Date
Location
Force
Aircraft
From-To
Crew
07-09-1943
Peniche
RAF 295 Sqn
Handley Page Halifax EB178
Portreath (GB) → Sale (North Africa)
F/O Frank Guy Reed GB
F/O Gerald Edwards Treleaven Canada
Sgt Michael Charles Medcalf GB
Sgt Neil Robson GB
Sgt Eric Ernest Bruce Saunders GB
Sgt Montague William Tonkinson GB
The aircraft was towing a Horsa (DP824) glider to North Africa when one of its engines started to burn. The pilot rerouted it to Portugal and they casted off the glider that landed in a beach.
The aircraft crash-landed in a pine forest and burst into flames. The crew escaped but some were injured. Reed, Treleaven and Saunders received assistance from local doctors and were sent to the British Hospital in Lisbon. Neither was badly injured.
They were participating in the mission “Beggar/ Turkey Buzzard”, that had the objective of transporting gliders to African bases, that would latter particpate in the invasion of Sicily.
Resources:
* Arquivo do Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros - Portugal
* Evade & Escape Report - National Archives - London, Kew
* 295 ORB - National Archives UK - London, Kew
