Took off from Elsham Wolds at 21:58 in Lancaster Mk III (Sqn code PM-B Bomber Command) on an operation to Mailly-le-Camp France.
Shot down by a night-fighter outbound and crashed at Villers-le- Chateau (Marne) 8 km W of Chalons-sur-Marne.
Killed includes Casey: WO Ronald Howard Boyd RAAF KIA Villers-Le-Chateau Churchyard France Mil. Plot. Row 1. Coll. grave 1. Flying Officer Eric John Dane RAF KIA Villers-Le-Chateau Churchyard Mil. Plot. Row 1. Coll. grave 1. Sergeant Dennis Allen Hadden RAF KIA Villers-Le-Chateau Churchyard Mil. Plot. Row 1. Coll. grave 1. Sergeant Jack Raymond Rankin RCAF R/208112 KIA Villers-Le-Chateau Churchyard Mil. Plot. Row 1. Coll. grave 1. WO John Coates Smith RAF KIA Villers-Le-Chateau Churchyard Mil. Plot. Row 1. Coll. grave 1. Squadron Leader Harold Swanston RAF KIA pilot Villers-Le-Chateau Churchyard Mil. Plot. Row 1. Coll. grave 1.
