Aviation Crashes and Related Incidents 1941
16-01-1941
1048hrs
Supermarine Spitfire Ia N3191 AZ-? 234 Squadron RAF St Eval lost its wings in a dive and crashed in a field near the Rectory at Ruan Lanihorne.
17-01-1941
Bristol Beaufort I L9862 MW-H of 217 Squadron took off with six other aircraft for an attack on the Admiral Hipper at Brest and the aerodrome at Vannes, France, but because of bad weather they returned early. On attempting to land in the dark the aircraft rounded out too high and dropped 50 feet onto the runway forcing the undercarriage up through the wings and shearing both engines from their mounts. The crew of F/O Forward, Sgts Rollo, Boddy & Martin were all knocked unconscious and found to have fractured spines.
20-01-1941
A Barrage Balloon burnt out after being suspended on telegraph wires at Davidstow.
25-01-1941
2000hrs
100 incendiary & 5 High Explosive bombs plus 2 parachute mines were dropped on RAF St Eval. 21 Killed and 1 severely injured when a bomb exploded at the entrance to an air-raid shelter near the watch office. One Avro Anson I L7994 MW-U of 217 Squadron was damaged by bomb blast and struck off charge.
26-01-1941
de Havilland Tiger Moth N9196 of 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit based at RAF St Eval was abandoned by the crew of two in bad weather near St Eval.
29-01-1941
0745hrs
Bristol Blenheim IVf V5432 ND-A of 236 Squadron St Eval crashed at Higher Denzell Farm, 2 miles N of St Mawgan Police House. The aircraft was flown by F/O Digby Vawdre Cartmel Cotes-Preedy 41987.
01-02-1941
1745hrs
Caudron Goeland F-BAAX landed near a Searchlight Post close to Tregantle Farm. The occupant was Andre’ Edmond Bruist Colin aged 25, he stated that he was a native of Belfort, France. He has been a Sgt Pilot in the French Air Force from 26th August 1939 until 25 August 1940. He left Vichy at 12:30 hours on the 1st February 1941 and landed in Brittany, he took off again for England. Monsieur Colin is being detained at Liskeard Police Station, his aeroplane is being guarded by men of the 11th Battalion Devonshire Regiment.
01-02-1941
Two Bristol Beaufort 1s L9835 MW-W and L9866 MW-J 217 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from an attack on the ‘Admiral Hipper’ at Brest. 08/02/41 0950hrs an Arado AR196 (6W+ON) was shot down in flames by Westland Whirlwinds 263 Squadron 1 mile NE of Dodman Point. Whirlwind P6969 was shot down. P/O R.A.G. Graham is missing.
08-02-1941
1400hrs
Hawker Hurricane Ia V6981 flown by 787704 Sgt Javoslov Nayok (Czechoslovakian) Air Transport Auxiliary, on a delivery flight from White Waltham to St Eval, force landed at Tregulland Farm South East of Hallworthy. The undercarriage was damaged and the propeller smashed, the pilot was also injured.
10-02-1941
Bristol Beaufort I W6490 MW-S of 217 Squadron, St Eval. On return from an attack on a power station at Cherbourg, the port wheel appeared to stick and the aircraft veered to port. The starboard wheel went into a boggy patch and collapsed causing a ground loop. The crew of F/O Livingstone, Sgts Davis, Beesley and Thompson escaped without injury.
11-02-1941
2255hrs
Handley-Page Hampden I L4108 of 61 Squadron crashed while landing at St Eval after operations.
12-01-1941
Bristol Beaufort 1 N7113 MW-E 217 Squadron St Eval failed to return from a Rover patrol off Ushant.
15-02-1941
Three Bristol Beaufort 1s L9807 MW-A, L9794 MW-R and W6493, MW-G 217 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from an attack on the ‘Admiral Hipper’ at Brest.
21-02-1941
0840hrs
Bristol Blenheim IVf R2799 ND-Q of 236 Squadron crashed on take-off from RAF St Eval due to snow obscuring the pilots vision. The aircraft stalled, struck the propellers of a parked Blenheim, hit a hedge on the far side of the road and ended up in a field approximately 100 yards further away. The aircrafts nose was smashed in and the starboard wing and engine were completely wrecked. F/O Lumsden and Sgt Tumbridge were uninjured, Sgt Snape was slightly injured and was taken to the Royal Infirmary Truro. 7
21-02-1941
2030hrs
2 incendiary bombs dropped in open fields 3 miles NW of Kilkhampton.
21-02-1941
2255hrs
Handley Page Hampden L4108 QR-? of 61 Squadron overshot on landing at St Eval after operations.
22-02-1941
1645hrs
Consolidated Catalina I W8405 on delivery to 240 Squadron landed in St Ives Bay, with a crew of 4 and 2 civilians, (Canadians). The aeroplane was making for Pembroke Dock, when it received a wireless messaged to proceed to RAF Mount Batten. When over Plymouth the Anti-Aircraft guns fired on it and slight damage was done to one wing, it then made its way back down the coast and landed at St Ives. This aircraft was carrying very important papers for London. The aircraft has been placed under military guard whilst the papers have been sent on to London by train, where they arrived safely. The aircraft then left for Pembroke Dock.
23-02-1941
Bristol Blenheim IV V5394 of 59 Squadron crashed on landing at RAF St Eval.
24-02-1941
1200hrs
Bristol Blenheim IVf T1942 ND-J of 236 Squadron RAF St Eval on return from a patrol an engine cut causing the aircraft to overshoot, lose height and crash. P/O Watters, Sgts Philip and Lawrence all suffered from bruising and shock.
25-02-1941
0130hrs
an aircraft crashed in a field at Goonhoskyn Farm, St Enoder. The RAF have established that it was Hawker Hurricane Mark Ia P3041 HP-P of the 247 Squadron at RAF St Eval. While on a practice night flight it entered a dive. The aircraft struck the ground and exploded. The pilot Sgt W F McEwan was killed.
25-02-1941
Bristol Blenheim IV V5450 ND-L 236 squadron RAF St Eval was shot down over the channel while on patrol.
02-03-1941
2050 hours 4 High Explosive bombs dropped near RAF St Eval none exploded.
