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* Report: July 15th, 2023: The Belgians Parade to the London Cenotaph *

RAF aircraft's crash sites in Province of West-Vlaanderen:
Off the Belgian coast

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Last update: 25/06/23


Elegy to
the Heroes of Silence


* To the 149 Squadron *
* To the crew of R9314-OJ-T *
* To the monument erected in remembrance *
* Cemetery where rest the crew *

Crash site of Stirling R9314-OJ-T

aircraft
cest raf squadron
Unit: 149 Squadron
Aircraft: Stirling
Code: R9314-OJ-T
Base: Lakenhead
Mission: Essen
Crew officer:
Incident: collided with German attaker

Location: (Prov. West-Vlanderen)

crash

Facts

The aircraft was attacked by Oblt Heinrich Peterson and his R/O Ludwig Leidenbach in BF110F-4 No 4718. They collided which resulted in the BF110 slicing off the rear turret. Sgt Roderick who was the rear gunner was killed. The aircraft was ditched off the coast of Belgium at 03:15. The survivors were spotted later at 14:00. An Air sea Rescue launch from Ramsgate rescued them at 18:15(High Speed Launch 127/27 ASRMCU. Captained by Flt Lt David Jones). The crew of the BF110 baled out and landed safely.
The story got a sad tail. On June 15, children in a cornfield were found to be in the state of dissolution over the body of an aviator. The person lay on his back on which the unopened parachute. Because of the fall the body was pushed a few centimetres deep into the earth. In his pockets there was a small prayer booklet, containing his name, a whistle and a 10-shilling note. Around his neck he wore a red silk scarf with white balls. The victim was Sgt Keith Roderick the missing tail gunner.

Sources:
Aviation Safety
The International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC)
Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)
Aircrew Remembered
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