6 Group Unavailable
Served with No. 434 Squadron, RCAF, first coded "WL*S". Coded "WL*U" when lost on 18 December 1944. Took off from Croft at 02:50 for mission to Duisburg. May have collided with NP934, "MH*V" of 51 Squadron. One crew survived p/O Herbert Browne, Wireless Operator on NR 118, bail out, landed in liberated Belgium. 6 other crew killed. This was 434 Squadrons last Halifax loss
This report is based on the story of the sole survivor (Pilot Officer Herbert Browne [RCAF] No. J90827) of the crash who is-still very shaken ard nervous as a result of his experience. His recollection of events, times and places is not very clear and there may be some inaccuracies.
Shortly after having set course and while flying down England at 8000 feet ,the pilot (F/Lt J Parrott) remarked that he wasn't feeling well but was well enough to carry on. The aircraft climbed over the channel to the briefed height of 17,000 feet. The crew kept asking the.pilot if he was alright. He claimed he was but, the crew noticed the aircraft was weaving as though he was unable to hold it steady. The air bomber (Flight Sergeant A Kurtzhals) left his position and sat beside the pilot so he could help him if necessary. The aircraft was still weaving but they carried-on and according to the Navigator (Flying Officer S Pearce) were only three minutes late.<./p>
Weather was clear, visibility good, no ground defences and no enemy fighters were seen.
The Wireless Operator (Pilot Officer H Browne) went off the intercom, in order to listern in on the Group Broadcast (6.30hrs [by this time they should have been over Duisburg]). Suddenly, the Navigator jumped to his feet and folded his seat back, the Wireless Operator immediate: took off his helmet and reached for his parachute and, almost at the same time the aircraft noised straight up and then fell over on one wing.. Browne does not know why Pearce left his seat or why the aircraft nosed vertically up. Browne remembers no more from this point until he recovered consciousness falling free through the air. After pulling the ripcord he lost consciousness again. He recovered consciousness hanging from his parachute in a tree. It was still dark. After walking some time he came to a quarry, and finding himself in Belgium he was taken to a small town. Browne was then taken to Charleroi which was a long drive from the small town.Source: REPORT ON AIRCREW LANDING IN ALLIED TERRITIRY IBCC website
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