ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 277379
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| Date: | Monday 4 October 1943 |
| Time: | |
| Type: | Airspeed Oxford |
| Owner/operator: | 21 SFTS RAF |
| Registration: | HN607 |
| MSN: | |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | None |
| Location: | near Nata -
 Botswana
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | RAF Kumalo, Southern Rhodesia |
On 4 October 1943, Sergeant Walter Adamson and Leading Aircraftman Gordon Francis Edwards went out on a cross-country training flight from RAF Kumalo, Bulawayo. Apparently veered off course, and due to low fuel levels, made a successful forced landing on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, near Nata, Bechuanaland (today's Botswana).
Both men were murdered the following day by local tribesmen, who burned their bodies and kept the bones and clothes of the two airmen.
The aircraft was later found, and flown out on 5 November 1943.
Police investigations led to the arrest and trial in 1944 of persons responsible for the murders.
Sources:
1. www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?10342-Overseas-War-Deaths-Help-4-Oct-43
For a full account, refer to:
2. Jonathan Laverick, 2015, The Kalahari Killings, The History Press
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 14-Apr-2022 03:29 | Ron Averes | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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