Anson MK-R 500 Squadron crashed 12 July 1940?

[Brian]

Hi guys

According to 'Aircraft Casualties in Kent 1940' (Kent Aviation Historical Research Society 1990), Anson MK-R of 500 Squadron crashed at/near Detling on the night of 11/12 July 1940, with the loss of P/Os Aston and Chauffey, and Sgt Prentice and AC Hubbard.

I can't find these casualties/nor any details (serial number) for MK-R.

However, I note that a Sgt M.A. Prentice of 500 Sqn was lost on 9 August, and that an AC1 W.C. Hubbard had been lost on 11 July.

There seems to be some confusion here! Can anyone help?

Cheers
Brian

[Alex Smart]

Hello Brian,
MK-D, N5220, across the Channel, Holland.
F/O Whitehead;P/O Mathias; F/L Smith; AC1 Hubbard.
MK-F, N5228, near Detling.
Sgt Wilson; Sgt Shier; Sgt O'Kelly; Sgt Worton.

P/O H W Aston 83051 DOAS 10/01/41.(500 Sqdn ?).
Sgt M.A. Prentice 812244 500 Sqdn Anson N5356, MK-B on 9th August 40.

ref CC Losses vol 1.

Alex

[Peter Cornwell]

11 July 1940 Coastal Command 500 Squadron, Detling Anson I N5228. Sortied on patrol between Dunkirk and Dieppe but lost control during night take-off in bad visibility and crashed at Thurnham, south-east of the airfield, 2.05 a.m. (Pilot) Sgt James Wilson, (Obs) Sgt William George Shier, (WOP/AG) Sgt Leo Frederick James O’Kelly, and (AG) Sgt Horace George Worton all killed. Aircraft MK*F a write-off.

11 July 1940 Coastal Command 500 Squadron, Detling Anson I N5220. Shot down by AA fire during night patrol between the Hook of Holland and Ostend and crashed by the Vondelingenweg at Pernis, south of Schiedam, 11.30 p.m. (Pilot) F/O Arthur Wilfred Alexander Whitehead, P/O Anthony Ronald Mathias, and (WOP/AG) AC1 William Charles Hubbard all killed, Sgt H.W.J. Smith captured. Aircraft MK*D a write-off.

9 August 1940 Coastal Command 500 Squadron, Detling Anson I N5356. Shot down by AA fire during dawn patrol between Hook of Holland and Ostend and crashed in the North Sea off Katwijk aan Zee early a.m. (Pilot) Pilot Officer Herbert George Ross Pirie and (AG) Sergeant Montague Adam Prentice both killed, (Obs) Pilot Officer Jack Boyce Shadwell Brockway and (WOp/AG) Sergeant Stanley Raymond Croft both captured. Aircraft MK*B a write-off.

[John Beaman]

Peter:

Good information.

But, I am going to ask an ignorant question: what were two Ansons doing patrolling over hostile territory, one at night and one near dawn? What were they looking for? I assume the Ansons did not have any guns except for a turret, or dorsal position, did not have any radar to spot shipping, and were virtually "pigeons" for German defensive action. Seems a bit negligent to put them in that position.

[Chris Goss]

ORB would reveal the answer but Anson was an ideal recce ac so maybe anti-invasion patrols? Guess they got too close to ports hence fell victim

[Graham Boak]

The Anson was initially ordered and employed as a coastal patrol aircraft , so spent many hours doing just that. They did also have a forward firing fixed gun, for what that's worth.

[Brian]

Hi guys

I've just called up 500's ORB for July - nothing to add!

Cheers
Brian