Sgt Alexander K. Smith, from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, was trained as an observer. At the time of his death on 14 September, 1942 he was flying with 26 Operational Training Unit (O.T.U.), stationed at Little Horwood.

At 23.53 on the night of 13 September 1942, Sgt. Smith and his crew, P/O Robert Leo Hage (pilot), Sgt. Kenneth David Jones, Sgt. Donald Fisher and Sgt. J.A. Gartlan (RCAF) took of from Little Horwood in Wellington IC X9786. They were on a bombing mission to Bremen with eleven other Wellingtons of 26 O.T.U.

26 Operational Training Unit
 

It is not known if they reached their target. The Wellington was probably shot down by Htmp. Wilhelm Dormann over the Zuider Zee (now the IJsselmeer) around 05.48. Sgt. Gartlan survived to become a POW. The rest of the crew died and are buried in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Until The Day Break And The Shadows Flee Away

See also:
P/O Robert Hage

Sources:
Wings Over Wing, Michael Warth, The Book Castle: Dunstable, 2001

Directions to Amsterdam Nieuwe Oosterbegraafplaats

If you have any suggestions, comments or additional information, please contact me.

This website is dedicated to the men and women who died and/or are buried in The Netherlands during World War II.

 

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