Personnel Index - Detail
5/6 September, 1940; STETTIN:
Again, the squadron operated from a base in East Anglia; this night it was Marham in Norfolk. The seven Hampdens detailed, were all airborne by 19.45hrs. Five aircraft completed their attacks on Stettin, whilst Sgt Haskell (L4093) and crew attacked the airfield at Rodbyhaun. P/O Drakes (X2900) and crew were in the last aircraft to return, landing at 05.40hrs. This left one aircraft outstanding; later that Friday morning, back at Scampton, it was confirmed F/Lt Haskins and crew were officially missing. F/Lt Haskins had actually ditched in the Channel, short of fuel, in a desperate bid to reach the English coast. The pilot displayed great skill in bringing the aircraft down without injury to his crew... but had the misfortune of being nearer the enemy’s side of the water than ours. They were rescued from their dinghy by the Germans off Calais, to become POW's.
F/L J.D. Haskins Pilot (P.o.W.)
Sgt W.L. Evans Pilot (P.o.W.)
Sgt R. Cartwright W/OP (P.o.W.)
P/O J.V. Silverston (P.o.W.)