Avro 679 Manchester

Royal Air Force - RAF

During the take off run, one of the engine failed. Pilots applied brakes but the aircraft did not decelerate as expected. So the captain decided to retract the landing gear. The aircraft skidded on its belly for several yards before coming to rest. While all occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Swerved on take off, veered off runway and came to rest. No casualties.

Royal Air Force - RAF

On final approach to RAF Swinderby, an engine caught fire and exploded. The aircraft stalled and crashed in flames in an open field short of runway. All seven crew were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Wigsley at 1645LT for a cross country exercise. Less than two hours later, an engine caught fire and the captain decided to return to his base. On final approach, the aircraft on fire stalled and crashed in a field short of runway. While all seven crew members were injured, the aircraft was destroyed by fire. Crew (1654 HCU): Sgt William Hedley Eager, Sgt T. D. Viggers, Sgt H. T. Petts, Sgt T. H. James, Sgt F. R. Stone, Sgt G. E. Hunnington, Sgt A. Jones.

Royal Air Force - RAF

On touchdown, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in flames. As all seven crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was destroyed.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Shortly after take off, while in initial climb, an engine caught fire. The crew decided to land immediately while the landing gear have just been retracted. The aircraft belly landed and skidded few yards before coming to rest. All seven crew were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

En route, an engine failure forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing near North Scarle. On approach, the aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in a field. While the aircraft was written off, all occupants were unhurt.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Swinderby at 0916LT on a navigation training sortie. While cruising at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the right engine caught fire. The captain decided to divert to RAF Waddington to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed and came to rest. All seven crew members (1660 OCU) were unhurt.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was engaged in a gunnery exercise from RAF Fulbeck. En route, while cruising at an altitude of 1,200 feet, the starboard engine failed. As the captain was unable to maintain a safe altitude and could not return to his base, he decided to attempt an emergency landing in Fishtoft Drove, north of Boston. The aircraft came to rest in a field and was damaged beyond repair while all six crew members were unhurt.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Wigsley at 1458LT on a training sortie. Twelve minutes later, the left engine caught fire and exploded. The pilot completed an emergency landing in a field located in Saxilby and was damaged beyond repair. All seven crew members were unhurt.

Royal Air Force - RAF

En route, the crew encountered severe icing conditions and the aircraft's performances were seriously reduced. The crew decided to abandon the aircraft end bailed out. While all seven crew members were found alive, the aircraft crashed in a field and was destroyed.

Royal Air Force - RAF

While taxiing, the aircraft went out off control and collided with military equipment. All seven crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Shortly after take off from RAF Dunholme Lodge, while climbing, an engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway end. The crew fate remains unknown.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was performing a training flight on behalf of the 57th Squadron. Following an uneventful mission, the pilot was returning to his base at RAF Scampton when on final approach, an engine caught fire. The aircraft went unstable, stalled and crashed in an open field located few hundred yards short of runway. On impact, the undercarriage were sheared off and the aircraft slid for several yards before coming to rest. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

On approach to RAF Wigsley, an engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed short of the runway threshold. While all occupants were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Crew: Clinch, Elkington, F. E. Eustace, Mims, A. A. Morgan, Rowlands.

Royal Air Force - RAF

After landing at RAF Wigsley, the aircraft skidded on runway, veered off and eventually collided with trees. All occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Just after lift off, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway end. All seven crew members were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Royal Air Force - RAF

For unknown reasons, the crew missed the approach and the aircraft landed hard. On touchdown, all landing gears were torn off and the aircraft slid for several yards before coming to rest. While all seven crew members were unhurt, the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

