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25/26 April, 1940; MINELAYING - BALTIC:
This would prove to be the squadron's most costly and saddest
nights of the war so far; 8 Hampdens fought their way through
terrible weather to the now familiar gardening areas in Kiel
Bay. Only one aircraft dropped vegetables successfully, the remainder
failed due to the bad conditions. Returning home the squadron
was diverted to Montrose where 4 aircraft landed and a fifth
landed at Leuchars. 3 aircraft and crews were missing. The reason
why two of the aircraft failed to return will never be known,
but the third gained the unenviable distinction of being the
first bomber to be shot down by a German night fighter:
Hampden L4040 piloted by F/O David White and crew came down at
Hornum in Germany; all four crew members are buried in Hamburg
Cemetery.
Hampden L4040
F/O D. White (Killed)
Sgt N.L.
Jones (Killed)
LAC N. Hornsby (Killed)
Sgt P.J. Hurst (Killed)
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