LM435 VN-E

Thuré, Vienne Prefecture (86), France

In a rural location and next to a bus shelter, a memorial stone and info board remember all those killed following a mid-air collision above this area on 10/08/44
50 Sqn Lancaster LM435 VN-E had departed Skellingthorpe at 2049 for Ops Chatellerault.
619 Sqn Lancaster ME866 PG-W had departed Dunholme Lodge at 2052 – also for Ops Chatellerault.
It is believed the two aircraft tragically suffered a mid-air collision above the target. Both aircraft fell to earth close to the village of Thuré
All seven crew from LM435 VN-E were killed, along with six of the crew of ME866 PG-W. One crewman from the 619 Sqn aircraft survived the collision and subsequently successfully evaded
RAF loss info source: Chorley's BCL Vol 5
Images taken by and reproduced with the kind permission of Thierry Grier