Military Crash Sites in South Wales

Date: 14-SEP-1944
Time: day
Type: Hawker Typhoon IB
Owner/operator: 198 Squadron Royal Air Force (198 Sqn RAF)
Registration: JR384
C/n / msn:
Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities: 0
Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: Llangennith beach, Rhossili Bay, near Swansea, West Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom
Phase: En route
Nature: Military
Departure airport: RAF Fairwood Common, Swansea, West Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom
Destination airport: RAF Fairwood Common, Swansea, West Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom

Narrative:

On 14th September 1944, Pilot Officer H.F.R.Goblet made a wheels-up landing on Llangennith beach in Rhossili Bay, near Swansea, West Glamorgan, in Hawker Typhoon Mk.1B JR384 of 198 Squadron (3 weeks after MN492 did the same).

He was engaged in rocket firing practise over the Burry Holms ranges when he was partially overcome by carbon monoxide fumes and passed out.

Aircraft landed on the intertidal zone of the beach - above the low tide mark, but below the high tide level - and was covered by incoming tide.

Aircraft may not have been recovered.

Flight Crew:

Pilot Officer Henri Félicien René Goblet (Pilot, Belgian, Service Number 1299888) Survived

No.198 Squadron was a Typhoon equipped fighter squadron that began life in Fighter Command operating against German fighter-bombers, before joining 2nd Tactical Air Force and taking part in the liberation of Europe.

The squadron reformed at Digby on 8 December 1942 as a Typhoon equipped night fighter squadron.

Defensive patrols over the north-east of England began in March 1943, but in the same month the squadron moved south to Marston to help protect against enemy fighter bomber attacks on coastal towns.

Ground attack missions over France were also flown, starting from June 1943.

Between October 1943 and February 1944 Nos.198 and 609 Squadrons, operating together from Manston, had an impressive run of success.

Most of their victories came during 'Ranger' missions, offensive sweeps over occupied Europe.

The squadron's first major success came on the last day of November when nine aircraft on a long range sweep across Holland claimed five enemy aircraft destroyed and one badly damaged.

The squadron also flew some escort missions, including one on 4 December 1944 in support a Flying Fortress raid in which the same two squadrons destroyed eleven Do 217s from KG 2.

At the start of 1944 the squadron transferred to the Second Tactical Air Force, its aircraft were equipped to carry rockets, and it became a dedicated ground attack squadron, part of No.123 Wing, itself part of No.84 Group.

Amongst of the group's most important targets in the period before D-Day were German radar bases.

On 16 March the squadron proved that rockets could be used against them during an attack on a radar base at De Haan and a series of raids on similar targets followed.

These could be dangerous targets - the squadron's commander, Sqn Ldr John Niblett was killed four days before D-Day during an attack on a coastal radar base at Caude Cote, to the west of Dieppe.

The next CO - Sqn Ldr I J 'Dave' Davies only lasted for two weeks before being killed when he was forced to bail out very low during a sortie to support US troops in the Cherbourg peninsula.

On 1 July the squadron moved to Normandy, along with the rest of No.123 Wing, although heavy rain forced the squadron to briefly return to the UK and it wasn't firmly established in France until mid July.

At this point the squadron flew a mix of armed reconnaissance missions and attacks on pre-selected targets, but in mid-August the 'cab rank' system came into wide use.

Aircraft circled over the battlefield waiting for instructions from a ground controller accompanying the army, allowing for a very rapid response to any problem on the ground.

On 20 August the squadron took part in a series of attacks that stopped a German counterattack aimed at the Polish Armoured Brigade near Chambois.

As the Allied armies moved into Holland and Belgium No.123 Wing was given the task of eliminating the remaining German garrisons in the Scheldt estuary and on Walcheren Island.

By November these included attacks on garrisons around Arnhem and Nijmegen.

The wing didn’t take part in many of the 'set piece' attacks on German headquarters, but it did carry out attacks on the HQ of the 15th Army on 28 November and 8 December.

On this second occasion No.198 Squadron was able to contribute eight aircraft, for what proved to be a costly raid.

At the start of April the wing took part in the much delayed liberation of Arnhem, before moving to bases in Germany.

