Rance Halifax Memorial

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The memorial at Rance, Hainaut, commemorates two 51 Squadron and 431 (RCAF) Squadron Halifax losses as well as a third (non-Bomber Command) crash.

Halifax JD262 of 51 Squadron, coded MH-E, departed Snaith at 2327 on 3 July 1943 for Cologne. It was shot down at 0240 by Oberleutnant Ludwig Meister of Stab I/NJG4, his 11th claim. Five crew were killed; one became a prisoner of war; one evaded.

Halifax LK884 of 431 (RCAF) Squadron, coded SE-X, departed Croft at 0107 on 9 May 1944 for Haine-Saint-Pierre. It was intercepted at 3000m in the Charleroi–Nivelles area by Unteroffizier Konrad Beyer of 1/NJG1 and shot down at 0331, his fourth claim. All seven crew were killed.

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We don't yet have crew details for this memorial. Do you know who served aboard this aircraft?

Family connections, service records, or details from the memorial inscription would help us honour these crew members by name.