6/01/1941 Handley Page Hampden Mark I P4322 EA-? Of 49 Squadron is missing in the sea 10 miles S of Sidmouth, Devon due to poor weather on return from operations, 4 killed.
16/01/1941 1048hrs Supermarine Spitfire Mark Ia N3191 AZ-? Of 234 Squadron RAF St. Eval lost its wings in a dive and crashed in a field near the Rectory at Ruan Lanihorne.
17/01/1941 Bristol Beaufort Mark I L9862 MW-H of 217 Squadron took off with six other aircraft for an attack on the Admiral Hipper at Brest and the aerodrome at Vannes, France, but because of bad weather they returned early. On attempting to land in the dark the aircraft rounded out too high and dropped 50 feet onto the runway forcing the undercarriage up through the wings and shearing both engines from their mounts. The crew of F/O Forward, Sgts Rollo, Boddy & Martin were all knocked unconscious and found to have fractured spines.
20/01/1941 A Barrage Balloon burnt out after being suspended on telegraph wires at Davidstow.
25/01/1941 2000hrs 100 incendiary & 5 High Explosive bombs plus 2 parachute mines were dropped on RAF St. Eval. 21 Killed 1 severely injured when a bomb exploded at the entrance to an air-raid shelter near the watch office. One Avro Anson Mark I L7994 MW-U of 217 Squadron was damaged by bomb blast and struck off Charge.
26/01/1941 de Havilland Tiger Moth N9196 of 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit based at RAF St. Eval was abandoned by the crew of two in bad weather near St. Eval.
29/01/1941 0745hrs Bristol Blenheim Mark IVf V5432 ND-A of 236 Squadron St. Eval crashed at Higher Denzell Farm, 2 miles N of St. Mawgan Police House. The aircraft was flown by F/O Digby Vawdre Cartmel Cotes-Preedy 41987.
01/02/1941 1745hrs Caudron Goeland F-BAAX landed near a Searchlight Post close to Tregantle Farm. The occupant was Andre’ Edmond Bruist Colin aged 25, he stated that he is a native of Belfort, France. He has been a Sgt Pilot in the French Air Force from 26th August 1939 until 25 August 1940. He left Vichy at 12:30 hours on the 1st February 1941 and landed in Brittany, he took off again and headed for England. Monsieur Colin is being detained at Liskeard Police Station, whilst his twin engined Caudron monoplane is being guarded by men of the 11th Battalion Devonshire Regiment.
08/02/1941 0950hrs an Arado AR196 (6W+ON) was shot down in flames by Westland Whirlwinds 263 Squadron 1 mile NE of Dodman Point. Whirlwind P6969 was shot down. P/O R.A.G. Graham is missing.
08/02/1941 1400hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark Ia V6981 flown by 787704 Sgt Javoslov Nayok (Czechoslovakian) Air Transport Auxiliary, on a delivery flight from White Waltham to St. Eval, force landed at Tregulland Farm South East of Hallworthy. The undercarriage was damaged and the propeller smashed, the pilot was also injured.
10/02/1941 Bristol Beaufort Mark I W6490 MW-S of 217 Squadron, St. Eval. On return from an attack on a power station at Cherbourg, the port wheel appeared to stick the aircraft veered to port. The starboard wheel went into a boggy patch and collapsed causing a ground loop. The crew of F/O Livingstone, Sgts Davis, Beesley and Thompson escaped without injury.
11/02/1941 2255hrs Handley-Page Hampden Mark I L4108 of 61 Squadron crashed while landing at St. Eval after operations.
21/02/1941 0840hrs Bristol Blenheim Mark IVf R2799 ND-Q of 236 Squadron crashed on take-off from RAF St. Eval due to snow obscuring the pilots vision. The aircraft stalled, struck the propellers of a parked Blenheim, hit a hedge on the far side of the road and ended up in a field approximately 100 yards further away. The aircrafts nose was smashed in and the starboard wing and engine were completely wrecked. F/O Lumsden and Sgt Tumbridge were uninjured, Sgt Snape was slightly injured and was taken to the Royal Infirmary Truro.
21/02/1941 2030hrs 2 incendiary bombs dropped in open fields 3 miles NW of Kilkhampton.
21/02/1941 2255hrs Handley Page Hampden L4108 QR-? of 61 Squadron overshot on landing at St Eval after operations.
22/02/1941 1645hrs Consolidated Catalina Mark I W8405 on delivery to 240 Squadron landed in St. Ives Bay, with a crew of 4 and 2 civilians, (Canadians). The aeroplane was making for Pembroke Dock, when it received a wireless messaged to proceed to RAF Mount Batten. When over Plymouth the Anti-Aircraft guns fired on it and slight damage was done to one wing, it then made its way back down the coast and landed at St. Ives. This aircraft was carrying very important papers for London. The aircraft has been placed under military guard whilst the papers have been sent on to London by train, where they arrived safely. The aircraft has now left for Pembroke Dock.
23/02/1941 Bristol Blenheim Mark IV V5394 of 59 Squadron crashed on landing at RAF St Eval.
24/02/1941 1200hrs Bristol Blenheim Mark IVf T1942 ND-J of 236 Squadron RAF St. Eval on return from a patrol an engine cut causing the aircraft to overshoot, lose height and crash. P/O Watters, Sgts Philip and Lawrence all suffered from bruising and shock.
25/02/1941 0130hrs an aircraft crashed in a field at Goonhoskyn Farm, St. Enoder. The Royal Air Force have established that it was Hawker Hurricane Mark Ia P3041 HP-P of the 247 Squadron detachment at RAF St. Eval. While on a practice night flight it entered a dive. The aircraft struck the ground and exploded. The pilot Sgt W.F. McEwan was killed.
02/03/1941 2050 hours 4 High Explosive bombs dropped near RAF St. Eval none exploded.
03/03/1941 German Heinkel H5 of 1+KG27 (IE+26) from Morgat Nr Brest. Crashed on Lundy Island
05/03/1941 Hawker Henley TT Mark III L3330 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit from RAF Cleeve crashed on approach to land.
07/03/1941 1945hrs Bristol Blenheim Mark IVf T1812 ND-G of 236 Squadron RAF St. Eval suffered engine failure in a heavy ground mist and crashed in a forced landing at Gooden Farm, Kea, Truro. The crew of three P/O Robb, Sgts Yates and Stewart were slightly injured.
12/03/1941 1250 hours Hawker Henley TT Mark III L3360? 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit from RAF Cleeve crashed at Sinns Barton Farm, 2 miles from Redruth Police Station 2 crew injured.
12/03/1941 During a bombing raid by Heinkel He111s on RAF St. Eval seven Westland Whirlwinds of 263 Squadron are damaged and four Hawker Hurricanes of 247 Squadron are destroyed. One Hurricane Mark Ia W9124 HP-K of 247 Squadron was damaged. There were casualties on the ground among them several Women’s Auxiliary Air Force personnel.
14/03/1941 Handley Page Harrow Mark I K6951 BJ-? Of 271 Squadron was hit by a bomb during an air raid at RAF St. Eval.
14/03/1941 Westland Whirlwind Mark I P6988 HE-? Of 263 Squadron RAF St. Eval force landed at RAF Portreath on one engine after a convoy patrol.
14/03/1941 1750hrs Westland Whirlwind Mark I of 263 Squadron RAF St. Eval attempted to force-land at the old RAF Mullion site, it crashed and caught fire. See 01/04/1941.
21/03/1941 2045 hours Bristol Blenheim Mark IVf Z5755 ND-L of 236 Squadron RAF St. Eval was abandoned in bad weather on return from escorting Convoy Scent, the aircraft crashed at Tregrey Farm, Otterham. P/O Barron and Sgt Thornton are safe but Sgt H. Sheard 638019 who jumped first is missing.
23/03/1941 1100hrs Gloster Sea Gladiator Mark II N2302 being ferried from Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton to RNAS St. Merryn crashed at Parkwalls Farm, Camelford and was destroyed, the pilot Sub Lieutenant Peter Mittel was killed.
28/03/1941 Bristol Blenheim Mark IV L8787 VE-? Of 110 Squadron based at Wattisham, Norfolk returning from operations overshot on landing at RAF St. Eval.
30/03/1941 2140hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark Ia P3164 HP-? Of 247 Squadron returning to RAF St. Eval after a convoy patrol suffered engine overheating and while attempting to land the undercarriage failed to lower. The aircraft belly-landed the pilot Sgt J.V. Renvoize was uninjured.
30/03/1941 2245hrs Bristol Blenheim Mark IV T2281 of 101 Squadron based at RAF West Raynham, Kent crashed on take-off in a field adjoining RAF St. Eval. The aircraft was completely burnt-out, 2 crewmen were killed and 1 seriously injured.
01/04/1941 Westland Whirlwind Mark I P6989 HE-J of 263 Squadron from RAF Portreath attacked a Dornier Do215 off the Lizard but was hit by return fire and crashed near Helston. The aircraft was destroyed killing F/Lt David Alexander Cumming Crooks 40678 DFC.
01/04/1941 2015 hours Focke-Wulf Fw200 Condor was damaged in combat near St. Eval by a Hawker Hurricane of 247 Squadron flown by Sergeant J.A. Renvoise. The squadron was detached to RAF St. Eval for night fighter operations.
03/04/1941 An Unexploded Bomb is found in a grass field 300 yards, South of Tregantle Searchlight site.
03/04/1941 1725hrs Heinkel He111H-5 Werke Nummer 4014 1G+MH of 1 Staffel KG27, was attacked over Portreath and brought down in the Sea off Stepper Point, 2 miles N of Padstow, with the loss of Leutnant Fritz Huhle and crew. S/L Anthony Hartwell Rook 90071 and P/O Henry Norman Hunt 82656 of 504 Auxiliary Air Force Squadron based at Exeter shared the destruction of this aircraft. 5 members of the Heinkel’s crew were brought ashore in a Naval Vessel. 2 were injured and are now in the Naval Hospital at Padstow; the other 3 are under guard at Padstow Police Station.
03/04/1941 1845hrs Fairey Fulmar Mark I N4023 RN-N of Royal Naval Air Station St. Merryn Force Landed in a field at Castledore, 1½ miles from Lostwithiel Police House. The Pilot and passenger a Women’s Royal Naval Service Officer were uninjured. Construction Number F3063.
04/04/1941 Handley Page Hampden Mark I AD783 PL-? Of 144 Squadron overshot in landing at RAF St. Eval due to hydraulic failure whilst returning from operations.
04/04/1941 2055hrs 8 High Explosive Bombs were dropped on RAF St. Eval some damage to Government property was caused.
