On July 18, 1944, 158 Squadron was tasked with attacking the high ground near Caen in support of the Allied forces that had landed in France on D-Day. The Squadron detailed 28 bombers to provide this concentrated bombardment. F/Lt H.C. Monnier, RCAF, and his crew were selected for this operation and assigned Halifax MZ286, “NP-X”, which they had flown on 13 of their 17 previous operations. The aircraft took-off from Lissett at 03:39 AM and flew over the small village of Barmston climbing in an easterly direction. Suddenly and unexpectedly the aircraft dipped violently and crashed into the waters of Bridlington Bay. There were no survivors.
Back L-R: F/Sgt J. Fee (B/A), Sgt K. H. Johnston (MUG), Sgt R. F. Burgess (F/Eng), Sgt. G. F. Emery (WOP)
Front L-R: F/Sgt G.T. Bishop (Nav), F/Lt H.C. Monnier - RCAF (Pilot), Sgt W. C. Montgomery (R/G)
1. Pilot:F/Lt. Henry Charles Monnier, RCAF (J/17208), from St. Boniface, MB. His parents had emigrated to Canada from Switzerland. He was trained initially in Canada and posted overseas on January 7, 1942. He was posted to No. 28 OTU at Wymeswold and 1652 HCU at Marston Moor. He was then posted to 158 Squadron at Lissett on April 29, 1944. He was killed on his 18th operation. He was 25 years old and is buried at Stonefall Cemetery, Harrogate.
2. Navigator: F/Sgt. George Thomas Bishop, RAFVR (1394165), from Downham, Bromley, Kent. He enlisted at Euston and crewed up with F/Lt Monnier and crew at No. 28 OTU. He flew all 18 operations with F/Lt Monnier. He was 22 years old and is buried at Lewisham (Hither Green) Cemetery, London.
3. Bomb Aimer: F/Sgt Joseph Edward David Fee, RAFVR (951326), enlisted at Cardington and crewed up with F/Lt Monnier and crew at No. 28 OTU. He was posted to No. 1652 HCU at Marston Moor and was then posted to 158 Squadron at Lissett on April 29, 1944. He flew all 18 operations with F/Lt Monnier. He is buried at Debington Cemetery, Cheshire.
4. Wireless Operator: F/Sgt. Gordon Frederick Emery, RAFVR (1393444), from Faversham, Kent. He enlisted at Euston and crewed up with F/Lt Monnier and crew at No. 28 OTU. He was posted to No. 1652 HCU at Marston Moor and was then posted to 158 Squadron at Lissett on April 29, 1944. He flew 16 of the 18 operations flown by F/Lt Monnier. He was the only married member of the crew and was 22 years old. He is buried at Faversham Borough Cemetery, Faversham.
5. Mid Upper Gunner: Sgt. Kenneth Harold Johnston, RAFVR (1807870), from Liverpool. He enlisted at Euston and crewed up with F/Lt Monnier and crew at No. 28 OTU. He was posted to No. 1652 HCU at Marston Moor and was then posted to 158 Squadron at Lissett on April 29, 1944. He flew all 18 operations with F/Lt Monnier. He was 20 years old and is buried at Anfield Cemetery, Liverpool.
6. Rear Gunner: Sgt. Campbell McKay William Montgomery, RAFVR (1820975), from Falkirk, Stirlingshire. He enlisted at Edinburgh and crewed up with F/Lt Monnier and crew at No. 28 OTU. He was posted to No. 1652 HCU at Marston Moor and was then posted to 158 Squadron at Lissett on April 29, 1944. He flew all 18 operations with F/Lt Monnier. He was 20 years old and is buried at Grangemouth (Gransable) Cemetery. Stirlingshire.
7. Flight Engineer: Sgt. Harold Frank Burgess, RAF (649037), from Alton, Hampshire. Originally enlisted in ground crew and remustered to aircrew. He crewed up with F/Lt Monnier at No. 1652 HCU and was posted to 158 Squadron at Lissett on April 29, 1944. He flew all 18 operations with F/Lt Monnier. He was 22 years old and is buried at Alton Cemetery, Hampshire.
MZ286 was the 21st aircraft to take off on the July 18th operation to Caen. As the aircraft slowly climbed out following take-off, it suddenly dipped as it crossed the shoreline of Bridlington Bay and plunged into the sea just east of the village of Barmston. Another aircraft following MX286 witnessed the crash and a crewmember gave this account:
“…the aircraft only went about 100 yards offshore, and then straight in. No bombs blew up or anything, but no one could have got out through the circle of flames.”
All of the seven members of the crew were killed in the crash and the bodies were recovered later in the day. The initial investigation report suggested that the turbulence created by the slipstream of the preceding 20 aircraft might have been a contributing factor that led the pilot to lose control of the aircraft. However, a more plausible explanation based on eyewitness accounts may be that the pilot may have inadvertently lowered the bomb doors when he thought he was attempting to raise the flaps. There were other instances where this had happened on aircraft of this type, due to the confusing nature of the Halifax control layout.
On Saturday, August 12, 2005, people from Barmston and area gathered at the Park Resorts Caravan Park for the unveiling of a memorial bench commemorating the loss of F/Lt Monnier and his crew. Paul Burton, who lived in York and had purchased the resort a few years earlier, had been researching the history of Barmston and was struck by the fact that there was so little information and nothing to mark the site of the bomber that had crashed near the community. Villagers, caravan owners and regulars at the nearby Black Bull pub held a raffle to raise the £550 needed to pay for the bench and plaque. The Bridlington Free Press reported that
“….Seven children laid seven white roses, a symbol of the Yorkshire RAF forces, on the bench in the ceremony as the names of the airmen were read out while an RAF helicopter dropped a wreath at sea over the crash site watched from the cliff by members of the old squadron and airfield staff and the local RAF Cadet force.”
The Caravan Park is located approximately one-half mile east of the village of Barmston overlooking Bridlington Bay where Halifax MZ286 crashed into the sea. The bench is now located near the entrance to the Park office.
