28-09-41 500Sq blenheim Z6163

[brewerjerry]

Hi
anyone any details on a 500Sq blenheim Z6163 , 28 - 09 - 41, FTR
anything is if interest, ( code / crew etc ), also any info on airfield it took off from.
cheers
jerry

[Peter Clare]

28 September 1941
500 Squadron
Blenheim IV Z6163 MK-
Base. Bircham Newton
Missing over Northern France.

This is the extent of the entry in the publication RAF Coastal Command Losses Vol 1. R McNeill.


Regards
Peter

[brewerjerry]

Hi
Thanks for the info
cheers
jerry

[Fairlop]

Hi Jerry,

From The Bristol Blenheim by Warner ... "reported missing on shipping sweep to French Coast, but not recorder in Squadron ORB.

Michal

[rafcommands]

Hi Jerry,

A little more has come to light for the entry from Tom Willis post in May 2006 on a photograph he has:

Coded MK-U believed to have crashlanded on a beach.

Regards
Ross

[brewerjerry]

Hi Ross,
Thanks for the info,
cheers
Jerry

[jives11]

Hi, I too am interested in this aircraft and have the POW records for Appleyard, Smyth and Reece, who evaded capture for about 6 weeks.

I have seen a number of references to a picture of this aircraft after it crash landed. Does anyone have a copy I could see by chance ?

[Henk Welting]

jives11,
Please may we know the info you've on APPLEYARD and SMYTH (initials, svcnr, PoW-info). Have problems to find them in my PoW-file. For REECE I've: Francis Reece - NZ402214 - Camp L3, Number 25. Arrested in Nantes 10-11-1941, was in the famous Gestapo-jail of Fresnes near Paris until 25-2-1942 and last known camp Marlag Milag Nord, Tarmstedt (Bremen).
Regards,
Henk.

[jives11]

W.O James Douglas Appleyard No R-68131 (Ontario, Canada)

Place of Capture : Nantes 10/11/41

Camps
8B nr Breslau April 42 - May 42
Luft 3 Sagan May 42 Nov 42
Luft 1 Barth Nov 42 Nov 43
Luft 6 Hyderkrug Nov 43 July 44
357 Torun July 44 Aug 44
357 Fallingsbostel Aug 44 5th April 45

Interrogation : yes : Versaiiles Feb 42 after 3 1/2 months solitary confinement. negligible at Dulag Luft

Escapes:
yes.

1) Brest to Nantes 29/9/41 to 10/11/41 evading initial capture with P.O Reece Sgt Smyth - captured by gestapo

2) Attempted tunnel escape Luft 1 winter and spring 43

3) Escaped from marching party 8/4/45 W.O L.O.N.C sadezky
Retaken by British 15/4/45

Sgt William Henry Smyth No 982670 ( Belfast, NI)

Place of capture Nantes, November 1941

Camps:

Prison Paris Nov 41 - Feb 42
Dulag Luft Frankfurt Feb 42 - April 43
Stalag Luft 3 Sagan April 43 - June 43
Stalag Luft 6 Heydkrug June 43 - July 44
Stalag 357 Thorne Jule 44 - Aug 44
Stalag 357 Falingbostel Aug 44 - April 45

Interrogation:

Paris & Dulag Luft . Verbal

Escapes :

Evaded capture six weeks
Shot down near Brest 28th Sept 1941 , Captured Nantes Nov 41


F/Lt Francis Reece No. NZ 402214 (Dunedin, New Zealand)

Date of capture: Nantes, France 10/11/41

Camps:

Fresne Jail Versaille 10/11/41 - 25/2/42
Dulag Luft Frankfurt 26/2/42 - 6/4/42
Stalag Luft 3 Sagan 8/2/42 - 27/1/45
Marlag Milag Nord Tarmstadt (Bremen) 4/2/45 - 10/4/45
On move 10/4/45 - 2/5/45


Injuries : Hit on nose by football in Sagan 1942

Interrogation :

Was in hands of French organisation for 6 weeks captured in Nantes when German Army leader was assassinated in early Oct 41. Questionned in paris to identify French helpers.
Only asked questions & solitary in Fresne 3 1/2 months

Escapes :

On many organised tunnel escapes. Unsuccessful in getting out missed in ballot draw for big escape from Sagan March 24th 44

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _

I am trying to help ABSA to complete this page :

http://www.absa3945.com/Pertes%20Bre...m_iv_z6163.htm

You will see we found a clipping with a picture of Reece. I have written to the NZ Veterans association to see if we can trace his family. I have also written to someone I believe may be a rlative of Appleyards in Canada. I will keep you posted. Finding Smyth in Belfast may be harder, as its a very common name, but I will try.

[Henk Welting]

Hello Jonathan,
Thank you so much for this PoW-info of the Blenheim crew. I read this thread after I answered your PM. I'm really surprised to see this excellent info.
Best regards,
Henk.