04/04/1941 2058hrs 11 High Explosive Bombs were dropped on RNAS St. Merryn, 4 naval personnel were slightly injured, there was damage to a hut and a shed, the Air Station was also machine-gunned.
04/04/1941 0145hrs Handley Page Hampden Mark I P4403 EA-? Of 49 Squadron overshot on landing at RAF St. Eval and hit a hedge whilst returning from an operation to the West Coast of France. The aircraft was Category W.
06/04/1941 Four Bristol Beaufort Mark I aircraft of 22 Squadron managed to take off from RAF St. Eval at 0420hrs to attack the German pocket battleship Gneisenau in the port of Brest. Two aircraft one armed with bombs and one armed with a torpedo became lost in cloud. The two other aircraft of F/O Hyde and F/O Kenneth Campbell, successfully found the target, they were to wait for a bombing attack to begin, prior to making their torpedo runs. As it became light F/O Campbell in N1016 OA-X decided to attack alone, dropping first to 300 feet then to 50 feet to drop his torpedo which ran true and stuck the 32,000-ton vessel near the stern exploding on impact. As he tried to fly out of the harbour, weapons of every calibre opened up on the Beaufort, which was shot down. F/O Kenneth Campbell 72446 and Sgt J.P. Scott RCAF, R63912. Sgt W.C. Mulliss 746872 and F/Sgt R.W. Hillman, 643257 died in the crash. On 13th March 1942 F/O Kenneth Campbell was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. F/O Kenneth Campbell VC.
07/04/1941 The Unclassified Road through the Emergency Landing Ground at Trebelzue is closed from it’s junction with the B3276 near Deer Park and the junction with the coast road near Trebelzue. The closure is due to an un-exploded bomb.
07/04/1941 de Havilland Leopard Moth BD172 (Ex G-ACOO) of 8 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit crashed on landing at RAF St.Eval.
09/04/1941 Bristol Blenheim Mark IV V5862 PZ-Y of 53 Squadron took off from RAF St. Eval with full nose down trim and dived into the ground out of control. P/O I.F. Anderson 43082. Sgt H.H. Walker 754774 and Sgt E.A.J.S. Fabian 908487 all killed.
10/04/1941 2255hrs 2 flares followed by 6 High Explosive Bombs were dropped at Predannack Downs near the RAF runways, map reference 115/405.
12/04/1941 0405hrs 2 Bombs dropped on RAF Portreath, there were no casualties but the runways were damaged.
13/04/1941 1200hrs 4 German Airmen came ashore in a rubber dinghy at Pentargon, Boscastle. The Homeguard took charge and then handed them over to the Military at the Infantry Training Centre, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, Bodmin.
14/04/1941 0320hrs 19 High Explosive Bombs dropped on and around RAF St. Eval.
15/04/1941 0240hrs Fairey Swordfish from 774 Squadron based at RNAS St. Merryn fell into the sea 1¼ miles SW of Portloe Cove, 1½ miles E of Veryan Police House. The occupants are safe and the aircraft was towed away by a Naval Vessel.
16/04/1941 1939hrs Bristol Blenheim Mark IV V5518 PZ-H of 53 Squadron based at St. Eval crashed and hit a wall force landing at Trolvis, Longdowns, 2½ miles W of Penryn Police Station. The aircraft was completely smashed with un-exploded bombs underneath the wreckage. F/O R.C.L. Reade 87055 and Sgt J.D. O’Connell 913611 were both killed. Sgt R.H.W.M. Camm 1003424 was seriously injured and removed to Hospital.
21/04/1941 0335hrs Lockheed Hudson Mark I T9304 VX-C of 206 Squadron based at RAF St. Eval crashed after take-off in a field on Providence Farm, Castle-an-Dinas, St. Columb Major. The aircraft was completely wrecked with all four crew dead. P/O R.L. Tanner 74692. Sgt G.V. Reeves 748689. Sgt C.T. Handley 910738 and Sgt F. Allen 615122.
23/04/1941 0245hrs Vickers Wellington R1597 HH-A of 218 Squadron based at Marham, Norfolk, crashed in a field at Trevigo, St. Minver, 11/2 miles NNE of St. Minver Church. The machine was slightly damaged and of the occupants 5 are uninjured and 1 injured.
23/04/1941 0620hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark Ia V7016 HP-? Of 247 Squadron detachment based at RAF St. Eval crashed in the sea off St. Agnes Head, 3 miles off St. Ives. Sgt Alan Cameron Kelly 40771 aged 23 of the Royal New Zealand Air Force was killed.
23/04/1941 A canister was washed up at Tintagel containing a First Aid Kit and sheets of paper marked “Fred Olsen Liner Oslo”, plus a canvas bag containing an electric lamp.
24/04/1941 1315hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark Ia V6681 HP-D of 247 Squadron had engine failure while on patrol. The pilot managed to force land in a strong wind at RAF Predannack were the aircraft swung off the runway and tipped up onto its nose. P/O J.F. Hayes was uninjured.
27/04/1941 2135 hours 3 small High Explosive Bombs dropped on RAF Portreath; there was no damage or casualties.
29/04/1941 2150hrs 4 High Explosive Bombs dropped on farmland on the outskirts of RAF Portreath.
01/05/1941 Bristol Beaufighter Mark Ic T3229 PN-? Of 252 Squadron ditched off Lisbon, Portugal on a transit flight between St. Eval and Gibraltar. Sub Lieutenant R.D.B. Hopkins RN and Sgt G. Bell 523274 were interned.
05/05/1941 0010hrs 14 High Explosive Bombs dropped in fields adjoining and on RNAS St. Merryn at 0057hrs in a further attack on the Air Station 33 High Explosive Bombs were dropped on the Air Station property and surroundings. The Naval Authorities dealt with 4 un-exploded bombs; there were no casualties, 1 Fairey Swordfish and some buildings damaged.
05/05/1941 0021hrs Bristol Blenheim Mark IV Z5809 BX-? Of 86 Squadron was destroyed in an air raid on RAF St. Eval.
06/05/1941 de Havilland Queen Bee N1829 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit is shot down by anti-aircraft gunners off RAF Cleave.
10/05/1941 40 High Explosive Bombs are dropped on RAF Portreath between 0020 and 0055hrs.
10/05/1941 0021hrs 80 High Explosive Bombs dropped on RAF St. Eval destroying two Bristol Blenheim Mark IV aircraft T2330 UX-? and V6070 UX-N of 82 Squadron.
10/05/1941 0022hrs 4 High Explosive Bombs dropped 3 in ploughed fields at Tremoon Farm and 1 at Tremoon RAF Wireless Station, 1 mile South of St. Mawgan.
10/05/1941 0022hrs 7 High Explosive Bombs dropped in fields and 1 on the B3276 Road at Trebelzue Farm.
10/05/1941 0022hrs 60 High Explosive and Oil Bombs dropped on Trebelzue Aerodrome.
11/05/1941 0001hrs an air raid damaged beyond repair two Bristol Beaufort Mark I aircraft L9881 MW-? and N1018 MW-K of 217 Squadron.
12/05/1941 0310hrs enemy aircraft raided RAF St. Eval and dropped 200 H E Bombs.
16/05/1941 0455hrs 1 High Explosive and 2 Incendiary Bombs dropped on RAF Portreath.
18/05/1941 Avro Manchester B Mark I L7393 EM-V of 207 Squadron from RAF Waddington flown by Squadron Leader Mackintosh, a test pilot, when on a cross-country test flight with 6 crew and 2 or 3 passengers had an engine fire He ordered the guns, dummy bomb load & fuel to be jettisoned. In an attempted landing at Perranporth the aircraft overshot and the under-carriage was raised. The Manchester continued through two walls and across a road before stopping. Sgt Nesbit suffered the only injury, the rest being badly shaken.
21/05/1941 0007hrs the enemy dropped High Explosive and Incendiary Bombs on RAF Portreath.
21/05/1941 0503hrs Bristol Blenheim Mark IVf V5428 ND-F of 236 Squadron overshot on landing at RAF St. Eval in bad weather, swung to avoid other aircraft and an undercarriage leg collapsed. The Blenheim was written off as beyond repair the crew of Sgts Lindley; Fuller & Hale were uninjured.
22/05/1941 Two Bristol Beaufighter Mark Ic aircraft of 252 Squadron took off from Gibraltar at 1000hrs on ferry flights to St. Eval T3235 BT-? Force landed in Eire, the aircraft and crew of F/O J. Holgate, F/O H. Verity and Sgt Barnett were interned. T3249 BT-? Ditched off Mousehole, Cornwall short of fuel in bad weather, F/O S. MacDonald, F/O G. Lemar and Sgt Booth were picked up by a small coastal vessel and transferred to the Royal Infirmary Truro.
23/05/1941 Bristol Beaufort Mark I N1040 MW-K of 217 Squadron based at RAF St. Eval took off on an Anti-Submarine search for a U-Boat the crew spotted a U-Boat on the surface near the Ile d’Oleron and dropped a stick of four bombs. A second attack against the vessel was made with the two remaining bombs but return fire ripped open both wing leading edges. Sgt Harper made a further run in using machine-guns but a cannon shell tore into the starboard main fuel tank and another exploded behind the observer’s panel. The pilot set course for home and the crew assessed the damage, the flaps and undercarriage were visibly in damaged. On reaching the Bishop’s Light the starboard engine started to misfire through lack of fuel and the Beaufort lost height and crash landed in a field at Boscathnoe Lane, Heamoor 2 miles North of Penzance. This crew consisting of Sgts Harper, Scollin, Seth and Wendle were all injured.
26/05/1941 1130hrs Bristol Blenheim B Mark IV V6301 PZ-? Of 53 Squadron based at RAF St. Eval on return from patrol in bad visibility undershot on landing and hit a gun position. W/C G.W.P. Grant 29091 and crew are safe.
28/05/1941 Between 0035 and 0311hrs a High Explosive Bomb is dropped on open moorland at Higher Butters Tor, St. Breward, 7 miles SE of St. Breward Police House.
28/05/1941 0050hrs a High Explosive Bomb is dropped in a field at Lower Pengelly, Delabole ¼ mile SSE of Delabole Police House. 1 house is destroyed and several others damaged.
28/05/1941 0100hrs a High Explosive Bomb is dropped in a grass field at Trecarne Farm, Advent, 2 miles S of Camelford. There are no casualties but there is damage to a farmhouse and out buildings.
28/05/1941 0100hrs a High Explosive Bomb is dropped in a field at Abbotts Hendra Farm, Davidstow, 1½ miles SSE of Halworthy Police House.
28/05/1941 0100hrs 2 High Explosive Bombs dropped at Helstone, Camelford, 1¾ miles SSW of Camelford Police Station. 1 house slightly damaged.
