Morlaix river : spitfire or hurricane crashed ?
 

During WWII, an aircraft belly landed in the river of Morlaix (Northern Brittany), in the mud, and its vertical fin could still be seen years later.

Ever heard of this ??

GC

Re: Morlaix river : spitfire or hurricane crashed ?
 

I am sure there are a few possible candidates, but by any chance one of the Morlaix Raid casualties? From memory, 26 September 1942??

Re: Morlaix river : spitfire or hurricane crashed ?
 

yes, probably: there were in fact several raids over Morlaix;

I have found a witness who saw the crashes of a Typhoon, a whirlwind, an A36;

There is also a -sadly- famous raid against the railway bridge ("viaduc") performed by Bostons (raid quoted by J.Andrieux in his book) where a school was unfortunately hit, killing many kids;

I'll try to go to the villages around the river looking for witnesses remembering the date.

touch wood !

best regards.

GC

Re: Morlaix river : spitfire or hurricane crashed ?
 

One minor point: not an A-36, as these were not used over Western Europe. An Allison-engined Mustang: the Mk.1 did not have a USAAF equivalent, Mk.IA was the P-51, Mk.II was the P-51A.

Morlaix river crash : more info
 

a local witness told me today that:

(i) he saw two corpses on the shore, before the german soldiers took them away; so it was not a spitfire or a hurricane

(ii) it was during the summer 1942.

Can this help trace the aircraft ?

Blenheim ? boston ?

Thanks to you all

GC