Redford, Keith George
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | Keith George |
Surname | Redford |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 16-03-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Osbert Henry and Amelia Phyllis Redford, of Ewell. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | LW495 |
Markings | LK-C |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Epsom Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Sec. N. Grave 257. |
Epitaph | GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 230 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 656698 |
Service | Royal Air Force |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 578 |
Trade | Air Bomber |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Adjacent to A19, Burn, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Memorial Stone |
Memorial Text | For all who served in 578 Squadron Royal Air Force Burn 1944 - 1945 |
Location | Methodist Church, Burn, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text |
Location | Selby Abbey, Selby, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | RoH in Glass topped wooden cabinet |
Memorial Text | In memory of all 578 Sqn Aircrew who failed to return from Ops at RAF Burn |
Miscellaneous Information
Many sources say that the aircraft crashed onto brickworks in Selby but debris located in 1988 has shown this not to be the case. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2052/7 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2050/5 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 15-03-1944 |
End Date | 16-03-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Burn |
Day/Night Raid | Night (69% moon) |
Operation | Stuttgart. 863 aircraft, 37 losses (4.3%). The bomber stream made its approach through France, crossing the German border as late as possible, delaying the point at which the German fighters were able to enter the stream. PFF marking was well short of the target, possibly due to the strong winds as the conditions were clear. Although some of the early bombing fell in the city, much of the later bombing fell outside. Damage was light- 88 deaths and 203 injuries. |
Reason for Loss | After a successful operation, the aircraft was in the circuit to land back at Burn and was given clearance to land but was then instructed to go round again because the aircraft in front was having difficulty lowering its undercarriage. The pilot applied power as instructed but for unknown reasons the aircraft lost height and crashed into woodland on the east side of Selby, somersaulted and broke up. Miraculously two of the crew survived their ordeal. |