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Saturday 5 December 2020

Whitley P4939 Sandleigh recreation ground, Wotton, RAF Abingdon, April 29th 1941 10 OTU

Behind the houses of Sandleigh near RAF Abingdon is a quiet play area, here on the night of April 29th 1941 Whitley P4939, 10 OTU crashed with the sad loss of its 4 crew.

 

At 1.15am Whitley P4939 lifted off from RAF Abingdon, the young crew were to fly training circuits and landings over Abingdon. As the plane climbed away over Wotton, the plane’s nose was seen to drop and lose height. the pilot tried to correct but pulled up too sharply and the heavy bomber stalled, falling on to Sandleigh Recreation Ground, Sandleigh, Wotton.

 




 Standing on the playground today no trace can be seen of this sad loss.

 

Crew of P4939

F/O  L.S.Bradburn [pilot]

Sgt  V.G.Pledge  [pilot]

Sgt  R.N.Birkhead [wireless op ]

Sgt  D.F.Percival  [wireless 

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