Lancaster ME846 crash site?
I am new to this site and would dearly like to “plunder” the undoubted knowledge available as I am fast coming to the end of possibilities.
For the past 6 years, I, relations and friends of the crew of Lancaster ME846 of 619 Squadron, have been researching the circumstances of the loss of this aircraft on the night of 21/22 June 1944.
From the diaries of three of the four who bailed out and from the reports of the crew of the Messerschmitt Bf 110 G9+BC of No. 1 Night Fighter Squadron, piloted by Captain von Bonin that attacked ME846, we know much more than previously. The Lancaster, fully loaded with bombs and fuel, was on its way to Wesseling and was flying at 18,000 feet close to the town of Balen in Belgium when it was hit in the starboard wing, which immediately caught fire. The pilot gave the order to abandon the aircraft and at the same time turned to port, descending onto a reciprocal course. All but the rear gunner responded. Although uninjured, the pilot stayed with the aircraft as it is thought that the upper gunner went to the aid of the rear gunner whilst the aircraft descended. However, before anything could be done, the starboard wing became detached at about 3000 feet and the falling aircraft exploded close to the ground. The bodies of the two gunners were found and are now buried at the Schoonselhof cemetery in Antwerp. Nothing has been found of the pilot.
Our research has revealed that the aircraft came down in the Bladel Woods, which straddle the boarder between Holland and Belgium. Records at Postel Abby in Belgium speak of the explosion blowing out windows in the neighbourhood, but that would surely mean a built up area, which the Bladel Woods are not! The RAF report the aircraft crashed in the Bladel Woods, but in Holland. I have tried to check AIR 2/10031 at the National Archive, which documents the attempts by the RAF after the war to locate the remains of missing airmen. Unfortunately that file is missing from the Archives. The Royal Netherlands Air Force Crash Recovery Team is also searching for any clues as to where the aircraft came down.
We would dearly like to locate the remains of the pilot who gave his life by stayed at the controls in order that his crew had the maximum chance to escape and to give him the burial he so richly deserves. For me it is very “close to home” as he was the youngest brother, at only 20 years of age, of my mother.
Can anyone help us, please?
Last edited by Stubbo; November 19th, 2009 at 09:12 PM.
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