03-03-1941
German Heinkel H5 of 1+KG27 (IE+26) from Morgat Nr Brest crashed on Lundy Island
05-03-1941
Hawker Henley TT III L3330 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit from RAF Cleave crashed on approach to land.
07-03-1941
1945hrs
Bristol Blenheim IVf T1812 ND-G of 236 Squadron RAF St Eval suffered engine failure in a heavy ground mist and crashed in a forced landing at Gooden Farm, Kea, Truro. The crew of three P/O Robb, Sgts Yates and Stewart were slightly injured.
11-03-1941
Bristol Blenheim IV P4850 PZ-V 53 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from an attack on the ‘Admiral Hipper’ at Brest.
12-03-1941
1250 hours Hawker Henley TT III L3360? No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit from RAF Cleave crashed at Sinns Barton Farm, 2 miles from Redruth Police Station 2 crew injured.
12-03-1941
During a bombing raid by Heinkel He111s on RAF St Eval seven Westland Whirlwinds of 263 Squadron were damaged and four Hawker Hurricanes of 247 Squadron were destroyed. One Hurricane Mark Ia W9124 HP-K of 247 Squadron was damaged. There were casualties on the ground among them several Women’s Auxiliary Air Force personnel.
14-03-1941
Bristol Blenheim IV V5399 PZ-? 53 Squadron RAF St Eval was shot down while on a photo sortie to Brest.
14-03-1941
Handley Page Harrow I K6951 BJ-? 271 Squadron was hit by a bomb during an air raid on RAF St Eval.
14-03-1941
Westland Whirlwind I P6988 HE-? 263 Squadron RAF St Eval crashed at RAF Portreath on one engine after a convoy patrol.
14-03-1941
1750hrs
Westland Whirlwind I of 263 Squadron RAF St. Eval attempted to force-land at the old RAF Mullion site, it crashed and caught fire.
15-03-1941
Bristol Blenheim IV T2132 PZ-G 53 Squadron RAF St Eval missing from an attack on the ‘Admiral Hipper’ at Brest.
21-03-1941
2045hrs
Bristol Blenheim IVf Z5755 ND-L of 236 Squadron RAF St. Eval was abandoned in bad weather on return from escorting Convoy Scent, the aircraft crashed at Tregrey Farm, Otterham. P/O Barron and Sgt Thornton are safe but Sgt H Sheard 638019 who jumped first is missing.
23-03-1941
1100hrs
Gloster Sea Gladiator II N2302 being ferried from RNAS Yeovilton to RNAS St. Merryn crashed at Parkwalls Farm, Camelford and was destroyed, the pilot Sub Lieutenant Peter Mittel was killed.
27-03-1941
Two Bristol Blenheim IVs T2332 PZ-O and V5865 PZ-P 53 Squadron RAF St Eval missing on a raid to Ushant. 8
28-03-1941
Bristol Blenheim IV L8787 VE-? 110 Squadron based at Wattisham, Norfolk returning from operations overshot on landing at RAF St Eval.
30-03-1941
2140hrs
Hawker Hurricane Ia P3164 HP-? 247 Squadron returning to RAF St Eval after a convoy patrol suffered engine overheating and while attempting to land the undercarriage failed to lower. The aircraft bellylanded the pilot Sgt J V Renvoize was uninjured.
30-03-1941
2245hrs
Bristol Blenheim IV T2281 of 101 Squadron based at RAF West Raynham, Kent. On returning from Brest crashed in a field adjoining RAF St Eval. When on an overshoot the flaps were raised too soon and the aircraft sank into the ground. The aircraft was completely burnt-out, 2 crewmen were killed and 1 seriously injured.
01-04-1941
Westland Whirlwind I P6989 HE-J of 263 Squadron from RAF Portreath attacked a Dornier Do215 off the Lizard but was hit by return fire and crashed near Helston. The aircraft was destroyed killing F/Lt David Alexander Cummings Crooks 40678 DFC.
01-04-1941
2015 hours Focke-Wulf Fw200 Condor was damaged in combat near St Eval by a Hawker Hurricane of 247 Squadron flown by Sergeant J V Renvoise. The squadron was detached to RAF St Eval for night fighter operations.
03-04-1941
An unexploded bomb was found in a grass field 300 yards, south of Tregantle Searchlight site.
03-04-1941
1725hrs
Heinkel He111H-5 Werke Nummer 4014 1G+MH of 1 Staffel KG27, was attacked over Portreath and brought down in the sea off Stepper Point, 2 miles N of Padstow, with the loss of Leutnant Fritz Huhle and crew. S/L Anthony Hartwell Rook 90071 and P/O Henry Norman Hunt 82656 of 504 Auxiliary Air Force Squadron based at Exeter shared the destruction of this aircraft. 5 members of the Heinkel’s crew were brought ashore in a Naval Vessel. 2 were injured and were taken to the Naval Hospital at Padstow; the other 3 are under guard at Padstow Police Station.
03-04-1941
1845hrs
Fairey Fulmar I N4023 RN-N of RNAS St Merryn force landed in a field at Castledore, 1½ miles from Lostwithiel Police House. The pilot and passenger a WRNS Officer were uninjured. Construction number F3063.
04-04-1941
Handley Page Hampden I AD783 PL-? 144 Squadron overshot in landing at RAF St Eval due to hydraulic failure on return from operations.
04-04-1941
2055hrs
8 High Explosive bombs were dropped on RAF St Eval some damage to government property was caused.
04-04-1941
2058hrs
11 High Explosive bombs were dropped on RNAS St Merryn, 4 naval personnel were slightly injured, there was damage to a hut and a shed, the air station was also machine-gunned.
04-04-1941
0145hrs
Handley Page Hampden I P4403 EA-? 49 Squadron overshot on landing at RAF St Eval and hit a hedge on return from minelaying near Lorient.
