Vickers 416 Wellington IC

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was completing a training flight on behalf of the 14th Operational Training Unit. In flight, the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reasons 2 miles from Husbands Bosworth, south of Leicester. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

While cruising at an altitude of 6,700 feet, both engines misfired and the left engine failed shortly later. The captain decided to attempt an emergency landing in a pasture at Chatsworth Park, near Bakewell. While all six occupants were slightly injured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair due to severe damages to the airframe. Crew (14th OTU): F/O Leo Braham Patkin, pilot, P/O Robert Lindsay Bienvenu, navigator, P/O John Leslie Tolmie, air bomber, P/O William Neil Fisher, Sgt William Donald Blackwell, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt James Balmer, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Crashed in unknown circumstances.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Crashed on landing for unknown reasons. No casualties.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Wymeswold, Leicestershire, at 1919LT on January 29. While cruising in poor visibility due to night and marginal weather conditions, the aircraft crashed in a pasture located in Birchen Bank Moss. Three crew members were killed while two others were injured. Crew (28th OTU): F/O Anthony Winter Lane, pilot, P/O Charles Douglas Brown, bomb aimer, P/O Charles Leslie Grisdale, navigator, Sgt Raymond Gerard Rouse, air gunner, Sgt Miller, wireless operator and air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

While on a training exercise from RAF Lossiemouth, the crew encountered poor weather conditions en route. The bomber was off course by 40 miles when it hit the slope of Leacann na Brathan located near Corrour. Five crew members were killed while the air gunner was badly injured. Crew (20th OTU): F/O James William Heck, pilot, † Sgt Maurice Hutt, bomb aimer, † Sgt William Ernest Riley, navigator, † Sgt Joseph Towers, navigator, † Sgt James Hemmings, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt Philip Edward Underwood, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

During a night training mission, the aircraft hit a hill in Broomhead Moor, northwest of Sheffield. All six occupants were injured while the aircraft was destroyed. At the time, weather conditions were poor with low clouds, rain falls and strong winds. Crew (21st OTU): P/O Stanley Baker, pilot, F/Sgt Anthony St Clair Turner, pilot, F/Sgt Donald Norman Dawson, navigator, Sgt Ronald Douglas Weeks, bomb aimer, F/Sgt Walter Samuel Sinclair, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Alan Gordon Allwright, wireless operator.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was engaged in a training mission in RAF Cottesmore. In flight, an engine caught fire and crew attempted to make an emergency landing in an open field near the Airfield. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair while the crew fate remains unknown. Crew from the 4th OTU.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Crashed shortly after lift off when the flap lever was accidentally touched whilst the undercarriage was being retracted. The aircraft stalled and crashed. All seven crew members, among them Sgt Jan Hadravek, were unhurt.

Royal Air Force - RAF

On final approach to RAF Northolt, the twin engine aircraft wen out of control and crashed near the Ruislip Station, less than 2 km short of runway. All 15 crew members as well as six people on the ground, among them 4 children, were killed. The exact circumstances of the crash remains unknown. Crew (311st Squadron): P/O František Bulis, F/Sgt John Bláha, F/Lt Václav Hanka, P/O Bedrich Gissübel, F/Sgt František Doležal, P/O Jebácek. Passengers: F/Sgt František Stoklásek, Sgt František Paclík, Sgt Bill Götzlinger, Sgt Josef Cech, F/Lt Václav Smart, F/Sgt Josef Švec, P/O Anthony Bunzl, Sgt Vladimir Rájecki, P/O Leemans.

