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| Date: | Monday 9 September 1940 |
| Time: | 23:59 |
| Type: | Handley Page Hampden Mk I |
| Owner/operator: | 50 Sqn RAF |
| Registration: | P4287 |
| MSN: | VN-J |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | Target: Altona, Hamburg -
 Germany
|
| Phase: | Combat |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | RAF Lindholme, North Yorkshire |
| RAF Lindholme, North Yorkshire |
Handley Page Hampden Mk.I P4287 (VN-J) of 50 Squadron, RAF Lindholme. Lost on combat operations on the night of 8-9/9/1940. Possibly lost over the target - Altona, Hamburg, Germany (at approximate Coordinates: 53°33′0″N 9°56′0″E) - after being hit by flak/AAA. According to the 50 Squadron diary (ORB - Air Ministry Form 540) for the period
"8/9 September- HAMBURG/ALTONA
Six aircraft were detailed to bomb the shipyards at ALTONA including L4062 led by the squadron Commanding Officer Wing Commander Golledge. Four attacked the target with unclear results due to haze while one returned to base unable to locate Altona. The sixth, P4287 (VN-J) failed to return. A W/T report was received at 23.59 hours by R.A.F. Scampton reading ‘Jumping for it over Germany’. Nothing further was heard.
Crew:-
Pilot : Squadron Leader Frank Andrew WILLAN DFC RAF 36111 [PoW]
Observer : Sergeant Kenneth Wynn WRIGHT RAF 566088 [PoW]
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner : Sergeant Andrew Bertram COX RAF 550925 [PoW]
Rear Gunner : Sergeant Frederick Garland BROOK RAF 580638 [PoW]
Sources:
1. http://www.no-50-and-no-61-squadrons-association.co.uk/app/download/5802508903/50+SQUADRON+ORB+1939+1943+Revision+1.pdf
2. https://www.backtonormandy.org/the-history/air-force-operations/airplanes-allies-and-axis-lost/hampden/25695-P42871940-09-09.html
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altona,_Hamburg
4. Rob Davis Bomber Command Losses Database
5. Bomber Command Losses (1939-1940) WR Chorley, page 108
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 06-Jul-2018 22:03 | Dr. John Smith | Added |
| 12-Nov-2018 19:10 | Nepa | Updated [Operator, Operator, ] |
| 20-Oct-2024 15:19 | Rob Davis | Updated [Other fatalities, Source, Narrative, ] |
| 10-Aug-2025 16:43 | MMR | Updated [Source, Narrative, ] |
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