Lockheed Ventura AE688

Ventura AE688

It is not known why the Australian and Canadian crewed Ventura AE688 crashed on the night of 18 August 1943. The crew of 464 Sqn were on a cross country training flight from their base at RAF Sculthorpe in Norfolk. Despite the reported good conditions, the aircraft was off track when it crashed on the south eastern slopes of Carnedd Fach in north Wales, killing all crew.

The Ventura was an American bomber / patrol aircraft, and 464 Sqn was one of three RAF squadrons equipped with the aircraft. However Venturas were very vulnerable and 464 Squadron was in the process of replacing them with Mosquitoes at the time of the crash.

CREW
Flight Sergeant James Alexander Johnston RAAF (pilot)
Flight Sergeant Eloi Joseph Emile Beaudry RCAF (navigator)
Flying Officer Lawrence Fullerton RCAF (wireless operator / air gunner)
Flight Sergeant Archibald Sidney Clegg RCAF (air gunner)

Grid references; “…fair sized bits scattered all the way down the Cwm from SH 65979 62473. It’s rough ground for a 100% recovery. Location: SH 66000 62282”
UK Air Crash Site Coordinates

Below; Looking towards Ffynnon Lloer

Below; Looking up to the impact point

Below; a 464 Sqn Ventura, this one is AE939

Photo source; wikipedia