Skipton on Swale August 1944

Discussion in 'World War 2' started by liverpool annie, Sep 25, 2008.

  1. liverpool annie

    liverpool annie New Member

    ON THIS SITE IN AUGUST 1944 A DISABLED ROYAL CANADIAN AIR
    FORCE HALIFAX III BOMBER CRASHED ON RETURN FROM A
    BOMBING MISSION RESULTING IN THE DEATHS OF TWO CREW
    MEMBERS AND ONE CIVILIAN.

    THIS CAIRN IN THE IMAGE OF A CANADIAN MAPLE LEAF ERECTED
    TO HONOUR ALL THOSE WHO SERVED WITH THE RCAF 6 GROUP
    SQUADRONS AT SKIPTON ON SWALE DURING WWII AND THE MANY
    CIVILIANS WHO SUPPORTED THEM. MAY THEIR ENTERPRISE,
    COURAGE AND DEVOTION TO DUTY BE REMEBERED AND SERVE AS
    AN EXAMPLE TO ALL.

    DEDICATED MAY 1982 BY A GROUP INCLUDING GRATEFUL SURVIVORS

    'THIS WAS THEIR FINEST HOUR'

    This is especially sad when you see that the civilian was only 5 years old !

    BATTENSBY Kenneth
    Civilian. Son of Robert Henry and Audrey Battensby, of 53 Gresham Road, Middlesbrough. Died at Skipton-on-Swale when showered with debris 5th August 1944. Aged 5. Listed in the Civilian Roll of Hoour Section for the Rural District of Thirsk.

    During August 1944 Halifaxes were sent on missions from Skipton to destroy V1 flying bomb storage sites. One of these misisons was to Bois de Cassan. A Halifax from 424 Squadron was shot down near the target while a second one, belonging to 433 Squadron, crashed onto Skipton–on-Swale village green. The Halifax had been damaged by flak over the target and had suffered engine damage. On 5th August 1944, while attempting to land, the pilot had difficulty maintaining power and decided to overshoot but a second engine failed causing the aircraft to swerve towards the village. The aircraft clipped the treetops and hit the roof of Skipton Hall before crashing onto the village green. The pilot, Flying Officer Jimmy Harrison and flight engineer Sergeant Dennis Whitbread were killed. Sadly Kenneth Battensby, a five year old, whose house and garden were showered with debris, was also killed. In 1982 this memorial was unveiled on the village green.

    Roll of Honour - Yorkshire - Skipton on Swale - Royal Canadian Air ForceMemorial
     
  2. Kyt

    Kyt Άρης

  3. CXX

    CXX New Member

    Details relating to the above loss taken from Bomber Command Losses Vol.5 W R. Chorley.

    5 August 1944

    433 Squadron.
    Halifax MZ828BM-H
    Op. St-Leu.

    Crew.
    F/O. J R. Harrison RCAF +
    Sgt. D L. Whitbread +
    F/O. J F. Kinder RCAF inj
    F/O. E T. Widenoja RCAF inj
    F/O. L E. Dufreane RCAF inj
    F/S. R. Bourne RCAF inj
    P/O. N S. Godrey inj

    Took off 1038 hrs from Skipton-on-Swale to attack flying bomb facility at St-Leu-d'-Esserent. On return to base, and while preparing to land an engine failed and the Halifax came down at 1535 hrs in the nearby village that lends its name to the airfield. Tragically, in addition to the two airmen who died, 5 year old Kenneth Battensby was unable to run clear as the bomber came hurtling through some trees before skidding acroos the village square and coming to a halt with its nose section resting against a mature elm tree. F/O. Harrison RCAF is buried in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery, Sgt Whitbread rests in Kempston Cemetery.
     

Share This Page