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Hot!Flying Fortress Crash Hampshire England

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AndyR
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Flying Fortress Crash Hampshire England

I am trying to find out some information on a crash that happened during WW2. A Flying Fortress was returning from a raid and trying to reach Greenham Common airbase (not known if this was its homebase). It is thought that there were injured on board and it was in distress (maybe onfire). Some crew bailed out over Ashmansworth (North Hampshire, England) others stayed with the plane that then crashed into a hill at Burghclere, North Hampshire (not far from Highclere castle).   This is right on the border with Berkshire and about 5 Miles from Greenham.
I know it's not much to go on but maybe someone can help. Many thanks
Mike.Simpson
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Re:Flying Fortress Crash Hampshire England (permalink)
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Andy:

Do you have an approximate date as to when this happened?  That would be a big help.

Mike Simpson
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www.445bg.org
AndyR
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Unfortunately, no date.  Pretty much all I know is above. The only thing I should of said, was it was thought one of the gunners was flying.  I appreciate this could be "a needle in a haystack". Many thanks
shooshoobaby
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Re:Flying Fortress Crash Hampshire England (permalink)
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Andy -
Could location be Denton Hill , Near Glatton ?
I have your same story in a Book.
Mike 
AndyR
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Mike, unfortunately it's not Denton Hill, near Glatton as this is too far away. The story I heard about a gunner flying this fortress, could be true or just folklore. I am sure it happened many times and I have no reason not to believe it in this case. Many thanks Andy
shooshoobaby
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Re:Flying Fortress Crash Hampshire England (permalink)
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Andy -
Greenham Common was RAF Training Base
Then Became Base # 486  9th AF
354th FG 11/43
12th TRS 12/43 - 1/44
368th FG 1/44 - 3/44
438th TCG  AF 3/44 - 2/45.
Mike
 
Terry T.
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Andy:
Try this site..it lists lots of plnes that have crashed in Hamshire,
 
http://daveg4otu.tripod.com/hancrash.html
 
Sample:
07-04-43       42-29651      B-17F     Forced Landing - out of fuel- at Poole.
30-08-43       42-29725       B-17F.92BG/326BS,Accident(MAC) 13 miles N of Portsmouth
01-12-43       42-30714       B-17F,423BS/306BG,cr 2.5 miles N of Lasham

Terry T.
AndyR
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I know it's been a while since this thread started, but a chance conversation with a gentleman recently advised me that the fortress crashed due to it flying low several times over some "Land Girls" who were in the fields. So maybe it was not coming back from a mission but could have been on a cross country practice mission. Can anybody help me with advice as to where I can find out more info. Many thanks
AndyR
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Re:Flying Fortress Crash Hampshire England (permalink)
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I have found out some new information with regard to this crash. It appears from a picture held in Highclere castle that this was a B17 from 92nd Bomb Group 326 Sqn based in Podington? It crashed on or about the 5 May 1945 and there was a survivor who later visited the spot in 1990. The hill it crashed into is known as Sidown Hill. Can anybody help with anymore information.
 
ramc181
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Re:Flying Fortress Crash Hampshire England (permalink)
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The closest I can find in the accident report lists is this:

B-17G-65-VE 44-8436
92BG, 326BS: JW-H "Fort Worth Jail House".
Assigned 8th November 1944.
Crash landed Sidow Hill, Wilts, 5th May 1945.
Pilot: 1st Lt. Hammond, Reginald L.
One survivor.
 
All the best,
PB

Paul Bellamy 

401st BG Association
401st BG Historical Society (UK)
Alconbury ARG/AIX Archive
AndyR
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Re:Flying Fortress Crash Hampshire England (permalink)
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Paul, thank you so much for this info. Many thanks Andy
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