Liberator FL954

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally Posted by carlstavros

Hello all,

I am trying to find out more about the Liberator V FL954 that crashed into Lough Foyle on the 24th October 1943 as my uncles father was one of the English aircrew that was sadly killed. He was an air gunner/wireless operator aboard the aircraft that took off from Ballykenny, Northern Ireland on I believe an anti-submarine mission.

Internet searches have led me here and a couple of years ago there was a post that stated that some off the crew were Canadian. Please can anyone help with the names of the rest of the airman that lost their lives and any other information regarding the crash? I am doing this research on behalf of my uncle so any assistance would be much appreciated.

My uncles fathers name is:

W/O Francis William Hutchinson RAFVR (86 Sqn)

Many thanks in advance,

Carl.

Carl..
The Liberator,B-24s were part of coastal command ,and the 59th British Squadron had a Lib with the serial Number 30 away from the one you are looking for...


"Liberator V ‘S’ FL984 took off from Aldergrove at 04.45 to escort HX 239, "

Check out this site..

http://sforsugar.com/home.html

By the 23rd of the same month, the first anti-submarine escort in a Liberator Mark V took place. There was one change in personnel (Pilot Officer H R Aldcroft replacing Sgt Jenkins, who had been promoted from co-pilot
to pilot) as Liberator V ‘S’ FL984 took off from Aldergrove at 04.45 to escort HX 239, returning at 19.59. No dramas were reported, unlike the next time the same seven took off, six days later, on anti-submarine escort to convoy AT 45. At 17.30 hours, in position 4850 North 1405 West, a German U-Boat (unterseeboat) was sighted and attacked with four depth charges which
straddled the boat while its conning tower was still visible.