Assigned to 706BS, 446BG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Blainville, France 27-Apr-44; flak damaged and 2 engines out, A/C collided with cliff tops. As two crew members baled out, the pilot must have known it was going to be a close call as to whether they would clear the cliffs or not. Trooper Frank Lomas and his officer Lt London saw the crash and ran to the beach and swam out fully clothed to affect a rescue, as one of the crew was entangled in his parachute lines. They kept his head out of the water until the Margate life craft arrived on scene. For his actions Trooper Lomas was awarded the British Empire Medal. 2 x RTD, 8 x KIA. Crashed Palm Bay, Cliftonville No MACR