Halifax L9489 B.Mk.I - Bombing Le Havre France - 1941-03-10 to 1941-03-10
Squadron: 35 (B) Sqn (RAF)
Start Date: 1941-03-10
Completion Date: 1941-03-10
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Le Havre France
Target Specific:
Base: RAF Linton-on-Ouse
Take Off Time: 19:08
Squadron Code: TL-F
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: England
Crash Specifics:
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason: fighter
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim: unspecified Allied night fighter
War Diary Unavailable
6 Group Unavailable

35 Madras Presidency Squadron (Uno animo agnimus) RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Halifax L 9489 TL-F flying in the first operation for the RAF's newest aircraft (the Halifax) was joined by 5 other Halifaxes and 8 Blenheim bomber for a successful operation to bomb targets in LeHavre, France. On the return flight, over England, the L 9489 was intercepted by an RAF night fighter and shot down, crashing on a farm at Merrist Wood. Only two of the six aircrew members aboard were able to escape from the aircraft before it crashed

L 9489 was the first Halifax bomber lost in the Second World War

Pilot Officer Edward Rolfe Arnold (RAFVR), Sergeant Stanley Broadhurst (RAF), Flying Officer Albert Edward Cooper (RAFVR) and Sergeant Reginald Lucas (RAFVR) were killed in action

Squadron Leader Peter Alexander Gilchrist (RAFVR)(Can) and Sergeant Ronald Godfrey Aedy (RAFVR) both survived the crash

unvetted Source Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database

unvetted Source 35 Squadron Halifax I L9489 TL-F Sq/Ldr Gilchrist, RAF Linton-on-Ouse...

unvetted Source Halifax L9489 (10/03/1941 I No 35 Squadron

unvetted Source The Handley Page, Halifax L9489

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