28/05/1941 0115hrs a High Explosive Bomb is dropped on the cliffs near Penally, Boscastle, ½ a mile NNW of Boscastle Police House.
30/05/1941 1000hrs Fairey Swordfish Mark II L2799 S6-A of 774 Squadron RNAS St. Merryn hit an overhead electric cable in Trebarwith Valley, 11/4 miles SSW of Tintagel Police House. The machine is totally destroyed and the 3 occupants are killed, Sub-Lieutenant J.H. Formby and Trainee Air Gunners C/JX 199955 Ordinary Seaman E.W. Page and P/JX205792 Ordinary Telegrapher F. Thurlow.
02/06/1941 0055hrs 5 High Explosive Bombs dropped at Treglith, 2¾ miles ENE of Halworthy Police House. The Road was closed and there was some damage to buildings but no casualties.
03/06/1941 de Havilland Dragon G-ACPY left the Scilly Isles at 1700hrs and has not been heard of since. This DH84 was shot down by a Heinkel He111H-4 of 1/KG28 circa 1650hrs there were five members of the Leggitt family and the pilot Captain W.D. Anderson on the aircraft they are missing presumed killed, after extensive searches by air and sea.
10/06/1941 0130hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark Ia V6847 HP-B of 247 Squadron based at RAF Portreath became lost while on patrol after radio problems and force-landed in a field at Trevose Head, 2 miles W of Padstow Police Station with under carriage down. The aircraft struck a dyke and overturned at 0135hrs. Sgt J.D. Mair was injured.
10/06/1941 Bristol Beaufort Mark I W6530 MW-S of 217 Squadron based at RAF St. Eval took off on a mining operation on the 9th June and landed at RAF Chivenor on return at 0325 hours on the 10th June. The aircraft departed Chivenor for the flight back to St. Eval but suffered an engine fire on route it crashed and blew up in Barnstaple Bay. Sgt P.F. Holley 742265, Sgt J.K. Whadcoat 957278, Sgt P.T. Perrins 974123 and Sgt C.G.J. McIvor 615917 all killed.
11/06/1941 1300hrs the remains of a Bristol Blenheim Mark IV V5933 PZ-U of 53 Squadron based at St. Eval have been found scattered within ½ mile of Brown Willy Tor, 41/2 miles from Five Lanes Police House. The machine apparently blew up on impact, there were 3 bodies one of which was unrecognisable the other two were blown to pieces. The aircraft was returning from an operation to St. Nazaire, France in cloud when it flew into the Tor. P/O N.D. MacLennan J3735 RCAF, Sgt D.C. Taylor 754263, Sgt W.M. Roberts 948880 all killed.
11/06/1941 Hawker Hurricane Mark Ia W9260 of 247 Squadron at RAF Portreath on a night patrol descended below cloud in poor visibility and crashed into the Channel. The pilot Sgt D.C. Ross 920876 was killed.
15/06/1941 Supermarine Spitfire Mark IIa P8182 Tasmania II of 152 Squadron based at RAF Portreath was abandoned by its pilot near Totnes, Devon.
16/06/1941 The decomposed body of a British airman was landed at Falmouth from HMS Ellesmere. The body had been found in the sea about 1½ miles from the Longships Light at approximately 1055hrs the body was that of Sgt Harry Burton 751824 an Air Gunner who was Killed in Action on the 24th April and whose address was 115 Grove Road, Blaby, Leicester.
17/06/1941 1530hrs Bristol Beaufort Mark I L9867 AW-? Of 217 Squadron at RAF St. Eval, F/O Eyre took off for his first solo circuits of the aerodrome, but suffered an engine failure and stalled in a forced landing, crashing in a field at Treburrick Farm, St. Eval. The sole occupant F/O J.A. Eyre 43359 was killed and the machine a complete wreck.
18/06/1941 1230hrs Bristol Beaufort Mark I N1158 OA-P of 22 Squadron based at RAF Thorney Island, Hampshire on a transfer flight crashed in a field at Tolcarne, St. Mawgan. 3 members of the crew were killed, P/O D.A. Attewell 89077, Sgt G.P. Whicher R60108 RCAF, Sgt P. McEwan 1355107. Sgt Towend was seriously injured and the plane completely wrecked.
19/06/1941 1715 hours the body of a German airman was recovered from the sea ½ a mile from Port Isaac; his service number was 67019 there was also the badge of a flying eagle and 69 in a circle with a pair of wings.
25/06/1941 0330hrs Heinkel HE-III-5 Wn3878 IH+BD III/KG26 Nantes. Was shot down by Ack Ack fire and crashed into the sea in Falmouth Bay off Coverack. One crew member Gefr Willi Hoffman rescued by local motor boat as he swam ashore. Three others killed. Uffz George Lohmann. Gefr Freidrich Brunnecker and Ogerf Leo Pfop.
29/06/1941 0220hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark IIa Z2390 HP-A of 247 Squadron flying a Searchlight co-operation sortie, swung onto rough ground on landing and tipped up onto its nose at RAF Predannack. P/O A. Roberts was uninjured.
03/07/1941 1215hrs Supermarine Spitfire Mk IIa P7972 PJ-? Of 130 Squadron based at RAF Portreath crashed at Gurland Farm, St. Just. Sgt Ronald Turner 1259078 died and the machine burnt out.
03/07/1941 1710hrs Junkers Ju88 crashed in a field at Trevilley Farm, Sennen, and the aircraft completely burnt-out and the four crewmen are dead.
4/07/1941 1405hrs Blackburn Roc Mark I L3140 of 774 Squadron Fleet Air Arm based at Royal Naval Air Station St. Merryn crashed on a sandbar, ½ a mile East of Padstow Harbour. The machine was extensively damaged and the three occupants injured, salvage of the aircraft is to be attempted.
07/07/1941 0242hrs Handley Page Hampden AD861 ZN-? of 106 Squadron crashed into Plymouth Sound, Devon after colliding with barrage balloon cable on return from operations. Two killed, two injured.
11/07/1941 Vickers Wellington Mark VIII W5631 WF-? Of 221 Squadron detachment at RAF St.Eval on return from an Anti-Submarine Patrol was in communication with base and was plotted in the vicinity of the Isles of Scilly. Contact was suddenly lost and information received that an aircraft had exploded in mid-air near the islands. It was thought that an enemy fighter had shot the Wellington down. A search by British fighter aircraft from RAF St. Eval failed to find any trace of the Wellington or its crew of six. F/O I.C.M. Sanderson 77042 (Argentinian) P/O R. Edwards 84917, P/O D.H.M. Jack 88692, Sgt L.P. MacDowell 978205 , Sgt V.S. Payne 975776 and Sgt R.G.W. Perkins 977815.
12/07/1941 2230hrs Bristol Beaufighter Mark IIf R2317 of 600 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force on detachment to RAF Predannack performing aerobatics while on a night flying test got into a spin and crashed at Trewoon, Mullion. The two occupants P/O Schumer and Sgt Smither were killed the machine was completely burnt-out.
19/07/1941 Bristol Beaufighter Mark Ic T3296 of the Overseas Air Dispatch Flight based at RAF Portreath is missing on a ferry flight to Gibraltar.
23/07/1941 2105 hours Bristol Beaufort Mark I L9891 OA-F of 22 Squadron flying from RAF St. Eval to Thorney Island, Hampshire crashed in a forced landing following engine failure at Cannaframe Farm, Altarnun. The aircraft was extensively damaged. Of the four crew and three passengers. P/O Rodgers (pilot) and Sgt Hills the Observer were seriously injured, the other five including Sgt Hatherall W/Op and Sgt McGee A/G were slightly injured. All were taken to Launceston Hospital.
24/07/1941 1536hrs Hawker Sea Hurricane Mark Ia R4214 of 880 Squadron detached to Royal Naval Air Station St.Merryn force-landed 300 yards from Hill Farm House, St.Gennys. There is damage to the propeller and the underside of the cockpit area the pilot is uninjured.
24/07/1941 1630 hours Vickers Wellington B Mark II W5581 LQ-? of 405 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force based at Pocklington, Yorkshire ditched 200 yards from shore on Whitsand Bar, Torpoint, Cornwall 2½ miles south-south west of Anthony Police House. The pilot Sgt Craig states that the aircraft was badly shot-up while on a daylight operation to attack the Gneisenau in Brest Docks. The rear gunner was seriously injured while shooting down two of the four enemy fighters attacking the aircraft. The other five crewmen including himself are slightly injured.
31/07/1941 Hawker Henley TT Mark III L3433 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit crashed on landing at RAF Cleave.
06/08/1941 0140hrs a Sea Mine exploded in Bossiney Bay, Tintagel.
06/08/1941 0600hrs a Sea Mine came ashore ¼ mile South South West of Boscastle.
06/08/1941 Miles Magister L5985 of 616 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force crashed on take-off at RAF Perranporth.
11/08/1941 1620hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark IIa Z2886 of 247 Squadron at RAF Predannack suffered engine failure and force-landed with the undercarriage retracted and struck a stone wall and overturned at Watering Place, Sancreed 2¼ miles from St. Just Police Station. The aircraft is wrecked and P/O Alfred Roberts was killed.
14/08/1941 Supermarine Spitfire Mark IIa P7556 of 130 Squadron spun into the ground at Portreath on return from operations.
19/08/1941 Hawker Hurricane Mark IIa Z2461 HP-O of 247 Squadron was involved in an accident at RAF Predannack.
20/08/1941 de Haviland Queen Bee V4800 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit was shot down by gunners off the coast at Cleave.
22/08/1941 2318hrs Bristol Beaufighter Mark IIf R2300 from 600 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force at RAF Predannack returning from an operational patrol crashed into the sea ¼ mile South of Predannack. Despite a search by lifeboat no trace of the aircraft or crew could be found. Sgts Martin and Smith are missing.
24/08/1941 Supermarine Spitfire Mark Ia X4246 of 53 Operational Training Unit based at Church Fenton, Yorkshire swung on landing at RAF Perranporth.
27/08/1941 Short Sunderland Mark I P9604 RB-J of 10 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force at Mount Batten, Plymouth force-landed after operations at Coverack Cove, Cornwall. The aircraft is category R.
05/09/1941 Hawker Hurricane Mark IIa Z2828 HP-? Of 247 Squadron based at RAF Predannack landed heavily with drift during bad weather. Sgt D.C. Deuntzer was unhurt but the aircraft was damaged.
