14th January 1943 RAF Kemble

[martinsaunders06]

The 14th January 1943 was a very sad day for the OAPU unit at RAF kemble in Gloucestershire as at just before noon Halifax B11 W7844 was preparing for take off, she had arrived the previous september and after various modifications was due for a routine test flight prior to delivery overseas.On board were three aircrew, F/LT F.Harrison the C.O. of the despatch flight,F/SGT J.Thomas, and Cpl H.Munson.Looking forward to going for a ride,as many people used to do at the time were five young aircrew,Cpl. W Ashworth,Cpl F Heywood,F/O H Hamilton and A/C"s L.Smith and V.Hadrill. Although F/LT Harrison who at 24 was a very experienced pilot, he was somewhat unfamiliar with the Halifax having just converted onto the type after flying Wellingtons for some time operationally in the mediterranean and then at kemble. After flying for about 15 minutes in the vicinity of the airfield during which it "shot up" a wellington, the halifax chased a OTU Spitfire that happened to be in the area. The pilot of the Spitfire took evasive action ending up in a steep turn to port and the Halifax followed in a very steep left hand turn during which it fell into a spin. The spin was checked at a low height but the aircraft struck the ground in the resultant dive into local woods at oaksey,approx one and a half miles from kemble. an outbreak of fire occurred on impact and the aircraft was totally destroyed killing all 8 on board.It was a harrowing time for all at kemble as at the time no one knew exactly who was onboard and due to the fire identification was was difficult. One lucky man was that day was Cpl K.Harman who was due to go along as flight engineer but 2 of his colleagues needed to get more flying hours in to qualify for their extra one and sixpence aday flying pay, so they asked him to give up his place which he did. F/O Pardoe of the accident investigation branch at gloucester inspected the crash site.Their enquiry concluded that the accident was due to an error of judgement on the part of the pilot resulting in the aircraft stalling and spinning while carrying out unnecessary manoeuvres at an unsuitable height. f/LT Harrison was buried with full honours in cirencester at 2pm on the 19th january. From that day on no one "went for a ride" unless necessary!.

[martinsaunders06]

pics of crash site with crews names attached to tree

[abn deuce]

Thank you Martian for posting , some forget that military personal were lost far from the battle fields with out a shot being fired.