Halifax LW334
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Halifax LW334
18th January 1944. On a cross country navigation exercise from base at RAF Topcliffe (just 15 miles away) and in poor visibility, Halifax LW334 of 1659 HCU crashed into the eastern slopes of Hambleton End near the village of Osmotherley in North Yorkshire. All of the Canadian crew on board were killed in the crash.
It is not known why the pilot was not flying at a height sufficient to clear the high ground of the North York Moors.
CREW
F/O Joseph Pierre Lavallee (Pilot)
Sgt. Richard George Kimball (Navigator)
F/O Wilfred Leger Boisvert (Flt. Engineer)
F/O Walter Phillips (Bomb Aimer)
W/O George Ernest Giff (Wireless Operator)
Sgt. Guy Henry Hivon (Air Gunner)
Photos of interior of a Halifax bomber at the Yorkshire Air Museum
Below; Fragment of an instrument panel found and left at the crash site.
hi i wonder if you could help me by any chance.i have got coordinates for the Halifax on black hambleton as 484 948 are these correct as I looked for the memorial but couldn’t find it there
Hi David, yes that grid ref is right I think, but it’s not very accurate. Sadly I didn’t take note of the 10 figure grid ref when I visited 5 years ago, have checked my books and maps, there is nothing on there.
You might try the authors of other sites detailing this crash, they may have a record of it and hopefully willing to share it?
Sorry I can’t help.
Ian
well thanks Ian anyway and happy wreck hunting 👍