Aviation Crashes and Related Incidents 1944
01-01-1944
1115hrs
Hawker Typhoon Ib JR213 HF-B of 183 Squadron based at RAF Predannack crashed at Cywoon Farm, St Gluvias killing the pilot F/Lt R Hartley.
05-01-1944
Supermarine Spitfire Vc BM317 NL-? 341 Squadron Free French Air Force collided with Spitfire Vb W3935 NL-? while taxing at RAF Perranporth. Both aircraft were destroyed by fire, Sous Lieutenant Chevalier was killed and Sergeant Fabesch was injured.
14-01-1944
1420hrs
Hawker Henley Target Tug III L3262 of 639 Squadron RAF Cleave crashed in a forced landing at Tonnacombe Farm, Morwenstow. The crew of two were uninjured but the aircraft was badly damaged.
23-01-1944
A Boeing B-17E 9205 of 168 Mail Squadron RCAF on the first flight from Prestwick, Scotland – Gibraltar – Italy made at night to avoid interception by the Luftwaffe. The aircraft was at 5,000 feet about ninety miles south of Brest, France, when there was a sudden tremendous shock it had been hit a glancing blow. The RAF Coastal Command Vickers Wellington that struck them went down with the loss of all on board. The Fortresses nose was twisted and it shuddered violently. It took both pilots strength to right the aircraft. They went down to 1200 feet in a slow turn; not a spin but more of a slide. Numbers 3 & 4 engines were absolutely out, the supercharger was only operating on number 1. So only one and a half engines were operating. The pilot & co-pilot fought vibrating controls for two hours and 9205 was nursed back to England for a safe landing at RAF Predannack. Awards for saving the aircraft, F/O H B Hillcoat RCAF pilot, P/O E M Rosenbaum RCAF 2nd Pilot, F/O F B Labrish RCAF and F/O C A Dickson RCAF were awarded the Air Force Cross and Cpl A DeMarco RCAF the Air Force Medal.
24-01-1944
Short Sunderland III DD836 of 228 Squadron based Pembroke Dock, Wales was using the Isles of Scilly as a forward operating base. The aircraft was moored out and during a gale the port float broke away and the aircraft sank. The aircraft was officially struck off charge on 29th February 1944.
28-01-1944
A Hawker Hurricane XI BW949 of 1449 Flight based at St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly crashed in the sea off the islands while on approach to land.
03-02-1944
Two Hawker Henley Target Tug IIIs L3260 & L3360 of 639 Squadron at RAF Cleave rashed on landing at RAF Perranporth.
06-02-1944
1430hrs
de Havilland Tiger Moth DE808 based at RAF St Mary’s Isles of Scilly force landed at Lands End Aerodrome, St Just. The aircraft was intact and the pilot safe.
09-02-1944
Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress 42-30637 crashed St Mawgan on ferry flight to the 97th Bomb Group. (Captain W H Kelm).
16-02-1944
de Havilland Mosquito NFXIII HK409 of 1 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit crashed on landing at RAF Portreath. 35
23-02-1944
2240hrs
Consolidated Liberator GR V BZ777/G aircraft G of 547 Squadron based at RAF St Eval crashed at Old Town, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly. The pilot F/O T G Dixon died but his crew of seven and a passenger survived.
25-02-1944
0740hrs
Supermarine Spitfire IXc MJ516 GW-A of 340 Squadron Free French Air Force from RAF Perranporth crashed into the sea just after take off ½ mile from Perranporth Coast Guard Lookout. The aircraft submerged and Lt Andre drowned.
26-02-1944
de Havilland Mosquito II DZ707 of 157 Squadron based at RAF Predannack dived to port from 200 feet and crashed at Predannack Aerodrome.
29-02-1944
Supermarine Spitfire IXc MJ853 GW-? 340 Squadron Free French Air Force based at Perranporth flew into the sea 125 miles SW of Land’s End. 2nd Lt Borossi drowned.
29-02-1944
1830hrs
Percival Proctor II BV535 based at RNAS Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire crashed in a forced landing at Haloose, Trescillian. The aircraft was slightly damaged and the two occupants uninjured.
