Thy will be done

Son of Alfred M. Haile and Amy C. Haile, of Bishop Middleham, Co. Durham.

Simon Glancey has submitted the following:

F/Sgt Haile was killed when Consolidated Liberator VI KG974 of 99 Squadron was lost on a mission to attack Akyab, Burma, in support of the 14th Army. The LIberator collided head-on with another 99 Sqn Liberator, KH254 at 5,000 feet near Noakhali, Bengal, just after dawn whilst forming up for the bombing formation. Both Liberators were fully loaded with bombs, and all 23 crew from both aircraft were killed instantly in the ensuing explosion.

Also killed in the same incident but in the other aircraft was F/Lt. M.T. Simpson

Philip Bellerby Haile is remembered in Bishop Middleham on B141.02 and at Stockton on Tees on S138.34

For more information see page 61 of this publication
The CWGC entry for Flight Sergeant Haile