Blenheim crew member interned in Belgium, 30 April 1940.

[Martin Gleeson]

Hello all,
.
Could anyone please confirm – especially from Belgian sources – the name of the Wireless Operator/Air Gunner interned briefly on 30 April 1940 when Blenheim L8875 WV-S of 18 Squadron belly-landed at Brussels-Evere aerodrome ?
.
The 18 Squadron Operational Record Book for April 1940 was lost but on 1 May 1940 the crew names are recorded, including ‘LAC Murray’ (612343 K.E. Murray) as WOp/AG. However the May 1940 section of the ORB was reconstructed after the campaign in France and is riddled with errors and omissions. The landing on 30 April 1940 has no AIR 81 casualty file or aircraft loss card. Norman Franks and Bill Chorley in their respective publications record the WOp/AG position was filled by LAC R.G. St. James-Smith, as does Kenneth Wynn in his ‘MEN of the BATTLE of BRITAIN’. (I am aware that Sgts. Thomas, Talbot and LAC St. James-Smith flew together after the Blitzkrieg began).
.
So, was it Murray or St. James-Smith on board when they were interned on 30 April 1940 ? I am hoping to find some contemporary documentary evidence to prove which man was involved; such as police records or signals. Clearly the three authors named above based their decision to record St. James Smith as the WOp/AG on something other than the 18 Squadron ORB.
.
Regards,
.
Martin Gleeson.

[edwest2]

Hello Martin,


30 April 1940
Carrying out a night time reconnaissance sortie one of the squadron’s aircraft and crews was lost when it had to force land near Brussels in Belgium where the crew were interned
Blenheim Mk.IV serial L8875
Pilot – Sgt AWS Thomas Interned
Obs – SGT JJF Talbot Interned
WOp/AG – LAC RG StJames-Smith Interned
The records of No. 57 Squadron’s specific sorties were lost during the evacuation of France, material has been substituted from records of losses, post-war interviews with former members and the flying logbooks of aircrew of the squadron.


HTH,
Ed

[Martin Gleeson]

Thanks Ed, but the squadron was definitely No. 18. Norman Franks noted incorrectly that the unit was No. 57. Probably a typo as both 18 and 57 Squadrons were the component units of No. 70 Wing.

Regards,

Martin.

[Alex Smart]

https://www.google.com/search?q=RAF+...875&gws_rd=ssl

[Martin Gleeson]

Alex,

Many thanks for those links. The AIR 81/2062 casualty file reference clarifies the crew names and is perfect for my needs. I missed that file earlier.

Regards,

Martin.