Full-out operations as anticipated did not materialise and we did only one show which was led by the Commanding Officer. The formation of 18 Baltimores took off at 1355 hours to bomb enemy positions in St. CYPRIEN Area. Direct hits were scored on the main road and buildings. Intense and accurate A.A. was encountered. One aircraft was missing from the formation. The crew was Capt. A.G. BUDD, (Pilot) Lt. J. SADLER (Observer), F/O W.W.H. CORNELIUS (WirelessOperator), F/Sgt. C.R.WOODS (Air Gunner) and Major A.T.A. WALLACE (Special Army Observer- Bedfordshire – Hertfordshire Regiment). The aircraft was hit by heavy A. A. near the port engine and was seen to go down in a steep dive and explode on the ground, none of the crew was seen to bale out.
"Oprep” No. 287, SortieReport and Crew List.
It was confirmed today that Lt. ASHTON, who was a member of a crew reported missing on the 26th March, 1943, is now a prisoner of war. Nothing has been heard of the three other members.