On the night of 12th / 13th July 1944 crews of 346 Squadron were tasked with bombing a V-1 flying bomb launch site at Hauts-Buissons in Northern France. This aircraft took off from Elvington at 22.51hrs and all appears to have gone without incident until they had returned to the skies around Elvington and had joined the landing circuit to await their turn to land. While flying in the airfield circuit at 2,000 feet Halifax NA551 collided with Halifax NA546 which was also in the landing circuit and waiting to land. Control of NA551 was immediately lost and it crashed in the Dunnington area at 02.23hrs with all on board being killed. The pilot of Halifax NA546 was able to keep in control of the aircraft and landed safely at Elvington with minor damage.
Pilot - Ltn Raymond M Pasquier FFAF (000453), aged 37. Initially buried Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery, Yorkshire but since repatriated to France. Burial location unknown.
Navigator - Cne Jean L Gaubert FFAF, aged 34. Initially buried Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery, Yorkshire but since repatriated to France. Burial location unknown.
Bomb Aimer - Slt Emile Petiot FFAF, aged 36. Initially buried Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery, Yorkshire but since repatriated to France. Burial location unknown.
Wireless Operator - Adc Roger L J Vogel FFAF, aged 32. Initially buried Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery, Yorkshire but since repatriated to France. Burial location unknown.
Flight Engineer - Adj Andre M Cusin FFAF, aged 31. Initially buried Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery, Yorkshire but since repatriated to France. Burial location unknown.
Air Gunner - Sgc Camille P J Verdier FFAF , aged 26. Initially buried Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery, Yorkshire but since repatriated to France. Burial location unknown.
Air Gunner - Sgt Rene P Serra FFAF, aged 22. Initially buried Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery, Yorkshire but since repatriated to France. Burial location unknown.