The aircraft was its first operational mission and had only 12 flight hours. It had taken off from Coningsby to 17hr58. It is presumed shot down by flak at 14,000 feet and disintegrated above Merbes-le-Château, southwest of Charleroi.
Pilot G. Rice is projected unscathed (broken wrist) in the air by the explosion of the aircraft. It is collected by the evasion line "Felix"
