Crash Raymond Frederick Charles Dean - Carentan les Marais

Ray was born and raised at Woodland Cottage, Ripley, in the New Forest district of Hampshire. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and, on completion of his training, was sent to Lbsley Air Force Base, also in Hampshire, where he joined Gloucester County Reserve Squadron N" 501.

On the day of the accident, Ray was flying as wingman "Red 2" alongside pilot officer Phil Stanbury on Operation Rhubarb. They had successfully attacked several targets around Cherbourg before spotting fortifications near Brévands. Little did they know that an anti-aircraft battery had been installed the previous day on the grounds of a château in Brévands.

Flying on opposite sides of the cloud layer, Phil Stanbury lost sight of Ray. An easy target for the anti-aircraft guns, Ray was shot down and killed by the battery's fire. He is buried in Brévands churchyard.

Crash site of Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb SD-K AD 129 of Squadron 501, flown by 19-year-old Sergeant Raymond Frederick Charles Dean. Follow the road to the right for 100 metres. On your left, you'll see a water-filled crater, the very spot where the Spitfire came to rest, exploding on impact. Ray was buried there on the night of November 17, 1941, before being finally laid to rest the following day in the courtyard of the Brévands church, by German troops, with full military honors. Behind you, in the direction of Brévands, you'll notice two anomalies in the field. They correspond to the two points of impact before the plane came to a final stop.

Photo credit & contribution Patrick CARRARA and Grasset Jacques

Ray was born and raised at Woodland Cottage, Ripley, in the New Forest district of Hampshire. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and, on completion of his training, was sent to Lbsley Air Force Base, also in Hampshire, where he joined Gloucester County Reserve Squadron N 501.On the day of the accident, Ray was flying as wingman Red 2 alongside pilot officer Phil Stanbury on Operation Rhubarb. They had successfully attacked several targets around Cherbourg before spotting fortifications near Brévands. Little did they know that an anti-aircraft battery had been installed the previous day on the grounds of a château in Brévands.Flying on opposite sides of the cloud layer, Phil Stanbury lost sight of Ray. An easy target for the anti-aircraft guns, Ray was shot down and killed by the battery's fire. He is buried in Brévands churchyard.Crash site of Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb SD-K AD 129 of Squadron 501, flown by 19-year-old Sergeant Raymond Frederick Charles Dean. Follow the road to the right for 100 metres. On your left, you'll see a water-filled crater, the very spot where the Spitfire came to rest, exploding on impact. Ray was buried there on the night of November 17, 1941, before being finally laid to rest the following day in the courtyard of the Brévands church, by German troops, with full military honors. Behind you, in the direction of Brévands, you'll notice two anomalies in the field. They correspond to the two points of impact before the plane came to a final stop.Photo credit & contribution Patrick CARRARA and Grasset Jacques