??-03-1944
Hawker Typhoon Ib JR365 HE-P of 263 Squadron based at Warmwell, Dorset returning from operations landed a RAF Predannack but suffered a burst tyre and stood on its nose. The aircraft was repaired on site before returning to its squadron.
16-03-1944
1050hrs
de Havilland Mosquito FBVI LR344 of 248 Squadron RAF Portreath dived out of cloud and flew into the hillside at Lanyon Farm, Madron. The aircraft burnt out and the crew of two were killed.
18-03-1944
0240hrs
Consolidated B-24 flying into RAF St Mawgan crashed at Pennatillies Farm St Columb Major. The aircraft was burnt out and the five crewmen were killed.
18-03-1944
1530hrs
Stinson Reliant FK898 S9-O of RNAS St Merryn Station Flight crashed force landing at Trebarwith Village, Delabole. Of the three occupants one was slightly injured.
20-03-1944
1645hrs
a Boeing B-17F 42-31559 AW-J of 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron based at Snetterton Heath, Norfolk returning from a mission to Frankfurt, Germany, ditched in the sea 1 mile from the coast between Millandreath and Downderry. Of the 10 man crew 2 were seriously injured.
20-03-1944
Supermarine Spitfire LF IXc MJ616 NL-? 341 Squadron Free French Air Force based at Perranporth touched down 10 yards short of the runway and the undercarriage was torn off. The pilot Lt Giradon was rescued from the wreckage.
24-03-1944
Avro Anson AX622 AQ-? 276 Squadron RAF Portreath. Ditched 1½ W of St Agnes Head after both engines cut on air sea firing practice.
25-03-1944
Supermarine Spitfire LF IXc MH421 NL-? 341 Squadron Free French Air Force from Perranporth landed at Bolt Head, Devon with oil covering the windscreen and suffered an undercarriage collapse. The aircraft sustained serious damage.
05-04-1944
Boeing B-17G 42-39871 aircraft ‘H’ of the 8th Weather Squadron 8th USAAF returning from a mission landed at RAF St Eval and suffered a starboard undercarriage collapse.(Captain H M Aronson).
11-04-1944
0805hrs
de Havilland Mosquito FBVI MM413 of 248 Squadron based at RAF Portreath while on an Anti-Aircraft patrol crashed into a cloud covered hill at Wheal Christopher Farm, Sithney, Helston. The Mosquito was burnt out and the crew of two were killed.
11-04-1944
de Havilland Mosquito LR363 WR-T of 248 Squadron crash-landed wheels up at Portreath on return after combat the crew of F/Lt S G Nunn and navigator F/O J M Carlin were uninjured.
11-04-1944
Ju88C-6 aircraft of ZG1 severely damage MM438 of 151 squadron F/Sgt J Playford & navigator W/O G D Kelsey manage to return to Predannack uninjured but their aircraft was written off as beyond repair.
12-04-1944
1435hrs
Supermarine Spitfire crashed at Nancarrow Farm, Tregothen, St Michael Penkivel. The aircraft was burnt out but the pilot safe.
15-04-1944
U.S. Fairchild UC-61 Forwarder 43-14837 U.S. Air Transport Command crashed at St Mawgan. (Pilot Robert M Miller).
16-04-1944
Supermarine Spitfire LF IXc MK342 5A-? 329 Squadron Free French Air Force based at Perranporth struck a parked de Havilland Tiger Moth DE808 of 1449 Flight from the Isles of Scilly on take off. The Spitfire pilot l’Adjutante Chef Cheminade survived the incident.
17-04-1944
0240hrs
Vickers Warwick III BV247 of 525 Squadron based at RAF Lyneham, Wiltshire crashed into the sea 2½ miles NE of Newquay. The aircraft submerged and of the 16 occupants 14 bodies were recovered. 36
17-04-1944
de Havilland Mosquito FBVI HP909 of 248 Squadron stalled on approach to RAF Portreath after the engines overheated. The crew were uninjured.
18-04-1944
Martin B-26C Marauder 42-107741 of the 4th Fighter Group? crashed at RAF Perranporth. (Captain John L Jones).
