Friendly fire WWII

[flughund]

Wellington HX482 - http://www.lostaircraft.com/database...wentry&e=29178

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg...&GRid=11357038

"Ross was flying as aircrew in an RAF 172 Squadron Wellington VIII 'Leigh Light' bomber, registration HX482 and assigned to Coastal Command and tasked with the identification and destruction of enemy submarines. The aircraft was piloted by my mother's fiancé F/O Gordon Jamieson and on that day was flying an air test and demonstration flight with 8 people on board, including a U.S.Army Air Force officer and one of her ground crew. This was not an offensive mission and the aircraft was unarmed apart from her gun turrets. Flying over Swansea Bay, South Wales in broad daylight and in good visibility, the aircraft was cruising across the bay when she was attacked by anti-aircraft gunners on an American ship, reported as the USS or SS 'Gulf of Mexico. The Wellington was at relatively low level but not in an attacking stance, but was nevertheless mistaken for an enemy aircraft and shot down into the bay. All on board were killed as they had no time to bale out. The wreck remains in Swansea Bay and is protected by UK Government legislation from any interference, although I understand all the crew were recovered from the sea in the following days and buried separately in accordance with family wishes. Gordon is buried at Canford in Bristol. Hope this can give you more closure." (by Stuart Dymond, 4 Sep 2013).

http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/51...ON+VIII+HX482/