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Re: RAF (?) bomber crashed near Antwerp 1940
That certainly is the geodesic framework and fabric of a Wellington. There just doesn't seem to be enough of it, just looks like one tailplane and rear turret. By the look of the equipment the soldiers are posing with, looks as if the rear gunner didn't get to bale out.
There doesn't seem to be any further way of identifying which aircraft or even Squadron. Obviously as no helmets worn or cold weather gear I'd guess after Dunkirk and probably lost on the raids on the invasion barges. Possibly Sept 7th but that's my best guess.....
Ah, had a trawl through Bombers Lost and just inputting the year only 3 Wellingtons appeared and 2 were near Antwerp!
So one candidate is:
Wellington Serial Number P9298 115 Squadron KO-H Operation Cambrai 20th May 1940
Airborne 2345 20 May 40 from Marham to attack enemy transport in the Cambrai - Le Cateau - Cambresis St.Quentin triangle. Crashed, killing the entire crew, cause not established. They are now buried in the Schoonselhof Cemetery at Antwerpen, Belgium
F/S L.G. Moores KIA
Sgt A.H. Hooper KIA
Sgt K.W. Hughes KIA
AC1 G.E. Flanigan KIA
AC1 J.T. Packer KIA
AC2 D. Duggan KIA
The other is Wellington Serial Number T2505 9 Squadron WS-W. Operation Cologne 28th September 1940. T2505 was one of two No.9 Sqdn Wellingtons lost on this night on two separate operations. See: T2472. Airborne from Honington. Crashed near Antwerp, Belgium. Cause unknown. Sgt Oliver survived, but his crew were all killed and are now buried in the Schoonselhof Cemetery, Antwerp.
Sgt C.W.Oliver was confined in Hospital due injuries. No PoW No.
Sgt K.B.Gladwin KIA
Sgt L.W.Hardy KIA
Sgt J.Woods KIA
Sgt E.J.Milsom KIA
Sgt S.G.Brooker KIA
You can guess which I favour.
I haven't gone through all the returns of Wellingtons from 1 Jan to 31 Dec 1940, 7 pages, but you are welcome to do so to find any others!
Hope this helps!
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