Aviation Crashes and Related Incidents 1940
05-02-1940
Short Sunderland I 204 Squadron RAF Mount Batten, Plymouth, returning from operations bounced on landing at St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly and struck two swells and the float struts collapsed.
06-02-1940
Avro Anson I K8746 MW-O of 217 Squadron RAF St Eval was on a convoy patrol when control was lost and it dived into the sea off Bishop’s Rock. There was one survivor from the crew of four who was rescued by HMS Vimy.
22-02-1940
Westland Wallace Mk I K6015 of V Flight, 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit had the undercarriage collapse and the aircraft tipped up on landing at RAF Cleave.
29-02-1940
Taylorcraft Plus D W5782 (ex G-AFMP) of 6 Coastal Patrol Flight RAF St Eval crashed on landing.
02-03-1940
Avro Anson I K8766 MW-F of 217 Squadron suffered an engine-fire on take off for a training flight. The engine was shut down and before reaching a safe height turned downwind and crashed on a single engine approach 200 yards W of St Eval. F/O Sydney Ernest Bussey 39061 and P/O Stanley Livingstone 41592 survived the accident.
27-03-1940
Short Sunderland Mk I N9021 KG-G of 204 Squadron based at RAF Mount Batten, Devon. On photographic trials was damaged after grounding on mud at Flushing, an attempt was made to pull the aircraft off with a powerboat and the keel was damaged by cross strain.
28-03-1940
Hawker Henley Target Tug III L3426 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit from RAF Cleave swung on take-off and hit a tree.
01-04-1940
Hawker Henley Target Tug III L3245 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit from RAF Cleave ditched 1 mile N of Bude.
24-04-1940
de Havilland Queen Bee P4697 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit from RAF Cleave had its aerial shot way and crash landed near Bradworthy.
23-05-1940
Avro Anson I K8751 MW-J of 217 Squadron overshot a night landing at RAF St Eval on return from patrol, swung and the undercarriage collapsed.
02-06-1940
Miles Magister R1830 Station Flight RAF St Eval during aerobatics off Mawgan Porth it spun into the sea. 2
04-06-1940
Bristol Beaufort I L4483 AW-L of 42 Squadron RAF St Eval was returning from a training sortie when due to a freshening wind the pilot undershot the approach struck the roof of a house and dived into a hay field 100 yards NW of the aerodrome. F/Sgt R MacAskill 560677 was injured, F/Lt Mark Rodney Baillon 37147 and F/O Lloyd were uninjured.
17-06-1940
de Havilland Queen Bee P5740 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit from RAF Cleave shot down by A/A fire into sea.
02-07-1940
de Havilland Queen Bee P5739 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit from RAF Cleave shot down into sea by A/A fire.
08-07-1940
de Havilland Queen Bee P4716 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit RAF Cleave lost height on approach to land and dived into Tamar Lake.
12-07-1940
1715hrs
4 bombs dropped near Direction Finding Station 2 miles NW of Mawgan Police Station the bombs did not explode.
12-07-1940
1645hrs
9 High Explosive bombs dropped on the landing ground at St. Eval aerodrome. 6 exploded, 3 failed to explode the aerodrome is damaged.
12-07-1940
Lockheed Hudson II T9373 NR-? 220 Squadron RAF St Eval. Returning from a night reconnaissance ran out of fuel and was abandoned off Trevose Head aircraft crashed at Towan Head, Newquay.
20-07-1940
Miles Magister L8266 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit based at RAF Cleave was struck off charge for reasons unknown.
25-07-1940
Supermarine Spitfire Ia P9493 AZ-? 234 Squadron flying a night operation from St Eval. On return the airfield was blacked out, the pilot became disorientated while low on fuel and crashed near Porthowan. P/O Geoffrey Kenneth Gout 41918 aged 24 was killed.
31-07-1940
Supermarine Spitfire Ia P9365 AZ-? 234 Squadron crashed into a stone wall during a night landing at St Eval. Sgt William Watson Thompson 48812 was badly injured.
06-08-1940
Supermarine Spitfire Ia P9366 AZ-? 234 Squadron at RAF St Eval was destroyed in a night landing. P/O Patrick Wilmot Horton 42128 was uninjured.
08-08-1940
Supermarine Spitfire Ia N3278 AZ-? 234 Squadron force landed at Pensilva after running out of fuel. Sgt Jozef Augustyn Szlagowski 780712 was uninjured.