06-04-1941
Four Bristol Beaufort I aircraft of 22 Squadron managed to take off from RAF St Eval at 0420hrs to attack the German pocket battleship Gneisenau in the port of Brest. Two aircraft, one armed with bombs and one armed with a torpedo, became lost in cloud. The two other aircraft of F/O Hyde and F/O Kenneth Campbell, successfully found the target, they were to wait for a bombing attack to begin, prior to making their torpedo runs. As it became light F/O Campbell in N1016 OA-X decided to attack alone, dropping first to 300 feet then to 50 feet to drop his torpedo which ran true and stuck the 32,000-ton vessel near the stern exploding on impact. As he tried to fly out of the harbour, weapons of every calibre opened up on the Beaufort, which was shot down. F/O Kenneth Campbell 72446 and Sgt J P Scott RCAF, R63912. Sgt W C Mulliss 746872 and F/Sgt R W Hillman, 643257 died in the crash. On 13th March 1942 F/O Kenneth Campbell was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
06-04-1941
Bristol Beaufort I N1147 OA-V 22 Squadron RAF St Eval missing from a shipping strike in the Gironde area.
07-04-1941
The unclassified road through the Emergency Landing Ground at Trebelzue was closed from it’s junction with the B3276 near Deer Park and the junction with the coast road near Trebelzue. The closure was due to an un exploded bomb.
07-04-1941
de Havilland Leopard Moth BD172 (Ex G-ACOO) of 8 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit crashed on landing at RAF St Eval.
07-04-1941
Bristol Blenheim IV T2398 PZ-E 53 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from escorting convoy ‘Wheel’. 9
09-04-1941
Bristol Blenheim IV V5862 PZ-Y of 53 Squadron took off from RAF St Eval with full nose down trim and dived into the ground out of control. P/O I F Anderson 43082. Sgt H H Walker 754774 and Sgt E A J S Fabian 908487 all killed.
10-04-1941
Two Supermaerine Spitfire 1s P9307 (PR) type C, pilot: F/O L D Loadsby and P9396 (PR) type B, pilot: P/O W K Manifould of the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF St Eval went out on two sorties to photograph Brest both were shot down
10-04-1941
de Havilland Queen Bee P4707 of the Pilotless Aircraft Unit/ 1 Anti-Aircraft co-operation Unit RAF Cleave was hit by A/A fire and crashed into the sea off Cleave.
10-04-1941
2255hrs
2 flares followed by 6 High Explosive Bombs were dropped at Predannack Downs near the RAF runways, map reference 115/405.
12-04-1941
0405hrs
2 Bombs dropped on RAF Portreath, there were no casualties but the runways were damaged.
13-04-1941
1200hrs
four German airmen came ashore in a rubber dinghy at Pentargon, Boscastle. The Homeguard took charge and then handed them over to the military at the Infantry Training Centre, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, Bodmin.
14-04-1941
0320hrs
19 High Explosive Bombs dropped on and around RAF St Eval.
15-04-1941
0240hrs
Fairey Swordfish from 774 Squadron based at RNAS St Merryn fell into the sea 1¼ miles SW of Portloe Cove, 1½ miles E of Veryan Police House. The occupants are safe and the aircraft was towed away by a Naval Vessel.
16-04-1941
1939hrs
Bristol Blenheim IV V5518 PZ-H of 53 Squadron based at St. Eval crashed and hit a wall force landing at Trolvis, Longdowns, 2½ miles W of Penryn Police Station. The aircraft was completely smashed with unexploded bombs underneath the wreckage. F/O R C L Reade 87055 and Sgt J D O’Connell 913611 were both killed. Sgt R H W M Camm 1003424 was seriously injured and removed to Hospital.
17-04-1941
de Havilland Queen Bee P4714 of the Pilotless Aircraft Unit/ 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit RAF Cleave crashed near Cleave Camp.
18-04-1941
Bristol Blenheim IV V6302 PZ-W of 53 Squadron RAF St. Eval shot down off the Ile de Siene.
21-04-1941
0335hrs
Lockheed Hudson I T9304 VX-C of 206 Squadron based at RAF St Eval crashed after take-off in a field on Providence Farm, Castle-an-Dinas, St Columb Major. The aircraft was completely wrecked with all four crew dead. P/O R L Tanner 74692. Sgt G V Reeves 748689. Sgt C T Handley 910738 and Sgt F Allen 615122.
23-04-1941
0245hrs
Vickers Wellington R1597 HH-A of 218 Squadron based at Marham, Norfolk, crashed in a field at Trevigo, St Minver, 1½ miles NNE of St Minver Church. The machine was slightly damaged and of the crew 5 were uninjured and 1 injured.
23-04-1941
0620hrs
Hawker Hurricane Ia V7016 HP-? 247 Squadron detachment based at RAF St Eval crashed in the sea off St Agnes Head, 3 miles off St Ives. Sgt Alan Cameron Kelly 40771 aged 23 of the Royal New Zealand Air Force was killed.
23-04-1941
A canister was washed up at Tintagel containing a First Aid Kit and sheets of paper marked “Fred Olsen Liner Oslo”, plus a canvas bag containing an electric lamp.
24-04-1941
1315hrs
Hawker Hurricane Ia V6681 HP-D of 247 Squadron had engine failure while on patrol. The pilot managed to force land in a strong wind at RAF Predannack but the aircraft swung off the runway and tipped up onto its nose. P/O J F Hayes was uninjured.
24-04-1941
Bristol Beaufort 1 L9950 OA-L 22 Squadron RAF St Eval took off on a minelaying sortie to Brest failed to return.
27-04-1941
Bristol Beaufort 1 X8917 OA-W 22 Squadron RAF St Eval took off on a minelaying sortie to Brest failed to return.
27-04-1941
2135 hours 3 small High Explosive bombs were dropped on RAF Portreath; there was no damage or casualties.
29-04-1941
2150hrs
4 High Explosive bombs were dropped on farmland on the outskirts of RAF Portreath.
01-05-1941
Bristol Beaufighter Ic T3229 PN-? 252 Squadron ditched off Lisbon, Portugal on a transit flight between St Eval and Gibraltar. Sub Lieutenant R D B Hopkins RN and Sgt G Bell 523274 were interned. 10
05-05-1941
0010hrs
14 High Explosive bombs dropped in fields adjoining and on RNAS St Merryn at 0057hrs in a further attack on the air station 33 HE bombs were dropped on the air station property and surroundings. The Naval authorities dealt with 4 unexploded bombs. There were no casualties, 1 Fairey Swordfish and some buildings were damaged.
