Anson AX564 ditching 15-12-42

[Tony Kearns]

I am trying to find the names of the crew of Anson I AX564 from 2 (O) AFU Millom which ditched in the Irish Sea on 15 December1942. Wondering were they rescued.
Many thanks
Tony K

[Ross_McNeill]

Hi Tony,

Nothing on the crew names but I can offer the following.

Aircraft coded 25

"December 15th - Porthdinllaen
A British Anson aeroplane had come down in the sea, but her crew were rescued by a steamer. - Rewards, £8 4s." Source RNLI Records of Service 1939-46

Regards
Ross

[Tony Kearns]

Many thanks Ross for the details as always.
Tony K

[Tony Kearns]

Hi Ross,
I am trying to follow up on this incident. An Irish newspaper ( The Irish Times ) reported that two of the crew were lost in the sea and only two were picked up (on the 16th) by the Dun Laoghaire /Holyhead Mail Boat and landed at Holyhead. Hopefully someone can come up with a casualty list. The news item also mentioned that on the previous day (15th) four German airmen were rescued by the Mail Boat but two died on board so hopefully there is also a casualty list which could lead to the identity of the German aircraft.
Kind regards
tony K

[alclark]

Here are the ORB entries for the incident, only the pilot's name is recorded.

December 15th 1942, “Anson AX564 Sgt Ganderton and crew crashed in sea between N.
Wales and Isle of Man. Crew escaped by dinghy.”

December 16th 1942, “Extensive air search for crew of missing Anson AX564. All reported
safe at Liverpool at 20.30 hrs having been picked up and landed by trawler. During search,
Anson R3432 crashed on Snaefell IOM 2 crew slightly injured.”

[Tony Kearns]

Thank you Alan, These details clearly are at odds with the newspaper article in statting that all were saved and picked up by a steam trawler rather than the Mail Boat.
Regards
Tony K