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Crash-400328-01

March 28th 1940

Whitley V N1357 KN-H of 77 Sq.

Crashed: On return the bomber strayed into Dutch air space and was shot down, 05.30 hrs (GMT), by a Dutch Air Force Fokker G1A of the 3rd Ja Va (Lt Noomen). The Whitley crashed, on fire, in the Vondelingenweg, Pernis (the dock area) South West of Rotterdam. Sgt Miller is believed to have fallen from the bomber just seconds before the crash. The rest of the crew were interned by the Dutch authorities, but were soon released and returned to Driffield.

Crew:
- F/O Trevor James GEACH (Pilot RAF) age 22 interned and returned May 10th. On May 28th 1940 F/O T J Geach died in France, he is buried in Campigneulles-les-Grandes in France. He is the Son of Reginald Douglas and Caroline Florence Maud Geach, of Wadebridge, Cornwall.
- F/O Walter Pat COPINGER (RAF) interned and returned May 10th.
- Sgt James Emerson MILLER (Obs. RAF) age 26. KIA
Son of Robert Emerson Miller and Catherine Miller, of Jarvis, Ontario, Canada. Buried Rotterdam Crooswijk General Cemetery
- LAC Stanley H E CAPLIN (RAF) interned and returned May 10th.
- AC2 Robert B BARRIE (RAF) interned and returned May 10th.

Target: Reconnaissance
Homebase: Driffield
Taken off: 23.05 hrs (GMT)


Details supplied by Jan Weda