05-05-1941
0021hrs
Bristol Blenheim IV Z5809 BX-? 86 Squadron was destroyed in an air raid on RAF St Eval.
06-05-1941
de Havilland Queen Bee N1829 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit was shot down by anti-aircraft gunners off RAF Cleave.
10-05-1941
40 High Explosive bombs are dropped on RAF Portreath between 0020 and 0055hrs.
10-05-1941
Bristol Blenheim IV V6376 WV-? 18 Squadron RAF Portreath was damaged beyond repair in an air raid.
10-05-1941
Supermarine Spitfire IIa P8240 UM-? 152 squadron RAF Portreath badly damaged in an air raid and was struck off charge on 21-05-1941
10-05-1941
0021hrs
80 High Explosive bombs were dropped on RAF St Eval destroying two Bristol Blenheim Mark IV aircraft T2330 UX-? and V6070 UX-N of 82 Squadron.
10-05-1941
0022hrs
4 High Explosive bombs were dropped 3 in ploughed fields at Tremoon Farm and 1 at Tremoon RAF Wireless Station, 1 mile south of St Mawgan.
10-05-1941
0022hrs
7 High Explosive bombs were dropped in fields and 1 on the B3276 Road at Trebelzue Farm.
10-05-1941
0022hrs
60 High Explosive and Oil bombs dropped on Trebelzue Aerodrome.
11-05-1941
0001hrs
an air raid on St Eval damaged beyond repair two Bristol Beaufort I aircraft L9881 MW-? and N1018 MW-K of 217 Squadron.
12-05-1941
Bristol Beaufort 1 W6494 MW-F 217 Squadron RAF St Eval carried out a recce of St Nazaire, on return they were diverted to Boscombe Down but became lost and were shot down by flak over Carpiquet, France
12-05-1941
0310hrs
enemy aircraft raided RAF St Eval and dropped 200 High Explosive bombs.
13-05-1941
Two Bristol Blenheim IVs V6430 UX-? & V5997 UX-? 82 Squadron RAF Portreath failed to return from a raid on St Nazaire.
16-05-1941
0455hrs
1 High Explosive and 2 Incendiary bombs dropped on RAF Portreath.
17-05-1941
Miles Magister R1829 Station Flight RAF St Eval was damaged in an air raid and damaged beyond repair and was struck off charge 31-05-1941
.
18-05-1941
Avro Manchester B I L7393 EM-V of 207 Squadron from RAF Waddington flown by S/L Mackintosh, a test pilot, when on a cross-country test flight with 6 crew and 2 or 3 passengers had an engine fire He ordered the guns, dummy bomb load & fuel to be jettisoned. In an attempted landing at Perranporth the aircraft overshot and the under-carriage was raised. The Manchester continued through two walls and across a road before stopping. Sgt Nesbit suffered the only injury, the rest being badly shaken.
21-05-1941
0007hrs
the enemy dropped High Explosive and Incendiary bombs on RAF Portreath.
21-05-1941
0503hrs
Bristol Blenheim IVf V5428 ND-F of 236 Squadron overshot on landing at RAF St Eval in bad weather, swung to avoid other aircraft and an undercarriage leg collapsed. The Blenheim was written off as beyond repair, the crew of Sgts Lindley, Fuller & Hale were uninjured.
22-05-1941
Two Bristol Beaufighter Ic aircraft of 252 Squadron took off from Gibraltar at 1000hrs on ferry flights to St Eval T3235 BT-? force landed in Eire, the aircraft and crew of F/O J Holgate, F/O H Verity and Sgt Barnett were interned. T3249 BT-? ditched off Mousehole, Cornwall short of fuel in bad weather, F/O S MacDonald, F/O G Lemar and Sgt Booth were picked up by a small coastal vessel and transferred to the Royal Infirmary Truro.
23-05-1941
Bristol Beaufort I N1040 MW-K of 217 Squadron based at RAF St Eval took off on an Anti-Submarine search for a U-boat. The crew spotted the U-boat on the surface near the Ile d’Oleron and dropped a stick of four bombs. A second attack against the vessel was made with the two remaining bombs but return fire ripped open both wing leading edges. Sgt Harper made a further run in using machine-guns but a cannon shell tore into the starboard main fuel tank and another exploded behind the observer’s panel. The pilot set course for home and the crew assessed the damage, the flaps and undercarriage were visibly in damaged. On reaching the Bishop’s Light the starboard engine started to misfire through lack of fuel and the Beaufort lost height and crash landed in a field at Boscathnoe Lane, Heamoor 2 miles North of Penzance. The crew Sgts Harper, Scollin, Seth and Wendle were all injured. 11
25-05-1941
Supermarine Spitfire 1 (PR) type C R7070 LY 1 Photographic reconnaissance Unit RAF St Eval failed to return from a photo sortie to Brest. Pilot: F/O R W Ayres missing.
26-05-1941
1130hrs
Bristol Blenheim IV V6301 PZ-? 53 Squadron based at RAF St Eval on return from patrol in bad visibility undershot on landing and hit a gun position. W/C G W P Grant 29091 and crew are safe.
28-05-1941
Between 0035 and 0311hrs a High Explosive bomb was dropped on open moorland at Higher Butters Tor, St Breward, 7 miles SE of St Breward Police House.
28-05-1941
0050hrs
a High Explosive bomb was dropped in a field at Lower Pengelly, Delabole ¼ mile SSE of Delabole Police House. 1 house was destroyed and several others damaged.
28-05-1941
0100hrs
a High Explosive bomb was dropped in a grass field at Trecarne Farm, Advent, 2 miles S of Camelford. There were no casualties but there was damage to a farmhouse and out buildings.
28-05-1941
0100hrs
a High Explosive bomb was dropped in a field at Abbotts Hendra Farm, Davidstow, 1½ miles SSE of Halworthy Police House.
28-05-1941
0100hrs
2 High Explosive bombs dropped at Helstone, Camelford, 1¾ miles SSW of Camelford Police Station. 1 house slightly damaged.
