Community saved from mass casualties by heroic RAF pilot

On two occasions last century Lambourn had a narrow escape from disasters that could have been far more costly in terms of loss of life.

Both times the men fighting to control their machines died in the process.

On the night of September 8, 1944, a B-24 Liberator, piloted by second lieutenant Lawrence Berkoff and seven crew took off from Northamptonshire on their mission to drop supplies to the French resistance.