Hampden I (X3117 VN-) on a mission to Mannheim on 1940-12-11
On Tuesday, 10 December 1940, (a part of) the aircraft of the 50 squadron (RAF), took off for a mission to Mannheim in Germany from a station (airfield) in or near Lindholme.
One of the crew members was Pilot Officer G R Ash. He departed for his mission at 22:40.
He flew with a Hampden (type I, with serial X3117 and code VN-). His mission and of the other crew members was planned for Wednesday, 11 December 1940.
Information by David Stone
At 2240hrs on 10/12/1940 50 Squadron Hampden I, X3117, took off from RAF Lindholme to attack Manheim. X3117 was hit by flak it crashed near Trier on the 10 or 11 December 1940.
It is believed that a previous mission, X2994 VN, crashed in West Raynham, Norfolk on Friday 08/11/1940 Friday, 08 November 1940.
X2994 VN is believed to have ditched in the sea. Sgt Atkinson reported to his brother that he received on informal medal from the squadron that was blue in colour to represent a watery landing, green for a land based crash?
Above info from Chorley's Bomber Command Losses Vol 1,1939-1940, 50 Sqd records and personal information by William Atkinson (brother)
-Flying officer E B Liddell
-Pilot Officer R G Ash
-Sgt E McConnell
-Sgt A S Atkinson
F/O Liddell's brother was Alvar Lidell MBE, a famous BBC news reader.
The crew were initially buried in Macken Cemetery and interned in the Rheinberg British cemetery 04/06/1947
Information about aircraft who did not return from this mission can be found here. Information about the other crew members on this flight can be found at this website (Aircrew Remembered). This website also provides the flight information for this record.
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