On June 3rd 1944, Lancaster ND841 ‘F2-D’ piloted by F/O. George. A. Young (s/n: 134149) RAFVR 635 Squadron, was detailed to attack Calais as part of the preparations for D-Day. There would be eight other aircraft from RAF Downham Market also detailed for the mission and take off would be late that evening.
The mission as a whole would involve 127 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitoes of No.1, 3 and 8 Groups and the targets would be the gun batteries at both Calais and Wimerereux. It was a diversionary raid as part of Operation “Fortitude South“, to fool the Germans into believing the invasion would occur in the Pas-de-Calais region.
At 28 minutes past midnight, F/O. Young lined the Lancaster up on the runway, opened the throttles and began the long run down the runway. As the Lancaster approached take off, it began to swing striking the roof of a B1 Hangar. In an uncontrollable state the aircraft crashed just outside the airfield killing all on board.
All other eight aircraft took off and returned safely after having dropped their bombs.
On board Lancaster F2-D that night was:
Pilot: F.O. George Ambrose Young, aged 24 (s/n: 134149) RAFVR.
Flight Engineer: Sgt. Thomas Snowball, aged 32 (s/n: 1100769) RAFVR
Navigator: F.Sgt. Howard Pritchard, aged 22 (s/n: 1578502) RAFVR
Bomb Aimer: F.O. Walter Thomas Olyott, aged 21 (s/n: 151238). RAFVR
Wireless Operator / Gunner: F.Sgt. Robert Sadler, aged 23 (s/n: 1526058). RAFVR
Air Gunner: F.Sgt. Stanley Wharton, aged 30 (s/n: 1578013) RAFVR
Air Gunner: F.Sgt. Charles Patrick Nallen, aged 20 (s/n: 427537) RAAF
The Operations record book (AIR 27/2155/7) for that day simply states:
3.6.44 ‘D’ F/O Young G.A. hit hangar after taking off and crashed on airfield when large bomb exploded and the crew all killed. 8 aircraft returned to base .
Three of the crew are buried in Kings Walk Cemetery, Downham Market, a short distance from the airfield.
F.Sgt. Stanley Wharton (RAFVR)
F.Sgt. Robert Sadler (RAFVR)
F.O. Walter Thomas Olyott (RAFVR)
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With a full load of bombs and fuel,an accident on takeoff can easily have the worst possible outcome. It’s always sad to read about such instances.
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Indeed, in those circumstances there is little Chance of anything less happening. Literally a flying bomb!
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Pretty much! It’s always amazing when such an accident didn’t result in one or more explosions.
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It is indeed!
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Awesome post my friend. Many thanks from an American here. The world truly owes a great amount of gratitude these great heroes, as they gave us their lives for our freedoms we all have now. Keep up the great work! You have a new follower here. I have a week old blog; but I am extending a Welcome to all to come and share @
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Hi there, thank you very much for you kind words. You are absolutely right we do owe these people a lot of gratitude, far more than we do at the moment. Thanks for the follow I hope my readers will use the link to look you up. Good luck with the site keep at it!
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Your words are shamefully true: “far more than we do at the moment.” Yet we need to continue to bring reminders of them. Keep up the great work!
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A particularly hard one. No explanation, just veered off the runway.
fran
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Aircraft ‘swing’ was quite common. During take off it would veer to the side causing a, sometimes violent, ‘swing’ throwing the aircraft off course. In this case it collided with a hangar causing it to crash.
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There were a number of reasons why a Lanc would bank sharply on take off. Wind across the wide open airfield is one, the wash from an aircraft in front is another or it could be the pilot getting caught off guard with all those propellers spinning in unison.
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Absolutely Tony, thanks for the additional information.
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Sad story. Always seems worse when servicemen died in an accident rather than in combat, not sure it really is but there is something very unfulfilled about it.
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I completely agree, it just seems so much worse.
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It’s always hard to put a ‘like’ on reading about such a terrible accident. Thank you for honourably remembering these crews Andy.
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I know what you mean Rich, thanks as always.
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