| Halifax DT701 NP-T | 158 Sqn | ||||||||||||||||||
| Date : | 07 février 1943 | Mission : | Lorient (56) | ||||||||||||||||
| Décollage : | Rufforth à 19:01 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Causes de la perte : | |||||||||||||||||||
| Lieu de la perte : | Manebos à Lanester (56) | ||||||||||||||||||
 | Plt Off | Peter Leslie | BEESLEY | Pil | RAFVR | 47763 | KIA | ||||||||||||
| Sgt | Kenneth | BOWLEY | AG | RAFVR | 968910 | KIA | ||||||||||||
| Sgt | Eric | BRINDLE | Nav | RAFVR | 657693 | KIA | ||||||||||||
| Sgt | Leonard | BYGRAVE | Nav | RAFVR | 933155 | KIA | ||||||||||||
| Sgt | Frederick George | CARR | WOP | RAFVR | 933802 | KIA | ||||||||||||
| Sgt | Edwin Francis | COWPER | AG | RAFVR | 1271839 | KIA | ||||||||||||
| Sgt | Ralph | LEWIS | FE | RAF | 540757 | KIA |  | |||||||||||
| Sgt | Goerge William | WHILES | Pil | RAFVR | 1249500 | KIA | ||||||||||||
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| Distinguished Flying Cross Squadron Leader William FLETCHER, D F M (44063), No 158 Squadron. Distinguished Flying Medal 540757 Sergeant Ralph LEWIS, No 158 Squadron 1375551 Sergeant Harry KAY, No 158 Squadron In December, 1942, Squadron Leader Fletcher and Sergeants Lewis and Kay were captain, flight engineer and navigator of a heavy bomber detailed to attack Turin While over the target area one of the starboard engines failed Shortly after the bombs had been released all blind flying instruments faùed and the airerait stalled and fell mto a spm Squadron Leader Fletcher skilfully regained control, but it was found impossible to climb over the Alps. Despite bad weather and poor visibility Sergeant Kay navigated the aircraft on another course round the Alps. Sergeant Lewis’s cool and skilful mampulation of the petrol consumption completed the team work which resulted in the safe return, of the aicraft, after flying some 900 miles with I of its engines disabled These members of aircraft crew set a grand example of grim determmation to triumph over tremendous difliculties. SECOND SUPPLEMENT to THE LONDON GAZETTE of FRIDAY, the 8th of JANUARY, 1943. | |||||||||||||||||||