6 Group Unavailable
Wellington HE 962 developed trouble immediately it was airborne. The temperature started to go up the oil at 75 degrees and the engine started to cut out. As soon as this was noticed the Pilot jettisoned this bombs over the mountains. At this time the A/C was losing height rapidly. The starboard motor was in flames and the temperature needle was off the clock. The Captain ordered the crew to get ready to bail out. The B/A stated that all the crew repeated the instructions and answered ready and that the Captain bailed out last, eight minutes after giving the order to bail. The Captain jumped from 500 feet. Unfortunately the Navigator and the A/G did not jump and were killed.
CAPT.(RCAF) Sergeant A.R La Farge (R130741), broken ankle; NAV (RCAF) R F Thayer, killed; B/A (RCAF) Sergeant Sinclair (R 167646) , Bruises; W/O (RAF) 1332301, Sergeant J.C. Waltoin bruises; A/G RAF) 64462,, Sergeant L W Norton killed.
source: 424 Squadron ORB-540
Bomber Command Museum Monthly ORB
