Personnel Index - Detail
9/10 June, 1944; ETAMPES:
This was a 5 Group attack, led by Mosquito Pathfinders, on the railway junction at Etampes, south of Paris. It had rained for most of the day across Lincolnshire with the dull overcast bringing visibility down to 1 mile. But in the evening, shortly after 21.00hrs, a force of 108 Lancasters took to the air including 21 Lancasters from Fiskerton, all bound for France once again.
Over the target marking was accurate but late, causing the Lancasters to orbit. During this dangerous period many aircraft were seen to go down in flames.
Back at base, it soon became clear that two of the aircraft seen being shot down in flames, may have been from 49 Squadron; P/O Thomas Smiley (JB714) and crew were all killed in K-King and are buried in Morginy-Champigny Cemetery. Altogether six Lancasters failed to return from the raid.
Lancaster JB714 (EA-K)
P/O T.S. Smiley Pilot (Killed)
Sgt B.F. Webb F/E (Killed)
F/S I.D. Stuart RAAF NAV (Killed)
Sgt D.A. Sanderson W/AG (Killed)
Sgt L.J.C. Rainbow A/G (Killed)
F/S L.A. Hinch A/B (Killed)
Sgt D.V. Blaikie A/G (Killed)
Crew on their 3rd operation
The original headstone
A wonderful article about the family visit to France in 1947 ....as true today as it was then.
This is locally produced booklet contains over 60 pages of detailed information regarding the German occupation and the effects of the Allied air raids
Anybody wishing to read this publication should contact the Webmaster.
The Association is most grateful to Mrs Brenda Cripps (nee Webb) for all the above images and information.