28-05-1941
0115hrs
a High Explosive bomb was dropped on the cliffs near Penally, Boscastle, ½ a mile NNW of Boscastle Police House.
30-05-1941
1000hrs
Fairey Swordfish II L2799 S6-A of 774 Squadron RNAS St Merryn hit an overhead electric cable in Trebarwith Valley, 1¼ miles SSW of Tintagel Police House. The machine was totally destroyed and the 3 occupants were killed, Sub-Lieutenant J H Formby and Trainee Air Gunners Ordinary Seaman E W Page and Ordinary Telegrapher F Thurlow.
02-06-1941
0055hrs
5 High Explosive bombs dropped at Treglith, 2¾ miles ENE of Halworthy Police House. The road was closed and there was some damage to buildings but no casualties.
03-06-1941
de Havilland Dragon G-ACPY left the Scilly Isles at 1700hrs and has not been heard of since. The DH84 was shot down by a Heinkel He111H-4 of 1/KG28 circa 1650hrs. There were five members of the Leggitt family and the pilot Captain W D Anderson on the aircraft. They were missing presumed killed, after extensive searches by air and sea.
10-06-1941
0130hrs
Hawker Hurricane Mark Ia V6847 HP-B of 247 Squadron based at RAF Portreath became lost while on patrol after radio problems and force landed in a field at Trevose Head, 2 miles W of Padstow Police Station with under carriage down. The aircraft struck a dyke and overturned at 0135hrs. Sgt J D Mair was injured.
10-06-1941
Bristol Beaufort Mark I W6530 MW-S of 217 Squadron based at RAF St Eval took off on a mining operation on the 9th June and landed at RAF Chivenor on return at 0325 hours on the 10th June. The aircraft departed Chivenor for the flight back to St Eval but suffered an engine fire on route. It crashed and blew up in Barnstaple Bay. Sgt P F Holley 742265, Sgt J K Whadcoat 957278, Sgt P T Perrins 974123 and Sgt C G J McIvor 615917 were all killed.
11-06-1941
1300hrs
the remains of a Bristol Blenheim IV V5933 PZ-U of 53 Squadron based at St Eval have been found scattered within ½ mile of Brown Willy Tor, 4½ miles from Five Lanes Police House. The machine apparently blew up on impact, there were 3 bodies one of which was unrecognisable. The other two were blown to pieces. The aircraft was returning from an operation to St Nazaire, France in cloud when it flew into the tor. P/O N D MacLennan J3735 RCAF, Sgt D C Taylor 754263, Sgt W M Roberts 948880 all killed.
11-06-1941
Hawker Hurricane Ia W9260 of 247 Squadron at RAF Portreath on a night patrol descended below cloud in poor visibility and crashed into the Channel. The pilot Sgt D C Ross 920876 was killed.
15-06-1941
Supermarine Spitfire IIa P8182 ‘Tasmania II’ of 152 Squadron based at RAF Portreath was abandoned by its pilot near Totnes, Devon.
16-06-1941
The decomposed body of a British airman was landed at Falmouth from HMS Ellesmere. The body had been found in the sea about 1½ miles from the Longships Light at approximately 1055hrs. The body was that of Sgt Harry Burton 751824 an Air Gunner who was killed in action on the 24th April.
17-06-1941
1530hrs
Bristol Beaufort I L9867 MW-? 217 Squadron at RAF St Eval, F/O Eyre took off for his first solo circuits of the aerodrome, but suffered an engine failure and stalled in a forced landing, crashing in a field at Treburrick Farm, St Eval. The sole occupant F/O J A Eyre 43359 was killed and the machine was completely wrecked. 12
17-06-1941
Lockheed Hudson 1 N7281 NR-Y 220 Squadron RAF St Eval took off on a transit flight to Thornaby but crashed in a forced landing after an engine failure at Newgale, Pembrokeshire. Pilot: P/O H B Ainsworth the sole occupant was uninjured
18-06-1941
1230hrs
Bristol Beaufort I N1158 OA-P of 22 Squadron based at RAF Thorney Island, Hampshire on a transfer flight crashed in a field at Tolcarne, St Mawgan. 3 members of the crew were killed, P/O D A Attewell 89077, Sgt G P Whicher R60108 RCAF, Sgt P McEwan 1355107. Sgt Towend were seriously injured and the plane completely wrecked.
19-06-1941
1715hrs
the body of a German airman was recovered from the sea ½ a mile from Port Isaac. His service number was 67019. There was also the badge of a flying eagle and 69 in a circle with a pair of wings.
19-06-1941
Supermarine Spitfire IIa P8019 1 Delivery Flight overshot on landing in bad weather and hit houses St Eval.
21-06-1941
Bristol Beaufort I W6528 MW-H 217 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from a Rover patrol.
23-06-1941
Two Bristol Blenhiem IVs V5647 PZ-S and V6125 PZ-F 53 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from their convoy escort and Bust patrols respectively.
25-06-1941
0330hrs
Heinkel HE-III-5 Wn3878 IH+BD III/KG26 Nantes was shot down by AA fire and crashed into the sea in Falmouth Bay off Coverack. One crew member Gefr Willi Hoffman rescued by local motor boat as he swam ashore. Three others killed. Uffz George Lohmann. Gefr Freidrich Brunnecker and Ogerf Leo Pfop.
26-06-1941
Three Bristol Blenhiem IVs V6309 PZ-E (Bust patrol), V6087 PZ-O (C patrol) and V6122 PZ-Y (C patrol) RAF St Eval all failed to return.
29-06-1941
0220hrs
Hawker Hurricane IIa Z2390 HP-A of 247 Squadron flying a searchlight co-operation sortie, swung onto rough ground on landing and tipped up onto its nose at RAF Predannack. P/O A Roberts was uninjured.
03-07-1941
1215hrs
Supermarine Spitfire IIa P7972 PJ-? 130 Squadron based at RAF Portreath crashed at Gurland Farm, St Just. Sgt Ronald Turner 1259078 died and the machine burnt out.
03-07-1941
1710hrs
Junkers Ju88 crashed in a field at Trevilley Farm, Sennen. The aircraft completely burnt-out and the four crewmen died.
01-07-1941
Lockheed Hudson IV AE609 VX-U 206 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from a Crossover patrol.