09-08-1940
2330hrs
1 High Explosive bomb was dropped at Helsett Farm, Lesnewth, 3 miles E of Boscastle, in an open field.
09-08-1940
2330hrs
1 High Explosive bomb dropped at Tregulland Farm, St Clether, 2½ miles ESE of Halworthy Police Station in open field, 1 horse killed.
09-08-1940
2330hrs
, 2 High Explosive bombs dropped at Altarnun. One in a cornfield and one in a kale field. 1½ miles NE of Fivelanes Police station. There were no casualties, telegraph wires down for about 500 yards, house slightly damaged.
10-08-1940
Supermarine Spitfire Ia P9468 AZ-? 234 Squadron made a wheels up landing at RAF St Eval. Sgt Alan Stuart Harker 63791 was uninjured.
11-08-1940
1657hrs
a message requesting help from Avro Anson I K8813 MW-V of 217 Squadron was received. A number Bristol Blenheims of 236 Squadron were dispatched from St Eval to search position 4040N 0735W but could find no trace of the aircraft. P/O Anthony Gordon-Peiniger 40904, P/O Richard Maxwell Coulman 41557, Sgt E K Mellody 96983 and Sgt E Hopperton 625352 were presumed lost at sea due to enemy attack.
11-08-1940
1 crater found probably from raid on the 9th August, at Otterham Down, 1¾ miles NW of Hallworthy Police Station. Slight damage to Telegraph wires.
11-08-1940
1 crater found at Tregulland Farm, 1¾ miles ESE of Halworthy Police House. Probably made by the air raid of 9th August 1940.
11-08-1940
1 crater found at Trewannett Farm, 1½ miles NE of Boscastle, no damage, dropped in the air raid of 9th August 1940.
20-08-1940
H M Trawler 'Resparko' was sunk off Falmouth by German aircraft. Gallantry medals were awarded to the crew for this action. This vessel had been commissioned in 1916 and requisitioned by the Admiralty in April 1940. 3
21-08-1940
1352hrs
Three Junkers Ju88’s dropped about 10 High Explosive bombs and incendiary bombs and machine-gunned dispersed aircraft at RAF St Eval. 17 casualties, 1 serious, 1 hanger. No. 4 and 6 Bristol Blenheims were destroyed including Bristol Blenheim IVf’s R2776 & T1944 of 236 Squadron and several offices adjacent badly damaged. 1 plane a Miles Magister destroyed, 3 or 4 other planes damaged. A few craters found in a field outside the entrance, 2 or 3 bombs on the station unexploded.
21-08-1940
Five Junkers Ju88’s bombed the Radio Direction Finding station on St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly.
22-08-1940
An air raid occurred and between 2000 & 2400hrs 14 High Explosive bombs, 2 of them whistlers and 200 incendiaries fell around St Eval air station and landing ground.
22-08-1940
Miles Magister R1890 Station Flight RAF St Eval was destroyed in an air raid.
23-08-1940
2100hrs
10 High Explosive bombs in cornfields at Eddystone Farm, on the outskirts of St Eval air station, 2½ miles NE of Mawgan Police House. There were no casualties.
23-08-1940
2116hrs
About 14 High Explosive bombs and 100 small incendiary bombs on and around St Eval RAF Station, a High Explosive bomb in the vicinity of the bomb store, 1 store building set on fire, no casualties.
26-08-1940
Two Junkers Ju88’s dropped 12 High Explosive bombs near RAF Station Cleave between 0850 and 0920hrs, 3½ miles N of Bude Police Station. Machine gunning took place damaging two Westland Wallace Target Tugs and causing slight damage to huts and glass, slight damage to 8 military motor buses all able to proceed, 2 civilians and 6 military personnel slightly injured.
26-08-1940
1520hrs
Blackburn Shark II L2375 of C Flight, 2 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit, stationed at RAF Cleave made a forced landing at Viverdon Downs, 1 mile N of St Mellion Police House, as a result of engine trouble, no injuries.
27-08-1940
Gloster Gladiator II N5901 HP-? 247 Squadron RAF St Eval (for night operations) became lost at night after a patrol over Plymouth, in attempting to force land at Werrington, near Launceston it hit trees. The aircraft burnt out the pilot Sgt Robert Tudor Thomas 754426 was uninjured.
28-08-1940
0330hrs
An High Explosive bomb fell at Treburland Farm, 1 mile SE of Fivelanes Police House.
