When I was a kid.

[w3526602]

Hi,

 

Don't ask me when this happened, but I had my bike with me, and I got that for my 7th birthday.....so at least 1946.

 

A gang of us were standing beside the sand bin (fires for the putting out of) at junction of Kingsdown Road/Connisby Road, South Croydon, when a big plane flew over very low. I'd guess it was a Dakota, but only a guess. It carried on very low, and eventually disappeared into the trees on the horizon, probably at the top of Purley Downs Road.

 

A litle while later, a grown-up in RAF uniform rolled up on a pedal cycle. "Hey kids, have you seen an aeroplane?"

"Yes, it crashed into those trees over there"

And off he went, pedaling like crazy. Downhill. Memory suggests that he was a bit rotund to peddle up Purley Downs Road. Golly gosh, things were primtive in those days.

 

I read in the News Chronicle the next day that 90 people were killed. Yes, in those days, 7-year olds could read newspapers.

 

602

[Rick W]

Be interesting to trace a bit more of that story. Lost bombers website may give you more info on that.

[Tony B]

Being a Dackota!! Might it be the ones in which the Polish men were killed? We had a long disscusion on this in the history forum. Canadian pilot.

[Rick W]

I forgot about that thread, was it the same area?

[Degsy]

I doubt it was a Dakota if 90 were killed unless it came down on a building rather than trees.