06/09/1941 1550 hours Hawker Hurricane Mark IIa Z2572 HP-G of 247 Squadron based at RAF Predannack crashed into the sea ½ mile South of Logan Rock, 3 miles South West of St. Buryan Police House, during a practice dogfight off Lands End. The naval authorities made a search and the logbook of the Hurricane was found the pilot Sgt Robert Irwin Berkin was killed.
09/09/1941 1615hrs Supermarine Spitfire Mark Ia N3124 QG-B of 53 Operational Training Unit from RAF Llandow, Wales crashed at Tregure Farm, ½ mile from Jacobstow.
13/09/1941 1300hrs the body of a British airman was washed ashore at Benouth, Tintagel. Papers disclose his identity as 1172596 Sergeant Peter James Bull a W/Op Air Gunner, of RAF Chivenor, Barnstaple, Devon.
26/09/1941 1620hrs Bristol Beaufort Mark I W6483 MW-A of 217 Squadron from RAF St.Eval took off for a shipping strike. On return in bad visibility it crashed at County Quarry, Tregonning Hill, Breage. The machine was completely burnt-out and the four occupants killed.
29/09/1941 Supermarine Spitfire Mark IIa P7973 QY-? Of 452 Royal Australian Air Force Squadron hit an obstruction on a sweep over France and made a forced landing at RAF Predannack.
29/09/1941 An unexploded bomb was found at Hennett Farm, St. Juliot, Boscastle.
10/10/1941 Bristol Beaufort Mark I L9808 MW-? Of 217 Squadron based at RAF St.Eval flew into high ground 4 miles SW of Barnstaple, Devon.
10/10/1941 1500hrs the body of a British airman washed ashore at Poldhu Cove, Mullion has been identified as 1001262 Sgt Thomas Hunter of 263 Squadron killed in the crash of Westland Whirlwind Mark I P7001 HE-? at sea.
11/10/1941 Supermarine Spitfire Mark IIa P8098 `Enfield Spitfire` of 130 Squadron based at RAF Portreath was engaged in a beat-up of the aerodrome when it hit a dispersal hut.
11/10/1941 A Naval pallet was found washed ashore at Stanbury Mouth, Morwenstow.
15/10/1941 Hawker Hurricane Mark I of 87 Squadron on detachment to RAF St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly suffered an engine cut and belly-landed at St Mary’s.
19/10/1941 2218hrs Bristol Beaufighter 11f T3020 of 600 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force based at RAF Predannack crashed into the sea at Kennack Bay, near The Lizard, Coverack. The lifeboat made a search but sadly there were no survivors. See 21/10/1941.
21/10/1941 A battered fuel tank from the Beaufighter that crashed on the 19th October was found today.
22/10/1941 1055hrs Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley Mark V T4329 WL-U of 612 Squadron at RAF St. Eval flown by P/O D.H. Limbrey suffered engine failure and ditched 75 miles S.W. of Scillies The crew were rescued by a Short Sunderland Mark I P9604 RB-J of 10 Squadron RAAF.
23/10/1941 1630hrs Blackburn Shark Mark II L2377 of 774 Squadron based at RNAS St. Merryn crashed into the sea 1½ miles NNW of Tintagel Police house, the machine submerged but the two occupants are safe.
24/10/1941 1627hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark IIc BD934 ZY-V of 247 Squadron from Predannack entered a flat spin at 8,000 feet and crashed at Gwallon Marsh, Marazion, 1 mile north of Marazion Police house. The aircraft was completely smashed the pilot F/L Derek Ian Graham 72023 was killed.
27/10/1941 0758hrs Lockheed Hudson Mark V AM651 PZ-Y of 53 Squadron from St. Eval flown by F/Lt L.J.M. Bunce, navigator F/Sgt F.D. King DFM and WOp/AGs Sgts W.C. Cleaver and E. Leverington ditched in flames in Falmouth Bay off Porthallow. F/Lt Bunce and Sgt Cleaver managed to escape but F/Sgt King DFM and Sgt Leverington went down with the aircraft. A Naval Patrol Boat rescued the two survivors a navigator’s logbook and a flying helmet were also found.
28/10/1941 0730hrs a grounded Barrage Balloon was found on Ham’s Farm, Morwenstow, 2¾ miles NW of Kilkhampton Police house.
31/10/1941 Lockheed Hudson Mark V AM573 ZS-? Of 233 Squadron at St.Eval hit a Barrage Balloon cable and exploded in mid-air over Falmouth Docks. One body has been recovered.
02/11/1041 1645hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark IIb Z3681 HM-P of 136 Squadron based at RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire, crashed in a field at Otterham Downs, 5½ miles ENE of Camelford Police Station. The aircraft was extensively damaged. the pilot sustained a slight injury to the left leg.
02/11/1941 1650hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark IIb Z3593 HM-? Of 136 Squadron from Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire, crashed in a field at Heathfield, near Milton, Morwenstow, 2 miles NW of Kilkhampton Police house. The pilot bailed-out and was uninjured but the aircraft was totally smashed. The 12 aircraft of 136 Squadron were on a cross-country Navigation Exercise to Swansea, Wales but they all ran-out of fuel before reaching their target.
05/11/1941 1215hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark IIb Z3051 ZY-? Of 247 Squadron at RAF Predannack suffered engine failure and crashed and caught fire in a field at Predannack Manor Farm. The aircraft was burnt-out. P/O J.S. Gailbraith was injured.
12/11/1941 1155hrs Supermarine Spitfire Mark Vb AD192 RY-? Of 313 Czechoslovakian Squadron crashed at RAF Portreath the aircraft was extensively damaged, the pilot only slightly injured.
17/11/1941 1930hrs three or four High Explosive Bombs fell in the sea about 3 miles WNW of Trevose Head, Padstow.
21/11/1941 1930hrs three High Explosive bombs are dropped on moorland on Darracott Farm, 2 miles East of Kilkhampton Police house.
24/11/1941 Heinkel He111H-5 of KG40 attempted an attack on a single ship in the Bristol Channel, but anti-aircraft fire damaged the bomber and it crash-landed at Gwavas Farm, Sithney near Helston. The German crew survived and were taken prisoner.
28/11/1941 Hawker Henley TT Mark III L3253 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit based at RAF Cleave ditched after an engine fire 2 miles NE of Portreath.
01/12/1941 An Avro Rota Mark I K4235 of 74 Wing force landed in bad weather on reaching the coast at Mousehole, Cornwall.
03/12/1941 Bristol Beaufighter Mark Ic T4703 of 1 Overseas Aircraft Dispatch Unit based at RAF Portreath collided on take-off with T4715. T4703 was declared category E. T4715 was category B and repaired.
09/12/1941 0930hrs the body of a British Airman washed ashore at Gwennon Beach, 21/4 miles SSW of St Just Police Station. At the same place was found: 2 Under-carriage wheels, 1 marked Beaufort 175, the other Beaufighter 465, 1 small tail wheel, 2 x 9 gallon petrol tanks, 1 x 9 gallon oil tank and 1 small alcohol tank. (Report No 263 09/12/1941).
09/12/1941 1645hrs a British Sea mine washed ashore at Benouth Cove, Tintagel.
10/12/1941 1030hrs a British Sea mine washed ashore at Summerleaze Beach, Bude.
16/12/1941 1100hrs the body of a British Airman washed ashore at Widemouth, 2 miles SSW of Bude. Named as F/Lt John Guthrie Fletcher 70798 of B Flight, 600 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force based at RAF Predannack. See 1st December 1941.
18/12/1941 Handley Page Halifax Mark II V9978 TL-? Of 35 Squadron damaged by flak on operations ditched in the English Channel.
20/12/1941 1600hrs Bristol Beaufort Mark II AW249 of 86 Squadron based at RAF St. Eval suffered engine failure and crashed in the sea about 5 miles off shore from St. Eval. A rescue boat has put out from St. Ives, 1 wounded survivor F/Sgt R.E. Howett 751101 was found 21/2 hours after the crash, the body of the pilot F/Lt D.E. Shorman 41327 from Nairobi, Kenya and that of F/Sgt D. Copes 651371 were recovered. Sgt E.G. Forster 759029 is missing.
24/12/1941 1400hrs the body of F/O David James Fletcher 41166 a crew member of a Short Sunderland Mark I W3998 of 201 Squadron was found washed ashore on Whitsand Beach. The flying boat was lost in a take off accident in Plymouth Sound on 20th December 1941 he was one of 11 crewmen killed.
25/12/1941 Lockheed Hudson Mark III V9091 QX-B of 224 Squadron based at RAF St. Eval On returning to base overshot on landing and hit a hedge, the nose was crushed, both engines were left hanging out of their nacelles, the undercarriage was buckled and the port mainplane smashed. P/O N.A. Mervyn-Smith, Sgt R. Mattison, Sgt H. Clent, Sgt H. Flavell and F/Sgt T. Edgar survived.
28/12/1941 1320hrs Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley Mark V Z9297 of the Overseas Aircraft Dispatch Unit at RAF Portreath crashed at Weston-Super-Mare after control was lost. Three crewmen were injured and the aircraft is category W.
28/12/1941 1530hrs Bristol Beaufort Mark I N1086 of 5 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit, from Chivenor, Devon. returning from a training sortie with the port engine stopped crashed at South Coombe Farm, Stokeclimsland, 1 mile West of Stokeclimsland Police House. The aircraft is completely burnt out and the four occupants P/O Philip Hastings Isted 89823, Pilot; Sgt G.G. Sinclair, Observer; Sgt E. Robinson, Wop/AG and Sgt F.C. Baker, WOp/AG were all killed.
30/12/1941 Handley Page Halifax Mark II R9374 ZA-? Of 10 Squadron ditched off Cornwall on return from operations to Brest, the first successful ditching of a Halifax.
30/12/1941 0545hrs Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mark VII Z9372 YG-M of 502 Squadron based at RAF St. Eval crash landed on return in poor weather while flying at 100 feet trying to locate St.Eval an engine stopped and the Whitley force landed. The crew of F/O A. Wood BEM, Sgt R.W. Dix, F/O P.R. Aitken, Sgt L.E.H. Eullrich, Sgt H.S. Vince and Sgt H.B. Jordan survived with cuts and bruises.
31/12/1941 1200hrs Supermarine Spitfire Mark V W3962 DU-? Of 312 (Czechoslovakia) Squadron, based at RAF Portreath force-landed in a field at Boscawen Rose Farm, 1¾ miles from St.Buryan Police House, and damaged the under-carriage and propeller.
31/12/1941 Supermarine Spitfire Mark Vb BL286 PJ-? Of 130 Squadron from RAF Perranporth while flying at 1,500 feet spun into the sea off of a steep turn 2 miles E of Falmouth. Sgt Jeffrey Cox 1281530 was killed.
