On December 31, 1943 Don Howell was the navigator of Lockheed Hudson FK761 on the way from England to Egypt.
Over the Bay of Biscay they were attacked by a Luftwaffe patrol. One of their engines was hit, but they were able to escape and reach Portugal, where they made a emergency landing.
In 2000 Don came to Portugal and we made a trip to the Grândola area in search for the place where 60 years earlier he and his friends ended their trip to Egypt.
We found witnesses of the event and also the exact place where the Lockheed crash-landed and burned.
I made a couple of images at the location and a friend of mine – Jorge Belo – helped me recording a interview with Don.
Don Howell at the left and the two witnesses of the crash-landing - José and Julio Pereira. The son of one the men is also in the picture.
The images I collected are not in the best shape, as I used a friend camera that I did not knew how to use. In 2007 from the one hour interview and the pictures I collected I made a 20 minute movie for a English class of the University of the Algarve, where I was studying.
My English is not always the best but I hope everybody understands it. The Portuguese witnesses are not translated, and I’m sorry for that…
Unfortunately Don was not more between us when the movie was finished.
This is also in his memory…
Best regards and a happy New year…
Carlos Guerreiro
Fantastic and great work Carlos
ReplyDeleteKelvin
aircrew remembrance society
what a great film, thankyou
ReplyDeletehow much of the aircraft was found?
RIP Don, your with so many other heroes now
did his crew all survive? are they still alive now?
Regards
Scott
Hy Kelvin,
ReplyDeletecompliment's to you and the members of your society..
Hello Scott,
Good you liked it...
About the aircraft. We just found litle burned pices. As far I was able to find out the bigest parts were collected by a scrapper some time after the landing.
It was normal. After the portguese authorities lost interest in the aircraft - and as this one burned out it would have happened fast - it would have been sold, because of the metal.
The portuguese military would have recovered the entire plane or at least weapons, instrument's and so if it where in order.
About the crew. I and also Don have no information about them. After leaving Portugal Don left the OADU and made the rest of the war in Bomber Command and lost track about the other's as far I remember... I can´t give any more details, but would be interested in them also.
Best regards and a great 2012
Carlos