T/o from RAF Thorney Island at 01:40 hrs on the 1st January 1945, being one of 18 aircraft from the squadron detailed to bomb enemy concentrations in the battle area and attack motor transport, tanks, villages and woods. NT231 failed to return from the mission.
On the night of December 31, 1944 to January 1, 1945, a Mosquito NT-231 crashed at Six-Planes. It was part of an operation entrusted to 464 squadron located in Feltwell-Methwold (in the countryside not far from Norwich). This Australian squadron was formed in England but was made up of airmen from many countries. They were equipped with Mosquitos. At the end of 1944, they continued the German retreat. It seems that the aircraft that crashed at Six-Planes had to swing flares to locate the movement of German troops. It could also be that he was escorting bombers.
It was hit by enemy air force almost above the village and crashed 500 m further. The exact location of the crash is Brechaud on the territory of Six-Planes, hamlet of Gros-Fays.
The place is quite boggy. There are several springs that form a small stream (unnamed) that descends towards the stream of Ruaumoulin. It borders between Oisy and Petit-Fays. The place was half meadow, half small firs. There has just been a partial clear-out, which is the killing of seven-year-old firs.
Sad New Year’s Eve for these two men on duty to liberate us from the Germans. At that time, our region was already free, but the German army (Von Runsted offensive) returned to Bastogne and even almost to Dinant.
It is understood that the noise of the aircraft in distress followed by the impact in a flaming cloud alerted many inhabitants who were finishing the first Christmas Eve a bit joyful in four years.
Joseph Javaux, born in 1924, lived on top of the village of Six-Planes: I was in my bed when the plane fell. It was about midnight. I went to see the next morning as soon as it was clear. There were no soldiers or gendarmes. Some people “used” little memories? There was debris everywhere on both sides of the creek. The Mosquito was shot down by a German plane following it over Gros-Fays. I can still trace the line of fire to Six-Planes. I found several machine gun bullets over 500 m. The two soldiers had been killed instantly. I returned to the village, the news was then known by all and it was a very sad New Year’s Day».
An American detachment arrived during the day. They made the usual findings and buried both bodies at the edge of the dirt road near the creek.
The bodies were transported to the other shore along the road to Oisy (on the embankment). There was also a maquis camp (of which I was a member) not far away, but it had been abandoned since September».
The teacher Charles Pierson of Gros-Fays was also among the first to arrive near the debris. He arranged for the burial of the two airmen. He decided to contact the families of the two unfortunate men. The chain of command was generally quite slow and laconic. He came to know their names and to contact Ted Bule’s family in England. She was able to reach the Canadian family, because it seems that there were problems with the postal link between Belgium and Canada at the time. Thanks to René Delogne d'Alle-sur-Semois, I was able to access part of the mail exchanged between the Pierson family and the two families of airmen.
The mail is often addressed to Jeanne Thiry (from Bièvre) wife of Charles Pierson. On both sides it was necessary interpreters. The letters sent by Gros-Fays obviously remained overseas. Would they have allowed us to have much more information about the circumstances of the tragedy?
Here are some moving excerpts from this correspondence in chronological order.
August 14, 1945, Irwine Bradley’s sister residing in Partage la Prairie, Manitoba Canada wrote:
Dear Mrs and Mr Pierson,
I just received a letter by plane from Mrs Ted Bule telling me that you were the first to reach the Mosquito that crashed near your village on the morning of January 1, 1945, burying its occupants who were my brother Irwine Bradley, pilot, and Ted Bule, navigator. It is impossible for me to express to you my gratitude which is in my heart for all that you have done and that you are doing for us, whose beloved has lost his life so far from home and home. The regulations that are in place don’t allow us to show our gratitude other than by letter, but when those restrictions are lifted, if there’s anything we can do for you, we will.
Mrs. Bule has asked you to send the personal belongings of the two young people to herself, which is quite satisfactory as she will then send Irwine’s effects to my parents. We know that your country has suffered for 5 years and that you have done a good job in helping to bring peace. Canada, I hope, will help you relieve your distress…”
September 14, 1945: Letter from Irwine Bradley’s mother:
We have just received a letter from Me Bule telling us what you can about our loved ones. We are the parents of the pilot of the plane. He was our only son, a handsome tall young man named Irwine Clifford Bradley born on September 16, 1922. Thank you for everything, tombs, flowers, etc.
