Indian Pattern HUP (was: Chevy Indian Backbody)

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Over on the aviation forum, Mr. Matt Poole of Maryland, USA, posted the following information:

A Chevrolet is seen in the attached photo, taken in either West Bengal or neighboring Orissa, India in the summer of 1945. This is an RAF vehicle, manned by RAF men on their way to recover remains of fourteen airmen killed on 26 July 1945 when two RAF Liberators (EW225 & EW247) of the Air Firing Training Unit (AFTU) at Amarda Road airfield collided in poor weather during low-level formation flight training.

Note the two crosses, one atop the other, strapped to the roof. The names, ranks, and service numbers of the fourteen casualties were inscribed on the crosses, one crew to each cross.

The photo was taken by Kenneth King of No. 138 Repair & Salvage Unit. King was one of the five RAF men who, accompanied by several Indians, recovered and buried remains of the airmen. Attached, also, is a graveside photo of the RAF men, led by RAF S/Ldr Stanley G. Bennett (left, with prayer book), the padre at Amarda Road. King is furthest away on the right. Padre Bennett is also seen in the lorry photo, at left.

Graves, #3.jpg Graves, #12a.jpg