Tragically one of the squadron's last missions of the war saw it sink two ships loaded with concentration camp inmates, the Cap Arcona and the Thielbek, believed at the time to be carrying SS and Nazi leaders attempting to flee to Norway to continue the fight.

After the end of hostilities the squadron formed part of the occupation forces before being disbanded on 15 September 1945.

Date: 07-JAN-1940
Time: 12:45 LT
Type: Hawker Hurricane Mk 1
Owner/operator: 11 Gp Pool Royal Air Force (11 Gp Pool RAF)
Registration: L2074
C/n / msn:
Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities: 0
Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: Mynydd William Meyrick, Nant-y-Moel, Ogmore Valley, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom
Phase: En route
Nature: Test
Departure airport: RAF RAF St. Athan, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom
Destination airport:

Narrative:

Just after midday on the the 7th January 1940, Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 L2074 of RAF St Athan piloted by Pilot Officer Alan Harry Maguire (Service Number 42015, aged 20) crashed into Mynydd William Meyrick, high above the Ogmore Valley, killing the pilot instantly.

Air Britain has Hurricane L2074 of 11 Group Pool crashing on that date: "Flew into mountain descending in cloud, Nant-y-Moel, Glam."

This version of the Hurricane was one of only 500 built, as it has the all-metal, three-bladed, variable-pitch, constant-speed propeller, designed by Hamilton Standard of the US and license-built in Britain by de Havilland.

There are no visible remains of the aircraft on the mountain.

A memorial stone to the lost pilot is found in the Berwyn Centre, Nant-y-Moel.

The Hurricane's gearing unit was located many years later and donated to the OVLHS (Ogmore Valley Local Historical Society) by Mr Steve Jones of Cwm Afan.

Mynydd William Meyrick is a 535-metre (1,755 feet) high hill straddling the boundary of Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taf county boroughs between the valley of the Rhondda Fawr and Ogmore Valley in South Wales at approximate co ordinates 51.6357°N 3.5197°W. 

Flight Crew: Pilot Officer Alan Harry Maguire. Killed. Personal ID 42015 Buried Llantwit Major Cemetery Sec. C. Grave 3.

ALAN HARRY MAGUIRE​

​

Just after midday on the morning of the 7th January 1940 a Mk1 (revised) Hawker Hurricane, No. L2074 of RAF St Athan piloted by Pilot Officer Alan Harry Maguire, crashed into Mynydd William Meyrick high above the Ogmore Valley killing the pilot instantly.

This version of the Hurricane had only 500 built as it was the all metal version with the propeller unit being the first in the form of an all-metal, three-bladed, variable-pitch, constant-speed propeller, designed by Hamilton Standard of the US and license-built in Britain by de Havilland.

Even more tragically a mere 40 minutes later and Lockheed Hudson bomber N7256 of 233 Squadron R.A.F, which had been detached to St. Athan's aerodrome from R.A.F. Leuchars in Scotland had become airborne.

This aircraft had been fitted with special equipment called A.S.V. (Anti Surface Vessel) for trials.

This specialised equipment was highly secret apparatus, an early form of R.D.F. (Radio Direction Finder) or later on in the war to be called Radar (Radio Direction And Range).

All 5 crew on board were also killed instantly.

The hurricane`s gearing unit was located many years later and donated to the OVLHS by Mr Steve Jones of Cwm Afan.

Date: 05-JUL-1942
Time: Day
Type: Supermarine Spitfire Mk IIa
Owner/operator: 53 Operational Training Unit Royal Air Force (53 OTU RAF)
Registration: P7504
C/n / msn:
Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities: 1
Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: Welsh St Donats, 2½ mile NE of Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom
Phase: En route
Nature: Training
Departure airport: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom
Destination airport: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom

Narrative:

Spitfire P7504 was a Mk II out from 53 OTU (Operational Training Unit) and was piloted by Sgt P.R. Swan.

The aircraft was involved in a mid-air collision on 5th July 1942 with another Spitfire, P8592 (also of 53 OTU), over Welsh St.Donats, 2½ mile North East of Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan.