Aviation Crashes and Related Incidents 19416/01/1941 Handley Page Hampden Mark I P4322 EA-? Of 49 Squadron is missing in the sea 10 miles S of Sidmouth, Devon due to poor weather on return from operations, 4 killed.
16/01/1941 1048hrs Supermarine Spitfire Mark Ia N3191 AZ-? Of 234 Squadron RAF St. Eval lost its wings in a dive and crashed in a field near the Rectory at Ruan Lanihorne.
17/01/1941 Bristol Beaufort Mark I L9862 MW-H of 217 Squadron took off with six other aircraft for an attack on the Admiral Hipper at Brest and the aerodrome at Vannes, France, but because of bad weather they returned early. On attempting to land in the dark the aircraft rounded out too high and dropped 50 feet onto the runway forcing the undercarriage up through the wings and shearing both engines from their mounts. The crew of F/O Forward, Sgts Rollo, Boddy & Martin were all knocked unconscious and found to have fractured spines.
20/01/1941 A Barrage Balloon burnt out after being suspended on telegraph wires at Davidstow.
25/01/1941 2000hrs 100 incendiary & 5 High Explosive bombs plus 2 parachute mines were dropped on RAF St. Eval. 21 Killed 1 severely injured when a bomb exploded at the entrance to an air-raid shelter near the watch office. One Avro Anson Mark I L7994 MW-U of 217 Squadron was damaged by bomb blast and struck off Charge.
26/01/1941 de Havilland Tiger Moth N9196 of 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit based at RAF St. Eval was abandoned by the crew of two in bad weather near St. Eval.
29/01/1941 0745hrs Bristol Blenheim Mark IVf V5432 ND-A of 236 Squadron St. Eval crashed at Higher Denzell Farm, 2 miles N of St. Mawgan Police House. The aircraft was flown by F/O Digby Vawdre Cartmel Cotes-Preedy 41987.
01/02/1941 1745hrs Caudron Goeland F-BAAX landed near a Searchlight Post close to Tregantle Farm. The occupant was Andre’ Edmond Bruist Colin aged 25, he stated that he is a native of Belfort, France. He has been a Sgt Pilot in the French Air Force from 26th August 1939 until 25 August 1940. He left Vichy at 12:30 hours on the 1st February 1941 and landed in Brittany, he took off again and headed for England. Monsieur Colin is being detained at Liskeard Police Station, whilst his twin engined Caudron monoplane is being guarded by men of the 11th Battalion Devonshire Regiment.
08/02/1941 0950hrs an Arado AR196 (6W+ON) was shot down in flames by Westland Whirlwinds 263 Squadron 1 mile NE of Dodman Point. Whirlwind P6969 was shot down. P/O R.A.G. Graham is missing.
08/02/1941 1400hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark Ia V6981 flown by 787704 Sgt Javoslov Nayok (Czechoslovakian) Air Transport Auxiliary, on a delivery flight from White Waltham to St. Eval, force landed at Tregulland Farm South East of Hallworthy. The undercarriage was damaged and the propeller smashed, the pilot was also injured.
10/02/1941 Bristol Beaufort Mark I W6490 MW-S of 217 Squadron, St. Eval. On return from an attack on a power station at Cherbourg, the port wheel appeared to stick the aircraft veered to port. The starboard wheel went into a boggy patch and collapsed causing a ground loop. The crew of F/O Livingstone, Sgts Davis, Beesley and Thompson escaped without injury.
11/02/1941 2255hrs Handley-Page Hampden Mark I L4108 of 61 Squadron crashed while landing at St. Eval after operations.
21/02/1941 0840hrs Bristol Blenheim Mark IVf R2799 ND-Q of 236 Squadron crashed on take-off from RAF St. Eval due to snow obscuring the pilots vision. The aircraft stalled, struck the propellers of a parked Blenheim, hit a hedge on the far side of the road and ended up in a field approximately 100 yards further away. The aircrafts nose was smashed in and the starboard wing and engine were completely wrecked. F/O Lumsden and Sgt Tumbridge were uninjured, Sgt Snape was slightly injured and was taken to the Royal Infirmary Truro.
21/02/1941 2030hrs 2 incendiary bombs dropped in open fields 3 miles NW of Kilkhampton.
21/02/1941 2255hrs Handley Page Hampden L4108 QR-? of 61 Squadron overshot on landing at St Eval after operations.
22/02/1941 1645hrs Consolidated Catalina Mark I W8405 on delivery to 240 Squadron landed in St. Ives Bay, with a crew of 4 and 2 civilians, (Canadians). The aeroplane was making for Pembroke Dock, when it received a wireless messaged to proceed to RAF Mount Batten. When over Plymouth the Anti-Aircraft guns fired on it and slight damage was done to one wing, it then made its way back down the coast and landed at St. Ives. This aircraft was carrying very important papers for London. The aircraft has been placed under military guard whilst the papers have been sent on to London by train, where they arrived safely. The aircraft has now left for Pembroke Dock.
23/02/1941 Bristol Blenheim Mark IV V5394 of 59 Squadron crashed on landing at RAF St Eval.
24/02/1941 1200hrs Bristol Blenheim Mark IVf T1942 ND-J of 236 Squadron RAF St. Eval on return from a patrol an engine cut causing the aircraft to overshoot, lose height and crash. P/O Watters, Sgts Philip and Lawrence all suffered from bruising and shock.
25/02/1941 0130hrs an aircraft crashed in a field at Goonhoskyn Farm, St. Enoder. The Royal Air Force have established that it was Hawker Hurricane Mark Ia P3041 HP-P of the 247 Squadron detachment at RAF St. Eval. While on a practice night flight it entered a dive. The aircraft struck the ground and exploded. The pilot Sgt W.F. McEwan was killed.
02/03/1941 2050 hours 4 High Explosive bombs dropped near RAF St. Eval none exploded.
03/03/1941 German Heinkel H5 of 1+KG27 (IE+26) from Morgat Nr Brest. Crashed on Lundy Island
05/03/1941 Hawker Henley TT Mark III L3330 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit from RAF Cleeve crashed on approach to land.
07/03/1941 1945hrs Bristol Blenheim Mark IVf T1812 ND-G of 236 Squadron RAF St. Eval suffered engine failure in a heavy ground mist and crashed in a forced landing at Gooden Farm, Kea, Truro. The crew of three P/O Robb, Sgts Yates and Stewart were slightly injured.
12/03/1941 1250 hours Hawker Henley TT Mark III L3360? 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit from RAF Cleeve crashed at Sinns Barton Farm, 2 miles from Redruth Police Station 2 crew injured.
12/03/1941 During a bombing raid by Heinkel He111s on RAF St. Eval seven Westland Whirlwinds of 263 Squadron are damaged and four Hawker Hurricanes of 247 Squadron are destroyed. One Hurricane Mark Ia W9124 HP-K of 247 Squadron was damaged. There were casualties on the ground among them several Women’s Auxiliary Air Force personnel.
14/03/1941 Handley Page Harrow Mark I K6951 BJ-? Of 271 Squadron was hit by a bomb during an air raid at RAF St. Eval.
14/03/1941 Westland Whirlwind Mark I P6988 HE-? Of 263 Squadron RAF St. Eval force landed at RAF Portreath on one engine after a convoy patrol.
14/03/1941 1750hrs Westland Whirlwind Mark I of 263 Squadron RAF St. Eval attempted to force-land at the old RAF Mullion site, it crashed and caught fire. See 01/04/1941.
21/03/1941 2045 hours Bristol Blenheim Mark IVf Z5755 ND-L of 236 Squadron RAF St. Eval was abandoned in bad weather on return from escorting Convoy Scent, the aircraft crashed at Tregrey Farm, Otterham. P/O Barron and Sgt Thornton are safe but Sgt H. Sheard 638019 who jumped first is missing.
23/03/1941 1100hrs Gloster Sea Gladiator Mark II N2302 being ferried from Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton to RNAS St. Merryn crashed at Parkwalls Farm, Camelford and was destroyed, the pilot Sub Lieutenant Peter Mittel was killed.
28/03/1941 Bristol Blenheim Mark IV L8787 VE-? Of 110 Squadron based at Wattisham, Norfolk returning from operations overshot on landing at RAF St. Eval.
30/03/1941 2140hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark Ia P3164 HP-? Of 247 Squadron returning to RAF St. Eval after a convoy patrol suffered engine overheating and while attempting to land the undercarriage failed to lower. The aircraft belly-landed the pilot Sgt J.V. Renvoize was uninjured.
30/03/1941 2245hrs Bristol Blenheim Mark IV T2281 of 101 Squadron based at RAF West Raynham, Kent crashed on take-off in a field adjoining RAF St. Eval. The aircraft was completely burnt-out, 2 crewmen were killed and 1 seriously injured.
01/04/1941 Westland Whirlwind Mark I P6989 HE-J of 263 Squadron from RAF Portreath attacked a Dornier Do215 off the Lizard but was hit by return fire and crashed near Helston. The aircraft was destroyed killing F/Lt David Alexander Cumming Crooks 40678 DFC.
01/04/1941 2015 hours Focke-Wulf Fw200 Condor was damaged in combat near St. Eval by a Hawker Hurricane of 247 Squadron flown by Sergeant J.A. Renvoise. The squadron was detached to RAF St. Eval for night fighter operations.
03/04/1941 An Unexploded Bomb is found in a grass field 300 yards, South of Tregantle Searchlight site.
03/04/1941 1725hrs Heinkel He111H-5 Werke Nummer 4014 1G+MH of 1 Staffel KG27, was attacked over Portreath and brought down in the Sea off Stepper Point, 2 miles N of Padstow, with the loss of Leutnant Fritz Huhle and crew. S/L Anthony Hartwell Rook 90071 and P/O Henry Norman Hunt 82656 of 504 Auxiliary Air Force Squadron based at Exeter shared the destruction of this aircraft. 5 members of the Heinkel’s crew were brought ashore in a Naval Vessel. 2 were injured and are now in the Naval Hospital at Padstow; the other 3 are under guard at Padstow Police Station.
03/04/1941 1845hrs Fairey Fulmar Mark I N4023 RN-N of Royal Naval Air Station St. Merryn Force Landed in a field at Castledore, 1½ miles from Lostwithiel Police House. The Pilot and passenger a Women’s Royal Naval Service Officer were uninjured. Construction Number F3063.
04/04/1941 Handley Page Hampden Mark I AD783 PL-? Of 144 Squadron overshot in landing at RAF St. Eval due to hydraulic failure whilst returning from operations.
04/04/1941 2055hrs 8 High Explosive Bombs were dropped on RAF St. Eval some damage to Government property was caused.