30-08-1940
2130hrs
8 High Explosive bombs on Treore Farm, St Teath, 3 miles SSW of Delabole. A farm shed and a hedge were damaged for 12 feet, 2 unexploded bombs at Treore Farm 30 yards from road, traffic diverted. B3314 closed from West Downs to Poltreworgey.
03-09-1940
Hawker Hurricane Ia R2680 VK-? 238 Squadron RAF St Eval was damaged in a landing accident. Sgt Frederick Albert Sibley 758073 was uninjured.
06-09-1940
de Havilland Queen Bee P4682 1 Anti Aircraft Co-operation Unit RAF Cleave radio contact was lost with aircraft which crashed into the sea.
16-09-1940
2340hrs
4 High Explosive bombs and 1 incendiary bomb, in open field at Valley Tuckle, Camelford, ¾ of a mile SW of Camelford Police House, slight damage to hedge.
16-09-1940
2340hrs
6 High Explosive bombs in open fields at Tramagenna Farm, Camelford, 1½ miles from Camelford.
16-09-1940
2340hrs
5 incendiary bombs dropped on Trevenning Farm, Michaelstow, 4 miles SW of Camelford. 4 in grass fields, 1 in farmyard, 1 male person slightly injured.
16-09-1940
2340hrs
9 incendiary bombs fell in open fields on a farm in the vicinity of 1½ - 2 miles S of Camelford.
18-09-1940
1910hrs
High Explosive bombs dropped on St Agnes Anti Aircraft camp.
19-09-1940
Miles Magister N3858 of 234 Squadron based at RAF St Eval missing.
19-09-1940
Supermarine Spitfire PR III Type C P9313 of the Photographic Development Unit at St Eval was damaged by enemy action. This aircraft failed to return from operations on the 9th November 1940.
23-09-1940
de Havilland Queen Bee P5748 of the Pilotless Aircraft Unit/ 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit from RAF Cleave the engine cut and crashed in sea off Cleave.
25-09-1940
1825hrs
Supermarine Spitfire Ia X4182 of 234 Squadron RAF St Eval caught fire and crash landed in a field at Penrose Farm, Colan, Newquay, 1½ miles NW of St Columb Minor. P/O Ronald McKay 91227 was seriously injured when he landed by parachute. 4
26-09-1940
Avro Anson I N9890 MW-J of 217 Squadron RAF St Eval suffered flak damage to the fuselage and port mainplane during a shipping strike off Cherbourg. On return it ran short of fuel and belly-landed on the beach at Rhossili, Glamorganshire. The crew were safe.
02-10-1940
0815hrs
4 High Explosive bombs dropped on the landing ground at RAF Cleave, 3 miles West of Kilkhampton. 2 unexploded, one of which crashed through the roof of a Bellman hangar, machine-gunning also took place.
02-10-1940
de Havilland Queen Bee P4821 of the Pilotless Aircraft Unit/ 1 Ant-Aircraft Co-operation Unit RAF Cleave radio control was lost and it spun into the sea of Cleave.
03-10-1940
0710hrs
4 High Explosive bombs dropped on RAF St Eval, No. 3 hanger slightly damaged, an Avro Anson Mark I K8783 MW-A of 217 Squadron & a petrol bowser were burnt out.
03-10-1940
Supermarine Spitfire Ia P9319 AZ-? 234 Squadron RAF St Eval was damaged in a flying accident.
09-10-1940
1915hrs
Dornier Do 17 is shot down during a raid against RAF St Eval by Sgt Charles Henry Bell 754849 of 234 Squadron flying a Supermarine Spitfire Mark Ia R6621 AZ-V, which he belly-landed on return.
09-10-1940
1950hrs
4 High Explosive bombs dropped on St Eval one hut damaged.
12-10-1940
0155hrs
an Avro Anson I K8769 MW-Y of 217 Squadron RAF St Eval had an engine cut, lost height and belly landed on the sand dunes 1 mile SE of Trevose Head. The four crewmen survived.
14-10-1940
2105hrs
2 High Explosive bombs dropped near the bomb dump at RAF St Eval, slight damage to railings. 6 High Explosive bombs in grass fields at Higher Lanherne, St Eval. 30 incendiary bombs dropped in fields near RAF St Eval.
15-10-1940
de Havilland Queen Bee L7755 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit crashed into the sea off Cleave.
17-10-1940
Bristol Blenhiem IV T2319 TR-D 59 Squadron RAF St Eval was lost attacking destroyers off Brest. Crew. P/O E E Hives, Sgt B D Jones and Sgt E Jones all killed.
