RAF Missing Crew
 

Following a testimony that I received, I search an English crew fell at Sail-les-Bains (Loire, France) on the night of September 16 to 17, 1943. The names of 2 members of this crew are: Bell (26 years, navigator) et Colin (21 years, radio operator). They had been rescued by inhabitants (Families GIRY and GUERET). They were exfiltrated England via Spain several months later.
The witness who told me this is an old man and he can not tell me more. He gives me some photos of the crew with local residents (see attached doc.)

The problem:
- there's no missing crew over this zone this night in the RAF losses cards .
- Another Bell had been shot down the night before over Montluçon (Halifax, 428e Sqn, RCAF, crash landing at 19h58) and he was taken prisoner immediately.

Can you help me to know more about these men ?

Thanx.

[IMG]http://img15.hostingpics.net/thumbs/...4BellColin.jpg[/IMG]

Re: RAF Missing Crew
 

Maybe far-fetched :
http://www.conscript-heroes.com/MI9-04.html
3317 1612 (-) F/Sgt William Booth 10 Sqn Halifax JD315 * Baled out Sept 43 - John Carter - Pyrenees from Perpignan Dec 43
3318 1734 (-) Sgt Colin R Varley 10 Sqn Halifax JD315 * Baled out Sept 43 - John Carter - Pyrenees from Perpignan Jan 44
* F/Sgt Booth and Sgt Colin Varley baled out of Halifax JD315 over France as ordered before the aircraft returned to England

http://www.evasioncomete.org/fvandaema.html
"et le Sgt RAF Colin R. Varley (Halifax JD 315 du N° 10 Squadron - mission du 16 septembre 1943 - Varley a obéi à l'ordre d'évacuer l'appareil, qui rentre à la base - SPG 3318/1734)."

Re: RAF Missing Crew
 

It sounds good. I had another name for "Bell": Both. I think local resistance didn't speak english very well.

Thank you udf00.

Re: RAF Missing Crew
 

Probably not so far out. As a William he was probably called Bill

Regards

Martin