Personnel Index - Detail
25/26 January, 1942; BREST:
At 16.50hrs, with snow and ice on the ground, the squadron began to dispatch 17 Hampdens, all briefed to attack the German warships in Brest harbour. At 17.12hrs, immediately after take-off, Hampden O-Orange piloted by Sgt Charles Stewart (AT129) crashed to earth near the small hamlet of Bransby between Sturton and Saxilby; there were no survivors. It is thought the aircraft may have been brought down by ice collecting on its flying surfaces.
Of those aircraft that continued on towards Brest, one returned early to base with mechanical problems, 8 aircraft failed to attack any target owing to the effect of 10/10ths cloud making fixes impossible. The remainder attacked alternative targets within the dock area. There were no further losses from the operation.
Hampden AT129 (EA-O)
Sgt C.D.S. Stewart Pilot (Killed)
Sgt A. Hibbitt W/AG (Killed)
Sgt K.E. Northrop W/AG (Killed)
Sgt L.A. Jardine W/AG (Killed)
There is a small memorial in Bransby to commemorate this crew