6 Group Unavailable
June 9th, 1944 “D” day plus 3. 403 Squadron RCAF ORB Summary of Events reports “Even the birds are walking today, dirty weather. But at 20:20 hrs we were on our way again on a patrol over the beach head. The ceiling was down to about 800 ft and as we came in over “Omaha” Beach our navy let everything they had go at us. We immediately got out of the way and called “Research” who told us to come in again as it would be alright this time. So, in we went again, this time flying line astern and with our navigation lights on, but still these trigger twitchy guys of the navy let us have a second time, these guys must really be blind because of all the aircraft that have been seen most in this show, the Spit most certainly has, so away we go again, giving “Research” hell, and prepare for a third go, and sure enough the navy cut loose with everything they have a third time, hitting four of our “Kites”, causing F/L E. C. Williams’ aircraft to disappear, nothing more being seen of him………..”
In the daily Record of Events F/L Williams takes off at 20:15 and returns at 21:15 (clearly an error). It also specifies that the flak came from the Royal Navy. Although there is a report from Rob Forbes that the flak was from the US Navy. That might account for the non-recognition of the “Spit”.
Forbes report states that, Williams was captured and taken to Cherbourg Hospital and later freed by the US Army