27-04-1944
1430hrs
Hawker Typhoon Ib MN180 SF-Q of 137 Squadron RAF Manston, Kent ran out of fuel and force landed at Tresidderne Farm, Grade Ruan. The Typhoon was lightly damaged and the pilot W/O A W Emslie was slightly injured.
27-04-1944
1000hrs
Seven crewmen from Handley Page Halifax II JD176 W of 58 Squadron based at St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales; having ditched were rescued from the sea 10 miles NE of the Isles of Scilly.
29-04-1944
An Airspeed Oxford HN668 of 286 Squadron RAF Culmhead over shot on landing at RAF Cleave and hit a hedge.
09-05-1944
Boeing B-17G 42-31766 aircraft ‘F’ on a ferry flight to the UK landed at RAF St Eval short of fuel.
10-05-1944
1442hrs
Bolton Paul Defiant III V1170 on a delivery flight to 792 Squadron FAA at RNAS St Merryn overshot on landing and hit a hedge.
12-05-1944
2135hrs
Supermarine Spitfire IX MK508 SK-C of 165 Squadron RAF Predannack force landed at Chysauster, Madron. The pilot was slightly injured and the aircraft was badly damaged.
17-05-1944
de Havilland Mosquito NF XIII MM436 of 151 Squadron based at RAF Predannack was held off too high, stalled, landed heavily and suffered an undercarriage collapse. The crew of two were uninjured.
17-05-1944
Handley Page Halifax II JP291 of 1 Ferry Unit swung on take off from RAF St Mawgan crashed and caught fire.
18-05-1944
Fairey Swordfish III NF123/G aircraft ‘Z’ of 838 Naval Air Squadron based at Harrowbeer, Devon suffered engine failure on air to ground firing with Rocket Projectiles at Treligga, Cornwall. The aircraft crashed into a hillside at Tregannick Farm, Treligga, Delabole and burnt out, Sub/Lt D J Donovan was slightly injured, but the other two crew members were unhurt.
19-05-1944
Vickers Wellington III BK396 of 22 Operational Training Unit crashed in a forced-landing near RAF Davidstow Moor due to starboard engine failure.
21-05-1944
1425hrs
Handley Page Halifax II W7811 1662 Heavy Conversion Unit based at Blyton, Lincolnshire crashed at Buttern Tor, Altarnun. The aircraft was completely wrecked, the pilot was seriously injured and later died. The other six crew all baled out prior to the crash, four were injured and two safe.
22-05-1944
1845hrs
Hawker Hurricane X AG126 from RAF Predannack force landed at Newdown, Pillaton 3 miles S of Callington. The aircraft was damaged and the pilot slightly injured.
23-05-1944
0020hrs
Fairey Swordfish II NF245 of 816 Squadron based at RNAS St Merryn flew into the sea at Harlyn Bay on Anti-Submarine bombing practice. Sub/Lts J M Stephens & A R Dale were unhurt but LAC D C Kemp was killed.
24-05-1944
1800hrs
An Airspeed Oxford T1250 529 Squadron based at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire suffered engine failure on approach to land at RAF Cleave and had the undercarriage jam in the up position. The aircraft was belly landed at Stoke Farm, Stowe Barton, 2½ miles W of Kilkhampton. There was slight damage to the aircraft.
24-05-1944
de Havilland Mosquito FBVI HR119 of 248 Squadron overshot on landing at RAF Portreath and suffered an undercarriage collapse. The crew of two were unhurt.
05-06-1944
1140hrs
Miles Magister N5433 of 263 Squadron based at RAF Harrowbeer, Devon force landed at Cartuther, Liskeard. The aircraft was slightly damaged and the pilot and a lady passenger were uninjured.
06-06-1944
During a strike against three German destroyers off the Belle Ile a Bristol Beaufighter TF Mark X NE208 PL-Q of 144 Squadron piloted by F/Sgt P E C Morton & navigator F/Sgt D C Mascall ditched in the Channel after being hit by return fire. F/O H L Wainman of 404 RCAF Squadron escorted them and a Warwick of 282 Squadron dropped an airborne lifeboat to the crew. LZ180 PL-T flown by F/O J M Talman had its hydraulics damaged and belly-landed at Davidstow Moor. NE823 PL-N flown by P/O J H Barnett & navigator F/Sgt R F Chapman had been hit by cannon fire and F/Sgt Chapman was wounded the in the leg, they landed at RAF Predannack the nearest airfield with medical assistance and F/Sgt Chapman was taken to the Royal Cornwall Infirmary, Truro.
