大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War site by Jenny Christian of the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library on behalf of Leslie Pick and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

It was a dark night with all lights blacked out in the idyllic little market town of Bourne in South Lincolnshire. The sirens had warned us that enemy aircraft were in the vicinity. The peace of rural Lincolnshire was suddenly shattered by the sound of machine gun fire and it was soon evident that an aeroplane was circling around completely on fire. It eventually crashed on a public house, 'The Butchers Arms' in the old Eastgate area of the town, killing the landlord and his wife, Mr and Mrs Lappage.

One of the crew was found partially buried in an allotment having baled out at too low altitude. Another was found on the railway station platform and was chased and captured by the local platoon of the Home Guard. Some soldiers on guard opposite the Butchers Arms were also killed.

It was said that a pilot from nearby Wittering R.A.F. Station had shot the plane down and had returned by road after being told the tragic results of his action. He was apparently very upset and had attempted to drive the German aircraft out to sea.

This was a major wartime incident that occurred in this small market town. Bourne did however suffer an air raid later in the war when bombs fell on a Labour Instructional camp in the west of the town. Some damage was caused but no casualties as far as I can remember. Compared with the bombing of larger towns and cities this incident is, I suppose, quite insignificant. However I feel that it should be put on record.

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