04/04/1941 2058hrs 11 High Explosive Bombs were dropped on RNAS St. Merryn, 4 naval personnel were slightly injured, there was damage to a hut and a shed, the Air Station was also machine-gunned.
04/04/1941 0145hrs Handley Page Hampden Mark I P4403 EA-? Of 49 Squadron overshot on landing at RAF St. Eval and hit a hedge whilst returning from an operation to the West Coast of France. The aircraft was Category W.
06/04/1941 Four Bristol Beaufort Mark I aircraft of 22 Squadron managed to take off from RAF St. Eval at 0420hrs to attack the German pocket battleship Gneisenau in the port of Brest. Two aircraft one armed with bombs and one armed with a torpedo became lost in cloud. The two other aircraft of F/O Hyde and F/O Kenneth Campbell, successfully found the target, they were to wait for a bombing attack to begin, prior to making their torpedo runs. As it became light F/O Campbell in N1016 OA-X decided to attack alone, dropping first to 300 feet then to 50 feet to drop his torpedo which ran true and stuck the 32,000-ton vessel near the stern exploding on impact. As he tried to fly out of the harbour, weapons of every calibre opened up on the Beaufort, which was shot down. F/O Kenneth Campbell 72446 and Sgt J.P. Scott RCAF, R63912. Sgt W.C. Mulliss 746872 and F/Sgt R.W. Hillman, 643257 died in the crash. On 13th March 1942 F/O Kenneth Campbell was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. F/O Kenneth Campbell VC.
07/04/1941 The Unclassified Road through the Emergency Landing Ground at Trebelzue is closed from it’s junction with the B3276 near Deer Park and the junction with the coast road near Trebelzue. The closure is due to an un-exploded bomb.
07/04/1941 de Havilland Leopard Moth BD172 (Ex G-ACOO) of 8 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit crashed on landing at RAF St.Eval.
09/04/1941 Bristol Blenheim Mark IV V5862 PZ-Y of 53 Squadron took off from RAF St. Eval with full nose down trim and dived into the ground out of control. P/O I.F. Anderson 43082. Sgt H.H. Walker 754774 and Sgt E.A.J.S. Fabian 908487 all killed.
10/04/1941 2255hrs 2 flares followed by 6 High Explosive Bombs were dropped at Predannack Downs near the RAF runways, map reference 115/405.
12/04/1941 0405hrs 2 Bombs dropped on RAF Portreath, there were no casualties but the runways were damaged.
13/04/1941 1200hrs 4 German Airmen came ashore in a rubber dinghy at Pentargon, Boscastle. The Homeguard took charge and then handed them over to the Military at the Infantry Training Centre, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, Bodmin.
14/04/1941 0320hrs 19 High Explosive Bombs dropped on and around RAF St. Eval.
15/04/1941 0240hrs Fairey Swordfish from 774 Squadron based at RNAS St. Merryn fell into the sea 1¼ miles SW of Portloe Cove, 1½ miles E of Veryan Police House. The occupants are safe and the aircraft was towed away by a Naval Vessel.
16/04/1941 1939hrs Bristol Blenheim Mark IV V5518 PZ-H of 53 Squadron based at St. Eval crashed and hit a wall force landing at Trolvis, Longdowns, 2½ miles W of Penryn Police Station. The aircraft was completely smashed with un-exploded bombs underneath the wreckage. F/O R.C.L. Reade 87055 and Sgt J.D. O’Connell 913611 were both killed. Sgt R.H.W.M. Camm 1003424 was seriously injured and removed to Hospital.
21/04/1941 0335hrs Lockheed Hudson Mark I T9304 VX-C of 206 Squadron based at RAF St. Eval crashed after take-off in a field on Providence Farm, Castle-an-Dinas, St. Columb Major. The aircraft was completely wrecked with all four crew dead. P/O R.L. Tanner 74692. Sgt G.V. Reeves 748689. Sgt C.T. Handley 910738 and Sgt F. Allen 615122.
23/04/1941 0245hrs Vickers Wellington R1597 HH-A of 218 Squadron based at Marham, Norfolk, crashed in a field at Trevigo, St. Minver, 11/2 miles NNE of St. Minver Church. The machine was slightly damaged and of the occupants 5 are uninjured and 1 injured.
23/04/1941 0620hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark Ia V7016 HP-? Of 247 Squadron detachment based at RAF St. Eval crashed in the sea off St. Agnes Head, 3 miles off St. Ives. Sgt Alan Cameron Kelly 40771 aged 23 of the Royal New Zealand Air Force was killed.
23/04/1941 A canister was washed up at Tintagel containing a First Aid Kit and sheets of paper marked “Fred Olsen Liner Oslo”, plus a canvas bag containing an electric lamp.
24/04/1941 1315hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark Ia V6681 HP-D of 247 Squadron had engine failure while on patrol. The pilot managed to force land in a strong wind at RAF Predannack were the aircraft swung off the runway and tipped up onto its nose. P/O J.F. Hayes was uninjured.
27/04/1941 2135 hours 3 small High Explosive Bombs dropped on RAF Portreath; there was no damage or casualties.
29/04/1941 2150hrs 4 High Explosive Bombs dropped on farmland on the outskirts of RAF Portreath.
01/05/1941 Bristol Beaufighter Mark Ic T3229 PN-? Of 252 Squadron ditched off Lisbon, Portugal on a transit flight between St. Eval and Gibraltar. Sub Lieutenant R.D.B. Hopkins RN and Sgt G. Bell 523274 were interned.
05/05/1941 0010hrs 14 High Explosive Bombs dropped in fields adjoining and on RNAS St. Merryn at 0057hrs in a further attack on the Air Station 33 High Explosive Bombs were dropped on the Air Station property and surroundings. The Naval Authorities dealt with 4 un-exploded bombs; there were no casualties, 1 Fairey Swordfish and some buildings damaged.
05/05/1941 0021hrs Bristol Blenheim Mark IV Z5809 BX-? Of 86 Squadron was destroyed in an air raid on RAF St. Eval.
06/05/1941 de Havilland Queen Bee N1829 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit is shot down by anti-aircraft gunners off RAF Cleave.
10/05/1941 40 High Explosive Bombs are dropped on RAF Portreath between 0020 and 0055hrs.
10/05/1941 0021hrs 80 High Explosive Bombs dropped on RAF St. Eval destroying two Bristol Blenheim Mark IV aircraft T2330 UX-? and V6070 UX-N of 82 Squadron.
10/05/1941 0022hrs 4 High Explosive Bombs dropped 3 in ploughed fields at Tremoon Farm and 1 at Tremoon RAF Wireless Station, 1 mile South of St. Mawgan.
10/05/1941 0022hrs 7 High Explosive Bombs dropped in fields and 1 on the B3276 Road at Trebelzue Farm.
10/05/1941 0022hrs 60 High Explosive and Oil Bombs dropped on Trebelzue Aerodrome.
11/05/1941 0001hrs an air raid damaged beyond repair two Bristol Beaufort Mark I aircraft L9881 MW-? and N1018 MW-K of 217 Squadron.
12/05/1941 0310hrs enemy aircraft raided RAF St. Eval and dropped 200 H E Bombs.
16/05/1941 0455hrs 1 High Explosive and 2 Incendiary Bombs dropped on RAF Portreath.
18/05/1941 Avro Manchester B Mark I L7393 EM-V of 207 Squadron from RAF Waddington flown by Squadron Leader Mackintosh, a test pilot, when on a cross-country test flight with 6 crew and 2 or 3 passengers had an engine fire He ordered the guns, dummy bomb load & fuel to be jettisoned. In an attempted landing at Perranporth the aircraft overshot and the under-carriage was raised. The Manchester continued through two walls and across a road before stopping. Sgt Nesbit suffered the only injury, the rest being badly shaken.
21/05/1941 0007hrs the enemy dropped High Explosive and Incendiary Bombs on RAF Portreath.
21/05/1941 0503hrs Bristol Blenheim Mark IVf V5428 ND-F of 236 Squadron overshot on landing at RAF St. Eval in bad weather, swung to avoid other aircraft and an undercarriage leg collapsed. The Blenheim was written off as beyond repair the crew of Sgts Lindley; Fuller & Hale were uninjured.
22/05/1941 Two Bristol Beaufighter Mark Ic aircraft of 252 Squadron took off from Gibraltar at 1000hrs on ferry flights to St. Eval T3235 BT-? Force landed in Eire, the aircraft and crew of F/O J. Holgate, F/O H. Verity and Sgt Barnett were interned. T3249 BT-? Ditched off Mousehole, Cornwall short of fuel in bad weather, F/O S. MacDonald, F/O G. Lemar and Sgt Booth were picked up by a small coastal vessel and transferred to the Royal Infirmary Truro.
23/05/1941 Bristol Beaufort Mark I N1040 MW-K of 217 Squadron based at RAF St. Eval took off on an Anti-Submarine search for a U-Boat the crew spotted a U-Boat on the surface near the Ile d’Oleron and dropped a stick of four bombs. A second attack against the vessel was made with the two remaining bombs but return fire ripped open both wing leading edges. Sgt Harper made a further run in using machine-guns but a cannon shell tore into the starboard main fuel tank and another exploded behind the observer’s panel. The pilot set course for home and the crew assessed the damage, the flaps and undercarriage were visibly in damaged. On reaching the Bishop’s Light the starboard engine started to misfire through lack of fuel and the Beaufort lost height and crash landed in a field at Boscathnoe Lane, Heamoor 2 miles North of Penzance. This crew consisting of Sgts Harper, Scollin, Seth and Wendle were all injured.
26/05/1941 1130hrs Bristol Blenheim B Mark IV V6301 PZ-? Of 53 Squadron based at RAF St. Eval on return from patrol in bad visibility undershot on landing and hit a gun position. W/C G.W.P. Grant 29091 and crew are safe.
28/05/1941 Between 0035 and 0311hrs a High Explosive Bomb is dropped on open moorland at Higher Butters Tor, St. Breward, 7 miles SE of St. Breward Police House.
28/05/1941 0050hrs a High Explosive Bomb is dropped in a field at Lower Pengelly, Delabole ¼ mile SSE of Delabole Police House. 1 house is destroyed and several others damaged.
28/05/1941 0100hrs a High Explosive Bomb is dropped in a grass field at Trecarne Farm, Advent, 2 miles S of Camelford. There are no casualties but there is damage to a farmhouse and out buildings.
28/05/1941 0100hrs a High Explosive Bomb is dropped in a field at Abbotts Hendra Farm, Davidstow, 1½ miles SSE of Halworthy Police House.
28/05/1941 0100hrs 2 High Explosive Bombs dropped at Helstone, Camelford, 1¾ miles SSW of Camelford Police Station. 1 house slightly damaged.
