Personnel Index - Detail
24/25 August, 1941; DUSSELDORF/INTRUDER PATROL:
Of the 8 aircraft dispatched by the squadron, 6 were sent to bomb Dusseldorf and 2 were to attack searchlight concentrations.
Hampdens began returning to Scampton shortly after 02.00hrs on Monday 25 August. Because of recent intruder activity around Hampden bases by German night fighters, our aircraft had elected not to use navigation lights whilst in the airfield circuit. It is not certain if this was the case on this particular morning, but whilst 49 and 83 Squadron aircraft were awaiting permission to land, H-Harry from 49 Squadron and F-Freddy of 83 Squadron hit each other over the village of Hackthorn to the north east of Scampton airfield. The wreckage from both aircraft fell to the ground around Whale Jaw Farm, tragically there were no survivors. The accident was timed at 02.50hrs. Sgt Owen McMahon (pilot of the 49 Squadron aircraft) is buried in Scampton Churchyard, whilst his three fellow crew members were each returned to their respective home towns for burial.
Hampden AD967 (EA-H)
Sgt O.B. McMahon Pilot (Killed)
Sgt E. Welbourne W/Ag (Killed)
Sgt I.D. MacKinnon A/G (Killed)
Sgt G.F. Upton 2nd Pilot (Killed)