Airborne from Hemswell. Hit by Flak at 6,000 feet at 0030 12May40 on approach to the target. Severe damage caused to the rudder controls and starboard engine. W/C Luxmoore managed to head the bomber in a westerly direction, slowly losing height and one hour after being hit he ordered his crew to bale out. All three landed safely on the French side of the Maginot Line, returning to Hemswell two days later. Their Skipper, sadly, was killed when the Hampden crashed near Finnevaux (Namur), 11 km SSE of Dinant, Belgium.
Sgt Wathey was awarded the DFM for his part in this operation. Commissioned and holding the rank of F/O he was, sadly, killed on operations 12Feb42.W/C Luxmoore was 144 Squadron Commanding Officer. Cpl Jolly, promoted to Sergeant and awarded the DFM, was destined to be killed on operations 12/13Jun40.
The grave of Arthur Luxmoore, to the cemetery of Finnevaux (Hangar Flying)
