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Between 1939 and 1945, Wetherby was involved in some pretty horrific events. In this page, we'll be taking you on a tour through Wetherby's 2 WW2 Plane crashes, specifically the Halifax and Blenheim plane crashes. So sit back and relax, as we delve into Wetherby's War History!
Between 1939 and 1945, Wetherby was involved in some pretty horrific events. In this page, we'll be taking you on a tour through Wetherby's 2 WW2 Plane crashes, specifically the Halifax and Blenheim plane crashes. So sit back and relax, as we delve into Wetherby's War History!
The Blenheim T2324
The Blenheim T2324
The Story
The Story
On the 15th November 1941 the crew of this aircraft were undertaking a training exercise and were flying over Wetherby Racecourse when the aircraft was accidentally shot down by a Spitfire (from No 121 squadron) ,the pilot of the Spitfire was an American from the Eagle Squadron. He said that he had mistaken the Blenheim T2324 for that of a JU-88A / a German Aircraft.
On the 15th November 1941 the crew of this aircraft were undertaking a training exercise and were flying over Wetherby Racecourse when the aircraft was accidentally shot down by a Spitfire (from No 121 squadron) ,the pilot of the Spitfire was an American from the Eagle Squadron. He said that he had mistaken the Blenheim T2324 for that of a JU-88A / a German Aircraft.
Unfortunately, the Blenheim's port engine caught fire and after the pilot attempted to use the extinguisher to no effect, he told his crew to abandon the aircraft. The pilot survived, however the gunner got caught in wreckage when he ejected. Then, the Blenheim T2324 crashed into the Wetherby Racecourse.
Unfortunately, the Blenheim's port engine caught fire and after the pilot attempted to use the extinguisher to no effect, he told his crew to abandon the aircraft. The pilot survived, however the gunner got caught in wreckage when he ejected. Then, the Blenheim T2324 crashed into the Wetherby Racecourse.
Blenheim facts!
Blenheim facts!
The Blenheim is a Medium bomber, with a speed of 428 km and a horsepower of 826 break horsepower and it has a 17m wingspan. It is strong as it has a a Bristol mercury Vlll engines with a air cooler. It has 1 gun turret and this aircraft carry 1600 pounds of bombs [7 bombs] It can carry 160 lbs underneath each wing and 1000 lbs in the bomb bay. The fist flight was on 12th April 1935. Only 4,422 were made and they started using them in 1939 and stopped making them in 1944.[For Britian Finland stopped using them in 1956]
The Blenheim is a Medium bomber, with a speed of 428 km and a horsepower of 826 break horsepower and it has a 17m wingspan. It is strong as it has a a Bristol mercury Vlll engines with a air cooler. It has 1 gun turret and this aircraft carry 1600 pounds of bombs [7 bombs] It can carry 160 lbs underneath each wing and 1000 lbs in the bomb bay. The fist flight was on 12th April 1935. Only 4,422 were made and they started using them in 1939 and stopped making them in 1944.[For Britian Finland stopped using them in 1956]
Eyewitness reports:
Eyewitness reports:
One young lad called Charles Westerman was working on some building when he heard the sound of machine gun fire. He ducked under a wall for safety. He then saw the bomber fly low over his head and crash into the racecourse.
One young lad called Charles Westerman was working on some building when he heard the sound of machine gun fire. He ducked under a wall for safety. He then saw the bomber fly low over his head and crash into the racecourse.
Pilot details
Pilot details
Blenheim pilot-Peter hunt cleaver Born: 31st December 1921 died:1991
Blenheim pilot-Peter hunt cleaver Born: 31st December 1921 died:1991
Blenheim gunner: John Moss Cohen born: 1921 died:1940
Blenheim gunner: John Moss Cohen born: 1921 died:1940
The Halifax Bomber
The Halifax Bomber
Powered by the 1,640-horsepower Merlins, the Halifax had a wingspan of 104 feet (31.7 metres) and was 72 feet (22 metres) long. It had a maximum speed of 280 miles (450 km) per hour and a ceiling of 24,000 feet (7,300 metres), though the latter was substantially lower when carrying a full combat load.
Powered by the 1,640-horsepower Merlins, the Halifax had a wingspan of 104 feet (31.7 metres) and was 72 feet (22 metres) long. It had a maximum speed of 280 miles (450 km) per hour and a ceiling of 24,000 feet (7,300 metres), though the latter was substantially lower when carrying a full combat load.
The Halifax Bomber that crashed in Wetherby, took off at 14:20 from RAF Marston Moor for a routine training exercise, however it crash landed at Wetherby Golf Course at 14:35 due to a fire breaking out in the engine. Unfortunately, the crew were unable to extinguish the fire and were unable to escape the plane.
The Halifax Bomber that crashed in Wetherby, took off at 14:20 from RAF Marston Moor for a routine training exercise, however it crash landed at Wetherby Golf Course at 14:35 due to a fire breaking out in the engine. Unfortunately, the crew were unable to extinguish the fire and were unable to escape the plane.
The pilot of the plane was called Clyde Osborne, who before the war lived in Canada and died at the age of 24. The Navigator, Emmerson Barrie, died at the age of 22; the Bomb Aimer, Glen Burnie, was 22 when died and his parents emigrated to Canada from Scotland; the Air Bomber, who was John Morrison, died at 18 and his parents had also emigrated to Canada from Scotland before the war; the Flight Engineer was called James Robinson, who was 19 when he died, however his body was never found but he shared a grave with his brother who was also a pilot during WW2.
The pilot of the plane was called Clyde Osborne, who before the war lived in Canada and died at the age of 24. The Navigator, Emmerson Barrie, died at the age of 22; the Bomb Aimer, Glen Burnie, was 22 when died and his parents emigrated to Canada from Scotland; the Air Bomber, who was John Morrison, died at 18 and his parents had also emigrated to Canada from Scotland before the war; the Flight Engineer was called James Robinson, who was 19 when he died, however his body was never found but he shared a grave with his brother who was also a pilot during WW2.
A memorial plaque, which commemorates the airmen that lost their lives, is located at Wetherby Golf Club as a mark of respect for the friends and families of the brave men.
Images of the two Bombers
Images of the two Bombers
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