Wellington Crash - Sussex 1941

[Stephen Smith]

Andy,

Vickers Wellington Mk.Ic R1025 HA-J of No.218 (B) Squadron based at RAF Marham. Crew forced landed (wheels-up) due to fuel failure at 06.15hrs Hampden near Willingdon, Eastbourne on return from Nurnburg. Crew had taken off at 22.58hrs. It was the crews 10th operation. *

Crew;

Pilot Sgt Vezina RCAF
2nd pilot Sgt Gregg
Observer Pilot officer Brown
Wireless Operator Sergeant Willett
Front Gunner Sergeant Toynbee-Clarke
Rear Gunner Sergeant Crump

Same crew crashed again on December 16th 1941 on route to Brest. Sergeant Vezina posted off squadron December 1941 having completed 19 operations.

* via ORB and Form AM 1180

Regards

Steve

[Andy Saunders]

Steve

Thank you very much indeed for this information.

The detail of this incident had eluded me over many years of researching wartime aircraft incidents in Sussex. I knew it happened - but had no other information despite years of searching!

Just one detail - it is Hampden Park, not Hampden. Hampden Park is a district of Eastbourne.

A good illustration of the value of this site. There is seemingly a specialist in just about every area covering units, campaigns or aircraft types such that whatever the question posed someone out there will have the answer.

Thank you again.

[Stephen Smith]

Andy,

Glad to have been able to have helped.

All the very best,

Smudger