Sgt Swan’s body was found some yards from the aircraft wreckage suggesting that he had attempted to bail out, but was too low for his chute to open fully.

Remains of this aircraft were removed by the North Gwent Aviation Group.

Pilot: Sergeant Philip Raymond Swan (Service Number 1387580, aged 22) R.I.P. Buried Rotherfield Peppard (All Saints) New Churchyard, Grave 72.

​

Date: 07-JUL-1941
Time: 18:30 LT
Type: Supermarine Spitfire Mk I
Owner/operator: 53 Operational Training Unit Royal Air Force (53 OTU RAF)
Registration: X4024
C/n / msn: 953
Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities: 4
Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: 1 South View, Mount Pleasant, Treharris, Merthyr Vale, Glamorgan
Phase: En route
Nature: Training
Departure airport: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom
Destination airport: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom

Narrative:

Collided with Spitfire X4607 during formation flying practice over Mount Pleasant, crashed on a house at No.1 South View, Mount Pleasant, Treharris, Merthyr Vale, Glamorgan, killing the pilot of X4024, the pilot of X4607, and three civilians, Alice Cox (aged 33) and her two daughters, Doreen (aged 3) and Phyllis (aged 14), on the ground.

Crashed and destroyed by fire.

Husband James Cox, who was a shift worker at a munitions factory and was asleep in the house at the time of the crash, was thrown to safety; their three boys, Donald, Thomas and Len, were out playing.

Neighbours tried to rescue the family - who had just returned from a shopping trip - but the heat from the fire was too intense.

The bodies of Sgt Gerald Fenwick Manuel, RCAF, and the deceased family members were buried two days later in Ffrwd Cemetery, Merthyr Tydfil, while the body of Sgt Louis Goldberg, RCAF, was interred in the Jewish cemetery at Cefn-coed-y-cymmer.

A mural was painted by local school children and unveiled by the Canadian High Commissioner shortly afterwards on the same site, while there is an ongoing campaign by the Cox family for a permanent memorial.

SOC 15/7/41.

Pilot of Spitfire X4024: Sgt Louis Goldberg, RCAF (Service Number R/56185), aged 27) killed.

MERTHYR TYDFIL (CEFN) JEWISH CEMETERY Row 2. Grave 4.

LOUIS GOLDBERG​

​

Mount Pleasant Spitfire Crash​

On 7 July 1941, five people were killed in Mount Pleasant in Merthyr Vale as a result of a terrible accident involving two Spitfire fighters.

At about 6.30pm on Monday 7 July 1941, two planes were seen flying over the hills behind Aberfan at an altitude of approximately 600 feet.

The planes were Spitfires of the Royal Canadian Air Force on a training exercise from No 53 Operational Training Unit, based at RAF Llandow.

The planes were piloted by Sergeant Gerald Fenwick Manuel (R/69888) aged 25, from Halifax, Nova Scotia and Sergeant Lois “Curly” Goldberg (R/56185), aged 27, from Montreal.

From eye-witness accounts, the one plane overshot the other and their wing-tips touched, resulting in both pilots losing control of their aircraft.

Sergeant Goldberg’s plane crashed into a field, killing him instantly, but the plane piloted by Sergeant Manuel crashed into a house at the end of South View in Mount Pleasant.

The house was the home of the Cox Family: James Cox, a shift worker at a munitions factory; his wife Alice aged 33, and their five children.

At the time of the crash, James Cox was in bed, having just come home from a shift at the factory; his three sons Donald, Thomas and Len were out playing; and Alice and the two daughters, Phyllis aged 14 and three-year-old Doreen, had just returned from a shopping trip.

Alice and the two girls were killed instantly, as was Sergeant Manuel, but James Cox had a remarkable escape as the impact of the plane threw him out of the rear window of the house, and he escaped with minor injuries.

William Brown who lived next door to the Cox family, and who’s house was also damaged, spoke of his own lucky escape: “I was coming out of my house with a bucket of water to go to my allotment when I saw the plane coming towards my house.

Some instinct made me go back in, and when I was going along the passage something gave me a smack on the head.

I managed to get into a room in the back and I saw the Cox’s house in flames……..

There are usually ten to twelve children playing by the lamp-post directly outside the house, but today they were playing in the fields down by the river.

My wife and grandchildren were in the back of the house, and they too were uninjured”.

Neighbours and local residents tried in vain to rescue Alice and the children, but the house had burst into flames immediately following the crash, and the heat was too great for attempts to rescue the family.

The local police inspector paid tribute to the people, especially the women, saying:

“The people of the district were marvellous. They all worked and spoilt their clothing, and never seemed to tire. The women-folk worked unceasingly, carrying water and sand while the men worked the stirrup pumps. They were magnificent and worked like Trojans”.

The bodies of Sgt Manuel and the deceased family members were buried two days later in the Ffrwd Cemetery, Cefn-Coed, while the body of Sgt Goldberg was interned in the Jewish cemetery at Cefn-Coed.

In 2007 a mural painted by local school children was unveiled in memory of the victims of the crash.

Date: 07-JUL-1941
Time: 18:30 LT
Type: Supermarine Spitfire Mk I
Owner/operator: 53 Operational Training Unit Royal Air Force (53 OTU RAF)
Registration: X4024
C/n / msn: 953
Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities: 4
Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: A field nr Quakers Yard, nr Treharris, Glamorgan
Phase: En route
Nature: Training
Departure airport: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom
Destination airport: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom

Narrative:

Collided with Spitfire X4024 during formation flying practice over Mount Pleasant, Treharris, Merthyr Vale, Glamorgan, killing the pilot of X4024, and the pilot of X4607.

Three civilians, Alice Cox (aged 33) and her two daughters, Doreen (aged 3) and Phyllis (aged 14), were also killed, on the ground, when Spitfire X4024 crashed into a private house at No.1 South View, Mount Pleasant.

X4607 crashed and was destroyed by fire.

SOC 15/7/41.

Pilot: Sergeant Gerald Fenwick MANUEL, RCAF killed (Service Number R/69888). Buried at Merthyr Tydfil (Ffrwd) Cemetery, Penderyn Row A.1. Uncons. Grave 3.

Date: 09-JUL-1941
Time: Day
Type: Supermarine Spitfire Mk I
Owner/operator: 53 Operational Training Unit Royal Air Force (53 OTU RAF)
Registration: N3230
C/n / msn: 455
Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities: 1
Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: Llan Lane, Llandow, Glamorgan
Phase: En route
Nature: Training
Departure airport: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom
Destination airport: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom

Narrative:

This Spitfire collided with another Spitfire P9383 (also of 53 OTU) in the vicinity of RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, on 9th July 1941.

N3230 came down in a field opposite Llan Lane.

The aircraft was completely destroyed by fire.

The pilot - Sergeant W Saunders - managed to bail out and escape uninjured.

The second aircraft (P9383) crashed into a field at Tydraw Farm, Colwinston, killing the pilot Sgt F.G.T. McGahey.

Frederick George Thomas McGahey is buried at Drumbeg (St Patrick) Church of Ireland Churchyard. R.I.P.

Aircraft declared Category E. and SOC 15/7/41.

Date: 09-JUL-1941
Time: Day
Type: Supermarine Spitfire Mk I
Owner/operator: 53 Operational Training Unit Royal Air Force (53 OTU RAF)
Registration: P9383
C/n / msn: 566
Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities: 0
Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: Tydraw Farm, Colwinston, Glamorganshire
Phase: En route
Nature: Training
Departure airport: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom
Destination airport: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom

Narrative:

This Spitfire collided with Spitfire N3230 (also of 53 OTU, RAF) in the vicinity of RAF Llandow on 9th July 1941.

N3230 came down in a field opposite Llan Lane and was completely destroyed by fire.

The pilot managed to bail out and escape uninjured.

P9383 crashed into a field at Tydraw Farm, Colwinston, Glamorgan.

The pilot did not bail out and was killed.

Aircraft SOC 14.7.41.

Sergeant Frederick George Thomas McGahey ( Service Number 1032375) RAFVR - killed.