21-10-1940
0250hrs
Handley-Page Hampden I X2962 EA-? 49 Squadron based at RAF Scampton force landed or crashed in open fields at Ruan High Lanes, after becoming lost & low on fuel. The crew of four were injured and the RAF guard for the wreckage came from St Eval.
22-10-1940
Bristol Beaufort I L9822 MW-? 217 Squadron swung on take-off and hit a truck while operating at RAF St Eval.
26-10-1940
1630hrs
Supermarine Spitfire Ia X4355 AZ-? 234 Squadron St Eval, flown by 41944 P/O Edward Brian Mortimer-Rose force landed at Tremearne Farm, Breage, near Porthleven after a combat with a Junkers Ju88 off Lands End, his aircraft was not damaged but the Ju88 was claimed as probably destroyed.
31-10-1940
de Havilland Leopard Moth AV984 8 Anti Aircraft Co-operation Unit was damaged beyond repair in a gale at St Eval. Prewar this aircraft had been registered G-ACSU.
04-11-1940
1945hrs
Bristol Blenheim IVf R3886 FA-? 236 Squadron RAF St Eval crashed in fields at Carnanton, 1½ miles SSE of Mawgan. The aircraft was on a night flying training exercise and suffered an engine cut causing it to crash during a forced landing after hitting high tension cables. P/O John Montague Derbyshire 42110 was seriously injured with a broken ankle and a fractured skull.
07-11-1940
1940hrs
Lockheed Hudson I N7295 NR-F of 220 Squadron at RAF St Eval returning from an Anti-Submarine Patrol low on fuel overshot on landing, ran through a hedge and ended up in a ditch. The crew of P/O John Douglas Mallinson 42513, P/O Percy Alan Gerard Wickman 81338, Sgt Shadwell and Sgt Sutton were uninjured but were treated for shock.
07-11-1940
2050hrs
Lockheed Hudson I N7291 NR-K of 220 Squadron from RAF St Eval on return from an Anti-Submarine patrol was abandoned in the dark when it ran out of fuel and crashed at Bosene Farm, Sancreed, 2¼ miles ENE of St Just. The crew of F/Lt Barron, P/O Harland Basil Ainsworth 78974, Sgt Hugill and Sgt E Cook were unharmed.
07-11-1940
2215hrs
Lockheed Hudson I P5124 NR-R of 220 Squadron at RAF St Eval was abandoned on return from an Anti-Submarine patrol when the crew became lost. The aircraft crash-landed on Gwithian Beach at low tide between Black Cliff & Strap Rocks, 2 miles NE of Hayle Police House. The four crewmen were safe.
09-11-1940
Dornier Do 17 Werk Nummer 6201, crashed with a full bomb load in the woods of Boconnoc House and exploded after being damaged by anti-aircraft fire over Plymouth. 5
11-11-1940
1638hrs
Heinkel He 111 dropped 3 bombs on Treginegar, FAA Station, St Merryn. 2 x 1000 lbs, 1 smaller, damage to 2 hangers, Squadron Offices and store. 2 aircraft also slightly damaged.
16-11-1940
1348hrs
Supermarine Spitfire Ia X4072 of 234 Squadron from St Eval, crashed into the sea off Porth, 1 mile off Newquay while on an interception, the lifeboat was launched but no trace of the pilot Sgt Hugh Sharpley 743803 could be found.
16-11-1940
1350hrs
an SOS was picked up by the St Eval Direction Finding Station on a bearing of 139 degrees true. Avro Anson I N9889 MW-S 217 Squadron had ditched in the Channel. The crew managed to get into their dinghy. P/O R E Troward 42914 , Sgt A R Weston 940106, Sgt Wilson and Sgt J B Steedman 973774 became Prisoners of War when they landed in Guernsey.
20-11-1940
Gloster Gladiator II N5644 HP-? 247 Squadron on a night patrol from St Eval went missing over the sea? Members of Bude Home Guard were asked to keep a look out. The aircraft was later discovered to have crashed into high ground near Okehampton, Devon. Sgt Robert Tudor Thomas 754426 was killed.
21-11-1940
Avro Anson I R9701 MW-L 217 Squadron RAF St Eval took off on an Air Sea Rescue mission to search for Gloster Gladiator N5644 of 247 Squadron that was thought to have been lost off Kelland Head. The Anson suffered failure of the starboard engine, lost height and ditched 5 miles NE of Trevose Head. The crew of F/O Holgate, Sgt Hickson, Sgt Taylor and Sgt Cowley were rescued by the trawlers of the River Camel Patrol.
