Crash Site Handley Page Halifax Mk II HR853

**Handley Page Halifax Mk II HR853**
The Halifax HR853 was a four-engined British Handley Page Halifax Mk II bomber used by the Royal Air Force during World War II. On the night of 25–26 May 1943, the aircraft departed from RAF Snaith in England at 22:55 for a bombing mission over Düsseldorf, Germany. During the return flight, the aircraft was hit by German anti-aircraft fire (Flak) and crashed at around 01:52 near Malden, in the province of Gelderland in the Netherlands.

**Crash location**
The crash occurred in a field near Malden, on the land of the widow Haerkens. Damage was caused to the field and to a piece of barbed wire, but no buildings were hit. The debris was scattered over approximately 200 metres. All crew members were killed and later recovered by German authorities.

**Crew**
The entire crew consisted of seven, one of whom was Canadian. All died in the crash.

• Sergeant William Price Davies (pilot) – Led the flight.
• Sergeant William John Chambers (flight engineer) – Responsible for the technical condition of the aircraft.
• Sergeant Christopher Arthur Richardson (navigator) – Provided navigation during the mission.
• Flight Sergeant James Cumming MacPhedran (bomb aimer) – Target and firing mechanism of the bombs.
• Sergeant Stanley Busby (wireless operator) – Responsible for radio communication.
• Sergeant Alfred Brown (air gunner) – Defended the aircraft from attack from the front.
• Flight Sergeant Arthur Cephas Worden (air gunner, RCAF) – Responsible for defending the aircraft from attack from the rear. Their names and ranks are recorded on the Uden War Cemetery Memorial, where they are commemorated together.

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Source

• Text: Aviation Safety Network & TracesOfWar
• Photos: RJ Army.nl