Kasch’s Kids Traditional Cache
Long Man: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache, I'm archiving it.
Andy
Long Man
Volunteer UK Reviewer - Geocaching.com
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The cache is a standard 35mm film pot containing a pencil and log.
On the of 5th February 1944 a Flying Fortress piloted by Donald Kasch from the 96th Bomber Group, USAAF was part of a sortie targeting the Luftwaffe Airfield at Villacoublay in France.
The aircraft, 'Kasch's Kids', was hit by flak and lost both port engines en route to the target forcing them to abandon the mission.
Jettisoning the bomb load the aircraft returned to England, but as the aircraft continued to lose height the crew were forced to bail out over Shadoxhurst near Ashford.
Crew safe, Kasch piloted the stricken aircraft back out towards the sea, before engaging the autopilot and bailing out just North of Dymchurch.
Unfortunately, the aircraft stalled only two hundred yards from the sea-front, crashing into Lyndhurst Road, Dymchurch, at about 2 o’clock in the afternoon.
Although the aircraft was now empty, Lyndhurst Road was not. Pte Joseph Hampson of the 4th Battalion, The Somerset Light Infantry was killed and two local children were injured in the incident, one breaking his leg when a part of the aircrafts tail pinned him.
Most of the road was devastated (as the background image shows) with houses reduced to rubble.
However, there is no local memorial to the event.
The cache has been placed as a tribute to all those involved. Thanks to the Dymchurch Historical Society for bringing to my attention an important event that I feel more should know about.
FTF honours go to Far Away.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
N oreel pyrire uvqr.