Royal Air Force - RAF

While on a training mission, the crew was forced to return to his base due to the deterioration of the weather conditions. On approach in foggy conditions, the aircraft crashed and exploded, killing all six occupants. Crew (27th OTU): F/Lt František Fanta, pilot, Sgt Josef Hrala, pilot, P/O Karel Mucha, P/O Václav Obšil, Sgt Emil Tufkel, Sgt Rudolf Jelínek.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Wing at 2353LT on September 13 on a bombing mission to Bremen, Germany. Following an uneventful mission and while overflying The Netherlands by night, the aircraft was attacked by the pilot of a German fighter. Out of control, it dove into the ground and crashed 2 km west of Elburg. Four crew members were killed while the fifth occupant bailed out and was taken POW. Crew (26th OTU): P/O Robert Leo Hage, pilot, † Sgt Kenneth David Jones, † Sgt Alexander Knox Smith, observer, † Sgt Donald Fisher, † Sgt J. A. Gartlan.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Lichfield at 2331LT on a bombing mission to Düsseldorf, Germany. Nine minutes after take off, while climbing, the crew informed ground he encountered technical problems with the left engine and attempted to return. On approach, the aircraft stalled and crashed in flames few km short of runway and was destroyed on impact. All five occupants were killed. Crew (27th OTU): Sgt William John Percival Fletcher, pilot, Sgt Joseph Albert Turnbull, Sgt Frederick William Lewis, observer, Sgt James Gordon Milne, Sgt Fairfield Thompson, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Finningley at 2130LT on a night training exercise. En route, the pilot encountered foggy conditions and in low visibility, he decided to reduce his altitude in an attempt to establish a visual contact with the ground. At a height of some 2,000 feet, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Dufton Fell located northeast of Appleby-in-Westmorland. Upon impact, the tail was sheared off and the aircraft crashed in flames a little further on. While the aircraft was destroyed, all five crew members were injured. Crew (25th OTU): Sgt Basil Glynn, pilot, Sgt Robert Lyster Skillen, navigator, Sgt Huge William Campbell, bomb aimer, Sgt Joseph Edward Collinson, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Harold Nelson, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

While approaching Lydda Airport, the aircraft was too low, hit the ground several yards short of runway and crashed. While the aircraft was destroyed, the crew fate remains unknown.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was engaged in a test flight from the RAF Lossiemouth. En route, the aircraft lost a cowling that hit propeller blades. One of the engine failed and the pilot reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing when the aircraft hit the slope of a hill and crashed 3 miles southwest of Loch Lee. Three crew members were killed while the rear gunner was injured. Crew (20th OTU): F/Sgt Arthur George Wilson Keene, pilot, Sgt Alfred Kirby, observer, Sgt Joseph Weatherson, observer, Sgt Oscar Knud Lerche Jensen, wireless operator and air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Upper Heyford at 2157LT on July 28 on a bombing mission to Hamburg, Germany. While overflying the North Sea by night, the aircraft disappeared and crashed into the sea. SAR did not find any trace of the aircraft nor the crew. Crew (16th OTU): F/Sgt Richard Elmer Stageman, pilot, W/O Cecil Charles David Hinks, observer, Sgt John George Watson, observer, F/Sgt Prentis Blair Andrew, wireless operator and air gunner, F/Sgt Robert Edward Fahey, wireless operator and air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was engaged in a night training flight. Few minutes after its departure from RAF Lichfield, the aircraft hit the slope of Rud Hill located near Sheffield. While all five occupants were injured, the aircraft was destroyed. Crew (27th OTU): Sgt Thomas Frank Thompson, pilot, P/O John William Moore, navigator, Sgt Joseph Howe Levett, navigator, Sgt Kennington John Hythe Harris, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Jacob Henry Roden, wireless operator and air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Stradishall at 2300LT on July 2 on an investigation mission and was overflying The Netherlands by night when he was attacked by the pilot of a German fighter. The aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field located near Dirkshorn. Five crew members were killed while two others were taken POW. Crew (109th Squadron): P/O P. R. V. Sullivan, pilot, † W/O W. R. Allison, † F/Sgt W. Adamson, † Sgt R. J. Liversuch, † F/Sgt W. J. Garnett, Sgt W. J. Morrison, Sgt J. A. Eyres. †

