Remembering Today 18 November 1943 The loss of Liberator II AL540

18 November 1943

1675 HCU
Liberator II AL540

Struck by Hurricane IIA. BV168 of the Aircraft Delivery Unit whilst on a training flight to convert transport and bomber crews to the type. The Liberators starboard fin, rudder and tailplane were severed and the aircraft crashed about 1000 yards short of the runway at RAF Lydda, Palestine.

Crew.

S/L. Desmond Malcolm Rolph-Smith DFC +
F/S. Michael Joseph Coyne +
Sgt. George Hall +
F/O. Herbert Hartnett +


Movement History of Liberator II AL540

Construction Number. 38
Took On Charge Dorval 17 October 1941
Gander – Prestwick 2-3 November 1941
To Scottish Aviation Ltd Prestwick 3 November 1941
To Colerne (39 MU) 7 November 1941
39 MU to Scottish Aviation Ltd 13 May 1942 for mods for 1445 Flight.
To 1445 Flight 20 June 1942
1445 Flight 23 July 1942 for Middle east
To Hurn 31 July 1942
To 160 Squadron - 178 Squadron15 January 1943
To 1675 HCU October 1943
In circuit at Lydda 18 November 1943. Hurricane BV168 hit the Liberator and cut the tail unit off
Struck Off Charge 1 January 1944