Following Cee’s post on Pte. Gerald Clarke - aircraft shot down on D-Day crash site of F/Lt. Jones. The original location of F/O. Harvey Edgar Jones’ grave was map reference 194711 Jones' stick consisted of 1 & 2 Sections, No. 1 Platoon. ‘A’ Company, 8th Parachute Battalion Lt. Whiteley Pte. Wakefield, Pte. Coulton, Cpl. Megson (WIA), Sjt. Reading, Pte. Butler, L/Cpl. Dunning, Pte. Simmons, Pte. Callaghan, Pte. Holloway, Pte. Walton (KIA 6.6.44), Pte. Bailey, L/Cpl. Frost, Pte. Newell, Pte. Anderson, Pte. Edwards, Pte. Holmes, Pte. Billington (KIA 6.6.44, Pte. Artus, Sjt. Iliffe (KIA 6.6.44). It’s believed that the stick were dropped just outside Herouvillette and Escoville over Bavent woods finishing outside Troarn. In a statement 17th June 1944 Daldorph explains what happened: When Colonel Pearson (8th Parachute Bn) went on patrol to pick up six injured men on the night 7th/8th June the farm they were heading for was Madame Duhamel’s farm, Duhamel's 20 year old son was killed by an explosive from the aircraft. 8th Para Diary reports on patrol: "Recce patrol to BURES to see if held and to report whether it was possible to salvage A Tk gun and Jeep from river. Patrol reported impossible to salvage A Tk gun but they brought back a Sgt of the 9th Bn. who reported that there were 6 casualties from a wrecked A/C outside BASSENEVILLE 1870 in a farm at 194708. C.O. decided to bring them in that night. Strong patrol to bring back wounded from farm at BASSENEVILLE. Strength - C.O. 3 Offrs. 1 Pl "A" coy, Mortar pl, M.G. pl. Total - 4 Offrs 60 O.R.s. and two Jeeps. Reason for the strength of the patrol was that the Jeeps could not go any further than BURES since bridges were blown and it would be necessary to carry the wounded some 3 miles. 5 stretcher cases, 1 walking wounded and 2 unwounded O.R.s were brought back. No incidents to report." The aerial photographs shows the invasion stripes of the aircraft taken on 12th June 1944 by Lt. J.T. Cameron, 27th (Photographic Reconnaissance) Squadron USAAF.
Brithm, That is excellent material on the death F/O. H.E. Jones and good to have all together in one post. I think we may have discussed this crash in another thread or two in passing but not to the depth that you have done here. Well done! Regards ...
There are some inaccuracies here that need clearing up.I would be very happy to share all the data I have on Harvey Edgar Jones and that crash in Basseneville on D-day.My father was the wag on board.I have many details of what actually happened after the crash.(even actual letters from the DuHamel family that saved him and many others.) I will be visiting that site April 2,2022. My father was Cobby Engelberg. He named me after Harvey Edgar Jones who sacrificed his life so my dad and others could survive.
Harvey welcome to the forum if you could place any info you have (if you dont mind sharing) on this thread forum members would be grateful thank you regards Clive
ok, I will post a bit, but after my trip to Basseneville (with my host's permission) I can post more. I am meeting the family that has been living on the land where the crash occurred. They actually found a piece of that aircraft and that prompted them to research the crash. After many years they found me and asked if I knew of a Cobby Engelberg involved in that crash.More to follow....
Thank you all for posting these details. I have been researching this particular aircraft, as I plan to build a 1/48th scale model of it and very much appreciate the additional information. Does anyone have a best guess as to the markings on the aircraft the day of this mission? My best guess at this point is basic RAF roundels and tail flash with full (over and under) D-Day stripes. Serial number on rear of aircraft not covered by stripes. What I have not been able to determine is whether this aircraft (KG356) carried any visible letter codes or aircraft name (similar to Dakota III FZ692 5T-UK "Kwicherbichen" of 233 Squadron) - Best regards, David
Hi BDM, There's artwork shown here of Kwicherbichen, but not sure if that helps much. Airborne Art Later - I should add that I am not convinced the fuselage underbellies were painted white as Tooby portrays them. Regards ...
Thanks Cee, Yes I has seen photos of Kwicherbichen before and am using this as the basis as it was also a RAF 233 Sqn. C-47 at the time. I would guess that the undersides would be in the standard gray although it is difficult to make out in the photo here. Restored aircraft (E.g. Battle of Britain Memorial Flight or CWHM) have depicted the gray undersides.
Hi David, Whatever you decide on I (and I'm sure others) look forward to seeing your finished KG356 kit. Good luck with the build. Regards ...
