A ceremony was held in a village in northern France to commemorate the seven crew members of a World War II Halifax Bomber, who were shot down there on 3rd June 1944.
The Halifax aircraft was returning from a successful mission when it was shot down in flames by the Luftwaffe. The pilot and wireless operator were killed and then buried by the Luftwaffe with full military honours at the local cemetery in St Andre de L’Eure on 7th June 1944.
The Bomb Aimer was seriously injured and captured by the German authorities. He was moved to a German military hospital for treatment, before being held as a Prisoner of War. The remaining crew members survived the crash and were hidden by the local Resistance.
"Without warning, there was a sudden burst of cannon fire that straddled the cockpit and our pilot had to put the aircraft into a steep evasive corkscrew manoeuvre. Unfortunately, he suffered a fatal wound to his head and slumped forward, completely obstructing the control column. The attack caused an immediate explosion in the petrol tanks which quickly engulfed the whole aircraft with flames. It was a miracle that I got out of the plane. I got out through the floor and managed to bale out safely."
Squadron Leader Booker
One of the survivors was rescued by the SAS in August 1944, the other three were discovered by the German authorities on 1st July 1944. They were interrogated before being moved to Buchenwald Concentration Camp and eventually released back to the United Kingdom on 28th May 1945.
One of the survivors was the Navigator, Flying Officer Stanley Booker who was 22 at the time. After returning to the UK he continued his distinguished RAF career, before retiring at the rank of Squadron Leader. He was awarded an MBE for his post-war work with British intelligence and, last year, a Legion D'Honneur by the French government, which is France’s highest military honour.
Squadron Leader Booker, now 99, was unable to travel to the event but instead recorded a video message for the community and families of Illiers L'Eveque.
"I am amazed and humbled that the courage of his Halifax crew is being recognised. This honour reflects the sacrifices of all Allied military forces during World War II."
Squadron Leader Booker
The aircraft crashed near a village called Illiers L'Eveque, which is where the commemorative plaque was mounted on the War Memorial. The event was organised jointly by members of the crew’s and French Resistance families. The Rear Gunner, Sergeant Terrance Gould, was taken in by M.and Mme Fernande Porcher who were members of the local resistance group. A relation of theirs, Mr Jean-Pierre Curato, helped organise the commemoration.
"Today was a moving way to commemorate the bravery of an RAF crew and the French population in very difficult times. It was great to see so many people here to take part."
Mr Jean-Pierre Curato
Crew members:
- Pilot - Flying Officer Alexander A Murray 'Sandy.' Killed in the crash and buried by Luftwaffe on 7th June 1944 at St Andre de L’Eure. Aged 23
- Wireless Operator - Warrant Officer John Williams 'Taffy.' Killed in the crash and buried by Luftwaffe on 7th June at St Andre de L’Eure. Aged 25
- Navigator - Flying Officer Stanley Albert Booker. Evaded capture until 1st July 1944
- Flight Engineer - Sergeant John Neville Osselton. Evaded capture until 1st July 1944
- Rear Gunner - Sergeant Terrance Gould. Evaded capture until 15th July 1944
- Air Gunner - Sergeant Clifford Hallett. Evaded capture and rescued by SAS 14th August 1994 and returned to UK
- Bomb Aimer - Sergeant Ernest Frederick Stokes 'Snooky.' Seriously wounded in leg and held as a Prisoner of War
