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By: 29th March 2010 at 20:13 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Wartime crash at Shoreham Airport
Yes- I have full details somewhere for a crippled B-17 which belly-landed and crashed through the guardroom eventually coming to a halt on the river bank......next to the toll bridge.
By: 29th March 2010 at 21:26 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-If Mr Saunders doesn't have the full SP on this one, we might as well all pack up and go home! However I have to say that this rings bells with me. I seem to recollect that it came up in correspondence, a few years ago, with a gentleman on the south coast who was researching military crashes in Sussex. I think that I was put onto him by the Shoreham Airport Archive. At present I can't trace an e-mail address for them. I suspect that wicked willip, if he's around at present, can help with this.
By: 29th March 2010 at 21:33 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-B-17G
42-31314
"Scorchy"
Sqn 359-M
11 Feb 44 C/L at Shoreham, Eng
http://www.303rdbg.com/aircraft.html
"A B-17 Flying Fortress crash-landed at the airfield after being damaged during a raid on Germany. The consequent damage to the old guardhouse on the north side of the airfield can still be seen."
http://wapedia.mobi/en/Shoreham_Airport
By: 29th March 2010 at 21:44 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-I think that I've found yer man. 'Shoreham Airport Sussex' (Tim Webb & Dennis Bird, 1996) says:
"...on February 11th 1944 four more Fortresses from the 359th Squadron of the 303rd Bomb Group at Molesworth made emergency landings due to fuel shortages.Two made good landings on the short runway, but a third Fortress, B-17G 42-31314 BS-M 'Scorchy', had brake fade on the long runway and overshot. The port wing tip smashed into the end of the Guard House at the N.W. corner of the airfield while the other wing tip hit No. 4 gun post, and LAC Kidd, a 7 AA armourer, was caught inside. He was seriously injured with a compound fracture to the skull. The aircraft was considerably damaged with the fuselage broken in two and both wings crumpled. The tail-plane was also torn off. The Fortress pilot, First Lt. H.Dahleen and three of his crew were also injured and taken to Southlands Hospital. (There is a rumour that the sole prisoner in the Guard House then made good his escape through the hole!)."
I hope that this helps, barry.
By: 30th March 2010 at 21:40 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Fascinating what an amzing story, Shoreham is my local airport hard to imagine a B-17 coming in.
By: 30th March 2010 at 22:13 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Yes, and in 1944 that was on grass. Furthermore in February, before half decent drainage was installed, it was probably very wet - if not sub-aquatic - grass!
By: 31st March 2010 at 18:23 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Very many thanks all of you for your excellent reporting on this incident. I guess I had the landing direction more than a few degrees out! I have spend many years visiting and working at Shoreham and never heard the true story.
I guess if the B17 landed wheels up he would have hydroplaned on his belly across the usually waterlogged field, maybe not disintegrating by running into the guardroom. Thanks Avion, too .Can I ask if did you really question my description of the saga of Canberra WH 204 and it's rather newsworthy debacle at RAF Gutersloh in 1957? Or am I misreading your comment? It really was true. I was on duty when it happened. And he does now have his commercial, and 12,000 hrs to boot. In fact, I think there is something on PPrune, certainly on the Gutersloh spotting site which is an excellent site.
By: 31st March 2010 at 19:02 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Thanks Avion, too .Can I ask if did you really question my description of the saga of Canberra WH 204 and it's rather newsworthy debacle at RAF Gutersloh in 1957? Or am I misreading your comment? It really was true. I was on duty when it happened. And he does now have his commercial, and 12,000 hrs to boot. In fact, I think there is something on PPrune, certainly on the Gutersloh spotting site which is an excellent site.
Barry, I've responded to your questions on the thread in issue.
By: 10th December 2010 at 16:01 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Hi! I see this thread is somewhat old now but wanted to let you know add'l info about this crash. It can be found at this link:
http://www.303rdbg.com/359dahleen.html
My father, Russell Klingensmith, was the navigator on that plane. He is still with us and sharp as a tack. I would be able to get you in contact with him if you want add'l information on Scorchy or this crash or other WWII experiences. I will check back so you can let me know if you are interested in finding out any further info which is not related at the link.
By: 10th December 2010 at 16:48 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Welcome to the forum, marianna. I suspect that there are many forum members who would have a keen interest in hearing more about this crash and your father's service experiences generally. So do speak to him and then post more. Those who have these memories, and can relate them, are few in number and getting fewer every year!
Posts: 135
By: barry flahey - 29th March 2010 at 17:44
It was rumoured while I worked at Shoreham, that a B-17 or B-29 landed while badly damaged at Shoreham sometime during the war. Apparently the a/c came in over the toll bridge and clipped a gun emplacement at the N/E corner. Anyone know anything about it?