06-06-1944
Junkers Ju188 was shot down S of the Lizard by two de Havilland Mosquito FBVI aircraft of 248 Squadron based at RAF Portreath. The crew of John Frederick Green DFC and George Brown Forrest flying HR120 DM-G claimed a half share in this kill. 37
08-06-1944
0546 hrs Vickers Wellington X MF616 7R-A of 524 Squadron crashed between Moorhead & Tremail, Davidstow, the aircraft exploded on impact.
08-06-1944
1300hrs
Boeing B-17G 43-37653 on delivery from Newfoundland force landed at St Helena Farm, the Lizard out of fuel. Captain Michael F Medinger. The aircraft was badly damaged but the crew of ten were safe.
08-06-1944
1610hrs
Fairchild UC-61A Forwarder 43-14837 took off from RAF St Mawgan but crashed at Tregiffian Farm, The Lizard out of fuel. Captain Donald C Goewey. The aircraft was badly damaged but the crew uninjured.
09-06-1944
de Havilland Mosquito FBXVIII HX903 DM-I of 248 Squadron collided over Cornwall with FBVI HR138 DM-Y. HX903 was lost killing both members of the crew but HR138 piloted by Wing Commander A D Phillips DSO DFC landed safely.
11-06-1944
1045hrs
an American Noorduyn UC-64 Norseman aircraft 43-5365 crashed at Greyswood, Gunnislake, 1½ miles W of Gunnislake. The aircraft burnt out and six men were killed.
11-06-1944
Short Sunderland III ML748 of 461 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force based at Pembroke Dock, Wales; diverted to St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly sustaining battle damage while on Anti-Submarine patrol but was further damaged by heavy seas on landing. The crew were taken off and the aircraft sunk by gunfire.
15-06-1944
1230hrs
Hawker Typhoon Ib MN292 HE-Z of 263 Squadron RAF Harrowbeer suffered engine failure and crashed in an attempted a forced landing at Stourscombe Farm, Launceston. The aircraft was completely smashed and F/O W K Windeller was killed.
19-06-1944
Supermarine Spitfire Vc EN768 AZ-? 234 Squadron based at RAF Predannack suffered engine failure, the pilot bailed out and the aircraft crashed into the sea near the Eddystone Lighthouse, Plymouth.
21-06-1944
1930hrs
Bristol Beaufighter TF X LX947 of 235 Squadron from RAF Portreath crashed at South Lodge, Tehidy, Camborne. The aircraft was burnt out and the two crewmen injured.
22-06-1944
Fairey Swordfish III NF122 of 838 Squadron RAF Harrowbeer, Devon overshot the flare path at RNAS St Merryn in bad visibility and crashed into wires.
28-06-1944
0028hrs
Bristol Beaufighter TF X LZ176 2-X of 404 RCAF Squadron based at RAF Davidstow Moor on return from a reconnaissance of French coast was diverted to Fairwood Common because of bad weather, crashed due to gyro failure at 0337 hours at Kennards House, Launceston, Cornwall. F/O Ernest J Keefe RCAF and P/O Beechan I G Steed RCAF both killed.
29-06-1944
1345hrs
Consolidated Liberator GR V BZ754 PP-J of 311 Czech Squadron RAF Predannack crashed at Roskelly Farm, St Keverne, The Lizard as a result of battle damage .The aircraft blew up and burnt out, eight crew were killed and one seriously injured.
05-07-1944
1221hrs
Supermarine Spitfire PRXI PA868 H of 541 Squadron RAF St Eval was returning from an operation when it force landed at Newlyn Downs. The pilot was injured and the aircraft badly damaged.
06-07-1944
Fairey Swordfish III NF159 ‘P’ of 838 Squadron Harrowbeer, Devon, suffered engine failure while on a Line Patrol. The aircraft ditched off Trevose Head, Cornwall, Lt F H Borlace, Lt W Gorman and P/O M A Parkin were picked up unhurt by the Frigate HMS Bickerton.
