ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 179339
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| Date: | Monday 30 September 1940 |
| Time: | 20:30 |
| Type: |  Bristol Blenheim Mk IV |
| Owner/operator: | 107 Sqn RAF |
| Registration: | N6191 |
| MSN: | |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | RAF Wattisham, Suffolk, England -
 United Kingdom
|
| Phase: | Take off |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | RAF Wattisham, Suffolk |
Blenheim N6191: Took off at 20:30 hrs for an bombing mission over invasion ports. 30/09/1940
The aircraft crashed on take off and burst into flames, close to the Control Tower bursting into flames.
There were three people on board the plane. The plane exploded on the ground in RAF Wattisham. Bomb load exploded while recovering the crew.
Crew:
Sgt (520314) Jack Edwin MERRETT (Pilot) RAF : killed;
Sgt A.G BYRON (Obs.) RAF : injured
Sgt (626198) Sidney WALTERS (WOp/AG) RAF: died of injuries;
Other ground crew were injured by several explosions:
AC1 T.R Stevens RAFVR : injured
LAC R.H Bessey RAFVR: injured
LAC J. Clough RAFVR: injured
AC2 H.H Trow RAFVR: injured;
Wing Commander Laurence Frank Sinclair, Squadron Commander was injured pulling Sgt Walters from the burning plane. Following the rescue W/C SINCLAIR was awarded the George Cross, the Citation read:
“The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the GEORGE CROSS to the undermentioned Wing Commander Laurence Frank Sinclair. D.S.O. (26066). During a night in September, 1940, an aircraft burst into flames while taking off. Wing Commander Sinclair immediately went to the scene to render assistance, but two 250 lb. bombs exploded before he reached it. Undeterred, and knowing that two more bombs were in the aircraft, he pressed on and dashing into the fire he succeeded in dragging the air gunner to a safe distance. In this act this officer displayed the most complete disregard for his own safety. Unfortunately the rescued air gunner has since died of his injuries”
Sources:
1.Blenheim production list
2.ORB 107 Sqdn RAF
3.CWGC
4.Nepa VBS database
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 07-Sep-2015 10:12 | TB | Added |
| 05-Aug-2022 18:37 | Cobar | Updated [Aircraft type, Registration, Location, Phase, Departure airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 10-Oct-2022 10:42 | Cobar | Updated [Date, Aircraft type, Registration, Operator, Total fatalities, Total occupants, Other fatalities, Location, Country, Phase, Nature, Departure airport, Source, Damage, Narrative, Plane category] |
| 14-Sep-2023 14:25 | Bikerbrad48 | Updated [[Date, Aircraft type, Registration, Operator, Total fatalities, Total occupants, Other fatalities, Location, Country, Phase, Nature, Departure airport, Source, Damage, Narrative, Plane category]] |
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