Wellington in Western Desert

[Doug Norrie]

I am trying to trace the serial / codes of a Wellington Bomber believed to be from 38 Squadron RAF which crashed returning from a raid, three miles NE of El Imayid, Egypt between 0300 and 0400hrs in the early morning of 20th November 1941. All the crew of six were killed and two were identified at the scene of the crash. These were 407123 Sgt. F.H. Lewis RAAF and 920788 Sgt. G.H. Hellyer RAF Vol.Reserve. The aircraft was completely burnt out except for the rear turrent. A funeral party from 450 Squadron RAAF buried the crew with full military honours.
Has anybody got details of the raid it was on as well the rest of the crew names + the serial / codes.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Doug Norrie

[Henk Welting]

The only info I have is that 38 Sqdn lost Wellington T2991 on 20.11.41.
Ran out of fuel and crashed in forced landing, El Imayid, on return from Derna.
Regards,
Henk.

[Doug Norrie]

Thanks for your reply Henk. Your info seems to match the info I have, although I am not sure if the a/c was coming home from a raid. I made this assumption from a diary I have. This signal (below) is what 450 Squadron sent to HQ Middle East.

From: 450 Squadron.
To: HQME, BPSO, AHQ, PMO.
Wellington not known. 029 Deg. 13’ East, 030 Deg. 48’ North. 0400hrs, 20/11/41. 407123 Lewis F.H., 920788 Hellyer G.H. and four others unknown all killed. Cause of accident unknown. Tail turrent.
Immediate.

Doug