Date: 1st May 1943.
Unit: No. 143 Squadron (Coastal Command)
Type: Beaufighter XI.
Serial: JL943.
Code: HO-Q
Base: North Coates, Grimsby
Location: In the sea of Norway.
Pilot: W/O Victor Albert Bain. 196750. R.A.F.V.R.
Obs/W/Op: Sgt. C. A. Room
REASON FOR LOSS:
This aircraft took-off from North Coates at 19.00 hrs, one of eight aircraft led by Squadron Leader P J E Ritchie, to attack a German Naval Unit for a target called "Nuremburg" a code word used to describe a target off the South West coast of Norway. The flight was attacked by a force of FW190s, and W/O Bains aircraft was reported as Shot down at 23.15 hrs. in a blaze by FW190, W/O Bain was later rescued from the sea by the Germans and became a P.O.W., the fate of his Navigator and Wop/AG is at present unknown. A second Beaufighter was also lost in this action, aircraft JM108 HO-U, flown by F/Sgt. J. Foster who was killed as was his observer Sgt Brinley Ivor Curnock. F/Sgt. Joseph George William Foster, M.I.D. 1380014. R.A.F.V.R., was aged 21. Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Foster, of Berrow, Burnham-on-sea, Somerset; husband of Margaret Foster. He is buried at Sola Churchyard, Norway. British Plot. B. 8. A third Beaufighter JL945 HO-W flown by F/Sgt. Ceybird, was also badly shot up by the FW190s and forced to land at Tealing near Dundee. Sadly his Navigator F/Sgt. Baker was killed. F/Sgt. Jack Baker 1354329. R.A.F.V.R. was aged 25. Son of Joseph and Ellen Baker, of Blackburn; husband of Ruby Baker, of Blackburn. Jack is buried at Blackburn Cemetery, Sec. M. C of E. Grave 7200.
Beaufighter Shipping Strike photos.
Beaufighter Cockpit.
Cockpit Key.
Above left: Victor (back row 1st on the left) in Stalagluft 3, 1943. Right: W/O Bain.
We appreciate the great assistance of Colin Bain, son of Victor Bain, for supplying us with a great deal of information and photographs. If any other relative of the crew members would like to contact us and supply information to this loss we would greatly appreciate it.
W/O. Bains Goldfish Club card
With thanks to the following: Bill Chorley - "Bomber Command Losses Vol 3", Martin Middlebrook "Bomber Command War Diaries". The C.W.G.C.