22-11-1940
Bristol Beaufort I L9822 MW-? 217 Squadron hit a truck on take-off from RAF St Eval.
22-11-1940
Gloster Gladiator II N5649 HP-? 247 Squadron crashed on take-off from St Eval it hit a dispersal pen. F/O Noel Inglis Chalmers Francis 40817 was uninjured.
23-11-1940
0557hrs
RNAS St Merryn was machine-gunned by enemy aircraft no bombs were dropped.
23-11-1940
0605hrs
an aircraft machine-gunned a field in which an Observation Post was situated at Bodriggen Farm.
27-11-1940
de Havilland Dragon AW170 8 Anti Aircraft Co-operation Unit ex (G-ACDN) crashed at Trewithian Farm, St Wenn, 4¼ miles NE of St Columb Police Station.
27-11-1940
1840hrs
Short Sunderland 1 N9048 RB-B 10 Squadron RAAF RAF Mount Batten was destroyed in a hangar as a result of a bomb dropped during an air raid. In the same air raid Sunderland 1 P9601 was destroyed at its mooring in the Cattewater and two others P9605 and T9047 were slightly damaged.
07-12-1940
Bristol Beaufort 1 N1154 MW-B 217 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from a raid on Brest. The crew: F/O H E Mussenden 41198, F/O G H Brooks 78459, Sgt J W Pratt 627713and Sgt T J G Eade 527729 missing.
12-12-1940
Bristol Blenheim IVf fighter of 236 Squadron N3602 FA-L RAF St Eval crash-landed on return after the aircraft was damaged by return fire from a Heinkel He115 seaplane off Ushant which P/O Graham Herbert Russell DFC 42025 helped to shoot down of which he claimed a 1/3rd share with two others.
16-12-1940
1130hrs
Blackburn Roc I from RNAS St Merryn, crashed ¾ mile NW of St Endellion Church.
16-12-1940
Supermarine Spitfire 1 (PR) X4350 LY-? Photographic Recconiasance Unit RAF St Eval failed to return from a sortie to Finnistere. Pilot F/O S J Millen DFC missing. (This aircraft was in green camotint).
17-12-1940
0115hrs
Bristol Beaufort 1 L9823 MW-L 217 Squadron RAF St Eval ditched in the channel 3 miles SE of the Needles, Isle of Wight aftera sortie to Bordeaux, three crew safe one member Sgt H E Postill 546900, drowned.
17-12-1940
Bristol Beaufort 1 L4463 MW-G 217 Squadron RAF St Eval was shot down by flak near Vannes.
20-12-1940
Bristol Beaufort 1L4474 MW-E 217 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from an operation to Lorient .
21-12-1940
Bristol Blenhiem IV R3878 FA-Z 236 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from a patrol off Brest.
24-12-1940
Bristol Beaufort I L9851 MW-? 217 Squadron crashed on take-off at RAF St Eval on a solo training sortie. The aircraft was suspected to have stalled in a climbing turn after take-off and at 700 feet it crashed and burnt out near the water tower at Denzel Downs. P/O Robert Aitken Robertson 76463 RAFVR was killed.
24-12-1940
1925hrs
Hawker Hurricane I from 247 Squadron RAF St Eval, crashed in a field at Five Turnings, Mawgan, 3 miles N of Mawgan Police House.
26-12-1940
1715hrs
Handley Page Hampden I P2094 PL-? of 144 Squadron based at RAF Hemswell on return from operations overshot on landing at RAF St Eval and struck a Gun Emplacement, 1 injured. 6
26-12-1940
1745hrs
Handley Page Hampden I X3030 PL-? of 144 Squadron swung & skidded on landing at RAF St Eval on return from operations.
26-12-1940
Bristol Beaufort 1 L9860 MW-F 217 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from an operation to Bordeaux.
27-12-1940
2129hrs
Lockheed Hudson II T9373 NR-G of 220 Squadron from RAF St Eval overstayed the prudent limit of endurance on an Anti-Surface Vessel patrol. There was total darkness on the return leg, they ran out of fuel and the crew abandoned the aircraft 2 to 3 miles SE of Trevose Head. The Hudson flew on crashing and burning out at Towan Farm, St Merryn, ½ mile N of St Merryn police house. S/L Arthur Eric Rogenhagen 15025 suffered a fractured arm and leg during the bailout. Sgt Lane was safe but Sgt W E Callaghan 623929 and Sgt J L Rees 751429 were lost at sea.
