Part 2.
Littlewood, Leonard J. R.A.F. 43 Rothschild St., West Norwood, London. SE 27 Sgt. 487 Squadron Ventura AE731 EG-O shot down by Hauptman Wickop and crashed near Haarlem when participating in “Ramrod 16” attacking a power station near Amsterdam 3 May 1943. This was a disastrous raid, of the 12 aircraft dispatched all were lost with the exception of one aircraft that returned soon after take off due to mechanical difficulties.
As I first saw that paragraph & 'Venturas', I wondered, "is that the famous Phillips/Eindhoven raid ?"
I already knew about Trent since I wuz a kid (1970's), as I'd had a fascination with Hudsons & Venturas.
In fact, whilst in Hospital (2017), I'd ordered x 4 of the fab' Revell 1/48th
RAF Ventura, as they were on offer.
(about £18.95 each)
Reading your excellent article prompted me to quickly go look again (my Beer addled memory).
Was VERY surprised to learn that Trent was involved in "The Great Escape" (as it's known by Joe Public)
..."The last man out of the tunnel, Trent had crossed the clearing and just reached the edge of the woods when he was caught in the camp searchlights. He stood up rather than be shot and was immediately taken back into custody"
After buying those 1/48th Ventura kits, someone steered me into this brilliant link.
https://youtu.be/SD4Yxbw79wM Whilst you David, probably know this stuff backwards, figured I'd post the link, for those who don't.
Back around 2014, I attended a Civic Society slide-show at Hunstanton, Norfolk.
It was essentially all RAF orientated & Norfolk themed.
About 3/5th's thru, the crowd gasped, as one slide showed a Ventura gradually going-down in flames....
(Port-wing, IIRC, so the flak-damage was too great for it's self-sealing tanks)
From memory, he said there were no survivors, having answered a question from the crowd.
David, Do you know of the photo' in question & whether it was 21Sqdn, 464, or 487 ?
(Plenty of 'official' press shots at Methwold, but this was on a daylight-raid over Europe)
Lastly, thanks to having read your (brilliant) post, I'd also stumbled across this, which made me laugh...
It was regarding the quite natural & obvious conversion from "the Pig" (Ventura), to the Mosquito...
"Pilot Officer Maxwell Sparks offered: "The difference was the difference between Delboy's Three-wheeler and a F-1 Grand Prix racecar." (Hahahahahaaa)
Still doesn't detract from MY 21st-century interest in the Ventura & RAF Methwold though.
(I've always loved the under-dogs, like the Defiant, Whitley, Hampden, Stranraer, Harrow, Bombay, etc)
