Personnel Index - Detail

Name
EVANS
First Names
Brian Herbert
Rank
F/Lt
Service
RAF
Service Number
42745
Crew Position
Pilot/Navigator
Age
24
Date of Death
31/03/1944
Cemetery
Location

Previously a PoW at Stalag Luft 3

 

Mentioned in Dispatches

Photographed by Malcolm Brooke
 

 Image located by Ashley Hales
 

6/7 December, 1940; NIGHT PATROL/AERODROMES:

After four nights of waiting, 5 of the squadron's night patrol aircraft took off to 'destroy enemy aircraft', (those attacking Bristol) in conjunction with 15 Hampdens from other squadrons. One aircraft reported seeing bomb bursts and fires in the patrol area but did not sight enemy aircraft; a similar report was given by a second crew.The second aircraft that failed to return was piloted by Sgt John Shaw (P4404). Whilst attacking a German airfield (in France) the Hampden received extensive flak damage, which resulted in the aircraft crash landing in trees and heavy snow some 50 miles south of Paris. All 4 crew members survived but with some needing hospital treatment, so the crew asked a helpful French family to inform the Germans.
F/Lt Brian Evans was one of those murdered in cold-blood by the Germans after what has become known as 'The Great Escape'.
 

Hampden P4404 (EA-R)
Sgt J.C. Shaw Pilot (Murdered)
F/L B.H. Evans P/Nav (Murdered)
Sgt D. Young W/AG (P.o.W.)
Sgt W.K. O'Leary W/AG (P.o.W.)

The sad circumstances of F/L Evans means that he is included in both the Roll of Honour and PoW sections.