ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 244525
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Saturday 24 October 1942 |
| Time: | 21:50 LT |
| Type: |  Handley Page Halifax Mk II |
| Owner/operator: | 103 Sqn RAF |
| Registration: | W1188 |
| MSN: | PM-D |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 8 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | between Nant-le-Grand - Ligny-en-Barrois; Meuse département -
 France
|
| Phase: | Combat |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | RAF Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire |
Takeoff at 18:28 hrs local time for a bombing operation against Milano (Italy).
Outward-bound, the aircraft was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Günther Friedrich of the Stab II./NJG 4, who was flying a Bf 110 from Saint-Dizier airfield.
Crew:-
Pilot : Squadron Leader Sidney Horace Fox DFM RAFVR 61467 [Killed] (NCO:741912 Commission Gazetted : Friday 28 March, 1941)
2nd Pilot : Sergeant Henry Frederick Wood RAFVR 1383304 [Killed]
Flight Engineer : Sergeant Lawrence "Fitz" Fitzsimmons RAF 617112 [Killed]
Navigator : Warrant Officer Herbert J "Dizzy" Spiller DFM RAF 580911 [Evaded]
Bomb Aimer : Flight Sergeant Rowland "Lofty" or "Peewee" Maddocks RAF 968023 [PoW]
Wireless Operator : Pilot Officer Geoffrey "Woolly" Wollerton RAF 49754 [PoW] (NCO:549039 Commission Gazetted : Tuesday 20 October, 1942)
Mid-Upper Gunner : Sergeant Philip Charles "Phil" Heath RAFVR 1375414 [Killed]
Rear Gunner : Flight Sergeant Norman Alexander "Jock" Mercer RAF 817193 [Killed]
Those who perished rest in Nant-le-Grand cemetery.
Spiller evaded with the help of the Comete Line and reached Gibraltar, subsequently returned to Elsham Wolds where according to Don Charlwood, he entered the Mess - where few remembered him, and where his name had only been spoken of with regret - and said "Who's seen my greatcoat? I left it hanging here the night we went missing!"
Sources:
http://francecrashes39-45.net/page_fiche_av.php?id=825
Nachtjagd Combat Archive The Early Years part three
Google Maps
Rob Davis Bomber Command Losses Database
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 30-Oct-2020 19:02 | TigerTimon | Added |
| 24-Oct-2023 07:17 | Rob Davis | Updated |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation