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1943 RAF Hudson crash

Coordinates: 50°24′36.28″N 4°56′37.11″W / 50.4100778°N 4.9436417°W / 50.4100778; -4.9436417
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1943 RAF Hudson crash
A Lockheed Hudson Mark V, similar to the accident aircraft
Accident
Date19 May 1943
SummaryEngine failure
Site
50°24′36.28″N 4°56′37.11″W / 50.4100778°N 4.9436417°W / 50.4100778; -4.9436417
Aircraft
Aircraft typeLockheed Hudson IIIA
OperatorUnited Kingdom Royal Air Force
Flight originRAF Portreath
DestinationRAF Gibraltar
Crew9[citation needed]
Fatalities2
Survivors7

The 1943 RAF Hudson crash was an aerial accident that killed two people. The aircraft crashed in a forced landing attempt near RAF St Eval, Cornwall, England, following engine failure.

Aircraft

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FH168 was a Lockheed Hudson IIIA (a lend-lease A-29-LO serial no 41-36969 and c/n 414-6458), operated by No. 38 Wing RAF, based at RAF Netheravon. On 19 May 1943, it was en route from RAF St Eval to RAF Gibraltar when it crashed and burned 7 miles (11 km) south of St. Eval. The aircraft was unable to maintain height due to one engine failing, and the load it was carrying.

Casualties

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Air Commodore Sir Nigel Norman, on his way to the Middle East for an Airborne Forces Planning Conference, died as a result of the crash. The only other airman killed in the crash was Pilot Officer (Obs) Arthur Rotenberg, who is buried in St Columb Major Cemetery.[1]

Rescue

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The surviving crew and passengers were rescued by two nearby farm workers – William Richards and Eddie Thomas – and a nearby member of the Royal Observer Corps, George Gregory. In 1945, Gregory was awarded the British Empire Medal for his brave actions during the rescue of the crew.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Rickard, Kenneth H (12 December 2005). "St Dennis and Goss Moor – Military Aircraft Crashes". WW2 People's War. BBC History. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  2. ^ "No. 37412". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 December 1945. p. 325.

Further reading

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