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After landing at RAF Bottesford, the aircraft veered off runway and collided with a parked Avro Lancaster. Both aircraft were destroyed but there was no casualties. Crew from the 207th Squadron.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Just after lift off, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled, hit the runway surface and slid for several yards before coming to rest in flames. While all seven crew members were unhurt, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Swinderby that day on a bombing mission to Bremen, Germany. While approaching its target, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak and crashed in Grambke, in the suburb of Bremen. All seven occupants were killed. Crew (50th Squadron: Sgt John Charles Roy, pilot, Sgt Jasper Stormond Peters, Sgt Robert Leslie Hugall, Sgt Lawrence Chase Thompson, Sgt James William Lindsay, Sgt Neil Malcolm Hardy, Sgt Edgar Griffits Johnson.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Scampton at 1130LT on a SAR mission over the North Sea to localize another Manchester that disappeared few hours earlier. While cruising off the Frisian Islands, the aircraft crashed into the sea in unknown circumstances. All seven crew members were killed. Crew (49th Squadron: Sgt John Ormond O'Brien, Sgt Charles Edward Goldring, Sgt Terence Francis Breen McKenna, Sgt Keith Allen, Sgt Harrington Warren Price, Sgt Alexander Garos, Sgt Neville John Rogers.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Skellingthorpe at 2316LT on June 6 on a bombing mission to Emden, Germany. While returning to England following an uneventful mission, the crew was forced to ditch the aircraft some 50 miles off Frisian Islands, north of Germany. Two crew members were killed while all five other occupants were rescued. The aircraft was lost. Crew (50th Squadron): F/O Argyle Donald Beatty, † Sgt Ronald Garnet Burton, † P/O F. W. R. Allen, Sgt R. G. Buchanan, Sgt A. F. Scanlan, Sgt A. C. Tebbutt, Sgt R. F. Davies.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was involved in a bombing mission over Emden, Germany. While overflying the North Sea by night, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found. Crew (49th Squadron): S/L Peter Morrice De Mestre, pilot, Sgt Albert Francois Buttel, pilot, P/O Ronald Henry James Thorndyke, observer, Sgt George Clive Whitfield, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Douglas Stephen Halliday, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Lewis James Jones, wireless operator and air gunner, F/Sgt Maxwell Elliott Whitehill, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was involved in a bombing mission over Emden, Germany. While overflying the North Sea by night, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found. Crew (49th Squadron): F/Lt Roger Edward Rawle Paramore, pilot, Sgt Harold Whittemore, pilot, P/O Harold Jesse Vincent, observer, Sgt Hugh Charles Hood, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Alexander Logie, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Robert Harold Seaton, air gunner, Sgt John Howie Pollock, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Skellingthorpe at 2110LT on June 2 on a bombing mission to Bremen, Germany. While overflying The Netherlands by night, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter, dove into the ground and crashed in an open field. Four crew members were killed while three others were seriously injured. Crew (50th Squadron): F/O John Frankland Heaton, pilot, † P/O John Ross Steen, pilot, † P/O Harold William Sheen, observer, † Sgt J. A. Farquhar, Sgt K. J. F. Gaulton, Sgt Stanley Henry Thomas, air gunner, † Sgt P. S. Buttigeig.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Skellingthorpe at 2301LT on May 30 on a bombing mission to Cologne, Germany. Following an uneventful mission, the aircraft returned to its base in England. While overflying Belgium by night, the bomber was shot down by the German Flak. The captain ordered his crew to abandon the aircraft and to bail out. Sole on board, the pilot attempted to make an emergency landing in Bree, some 21 km northwest of Gent. But the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a drainage ditch and was destroyed. While the captain was killed, all six others occupants were unhurt and taken POW. Crew (50th Squadron): F/O Leslie Thomas Manser, pilot, † Sgt Leslie H. Baveystock, pilot, P/O Richard J. Barnes, radio navigator, P/O Robert M. Horsley, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Stanley E. King, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Allan McF. Mills, air gunner, Sgt B. W. Naylor, air gunner. Photos: http://www.ww2crashsiteresearch.com/pagina57.html

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Scampton at 2300LT on May 30 on a bombing mission to Cologne, Germany. En route, while overflying the North Sea by night, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found. Crew (49th Squadron): P/O John Philip Carter, pilot, F/Sgt David Block, pilot, Sgt George Charles Haynes, radio navigator, Sgt John Cook Ramsey, air gunner, Sgt Lawrence John Yeates, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Arnold Gregory Welch, air gunner, Sgt Maurice Samuel Ash, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Scampton at 2255LT on May 30 on a bombing mission to Cologne, Germany. While overflying Duisburg by night, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak and right engine exploded. Five crew members were able to bail out when the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion, killing both other occupants. Crew (49th Squadron): P/O Philip Nevil Floyd, pilot, † Sgt D. E. Randall, Sgt J. R. McK. Valentine, Sgt John Smith, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt F. E. Woodrow, Sgt J. F. Wight, Sgt E. Probert.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Disappeared into the Irish Sea while performing a training flight along the Pembrokeshire coast. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found. Crew (106th Squadron): Sgt A. J. McHardy, Sgt F. Chapman, Sgt K. J. Gill, F/S R. A. Post, Sgt R. E. Warren.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was involved in a training flight. While cruising at an estimated altitude of 800 feet, the aircraft went out of control and dove into the ground. All five occupants were killed. Crew (50th Squadron): F/S P. J. W. Blake, P/O A. Bartlett, F/S R. L. Cunningham, LAC W. S. Stevens, AC1 L. Harrison.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Skellingthorpe at 2146LT on May 8 on a bombing mission to Hamburg, Germany. While overflying Denmark by night, the captain ordered his crew to abandon the aircraft for unclear reasons. Six crew members bailed out while the captain remain seated in the cockpit until the aircraft crashed in a field located in Store Lind, some 8 km southwest of Stege, on Møn Island. All six other crew were unhurt and rescued. Crew (50th Squadron): Sgt Maurice Gruber, pilot, † Sgt S. Garbutt, P/O H. F. Avery, Sgt J. Pearce, Sgt D. Broadhead, Sgt R. Solomon, Sgt K. G. R. Johnson. Photos: http://www.flensted.eu.com/194218.shtml