04-07-1941
1405hrs
Blackburn Roc I L3140 of 774 Squadron FAA based at RNAS St Merryn crashed on a sandbar, ½ a mile East of Padstow Harbour. The machine was extensively damaged and the three occupants injured.
08-07-1941
Lockheed Hudson IV AE613 VX-B 206 Squadron RAF St Eval ditched while on an anti-submarine patrol after the starboard engine caught fire, all the crew got into the dinghy safely, after 12 hours they were spotted by a Sunderland T9047 RB-L 10 Squadron RAAF Pembroke Dock which landed to pick up the ditched crew but the Sunderland lost a float and an engine before attempting to taxy home. The Sunderland was met by two destroyers L142 and L196 who took both crews on board and sank the Sunderland with gunfire.
11-07-1941
Vickers Wellington VIII W5631 DF-T 221 Squadron RAF St Eval on return from an Anti-Submarine patrol was in communication with base and was plotted in the vicinity of the Isles of Scilly. Contact was suddenly lost and information received that an aircraft had exploded in mid-air near the islands. It was thought that an enemy fighter had shot the Wellington down. A search by British fighter aircraft from RAF St Eval failed to find any trace of the Wellington or its crew of six. F/O I CM Sanderson 77042 (Argentinian) P/O R Edwards 84917, P/O D H M Jack 88692, Sgt L P MacDowell 978205 , Sgt V S Payne 975776 and Sgt R G W Perkins 977815.
12-07-1941
2230hrs
Bristol Beaufighter IIf R2317 of 600 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force RAF Predannack. Performed aerobatics while on a night flying test got into a spin and crashed at Trewoon, Mullion. The two occupants P/O Schumer and Sgt Smither were killed. The machine was completely burnt-out.
18-07-1941
Bristol Beaufort I AW819 MW-X 217 Squadron RAF St Eval was shot down by flak on a shipping strike to St Nazaire.
19-07-1941
Bristol Beaufighter Ic T3296 of the Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit at RAF Portreath missing on a ferry flight to Gibraltar.
20-07-1941
Bristol Beaufort I L9970 MW-B 217 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from a Rover patrol in the Bay of Biscay. 13
23-07-1941
2105 hours Bristol Beaufort I L9891 OA-F of 22 Squadron flying from RAF St. Eval to Thorney Island, Hampshire crashed in a forced landing following engine failure at Cannaframe Farm, Altarnun. The aircraft was extensively damaged. Of the four crew and three passengers P/O Rodgers (pilot) and Sgt Hills the Observer were seriously injured. The other five including Sgt Hatherall W/Op and Sgt McGee A/G were slightly injured. All were taken to Launceston Hospital.
24-07-1941
1536hrs
Hawker Sea Hurricane Ia R4214 of 880 Squadron RNAS St Merryn force-landed 300 yards from Hill Farm House, St Gennys. There was damage to the propeller and the underside of the cockpit area. The pilot is uninjured.
24-07-1941
1630 hours Vickers Wellington BII W5581 LQ-? of 405 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force based at Pocklington, Yorkshire ditched 200 yards from shore on Whitsand Bar, Torpoint, Cornwall 2½ miles south-south west of Anthony Police House. The pilot Sgt Craig states that the aircraft was badly shot-up while on a daylight operation to attack the Gneisenau in Brest Docks. The rear gunner was seriously injured while shooting down two of the four enemy fighters attacking the aircraft. The other five crewmen including himself were slightly injured.
25-07-1941
Bristol Beaufort I AW238 MW-X 217 Squadron RAF St Eval lost on a shipping strike to Brest.
31-07-1941
Hawker Henley TT III L3433 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit crashed on landing at RAF Cleave.
06-08-1941
0140hrs
a Sea Mine exploded in Bossiney Bay, Tintagel.
06-08-1941
0600hrs
a Sea Mine came ashore ¼ mile SSW of Boscastle.
06-08-1941
Miles Magister L5985 of 616 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force crashed on take-off at RAF Perranporth.
11-08-1941
Bristol Beaufort I L9972 MW-F 217 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from St Nazaire.
11-08-1941
1620hrs
Hawker Hurricane IIa Z2886 of 247 Squadron at RAF Predannack suffered engine failure and force-landed with the undercarriage retracted and struck a stone wall and overturned at Watering Place, Sancreed 2¼ miles from St Just Police Station. The aircraft was wrecked and P/O Alfred Roberts was killed.
14-08-1941
Supermarine Spitfire IIa P7556 of 130 Squadron spun into the ground at Portreath on return from operations.
17-08-1941
Vickers Wellington VIII W5730 DF-? 221 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from a Crossover patrol off the W of Ireland.
19-08-1941
Lockheed Hudson III T9442 ZS-? 233 Squadron RAF St Eval flew into a hill returning from patrol 3 miles S of Gefach Goch, Glamorganshire. All killed.
19-08-1941
Hawker Hurricane IIa Z2461 HP-O of 247 Squadron was involved in an accident at RAF Predannack.
20-08-1941
de Havilland Queen Bee V4800 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit was shot down by gunners off the coast at Cleave.
21-08-1941
Bristol Beaufort I N1041 MW-S 217 Squadron RAF St Eval Failed to return from a Rover patrol.
22-08-1941
2318hrs
Bristol Beaufighter IIf R2300 from 600 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force at RAF Predannack returning from an operational patrol crashed into the sea ¼ mile South of Predannack. Despite a search by lifeboat no trace of the aircraft or crew could be found. Sgts Martin and Smith are missing.
24-08-1941
Supermarine Spitfire Ia X4246 of 53 Operational Training Unit based at Church Fenton, Yorkshire swung on landing at RAF Perranporth.
27-08-1941
Short Sunderland I P9604 RB-J of 10 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force at Mount Batten, Plymouth force-landed after operations at Coverack Cove, Cornwall.
05-09-1941
Hawker Hurricane IIa Z2828 HP-? 247 Squadron based at RAF Predannack landed heavily with drift during bad weather. Sgt D C Deuntzer was unhurt but the aircraft was damaged.
