Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
Check our Research databases: Database List
.

---

We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.

---

14.05.1940 No. 226 Squadron Battle I L5438 Fl/Sgt. Dunn

Operation: Sedan

Date: 14th May 1940 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 226 Squadron

Type: Fairy Battle I

Serial: L5438

Code: MQ-?

Base: Reim/Champagne

Location: Le Mont Dieu, France

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. William Alfred Dunn 563086 RAF Age ? Killed

Obs: Sgt. Arthur Francis Sedgwick 523566 RAF Age 31. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: A.C.2 Michael Benedict Millar 616790 RAF Age 24. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off at 15:25 hrs to bomb the bridge at Mouzon, France. 4 aircraft from 226 squadron, 4 from 103 squadron and 4 from 105 squadron were detailed for this operation. The operation was part of the heaviest daylight bombing raids by the RAF of the war so far. It was made to try and halt the rapid advance of the German troops.

The Hurricanes provided to support the Battles were as a whole ineffective and the accurate flak fire together with prowling Luftwaffe fighters decimated the bombers with all 4 from 226 squadron being lost as well as a further 34 aircraft shot down on this day!

L5438 was shot down during its attack on a bridge at Mouzon and crashed at 16.00hrs. All crew were killed and buried initially in the area of Le Mont Dieu. The bodies were exhumed in February 1947 and reinterred in Choloy War Cemetery.

The other 226 Aircraft lost on this operation:

K9343 Flown by Sgt Victor Moseley killed with the other 2 crew members.
P2267 Flown by Sq/Ldr. Locket made p.o.w the other 2 crew members killed
P2254 Flown by Sgt. Annan - aircraft abandoned, all crew safe.
A further 3 aircraft from 226 squadron were hit but repairable.

Members of 226 Squadron taken in France, February 1940 (archives)

Burial details:

Crew buried initially in the area of Le Mont Dieu. The bodies were exhumed in February 1947 and reinterred in Choloy War Cemetery - details as shown.

Fl/Sgt. William Alfred Dunn. Choloy War Cemetery. Grave 2A.A. 2-3. No further details as yet.

Sgt. Arthur Francis Sedgwick. Choloy War Cemetery. Joint Grave 2A.A.1. Son of Thomas C. Sedgwick and Frances Sedgwick, of Liverpool, stepson of Mrs. M. Sedgwick, of Liverpool, England.

A.C.2 Michael Benedict Millar. Choloy War Cemetery. Grave 2A.A. 2-3. Son of Andrew and Catherine Millar, of Dublin, Irish Republic.

Researched for Lynn Millar (Great niece of A.C.2 Michael Millar) and dedicated to all the crew's relatives and friends. With thanks to the following, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Peter Cornwell - 'Battle of France Then and Now', Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses' Vol. 1.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2024 Last Modified: 11 March 2021, 11:48

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor