Traill, James Edward (Flying Officer)

161 (Special Duties) Squadron. Hudson III aircraft T 9445 NA-O lost near Sarnre, Belgium whilst engaged in a special operation NORVIC to drop an agent over Germany. J.E. Traill, Flight Lieutenant A.N. (Bob) Ferris, Warrant Officer Class 1 R.G. Hutton and Flight Lieutenant A.F. Penhale were killed. Addendum: - Hudson aircraft T 9445 NA-O was based at Tempsford in Bedfordshire and was to drop a SOE agent behind enemy lines at Remagen and blow up the railway lines at Betzdorf Wissen. The Germans were pouring men and supplies down this line to reinforce their front line so it was an important target. When the agent bailed out, the bag containing the explosives, which was attached to his leg, caught on the aircraft and was lost. He landed successfully but because he had no means of completing his task he had to abort the mission and return to Allied lines. The Hudson was on its way home when it was intercepted and shot down. It was subsequently proved that the Hudson was shot down by an American Air Force Black Widow night fighter aircraft. The Americans also shot down Hudson (FK 803 MA-N) of 161 squadron that night. Excerpt from Stirling Aircraft Association Photo Library, Fridaybridge, Eng. and provided by J.W. Smith of London, Ontario.