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Harwell in the day on a bombing mission to Bremen, Germany, with 1,066 other aircraft. Following an uneventful mission, the aircraft was returning to UK and was overflying The Netherlands when it was shot down by the German Flak. It went out off control and crashed into the Wadden Lake, off Harlingen. All six crew members were killed. Crew (15th OTU): Sgt James Stewart Leather, pilot, Sgt Harry Bloor, pilot, Sgt John McKelvie Dunn Oliver, observer, Sgt Ronald Thomas Fage, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt David Thompson Stanners, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Gordon Lake, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Pershore at 1655LT on a cross country training flight. While cruising at an altitude of 3,000 feet, pilot lost control of the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed in an open field. All five crew members were killed. Crew (23rd OTU): F/Sgt Charles George MacDonald, pilot, P/O Cyril Dinham Chant, navigator, P/O Arthur Walter Smith, wireless operator and air gunner, P/O Lloyd George Morrison, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Francis William Sims. Source: http://www.aircrewremembrancesociety.co.uk/styled-5/styled-9/styled-176/index.html

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Finningley at 2246LT on May 30 on a bombing mission to Cologne, Germany. While approaching its target at 13,500 feet, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak. Fire spread from the right engine to the right wing. The crew decided to abandon the aircraft and bailed out. Without crew, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion. All six crew members were unhurt. Crew (25th OTU): P/O C. G. Hughes, Sgt B. C. Whittle, F/Sgt R. Baker, F/Sgt R. V. C. Oliver, Sgt F. G. Greensides, F/Sgt L. R. Read.

Royal Air Force - RAF

While cruising in low visibility due to heavy rain falls, the Wellington collided with a RAF Supermarine Spitfire registered R6686. Both aircraft crashed in a field located in Broadwater, near Bath. All seven occupants of both aircraft were killed. Crew (15th OTU): W/O George Ernest Leeke, pilot, Sgt Walter Frank Good, observer, F/Sgt Stanley William Pook, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Eric Coleman, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Frederick Keith Fairclough, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt William Wilson, wireless operator and air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF East Wretham at 1851LT on a bombing mission to Emden. While approaching The Netherlands, the radio operator reported at 2120LT he was attacked by the pilot of a German fighter. Twenty-five minutes later, at 2145LT, the bomber crashed into the North Sea some 20 km off Terschelling. All six crew members were killed. Crew (311st Squadron): Sgt Karel Danihelka, pilot, Sgt Vladimír Hanzl, pilot, F/O Ladislav Ríha, navigator, Sgt František Janca, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Dobromil Špinka, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Adolf Podivinský.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was performing a circular training flight from RAF East Wretham. During the take off run, the left engine failed. The captain decided to abandon the take off procedure and attempted an emergency braking action, but the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining runway. It overrun, hit obstacles, lost its landing gears and came to rest. While all six occupants were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Crew: P/O Josef Capka, pilot, Sgt Ferdinand Kepka, pilot, Sgt Josef Laichler, Sgt Jan Neradil, Sgt Gustav Michalec, air gunner 1.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Shortly after lift off from RAF Moreton-in-Marsh, the aircraft encountered problems to gain height. The bomber hit tree tops and crashed in flames in a wooded area. Four crew members were killed while two others were seriously injured. One of them died from his injuries two days later. Crew (21st ATU): P/O Joseph Henry Kirk, pilot, † P/O Harry Waugh, pilot, † Sgt Alan James Brock, Sgt Wilfred Joseph Howson, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt Robert Marshall, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt T. Bethell.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was performing a training flight when he encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility. In a snow storm, the crew did not realize his altitude was too low and the aircraft hit the slope of the Whichford Hill located near Banbury. Crew (15th OTU): Sgt G. W. Roberts, pilot, Sgt D. McSheen, Sgt A. J. Turtill, rear gunner, † Sgt D. M. Bunn 3.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Crew was en route to RAF Buerat El-Hsun when he encountered technical problems and elected to divert to El Adem. He was eventually forced to make an emergency landing 11 km north of El Adem, in a desert area. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, all crew members were unhurt.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was engaged in a circular training flight from RAF Newmarket. Shortly after take off, in initial climb, one of the engine fired. The captain attempted to return to the airport but on final, the aircraft stalled, hit an embankment and crashed in flames on a building. Eight crew members were killed while two others were seriously injured. Crew (3rd ATG): F/Sgt Frederick Thomas Miniken, pilot, † Sgt Reginald Alfred Butcher, wireless operator, † Sgt M. T. Coon, wireless operator, Sgt Gerald Geoffrey Cornes, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt R. H. W. Lawrence, wireless operator, AC1 Thomas Menzies, flight engineer, † Sgt John Philpin Williams, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt Anthony John Browne, air gunner, † Sgt Albert David Matthews, air gunner, † Sgt Herbert Wolstenholme, air gunner. †

