Vidal, Aymerick Essex (Warrant Officer 2nd Class)

51 Squadron (Swift And Sure). Halifax aircraft HR 839 went down over Belgium during operations against Cologne, Germany. Six of the crew, not Canadians, missing believed killed. Addendum: Five RAF members of the crew, Sgt.s W.C. Butler, A.C. Redshaw, A. Smith, Was J.L. Houlston, and J.P. Tay were also killed. VOSE, R.B. R74102. See page 786. Target - Emden, Germany. Sgtes J.W. Woodroffe (RAF), and P.W. Hewitt (RAF) were also killed. One RAF crew member was taken Prisoner Of War, VYE, B.E.A. 111791. See page 786. When Wellington aircraft MP 539, flown by L.G. Smith and crew, failed to return from an anti-sub patrol over the Bay of Biscay, WiC. J.C. Archer and crew made a dawn take-off to search for the missing aircraft. Archer's crew, in Wellington HF 124, soon reached the area indicated by the radar fix provided but nothing was found. Shortly after making this report the aircraft reported that it was being attacked by enemy aircraft and they were between the Scilly Isles and Brest. Enemy long-range fighters were active over the Bay at this period and presumably their dawn patrol had intercepted this aircraft and possibly also WO. Smith's aircraft. Those lost with F/0. Vye were F70. J.E, Godwin, FiL. J. Craig, Fila D.S. Bier, F/0. D.R. Parker, and WIC. J.C. Archer (RAF). Detail provided by 407 Squadron History book.