Crash of 20 O.T.U. Wellington R1707 11/09/42

[78SqnHistory]

Does anyone have a details of the above crash. Apparently the aircraft was returning from ops (possibly Düsseldorf). I couldn’t see it in BCL, either 1942 or the OTU editions.

Particularly looking for crew details.

Thanks

Daz

[John Williams]

Hi Daz,

Had a look in Theo Boiten’s latest Nachtjagd Combat Archives, the Wellington is not mentioned as being shot down by German night fighting units.

Cheers,

John.

[78SqnHistory]

John,

Thanks I wasn’t clear in my initial post, it wasn’t shot down, it crashed in the UK returning from ops.

Hope this finds you well

Daz

[davew]

Hello Daz

ABS records that R1707 a 20 OTU a/c BUA near Morpeth on 2nd June 1943, 6 crewmen were killed. The RAF Commands database (http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...hp?qnum=107360) has two crews connected with the loss of R1701 across two dates. Those casualties dated 2/6/43 should correctly be placed against R1707 , the others against R1701 which was missing on the night of 7/8 November 1941 returning from Berlin.

The crash of R1707 is documented in 'Northumberland Aviation Diary', Derek Walton, Norav Publications ISBN 0953618900, 1999.

This doesn't answer your question, but it has highlighted that you have the wrong serial number or date it seems. Where did your query start from?

I guess Jagan will be able to sort out the database.

regards

DaveW

[John Williams]

Hi Daz,

Wellington R1707, Chorley has it as R1701 but a google search says it was R1707. Took off from
Lossiemouth on 2 June 1943. It was possibly hit by lighting and crashed around Pigdoni Farm near Morpeth. All six of the crew being killed.

Crew;

F/O A T L Rossignol
F/O E E Adlard
Sgt E Morgan
P/O J Fallon
Sgt D E Faulkner
Sgt J R J Clarke

Yes well thanks hope you are the same.

Cheers,

John.

[78SqnHistory]

Thank you both, however I am looking at a Wellington from 20 OTU which crashed, possibly crash landed on return from ops. No fatalities. Basic info from http://www.bcar.org.uk/new1942-incident-logs#sep

This is connected to my search for details of John Leslie Gemmel RCAF and his training and first tour in UK before he move out to India.

Regards
Daz