Flight Sergeant David Evans Lewis
Unit : 298 Squadron, 38 Group, RAF.
Service No. : 1294559
Flight Sergeant Lewis' aircraft was shot down on the 6th June. The following is his M.I.9 evasion report:
Left : Allied beachhead 11 Jun 44.
Arrived : Port of London, 12 Jun 44.
Date of Birth : 23 Oct 20.
R.A.F. Service : Since 13 Oct 40.
O.T.U. : 5 C (Turnberry).
Conversion Unit : Nil.
Post in crew : Wireless operator.
Peacetime Profession : Grocer's assistant.
Private Address : 33 Cross Lanes East, Gravesend, Kent.
Other members of crew (believed safe in France):-
F/O Anderson (pilot) (S/P.G.(-) 1958).
Sgt. Annon (navigator) (S/P.G.(-) 1966).
F/O Evans (bomb aimer) (S/P.G.(-) 1964).
Sgt. Forrest (flight engineer) (believed to be in hospital).
Sgt. Reader (rear gunner) (in U.K.).
My experiences up to the time of baling out are as related by F/O. Anderson in his report.
I baled out at approximately 0330 hrs on 6 Jun 44 and landed in a wood East of Escoville (France 1:250,000, Sheet 8, U 1171) about 10 miles East of Caen. I hid my mae west in the wood. My parachute was entangled in the trees.
At dawn I made my way North and came to a farmhouse, where I was given food and drink. I was told that the district was occupied by Germans. I hid in a field near the farm for a few hours. I then put my pullover over my tunic, dirtied my face, and began walking North in an attempt to reach the Allied lines.
After walking a short distance I called at a chateau where a woman told me that British troops were nearby. I continued North and met a party of British Paratroops about half a mile distant. I was taken to their Headquarters, where I remained for a few hours. We were then taken to Divisional Headquarters and later that day Sgt. Annon (of my crew) arrived. F/O Evans (also of my crew) arrived on 7 Jun. We remained here until 9 Jun when we were sent to the beach. We were put on board a ship which sailed on 11 Jun.