Operation: Chantilly Oil Storage Dump - Foret de Chantilly

Date: 07/08th August 1944 (Monday/Tuesday)

Unit: No. 429 Squadron (motto: Fortunae Nihi - 'Nothing to chance'). 6 Group

Type: Halifax III

Serial: LW132

Code: AL-H

Base: RAF Leeming, Yorkshire

Location: English Channell ogg Littlehampton

Pilot: Fl/Lt. James Donald Blanchard Hall J/5492 RCAF Age 24. Killed

Fl/Eng: P/O. Harry Glass DFM. C/87159 RCAF Age 23. Killed

Nav: Fl/Sgt. Robert Victor Harrod R/165497 RCAF Age 22. Survived - injured

Air/Bmr: F/O.Thomas Aquinas Jackman J/27118 RCAF Age 30. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: P/O. Donald Murray J/87907 RCAF Age 24 Killed

Air/Gnr: P/O. Lorston Boss Syme J/87672 RCAF Age 19. Killed

Air/Gnr: P/O. Winston Spencer Moyses Phillips J/87756 RCAF Age 22. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 18:58 hrs in weather conditions described as good with visibility of 25 miles, wind WNW 10 mph.

During the outward leg and at 15,000ft, this aircraft was seen to suddenly burst into flames, falling away from the formation and breaking into large pieces at around 5,000ft. Fl/Sgt Harrod was the only survivor, having been thrown clear and landing in the sea by parachute some 10 miles off Littlehampton, Sussex. He was soon recovered, suffering with only minor injuries.

HSL 130 was on patrol under the command of 119192 Fl/Lt. Edward Neville Saville observed the aircraft on fire, exploded with debris falling into the sea about 9 miles from Littlehampton. The launch rapidly proceeded to the area, recovering one body. They rendezvoused with HSL 131 commanded by 53395 F/O. J. Kelly who had picked up a further 3 bodies and a survivor. HSL 130 transferred the body to HSL 131 who then proceeded to Littlehampton. Fl/Sgt. Harrod was treated for lacerations to his scalp and suffered mild shock described how he was blown out of the aircraft but managed to open his parachute at around 6000 ft.

The Accident Investigation Branch concluded that a fire had broken out on the starboard outer engine which quickly spread and ignited the fuel tanks.

P/O. Glass was awarded the DFM (Sgt) whilst with 429 Squadron. Gazetted 27th April 1944:

'This airman was the flight engineer of an aircraft detailed to attack Nuremberg one night in March, 1944. During the operation the aircraft was repeatedly attacked by fighters and sustained extensive damage.. A fire commenced but Sergeant Glass, by his gallant and determined efforts, succeeded in extinguishing the flames. Later, whilst over the North Sea on the homeward flight, the pilot was forced to bring the aircraft down on to the water. Two wounded members of the crew were in danger of losing their lives but were saved by Sgt Glass who also assisted other members of the crew into the dinghy. He proved a tower of strength in most distressing circumstances'.

Burial details:

Fl/Lt. James Donald Blanchard Hall. Brookwood Military Cemetery Plot 43 Row E Grave 10. Son of James Bertram and Alberta M. J. Hall, of St. Lambert, Province of Quebec, Canada. His brother, 22 year old, P/O. Joseph William Kenneth Hall J/19432 was listed as being missing - believed killed whilst with 622 squadron. On an operation to Hanover on Stirling EH991 GI-P 28th September 1943 with all crew lost. Grave inscription: 'He Lived For Those He Loved And Those He Loved Remember'.

P/O. Harry Glass DFM. Brookwood Military Cemetery Plot 43 Row A Grave 10. Born on the 21st April 1921 at Dufferin County, Ontario Son of Joseph B. Glass and Esther Glass, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Grave inscription: 'Beloved Son And Devoted Brother To Be Remembered Everlastingly'.

F/O.Thomas Aquinas Jackman. Brookwood Military Cemetery Plot 43 Row A Grave 8. Born on the 18th February 1920. Son of William Henry and Ellen Norris Jackman, of 496 Victoria Avenue, Westmount, Province of Quebec, Canada. Grave inscription: 'We Have Loved Him During Life Let Us Not Forget Him In Death'.

P/O. Donald Murray. Brookwood Military Cemetery Plot 43 Row B Grave 2. Son of J. R. C. Murray and Grace I. Murray, of St. Lambert, Province of Quebec, Canada. Grave inscription: 'He Will Not Age...His Song Is Sung And He Remains Forever Young'.

P/O. Lorston Boss Syme. Brookwood Military Cemetery Plot 43 Row B Grave 3. Born 12th October 1924 in London, Ontario. Son of Robert and Letitia Syme, of 3455 Masson Street, Rosemount, Province of Quebec, Canada. Grave inscription: 'He Gave His Life For His Country That We Might Live In Freedom'.

P/O. Winston Spencer Moyses Phillips. Brookwood Military Cemetery Plot 55 Row A Grave 7. Born on the 17th June 1922. Son of Joseph B. Phillips and Gertrude Phillips, of Mccord, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to John Jones and to the extensive material and photographs he sent into us, other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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