In early January 1940, crashed in a blazing reconnaissance plane in Belguim, was interned in that country which at that time was neutral. Released after the German invasion and found his way back to the squadron in France.
August 16th 1940. The Midland Daily Telegraph. Coventry Airman – Hero Reported Missing. Sergeant Pilot Fredeerick Leece Smith who earlier in January crashed in a blazing reconnaissance plane in Belguim, was interned in that country, which at that time was neutral. He was released after the German invasion and fought his way back to the squadron in France. He is now officially reported “missing,” after further raids over the continent. Sergeant-Pilot Smith is 25 and the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Smith of the Rose and Crown Inn, Walsgrave Road. Sergeant pilot smith has already earned a name in the RAF for his courage and enterprise. When the reconnaissance plane in which he was acting as an observer was attacked and damaged by a flight of German fighters in January the pilot turned over the Belgian frontier with the gunner, Aircraftman Peter Harris still blazing away at the enemy. When his ammunition ran out, Harris made a parachute jump but was killed and the plane smashing into a high tension cable, crashed into trees at high speed. Both Smith and Pilot Kempster were in charge of the aeroplane were rendered unconscious and Smith was brought round by the pain and realisation his hair was on fire. He rescued the pilot at a great danger to himself. Describing the incident in a letter to Mr. and Mrs.Smith later, Pilot Kempster said; “Both Smith and I lost consciousness and I eventually woke up to find him dragging me away from the remains of the aircraft. He put up a most terrific show.” Both were taken to Liege Hospital and the whole time they were in Belgium they received the utmost hospitality. Prominent in a glass cabinet in the Smith’s home in Coventry is a small black velvet cushion upon which are sown four RAF tunic buttons and a cap badge, all blackened and distorted by fire. They were discovered in the remnants of the burned out plane and presented to Sergeant Pilot Smith in hospital by a little Belgian girl. Off his trials in reaching his unit again after the German invasion the subsequent return to base in this country when France capitulated and the many raids which he has taken part over the Continent. Sergeant Pilot Smith has said little on the occasions he has been on leave. He was on leave in Coventry last week – arriving at home in the evening after having been raiding over the Continent the same day and was driven back to his unit at the end of his leave by his father. Aircraftman 1st Class Peter Bothamley Harris, 537545, 18 Squadron was killed on the 3rd January 1940 aged 20. He is buried in Liege Robermont Cemetery, grave 51. Son of Mrs. G.M.G.Trueman, of Newton Heath, Manchester. |