RAF Dakota Crash 5/9/45

[Tony H]

Is there anyone out there who has a "good" knowledge of DC3 Dakotas ?

On the 5th Sept 1945, 78 Sqn suffered it's worst single aircraft loss to date when Dakota Mk IV KP235 crashed on take off from Istres, France

All four aircrew were killed (two were brothers) Twelve groundcrew were killed, whilst a thirteenth died from his injuries on the 6th Sept. A further nine groundcrew were seriously injured as a result of the crash

Would anyone know what Sqn code letters or individual acft letter this airframe was carrying?

B/W photos from the period show a mix of the wartime EY-* codes, single letter codes and others with no ID at all - other than the acft reg . . .

All attempts to find this information have so far been unsuccessful

Can anyone help with providing this detailed info ?

Thanks in advance for co-operation

Tony H

[email protected]

[Old-Duffer]

Try the book "The Price Of Peace" by Colin Cummings, available on Amazon. That lists the details of the crew and pax and also summarises the accident. It does not help with paint schemes and markings, however!!

[Tony H]

I already have a copy of it - and as you say all the facts are there bar the minor details. It may turn out to be a dead end answer - but I'm ever the optimist . . .

Thanks anyway !

Tony