06-09-1941
1550 hours Hawker Hurricane IIa Z2572 HP-G of 247 Squadron based at RAF Predannack crashed into the sea ½ mile South of Logan Rock, 3 miles SW of St Buryan Police House, during a practice dogfight off Lands End. The naval authorities made a search and the logbook of the Hurricane was found. The pilot Sgt Robert Irwin Berkin was killed.
09-09-1941
1615hrs
Supermarine Spitfire Ia N3124 QG-B of 53 Operational Training Unit from RAF Llandow, Wales crashed at Tregure Farm, ½ mile from Jacobstow.
13-09-1941
1300hrs
the body of a British airman was washed ashore at Benouth, Tintagel. Papers disclose his identity as 1172596 Sergeant Peter James Bull a W/Op Air Gunner, of RAF Chivenor, Barnstaple, Devon. 14
13-09-1941
Lockheed Hudson V AM548 ZS-D 233 squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from an anti-submarine search.
14-09-1941
Lockheed Hudson V AM548 PZ-G 53 squadron RAF St Eval became lost while on an anti-submarine sweep and crashed in France.
28-09-1941
Bristol Beaufort I W6501 MW-D 217 Squadron RAF St Eval Failed to return from a night strike, probably crashed in France.
26-09-1941
1620hrs
Bristol Beaufort I W6483 MW-A of 217 Squadron from RAF St Eval took off for a shipping strike. On return in bad visibility it crashed at County Quarry, Tregonning Hill, Breage. The machine was completely burnt-out and the four occupants killed.
29-09-1941
Supermarine Spitfire IIa P7973 QY-? 452 Royal Australian Air Force Squadron hit an obstruction on a sweep over France and made a forced landing at RAF Predannack.
29-09-1941
An unexploded bomb was found at Hennett Farm, St Juliot, Boscastle.
10-10-1941
Bristol Beaufort I L9808 MW-? 217 Squadron based at RAF St Eval flew into high ground 4 miles SW of Barnstaple, Devon.
10-10-1941
1500hrs
the body of a British airman washed ashore at Poldhu Cove, Mullion has been identified as 1001262 Sgt Thomas Hunter of 263 Squadron killed in the crash of Westland Whirlwind Mark I P7001 HE-? at sea.
11-10-1941
Bristol Beaufort I AW197 MW-E 217 Squadron RAF St Eval lost off Brest on a minelaying sortie.
11-10-1941
Supermarine Spitfire IIa P8098 `Enfield Spitfire` of 130 Squadron based at RAF Portreath was engaged in a beat-up of the aerodrome when it hit a dispersal hut.
11-10-1941
A Naval pallet was found washed ashore at Stanbury Mouth, Morwenstow.
15-10-1941
Hawker Hurricane I of 87 Squadron on detachment to RAF St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly suffered an engine cut and belly-landed at St Mary’s.
19-10-1941
2218hrs
Bristol Beaufighter IIf T3020 of 600 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force based at RAF Predannack crashed into the sea at Kennack Bay, near The Lizard, Coverack. The lifeboat made a search but there were no survivors.
21-10-1941
A battered fuel tank from the Beaufighter that crashed on the 19th October was found today.
22-10-1941
1055hrs
Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley GR V T4329 WL-U of 612 Squadron RAF St Eval flown by P/O D H Limbrey suffered engine failure and ditched 75 miles SW of the Scillies The crew were rescued by a Short Sunderland I P9604 RB-J of 10 Squadron RAAF.
23-10-1941
1630hrs
Blackburn Shark II L2377 of 774 Squadron based at RNAS St Merryn crashed into the sea 1½ miles NNW of Tintagel Police house, the machine submerged but the two occupants are safe.
24-10-1941
1627hrs
Hawker Hurricane IIc BD934 ZY-V of 247 Squadron from Predannack entered a flat spin at 8,000 feet and crashed at Gwallon Marsh, Marazion, 1 mile north of Marazion Police house. The aircraft was smashed the pilot F/L Derek Ian Graham 72023 was killed.
27-10-1941
0758hrs
Lockheed Hudson V AM651 PZ-V of 53 Squadron from St Eval flown by F/Lt L J M Bunce, navigator F/Sgt F D King DFM and WOp/AGs Sgts W C Cleaver and E Leverington ditched in flames in Falmouth Bay off Porthallow. F/Lt Bunce and Sgt Cleaver managed to escape but F/Sgt King DFM and Sgt Leverington went down with the aircraft. A Naval patrol boat rescued the two survivors and recovered a navigator’s logbook and a flying helmet.
28-10-1941
0730hrs
a grounded barrage balloon was found on Ham’s Farm, Morwenstow, 2¾ miles NW of Kilkhampton Police house.
31-10-1941
Lockheed Hudson V AM573 ZS-? 233 Squadron RAF St Eval hit a Barrage Balloon cable and exploded in mid-air over Falmouth Docks. One body was recovered. 02/11/1041 1645hrs Hawker Hurricane IIb Z3681 HM-P of 136 Squadron based at RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire, crashed in a field at Otterham Downs, 5½ miles ENE of Camelford Police Station. The aircraft was extensively damaged. the pilot sustained a slight injury to the left leg.
02-11-1941
1650hrs
Hawker Hurricane IIb Z3593 HM-? 136 Squadron from Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire, crashed at Heathfield, near Milton, Morwenstow, 2 miles NW of Kilkhampton Police house. The pilot bailed out and was uninjured but the aircraft was totally smashed. The 12 aircraft of 136 Squadron were on a cross-country Navigation Exercise to Swansea, Wales, all ran-out of fuel before reaching their target. 15
03-11-1941
Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V T4325 WL-S 612 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from an anti-submarine patrol in the Bay of Biscay.
05-11-1941
1215hrs
Hawker Hurricane IIb Z3051 ZY-? 247 Squadron at RAF Predannack suffered engine failure and crashed and caught fire in a field at Predannack Manor Farm. The aircraft was burnt-out. P/O J S Gailbraith was injured.
05-11-1941
Bristol Beaufort 1 AW202 OA-T 22 Squadron RAF St Eval took off on a shipping patrol and crashed in France
12-11-1941
1155hrs
Supermarine Spitfire Vb AD192 RY-? 313 Czech Squadron crashed at RAF Portreath the aircraft was extensively damaged, the pilot only slightly injured.
