HALIFAX JN920
51 SQUADRON
LK-L
22/23 OCTOBER 1943
RAF Snaith ,22 October 1943,17.55 hours the Halifax JN920 takes of to bomb the industrial town of Kassel
Hit by flak over Holland the crippled plane burning violently.
Eyewitnesses talking about the crash many years later still remembers the burning plane circling the town.
A few minutes later the plane crashed in a forest with a enormous explosion , killing the seven brave young men.
Flt./Sgt. C.E. Hall Pilot RCAF
Sgt. G.H. Bennett Navigator RAF
Sgt. R.S. Sitch Wireless Op. RAF
Sgt. J.C. Cowie Air Gunner RAF
Sgt. T.V. Lewis Air Gunner RAF
Sgt. M.S. Williams Flight En. RAF
Sgt. E. Parker Bomb Aimer RAF
The following morning the Germans sealed of the crash site.
In 1998 members of the Wings Museum did a recovery on the crash site (check http://www.wingsmuseum.co.uk/halifax_jn920_memorial.htm )
In 2010 the Planehunters visited the crash site , the landowner gave his permission to search the crater edge and we found some nice pieces just at the surface .
Bomb clamp and incendairy parts
Typical Halifax saxaphone exhaust for the Merlin engine
Special thanks to Neil Smith and Peter “Pete” Gulliver from 51 History Team
Researchers : Luc Cox, the East Surry Aviation Group at the Wings Museum
Eyewitness reports: Herman Wijgerde (who put a model of a Halifax next to the memorial)
The Landowners who let us investigate this 51 Sqn. crash site.
Thijs Hellings for his hard work and a fresh Duvel.
For photo’s use this link
Regards
Benny Ceulaers