Lancaster I R5628 crashed in the North Sea on 10/9-1942.
The aircraft belonged to RAF 207 Sqn. and was coded EM-Q.
T/O Bottesford. OP: Gardening Silverthorn.(Kattegat)
On the return flight R5628 was attacked by a German DO 217J-1 night fighter
piloted by Unteroffizier Fritz Hobusch of 7./NJG 2 and crashed at 04:09 into the
sea some 10 kilometres south west of Thyborøn killing all onboard.
Flt.Engr. Sgt
Francis R. Carter and W/Op-Air Gnr. P/O Donald W. Ross RCAF were on 14/9 1942
laid to rest in Lemvig cemetery.
(Lemvig kirkekontor via Uffe Bregendahl)
Coming out of the chapel with Carters coffin.
(Lemvig kirkekontor via Uffe Bregendahl)
On leaving the chapel, the honour escort persents arms.
Carters coffin on the right.
(Lemvig kirkekontor via Uffe Bregendahl)
On the way to the grave. Carters coffin in the background.
(Lemvig kirkekontor via Uffe Bregendahl)
Whilst lowering the coffin into the grave, the Honour escort
presents arms. Carters coffin in the foreground.
(Lemvig kirkekontor via Uffe Bregendahl)
Officers lay down the Armed Services wreath. Carters grave in
the foreground.
(Lemvig kirkekontor via Uffe Bregendahl)
Honour escort fire a salute.
Their bodies had been found drifted ashore on
12/9 at Bovbjerg and Vrist.
Observer Sgt Llastair M. Cockie was found drifted
ashore near Thorsminde and was laid to rest in Lemvig cemetery on 18/9-1942.
Pilot Sgt Harold B. Einarson RCAF, Air Bomber Sgt George H.A. Birch, Air Gnr.
Sgt Arthur F.C. Kensett and Air Gnr. Sgt Norman F. Smethurst have no known
graves and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
(Morag Gillespie)
Air Gnr. Sgt Norman F. Smethurst
During the air combat the night fighter had been damaged by return fire and on
its way back to Fliegerhorst Grove, the crew had to leave DO 217J-1 serial
number 1286 by parachute at 04:21 when it crashed at Landting farm near Vinderup.
Sources: AD, Police report, RL 19/472+455, RL 2III/763, AS 60-118, LBUK, BCL,
BL, CWGC.
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