DETAILS OF ACCIDENT
On the 23-24th September 1943, Wellington 111 X966 took off from RAF Lichfield at 19.00, on course for a Nickel Raid in the regions of Orleans, France. On the outward journey, the crew observed two German fighters some way off their port side. Ten minutes later, the bomber was hit several times by flack. All of the leaflets were jettisoned and with great skill F/S Dowling was able to get his plane back on course for home. However, they were losing petrol at an alarming rate and there was a strong smell of petrol inside the aircraft. F/S Dowling ordered his crew to bale out at 8,000 feet which they all successfully did. When it came to his turn to bale out, he realised that his parachute had disappeared through the escape hatch. He therefore had no alternative but to land the aircraft in a field near Amiens. He evaded capture and made a miraculous escape with the help of the local resistance groups. Six weeks later he arrived back in England.
NICKEL RAIDS (D) – 24/09/1943
Nickel Raid in the Orleans region of France
F/SGT. G.L. DOWLING – (R.A.A.F.) Survived – Pilot
SGT. F.J. PAGE – (R.A.F.) Survived
SGT. ANDERSON – (R.A.A.F.) Survived
SGT. W. TODD – (R.A.F.) Survived
F/O. W.C. HAWKE – (R.A.A.F.) Captured (German POW)