TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Crash Site Avro Lancaster III JB725

The text on the sign is:

On the night of 10 April 1944 RAF undertook a minelaying activity over the Danzig Bay. The laying of five big A-miner type resulted in the Lancaster III JB-725 being bombed and hit. Burning it hit the ground ans exploded on Fårup Mark, approximately 700 meters tot the west of this monument.

All seven allied members of the crew died. They are all buried at the Fovrfeld Cemetery near Esbjerg.

This monument was erected by the citizens of Jelling 9 april 1948 and adorns the RAF and the lost crew members who sacrificed their lives and a cradle song by Nis Petersen:

ALL DAYS YOU MUST
CHOOSE THE WORLD
CHOOSE LIFE
CHOOSE FIGHT
DO NOT QUARREL


Crew:
Pilot Officer Jack FINCH (420553)
Flight Sergeant Francis Julian Herbert GARRICK (1206061) Navigator
Pilot Officer Harold Edward QUINN (J/88694) Air Bomber
Flight Sergeant Ian Albert RANDS (410725)
Sergeant John George ROBSON (1683375) Flight Engineer
Sergeant Robert SMEDLEY (2204600) Air Gunner
Sergeant Harry Bateman WEST (1517246) Air Gunner

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

  • Text: Arjan Vrieze + TracesOfWar
  • Photos: Mark van der Klooster (1, 2, 3, 4), Hans Boin (5)

Related books

Avro Aircraft since 1908
The Avro Lancaster, Manchester and Lincoln
Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II
Avro Lancaster - Handley Page Halifax - Short S.29 Stirling
Avro Lancaster 1945-1965

55.74198, 9.414259