Wellingtons target Stavanger 11th April 1940
 

Hello, I am trying to clarify exactly where the Wellington that was shot down on this raid actually crash landed. It would potentially appear to be a school at Storhaug, near Stavanger, but I cannot seem to confirm this, or if the school still exists?
My uncle, Sgt Obs Pearce 580805 was the tail gunner, and I would like to visit the site with my family.
If anyone could help with any information, it would really be appreciated.Thank you.

Re: Wellingtons target Stavanger 11th April 1940
 

This is a link about the school and the incident.
http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storhaug_skole

The school seems to still exist (perhaps a the original location as it was rebuilt in 1949.)
http://erlingjensen.net/Historie/storhaug_skole.htm
http://www.linksidene.no/storhaug

Google can do translations of the links.

Re: Wellingtons target Stavanger 11th April 1940
 

Hello,

This might be helpful: According to our EoE British Loss DB:

"Night of April 11-12, 1940
115 Squadron, Marham
Wellington IC P9284. Shot down by AA fire during night attack on Stavanger-Sola airfield and crashed in the target area. (Pilot) Pilot Officer Frederick Edward Barber, (Pilot) Pilot Officer David Alexander Rankin, (Obs) Sergeant Alan Sydney Pearce, Sergeant Geoffrey William James Juby, LAC Lionel Allen Westcott, and (AG) Pilot Officer Peter Edward Tucker Bull all killed. Aircraft KO*J a write-off."

We would like to photographically cover this crash and any photos that exist of the crew. It looks like one of the photos in the referenced website shows damage to the school from the crash. Are any photos of the wreckage known to exist?

Any help with this would be appreciated, including any local accounts from witnesses to the crash or its aftermath. I'm sure that some exist in the Stavanger area.

Regards,

Re: Wellingtons target Stavanger 11th April 1940
 

Many thanks to both of you. I will visit the site in Stavanger in September, and see what I can find.
Larry, I have a picture of Alan Pearce in his quarters with fellow crew, but I suspect not the actual crew, as it looks like they are still training. I understand this sortie was the first land based bombing raid in Europe, so potentially significant in that respect?
Thanks for your help once again.
Richard Pearce