17th June, 1944 wellington crash in Manipur, India

Discussion in 'WW2 Battlefields Today' started by imphalcampaign, Oct 8, 2014.

  1. imphalcampaign

    imphalcampaign Active Member

    hello everyone,
    Can anyone throw some light on the willington that crash on 17th June 1944 in Manipur. India.

    Ennis Anthony Steward DSO, DFC of 99 sqd RAF was on that flight.
    I am researching on the crash site which in my view happen at Loktak Lake, Manipur.
    I want to confirm the location of the crash.
    All the 6 persons who died on that crash are commemorated in Imphal war cemetery.

    any information will be very helpful.

    Thanks in advance.

    Raj.
     
  2. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    Hi Raj.

    Not a lot to offer apart from the following 99 Squadron loss on 17 June 1944 taken from - Air War For Burma - C. Shores........

    Wellington's of 99 Squadron were still being employed to ferry loads of bombs into Imphal and surounding airfields. On this date (17 June 1944) Wellington HZ719 took off at 0710 hours in the hands of S/L. A S R E. Ennis DSO. DSC The aircraft headed for Kangla but was diverted to Palel where it unloaded 16 250lb bombs by the simple method of opening the bomb bay doors and allowing the unfused bombs to tumble ot onto the ground. Ennis was to make two more such deliveries and was back at Palel on conclusion of the second of these around mid-day.

    Shortly after an alert had sounded, the 99 Squadron Wellington at Palel had taken off and it appears that Ennis decided to cut the corner rather than head for the safety of the air corridor and in so doing the aircraft flew right into the path of some Ki43s and was at once shot down. It was seen by observers on the ground as it fell in flames at 1215 hours and crashed into enemy held territory, but close to the British lines, the crew of five all being killed.

    ......................

    Possible crew list....

    S/L. A S R E. Ennis DSO DFC
    F/S. A S. Davison
    F/S. W D G. Griffin
    F/S. D R. Rees
    F/S. A. Atkin
     
  3. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    Hi Raj

    There is an account in the Air battle of Imphal by Norman Franks as well. It says pretty much the same thing but also lists another crew member killed as W/O DM Lindsay.

    Are you sure it is this Wellington in the Lake?

    Best wishes!!
     
  4. imphalcampaign

    imphalcampaign Active Member

    The local eye witness told me that he saw a plane with two engine crash in the lake and after some time a smaller plane also crash few km away. the only incident where two plane crash in a single day is the incident of 17th July 1944. So I am pointing my finger on that.
    Anyway I will be exploring the lake bottom very soon. Thanks everyone.

    regards,
    Raj.
     
  5. Fred Wilson

    Fred Wilson Member

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