22 febbraio 1945 - Boston IV nr. BZ606 - Mare Adriatico

Operation Records Book (RAF Form 541): Falconara Night 21/22 Feb. Boston V BZ606 - F/S R. Lane - F/S P. Cooper - F/S W. Irvin - F/S R. Patterson - TO BOMB S. GIOVANNI M/YARDS AND RECCE MESTRE-LIVENZA. This a/c did not return from operation.

Operation Records Book (RAF Form 540): Falconara 21.2.45 - Nine aircraft operated, attacking SAN GIOVANNI and BUTTRIO Marshalling Yards. Two aircraft, piloted by W/O Graham and F/S Lane, did not return. A third, piloted by F/L Finney, caught fire in San Donna di Piave area (cause unknown but not enemy action). Communication was broken off in the a/c, and it is believed that F/O Goldsmith and P/O Graham, WOp/Air and Nav/B respectively, parachuted safely in this area. F/L Finney brought the burning a/c to CESINATICO LG, where the body of Sgt. Walklate, the A/G, was discovered, burnt and death, under the ruins of the turret.

http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/usafserials.html: Douglas A-20J-20-DO Havoc 43-22111 to RAF as Boston IV BZ606. Missing on mission to San Giovanni, Italy Feb 22, 1945.

L'unica fonte disponibile è del CWGC e permette di asserire che l'aereo cadde molto probabilmente in mare, davanti alla costa friulana. Il corpo senza vita del mitragliere F/S Patterson fu rinvenuto presso Caorle, mentre dei restanti aviatori non si ebbero più notizie. Il pilota F/S Lane è ricordato all'Alamein Memorial, i F/S Cooper e Irvin al Malta Memorial.

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