Took off at 07:20 from Holmsley South in Liberator C Mk IX (Sqn code C-IX Bomber Command) on an operation to Castel Benito, near Tripoli Libya.
At 07:45 after crossing the coast the aircraft reported a loss of fuel pressure and that the crew were turning back to Holmsley South.
Aircraft was seen crossing the coast in low cloud, too low to pass over coastal hills.
Aircraft crashed in Polar Wood with no survivors.
Rescuers to the site found a scene of total desolation with the 27 victims and their belongings strewn everywhere.
Killed - crew includes Cole: Flying Officer Donald Angus Twaddle RCAF co-pilot J/40840 KIFA Brookwood Military Cemetery grave 61. B. 7. Flying Officer Joseph Craig Todd RCAF nav J/40382 KIFA Brookwood Military Cemetery grave 61. B. 8. Flying Officer George Everett McPherson RCAF Wireless Air Gunner J/38603 KIFA New Albany Cemetery, NY, Wilbanks Div. Lot 25. Sergeant George Frederick Wyke RAF FE KIFA All Saints Churchyard Speke, Sec. A. Grave 40.
killed, passengers: Cpl. William Herbert Berry RAF KIFA Sts. Peter And Paul Church, Aston, North of church. LAC Arthur Blackburn RAF KIFA Windhill Methodist Cemetery Sec. L. L. Grave 214. LAC Ronald Branker RAF KIFA All Saints Churchyard, Paston, Grave D.15. Cpl. David James Brown RAF KIFA St. Laurence Church, Northfield, Grave X.9. Cpl. Albert Ernest Deveson RAF KIFA St. Giles Churchyard, Kingston. Cpl. Douglas Walter Ellis RAF KIFA Haycombe Cemetery, Bath, Plot 39. Sec. H. Row D. Grave 262. LAC Harrell Goldsworthy Evans RAF KIFA Reading Cemetery Div. 31. Grave 123. LAC Aneurin Glyndwr George RAF KIFA Pen-Cae Chapelyard, S.W. of chapel. LAC Frederick Douglas Harrington RAF KIFA Weston Mill Cemetery, Plymouth Sec. B. Cons. Grave 19075. LAC Leonard Edward Hildrow RAF KIFA Haycombe Cemetery, Bath, Plot 39. Sec. H. Row D. Grave 261. LAC Kenneth Wilkinson Kilbank RAF KIFA All Hallows New Cemetery, Kirkburton, Grave 84. Cpl. Leonard George Mason RAF KIFA Durham Road Cemetery, Stockton-On-Tees Sec. L.1. C. of E. Row N. Joint grave 35. Cpl. Mark Moses RAF KIFA Gelderd Road English Hebrew Cemetery, Leeds, Row B.L. Grave 1. LAC George Parr RAF KIFA St. Nicholas' Church, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Sec. K. Grave 246. Cpl. Donald Leslie Pratt RAF KIFA Thornton Garden Of Rest, Sec. A. Grave 511. Cpl. William Frederick Stanley Riley RAF KIFA St Lawrence Church, Northfield, Grave G.G.9. Cpl. Charles Frederick Venables RAF KIFA City Of London Cemetery And Crematorium Screen Wall. Square 241. Coll. grave 108030. LAC Ronald Williams RAF KIFA Haycombe Cemetery, Bath, Plot 39. Sec. H. Row E. Grave 261. LAC Leslie Williamson RAF KIFA Saltwell Cemetery , Div. C. Grave 2515. LAC Dennis William Wright RAF KIFA St. Luke Churchyard, Duston, East of Church. LAC Frederick Stanley Yates RAF KIFA Haycombe Cemetery, Bath, Plot 39. Sec. H. Row E. Grave 262.