WOp/AG Service Number 515617) RAF: killed
LAC Ronald Arno Mutton (WOp/AG Service Number 551255) RAF: killed
???? (Obs.) RAF: Ok
Sources:
1. Royal Air Force Aircraft L1000-N9999 (James J. Halley, Air Britain)
2. National Archives (PRO kew) File AIR 81/99: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14141921
3. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/04/a6024304.shtml
4. http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?15826-N-7334-Hudson-3-March-1940&styleid=3
5. https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-lockheed-l-414-hudson-i-meopham-3-killed
6. http://sussexhistoryforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=2925.0;wap2
7. https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2438964/slocum,-sydney-dennis/
8. https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2735496/butcher,-john-ambrose/
9. https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2949334/mutton,-ronald-arno/
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 20-Nov-2013 08:16 | angels one five | Added |
| 27-Feb-2014 15:37 | Phil C. | Updated [Narrative] |
| 10-Jul-2015 18:45 | DG333 | Updated [Time, Operator, Departure airport, Destination airport] |
| 06-Jun-2019 16:44 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Operator, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 08-Jun-2019 16:24 | stehlik49 | Updated [Operator] |
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