Lake on the Pylewell Estate, Boldre, Hampshire

Aircraft crash site

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Detailed History

On the 19th of April 1944, at 11.15am, this aircraft flown by Capt. William Richard Fleming was involved in a mid-air collission with another P-47D flown by 2nd Lt. Edwin Rogers Johnston. Both aircraft crashed, Johnston bailed out, slightly hurt, Fleming was killed. The aircraft were took off from Lymington for formation training. However, Johnston following behind Fleming was blinded by the sun and while straightening up in the hope to gain sight of his leader flew his aircraft into that of his leader, striking it near the centre of the fuselage. Fleming's aircraft was seen to descend from 5000ft in a slow spin. Shortly before crashing the tail unit sheared off and was found 600 yards from the main wreckage. Fleming was still in the cockpit and had made no attempt to bail out. The aircraft came to rest in a pond on the Pylewell Estate, Boldre, Hampshire and was found patially inundated. The exact location has not been verified, but apparently it crashed in the reeds towards the top end of the lake.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 50th Fighter Group 10th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-793601
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 84th Fighter Wing 50th Fighter Group 10th Fighter Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorRPR
Changes
Sources

Aircraft Accident Report 44-4-19-501