Wellington Z8980
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Wellington Z8980
Finding bits of debris beneath the snow at the crash site of Wellington Z8980.
17th of July 1942. Wellington Z8980 took off from RAF Lichfield in Staffordshire on a night navigation exercise but flew at cruising speed into the moor at Rud Hill, between Hathersage and Sheffield at half past midnight in low cloud.
The mostly Australian crew all survived, though suffered some injuries in the crash. They reportedly misidentified the town of Nottingham for Leicester, a navigational error which resulted in the crash.
A Home Guard contingent of 20 men happened to be in the area and 10 of them, under command of Sergeant Lowey, tramped across the moor in the rain to reach the burning wreck, whereupon they pulled some of the crew clear of the flames while ammunition was cooking off around them. In their rescue, two soldiers were severely burned. It was not unusual for people – locals, farmers, soldiers etc – to make such gallant efforts. What is unusual is that the bravery of these men was later acknowledged.
CREW
Sgt Thomas Frank Thompson RAFVR (Pilot) Later killed in an air crash near RAF Cranage in Oxford PH235 17/08/1944
P/O John William Moore RAAF (Navigator) Collier (1990) states P/O Moore failed to return from a raid on 29/09/1942 but other sources do not confirm this
Sgt Joseph Howe Levett RAAF (Navigator) Did not sufficiently recover from his injuries sustained on Rud Hill (his second air crash) and was discharged
Sgt Kennington John Hythe Harris RAAF (Wireless Op/Air Gunner) Later killed when his Lancaster W4274 was shot down over Holland after a raid on Essen.
Sgt Jacob Henry Roden (Wireless Op/Air Gunner) RAAF Later killed when Wellington X3762 was shot down over Landrecourt, France, 20/09/1942
Amazing account Ian – given that they all survived which I agree is a testament to the aeroplane’s ruggedness with that geodetic structure which was designed as I’m sure you know by ‘Sir Barnes-Wallis’ no-less. I was fortunate enough to know an ex Wellington crew member who (now sadly passed on) survived a mid-air collision in one which ripped off the entire undersides but still made it home. My Dad also flew in them so I have a certain affinity with the ‘Wellie’ – not least taking him up to Brooklands to see the ex Loch Ness ‘escapee’. Quite a sight back then as it was (maybe still is) uncovered with all that incredibly intracate airframe on view. As you say it is sad that only two survive! I guess all that Aluminium was too good to waste and being that the ‘Wimpy’ was there before and at the beginning of the war I’m sure many were re-cycled into more sprightly and capable bombers.
One aspect of the Vickers design was that it evolved into the post-war Viking airliner using the same wings and powerplants but with a new fuselage.
Thanks Rob, incredible tale about the mid-air collision!
Good for a change to see a photo of a crash site when you know that nobody died. Sorry to read though, that only one member of the crew survived the war…
Indeed a gallant effort from the rescue team members.
Yes, one doesn’t really stop to think about the men on the ground helping out and the risks they faced – I guess because they do not tend to be acknowledged, as you say. Reminds me of the Over Exposed! – Recovery Party Account (https://aircrashsites.co.uk/air-crash-sites-5/superfortress-44-61999-over-exposed-recovery-party-account/) – still one of the most humbling things I’ve ever read