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Re: Friendly fire WWII
"1942 March 19:
A British Court of Enquiry found that Liberator Aircraft number AM 918 in the service of British Overseas Airways, carrying Lieutenant Colonel Townsend Griffiss and British military and civilian passengers, was shot down about 5 miles southwest of the Eddystone Lighthouse, near Plymouth, England, on Feb. 15, 1942 at about 8:50 A.M. British Standard Time. Plane was on non-stop flight from Cairo to England. Plane crashed into channel. Crew and all passengers were lost. No bodies have been recovered. Plane was shot down by 2 Polish pilots of the Polish Air Force who failed to identify it as friendly aircraft. Court also found that contributory cause was lack of exercise of proper and effective control of pilots by ground organization. Evidence is being taken with the view of bringing the 2 pilots before court martial. It is requested that no publicity be given to findings of Court of Enquiry. Formal certificate of death will be forwarded as soon as issued by British Casualty Section. Request this information be furnished also Chief of Army Air Forces."
Source: Document psfa0043, letter Cheney to Marshall in George C. Marshall papers in the FDR Library.
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