Linda,
I think the card you referred to is the Loss Card for this aircraft. These cards were raised for every aircraft that failed to return and were probably compiled at the Air Ministry, rather than at Group or Squadron level. The reference to “SEE” was merely to save the clerks filling in every detail, especially when they were recorded elsewhere on another Loss Card. Both aircraft were on ops to Frankfurt and here is the planned route;

5020N/0130E – 5015N/0800E – Frankfurt – 5000N/0900E – 4945N/0900E –
5020N/0130E – Beachy Head – Reading – Base.

Regards, Doug.

The ORB says the Belgians were undergoing air tests. Crash time; 1045.
Do you want the full crew?
Doug.

Hi Jason,
I have Beaufighter V8702, of 141 Sqn, Wittering, which is recorded as diving into the ground, 1-2 mls S of Braunstone, Leicester, on 5th August 1943. Is this the one you are looking for? No idea of casualties, though.
Doug.

If you are thinking of going to Hendon, you have to pre-book a space in the Reference Library, unless they have changed the system. You may not find many answers at Hendon. Far better to go to Kew and check through 199 Sqn Operations Record Books, which are on microfilm. You will have to obtain a Reader’s Ticket when you arrive there and produce ID, such as driving licence. If you want info on where to find things at Kew, let me know.
In the meantime, if you give me his full name I could trace his date of commission and subsequent promotions.
Doug Cuthbertson.

Hi Linrey,
Even though the aircraft crashed in the vicinity of Monchengladbach, it does not mean it was hit near there. Let me submit this scenario.
May have been hit by flak or fighter, over the target, but still able to remain airborne. If one, or both, port engines were put out of action, the aircraft would drift to the left, because of the pull of the starboard engines. If this drift could not be trimmed out, the a/c would track south of the planned route. The pilot’s only concern would be to reach any part of England, and sod the flight plan. As there were no survivors, the loss must have been rapid. Maybe one of the engines caught fire, on trying to re-start it, and flames spread to the wing and petrol tanks. From other recorded cases, this would lead to an explosion, causing structural failure and instant loss of control.
I think it unlikely the navigator would have deviated from track, while outbound.
Regards, Doug Cuthbertson.

Well, I think you have all had your say, by now. Here are the facts, which are taken from an, as yet, unpublished volume of a book series.

PA970 Mk3 LQ-Y 405 Sqn Gransden Lodge. T/o base 0657 hrs on the 8th, for le Havre, as Master Bomber. Bomb load; 6 x 1,000, plus 6 Red TIs. Hit by flak, at 3,000′, over the target. All eight crew baled out. Seven landed behind allied lines and returned to the UK, some two days later. The R/G landed in enemy held territory. He was captured and held in Fort Tourneville, le Havre, until liberated by allied troops on 12th Sept.
Pilot; W/Cdr Howard Allan MORRISON, DFC, J/4898, RCAF. From Winnipeg, Manitoba. Enlisted there, 25/9/40. DFC as S/Ldr, 405 Sqn (LG; 15/9/44) DSO promulgated 27/10/44, with this incident being cited. Continued in the RCAF, post-war, and awarded the AFC, during the Korean War (LG; 5/6/52), plus the Queen’s Coronation Medal (LG; 23/10/53)
Nav; F/Lt Linton Wilson QUEALE, DFC, J/24216, RCAF. Born in Stranraer,
Saskatchewan. Resided in Victoria, possibly British Columbia. Enlisted there, 28/5/37. DFC as F/Lt, 405 Sqn. (LG; 15/9/44). Bar to DFC, as F/Lt, 405 Sqn (LG; 8/12/44).
Visual A/B; F/Lt Ross Bernard BARONI, J/19400, RCAF. From New Ross, Ontario. Enlisted RCAF, 24/10/41, Halifax, Nova Scotia, on transfer from the Royal Canadian Artillery. DFC as F/Lt, 405 Sqn (LG; 13/10/44). Bar to DFC, as F/Lt, 405 Sqn (LG; 16/1/45).
Specialist Operator; F/Lt Reginald Arthur SWARTZ, DFC, J/26343, RCAF. Born West Lorne, Ontario. DFC as F/Lt, 405 Sqn (LG; 15/9/44). Bar to DFC, as F/Lt, 405 Sqn (LG; 8/12/44).
F/E; F/Sgt, R. A. W. MATCHAM or MATSHAM, 1604454, RAFVR.
WOp; W/O, G. J. D’ARCY, R/154763, RCAF.
MU/G; F/Sgt, R. BOREBO, R/191174, RCAF.
R/G; W/O 2 Waclas KUBIAK, R/132761, RCAF. Born Montreal. Enlisted there, 15/10/41, on transfer from the Royal Canadian Artlllery. DFC as P/O, J/89016(LG; 12/12/44).

Far be it for me to mention the book series, but you could type my name into Amazon. It may come up with a title, which could possibly be listed on eBay.
Doug Cuthbertson.

It was not uncommon to have Naval officers flying as Air Bombers. They were on detachment from HMS Daedalus. In my records I have two others. One was a Lt, and another was a Sub-Lt, both with 106 Sqn. Whether they were on permanent attachment, or there to gain experience, before returning to the Navy, is not clear.
Regards, Doug.