Tragedy Salisbury Plain 15 April 1942
 

Hi guys

I'm not sure if this has been discussed before, but on 15 April 1942 a demonstration of air-to-ground fire-power was provided in front of a special audience on Salisbury Plain by Hurricanes of 175 Squadron. Sadly, the the exhibition went terribly wrong and one unfortunate pilot erroneously strafed the enclosure and not the target!

25 people were killed and 60 wounded. The pilot was exonerated but the two senior officers (a group captain and a wing commander) conducting the demonstration were court-martialed and reduced to pilot officer.

Do we know who these two officers were? And do we know the identities of the casualties? A tall order, but somewhere the facts must have been recorded.

Cheers
Brian

Re: Tragedy Salisbury Plain 15 April 1942
 

I have a vague idea that After The Battle magazine covered this story in detail. I may be wrong, although I know I have read about it somewhere.

May be worth checking ATB, Brian, because if they did cover it then doubtless the names are there if anywhere. However, I am fairly certain that Courts Martial records are still "closed".

Re: Tragedy Salisbury Plain 15 April 1942
 

Thanks Andy

Now located and ordered.

Cheers
Brian