6 Group Unavailable
1656 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU) RAF Lindholme. Halifax B Mk II aircraft W 7875 had just taken-off on a cross-country night training flight when the aircraft crashed into farm buildings at Lings Farm near Dunsville, Doncaster, England with the loss of six aircrew
Flying Officer John Douglas Alfred East (RCAF), Flying Officer Charles Currie (RCAF), Flying Officer Lawrence Ellwin Pike (RCAF), Sergeant Norman Richard Stubbs (RCAF), Sergeant Kenneth Stodden (RAFVR) and Sergeant Norman Ralph Rusher (RAFVR) were all killed in this flying accident
The sole survivor of this crash was Sergeant R J Twining (RCAF), who was injured
Halifax W 7875 was one of three 1656 HCU aircraft to crash within minutes of take-off on this night. Halifax BB 254 and Halifax HR 794 also crashed. The accident investigation found the both W 7875 and BB 254 had raised there flaps instead if their landing gear, causing the aircraft to stall and crash. Halifax HR 794 in similar fashion had taken off with the bomb doors still open, causing drag and resulting in a crash. The crew of HR 794 all survived with injuries. The total losses between the three bombers was eleven aircrew killed and the remaining aircrew injured, a disastrous night for 1656 HCU
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
