Hi
In my book D-Day Bombers I gave a full account of the 2/3 June raid to Trappes. Included were details of the loss of F/O Reynolds 158 Sqn Halifax, obtained from the 'K' report held at the National Archives.
Below are my notes on the loss - hope it helps.
Steve Darlow
www.stevedarlow.co.uk
www.fightinghigh.com
LK841 158 Squadron F/O Reynolds
On the first leg out of the target the mid-upper gunner on a 158 Squadron Halifax sees an enemy fighter flash past on a reciprocal course. He tells his rear gunner who asks the pilot to corkscrew, which he does for two minutes. The rear gunner tells his skipper to resume course. Att 0115 hours a long burst of cannon fire slams into the Halifax, from vertically below, raking the aircraft along the underside of the fuselage. Cannon shell takes out the intercom and lighting system. The rear turret is lit up by tracer and the nose of the aircraft is smashed. The inside of the bomber becomes a mass of flames. The wireless operator and flight engineer try to use the fire extinguisher, but the situation appears beyond saving. The navigator opens the front hatch and the flames then appear to subside. The wireless operator again goes back with the extinguisher, but by then the pilot is shouting ‘bale out’. An attempt is made to contact the rear gunner using call-lights, without success. The navigator, bomb aimer and wireless operator bale out. The flight engineer gives his skipper his parachute and both follow. The mid-upper gunner leaves by the rear exit, through the fire and exploding ammunition. On the way down the navigator has to swing violently and pull on his parachute cords to avoid tracer fired from a fighter at another Halifax. The Halifax falls in flames, breaks in two, hits the ground and explodes. The rear gunner is the only fatality from the crew.