Bailed out january 6 1945 over A-89 in Belgium

[Alain12]

On Jan 6 1945 the following airman bailed out over A-89 in Belgium : Sgt Cumers RP , Langley 148907 and IO Benton. Can someone help me with additional info on this event.
Greets Alain

[Luc Vervoort]

Hello Alain,

LM187 Lancaster of 218 Squadron crashed on 6/01/1945 2 miles from A89.

Best regards, m vr gr

Luc

[alieneyes]

Alain,

https://www.rafweb.org/Awards/CGM_Holders1.htm

1486967 Flight Sergeant Rupert Percy LONGLEY, R.A.F.V.R., 218 Sqn.

This airman was the wireless operator in an aircraft detailed to attack Neuss one night in January, 1945. During the operation the aircraft . sustained severe damage In spite of this the pilot succeeded in reaching Allied .territory where he was forced to give the order to abandon as the aircraft had now become uncontrollable. One member of the crew, whose parachute had opened by accident inside the fuselage, was therefore unwilling .to jump. He asked to be allowed to strap himself to Flight Sergeant Longley's back. The latter, without the slightest hesitation, agreed. After the two airmen had been strapped together they made their way, in total darkness, to the jumping point. On the way the ripcord of Flight Sergeant Longley's parachute caught in a projection. Although the parachute opened he was able to catch and hold the case intact and, with his comrade on his back, jumped clear of the aircraft. Unfortunately, in the descent, his comrade fell away. Flight Sergeant Longley came down on to a tall tree from which he fell to the ground and badly injured his back. His action in allowing a comrade to descend with him on a single parachute, although unavailing, showed a spirit of gallantry and self-sacrifice which will long be remembered.

https://www.themildenhallregister.co...18+History.pdf

The operation cost only
one Lancaster, LM187, which became violently uncontrollable over the target, forcing the
pilot to jettison the bomb load and shut down the port outer engine, which ultimately
caught fire. The fire could only be extinguished through cutting off the fuel feed to both port
engines, and this accomplished, the Lancaster began to lose height, while remaining difficult
to control. At 4,000 feet over Belgium, F/O Banton accepted the futility of the struggle, and
ordered his crew to bale out. The flight engineer, Sgt Simms, accidentally deployed his
parachute inside the aircraft, and was unwilling to risk using it. He asked the wireless
operator, Sgt Longley, to allow him to cling to his back in a joint descent, and realising the
extent of his colleague’s predicament, Sgt Longley readily agreed, despite the risk to himself.
Sadly, as the parachute jerked open, Sgt Simms became dislodged, and fell to his death. Sgt
Longley fell into trees and was badly injured, but survived the experience, and was awarded
the coveted CGM for his selfless act.

Regards,

Dave

[Alain12]

Thank you all for the marvellous help
Alain57