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Coningsby at 2225LT on May 2 on a bombing mission to Germany. While overflying Denmark by night, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak and crashed in a field located in Lilholt, some 14 km west of Haderslev. Five crew members were killed while two others survived. Crew (106th Squadron): F/Sgt William Lewis Johnston Young, pilot, † Sgt Graham Wale, pilot, † W/O Alexander Collingwood Bryce, observer, † Sgt Richard George Davies, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt H. Kendall, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt A. E. Hanks, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Henry MacLean, air gunner. †

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Skellingthorpe at 2316LT on May 30 on a bombing mission to Cologne. While approaching Düsseldorf by night and at an altitude of 8,000 feet, the aircraft was hit by the German Flak. The right engine failed and the captain reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing. The aircraft eventually crash landed near the Düsseldorf-Lohausen Airport and was wrecked. Three crew members were killed while four others were rescued and taken POW. Crew (50th Squadron): Sgt J. B. Wilkie, F/Sgt C. H. Tobias, Sgt Alan Mowlem Bee, † Sgt A. C. Benn, Sgt Douglas Wilson Baird, † Sgt J. W. Campbell, Sgt Edward William Finch. †

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Skellingthorpe at 2142LT on April 29 on a bombing mission to Kiel, Germany. While approaching the German coast, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted to make an emergency landing in a field. On touchdown, the aircraft slid for several yards before coming to rest. Two crew members were killed while all five other occupants were injured. Crew (50th Squadron): F/Sgt S. Willett, F/Sgt S. E. Packard, P/O N. Hannah, F/Sgt H. S. McDonald, Sgt C. A. Miners, Sgt David Alexander Williams, † Sgt Cecil John Scott. †