28/05/1941 0115hrs a High Explosive Bomb is dropped on the cliffs near Penally, Boscastle, ½ a mile NNW of Boscastle Police House.
30/05/1941 1000hrs Fairey Swordfish Mark II L2799 S6-A of 774 Squadron RNAS St. Merryn hit an overhead electric cable in Trebarwith Valley, 11/4 miles SSW of Tintagel Police House. The machine is totally destroyed and the 3 occupants are killed, Sub-Lieutenant J.H. Formby and Trainee Air Gunners C/JX 199955 Ordinary Seaman E.W. Page and P/JX205792 Ordinary Telegrapher F. Thurlow.
02/06/1941 0055hrs 5 High Explosive Bombs dropped at Treglith, 2¾ miles ENE of Halworthy Police House. The Road was closed and there was some damage to buildings but no casualties.
03/06/1941 de Havilland Dragon G-ACPY left the Scilly Isles at 1700hrs and has not been heard of since. This DH84 was shot down by a Heinkel He111H-4 of 1/KG28 circa 1650hrs there were five members of the Leggitt family and the pilot Captain W.D. Anderson on the aircraft they are missing presumed killed, after extensive searches by air and sea.
10/06/1941 0130hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark Ia V6847 HP-B of 247 Squadron based at RAF Portreath became lost while on patrol after radio problems and force-landed in a field at Trevose Head, 2 miles W of Padstow Police Station with under carriage down. The aircraft struck a dyke and overturned at 0135hrs. Sgt J.D. Mair was injured.
10/06/1941 Bristol Beaufort Mark I W6530 MW-S of 217 Squadron based at RAF St. Eval took off on a mining operation on the 9th June and landed at RAF Chivenor on return at 0325 hours on the 10th June. The aircraft departed Chivenor for the flight back to St. Eval but suffered an engine fire on route it crashed and blew up in Barnstaple Bay. Sgt P.F. Holley 742265, Sgt J.K. Whadcoat 957278, Sgt P.T. Perrins 974123 and Sgt C.G.J. McIvor 615917 all killed.
11/06/1941 1300hrs the remains of a Bristol Blenheim Mark IV V5933 PZ-U of 53 Squadron based at St. Eval have been found scattered within ½ mile of Brown Willy Tor, 41/2 miles from Five Lanes Police House. The machine apparently blew up on impact, there were 3 bodies one of which was unrecognisable the other two were blown to pieces. The aircraft was returning from an operation to St. Nazaire, France in cloud when it flew into the Tor. P/O N.D. MacLennan J3735 RCAF, Sgt D.C. Taylor 754263, Sgt W.M. Roberts 948880 all killed.
11/06/1941 Hawker Hurricane Mark Ia W9260 of 247 Squadron at RAF Portreath on a night patrol descended below cloud in poor visibility and crashed into the Channel. The pilot Sgt D.C. Ross 920876 was killed.
15/06/1941 Supermarine Spitfire Mark IIa P8182 Tasmania II of 152 Squadron based at RAF Portreath was abandoned by its pilot near Totnes, Devon.
16/06/1941 The decomposed body of a British airman was landed at Falmouth from HMS Ellesmere. The body had been found in the sea about 1½ miles from the Longships Light at approximately 1055hrs the body was that of Sgt Harry Burton 751824 an Air Gunner who was Killed in Action on the 24th April and whose address was 115 Grove Road, Blaby, Leicester.
17/06/1941 1530hrs Bristol Beaufort Mark I L9867 AW-? Of 217 Squadron at RAF St. Eval, F/O Eyre took off for his first solo circuits of the aerodrome, but suffered an engine failure and stalled in a forced landing, crashing in a field at Treburrick Farm, St. Eval. The sole occupant F/O J.A. Eyre 43359 was killed and the machine a complete wreck.
18/06/1941 1230hrs Bristol Beaufort Mark I N1158 OA-P of 22 Squadron based at RAF Thorney Island, Hampshire on a transfer flight crashed in a field at Tolcarne, St. Mawgan. 3 members of the crew were killed, P/O D.A. Attewell 89077, Sgt G.P. Whicher R60108 RCAF, Sgt P. McEwan 1355107. Sgt Towend was seriously injured and the plane completely wrecked.
19/06/1941 1715 hours the body of a German airman was recovered from the sea ½ a mile from Port Isaac; his service number was 67019 there was also the badge of a flying eagle and 69 in a circle with a pair of wings.
25/06/1941 0330hrs Heinkel HE-III-5 Wn3878 IH+BD III/KG26 Nantes. Was shot down by Ack Ack fire and crashed into the sea in Falmouth Bay off Coverack. One crew member Gefr Willi Hoffman rescued by local motor boat as he swam ashore. Three others killed. Uffz George Lohmann. Gefr Freidrich Brunnecker and Ogerf Leo Pfop.
29/06/1941 0220hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark IIa Z2390 HP-A of 247 Squadron flying a Searchlight co-operation sortie, swung onto rough ground on landing and tipped up onto its nose at RAF Predannack. P/O A. Roberts was uninjured.
03/07/1941 1215hrs Supermarine Spitfire Mk IIa P7972 PJ-? Of 130 Squadron based at RAF Portreath crashed at Gurland Farm, St. Just. Sgt Ronald Turner 1259078 died and the machine burnt out.
03/07/1941 1710hrs Junkers Ju88 crashed in a field at Trevilley Farm, Sennen, and the aircraft completely burnt-out and the four crewmen are dead.
4/07/1941 1405hrs Blackburn Roc Mark I L3140 of 774 Squadron Fleet Air Arm based at Royal Naval Air Station St. Merryn crashed on a sandbar, ½ a mile East of Padstow Harbour. The machine was extensively damaged and the three occupants injured, salvage of the aircraft is to be attempted.
07/07/1941 0242hrs Handley Page Hampden AD861 ZN-? of 106 Squadron crashed into Plymouth Sound, Devon after colliding with barrage balloon cable on return from operations. Two killed, two injured.
11/07/1941 Vickers Wellington Mark VIII W5631 WF-? Of 221 Squadron detachment at RAF St.Eval on return from an Anti-Submarine Patrol was in communication with base and was plotted in the vicinity of the Isles of Scilly. Contact was suddenly lost and information received that an aircraft had exploded in mid-air near the islands. It was thought that an enemy fighter had shot the Wellington down. A search by British fighter aircraft from RAF St. Eval failed to find any trace of the Wellington or its crew of six. F/O I.C.M. Sanderson 77042 (Argentinian) P/O R. Edwards 84917, P/O D.H.M. Jack 88692, Sgt L.P. MacDowell 978205 , Sgt V.S. Payne 975776 and Sgt R.G.W. Perkins 977815.
12/07/1941 2230hrs Bristol Beaufighter Mark IIf R2317 of 600 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force on detachment to RAF Predannack performing aerobatics while on a night flying test got into a spin and crashed at Trewoon, Mullion. The two occupants P/O Schumer and Sgt Smither were killed the machine was completely burnt-out.
19/07/1941 Bristol Beaufighter Mark Ic T3296 of the Overseas Air Dispatch Flight based at RAF Portreath is missing on a ferry flight to Gibraltar.
23/07/1941 2105 hours Bristol Beaufort Mark I L9891 OA-F of 22 Squadron flying from RAF St. Eval to Thorney Island, Hampshire crashed in a forced landing following engine failure at Cannaframe Farm, Altarnun. The aircraft was extensively damaged. Of the four crew and three passengers. P/O Rodgers (pilot) and Sgt Hills the Observer were seriously injured, the other five including Sgt Hatherall W/Op and Sgt McGee A/G were slightly injured. All were taken to Launceston Hospital.
24/07/1941 1536hrs Hawker Sea Hurricane Mark Ia R4214 of 880 Squadron detached to Royal Naval Air Station St.Merryn force-landed 300 yards from Hill Farm House, St.Gennys. There is damage to the propeller and the underside of the cockpit area the pilot is uninjured.
24/07/1941 1630 hours Vickers Wellington B Mark II W5581 LQ-? of 405 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force based at Pocklington, Yorkshire ditched 200 yards from shore on Whitsand Bar, Torpoint, Cornwall 2½ miles south-south west of Anthony Police House. The pilot Sgt Craig states that the aircraft was badly shot-up while on a daylight operation to attack the Gneisenau in Brest Docks. The rear gunner was seriously injured while shooting down two of the four enemy fighters attacking the aircraft. The other five crewmen including himself are slightly injured.
31/07/1941 Hawker Henley TT Mark III L3433 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit crashed on landing at RAF Cleave.
06/08/1941 0140hrs a Sea Mine exploded in Bossiney Bay, Tintagel.
06/08/1941 0600hrs a Sea Mine came ashore ¼ mile South South West of Boscastle.
06/08/1941 Miles Magister L5985 of 616 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force crashed on take-off at RAF Perranporth.
11/08/1941 1620hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark IIa Z2886 of 247 Squadron at RAF Predannack suffered engine failure and force-landed with the undercarriage retracted and struck a stone wall and overturned at Watering Place, Sancreed 2¼ miles from St. Just Police Station. The aircraft is wrecked and P/O Alfred Roberts was killed.
14/08/1941 Supermarine Spitfire Mark IIa P7556 of 130 Squadron spun into the ground at Portreath on return from operations.
19/08/1941 Hawker Hurricane Mark IIa Z2461 HP-O of 247 Squadron was involved in an accident at RAF Predannack.
20/08/1941 de Haviland Queen Bee V4800 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit was shot down by gunners off the coast at Cleave.
22/08/1941 2318hrs Bristol Beaufighter Mark IIf R2300 from 600 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force at RAF Predannack returning from an operational patrol crashed into the sea ¼ mile South of Predannack. Despite a search by lifeboat no trace of the aircraft or crew could be found. Sgts Martin and Smith are missing.
24/08/1941 Supermarine Spitfire Mark Ia X4246 of 53 Operational Training Unit based at Church Fenton, Yorkshire swung on landing at RAF Perranporth.
27/08/1941 Short Sunderland Mark I P9604 RB-J of 10 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force at Mount Batten, Plymouth force-landed after operations at Coverack Cove, Cornwall. The aircraft is category R.
05/09/1941 Hawker Hurricane Mark IIa Z2828 HP-? Of 247 Squadron based at RAF Predannack landed heavily with drift during bad weather. Sgt D.C. Deuntzer was unhurt but the aircraft was damaged.