17-11-1941
1930hrs
three or four High Explosive bombs fell in the sea about 3 miles WNW of Trevose Head, Padstow.
21-11-1941
1930hrs
three High Explosive bombs were dropped on moorland on Darracott Farm, 2 miles East of Kilkhampton Police house.
24-11-1941
Heinkel He111H-5 of KG40 attempted an attack on a single ship in the Bristol Channel, but anti-aircraft fire damaged the bomber and it crash-landed at Gwavas Farm, Sithney near Helston. The German crew were taken prisoner.
26-11-1941
Bristol Beaufort 1 L9793 OA-O 22 Squadron RAF St Eval lost on a minelaying sortie off St Nazaire.
28-11-1941
Hawker Henley TT III L3253 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit based at RAF Cleave ditched after an engine fire 2 miles NE of Portreath.
01-12-1941
An Avro Rota I K4235 of 74 Wing force landed in bad weather on reaching the coast at Mousehole, Cornwall.
02-12-1941
Two Bristol Beaufort 1s AW221 OA-V and AW216 OA-P 22 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from a sortie to Nantes, France.
03-12-1941
Bristol Beaufighter Ic T4703 of 1 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit based at RAF Portreath collided on take-off with T4715. T4703 was declared category E. T4715 was category B and repaired.
08-12-1941
Bristol Blenhiem IV Z7370 1404 Met Flight RAF St Eval failed to return.
09-12-1941
Bristol Beaufort 1 AW203 OA-A 22 Squadron RAF St Eval took off at 0230hrs for a Rover patrol in the Bay of Biscay, later a message was received from aircraft stating it was returning early, nothing further heard, parts of the aircraft and the body of Sgt T S Dickson 1023594 were washed up on Gwennon Beach.
09-12-1941
0930hrs
the body of a British Airman washed ashore at Gwennon Beach, 2¼ miles SSW of St Just Police Station. At the same place was found: 2 Under-carriage wheels, 1 marked Beaufort 175, the other Beaufighter 465, 1 small tail wheel, 2 x 9 gallon petrol tanks, 1 x 9 gallon oil tank and 1 small alcohol tank.
09-12-1941
1645hrs
a British Sea mine washed ashore at Benouth Cove, Tintagel.
10-12-1941
1030hrs
a British Sea mine washed ashore at Summerleaze Beach, Bude.
12-12-1941
Bristol Beaufort 1 N1085 OA-G 22 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return crashed near Nantes.
12-12-1941
Lockheed Hudson IV AE656 PZ-V 53 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from a shipping strike off Brittany, France.
16-12-1941
1100hrs
the body of a British Airman washed ashore at Widemouth, 2 miles SSW of Bude. Named as F/Lt John Guthrie Fletcher 70798 of B Flight, 600 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force based at RAF Predannack.
18-12-1941
Handley Page Halifax II V9978 TL-? 35 Squadron damaged by flak on operations ditched in the English Channel.
20-12-1941
1600hrs
Bristol Beaufort II AW249 BX-? 86 Squadron based at RAF St Eval suffered engine failure and crashed in the sea about 5 miles off shore from St Eval. A rescue boat has put out from St Ives, 1 wounded survivor F/Sgt R E Howett 751101 was found 2½ hours after the crash, the body of the pilot F/Lt D E Shorman 41327 from Nairobi, Kenya and that of F/Sgt D Copes 651371 were recovered. Sgt E G Forster 759029 missing.
24-12-1941
1400hrs
the body of F/O David James Fletcher 41166 a crew member of a Short Sunderland I W3998 of 201 Squadron was found washed ashore on Whitsand Beach. The flying boat was lost in a take off accident in Plymouth Sound on 20th December 1941 he was one of 11 crewmen killed. 16
25-12-1941
Lockheed Hudson III V9091 QX-B of 224 Squadron based at RAF St Eval On returning to base overshot on landing and hit a hedge, the nose was crushed, both engines were left hanging out of their nacelles, the undercarriage was buckled and the port mainplane smashed. P/O N A Mervyn-Smith, Sgt R Mattison, Sgt H Clent, Sgt H Flavell and F/Sgt T Edgar survived.
25-12-1941
Lockheed Hudson V AM669 QX-F 224 Squadron RAF St Eval failed to return from a Stepper patrol.
28-12-1941
1320hrs
Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley V Z9297 1 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit at RAF Portreath crashed at Weston-Super-Mare after control was lost. Three crewmen were injured.
28-12-1941
1530hrs
Bristol Beaufort I N1086 of 5 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit, from Chivenor, Devon. returning from a training sortie with the port engine stopped crashed at South Coombe Farm, Stokeclimsland, 1 mile West of Stokeclimsland Police House. The aircraft was completely burnt out and the four occupants P/O Philip Hastings Isted 89823, Pilot; Sgt G G Sinclair, Observer; Sgt E Robinson, WOp/AG and Sgt F C Baker, WOp/AG were all killed.
30-12-1941
Handley Page Halifax II R9374 ZA-? 10 Squadron ditched off Cornwall on return from operations to Brest, the first successful ditching of a Halifax.
30-12-1941
0545hrs
Armstrong Whitworth Whitley GR VII Z9372 YG-M of 502 Squadron based at RAF St Eval crash landed on return in poor weather while flying at 100 feet trying to locate St Eval an engine stopped and the Whitley force landed. The crew of F/O A Wood BEM, Sgt R W Dix, F/O P R Aitken, Sgt L E H Eullrich, Sgt H S Vince and Sgt H B Jordan survived with cuts and bruises.
31-12-1941
1200hrs
Supermarine Spitfire V W3962 DU-? 312 Czech Squadron, based at RAF Portreath forcelanded in a field at Boscawen Rose Farm, 1¾ miles from St Buryan Police House, and damaged the under-carriage and propeller.
31-12-1941
Supermarine Spitfire Vb BL286 PJ-? 130 Squadron from RAF Perranporth while flying at 1,500 feet spun into the sea off of a steep turn 2 miles E of Falmouth. Sgt Jeffrey Cox 1281530 was killed.
