Update , F/Lt. T.V.Heyes, D.F.C Spitfire Mk XIX PM628,Church Pulverbatch

 A day out around the Long Myndd to revisit the site of the crash of Whitley BD420 then on the off chance popped past Church Pulverbatch and was lucky to catch a very helpful lady in the church who showed us the memorial to F/Lt.T.V.Heyes, D.F.C who was killed in Spitfire Mk XIX PM628 which crashed nearby and pointing us to the actual crash site which is under the new build on the left

B-17E 41-9098 , 340th bomb Sqn,97th bomb group RAF Polebrook Northhamptonshire, Cadair Bronwen 11th of August 1942

 My second site on Cadair Bronwen was to the find the last resting place of B-17E 41-9098 of the  340th bomb Sqn , 97th bomb group flying from RAF Polebrook Northhamptonshire on the 11th of August 1942 , the flight was in preparation of the first US bombing mission to Rouen six day later on this day sadly the crew encountered the weather that masks these mountains so often flying low to try to remain in contact with the ground the plane was heard by R.O.C who knew the plane was too low lighting Flares as part of 'Granite ' drill to help tragically the bomber hit the slopes of Cadair Bronwen shortly after bursting into flames with the loss of all 11 crew .

 At the site today much has been hidden by nature the bare earth patch shown a few years back on sites such as www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk , has been covered in rough grass so much i didn't even know i was on the site untill i walked past and could see the disturbance but after a look at the scrapes made by the local sheep i found numerous items but by far the best were the blown .50 41 stamped case and the [unbelievably] complete fuse and holder .

Sadly many local US losses have warranted a memorial this site like 42-5791 “Ruthless” near Cwm Mountain have yet to be marked with a fitting reminder
Lost on
2nd Lt Henry L. Gilbert Pilot
2nd Lt Robert Earl Beers
2nd Lt Lawrence G. Schmitt
2nd Lt Leonard Holm Phillips
Ms Sgt Stanislas Lepa,
St Sgt Robert A. Kemp
Sgt Kenneth H. Branum,
Sgt Wallace V. Sidders
Corp Marvin A. Koepke [Passenger.]
Corp Stanley G. Aldridge [Passenger.]
Private Fidel A. Villarreal, [Passenger.]

Blenheim L4873 of 17 OTU,Upwood, Huntington ,23rd March 1940

 Just back from the Berwyns in Wales to find 2 sites in one of the most lonely and beautiful valleys I have been too the first site is Blenheim L4873 of 17 OTU Upwood Huntington  flying with 2 others on a training route to the Isle of man on the  23rd March 1940 but on entering cloud  lost the 2 other planes  dropping lower to try to find the cloud base the plane stuck the slopes of Foel Wen with the sad loss of the 3 crew on board
The accident report says inexperience by the crews and the leader in bad weather procedure over high ground contributed to the crash .

 On the ridge after a nice very steep accent the remains of the bomber are easy to see spread over a area of about 100mtrs there are many bits of frame, wing and control surface lay about plus in 3 areas a lot is still buried and can be felt underfoot as you move about

Crew lost =
Sgt. M.C.Cotterell Pilot
Sgt R.J. Harbour Observer
AC2 K.C. Winterton WO+AG