These two boys were very attached to each other and had so much trust in each other. The world seems so small when you receive a letter from so far away. With God’s help we must move forward. It’s hard, so many of Irwine’s young people and classmates are coming back. Do we miss his letters? He was a good correspondent every week since he joined. His last letter was dated December 30, 1944. We miss sending his packages because he was always so grateful. We have a married daughter in Ontario who wrote to you. If you were coming to Canada…”
Gros-Fays, November 1, 1945: letter from Mrs Pierson to Ted Bule’s wife (French text which was translated into English before being sent):
“Dear Madam, my husband and I have just returned from visiting the tomb of “our adopted airmen” on the occasion of All Saints' Day and the Day of the Dead. We are going to pray for them and also bloom their resting place.
I had made for them a beautiful and large wreath of white and mauve chrysanthemums. I also attached some flowers from you. Close to them, we evoked your memory and that of your little daughter, because I have the impression, dear lady, that in these days of mourning, your constant thought does not leave «the little wood» where your beloved and his friend rest. If knowing that they are not abandoned can alleviate your pain a little, rest assured, madam, that our visits will not fail them.
We received two letters from Canada, one from the parents and one from Mr Bradley’s sister. I’ve written to them in the last few days giving them some details of where their poor loved one died.
If it is possible, we would be happy to receive a small photograph of your husband. It would be a pleasure for us to know a little the features of the one we love and admire beyond the grave.
May I ask you, ma'am, about you and your little daughter, who I suppose is growing up and also very wise. We don’t have the happiness of having a child. My husband and I form our whole family, nevertheless, we love them very much, since by his profession, my husband is called to live among them. We look forward to hearing from you, Madam. Please accept my friendship.”
J. Pierson, your friend from Belgium
Gros-Fays 10 November 1946: Pierson’s letter to the Bradley parents
Dear Mr and Mrs Bradley, my husband and I would like to inform you that the English Exhumation Service has come, accompanied by an officer of this organization and a Canadian captain of the RAF, Proceed with the transfer of the remains of your missing loved one and his friend. Since these officers were received by us, my husband asked permission to attend the exhumation of the bodies, which was granted him because since the accident, we had adopted the tomb of these two brave men to whom we had attached ourselves. The day before their transfer, we had been flowering their tomb on the occasion of the feast of All Saints. This transfer took place on 31 October to an English military cemetery in Belgium. The Canadian officer has promised to let us know where they will last be buried, because, dear gentlemen and Madam Bradley, although further away from us, we will continue to visit them. I assume you’ve been briefed on this by the British Service? When the bodies of the two airmen were taken away, it seemed to us that someone very dear to us had been taken away, we had not given them and our admiration and also a little of our heart. Before leaving the place where they died, my husband planted two trees so that the land on which they shed their blood would not be desecrated.
I repeat our invitation if one day you come to Belgium, we will be very happy to receive you».
10 December 1946 letter from Mrs. Bule residing at 78, West Street Hauley on Thowns England
I thank you for your letter concerning my husband and his friend. So far this is the first communication I’ve received from their transfer to the military cemetery. As soon as I know where they were transferred, I will let you know; perhaps I could come and visit their graves myself? I am grateful for what you have done and the thought of planting these two trees has touched me.
My little girl and I are doing well. She is now 18 months old and is really becoming a big girl. Thank you to your husband for attending the exhumation. It was a consolation for me to have you here. Merry Christmas and best wishes for 1947».
A few days later, she added:
I received news from the Ministry which informed us that the new location of our missing people is in Heverlee near Louvain, about 20 km from Brussels. His grave is in part 2, number 11212 ( ?). I decided to come and visit them if possible».
Supposed spot of the crash
The two graves on the slope of the road on the right bank of the stream. The lady is undoubtedly Jeanne Thiry.
On September 10, 2017, I travelled to this small valley with Joseph Javaux. Of course, I wanted to find the two trees planted by Charles Pierson, which must be a little over 70 years old. The section adjacent to the creek was cleared, which gives a glimpse of the first houses of Six-Planes. The land belongs to Joseph Javaux and André Hallet.
By the side of the road, two trees caught my attention. They are at the edge of the wood, very close to each other and correspond to the indications provided. One of the two is marked. It would be a shame to shoot them.
Source: Yvon Barbazon, local historian
