Boulton Paul Defiant N3378 on Bleaklow, Peak District.
‹ Return to Boulton Paul Defiant N3378 on Bleaklow, Peak District.
Boulton Paul Defiant N3378
Crashed 29 August 1941. Although reported missing, it was a month before the wreck was discovered. The tragedy was compounded by the fact that both airmen, Pilot Officer James Craig, and Aircraftman Second Class George Daniel Hempstead had survived the crash. Their bodies were found sitting beside their wrecked Defiant.
Details from Peakland Air Crashes – the North (2006) by Pat Cunningham.
February 2013 visit
Below: Site visit July 2020
What an awful story…
Certainly lovely landscape tho.
Nice shot.
I didn’t know this story – somewhat shocking to see the wreckage still in situ.
1-2-3 History
Tragic story.
1-2-3 History
I’m surprised that something like this would go undiscovered for as long as a month – I thought it was only in large, isolated, large expanses like western Canada or the US that something like this would go unfound for so long. An interesting memorial.
(Seen on ~1-2-3 History (post 1, comment on 2, view 3)~.)
I was surprised by the story too. Most times the wrecks were found immediately but the crews didn’t survive, but then the wrecks were often found because they were on fire.
It is speculated that this Defiant was shot down by friendly fire from a Spitfire. The evidence being the wreck apparently was riddled with bullet holes and there was no enemy activity in the area at the time. This has been countered with the more common sense reminder that the Army used the wreck for target practice for years…
Wow, really dificult to tell that that scrap was a plane!
123 history
Looked large at this and it is a great shot , perfectly framed , and what a great day to be up there too .
I think the aircraft’s remains have been moved to the Boulton & Paul Museum in Wolverhampton, unless they are a recreation of the scene?
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/8050359@N07]
Well spotted!
There is indeed a recreation of the scene above at the museum, though I have never been.
Its not bleak this , not for Bleaklow its not , its stacked with colour .
Excellent shot mate, any idea why they sat there and waited?
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/highy] I don’t know Al, maybe they were too injured to go any distance, especially if they didn’t know where they were?