Identity of Halifax shot down by 8.8 cm Flak near Le Culot in Belgium in June 1942?

[Theo Boiten]

Dear all,

I've recently aquired a couple of photos of a burnt-out Halifax that, according to the original German caption, was shot down by 8.8 cm Flak near Le Culot in Belgium in June 1942. Who can tell me more about the identity of this Halifax? In the photos, not a single identifiable piece is shown, just a smashed up and burnt out wreck.

Thanks for any pointers, Theo

[MW Giles]

Your options are

01-Jun-42
76 Sqn Halifax II srs 1 W1064 MP-J Essen Fighter Belgium/Lux Stbd inner engine lost power and seized on Essen raid. Intercepted and shot down at Bossut, Brabant, 15km S of Leuven on return flight

06-Jun-42
35 Sqn Halifax II srs 1 R9439 TL-A Emden Crashed Unknown

08-Jun-42
35 Sqn Halifax II srs 1 W1021 TL-J Essen Fighter Belgium/Lux
Crashed Diegem, Brussels returning from Essen

35 Sqn Halifax II srs 1 W7701 TL-U Essen Shot Down Belgium/Lux
Crashed Gruitrode, Limburg, 15km N of Genk

405 Sqn Halifax II srs 1 W1111 LQ-D Essen Crashed Unknown

25-Jun-42
76 Sqn Halifax II srs 1 W7747 MP-G Bremen Crashed Unknown

These are the Halifaxes crashing in Belgium in June 42 or with unknown landing places. We can possibly rule out W7747 and R9439 as the expected track would not be over Belgium, but not impossible they ended up there

Regards

Martin

[Theo Boiten]

Thanks for the info Martin, -I strongly believe that the a/c in question is W1064.

Best regards, Theo

[ClinA-78]

Bossut-Gottechain is indeed 5 km West of Le Culot airfield.

ClinA-78