F/O Dave Stubbs RCAF POW, Bomb aimer from the Kirk crew of 425 Squadron
standing in front of Halifax III "Sweet Sue" from 420 Squadron.


On June 15/16, 1944, the E. Kirk crew, flying Halifax III LW-715 coded KW-Q, was sent on operations to Boulogne to attack shipping
 in the harbour. About 10 miles short of target over sea, there was a burst of flak presumably from a ship, and sustained a hit in the starboard
inner engine. The engine caught fire immediately and the cowlings were burnt off very rapidly. The pilot feathered and used graviner with no
effect at all.  The crew managed to get close to Boulogne when fire spread back to wing and across it and wing began to bend back,
eventually burning off. The Halifax crashed at Desvres, 20 km SE of Boulogne.


The crew consisted of:
F/O E. Kirk RCAF (evaded capture) Pilot;
Sgt C. Adams RAF F/Eng;
F/L H. Facey RCAF POW, Navigator;
F/O D. Stubbs, RCAF Bomb aimer;
F/O F. Hagen RCAF (evaded capture) Wireless Op,
P/O D. McEvoy DFM RCAF, Mid under gunner
F/Sgt J. Furneaux RCAF (evaded capture) Mid upper gunner;
P/O O. Collins RCAF (evaded capture) Rear gunner.


Photo graciously supplied by Joe Lafranier.