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew departed RAF Waterbeach at 1720LT on a bombing mission over Emden. While approaching the Dutch coast, the aircraft was probably shot down by the German Flak and crashed into the North Sea off terschelling. The last message got by the crew was at 2120LT, some 27 minutes before the accident. It was confirmed on December 21 that the aircraft was shot down. Crew (99th Squadron): F/Sgt Thomas Crawford Bentley Patterson, pilot, Sgt Dennis Edward Hall, Sgt Leonard Ronald Townsend, Sgt Ronald Llewellyn Cooke, Sgt Bernard John Dermody, Sgt William Albert McAllen.

Royal Air Force - RAF

On approach to RAF Mount Farm, while on a training flight, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. All four crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was written off. Crew from the 15th OTU.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was returning to his base at RAF Elsham Wolds following a bombing mission over Frankfurt. Short of fuel, captain instructed the crew to bail out. Out of control, the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a pasture located 4 miles northwest of Market Rasen. All six occupants were unhurt while the aircraft was destroyed. Crew (103rd Squadron): P/O Ken H. Wallis 5.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Newton at 2300LT on June 16 on a bombing mission over Duisburg. En route, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion near the border between Belgium and The Netherlands. All six crew were killed. Crew (103rd Squadron): S/L Dermot Kelly, pilot, Sgt Douglas MacVicar, pilot, F/S Stephanus Marais, navigator, Sgt Leonard Beaumont, radio operator and air gunner, Sgt George Houghton, radio operator and air gunner, Sgt William Connell, rear gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

While taxiing at RAF Honington, aircraft went out of control, veered off taxiway and came to rest in flames. While all occupants were injured but able to escape, the aircraft was destroyed.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Crashed on take off in unknown circumstances. The aircraft was written off while all six crew members were unhurt. They were performing a training exercise on behalf of the 1st Army Training Unit. The exact circumstances of the occurrence remains unknown.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left Shallufa Airbase at 2300LT to bomb the Maleme aerodrome that was captured by the German forces. An abnormal fuel consumption forced the crew to divert to Heraklion for an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed and came to rest. While it was damaged beyond repair, all six crew members were unhurt.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Marham on a bombing mission to Brest. En route, for unknown reason, the aircraft crashed in Milizac, some 11 km northwest of Brest. Five crew members were killed while the sixth occupant was taken POW.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Shortly after take off from RAF Swinderby, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. Two crewmen were injured while all three other occupants were killed. Crew (301st Squadron): F/O Korycinski, † Sgt Lenczowski, † Sgt Chrzanowski, † 2.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Mildenhall at 1940LT on a bombing mission to Gelsenkirchen. While flying by night over The Netherlands, the bomber was shot down by the pilot of a German night fighter and crashed in a field in Sevenum. All six crew members were killed. Crew (149th Squadron): Sgt L. R. Hawley, Sgt C. B. Rogers, Sgt E. G. Prettyman, Sgt W. G. Marett, Sgt E. White, Sgt C. G. H. Ward.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Shortly after take off, while climbing, the crew informed ground that an engine failed and attempted to return. On approach, the crew did not receive the permission to land as another Vickers Wellington was obstructing the runway. From a height of some 150 feet, the crew elected to make a go around but the aircraft stalled and crashed short of runway. All six crew members were injured and the aircraft was written off. Crew (214th Squadron): P/O H. C. S. Hordern, Sgt Russell, P/O McKenzie, Sgt Cross, Sgt Platt, Sgt Stuart.

