Halifax W1093 crashed 4 August 1943 with 1658 HCU.

[John Williams]

Hi All,

Chorley’s HCU Losses states the above aircraft crashed on 4 August 1943 and was written off. Chorley only lists the pilot Sgt W A Burgum RAAF and the Instructor F/O J G Jenkins in the crew, I assume the rest of Burgum’s crew were with him at the time, would this be correct? No one was injured in the crash.

Cheers,

John.

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

Your F/O J G JENKINS, is 130667 John George JENKINS RAFVR (later DFC 10 Sqn RAF, LG: 24-8-1943 p.3788). Firstly, take a look at BCL8/51 - 6-6-43 - 1658 HCU - Halifax II W7908.

Then take a look at BCL4/254 - 2/3-8-43 - 10 Sqn - Halifax II DT792 & BCL4/324 - 22/23-9-43 - 10 Sqn - Halifax II HR924 (the F/Sgt A L FULLER mentioned, is actually AUS420464 Arthur Leslie FULLER RAAF, later F/O. DFC).

Not much help with the Burgum/Jenkins crew!

Col.

[John Williams]

Hi Col,
Thanks for the information.
Burgum and his crew were all killed on their third operation with 158 Sqn on 23/24 August 1943. Would the rest of Burgum’s full crew been with him on this training mission?

Cheers,

John.

[dennis_burke]

Are any of them RCAF or RAAF? Their service file might mention an earlier crash or SSO visit maybe

[John Williams]

Hi Dennis,

Both F/Sgts H C Harber RAAF, & F/Sgt G R Harrison’s which I have, has nothing. Even Burgum’s file makes no mention of the crash.

Thanks for the thought, I can’t imagine a training flight did not take place without the full crew, this close to being posted to an operational Squadron which was 5 days later.

Cheers,

John.

[Richardbond]

Hello,

Your F/O J G JENKINS, is 130667 John George JENKINS RAFVR (later DFC 10 Sqn RAF, LG: 24-8-1943 p.3788). Firstly, take a look at BCL8/51 - 6-6-43 - 1658 HCU - Halifax II W7908.

Then take a look at BCL4/254 - 2/3-8-43 - 10 Sqn - Halifax II DT792 & BCL4/324 - 22/23-9-43 - 10 Sqn - Halifax II HR924 (the F/Sgt A L FULLER mentioned, is actually AUS420464 Arthur Leslie FULLER RAAF, later F/O. DFC).

Not much help with the Burgum/Jenkins crew!

Col.

My Grandfather James E Whatley was in Jenkins crew.
If there’s any thing I can help with?
Richard

[John Williams]

Hi Richard,

Do you have a crew photo? If so could you send it to me on harleyDOT158ATbigpondDOTcom replace the DOT & AT with the usual.

Cheers,

John.