404 Sqdn Beaufighter ditching 14Aug1944

[andy bird]

Twelve 404 Beaufighter's in conjunction with 236 attacked two Sperrbrechers off Royan on 14 August just after 0930. One Beau crashed into the sea - crew subsequently rescued.

Can anyone tell me the pilot and navigators names.

Best regards

Andy Bird

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
404 Sqdn Beaufighter X - 12/08/1944, LZ441. Missing from attack on convoy off Ile de Re.
W/O(P). John William Heavner, RCAF.
P/O(N). Earle Edward Baker, RCAF.
404 Sqdn Beaufighter X - 13/08/1944, LZ295. Shot down by flak from ship off Royan.
F/Sgt(P). George Arthur Crow,RAFVR.
F/Sgt(N). William Eric Leake, RAFVR.
132 OTU Beaufighter VI -14/08/1944, JL813. Flew into sealow flying 9m NE of Peterhead.
F/Sgt(P). Vogt, John Ronald, (RNZAF).
F/Sgt(N). Merchant, George Lawrence Roland, (RNZAF).
Refs AB RAF Serials JA100-JZ999; LA100-LZ999.CWGC and Henk's Lists.
Alex

[Crimea River]

404 Squadron ORB for 14th of Aug 1944 has 2 missions. 9 a/c from 404 and 7 a/c from 236 patrolled the coast off Brittany between 0637 and 1145. Non eventful. Between 1819 and 2359, 7 a/c of 404 and 7 a/c of 236 patrolled off Brittany. Ships attacked at mouth of Garonde River at 2112. No losses to 404 squadron. An aircraft of 236 squadron reported 2 dinghies and a Sunderland nearby.

[udf_00]

https://web.archive.org/web/20130621...m/Aug1944.html

Heavner not Heavier
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2695215/
Beaufighter LZ441 (H/404 ?)
Beaufighter LZ295 (Z/404 ?)

The attack of Schwannheim (sperrbrecher V) & Magdeburg (sperrbrecher VI) is recorded as occuring on 13 August.

[udf_00]

ORB 404 RCAF
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...69/622?r=0&s=3
AUG 13
"... One crew of 236 Sqdn & flying aircraft "Z" belonging to 404 Sqdn is missing from this operation..."
Were Flight Sergeants George Arthur CROW (1320524) & William Eric LEAKE (1602731) from 236 Sqdn ?

http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...69/632?r=0&s=3
AUG 7
"Z" LZ 295
"V" LZ 441

http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...69/633?r=0&s=3
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...69/634?r=0&s=3
AUG 8
"V" LZ 441

The AUG 8 page is duplicated and the next one is missing.

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
Both are recorded as 404 Sqdn in CWGC site
Alex

[andy bird]

Originally Posted by udf_00

ORB 404 RCAF
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...69/622?r=0&s=3
AUG 13
"... One crew of 236 Sqdn & flying aircraft "Z" belonging to 404 Sqdn is missing from this operation..."
Were Flight Sergeants George Arthur CROW (1320524) & William Eric LEAKE (1602731) from 236 Sqdn ?

http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...69/632?r=0&s=3
AUG 7
"Z" LZ 295
"V" LZ 441

http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...69/633?r=0&s=3
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...69/634?r=0&s=3
AUG 8
"V" LZ 441

The AUG 8 page is duplicated and the next one is missing.

Both Recorded on Death Register as Members of 404 Squadron, will check with AHB, the original typed copy from Hector Bolitho I have under lock & key makes reference to 1 aircraft but this then crossed out.

AB