Loss from Berlin raid. 30 Mar '43

[Icare9]

If we are talking about the ashes of a relative of one of the crew of BK710, then we were too late with helpful info to help confirm (or not) that it was BK710 before the 25th/26th May anniversary.

As we haven't been able to discover any link with BK710 to wreckage, what is Plan B then for these ashes? Can they be scattered at Runnymede as that's the best location available so far....

The rear gunner, Sgt Percival, is now buried in Hamburg Cemetery, which seems to indicate a ditching "somewhere" as per mhuxt's post above.... What happens next?

[Frasera]

Many thanks for the help .... and it gets even more strange. The aircraft discovered was ID'd as BK710 .... but the location leads me to beleive it is BK716, the aircraft you guys alluded to! As the Nav's son is in the UK to scatter his Mother's ashes, I have suggested Runnymede or the 149Sqn church at Methwold as a "safe" alternative. Need also to contact Smudge Smith ... he may be able to help. Any ideas? TIA

Alan F
http://www.stirlingpilot.org.uk
http://www.mildenhallregister.stirlingpilot.org.uk

[Frasera]

The idea of the ashes scattering was to do it on the 25/26th June, due to logistics, but thanks for the thought. Another piece of the puzzle is that an artifact has been discovered in the Dutch wreck .... A 4" cutout of an Elephant ..... connection to 75 Sqn? I do not know. Still, it appears that the rescue team have the wrong aircraft. I will keep chasing Thanks.

[mhuxt]

The Harwich - Esbjerg and Harwich - Cuxhaven ferries pass close by the area where the missing crews from that night appear to have been lost. Not sure of the regs though.

[Frasera]

Thanks, I will pass that on as another Alt.
A

[Icare9]

It does look to be some parts from a Stirling cockpit. This dates at least to April this year, so has any more been retrieved? The nose area is where I would expect any crew remains to be most likely found.... the fuselage would be best for some further identification.

I'm a bit puzzled by the single machine gun though.... unless it had been wrenched from its pair/quadruple mounting, then it looks to be from something else......

Why is the identification focussing on BK710 or'716? The elephant cut out could be a hint at a Squadron badge, but 75 had NZ links not Africa or India..... anyone know of an elephant crest?