Wellington R1708 Lancaster HK610
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Wellington R1708 Lancaster HK610
First time post and hopefully in the right place.
I'm looking into my family history. My father's cousin was the pilot of Wellington R1708 from 25 OTU RAF when it was shot down and crashed near Mission on 13th June 1941 killing everyone.
My mother's cousin was a RCAF Air Gunner on Lancaster HK610 from 90 Sqn RAF which crashed at Hengrave following a mid air collision after take off on 2nd/3rd February 1945 again killing everyone.
I'm interested in finding out if the Wellington crashed immediately after being attacked or if it attempted to head for an airfield and land before it became a lost cause.
In the case of the Lancaster it appears it crashed after losing control as a result of the collision. Can anyone suggest where I can start to look for any witness accounts?
I discovered photographs of my mother's cousin on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial as part of the Operation Picture Me project. Is there a similar project here in the UK?
Any information or suggestions will be gratefully received.
I'm looking into my family history. My father's cousin was the pilot of Wellington R1708 from 25 OTU RAF when it was shot down and crashed near Mission on 13th June 1941 killing everyone.
My mother's cousin was a RCAF Air Gunner on Lancaster HK610 from 90 Sqn RAF which crashed at Hengrave following a mid air collision after take off on 2nd/3rd February 1945 again killing everyone.
I'm interested in finding out if the Wellington crashed immediately after being attacked or if it attempted to head for an airfield and land before it became a lost cause.
In the case of the Lancaster it appears it crashed after losing control as a result of the collision. Can anyone suggest where I can start to look for any witness accounts?
I discovered photographs of my mother's cousin on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial as part of the Operation Picture Me project. Is there a similar project here in the UK?
Any information or suggestions will be gratefully received.
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Regarding R1708, in the Wellington Crash Log by D.J. Smith it quotes; "Mission, Nr. Finningley. Shot down in circuit".
Just to add. 12-13th June, 1941, Oblt Paul Semrau , 3/NJG2, listed as shooting down a Halifax Nr. Finningley, 0140.
Just to add. 12-13th June, 1941, Oblt Paul Semrau , 3/NJG2, listed as shooting down a Halifax Nr. Finningley, 0140.
Last edited by goofer3; 17th Jul 2020 at 07:09. Reason: Addition
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Hello goofer3 and thankyou for your reply. You've also answered another question I was going to ask.
I knew that Oblt Semrau was credited but then I found he was also credited with a Halifax at the same time.
Thanks again.
I knew that Oblt Semrau was credited but then I found he was also credited with a Halifax at the same time.
Thanks again.
I have nothing to add but it may help to know when searching that the village near Finningley is almost certainly Misson, which definitely does exist, and not Mission which I suspect doesn't.
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Hi Broke1
I am currently working on a project to erect a memorial at the crash site for HK610 and would be happy to help you wih any information you may need. We are currently trying to contact family members regarding the project so please feel free to drop me a line or PM me your email and I will happily reach out.
Kind Regards
Martyn
I am currently working on a project to erect a memorial at the crash site for HK610 and would be happy to help you wih any information you may need. We are currently trying to contact family members regarding the project so please feel free to drop me a line or PM me your email and I will happily reach out.
Kind Regards
Martyn
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Martyn,
At present I don't hsve a great deal more information about John Train..
As I mentioned in my first post his photograph is in the Canadian virtual memorial.
8 know where he is buried but i haven't been down to visit yet.
At present I don't hsve a great deal more information about John Train..
As I mentioned in my first post his photograph is in the Canadian virtual memorial.
8 know where he is buried but i haven't been down to visit yet.
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Hi Broke, please reach out to us on our new email address for the group [email protected] and we can try to assist you further from here.
many thanks,
Alex
many thanks,
Alex
