Brettenham N.3756 Memorial

On the night of 12 August 1942, Stirling N3756 of 15 Squadron took part in a bombing raid on Mainz in western Germany. The large four-engine Stirling, coded LS-C, sustained serious damage from anti-aircraft fire (flak) and enemy fighter attacks during the mission. With engines failing and crew members injured, the pilot, Flight Sergeant McCausland of the Royal Canadian Air Force, turned for home. Crossing the English coast, McCausland made for RAF Wattisham in Suffolk, the nearest suitable airfield. Despite his best efforts, the damaged Stirling could not hold a stable approach. The crew made two aborted attempts to land at Wattisham before the aircraft's remaining engines gave out. On the third and final approach, the Stirling crashed into a pond near Potash Farm at Brettenham. Six of the crew, including McCausland, were killed. The sole survivor was Flight Sergeant William Ernest Egri, who had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for his bravery during previous operations. The memorial at the crash site near Francis House, Brettenham, commemorates the crew of these "young airmen" who died after a successful mission but could not make it home.