Buried Drumbeg (St. Patrick) Church Of Ireland Churchyard, Sec. G.2. Grave 8.

R.I.P.

Date: 10-JUL-1941
Time: Day
Type: Supermarine Spitfire Mk I
Owner/operator: 53 Operational Training Unit Royal Air Force (53 OTU RAF)
Registration: X4988
C/n / msn: 1408
Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities: 0
Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: Llan Lane, Marcross, Vale of Glamorgan
Phase: En route
Nature: Training
Departure airport: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom
Destination airport: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom

Narrative:

Spitfire X4988 of 53 OTU, RAF stalled during practice dogfight and spun into the ground into a field adjoining Llan Lane Marcross, Vale of Glamorgan, 10th July 1941.

Aircrft wrecked, declared Cat. E and SOC 22/7/41

Pilot: Sgt Marion Arthur Plomteaux (Service Number R/54382, aged 23) RCAF (although from Albuquerque, New Mexico) - killed.

R.I.P.

LLANTWIT MAJOR CEMETERY
Sec. C. Grave 11.
United Kingdom

​

Date: 26-AUG-1941
Time: Day
Type: Supermarine Spitfire Mk I
Owner/operator: 53 Operational Training Unit Royal Air Force (53 OTU RAF)
Registration: X4263
C/n / msn: 1061
Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities: 0
Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: Bristol Channel, off Rhoose Point, 4.5 miles east of RAF Llandow.
Phase: En route
Nature: Training
Departure airport: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom
Destination airport: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom

Narrative:

Spitfire Mk Ia X4263 of 53 OTU, RAF Llandow: Written off (destroyed) 26-8-1941 when crashed into the Bristol Channel, off Rhoose Point, 4.5 miles east of RAF Llandow, Glamorgan.

Struck Off Charge same day as Cat.E.

No casualties or fatalities reported, so it is presumed that the pilot bailed out safely, and was rescued

Date: 11-SEP-1941
Time: Day
Type: Supermarine Spitfire Mk I
Owner/operator: 53 Operational Training Unit Royal Air Force (53 OTU RAF)
Registration: K9976
C/n / msn: 190
Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities: 0
Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: Ty-draw (Newydd) Farm, New Barn, near Pickeston, Flemingstone, Glamorgan
Phase: En route
Nature: Training
Departure airport: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom
Destination airport: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom

Narrative:

Spun into the ground after engine failure. 11th September 1941. Ty-draw (Newydd) Farm, New Barn, near Pickeston, Flemingstone, Glamorgan.

SOC 18-9-41 as Cat.E.

Pilot: Sgt (R/67226) R.E. McMurray, RCAF aged 22 - killed.

R.I.P.

LLANTWIT MAJOR CEMETERY
Sec. C. Grave 13.
United Kingdom

Date: 11-SEP-1941
Time: Day
Type: Supermarine Spitfire Mk I
Owner/operator: 53 Operational Training Unit Royal Air Force (53 OTU RAF)
Registration: K9930
C/n / msn: 140
Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities: 0
Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: Near Cowbridge, Glamorganshire, Wales
Phase: En route
Nature: Training
Departure airport: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom
Destination airport: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan, South Wales - United Kingdom

Narrative:

Built at Eastleigh, number 140.

First flew 12 April 1939 then allocated to 54 Squadron on the 15th April 1939.

Here she flew routine patrols over the Kent coastline until being sent to 152 Squadron after 54 received their new mark 2 Spitfires.

On the 23rd February 1940 she arrived with 152 at RAF Warmwell.

After a short period with 152, they also received their new Spitfires and K9930 was relegated to training duties AST on the 10th September 1940.

She finally arrived at 53 OTU at Llandow on the 7th September 1941.

Four days later and with only two training flights she had to be abandoned.

Spitfire K9930 of 53 OTU, RAF was abandoned 11th September 1941 after controls jammed.

The pilot was unable to get out of a turn due to aileron jamming and so he bailed out.

The aircraft came down near Cowbridge, Glamorgan.

Pilot: Sgt. Alexander Noel Cresswell, RAAF (Service Number 400697), born: 1919-03-16, Ballan, Australia, landed safely by parachute.