Liberator shot down off Norway in 02/1942
 

Hi

What is the identity of the Liberator shot down (by Who?) off Norway in February 1942(date?).
Flt.LT R.Walton (pilot) and Sgt.E.J.Booker were survivors and retourned in United Kingdom after a journey across Norway and Sweden.

They were victims! in the crash of the Liberator (AL516 of 511 Sqd) at Gibraltar on night 31 october/1 november 1942(14 killed among passagers)

Thanks in advance
Michel

Re: Liberator shot down off Norway in 02/1942
 

Hello Michael,

Perhaps not Norway ?

Try this one -

http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1942/1942-6.htm

This was AM918 alloted G-AGDR. Off the Eddystone Lighthouse

Alex

Re: Liberator shot down off Norway in 02/1942
 

Michael

This was AM924 coded OH-D from 120 Sq which came down in the Atlantic (Norwegian Sea) on 28.5.1942. Shot down by fighters two of the crew, F/S E.A. Allgood and Sgt B.F. Smith were killed outright while F/S T.J. Culane was badly injured in the crashlanding.
With incredible will the survivors paddled for two days in one damaged and one complete rubber boat before making landfall on the 30th. Unfortunately F/S Culane did not survive the ordeal and had been decided with great regret to place him in the rubber boat which more and more rapidly was filled with water.
When finally getting ashore the four survivors were all captured, but through skill and cunning managed to escape. Finding themselves in fact on an Island they stole a rowing boat and finally managed to reach land.
For 26 (yes 26!!) days they walked east, stole food where they could and lived off nature. On 30 June they finally past the Swedish border and were spotted by three Swedish men from a border patrol.
The survivors, F/O Rae Walton, P/O T.J. Corkran, Sgt E.J. Booker and Sgt J.D. Pickering recuperated quickly and after interrogations and a short internment they were allowed to return back to UK on 26.8.1942
By co-incidence the sinking rubber boat did not sink and F/S Culane was found drifting off Lofoten. The other two crewmembers killed are all still listed as MIA

Story, courtesy Rolph Wegman and Brittiska nödlandare 1940-45.
B Rgds
Stig

Re: Liberator shot down off Norway in 02/1942
 

Formidable story and what an odyssey!!Walton and Booker also survived the crash of 31 October/1 November 1942! When we're a lucky!!
Seems to correspond to the claim of Werner Gutowski (9/JG1)

Thank you very much Stig

Michel

Re: Liberator shot down off Norway in 02/1942
 

Hello all,
I found this -

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...2-42&styleid=3

:(
Just seen your post Stig, looks like the date given in post 1 was incorrect. Well found.

Alex

Re: Liberator shot down off Norway in 02/1942
 

Hi Michael,
I am interested in Rae Walton and his time with the RAF. I am aware of both crashes - off Norway and off Gibraltar - as well as his service with 232 Squadron as Lord Louis Mountbatten's personal pilot while he was Supreme Commander of Forces in South East Asia. Do you have any detailed information about his service?

Cheers,
Neil Taylor