Lancaster III JA967 crashed near Broballe 29/1-1944.
The aircraft belonged to RAF 83 Sqn Bomber Command and was coded OL-S.
T/o 00:09 Wyton. OP: Berlin.
On its way towards Berlin the pathfinder aircraft JA967 collided with Lancaster
I HK537 of 463 RAAF (RAF) squadron over Augustenborg Fjord at approx. 02:30.
Both aircrafts fell to the ground on the northern part of the island of Als
killing all onboard.
Two dinghies and a parachute were later found near Ny Stavenbøl while one of the
wings and part of the fuselage was found in the fjord.
JA967 crashed near Broballe in a field to the north of the dairy. Strangely the
outer part of both wings was found 500-600 metres south of the crash site.

(Hounsgård)

(Hounsgård)
HK637 crashed in the fields of Pommersgaard farm near Mjels. All onboard the two
aircrafts died and were by the Wehrmacht brought to the fire station in Broballe.
A total of 8 bodies among them F/O Davies who had been found dead in the rear
turret, and a number of body parts were brought here. They were all laid to rest
in Aabenraa cemetery on 2/2 1944. A German army chaplain officiated at the
graveside ceremony

(Hounsgård)
The crew of JA967 were Pilot F/Lt Horace R, Hyde, Flt. Engr. Sgt Robert McKerlay,
Navigator F/Lt Clement C. Lockyer, Air bomber F/O Brian A. James, W/Op F/O
William B. Robson, Air GNr. F/Sgt Arthur Waite and Air Gnr. F/O Peter G. Davies.

Memorials for the two crews were erected on 29/1 1994.

(Preben Clausen)

(Preben Clausen)

(Mich and Karen Austin)
Pilot F/Lt Horace R. Hyde

(Mich and Karen Austin)
Air bomber F/O Brian A. James

(Mich and Karen Austin)
Flt. Engr. Sgt Robert McKerlay

(Mich and Karen Austin)
Air GNr. F/Sgt Arthur Waite

(Mich and Karen Austin)
The Saint





Sources: BCL, CWGC, AS 69/178, LBUK, BA, Report Sønderborg police, Gunner
Hounsgård, Sønderborg.
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