Lancaster III JB600 crashed near Torrild 10/4 1944

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Lancaster III JB600 crashed near Torrild 10/4 1944.

The aircraft belonged to RAAF(RAF) 460 Sqn Bomber Command and was coded AR-O.
T/o 21:26 Binbrook. OP: Gardening the Baltic Sea.

On the return flight JB600 was flying at 3500 metres altitude when it was attacked by a German night fighter believed piloted by Feldwebel Hans Meissner of 2./NJG 3. The Lancaster crashed at o3:34 hours in a field belonging to Vandstedbæk farm near Torrild 6 kilometres west of Odder.

(Via Ole Kraul)

(Henrik Knudsen)

Only Mid Upper Gunner F/Sgt Sydney W. Cooper RAAF managed to get out of the Lancaster and landed safely in his parachute.

(Torrild Church)

Standing: Henry, Hosier, groundcrew, Burke, groundcrew, Stedman, Cooper
Front: Fleming and Boooks

The rest of the crew fell to their death with the aircraft. They were Pilot P/O Robert W. Burke DFC RAAF, Flt. Engr. Sgt Eddie H. Steedman, Navigator P/O Andrew Henry RAAF, Bombardier F/Sgt James L, Brooks RAAF, W/op F/Sgt Paul S. Fleming RAAF and Rear gunner F/Sgt John S. Hosier DFM RAAF. They were all laid to rest in Fourfelt cemetery in Esbjerg on 15/4 1944.

Cooper was made prisoner of war and sent to Stalag Luft in Oberursel for interrogation. After a few days he was sent to Stalag Luft VI Heydekrug and later to Stalag 357 Thorn/Fallingbostel.

(Via Ole Kraul)