06/09/1941 1550 hours Hawker Hurricane Mark IIa Z2572 HP-G of 247 Squadron based at RAF Predannack crashed into the sea ½ mile South of Logan Rock, 3 miles South West of St. Buryan Police House, during a practice dogfight off Lands End. The naval authorities made a search and the logbook of the Hurricane was found the pilot Sgt Robert Irwin Berkin was killed.
09/09/1941 1615hrs Supermarine Spitfire Mark Ia N3124 QG-B of 53 Operational Training Unit from RAF Llandow, Wales crashed at Tregure Farm, ½ mile from Jacobstow.
13/09/1941 1300hrs the body of a British airman was washed ashore at Benouth, Tintagel. Papers disclose his identity as 1172596 Sergeant Peter James Bull a W/Op Air Gunner, of RAF Chivenor, Barnstaple, Devon.
26/09/1941 1620hrs Bristol Beaufort Mark I W6483 MW-A of 217 Squadron from RAF St.Eval took off for a shipping strike. On return in bad visibility it crashed at County Quarry, Tregonning Hill, Breage. The machine was completely burnt-out and the four occupants killed.
29/09/1941 Supermarine Spitfire Mark IIa P7973 QY-? Of 452 Royal Australian Air Force Squadron hit an obstruction on a sweep over France and made a forced landing at RAF Predannack.
29/09/1941 An unexploded bomb was found at Hennett Farm, St. Juliot, Boscastle.
10/10/1941 Bristol Beaufort Mark I L9808 MW-? Of 217 Squadron based at RAF St.Eval flew into high ground 4 miles SW of Barnstaple, Devon.
10/10/1941 1500hrs the body of a British airman washed ashore at Poldhu Cove, Mullion has been identified as 1001262 Sgt Thomas Hunter of 263 Squadron killed in the crash of Westland Whirlwind Mark I P7001 HE-? at sea.
11/10/1941 Supermarine Spitfire Mark IIa P8098 `Enfield Spitfire` of 130 Squadron based at RAF Portreath was engaged in a beat-up of the aerodrome when it hit a dispersal hut.
11/10/1941 A Naval pallet was found washed ashore at Stanbury Mouth, Morwenstow.
15/10/1941 Hawker Hurricane Mark I of 87 Squadron on detachment to RAF St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly suffered an engine cut and belly-landed at St Mary’s.
19/10/1941 2218hrs Bristol Beaufighter 11f T3020 of 600 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force based at RAF Predannack crashed into the sea at Kennack Bay, near The Lizard, Coverack. The lifeboat made a search but sadly there were no survivors. See 21/10/1941.
21/10/1941 A battered fuel tank from the Beaufighter that crashed on the 19th October was found today.
22/10/1941 1055hrs Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley Mark V T4329 WL-U of 612 Squadron at RAF St. Eval flown by P/O D.H. Limbrey suffered engine failure and ditched 75 miles S.W. of Scillies The crew were rescued by a Short Sunderland Mark I P9604 RB-J of 10 Squadron RAAF.
23/10/1941 1630hrs Blackburn Shark Mark II L2377 of 774 Squadron based at RNAS St. Merryn crashed into the sea 1½ miles NNW of Tintagel Police house, the machine submerged but the two occupants are safe.
24/10/1941 1627hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark IIc BD934 ZY-V of 247 Squadron from Predannack entered a flat spin at 8,000 feet and crashed at Gwallon Marsh, Marazion, 1 mile north of Marazion Police house. The aircraft was completely smashed the pilot F/L Derek Ian Graham 72023 was killed.
27/10/1941 0758hrs Lockheed Hudson Mark V AM651 PZ-Y of 53 Squadron from St. Eval flown by F/Lt L.J.M. Bunce, navigator F/Sgt F.D. King DFM and WOp/AGs Sgts W.C. Cleaver and E. Leverington ditched in flames in Falmouth Bay off Porthallow. F/Lt Bunce and Sgt Cleaver managed to escape but F/Sgt King DFM and Sgt Leverington went down with the aircraft. A Naval Patrol Boat rescued the two survivors a navigator’s logbook and a flying helmet were also found.
28/10/1941 0730hrs a grounded Barrage Balloon was found on Ham’s Farm, Morwenstow, 2¾ miles NW of Kilkhampton Police house.
31/10/1941 Lockheed Hudson Mark V AM573 ZS-? Of 233 Squadron at St.Eval hit a Barrage Balloon cable and exploded in mid-air over Falmouth Docks. One body has been recovered.
02/11/1041 1645hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark IIb Z3681 HM-P of 136 Squadron based at RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire, crashed in a field at Otterham Downs, 5½ miles ENE of Camelford Police Station. The aircraft was extensively damaged. the pilot sustained a slight injury to the left leg.
02/11/1941 1650hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark IIb Z3593 HM-? Of 136 Squadron from Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire, crashed in a field at Heathfield, near Milton, Morwenstow, 2 miles NW of Kilkhampton Police house. The pilot bailed-out and was uninjured but the aircraft was totally smashed. The 12 aircraft of 136 Squadron were on a cross-country Navigation Exercise to Swansea, Wales but they all ran-out of fuel before reaching their target.
05/11/1941 1215hrs Hawker Hurricane Mark IIb Z3051 ZY-? Of 247 Squadron at RAF Predannack suffered engine failure and crashed and caught fire in a field at Predannack Manor Farm. The aircraft was burnt-out. P/O J.S. Gailbraith was injured.
12/11/1941 1155hrs Supermarine Spitfire Mark Vb AD192 RY-? Of 313 Czechoslovakian Squadron crashed at RAF Portreath the aircraft was extensively damaged, the pilot only slightly injured.
17/11/1941 1930hrs three or four High Explosive Bombs fell in the sea about 3 miles WNW of Trevose Head, Padstow.
21/11/1941 1930hrs three High Explosive bombs are dropped on moorland on Darracott Farm, 2 miles East of Kilkhampton Police house.
24/11/1941 Heinkel He111H-5 of KG40 attempted an attack on a single ship in the Bristol Channel, but anti-aircraft fire damaged the bomber and it crash-landed at Gwavas Farm, Sithney near Helston. The German crew survived and were taken prisoner.
28/11/1941 Hawker Henley TT Mark III L3253 of 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit based at RAF Cleave ditched after an engine fire 2 miles NE of Portreath.
01/12/1941 An Avro Rota Mark I K4235 of 74 Wing force landed in bad weather on reaching the coast at Mousehole, Cornwall.
03/12/1941 Bristol Beaufighter Mark Ic T4703 of 1 Overseas Aircraft Dispatch Unit based at RAF Portreath collided on take-off with T4715. T4703 was declared category E. T4715 was category B and repaired.
09/12/1941 0930hrs the body of a British Airman washed ashore at Gwennon Beach, 21/4 miles SSW of St Just Police Station. At the same place was found: 2 Under-carriage wheels, 1 marked Beaufort 175, the other Beaufighter 465, 1 small tail wheel, 2 x 9 gallon petrol tanks, 1 x 9 gallon oil tank and 1 small alcohol tank. (Report No 263 09/12/1941).
09/12/1941 1645hrs a British Sea mine washed ashore at Benouth Cove, Tintagel.
10/12/1941 1030hrs a British Sea mine washed ashore at Summerleaze Beach, Bude.
16/12/1941 1100hrs the body of a British Airman washed ashore at Widemouth, 2 miles SSW of Bude. Named as F/Lt John Guthrie Fletcher 70798 of B Flight, 600 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force based at RAF Predannack. See 1st December 1941.
18/12/1941 Handley Page Halifax Mark II V9978 TL-? Of 35 Squadron damaged by flak on operations ditched in the English Channel.
20/12/1941 1600hrs Bristol Beaufort Mark II AW249 of 86 Squadron based at RAF St. Eval suffered engine failure and crashed in the sea about 5 miles off shore from St. Eval. A rescue boat has put out from St. Ives, 1 wounded survivor F/Sgt R.E. Howett 751101 was found 21/2 hours after the crash, the body of the pilot F/Lt D.E. Shorman 41327 from Nairobi, Kenya and that of F/Sgt D. Copes 651371 were recovered. Sgt E.G. Forster 759029 is missing.
24/12/1941 1400hrs the body of F/O David James Fletcher 41166 a crew member of a Short Sunderland Mark I W3998 of 201 Squadron was found washed ashore on Whitsand Beach. The flying boat was lost in a take off accident in Plymouth Sound on 20th December 1941 he was one of 11 crewmen killed.
25/12/1941 Lockheed Hudson Mark III V9091 QX-B of 224 Squadron based at RAF St. Eval On returning to base overshot on landing and hit a hedge, the nose was crushed, both engines were left hanging out of their nacelles, the undercarriage was buckled and the port mainplane smashed. P/O N.A. Mervyn-Smith, Sgt R. Mattison, Sgt H. Clent, Sgt H. Flavell and F/Sgt T. Edgar survived.
28/12/1941 1320hrs Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley Mark V Z9297 of the Overseas Aircraft Dispatch Unit at RAF Portreath crashed at Weston-Super-Mare after control was lost. Three crewmen were injured and the aircraft is category W.
28/12/1941 1530hrs Bristol Beaufort Mark I N1086 of 5 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit, from Chivenor, Devon. returning from a training sortie with the port engine stopped crashed at South Coombe Farm, Stokeclimsland, 1 mile West of Stokeclimsland Police House. The aircraft is completely burnt out and the four occupants P/O Philip Hastings Isted 89823, Pilot; Sgt G.G. Sinclair, Observer; Sgt E. Robinson, Wop/AG and Sgt F.C. Baker, WOp/AG were all killed.
30/12/1941 Handley Page Halifax Mark II R9374 ZA-? Of 10 Squadron ditched off Cornwall on return from operations to Brest, the first successful ditching of a Halifax.
30/12/1941 0545hrs Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mark VII Z9372 YG-M of 502 Squadron based at RAF St. Eval crash landed on return in poor weather while flying at 100 feet trying to locate St.Eval an engine stopped and the Whitley force landed. The crew of F/O A. Wood BEM, Sgt R.W. Dix, F/O P.R. Aitken, Sgt L.E.H. Eullrich, Sgt H.S. Vince and Sgt H.B. Jordan survived with cuts and bruises.
31/12/1941 1200hrs Supermarine Spitfire Mark V W3962 DU-? Of 312 (Czechoslovakia) Squadron, based at RAF Portreath force-landed in a field at Boscawen Rose Farm, 1¾ miles from St.Buryan Police House, and damaged the under-carriage and propeller.
31/12/1941 Supermarine Spitfire Mark Vb BL286 PJ-? Of 130 Squadron from RAF Perranporth while flying at 1,500 feet spun into the sea off of a steep turn 2 miles E of Falmouth. Sgt Jeffrey Cox 1281530 was killed.