War Memorial #1278 ~ Halifax MZ691 Traditional Geocache

On the morning of the 23rd of October 1944 a Handley Page (English Electric) Halifax B Mk.III bomber from 76 Squadron based at Holme-on-Spalding Moor in Yorkshire was returning from an air raid by 1024 heavy bombers (561 Lancasters /463 Halifaxes) on Essen in the central part of the Ruhr area in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

At about 09.30hrs it was seen on fire circling the area trying to put down at one of the local airfields. The plane exploded in midair scattering debris over a large area and killing the crew of seven.

The accident was attributed to loss of power from the port outer engine followed by structural failure.

All were taken to their home towns for burial.

So that we remember those who gave everything for us to remain free, this cache is placed as a mark of respect to the seven aircrew that died and to Antonio Thomas Farver an American sent from RAF Old Buckingham to guard the crash site and who was later killed in a shotgun accident.

Sergeant Jim Hampton, a flight engineer who had flown with Flight Sergeant White a few days before said “He was a most likable person, quiet with a good sense of humour. Of very slight build this made it very difficult for him to see ahead and found taxying extremely trying. Once airborne he had as good control as any other pilot. I felt this loss quite keenly.”

A personal account can be found at the Bunwell Heritage Group website.

References:
Click here.