🌺 “Six operations together — a Lancaster crew lost over Belgium” No. 57 Squadron RAF 🌺

Описание: 🌺 “Six operations together — a Lancaster crew lost over Belgium” No. 57 Squadron RAF 🌺

On the night of 3 November 1943, a Lancaster bomber of No. 57 Squadron RAF failed to return from operations.

The aircraft was Lancaster W4822, flying from RAF East Kirkby on a major bombing raid against Düsseldorf — one of the most heavily defended targets in Germany. Hundreds of bombers took part, and losses were heavy, particularly on the return journey, as Luftwaffe night fighters hunted the bomber stream across occupied Europe.

On board was a crew who had trained and flown together for months — men from Britain, Ireland, and America — who had already completed five operations together as a crew.

They would not return from their sixth.

The aircraft was captained by Donald West, a 25-year-old American pilot from Fresno, California, serving on attachment to the RAF. Calm under pressure, experienced, and trusted by his crew, he would later be posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

As the Lancaster crossed Belgium on the return leg, it was intercepted by a German night fighter flown by Werner Baake of 3./NJG 1. The attack was devastating. With the aircraft badly damaged and on fire, Pilot Officer West gave the order to abandon the aircraft.

One by one, crew members fought their way out into the night sky.

Some survived.

Flying Officer James McPhail Elliott, bomb aimer, and Flight Lieutenant Robert Sinclair Clements, second pilot, successfully bailed out and later evaded capture, making the long journey home via resistance escape lines.

Pilot Officer Norman Frank Buggy, navigator, also escaped the aircraft, but was captured on the ground and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner at Stalag Luft 3.

Others were not so fortunate.

Remaining at the controls until the last possible moment, Donald West stayed with the aircraft to give his crew every chance of survival. He did not escape before the Lancaster crashed near Hechtel, Belgium.

Five men were killed:

Sergeant William Frederick Neill, Flight Engineer, aged 25 — from Belfast; a former RAF fitter and husband

Sergeant Harry Francis McKernin, Wireless Operator, aged 23 — from Belfast

Sergeant Francis Patrick Heaton, Mid-Upper Gunner, aged just 20 — from Wigan, Lancashire

Sergeant John Edmunds, Rear Gunner, born 1923 — from Wirral, Cheshire

1st Lieutenant Donald West, United States Army Air Forces — the aircraft’s captain

They were first buried locally, then later re-interred together after the war at Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium — united in death as they had been in service. Their headstones now stand side by side.

Eight men took off.
Five were killed.
Three survived.
One final night.

🌺 Lest we forget the crew of Lancaster W4822 — No. 57 Squadron RAF — who flew together, fought together, and paid the price together. 🌺

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