Belgium,crashes at WACHTEBEKE, Belgium 1943.

[fredcompa]

Hello to everybody!
Is there someone who can help me to find out which RAF-planes crashed at Wachtebeke (Belgium, just near the Dutch border,East-Fland.)?
1. Crashed in June 1943, 2-engined.
Crew: 1 pilot and 2 gunners (returned).

2. Juli 12th 1943, type unknown,hit by Flak from Langerbrugge.
Crew: 1 pilot (WIA) and 2 others(returned)

As I found this info in an old newspaper, they referred to te names of one crew, but I could not figure out to which plane they belonged:
Raymond Wilkinson, Ralph L.Davis and John Primet.
Plane-types, numbers, Sqdn , coord.of crashplaces ???
Thanks in advance,
Fredcompa

[Leendert]

Fred,

The 12 JUly 1943 crash refers to Boston BZ267 of 88 Squadron.

I have no further details with me right now.

You may want to obtain the book Een Eeuw Luchtvaart Boven Gent : 1940-1945 that covers the airwar in the greaer Ghent area.

Groet,

Leendert

[Alain57]

Hi ,

Here some info :
13/07/1943
Wachtebeke
Boston Flak
Poer stations at Doel
BZ-267
88Sqn
RH-
Swanton Morley
F/S Davies R.L. (POW) pilot 1653069 - 4B-222588
F/Sgt Wikinson Raymond ( POW )
Sgt Primmett J.F. (POW) gunner 1600585 - L3/222630
F/Sgt Morisson Keith William (WND-KIA) RNZAF 404396 navigator
F/Sgt Morisson died on 21/07/43 in the hospital at St-Agatha-Berchem and was buried at Evere

Greets
Alain

[Wim de Meester]

Some comments to the Wachtebeke crash. This a/c was detected by 5./810 (AA Battery) at 11.24 hours and, together with 7./202 (coastal battery) opened up and fired 30 x 3,7 cm and 60 x 2 cm rounds scoring several hits. Eleven minutes earlier - at 11.13 hours - AA defences of Het Zoute and St.Pkt. Tobruk also engaged this plane with their AA.
The crew continued but had to belly-up the plane near Wachtebeke.

The only that can be added is that the remains of Flt.Sgt. Morrison were reburied at Evere after the war had ended.

[fredcompa]

Thanks a lot Leendert, Alain and Wim for your excellent information!
To Wim: is your information coming from a KTB Flak unit? So many details about the firing sequences?
Up to now remains the other crash in June 1943...???
Grts, Fredcompa

[SMF144]

Hi Fred,

This might help...?

Commencing at 0955 hours 8 BOSTONS III of 88 Squadron left SWANTON MORLEY to attack targets in FRANCE. One BOSTON attacked a factory N. of COURTRAI with 4x500 lb., bombs, results unobserved. The other 6 a/c returned early due to unfavourable weather. 1 BOSTON IIIA of 88 Squadron and 4 crew members are missing.

Stephen

[Wim de Meester]

Yes, my records are based on the Flakkommander of MFA 810 who had overal responsibility for the air defence of that part of Holland and in so doing was responsible for the MAA's, KM vessels in the harbours, army air defence etc.

The other June crash is rather difficult as the only twin-engined loss is a B-25 of 98 sqn near Maldegem (10 June 1943). Unfortunately all crewmembers died so that doesn't fit with your information.