All our aircraft returned safely last night: Oprep No. 170, Sortie Reports and Crew List
Information received from Wing that three Bostons collided on their way from L.G. 98 to SOLUCH on the 12th. Jan. 43 and it is probable that some of our Squadron personnel were involved. There is very little information available, except that it is unlikely that there were any survivors.
Captain A.G.M.BUDD and F/Sgt. C.F. HODGKINSON who went missing on the 14th. Jan. 43, returned to camp after a harrowing experience. Of the rest of the crew, No. 206828 A/F/Sgt. J.R. GIBBONS was killed and the Observer, Lieut. J. SADLER was wounded.
—Circumstantial Report
20.10
Night flying was interrupted just after our first aircraft had taken off. A Boston taking off burst a main wheel tyre, swung off the flare-path and collided with another Boston which had gone u/s by the same cause earlier in the evening. The second aircraft burst into flames and, as it was bombed up, ground crews were given an uncomfortably close exhibition of our 250 pounders exploding. Unfortunately there were three casualties. The remaining nine of our aircraft were given a stand-down.