Sgt Owen Joseph Trainer
Sgt Russell Benson Van Buren RCAF
F/S fry was an Canadian, Sgt van Buren an
American from New York who had enlisted in the
R.C.A.F. and the others were British.
They took off in Halifax BB282 MP-R from their
base Linton-on-Ouse.
Halifax BB282 crashed into the Waddenzee near
Harlingen in the northern part of Holland after
it had been shot down by a German night fighter,
piloted by Major Helmut Lent of NJG1.
The Air Warden, stationed on the roof of the
town hall in Harlingen, reported the following:
22.05 Engine noise E-W (East - West)
22.10 Same as before
22.13 Same as before
22.15 A flash of light
22.20 Engine noise E-W and flashes of light in
the direction of Vlieland
22.30 Engine noise in the North
None of the crew survived or their bodies
recovered. All are commemorated at the Runnymede
Memorial. F/S Milan was posthumously promoted to
the rank of Warrant officer.
W/O Milan is commemorated at the Runnymede
Memorial.
(picture
courtesy of Milan family)