Crash Site Handley Page Halifax MK III MZ503

On 25 April 1944, the Halifax MK III MZ503 of RCAF 420 Sqdn crashed near this location. The aircraft had taken off the previous evening from RAF Tholthorpe for a mission along with 636 other aircraft to Karlsruhe. Over the target, the Halifax was hit by debris from another bomber, damaging the nose. Due to the damage sustained, the aircraft had to leave the formation and, partly due to its reduced speed, became prey to a German night fighter. After two engines failed, the aircraft exploded in mid-air. Two crew members still managed to land in one piece but the five others perished in the explosion. The two survivors were captured after several days. The five fallen crew members were buried at Zuilichem cemetery.

The crew consisted of:

Pilot Officer (Flt. Engr.) Arthur Hansford, 179265, RAF, aged 36, buried in Zuilichem cemetery;
Pilot Officer (W.Op/Air Gnr.) William Murphy, J/22084, RAF, aged 23, buried in Zuilichem;
Flying Officer (Air Bomber) Alfred Samuel Redmonds, RCAF, J/28213, 23 years old, buried in Zuilichem;
Flying Officer (Pilot) Davd Douglas Watterson, J/20177, RCAF, 24 years old, buried in Zuilichem;
Warrant Officer (Nav. Bomber) Edward Victor Webb, R/114846, RCAF 21 years old, buried in Zuilichem;
Air Gunner - Sergeant Mike Cassidy, J55364, RCAF, POW, buried with the rest of the crew in 1985;
Air Gunner - Sergeant Ray Tanner, RCAF prisoner of war.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Frank Overman
• - https://www.vierheerlijkheden.nl/cms/images/Periodieken/Jaargang_10_1.pdf
• - https://www.altena.net/storage/media/Altena/docs/Oorlogsverleden/Zuilichem_1944_25_04.pdf