12-07-1944
1545hrs
de Havilland Tiger Moth T8254 from RAF Predannack force landed in poor weather at Higher Crill, Budock. There was no damage or injuries and the crew hope to take off when the weather clears.
22-07-1944
An Airspeed Oxford I HN135 of 286 Squadron RAF Portreath had an engine cut and belly landed 2½ miles SW of the airfield.
31-07-1944
1107hrs
Consolidated Liberator VI EW306 of 547 Squadron based at St Eval crashed into the sea 18½ miles NW of Stepper Point. The aircraft broke up and sank and of the eight crew four were missing and four injured.
31-07-1944
1120hrs
Vickers Warwick ASR I HF980 ‘J’ of 282 Squadron RAF Davidstow Moor crashed on takeoff for a test flight at Trenuth Farm, Camelford. P/O V V Miettinen RCAF, W/O J McBeth RCAF and 2127023 LACW Sybil Antoinette Mullins WAAF all died.
01-08-1944
1500hrs
Fairey Swordfish I P4017 of 774 Squadron from RNAS St Merryn crashed at Tregolds Farm, 300 yards from the airfield when it spun in on its landing approach. The aircraft burnt out and Sub/Lt R C Read and P/Os H R Wilkinson and W W Camp were killed.
06-08-1944
1535hrs
Bristol Beaufighter TF X LX942 MB-N of 236 Squadron RAF Davidstow Moor crashed in a corn field at Hendravosson Farm, Rose, Perranporth. This was after hitting a telegraph pole in sea fog a short while after take-off, the aircraft was badly damaged. The two crewmen were uninjured and able to walk away. 38
11-08-1944
Bristol Beaufighter TF X LZ293 MB-T of 236 Squadron RAF Davidstow Moor the pilot F/O William Daniel Grant IV known as Red & his navigator P/O Geoffrey A Page were on an air test. The pilot did not check the fuel state before getting airborne and as a result crashed out of fuel on approach in field 2 miles S of Hallworthy Police Station. 134118 F/O W D Grant IV was killed, F/O G A Page survived.
16-08-1944
1115hrs
British aircraft type unknown possibly from RAF Portreath crashed at Coosewartha Croft, Mount Hawke, Truro 2 miles S of St Agnes. The aircraft was smashed and one crewman died .
16-08-1944
1300hrs
Miles Master II EM326 of 780 Naval Air Squadron RNAS Charlton Hawthorne, Sherborne, Dorset force landed at Godolphin Manor, 2 miles N of Breage. The aircraft was intact and the pilot safe.
21-08-1944
de Havilland Mosquito FBVI LR352 of 248 Squadron overshot on a single engined landing at RAF Portreath and crashed.
21-08-1944
Hawker Henley Target Tug III L3274 of 639 Squadron crashed on landing at RAF Cleave.
24-08-1944
1515hrs
Douglas C-47A-70-DL Skytrain 42-100636 9O-? of the 437th Troop Carrier Group 85th Troop Carrier Squadron based at RAF Ramsbury, Wiltshire returning from Gibraltar ditched 3 miles N of Pendean Lighthouse. The aircraft submerged eight crewmen were rescued one slightly injured. (Captain William M Thompson).
29-08-1944
Vickers Warwick ASR I HF982 ‘L’ of 282 Squadron Davidstow Moor suffered an engine failure while on patrol and made an emergency landing at RAF Predannack during which a wing hit the ground.
04-09-1944
1140hrs
a Douglas Dakota III KG471 of 28 Squadron South African Air Force from Paris, France crashed ¾ mile ENE of Delabole Police Station out of fuel after diverting to RAF St Mawgan because of bad weather. The aircraft was smashed but the four crew were safe although one was slightly injured.
05-09-1944
Douglas C-47A 43-75990 of the 1406th Base Unit St Mawgan crashed on the airfield. (Captain Wells E Holcombe).
