EH984
Crashes > of the R.A.F.
The Stirling III, EH984, was on its way home from the attack on Kassel. The aircraft was hit by flak, several pieces of flak damaged the rudder of the aircraft. Shortly afterwards, an anti-aircraft shell tore a large hole in the side wall and an engine burst into flames. The crew then parachuted out of the bomber and all landed in the south of Cologne (Hermülheim) and became German prisoners of war.
Pilot Flight Sergeant Riley suffered severe injuries to his legs and a fractured pelvis during the landing. Due to his serious injuries, he was released early from German captivity and returned to England in 1944.
The pilotless aircraft crashed into a residential building at Bleichgeroder Weg 6 in Cologne-Höhenhaus, killing a family with three children and one other person.
Source: amongst others ...Von St.Vith to Victory/Geschichte der 218th Sqdn.
left:
The destroyed house in which
the family of 5 and one other
person were killed.
below:
Sketch of the crash site
Bleichgeroder Weg 6