Hello all,
Real long shot this but I’m wondering if anyone might be able to help me identify this aircraft.
As part of some local history research I’ve been talking to locals who lived in or near Northleach during the war and several made reference to a Bristol Beaufort making an emergency landing on Northleach R.L.G. Apparently the crew of three got out but as a result of the landing and subsequent fire the payload of bombs cooked off along with all the ammunition. So spectacular was it (and the pall of smoke which drifted over the town) it stuck in many locals memory.
From the R.A.F records I have, the R.L.G at Northleach came into existence sometime in 1940 (records only show the year of land requisition) and no unit actually used it until November 1942. I have the units ORB and no mention of the crash is made so I can only assume the Beaufort crashed sometime between 1940 and 1942.
I’ve gone through several books I have detailing wartime crashes in Gloucestershire but I can find no reference to this crash at all. The fact the crew (apparently) survived and the ferocity I would of assumed it’s recorded somewhere.
Can anyone possibly help with a date/ID and maybe details?
By: Arabella-Cox - 2nd December 2008 at 22:18
Chap who provided the info was in the ATC during the war and was actually doing air experience/training flights from Northleach. Being “air minded” I’m sure his recognition was up to scratch. That and the fact his father manned the local R.O.C post who logged many of the aircraft flying overhead.
By: Creaking Door - 2nd December 2008 at 17:04
Just a thought but what makes you so sure it is a Bristol Beaufort?
In 1943 there were many, many RAF twin-engined aircraft types and if you’re relying on witnesses they may well be wrong…..however the Beaufort would be an unusual type for a witness to guess at…
…because it isn’t a Spitfire, Mosquito or Lancaster! :rolleyes:
By: Arabella-Cox - 2nd December 2008 at 16:48
Sorry to drag my own thread out from the depths but I received some more information that might help someone in helping me find some details on this crash.
Word for word from an elderly local witness:
The bomber came over Northleach with one engine on fire at about lunchtime. I can’t recall the exact date only that it was late 1943. It crashed on the airfield and all the sergeants in the crew got out unhurt but the bomber burnt out and the fire lasted for some hours and the smoke could be seen from all over town.
As I wrote earlier, nothing in in the No.3 G.T.S. ORB covering anything as described above for Northleach for that period when the airfield was active. Likewise none of the published texts I have for Gloucestershire crashes list a Beaufort coming down on/near Northleach in 1943 at all. Only one I’ve found is one on 6th December at Chedworth which is quite some distance away.
I’m surprised such an even is not in the ORB considering it lists plenty of other aircraft crashing on or nearby 3 G.T.S airfields. :confused:
By: Arabella-Cox - 27th July 2008 at 23:14
Ot Moor was 1943 onwards I think and mostly used by the USAAF?
I’ve dug few a few resources for Gloucestershire aircraft crashes for the period 1939-1945 and there’s only a handful of Beaufort crashes listed. Most seem to be losses from aircraft operating out of Filton.
The nearest ones to Northleach were a crash at Chedworth, Withington and one at Little Rissington but nothing for Northleach itself unfortunately. 🙁
By: Resmoroh - 27th July 2008 at 16:15
1/8th Bit – or may I just call you 1/8th?
The only Bombing Range I know of in the Oxford area was Otmoor. We were using that quite a lot when I were nobbutt a lad with Canberra’s at Wittering in the early 50’s. However, by the early 50’s Otmoor was for inert rounds only (concrete filled 500 pounders!). But, in WW2, “They” may have decided that both Town, and Gown, would have to put up with a bit of bang!
Resmoroh
By: Arabella-Cox - 27th July 2008 at 15:12
Thanks Resmoroh,
The operation history of Northleach I know inside out (heck I even know the old phone number for the mess 😀 ) but its the “unused” period from 1940-42 that’s a blank.
Only thing I though of was maybe if they’d been out on the ranges somewhere – I believe there was a range near Oxford somewhere which is due East of N/L which maybe they’d been heading for. Interesting point you make though. I guess a Beaufort didn’t have that much range and why would they be carrying live bombs on a training mission?
By: Resmoroh - 27th July 2008 at 14:57
1/8th Bit, Hi,
Not a lot of help. Northleach (Willis & Holliss) opened in 1942. By Dec 44 it was in 23 Group (Training Command) as a subsidiary a/f, or RLG, to Stoke Orchard. Stoke Orchard (and, presumably, Northleach) was the home to 3 Glider Training School flying Masters, Oxfords, and Hotspurs.
So your Beaufort is not likely to have been based locally. But if it was (in Training Command!!) it is unlikely to have been flogging around the place with live bombs/ammo!!!!!!!!
Looks like you may have to go through the various Beaufort Sqns to find a ‘loss’ in this place. Alternatively, the Northleach News/Clarion/Bugle/Gazette/Advertiser(whatever) may have something tucked away in their Archives.
Good luck
Resmoroh
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July 27, 2008 at 2:27 pm