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Coningsby at 2200LT on April 23 on a bombing mission to Rostock, Germany. While overflying Denmark by night, an engine overheated and exploded. The captain ordered his crew to bail out and he tried to make an emergency landing. Eventually, he lost control of the aircraft that crashed in a huge explosion in a field located in Visgaarde, some 3 km east of Tinglev. The pilot was killed while all other occupants were uninjured. Crew (106th Squadron): P/O Harry Murdoch Stoffer, pilot, † F/Lt T. Prescott-Decie, pilot, P/O J. H. Paton, Sgt I. Hamilton, Sgt N. S. Lewis, F/O N. J. C. Pollock, Sgt J. C. George.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Coningsby at 2050LT on April 16 to lay mines in the mouth of the Gironde River. While overflying The Channel, the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea. SAR operations did not find any trace of the aircraft nor the 7 crew members. Crew (106th Squadron): P/O Charles Scatchard, pilot, Sgt Thomas Henry Power, pilot, Sgt Robert Robertson, observer, Sgt Donald Neale Storer, Sgt Douglas Wightman, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt William Valentine Rogerson, air gunner, F/O George William Ward, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Coningsby at 2240LT on April 14 on a bombing mission to Dortmund, Germany. Following an uneventful flight, the aircraft returned to its base in UK. While approaching the British coast, both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. The captain decided to divert to the Lee-on-Solent NAS but the aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea few hundred yards off shore. All seven crew were rescued while the aircraft sunk. Crew (106th Squadron): P/O J. A. Worswick, Sgt Jones, Sgt O'Hare, F/Sgt Spiby, Sgt Hutchieson, Sgt Goodings, Sgt Cartwright.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Woolfox Lodge at 0035LT on April 7 on a bombing mission to Essen, Germany. While overflying Belgium by night, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter, dove into the ground and crashed in a field located in Piringen, some 3 km east of Tongeren. All seven crew members were killed. Crew (61st Squadron): F/Sgt Eric William Noble, pilot, Sgt Lloyd John Holmes Lincoln, pilot, Sgt Robert Eastwood Newton, observer, Sgt Kenneth Leyshon, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Donavan Peter George Kent, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Neville James Patton, air gunner, Sgt George Henry Walker, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Woolfox Lodge at 2020LT on March 29 on a bombing mission to the Frisian Islands, Germany. Following an uneventful mission and while returning to England, the bomber crashed in unknown circumstances into the North Sea. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found. Crew (61st Squadron): P/O C. S. Churchill, P/O I. McK. Cassavetti, P/O J. F. Chevalier, Sgt H. Dracass, Sgt D. A. B. Hume, Sgt R. Dawson, Sgt J. Mitchell.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Left RAF Coningsby at 1930LT on March 29 on a bombing mission to the Frisian Islands. While approaching the Dutch coast, the bomber went out of control and crashed into the North Sea. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. Crew (106th Squadron): F/Sgt Edgar Robert Dimond, F/Sgt Henry Chaytor Bussell, P/O Harold Selwyn Brough, F/Sgt John Seery, Sgt Donald Swaine, Sgt Alexander Currie, Sgt Francis Alfred Fry.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Woolfox Lodge at 2045LT on March 25 on a bombing mission to Essen, Germany. While overflying the North Sea, the aircraft disappeared without trace. Crew (61st Squadron): Sgt Christopher George Furby, pilot, Sgt James Robert Dow, pilot, Sgt John Eric Smart, observer, Sgt Donald Charles Brockley, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Jack Buckley, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt William Arthur Roberts, air gunner, Sgt Hugh Henry Fetherston, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Scampton at 2045LT on March 25 on a bombing mission to Essen, Germany. While overflying Belgium by night, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak and crashed in Lichtaart, some 12 km southwest of Turnhout. All seven crew members were killed. Crew (83rd Squadron): P/O Christopher Hugh Danielsen, pilot, Sgt Paul Markides, pilot, F/Sgt Albert Woodcock, pilot, F/O Donald McConachie, Sgt Thomas Henry Miller, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Colin Clement Smith, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Alan Gordon Jaye, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Coningsby at 2000LT on a bombing mission to Essen, Germany. While overflying The Netherlands by night, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak and crashed into the sea (Ijsselmeer) off Kornwerderzand. All seven crew members were killed. Crew (106th Squadron): F/Lt Robert Jack Dunlop-McKenzie, P/O Peter Norman Cann, Sgt Raymond Benjamin Burrows, Sgt Kimber Hill, F/Sgt Wilfred Deryck Welham, Sgt William Grant McDonald, Sgt John Joseph Stewart.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Aircraft landed hard and bounced. It went out of control and crashed in flames on runway. While the aircraft was destroyed, there was no casualties. Crew (50th Squadron): Sgt D. Atkinson.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Scampton at 2030LT on March 13 on a bombing mission to Cologne, Germany. While overflying The Netherlands by night, the aircraft was shot down by a German fighter and crashed in a field. Five crew members were killed while two others were taken POW. Crew (83rd Squadron): F/O J. L. Bromiley, pilot, Sgt Peter Hollowell Foster, pilot, † P/O John Rowland Feirn, air bomber, † Sgt James Patrick Dowd, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Leonard Frank Rogers Davis, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt Eric Rose 954204, wireless operator and air gunner, † F/Sgt Joseph Michael Thompson, wireless operator and air gunner. †

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Woolfox Lodge at 1930LT on March 13 on a bombing mission to Germany. Following an uneventful mission and while returning to England, an engine failed. The crew decided to abandon the aircraft and bailed out. Out of control, the bomber dove into the ground and crashed in a field located two miles north of RAF Wittering. The aircraft was destroyed while all seven crew members were unhurt. Crew (61st Squadron): P/O John Ralph Hubbard, pilot, Sgt P. C. V. Joslin, P/O Robert Heggie, observer, F/Sgt John George Clelland, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Albert Wallace Baker, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt T. C. Stanley, Sgt P. Jones.

Royal Air Force - RAF

En route, the crew encountered unexpected problems and the captain reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing in a prairie. On touchdown, the aircraft hit violently the ground, lost its undercarriage, slid for several yards and came to rest. While all six occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Crew (106th Squadron).

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Scampton at 2250LT on March 8 on a bombing mission to Essen, Germany. While approaching the Dutch coast, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter and crashed into the Ijsselmeer, three km off Enkhuizen. All seven crew members were killed. Crew (83rd Squadron): P/O Christopher Ronald Frost, pilot, P/O Ian Frederick Livingstone, pilot, P/O William Arthur Harris, F/Sgt William Durham Biltcliffe, Sgt Stanley Grunwell, Sgt Harold Reginald Ray, Sgt Joseph Howard Stone, wireless operator and air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was engaged in a mission to Stavanger-Sola Airport. While approaching the Norwegian coast, the bomber aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a German Messerschmitt Bf.109 and crashed into the sea off Stavanger. All seven crew members were killed. Crew (83rd Squadron): S/L John Rawsthorn Rainford, pilot, P/O Eric Alfred Warren, pilot, P/O Trevor Hardy Smith, navigator, F/Sgt John Charles Macgregor, Sgt Thomas Rodie Riddell, Sgt Robert Harold Taylor, Sgt Peter James Jordan.