Info April 12th 1943. Twin bomber crash on the island of St Vincent, British West Indies

[Duncan Richardson]

Hello all

I am new here and seeking some help in identifying a downed bomber and any additional information. I am researching various aspects of the war and it's impact on the island of St Vincent, West Indies. I am a pilot and near my airfield I have seen an engine block and firewall of a light twin bomber that crashed along the beachfront while attempting a forced landing with a dead engine. There are two war graves in the local Georgetown cemetery, one Australian and one British with another in the cemetery in the capital Kingstown. I am told there might have been an American casualty as well. The date was April 12th 1943 and it is reputed the bomber was being ferried to Russia from the USA via Trinidad, Belem, Dacca and onwards.

Because of war secrecy nothing seems to have been published in the local newspapers and the memory of the crash dims in people's minds. My wife who was born in 1948 remembers playing on the wreckage which eventualy disintegrated in the salt air.

I have an old photograph taken shortly after of the burnt wreck and I have the crew names of those left here. It is said the American was disinterred and taken home.

1. Douglas William Perry. Sergeant (Nav) 1332428. Royal Air Force
Volunteer Reserve

2. Geoffrey John Hamilton Carter. Sergeant 412229. Royal Australian
Air Force

3. Lennox Dane Faulkner. Captain Royal Air Force Transport Command

In closing, 1942 and 43 saw a vast number of aircraft stationed in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico to counteract the U boat onslaught here that accounted for nearly one third of allied shipping losses in 1942.

Hope someone can help
Duncan

[Amrit1]

The aircraft was Baltimore FA314 which was destroyed in the fire after the crash. It was on a ferry flight. I can confirm Carter and Faulkner, though not Perry. Nor do I have any details of an American

[Duncan Richardson]

Thank you for that info Amrit. Would you know any details of the crash. The legend here was that it had refueled in Puerto Rico then lost an engine because the fuel had been tampered with by "fifth colimnists)??. One crewman, Perry survived long enough say they had thought they were set up to land on an open grass field but finding it cultivated elected to try a go around but they went into coconut trees along the beachfront.

[Amrit1]

The RAF serial number was FA314, the US was 41-2789. I'm afraid I don't have any more details but some of the other members may be able to help.

Unfortunately, Carter's file hasn't been digitised but you can apply for it. His casualty repatriation file may have more info. Go to:

http://naa12.naa.gov.au/Login.htm

Click on Guest and then search for 412229. It should come up with three files. last one may help

[Duncan Richardson]

Amrit. I think I will have some luck on the archives, thank you once again

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo Duncan,

Just to add a little to what Amrit has stated. According to OCEAN BRIDGE, The History of RAF Ferry Command by Carl A. Christie there were only 3 on board, as you listed. However Faulkner is recorded as a Canadian civilian, not RAF or American. He was the pilot, Perry the navigator and Carter the radio operator.

Baltimores were not used by the Soviet Union. This aircraft was on its way to join the RAF in the Middle East. For the ferry operation it was allocated to 45 Group, RAF.

I agree with Amrit about Carter's file on the Australian Archives website. These are usually very helpful.

Thanks for an unusual and interesting posting.

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.

[Duncan Richardson]

Thank you for that additional info Martin. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission list Faulkner as a UK citizen but the two countries were very closely tied then with families recently emmigrating so confusion could well exist.
http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_...2024327&mode=1

This is the site for Georgetown Cemetery. A more peaceful remote place it would be hard to find and so very far from the war.

Canadians and Americans might be easily confused here hence the talk of an American. I am glad you could clear that point for me and pin down the squadron it was destined for.

Why the pilot was not able to execute a good forced landing has been a mystery to me because the length available would seems to be adequate, the terrain was absolutely flat and the crop was arrowroot a short plant that would have been harvested by April. I have learnt that the Baltimore was a very difficult aeroplane to handle and would have required a high approach speed. Maybe there was not enough length or perhaps he overshot the intended touchdown spot but attempting a go around with one engine out and high coconut trees on his port side was fraught with danger. I'm sure he did his best.

[dp_burke]

The nationality displayed on the CWGC site is the nationality of the force served with, not of the person. Just to be careful with that little bit.

Check out the initial search screen, hold the mouse over the yellow button with question mark beside tht field.

Cheers Dennis

[Redleafjumper]

I am working on a project to apply the correct names on a new cenotaph in Prince George BC and I have reason to believe that Lennon or Lennox Dane Faulkner should be the name on the cenotaph rather than one David F. Lennon (there doesn't appear to have been anyone in service with the last name) that appears on the old cenotaph. Any information that would connect Captain Faulkner to Prince George, BC would be most appreciated.

Cheers,

Sheldon Clare
Prince George,BC
Cenotaph Project