410916 - Unaccounted airmen - 16-9-1941

[Ross_McNeill]

Hi Gents,

I wonder if Lamb is associated with L6438 of 8 BGS.

Collision with V1275 and ditched.

BRORA, SUTHERLAND.
About 4.30 in the afternoon of the 16th September, 1941, a Botha aeroplane crashed into the sea 2 1/4 miles east of Brora. A light S.S.E. wind was blowing, with a slight sea. Two fishing boats put out, one of them manned by three men aged 74 73 and 66. These men found the aeroplane, with three of the crew on the wings, two of them badly injured. The fourth airman was drowned. They rescued the three airmen, and the other boat took the aeroplane in tow, and handed her over to naval vessels. Later she sank, but was salved. The Cromarty life-boat and an R.A.F. speed boat also came out to the rescue. Rewards, £1 17s. 6d., £3 for loss of fishing and 19s. for repairs and fuel used.
(See Cromarty, Accounts of Services by Life-boats, page 71.)
(Source: RNLI Records of Services 1939-46)

SEPTEMBER 16TH. - CROMARTY.
A British aeroplane had come down in the sea, but the life-boat was overtaken by an R.A.F. speed boat, and returned to her station.-Rewards, £4 7s. 6d.
(See Brora, Services by Shore-boats, page 102.)
(Source: RNLI Records of Services 1939-46)

[John Larder]

Henk

Just got some queries answered by AHB. Jacobs killed in flying accident in Wellington X3171 of PRU, Boscombe Down.

[Henk Welting]

John,
Hesitate to accept this AHB answer. X3171 was 15 OTU, lost 1-3-1943. Moreover Sgt JACOBS was listed as DOAS and his death registered at Salisbury (what was in Wiltshire ?).
Regards,
Henk.

[paulmcmillan]

X3171 appears to have gone to Boscombe Down in June 1941 (which is in Wiltshire near Salisbury) I wonder if he was killed whilst flying in X3171 but aircrfat not written off

Anyone have the book 'Boscombe Down the Secret Years'

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Paul; let's wait till someone will come up with the info you asked for.
Regards,
Henk.

[AL90]

LAC Drogue Operator George William Lee is listed on the site below as being based at RAF Evanton and having died of injuries 16/9/41. The notes state "Washed ashore Kirkton Beach, Golspie" which is next to Brora.

http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/warmemscot-ptopic973.html
Regards,
Alan.

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Alan. Is it possible that LEE, being a drogue operator, may have been on Botha L6438 of 8 BGS ?
Regards,
Henk.

[AL90]

Hi Henk,
I think that LEE being a drogue operator was probably on Battle V1275 with Botha L6438 carrying the trainee airgunners. AB serials lists Battle V1275 8AGS as "collided with Botha L6438 and crashed in sea. 16/9/41".
The link that I supplied is the only reference I have found on the web for LEE being a drogue operator.

Regards,
Alan.

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Alan. Took note of your answer and amended my files.
Regards,
Henk.

[Ross_McNeill]

I was concerned that posting this next batch of answers from the F1180s would have put Henk under too much pressure to update after his request to remove his user name.

I now post them to contine his legacy on RAF Commands.

F1180 for Oxford V3502 lists one killed, one injured (ground) on first solo by Sgt G M D Jackson RCAF service number 60556 (sic)

Jacobs looks good as a possiblity for the man injured on the ground and dying later in hospital rather than the Wellington listed by AHB.

More work needed.

Ross