Stirling I W7520  MG-S       7 Squadron RAF

19-20 May 1942

Mission: Mannheim

Collided in the air with a Me 110 night-fighter Oblt F. Gutzeit. (The Luftwaffe crew died)

Crash: At Brusthem

F/L HG Pilling  DFC  KIA Heverlee War Cemetery

P/O RA Bowker   KIA Heverlee War Cemetery

Sgt W helliwell   KIA Heverlee War Cemetery

P/O IF Hoidas  RCAF   KIA Heverlee War Cemetery

Sgt WH Bracken  RCAF   KIA Heverlee War Cemetery

F/S GJP Kearns  MID  RCAF  KIA Heverlee War Cemetery

P/O C Lewis   KIA Heverlee War Cemetery

 

According  P/O Hoidas records: The aircraft was struck by a British 4 1/2 lb Incendiary bomb whilst over the target area. The bomb entered the aircraft on the starboard side of the fin stub, causing damage to frames 49 and 50, severing the elevator trimming tab controls and partially severing the rudder control cable. Parts of the bomb burnt its way throuh tail wheel doors. Remainder extinquished by crew.