The crash landing of the HORSA GLIDER CN35
This
is a major event at Saint Vaast En Auge. The glider should have landed at
RANVILLE (12 miles S/E), but the tow rope when the plane reached the French
coast, probably due to the Flak.
The
glider crashed into trees, killing the two pilots, S/Sgt
Colin HOPGOOD and Sgt Daniel PHILLIPS.
Three
passengers probably died in that crash: Captain
Spencer DAISLEY (Q.M.), Private John ALDRED,
his batman, and Signalman Douglas DAVIS, a
despatch rider, unfit for ‘the big drop’.
The
three Canadians, Sgt Major HALL, Sgt LA CROIX, and Sgt
BROWN, probably saw the glider after the crash.
Information
about the tug plane+ Horsa CN35
Load: a jeep and a
trailer for 13th Para Bat re supply (Captain S. DAISLEY + Pvte J.
ALDRED)
A motorcycle for Signalman D.DAVIS
Other
information:
2 Paras were found sheltered in a
wash house near the crash site. They were fed by a villager for two days, and
were captured trying to escape.
Their names, ranks are not known.