Stirling IV LJ950 ”landed” on Tipperne on 27/4 1945
The aircraft belonged to RAF 295 Sqn 38 Group Fighter Command and was coded 8Z-U
T/o 21:18 Rivenhall OP : SOE to Tablejam 258
southeast of Odense
Stirling LJ950 returned towards west after having dropped 24
containers and two packages on TJ 258, and came under fire from flak based
at Stauning.
While trying to avoid the flak, the
Stirling touched the water at 00:15 hours and came
down in Ringkobing Fjord just to the west of Tipperne.
As a result Air Bomber F/O Charles G. Smale suffered from internal injuries.
The whole crew were taken prisoners by the Hungarian troops based at Nymindegab
and Smale was taken to the German lazarett at Horne where he died on 8/5 1945,
apparently due to carelessness by the German doctors. On 10/5 1945 he was laid
to rest in Horne cemetery.

(V. Andersen)
Air Bomber F/O Charles G. Smale´s funeral at Horne Cemetery

(V. Andersen)
The rest of the crew which consisted of Pilot F/O Thomas H. Griffiths, Navigator
F/S Eric R. Goodare, W/Op Sgt. William H. Oates, Air Gnr. Sgt. Denis O`Connor
and Flt. Engr. Sgt James Rafferty spent the next couple of days in the army camp
at Nymindegab.
On 30/4 they were sent to Pinneberg just northwest of Hamburg where they stayed
until liberated by English troops on 5/5 1945.

(Jon Goodare)
Goodare call up letter

(Jon Goodare)
Believed to be the surviving crew
Goodare front right.

Same picture, but a little clearer, from Anthony Oates.
William Henry Oates is top left.

(Jon Goodare)
The crew at Wunsdorf Airfield near Hanover on 24/3-1945 during Operation
Varsity. Flying former prisoners of war back home to England.

(Jon Goodare)
The crew at Wunsdorf Airfield near Hanover on 24/3-1945 during Operation
Varsity. Flying former prisoners of war back home to England.

(Jon Goodare)
Goodare reported missing

(Jon Goodare)
Goodare ID card


Sources: AIR 27/1644, LBUK, CWGC, SF, Pow de briefings.
Back to 1945

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