10-09-1944
Vickers Warwick BV316 282 squadron RAF Davidstow Moor made an emergency landing at RAF Portreath after it developed engine trouble while on a navigation exercise the aircraft caught fire on landing and was burnt out. Crew safe.
21-09-1944
1030hrs
an Air Sea Rescue Launch of 42 ASR Unit took on board 2000 gallons of petrol at Falmouth, an explosion occurred and the craft blew up and sank. One man missing and another two were seriously injured.
23-09-1944
Lockheed P-38J Lightning from the US 82nd Fighter Group. Crash landed at St Mawgan (Pilot Walter J Blair).
03-10-1944
A Hawker Henley Target Tug III L3353 of 639 Squadron crashed on landing at RAF Cleave.
08-10-1944
2145hrs
Douglas C-54 Skymaster 42-7249 in transit from Lagens, Azores crashed at Three Burrows Downs, Linkenhorne 5 miles W of Rilla Mill Police Station. The aircraft burnt out and of the nine crewmen aboard six were seriously injured and three slightly.
17-10-1944
Vickers Wellington X LP610 of 24 Operational Training Unit based at Honeybourne, Worcestershire was at 15,000 feet over the sea on an evening navigation exercise when control was lost and the aircraft crashed into Veryan Bay between Pendower and Gull Rock, 2 miles S of Veryan Police House. Three members of the crew managed to bail out and were rescued. F/O N C Dumont RCAF, F/Sgt R C Orrock RCAF and Sgt E J Post RCAF missing.
17-10-1944
Consolidated C-87 43-30617 USAAF Transport Plane crashed St Mawgan.
20-10-1944
1530hrs
an emergency door of an aircraft marked 41730/SH-17 built by Short & Harland Belfast, Northern Ireland was found in a field at Ruan High Lanes. This item is believed to have been dropped by a Vickers Wellington.
23-10-1944
The wreckage of an unidentified aircraft was washed ashore at Perranporth.
03-11-1944
1430hrs
Douglas C-47 Skytrain 43-48242 attached to the Air Technical Section, USAAF 1402 Base Unit Bovingdon, Hertfordshire suffered an engine fire and force landed in a field at Lower Carwythanack Farm, Constantine 6 miles SW of Falmouth. The aircraft was damaged and the right hand engine was burnt out, the three crewmen were uninjured. The aircraft had 8242 repeated on the nose.(Captain Joseph F.Trtek).
14-11-1944
Vickers Wellington XIV HF396 of 172 Squadron based at RAF Chivenor, Devon crashed into the sea 10 miles off Portreath.
01-12-1944
1130hrs
Martin B-26 Invader 41-39330 of the USAAF attached to RAF St Mawgan crashed at Tregonning, Newlyn East 4 miles SE of Newquay. The aircraft was completely burnt out and the two crewmen 2nd Lt A E Focke and Private 1st class R B Connick were killed. 39
02-12-1944
0030hrs
Douglas C-54 Skytrooper 41-20144 attached to RAF St Mawgan crashed at Whitewater Farm on Denzell Downs, St Mawgan 1¾ miles E of St. Columb. The aircraft was smashed but the crew of 4 and 8 passengers were safe although one was slightly injured.
12-12-1944
1630hrs
Hawker Hurricane IIc PZ834 of 1697 Air Dispatch Letter Service Flight flew out of RAF Portreath crashed at Nansladron Farm, Pentewan, St Austell. The aircraft was wrecked and the pilot killed.
13-12-1944
de Havilland Mosquito PRXVI NS789 of 1 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit suffered starboard engine failure on take off from RAF Portreath and swung into a parked Walrus X9575. The Mosquito crew were unhurt.
28-12-1944
1100hrs
Hawker Tempest V EJ811 of 33 Squadron based at RAF Predannack suffered engine failure and crashed in fields at Tregiddle Farm, Cury 1¾ miles SW of Mawgan-in-Meneage. The aircraft was completely smashed and the pilot W/O N E M MacDonald killed.
31-12-1944
0945hrs
Vickers Warwick GR V PN750 of 179 Squadron RAF St Eval crashed in a field at Trewolvas Farm, St Columb Major 1¼ miles SE of St Columb Police Station. The aircraft was destroyed and all seven crew killed.
