6 Group Unavailable
405 City of Vancouver Squadron (Ducimus), Coastal Command No 18 Group, Halifax aircraft DT 633 crashed one and one half miles north-east of the aerodrome at RAF Station, Beaulieu, Hampshire.
The pilot was detailed to carry out an operational air sea patrol and this was his first night operational flight. The total weight of the aircraft was approximately 58,500 lbs, which included bombs and six depth charges. After some unexplained delay at the dispersal point and runway, the aircraft took off normally at 0455 hrs, made a turn to port through about 180 degrees and then crashed into a wood about 1½ miles from the airfield. An outbreak of fire occurred on impact, followed by the explosion of the bombs and depth charges which disintegrated the aircraft. The seven occupants were killed. Owing to the complete destruction of the aircraft practically no useful evidence was obtained by an examination of the wreckage. (Source South East History Boards)
Bomber Command Museum Monthly ORB
