Bristol Blenheim - collision 31st July 1940

 Worm’s Head, Gower
 Worm’s Head, Gower.  It is the furthest westerly point of the Gower Peninsula.  The name “Worm’s Head” comes from the Old English word, meaning ‘wyrm’ for ‘sea serpent’ the headland comprises of three islands.

In the skies over Worm’s Head, this is where a collision occurred July 1940.




Taking off from RAF St. Athans, a Bristol Blenheim Mk IF, L1408/J with a crew of 3 from 25 Squadron.  The plane was to undertake in A.I. Radar System trails.

AF St. Athans

Airborne Interception Radar
Bristol Blenheim
A.I., is short for Airborne Interception Radar. Radar systems that were used to equip aircraft in air-to-air role.  The radar was used to locate and tracking other aircraft.  The term was first used during 1936, when it was considered how a radar system could be fitted into an aircraft.

This led to the formation of the Airborne Interception Mk IV, the first production air-to-air system, which came into service July 1940, which was widespread available on the Bristol Blenheim, by early 1941.   The Mk IV helped end the Blitz, of 1940 and early 1941.

However, it through the early trials, that the Bristol Blenheim Mk IF, L1408/J took off, with trials to take place over the Bristol Channel off Worm’s Head on 31st July 1940.  Also to take off from RAF St. Athans, on the same day was Bristol Blenheim Mk IF, L6722 with a crew of 3 from 29 Squadron.

Bristol Blenheim Mk IF

What was to occur was a collision of the two aircrafts and all the 6 crews from the two planes were killed.

The crew from Bristol Blenheim Mk IF, L1408/J were.

Sergeant Joseph Beckett Thompson, Pilot. Joseph, 24, was the son of Thomas and Sarah Thompson, of Magheragall, County Antrim.  Buried at Magheragall Church of Ireland

Aircraftman Class 2 Edward John Toy, Mechanic. Edward, 19, was the son of Samuel and Gladys Toy, of Gweek, Cornwall.  Commemorated at Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.  Panel 27.

Mr. D. M. Gordon, Civilian



The crew from Bristol Blenheim Mk IF, L6722 were.

Sergeant Edward Waite, Pilot. Edward, 24 was the son of Edward and Catherine Waite, husband of Elsie Waite, Philadelphia, Co. Durham.  Commemorated at Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.  Panel 20.

Sergeant Cecil James Richardson, Observer. Cecil, 29, was the son of Frank and Margaret Richardson, husband of Sarah Richardson, of Northfield, Birmingham.  Commemorated at Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.  Panel 18.

Leading Aircraftman Thomas Arthur Ward, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. Thomas, 20, was the son of Percy and Harriet Ward, of Cottenham, Cambridgeshire. Commemorated at Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.  Panel 24.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Strombus

Image
 What secrets lie on the seabed? The coordinates 51 34 33N 03 58 21W indicates where the bow of the DS  Strombus lies of the seabed. 51 34 33N 03 58 21W Location of the bow of the  DS  Strombus GoogleMaps DS  Strombus The DS  Strombus  was originally built as a Tanker, by Armstrong Whitworth & Co., during 1900, for Anglo Saxon Patroleum Co., London.  During 1925, was sold to Cia Ballenera del Peru, Peru, and was renamed as Callao .  During 1926, sold again to Hvalf, A/S Africa , Tonsberg, where renamed as DS  Strombus  and was converted as a Whale Factory. March 1940, DS  Strombus , arrived at South Georgia.   Later that month or April, departed South Georgia and travelled independently to Freetown, Sierra Leone, arriving on May 15 th . May 17 th , DS  Strombus , joined Convoy SL 32, departing Freetown for Liverpool, however, detached from the Convoy on the 19 th , and travelled to New Orleans, having travelled independently, DS  Strombus  was carrying a cargo of whale oil
Read more

No. 172 Squadron - 19th August 1942

Image
  Scarweather Point, Porthcawl What other secrets lay on the seabed? We will look at the events that were to take place on 19 th August 1942.   The events at Dieppe, France, where the Allies carried out an unsuccessful amphibious attack on the German-occupied port of Dieppe.   6,086 infantry troops notably Canadian, which were supported by a regiment of tanks were put ashore from a naval operation which was protected by RAF fighters. For a short period, the port was captured, and to test the feasibility of the landing and to gather intelligence. German coastal defences, port structures and important buildings were demolished. The Raid was intended to boost the Allied moral.   Sadly, aerial and the naval support was insufficient to enable the ground forces to establish their objectives.   The tanks on the beach were trapped, and the troops were largely prevented to entre the town by obstacles and German fire. In less that six hours and huge number of casualties, the resulted in
Read more