After many years the story unravels. My uncle Sergeant Edward Ombler service number 633791 WO AG was lost with four other crew on 11/06/1940 in a Whitley V. Number N 1362 .He is survived by his brother. The crash site was near Orgeres La Roche France The ORB or forms 540 541 show the flight took off from Jersey for Turin after 2030. HOWEVER shows the aircraft was N 1390 More confusion exists as to whether the flight was leaving or returning, many aircraft on this flight suffered weather problems including icing, there is a suggestion also of lightening. We have just found in the book Missing believed killed by Stuart Hadaway that the MREU investigated and some crew were taken to a hospital. We would like to collate as much detail as possible can anyone suggest where we might find detailed records please
This information is based on my experiences: If there were any commonwealth airmen on board, a copy of the MREU report may be held with their service record. If they were all UK personnel you will have to contact the RAF Air Historical Branch and ask them to do a search on this aircraft (which they now charge for). If you provide "proof of kinship", they will provide general extracts from the report about the loss plus any specific information they have on the family member involved; they will NOT provide you with a copy of the report. More details are available at: http://www.raf.mod.uk/ahb/rafcasualties/ I hope this is helpful; good luck with your search Regards Pete
To assist forum members who might be able to help 11-12/06/1940: Turin, Italy To mark the entry of the Italians into the war, 36 Whitleys drawn from Nos. 10, 51, 58, 77 and 102 Squadrons were tasked to raid Genoa and Turin during the night of 11/12 June 1940, although only 13 aircraft actually reached their targets due to a combination of inclement weather and engine troubles. Type: Whitley Mk.V Serial number: N1362, KN-? Operation: Turin Lost: 11/06/1940 Sergeant (Pilot) Norman M. Songest, RAF 580330, 77 Sqdn., age unknown, 11/06/1940, Lignieres-Orgeres Communal Cemetery, F Sergeant (Pilot) Philip H.J. Budden, RAFVR 742113, 77 Sqdn., age 26, 11/06/1940, Lignieres-Orgeres Communal Cemetery, F Sergeant (Obs.) Alexander Findlay, RAFVR 749540, 77 Sqdn., age 28, 11/06/1940, Lignieres-Orgeres Communal Cemetery, F Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Ronald C. Astbury, RAF 630781, 77 Sqdn., age 20, 11/06/1940, Lignieres-Orgeres Communal Cemetery, F Sergeant (W. Op. [Air]) Edward Ombler, RAF 633791, 77 Sqdn., age 18, 11/06/1940, Lignieres-Orgeres Communal Cemetery, F Airborne from Jersey Airport. On the return flight the Whitley crashed at 2230, in flames, near Lignieres-Orgeres (Mayenne), 10 km N of Pre-en-Pail, France. Cause of loss not established. http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/77_squadron.html
