Reginald Smith 50 Sqn Hampden 27Dec41

[andy bird]

Sergeant Reg Smith's Hampden (one of seven) was hit by flak whilst laying a smoke screen for the Commando raid on Vågsøy, and Måløy on 27 December 1941. AE428 crashed yards from the shore.

Have read published accounts that are conflicting saying

Smith was the only member of the crew picked up.

Smith and two other members of the crew were picked up but, two died of exposure

Two of the crew went down with the aircraft.

An article featuring the raid was published by Britain at War - sadly out of print.

Cheers

Andy B

[MW Giles]

On the CWGC site all the dead crew members from AE369 and AE428 are listed as RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL, which means that they have no grave
The exception is Sgt L F Redfern (Pilot) who is buried on shore.

Therefore it is fairly sure that some of the others were not saved and then died of exposure, but cannot be totally ruled out

Regards

Martin

[David Layne]

I wonder if this is him from a photo taken in February 1941 at 14 OTU. The timing would be about right and several of those pictured ended up in 50 Squadron.

[David Layne]

Perhaps someone can put the photograph the correct way round for me.

[David Layne]

This picture taken on 21-2-41 at snowy Cottesmore is of 14 OTU personnel in course No. 24 from 14-2-41 to 20-6-41.

Back row left to right: – Pullen, Layne, Jackson, Matthews, Smith, Wrigley, Mossop, Voysey, Thomson, Welford.

Third row left to right: – Dundas, Britt, Barley, Lord, Nicholl, Bradley, Mitchell, Norris, Matthews.

The second row left to right: – Ringwood, Bartlett, Tate, Grahame, Brister, King, Peace, Bousfield, Busley, Murray.

Front row left to right: – Scott, Watt, Walters, White, Meddon, Morris.

Notes:

Back row left to right. Edward Pullen became a Wing Commander, killed in action 20 December 1943 when serving with 50 Squadron. My father (Layne) completed a tour with 50 Squadron and a tour with 97 Squadron and survived the war. Welford went to 50 Squadron and survived the war. I believe the airman back row, third from left is Israel Jacobovitch who served under the name of Jackson. He was lost 9 days after joining 50 Squadron in Hampden AE 226. On Jackson’s left (our right) is A/G John Matthews of 144 Squadron. He survived the war.

The third row, the extreme left-hand side is Sgt Bruce Dundas (Lord Dundas of Orkney). Killed 24/02/1942 144 Squadron. Lord Dundas Of Orkney was shot down by a member of the German nobility, Egmont Prinz zur Lippe-Weißenfeld. http://ww2db.com/person_bio.php?person_id=692. On the same row George Hosford Bradley was killed 28/8/1941 when his 14 OTU aircraft exploded in mid-flight when on a cross country.

Second row, Bousfield, third from right was lost with his crew consisting of Sgt. E R. Bousfield, Sgt. J E S. Burke, F/S. J H. Tittley, and AC1.H L. Reed on 19th July 1941. 50 Squadron moved from Lindholme to Swinderby and the squadron departed Lindholme in formation. Shortly after takeoff Hampden AD 897 rolled onto it’s back and flew inverted for a few seconds before diving into the ground killing Sgt. Bousfield and crew.

I know nothing of the others in the photograph and would welcome any information about them.

[andy bird]

Many thanks Martin and David, for your input.
Royal Naval records have turned up trumps on the ditching.
Andy

[Rottler]

Hello Andy,

in the "Bomber Command Loss Card" is recorded:
Sgt Smith safe, AG Sgt Derek Bell dead,
Pilot/Nav Sgt John Drax Williams dead, picked up by HMS Kenya and buried at sea.

Regards
Leo

[andy bird]

Hi Leo,

Thanks for the info.

According to Rear Admiral Sir Harold Burroughs Papers (at IWM) aircrew picked up by former Belgium Ferry HMS Prince Leopold in his post mission report to Mountbatten; this confirmed by Sam McHardy who was acting as 'Fighter Controller' for the mission onboard HMS Kenya in his memoirs.

There is also an account in an Aircrew Assoc' magazine that says Kenya too. Smiths own account of the rescue is in Zimbabwe 'Plucked from the Sea' but does not mention the Naval vessel.

Best regards

Andy B