This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.
| Date: | Monday 27 May 1940 |
| Time: | 18:50 |
| Type: |  Bristol Blenheim Mk IV |
| Owner/operator: | 107 Sqn RAF |
| Registration: | L9391 |
| MSN: | OM- |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 3 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | near Éperlecques,Pas-de-Calais -
 France
|
| Phase: | Combat |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | RAF Wattisham, Suffolk |
Blenheim L9391: Took off 18:10 hrs to attack enemy troop concentrations in the St- Omer area, Pas-de-Calais. 27/05/1940
This was to have been W/Cdr Embry’s last sortie before relinquishing command on his appointment as Station Commander, RAF West Raynham.
Blenheim L9391 was shot down by AA fire from 6000 feet crashing near Éperlecques (Pas-de-Calais), 2 km north-west of the Calais to St-Omer roadd at approximately 18.50 hrs. (LT)
Crew:
F/Sgt (523561) Geoffrey Edward LANG DFM (WOp/AG) RAF killed.
P/O (42973).Thomas Allen WHITING DFC (Obs.) RAF baled out unhurt /POW
W/Cdr.(09252).Basil Edward EMBRY DSO & bar (C.O./Pilot) RAF baled out slightly injured in his left leg /POW
Two days later he detached himself from a marching column of POWs, discarded his uniform, and successfully evaded recapture several times eventually returning via Paris, Perpignan, and Gibraltar in early August 1940.
Sources:
1.Blemheim production list
2.ORB 107 Sqdn RAF
3.CWGC
4.Bomber Command Losses (1939-1940) WR Chorley, page 70
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 25-Sep-2024 11:42 | Nepa | Added [Operator, ] |
| 25-Sep-2024 12:37 | Nepa | Updated [Time, Operator, Total fatalities, Country, Phase, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, Operator, ] |
| 25-Sep-2024 13:10 | Nepa | Updated [Registration, Location, Source, Operator, ] |
| 27-Sep-2024 18:43 | Nepa | Updated [Narrative, Operator, ] |
| 26-Jul-2025 10:35 | Anon. | Updated [Cn, Source, ] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2025 Flight Safety Foundation