Royal Air Force - RAF

In unknown circumstances, the bomber went out of control and crashed in a field, some ten kilometers southwest of Calais. All six occupants were killed. Crew (115th Squadron): P/O K. N. Arthurs, Sgt S. Charlton, Sgt C. E. Donehue, Sgt J. H. S. Jacobs, Sgt A. E. Law, Sgt M. F. Lloyd.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Following a bombing mission over a Mercedes-Benz factory in Bremen, the crew was returning to his base in RAF Mildenhall. While overflying Derbyshire, the crew encountered undefined technical problems and decided to abandon the aircraft. Without pilot, the bomber crashed in an open field and was destroyed. All six crew members were uninjured. Crew (149th Squadron): Sgt Turner, pilot, Sgt Campbell, Sgt McKnight, Sgt Pates, Sgt Piper, Sgt Rae.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Wyton on a bombing mission to Hanover. En route, while flying over The Netherlands by night, the bomber was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter and crashed in the Ijssel some 15 km west of Kampen. Five crewmen were taken POW while the sixth occupant was killed. Crew (15th Squadron): Sgt W. R. Garrioch, pilot, Sgt W. H. Jordan, copilot, Sgt R. F. Beioley, navigator, Sgt H. G. Hedge, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt G. Reardon, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt J. Hall, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Honington at 1739LT on a bombing mission over Torino. Returning to its base, the aircraft was overflying the unoccupied east part of France when the crew encountered unknown technical problems. The captain attempted to make an emergency landing in a pasture located in Mizérieux. The aircraft was partially destroyed by a post crash fire while all six crew members were uninjured. Crew (9th Squadron): Sgt Stuart Martin Parkeshouse Parkes, pilot, Sgt Lionel Richard Willis, pilot, Sgt Leslie Dennis Goldingay, observer, Sgt Harold William Bratley, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Ronald Vivian, air gunner, Sgt Reginald William Blaydon, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was returning to his base following a bombing mission over Le Havre, France. While approaching the British coast by night, the bomber crashed in unknown circumstances of Winterton. Three crew members were killed while all three others were rescued. Crew (214th Squadron): Sgt Alleway, Sgt Albert William Hodgson, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt John Francis Huxtable, † Sgt Edward Bertram Douglas Jenkins, † P/O J. A. Temperley, Sgt Vaughan-Davies.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Honington at 2015LT on December 21 to bomb an industrial area located in Porto Marghera, near Venice, Italy. While on the return leg the following night, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a field located in Lullington Court, some 12 km northwest of Eastbourne. All six crew members were killed. Crew (9th Squadron): Sgt Robert Norman Harrison, pilot, Sgt James Frederick Gapp, pilot, Sgt Leslie William Nichols, navigator and observer, Sgt Maurice Holker, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt William Riley, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt John Docker, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was performing a flight to Berka when an engine failed en route, forcing the pilot to reduce his altitude and to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed and came to rest in flames in a desert area located 30 miles southeast of Sidi Barrani. The aircraft was wrecked while all crew members were rescued.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Shortly after take off from RAF East Wretham while a bombing mission to Mannheim, the crew encountered technical problems with the engine and decided to return to his base. On final approach, approximately 1 km short of runway, the bomber clip a tree with its left wing and crashed in flames. Three crew members were rescued while all three others were killed. Crew (311th Squadron): Sgt Jan Krivda, † Sgt Josef Pavelka, P/O Vladimir Nedved, P/O Joseph Doubrava, Sgt Jiri Janousek, † P/O Jaromir Toul. † More info on: http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=16278

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Marham at 2015LT on November 15 on a bombing mission to Hamburg. 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 a field located near Winkel. All six crew members were killed. Crew (115th Squadron): Sgt Frederick Albert Core, Sgt Thomas Walter Gostick, Sgt Donald Ewart Larkman, Sgt Malcolm Brian Mott, Sgt Robert Rodger, Sgt John Carse Walton.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft left RAF Honington to bomb the Schlesiger station located in Berlin. While returning to its base the following night, the bomber was hit by enemy fire while cruising over Bremen. The crew was able to bail out and was later taken POW. The aircraft continued until it crashed in Ijssel Lake, off Enkhuizen. Crew (9th Squadron): S/L S. G. Pritchard, P/O P. A. W. Thomas, Sgt H. Newall, Sgt A. Hunt, Sgt R. F. Akerman, P/O R. V. Derbyshire.