Bombay I loss - 17 June 1940

[Andy Saunders]

Hi Bart!

Yes, I have those details but thank you anyway. No mention is made of the incident in the 24 Squadron ORB for this date and 271 Sqn ORB is equally silent, too. I dont think 24 Squadron had a Bombay on strength so I imagine these men were passengers in what was a 271 Sqn machine. The question is, of course, who were the crew of the Bombay? On 17 June 1940 (the date of the crash) Air Ministry instructions were issued to 24 Sqn stating that all routine flights by the squadron to France were to cease forthwith. It is likely, then, that these men were being evacuated from France. The only other detail I have is that the aircraft caught fire on impact when it struck hill descending through cloud so it is unlikely to have been a survivable accident. Pegasus XXII's numbered 116082 and 125460, but that is it. Even have engine numbers...the rest a mystery!!