James Lewis "Secret Mission"

James Lewis

Leading Aircraftsman RAF 24 Sqdn

Service number 976547

Died  30 April 1942, Age 25 years.

Sec. A. Grave 1474. at New Southgate Cemetery,

Son of James And Ellen Crichton Lewis, 9 Longland Drive Totteridge.

The crash of De Havilland DH95 Flamingo R2764 on April 30, 1942, represents one of the most significant aviation disasters in wartime Yorkshire, claiming the lives of ten individuals, including Leading Aircraftsman James Lewis. This tragic incident, shrouded in secrecy for decades, had international implications that reached the highest levels of Allied command during a critical period of World War II. The flight, carrying four high-ranking Soviet military officials ahead of a planned diplomatic mission, ended catastrophically when the aircraft suffered an engine failure near the village of Great Ouseburn, scattering wreckage across miles of countryside.

James Lewis served as a fitter with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve assigned to 24 (Communication) Squadron. His role as an aircraft fitter meant he was responsible for the mechanical maintenance of aircraft, making his presence on this particular flight likely related to providing technical support during the journey.

Flamingo R2764 was tasked with a highly sensitive mission, carrying four Russian Military Officers who had been in Britain before the secretly planned visit of Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov.  This delegation was assessing Britain in preparation for potential diplomatic negotiations that would significantly impact Allied relations with the Soviet Union.  The loss of Major Sergey Aleksandrovich Asyamov was particularly significant, as he was considered one of the Soviet Union's finest pilots

The aircraft departed from East Fortune airfield at 16:25 hours, heading south toward Hendon in good weather conditions with minimal cloud cover. 

While flying at approximately 2,000 feet over North Yorkshire, the starboard engine of Flamingo R2764 suddenly failed and caught fire at around 17:15 hours. The ensuing disaster unfolded rapidly as the fire burned through the starboard wing, causing both the engine and wing to break away completely. Critically, the detached engine struck the tail of the aircraft during separation, further compromising the already crippled plane.

With catastrophic structural damage, the aircraft plummeted to the ground near Great Ouseburn village, close to Boroughbridge. Eyewitness accounts describe seeing the plane falling from the sky while fabric components continued to descend even after the main wreckage had impacted the ground. The crash scattered debris over an area spanning approximately three miles, with significant elements including engine cylinders, undercarriage units, tail surfaces, and the starboard mainplane being found at various distances and directions from the leading impact site.

Due to the international significance of the Russian passengers, a comprehensive examination of the wreckage was conducted with members of the Russian military present throughout the process. This detailed investigation, documented in Service Accident Report No. W-1226, focused primarily on the catastrophic failure of the starboard engine.

The crash of Flamingo R2764 carried substantial diplomatic weight during a pivotal moment in World War II. The Russian officers aboard were advance representatives preparing for the visit of Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov, who would ultimately fly from Moscow to London in May 1942 for negotiations with the Allies.

The incident initially aroused suspicions at the highest levels, with British and Soviet military chiefs concerned that the engine fire might have resulted from Nazi sabotage. Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who had previously travelled on the same aircraft type with Charles de Gaulle in 1940, personally wrote to the RAF demanding to know if the Flamingo aircraft were fit for purpose.

Due to the sensitive diplomatic nature of the flight, the crash was kept secret, with details only emerging decades later. The incident occurred against the backdrop of delicate Allied-Soviet relations, when securing Soviet cooperation was crucial to the overall war effort.

Sources:

CWGC

Richard E Flagg